Then they took counsel, and discovered that so many able fighting men had perished during the last war that they would be obliged to wait until the rising generation was able to bear arms before they could invade Normandy with any hope of success.
"Then spoke old Wat, the hero: 'It never can befall Before this country's children have grown to manhood all.'" _Gudrun_ (Dippold's tr.).
Gudrun, in the mean while, had arrived in Normandy, where she persisted in refusing to marry Hartmut.

On her way thither the haughty princess had even ventured to remind King Ludwig that he had once been her father's vassal, and so roused his anger that he threw her overboard.

But Hartmut immediately plunged into the water after her, rescued her from drowning, and when he had again seen her safe in the boat, angrily reproved his father for his hasty conduct.
"He said: 'Why would you drown her who is to be my wife, The fair and charming Gudrun?
I love her as my life.
Another than my father, if he had shown such daring, Would lose his life and honor from wrath of mine unsparing.'" _Gudrun_ (Dippold's tr.).
[Sidenote: Gudrun a captive.] After this declaration on the part of the young heir, none dared at first treat Gudrun with any disrespect; and Gerlinda and Ortrun, the mother and sister of Hartmut, welcomed her as she landed on their shores.

Gerlinda's friendliness was a mere pretense, however, for she hated the proud maiden who scorned her son's proffered love.

She therefore soon persuaded her son to give the gentle captive entirely into her charge, saying that she would make her consent to become his bride.