The Nibelungen’s legend is an epic tale in which Scandinavian, Germanic and Celtic’s mythology are mixed together with several elements taken from the burgundy realm history.

Many other legends have been inspired by similar themes. Nevertheless this saga shows out far more of the historical side.

It is said that in the old realm of Néerlande, lived Siegfried, young and handsome knight, son of the King Siegmund and the queen Sieglinde. This powerful admired warrior, found out that in the wealthy neighbor kingdom of Burgundy, was growing up Kriemhild, sister of King Gunther. Magnificent beauty, the princess refused to surrender to the charm of love and passion aware that behind the bliss was hiding too much suffering. So, every pretender until then had been cruelly rejected.

Our young Lord, attracted by her fame, decided to go to the city of Worms-on-the Rhine (former Capital of Burgundy), in a way to frequent the royal family, court Kriemhild, and take her heart any how.

Before leaving his lands, Siegfried wished to provide himself with a new sword. The most powerful and strong blade men had ever done. So he went to his father’s smith named Mime to learn from him the secret of the smithy. During that same time he worked out his own blade, day by day, working hard and learning all he could.

It was during this period that Mime entrusted him with a secret that was going to lead his life from now on. “In the very depth of the forest, on the road to Worms, hide the terrible dragon Fafnir. The brave who could kill him and take a bath into his blood would get his skin become as hard as horn and wouldn’t have to fear any enemy’s swords or spears anymore. Such a knight would simply be invincible”.

With his new sword on his side, Sigfried announced his arrival to the king of Burgundy and took the road. The only way to Worms was through the very deep of the dark forest where the famous dragon Fafnir was the absolute and uncontested lord. His strength and appetite were so terrible that none had been able to challenge him victoriously yet.

Aware of the many dangers and well knowing his enemy, our valiant warrior banked the beast by force and ruse up. Once the creature was dead, he took a bath into its blood and his skin changed into an impenetrable shield. From now on he shall not fear neither blades nor spears or harrows. But unknown to him, a leaf softly fell on his back keeping vulnerable this very tiny part of skin Fafnir’s blood hadn’t bath.

Soon Siegfried reached the mysterious land of the Niebelungen where invisible forces assail him, the dwarf named Alberich who he defeated too. The small being was in deed the guardian of a fabulous Niebelungen’s treasure and as our hero had spared his life, the dwarf offers him a part of his wealth and the legendary sword Balmung as well as his magic cape. The Tarnkappe enabled the one who wear it to increase tenfold his strength.

Finally arrived at Worms’s gate, the king Gunther, informed of the coming of his special guest, sent his lieutenant Hagen, to welcome him. Hagen, who was also courting secretly Kriemhild decided to challenge in a duel the host of his master and got rapidly defeated.

As reward after such a dreadful fight, the king of the Burgunds begged the beautiful Kriemhild to come and salute the champion. This encounter exalted both of the two young people. During the following days, Siegfried courted the princess and in no doubt toward their feelings he proposed to her.