Then they ride to Hlymdale, and there Heimir gave them good
welcome; so Gunnar tells his errand; Heimir says, that she must
needs wed but him whom she herself chose freely; and tells them
how her abode was but a little way thence, and that he deemed
that him only would she have who should ride through the flaming
fire that was drawn round about her hall; so they depart and come
to the hall and the fire, and see there a castle with a golden
roof-ridge, and all round about a fire roaring up.
Now Gunnar rode on Goti, but Hogni on Holkvi, and Gunnar smote
his horse to face the fire, but he shrank aback.
Then said Sigurd, "Why givest thou back, Gunnar?"
He answered, "The horse will not tread this fire; but lend me thy
horse Grani."
"Yea, with all my good will," says Sigurd.
Then Gunnar rides him at the fire, and yet nowise will Gram stir,
nor may Gunnar any the more ride through that fire. So now they
change semblance, Gunnar and Sigurd, even as Grimhild had taught
them; then Sigurd in the likeness of Gunnar mounts and rides,
Gram in his hand, and golden spurs on his heels; then leapt Grani
into the fire when he felt the spurs; and a mighty roar arose as
the fire burned ever madder, and the earth trembled, and the
flames went up even unto the heavens, nor had any dared to ride
as he rode, even as it were through the deep mirk.
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