Passing all through Bavaria, he arrived at last at Worms, where he was warmly welcomed, by Hagen especially, who had formerly known him well.
In reply to Gunther's courteous inquiry concerning the welfare of the King and Queen of the Huns, Ruediger announced the death of the latter, and declared that he had come to sue for Kriemhild's hand.
"Thereon the highborn envoy his message freely told: 'King, since you have permitted, I'll to your ears unfold Wherefore my royal master me to your court has sent, Plung'd as he is in sorrow and doleful dreariment.
"'It has been told my master, Sir Siegfried now is dead, And Kriemhild left a widow.

If thus they both have sped, Would you but permit her, she the crown shall wear Before the knights of Etzel; this bids me my good lord declare.'" _Nibelungenlied_ (Lettsom's tr.).
Gunther gladly received this message, promised to do all in his power to win Kriemhild's consent, and said that he would give the envoy a definite answer in three days' time.

He then consulted his brothers and nobles as to the advisability of the proposed alliance, and found that all were greatly in favor of it save Hagen, who warned them that if Kriemhild were ever Queen of the Huns she would use her power to avenge her wrongs.
[Sidenote: Ruediger's promise.] This warning was, however, not heeded by the royal brothers, who, seeking Kriemhild's presence, vainly tried to make her accept the Hun's proposal.

All she would grant was an audience to Ruediger, who laid before her his master's proposal, described the power of the Huns, and swore to obey her in all things would she but consent to become his queen.
"In vain they her entreated, in vain to her they pray'd, Till to the queen the margrave this secret promise made,-- He'd 'full amends procure her for past or future ill.' Those words her storm-tost bosom had power in part to still." _Nibelungenlied_ (Lettsom's tr.).
[Sidenote: The journey to Hungary.] After receiving this promise, Kriemhild signified her consent, and immediately prepared to accompany Ruediger to King Etzel's court.

Eckewart and all her maidens accompanied her, with five hundred men as a bodyguard; and Gernot and Giselher, with many Burgundian nobles, escorted her to Vergen on the Danube, where they took an affectionate leave of her, and went back to their home in Burgundy.
From Vergen, Kriemhild and her escort journeyed on to Passau, where they were warmly welcomed and hospitably entertained by good Bishop Pilgrim, brother of Queen Ute.