Rüdiger grieves the lives lost. Upon seeing him cry, one Hun says to Kriemhild, “In my opinion he does not care what goes on here, since he has an abundance of all that he can wish for. They say he is fabulously brave, but amid all these perils there has been shockingly little sign of it!” (265). Rüdiger charges the taunting Hun and kills him with one punch. He laments being caught between serving both Etzel and the Burgundians.

Etzel chastises Rüdiger for killing the Hun; Kriemhild reminds Etzel of Rüdiger’s promise to serve her until death. Rüdiger asks Etzel to take back everything he ever gave him and vows to go into exile. Etzel persuades Rüdiger to fight for him by promising an equal role as sovereign. Rüdiger discharges his oaths to Kriemhild and reluctantly goes to battle against the Burgundians.

Rüdiger shouts to the Burgundians, “Till now we have been friends, but I wish to be quit of our ties!” (269). Gunther and his men are shocked. They beg Rüdiger to stand down, recalling his generosity and hospitality. Hagen mentions that he lost Gotelind’s gem-studded shield, so Rüdiger hands him his own.