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Having returned to the mountain summit of Scene 2, the domain of the gods, Wotan demands that Alberich hands over the hoard of gold. Alberich considers the salutory lesson of being tricked and reminds himself that if he can keep the Tarnhelm (the magic helmet) and the Ring Ex.7 he can rebuid his fortune. He summons the Nibelungs to bring the gold. To the motives of the Nibelungs Ex.17, the Rhinegold Lament Ex.6b and the Hoard Ex.20 the Nibelungs pile the gold higher and higher as the music builds to a ear-splitting climax.
Wotan asserts that the Tarnhelm (the magic helmet) is part of the hoard and insists on taking that also. As Loge gestures to free Alberich, Wotan further insists that the Ring Ex.7 is also crafted from the gold Ex.5 stolen from the Rhine maidens and it must also be surrendered. Alberich pleads to take his life but not the Ring. Wotan violently takes the Ring from Alberich's finger. While contemplating the Ring Ex.7 Wotan places it on his own finger and proclaims himself the mightiest of all.
22. Curse
Having been freed Alberich curses the Ring, proclaiming that no happy man shall ever possess it and that death will come to all who try to claim it. The motive is first heard when sung by Alberich but its most powerful and emphatic statement is on trombone later in the scene.
As Alberich leaves, angry and defeated, the giants return to claim the gold and release Freia. Wotan proclaims Freia free but the giants insist on measuring the gold first, insisting that it be sufficiently high to cover Freia. When the hoard is not quite enough, Loge is forced to add the Tarnhelm (the magic helmet) to the pile. When Fafner can still see her eyes he insist the Ring on Wotan's finger complete the pile. Wotan resists. Amidst the discussion amongst those gathered, the Earth Goddess, Erda, appears.
23. Erda
Being the Earth Goddess, the motive for Erda is closely related to the Nature motive Ex.1 and the Earth motive Ex.2. Erda warns Wotan that the Ring will bring about the downfall and destruction of the gods, and to surrender the Ring.
Wotan throws the Ring on the hoard of gold and the Giants release Freia. The Giants argue about how to share the gold, especially the Ring. Fafner kills Fasolt, to the horror of the gods, as the curse motive Ex.22 is heard.
24. Storm
The air is heavy with the violence. Donner calls up a storm with his hammer. The Nature motive Ex.1 is combined with the Storm motive.
25. Sword
As Wotan calls the gods to join him in Valhalla a new motive, the Sword, is heard. Its appearance at this point is puzzling. This motive will play a significant role in the next opera Die Walküre [The Valkyries]. Both Roger Scruton, in The Ring of Truth and Ernest Newman in Wagner Nights assert that a stage direction for Wotan to raise a sword as he leads the gods into Valhalla was omitted from the printed score. This would make sense of the appearance of the motive at this point.
The gods assemble to cross the rainbow bridge to their grand new dwelling as the Nature motive Ex.1 gives way to the Valhalla Ex.9 motive. Loge Ex.15 comments to himself that the gods are hastening towards their own end.
The Rhine Maidens cry out that their gold Ex.6 has not been returned to them and its proper place in the Rhine. Wotan tells them to cease their complaints. Loge suggests to the Rhine Maidens that they bask in the glory of Valhalla instead of the gold as the Valhalla motive is heard in the orchestra Ex.9 against the wailing cry of the Rhine Maidens for their lost gold Ex.6.
Finally the Valhalla motive Ex.9 combines with the Nature motive Ex.1 to conclude.