# Tale VII: How the Maidens Came to See the Ship, and Were Carried to Hettel’s Kingdom explained — Gudrun

> Chapter companion for Gudrun by Anonymous.

## What happens

Hilda and her maidens are lured aboard a ship under the pretense of viewing wares, then abducted by Wâ-te and his men. Hagen discovers the treachery too late and must build new ships to pursue. The Hegelings send word to Hettel, who prepares a grand welcome. Upon arrival, Hettel greets Hilda and her maidens, including Hildeburg, but the threat of Hagen's pursuit looms.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hospitality and Generosity

Hettel rewards his messengers with a hundred marks and provides lavish gifts and a grand welcome for Hilda and her maidens.

### Power and Warfare

Hagen's rage and threat of force contrast with Wâ-te's cunning; the chapter sets up impending conflict between the Hegelings and Hagen.

### Gender Roles and Agency

Hilda and her maidens are passive objects of the abduction, though Hilda's mother mourns her loss, highlighting women's limited agency.

## Character check-ins

### Hilda

Queen Hilda is tricked into boarding the ship with her maidens and carried away to Hettel's kingdom.

### Hagen

King Hagen is deceived while inspecting goods; he angrily pursues but is delayed by unready ships.

### Wâ-te

Wâ-te orchestrates the abduction, heaves anchor, and later escorts Hilda to Hettel.

### Hettel

King Hettel receives news of Hilda's capture, prepares a grand welcome, and greets her with joy.

### Morunc

Morunc boldly speaks against Hagen's threats during the abduction.

### Fru-te

Fru-te accompanies Wâ-te and is seen by Hettel as one of his bravest liegemen.

### Hildeburg

Hildeburg is among the maidens; she was once taken by a griffin and now feels longing for her homeland.

### Irold

Irold of Ortland escorts Hilda as she meets Hettel.

## Key lines

> Early on the morrow, after the mass was said, To don their richest clothing strove each wife and maid

The next morning, after mass, all the women and maidens dressed in their finest clothes.

_Describes the preparation for the visit to the ships._

> Hilda, the queenly mother, was sundered from her daughter; The men, in the ship long hidden, upsprang and sorrow made for Hagen on the water.

Queen Hilda was separated from her daughter as hidden men sprang up on the ship, causing grief for Hagen.

_Highlights the moment of abduction and the separation of mother and daughter._

> Then spake the aged Wâ-te: No harm to us was done; But yet a sway so mighty I ne'er before have known, As this that wild King Hagen over his lands now wieldeth

Old Wâ-te said they were unharmed, but praised the great power of King Hagen over his lands.

_Wâ-te reports to Hettel about Hagen's strength and the success of the mission._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-vii-how-the-maidens-came-to-see-the-ship-and-were-carried-to-hettel-s-kingdom
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters