"
And so ugly ill befell from that going to the river, and that
knowing of the ring, wherefrom did all their talk arise.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Of Brynhild's great Grief and Mourning.
After this talk Brynhild lay a-bed, and tidings were brought to
King Gunnar that Brynhild was sick; he goes to see her thereon,
and asks what ails her; but she answered him naught, but lay
there as one dead: and when he was hard on her for an answer, she
said --
"What didst thou with that ring that I gave thee, even the one
which King Budli gave me at our last parting, when thou and King
Giuki came to him and threatened fire and the sword, unless ye
had me to wife? Yea, at that time he led me apart, and asked me
which I had chosen of those who were come; but I prayed him that
I might abide to ward the land and be chief over the third part
of his men; then were there two choices for me to deal betwixt
either that I should be wedded to him whom he would, or lose all
my weal and friendship at his hands; and he said withal that his
friendship would be better to me than his wrath: then I bethought
me whether I should yield to his will, or slay many a man; and
therewithal I deemed that it would avail little to strive with
him, and so it fell out, that I promised to wed whomsoever should
ride the horse Grani with Fafnir's Hoard, and ride through my
flaming fire, and slay those men whom I called on him to slay,
and now so it was, that none durst ride, save Sigurd only,
because he lacked no heart thereto; yea, and the Worm he flew,
and Regin, and five kings beside; but thou, Gunnar, durst do
naught; as pale as a dead man didst thou wax, and no king thou
art, and no champion; so whereas I made a vow unto my father,
that him alone would I love who was the noblest man alive, and
that this is none save Sigurd, lo, now have I broken my oath and
brought it to naught, since he is none of mine, and for this
cause shall I compass thy death; and a great reward of evil
things have I wherewith to reward Grimhild; -- never, I wot, has
woman lived eviler or of lesser heart than she.
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