# Tale VIII: How Hagen Followed His Daughter explained — Gudrun

> Chapter companion for Gudrun by Anonymous.

## What happens

Hagen and his warriors sail to the Hegeling land to rescue his daughter Hilda, leading to a fierce battle on the seashore. At Hilda's entreaty, peace is made, and Hagen consents to her marriage with Hettel. Wâ-te heals the wounded, and Hagen returns home, leaving Hilda and her maidens in Hettel's kingdom.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

The central conflict revolves around Hilda's marriage to Hettel, which is ultimately resolved through battle and negotiation.

### Power and Warfare

The chapter is dominated by the battle between Hagen's Irish forces and Hettel's Hegelings, showcasing the use of force to resolve disputes.

### Family and Kinship

Hagen's pursuit of Hilda and his eventual acceptance of her marriage highlight the bonds and conflicts within families.

### Honor and Reputation

Characters act to preserve their honor, as seen in Hagen's determination to reclaim his daughter and Hettel's insistence on a truce that raises his standing.

## Character check-ins

### Hagen

Leads the Irish forces to rescue his daughter Hilda; engages in battle with Wâ-te and Hettel; eventually consents to Hilda's marriage.

### Hilda

The maiden whose marriage is contested; pleads for peace and reconciliation between her father Hagen and Hettel.

### Hettel

King of the Hegelings; fights Hagen to keep Hilda; brokers peace and marries Hilda.

### Wâ-te

Fights fiercely against Hagen; later uses his healing skills to treat the wounded, including Hagen and Hettel.

### Horant

Spots Hagen's ships and alerts the Hegelings; later leads Hilda to her father.

### Irold

Wounded in battle; comments on the impending fight with Hagen.

### Morunc

Shouts to Irold about the approaching ships, warning of Hagen's arrival.

### Fru-te

Accompanies Horant in leading Hilda to Hagen; later appointed to guard Hettel's wealth.

## Key lines

> Wâ-te gave back in anger each grim and deadly blow, Making the blood, like tear-drops, on Hagen’s breast to flow;

Wâ-te retaliated with fierce strikes, causing blood to drip from Hagen's chest like tears.

_Describes the intensity of the combat between Wâ-te and Hagen._

> Then spake the lordly Hagen: 'Since first to me ’twas told How you to win my daughter showed yourself so bold, This to your name with warriors shame has ne’er been doing; Clever was the cunning to which your winning of my child is owing.'

Hagen acknowledged that Hettel's cleverness in winning Hilda brought no shame, despite the boldness of the act.

_Hagen concedes that Hettel's strategy was honorable, paving the way for peace._

> She said, 'My dear friend Wâ-te, my father heal, I pray; For this, whate’er you ask me, I ne’er will say you nay;'

Hilda begged Wâ-te to heal her father, promising to grant any request in return.

_Hilda's plea demonstrates her filial devotion and her role in brokering peace._

> Then spake the aged Wâ-te: 'Their wounds I cannot heal— In that I will not meddle, until as friends they feel Each unto the other— Hagen brave and knightly, And Hettel, my lord and master;'

Wâ-te refused to heal anyone until Hagen and Hettel reconciled as friends.

_Wâ-te uses his healing skill as leverage to force a truce between the two kings._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-viii-how-hagen-followed-his-daughter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters