But when Kriemhild would have journeyed thither with her mother, the which she was fain to do, she was forced to tarry, by reason of news that came from far beyond the Rhine. Book II Twentieth Adventure How King Etzel Sent to Burgundy for Kriemhild It was in the days when Queen Helca died, and King Etzel wooed other women, that his friends commended to him a proud widow in the land of Burgundy, that hight Queen Kriemhild. Seeing fair Helca was dead, they said, “If thou wouldst win a noble wife, the highest and the best that ever a king won, take this woman. Stark Siegfried was her husband.” The great king answered, “How could that be, since I am a heathen, and have not received baptism? The woman is a Christian—she will not consent. It were a wonder, truly, if it came to pass.” But the good knights said, “What if she do it gladly, for thy high name’s sake, and thy great possessions? One can ask her at the least; she were a fitting and comely mate for thee.” Then the noble king answered, “Which among ye knoweth the folk by the Rhine, and their land?” Said good Rudeger of Bechlaren, “From a child I have known the high and noble kings, Gunther and Gernot, good knights both. The third hight Giselher; each of these doeth whatso goeth best with honour and virtue. The like did their fathers.” But Etzel said, “Friend, tell me now, is she meet to wear the crown in my land? If her body be so fair as they say, my best friends shall never rue it.” “She resembleth great Helca, my mistress, for beauty. No king’s wife in the world could be fairer. Whom she taketh to friend may well be comforted!” He said, “Then woo her, Rudeger, in my name and for my sake. And come I ever to wed Kriemhild, I will reward thee as I best can. Thereto, thou wilt have done my will faithfully. From my store I will bid them give thee what thou requirest of horses and apparel, that thou and thy fellows may live merrily. They shall give thee therefrom without stint for thine embassy.” Rudeger, the rich Margrave, answered, “I were much to blame if I took from thy store. I will gladly ride, an envoy to the Rhine, at mine own cost, and with what I have received from thy hand.” Then the rich king said, “When thinkest thou to set out for the fair one? God guard thine honour by the way, and also my wife, if kind fortune help us to her favour.” Said Rudeger, “Or we quit this land, we must let fashion weapons and apparel, that we may win worship when we come before the princes. I will lead to the Rhine five hundred valiant men, that when they see me and mine at Burgundy, they may say that never king sent so many men so far as thou hast sent to us, to the Rhine. And know, great king, if thou art set on this, that she belonged to Siegfried, a right goodly man, the son of Siegmund. Thou hast seen him here. Soothly, much worship might be said of him.”