Bold, fearless Siegfried travels to King Gunther's castle. On the way he kills a dragon, and an evil dwarf king, thus gaining a treasure and a magic helmet of invisibility and illusion. In return for permission to marry Gunther's sister Kriemhild, Siegfried agrees to use the helmet to help the weak Gunther win the fierce warrior queen Brunhild by trickery. The two couples are married, but when the furious Brunhild discovers the deception she compels Gunther and his evil vassal Hagen into a conspiracy to murder Siegfried. Kriemhild vows revenge.