# Ortwin — Gudrun character guide > Ortwin in Gudrun by Anonymous. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** young Ortwin, Young Ortwin, the youthful Ortwin, King Ortwin, the high-bred Ortwin, brave Ortwin **First appearance:** 0015-tale-xii-how-herwic-made-war-on-hettel-and-how-gudrun-was-betrothed-to-him ## Snapshot Hettel and Hilda's young son, Gudrun's brother, whose banner rides into Normandy at the head of the Hegeling host. ## Who they are Ortwin is the heir of Ortland, raised in the Hegeling court alongside his sister Gudrun, and when she is carried off he becomes one of the war-leaders sworn to bring her home. Young enough to be called "the youthful Ortwin" even as he commands, he must prove himself in a campaign that pits his family's seasoned vassals against Norman steel. His banner before the castle gate signals that the Hegelings have come in earnest, and his growth from prince to battlefield captain measures the story's turn from grief to vengeance. ## Relationships ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _family_ Ortwin is Hilda's son and Gudrun's brother, who participates in the rescue efforts. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _family_ Ortwin is Gudrun's brother, who fights to free her from captivity. ### [Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/gudrun) _family_ Ortwin is Gudrun's brother, who fights to free her from captivity. ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _family_ Ortwin is Hilda's son and Gudrun's brother, who participates in the rescue efforts. ### [Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/hilda) _family_ Ortwin is Hilda's son and Gudrun's brother, who participates in the rescue efforts. ## In the story ### [Names of Places](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/names-of-places) Ruler of Ortland (probably Jutland). ### [How Gudrun Was Sought by Siegfried](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-ix-how-gudrun-was-sought-by-siegfried) Son of Hettel and Hilda, entrusted to Wâ-te for knightly training. ### [How Siegfried Made War Against Herwic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xiii-how-siegfried-made-war-against-herwic) Gudrun's brother, brings forty hundred warriors to help in the fight. ### [Tale XVIII: How Ludwig Slew Hettel, and Stole Away in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xviii-how-ludwig-slew-hettel-and-stole-away-in-the-night) Aims to avenge his father Hettel and later proposes building a church for the dead. ### [How the Hegelings Went Home to Their Own Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xix-how-the-hegelings-went-home-to-their-own-land) Ortwin, Hilda's son, returns from Ortland and joins the mourning for his father Hettel. ### [How Hilda Made War to Bring Back Her Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxii-how-hilda-made-war-to-bring-back-her-daughter) Young Ortwin, Hilda's son, is entrusted to the warriors' care during the campaign. ### [Tale XXIII: How Hilda’s Warriors Landed in Sight of Hartmut’s Kingdom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxiii-how-hilda-s-warriors-landed-in-sight-of-hartmut-s-kingdom) Insists on searching for his sister Gudrun himself, despite Wâ-te's objections. ### [How Their Coming Was Made Known to Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxiv-how-their-coming-was-made-known-to-gudrun) Mentioned as Gudrun's brother, alive and well, sailing to rescue her. ### [How Herwic and Ortwin Found Gudrun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxv-how-herwic-and-ortwin-found-gudrun) Accompanies Herwic; initially doubts the washer is his sister Gudrun but later rejoices upon recognition. ### [How the Hegelings Landed Near Ludwig’s Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxvi-how-the-hegelings-landed-near-ludwig-s-castle) Reports to the Hegeling army that he has seen his sister Gudrun and Hildeburg washing clothes on the seashore. ### [How Ludwig and Hartmut Met the Hegelings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxvii-how-ludwig-and-hartmut-met-the-hegelings) Fights Hartmut and is wounded by him, bleeding through his armor. ### [How Hartmut Was Taken Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxix-how-hartmut-was-taken-prisoner) Ortwin speaks in favor of sparing Hartmut and bringing him to Queen Hilda rather than killing him. ### [How Gudrun Was Brought Home to Hilda](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxx-how-gudrun-was-brought-home-to-hilda) Gudrun's brother; takes Ortrun as his bride after persuasion. ### [How the Four Kings Were Wedded in Hilda's Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxxi-how-the-four-kings-were-wedded-in-hilda-s-land) Gives finest clothes and is not outdone in generosity; accompanies the departing guests to the boats. ### [How They All Went to Their Homes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/chapters/tale-xxxii-how-they-all-went-to-their-homes) Bids farewell to Gudrun and swears eternal friendship with Herwic. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters/ortwin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/gudrun_se/characters