# How They All Went to Their Homes explained — Gudrun

> Chapter companion for Gudrun by Anonymous.

## What happens

After the resolution of conflicts, Siegfried returns to Moorland with his bride (Herwic's sister), and Herwic takes Gudrun home. Gudrun bids farewell to her mother Hilda, brother Ortwin, and Ortrun. Queen Hilda gives lavish parting gifts. Gudrun promises to visit yearly. Ortrun thanks Gudrun for sparing Hartmut and thanks Hilda for allowing her to marry Ortwin. Ortwin and Herwic swear eternal friendship.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Kinship

Gudrun's farewell to her mother and brother, and the promise to visit yearly, emphasize the enduring bonds of family.

### Hospitality and Generosity

Queen Hilda's lavish parting gifts to Herwic's followers highlight the theme of generosity.

### Honor and Reputation

Ortwin and Herwic swear to rule with right and honor and to defend each other, underscoring the importance of honor.

## Character check-ins

### Gudrun

Bids farewell to her mother Hilda and brother Ortwin, then departs with Herwic for his home.

### Hilda

Queen Hilda gives generous parting gifts and asks Gudrun to visit yearly.

### Ortwin

Bids farewell to Gudrun and swears eternal friendship with Herwic.

### Herwic

Returns home with Gudrun and swears friendship with Ortwin.

### Ortrun

Betrothed to Ortwin, thanks Gudrun for sparing Hartmut and thanks Hilda for allowing her to marry Ortwin.

### Siegfried

King of Moorland, goes home taking his bride, Herwic's sister.

## Key lines

> Gudrun then spake to her mother: "May blessings on you be! Mourn not for the fallen; by both my lord and me Shall love to you be given: no more you need be feeling Heaviness or sorrow; your woes shall Herwic's kindness now be healing."

Gudrun comforts her mother Hilda, promising that she and Herwic will show her love and that Herwic's kindness will ease her sorrow.

_Gudrun reassures her mother after the losses of war._

> Ortwin then and Herwic each to the other swore, With strong and steady friendship, that they forevermore Would sway with right and honor the lands to them belonging, And ever would be earnest to seize and slay whoe'er was either wronging.

Ortwin and Herwic swore a lasting friendship, promising to rule their lands justly and to punish anyone who wronged the other.

_The two kings formalize their alliance with an oath._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxxii-how-they-all-went-to-their-homes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/gudrun_se/chapters