After taunting Hagen with slaying her husband,--a charge he does not deny,--Kriemhild orders her men to slay him, but a single glance of his fiery eyes sends them back cringing, and the queen cannot prevail upon them to renew the attack.

Seeing this, Volker and Hagen boldly join their friends in the banquet-hall, where Etzel--who is depicted as an inoffensive, unsuspicious old man--cordially bids them welcome.
_30th Adventure._ On their way to their sleeping quarters that night, the Burgundians are jostled by some Huns, who, instigated by Kriemhild, are evidently seeking to provoke a quarrel.

In spite of their efforts, however, the Burgundians reach their dormitory in safety, where Hagen and Volker watch all night at the door to guard against surprise.

It is well for them they do so, because at midnight Kriemhild dispatches a force to attack them, but again the Huns shrink away appalled on meeting Hagen's menacing glance.
_31st Adventure._ At dawn the Burgundians, still fully armed, march off to church, and after service proceed with the king and queen to view a tournament held in their honor.

In these games Rudiger and Dietrich both refuse to take part, lest an accident should occur.
Their previsions are justified, for, when Volker inadvertently slays a Hun, Kriemhild loudly clamors for vengeance, although her husband implores that peace be maintained.