This curse came upon her when the thorn of the tree of sleep ran into her hand long ago as a punishment because she had displeased Odin the God . Long ago , too , she had vowed never to marry a man who knew fear , and dared not ride through the fence of flaming fire . For she was a warrior maid herself , and went armed into the battle like a man . But now she and Sigurd loved each other , and promised to be true to each other , and he gave her a ring , and it was the last ring taken from the dwarf Andvari . Then Sigurd rode away , and he came to the house of a King who had a fair daughter . Her name was Gudrun , and her mother was a witch . Now Gudrun fell in love with Sigurd , but he was always talking of Brynhild , how beautiful she was and how dear . So one day Gudrun 's witch mother put poppy and forgetful drugs in a magical cup , and bade Sigurd drink to her health , and he drank , and instantly he forgot poor Brynhild and he loved Gudrun , and they were married with great rejoicings . Now the witch , the mother of Gudrun , wanted her son Gunnar to marry Brynhild , and she bade him ride out with Sigurd and go and woo her . So forth they rode to her father 's house , for Brynhild had quite gone out of Sigurd 's mind by reason of the witch 's wine , but she remembered him and loved him still . Then Brynhild 's father told Gunnar that she would marry none but him who could ride the flame in front of her enchanted tower , and thither they rode , and Gunnar set his horse at the flame , but he would not face it . Then Gunnar tried Sigurd 's horse Grani , but he would not move with Gunnar on his back . Then Gunnar remembered witchcraft that his mother had taught him , and by his magic he made Sigurd look exactly like himself , and he looked exactly like Gunnar . Then Sigurd , in the shape of Gunnar and in his mail , mounted on Grani , and Grani leaped the fence of fire , and Sigurd went in and found Brynhild , but he did not remember her yet , because of the forgetful medicine in the cup of the witch 's wine . Now Brynhild had no help but to promise she would be his wife , the wife of Gunnar as she supposed , for Sigurd wore Gunnar 's shape , and she had sworn to wed whoever should ride the flames . And he gave her a ring , and she gave him back the ring he had given her before in his own shape as Sigurd , and it was the last ring of that poor dwarf Andvari . Then he rode out again , and he and Gunnar changed shapes , and each was himself again , and they went home to the witch Queen 's , and Sigurd gave the dwarf 's ring to his wife , Gudrun . And Brynhild went to her father , and said that a King had come called Gunnar , and had ridden the fire , and she must marry him . ` Yet I thought , ' she said , ` that no man could have done this deed but Sigurd , Fafnir 's bane , who was my true love . But he has forgotten me , and my promise I must keep . '
So Gunnar and Brynhild were married , though it was not Gunnar but Sigurd XXXXX Gunnar 's shape , that had ridden the fire .
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