The gracious prince greeted them, and said, “Ye are both welcome, Etzel’s minstrels, ye and your followers. Wherefore hath the mighty Etzel sent you into Burgundy?” They bowed before him, and Werbel answered, “My dear master, and Kriemhild thy sister, commend their service to thee. With true intent they have sent us hither to you, O knights.” Then said the noble prince, “I rejoice at the tidings. How fareth it with Etzel, and Kriemhild my sister?” Whereto the fiddler answered, “Never was king of any land better or happier, nor his kinsmen nor vassals; know that for certain. Right glad were they when we set forth on this journey.” “Thank him and my sister for their greeting. I rejoice that it is well with the king and his folk, for I asked, much fearing.” The two young kings were also come in, and had heard the news for the first time. Giselher, the youth, was glad to see the envoys, for love of his sister, and said to them kindly, “Ye be heartily welcome. If ye came oftener to the Rhine, ye would find friends worth the seeing. Small ill should betide you here.” “I trow it well,” answered Schwemmel. “Word of mine cannot tell thee how right lovingly Etzel commendeth him to thee, and eke thy sister, that is holden in high esteem. The king’s wife biddeth thee remember thy love and faith, and that thou wert ever true to her in heart and soul. And, first of all, we are sent to the king, to invite you to ride into Etzel’s land, and Sir Gernot with you. Mighty Etzel commanded me to say to you all that, even if ye desire not to see your sister, he would fain learn what wrong he hath done you, that ye are such strangers to him and his court. Had ye never known the queen, he deserveth no less of you than that ye come to see him. If ye consent to this, ye shall please him well.” And Gunther answered, “A sennight from now I will let thee know what I and my friends have determined on. Go meanwhile to thy lodging and rest.” But Werbel said, “Might we not, ere we seek repose, win audience of great Uta?” Whereto the noble Giselher answered courteously, “None shall hinder you, for in this ye shall have done my mother’s will. For the sake of my sister, Queen Kriemhild, she will see you gladly. Right welcome shall ye be.” Giselher brought them before the lady, who rejoiced to see envoys from the land of the Huns. Kindly and lovingly she greeted them, and the courtly messengers and good delivered their tidings. “My mistress commendeth to thee,” said Schwemmel, “her service and her true love. Could she but have sight of thee oftener, naught on earth were dearer to her.” But the queen answered, “That cannot be. The noble king’s wife dwelleth, alack! too far from me. Blessed evermore be she and Etzel. Fail not to send me word of your departure, when ye are about to return home. It is long since envoys were so welcome as ye are.” And the youths promised that they would do it.