A Germanic river. Inhabitated by the Rhinemaidens. The Ring Cycle begins at the Rhine, with the Rhinemaidens guarding the Rhinegold, which is on a rock in the Rhine. Alberich enters the river and steals the Rhinegold to forge the ring. Valhalla is on a mountain overlooking the Rhine. The Hall of the Gibichungs is on the banks of the Rhine. The Hall is set alight by Brunnhilde for Siegfried's funeral pyre. The Rhine overflows its banks and puts out the flames. As the Rhinemaidens take the ring Hagen, Alberich's son and Siegfried's murderer, runs into the Rhine to take the ring but is dragged under by the Rhinemaidens.