I'm off

“He’s straight from hell, killed thirty men I heard." After hearing this I was intrigued. “Who do you speak of?" I asked." Of Grendel, haven't you heard sir? Herot has been terrorized by a monster. They say King Hrothgar is searching for someone who can defeat the monster." I thanked the man for the news. I am off to Herot. I decided to help the people of Herot by killing Grendel. I didn't need to think it through. I started to gather the strongest and bravest Geats; fourteen was all I could find. We then set off to Herot. We are on my ship now. It is going to take a while to get to Herot, even longer if this rain turns into a storm. I think my fellow companions are a little spooked. I heard them talking amongst each other about the monster, Grendel. “I heard Grendel can tear a man in half, without so much as breaking a sweat.”, said one Geat. “I heard after he kills ya he sucks the blood outta ya”, said another. “Well I heard he rips your arms an’ legs of before killing ya. I hope Beowulf can stop him. If Beowulf can’t then none of us stand a chance.” Well at least my companions have some confidence in me…well sort of. I’m not too worried. For the most part anyway.

Arrival to Herot

Today we arrived to Herot. We were led by one of Hrothgars’ men. When I saw Hrothgar I felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. The look on his face assured me that Grendels’ wrath was both profound and loathsome. Later I attended a feast in my honor. Hrothgar turned to me and said he would fill my ship with treasures should I succeed in riding Herot of Grendels influence. I merely nodded. I’m not doing this just for gold. I'm doing it for honor. We were always encouraged, back home, to seek adventure. "For glory and honor!" or so we were told. My thoughts were interrupted by a drunken Unferth. “Are you the same fool who fought a swimming match with Brecca...?” He went on to say how we were fools. That I've been lucky in my battles and how my luck may change should I battle with Grendel. I pity him. Jealousy has overcome him. I told him about the swimming match with Brecca. How Brecca couldn't out swim me. That it was I who decided to stay by Breccas' side. Loyalty had kept me there as well as friendship. I told him I stayed by Breccas side for six nights until a flood swept me away. How neither he nor Brecca could match me. "Unferth if your hands were as hard, your heart as fierce as you think, no fool would dare raid your hall, ruin Herot as Grendel has...” When I was done he left. At least now I can get some peace and quiet.

My fight with Grendel

I knew the night we were given the duty to guard Herot would be the night Grendel came. So I stayed awake and I waited while my fellow companions fell asleep. I also decided that I would not fight with a weapon since Grendel would not be fighting with a weapon. God would decide who will live and who will die. So I waited, pretending to sleep. I heard a few noises here and there. I was most certain Grendel was here when I heard a sucking sound. I tensed, preparing myself to fight. Grendel reached out and grabbed me only to discover very quickly that I was awake. I seized a hold of his arm and held on for dear life. Fear flooded his face. My strength had surprised him. I felt him trying break to my hold. I heard my companions argue that their weapons were useless. They couldn't hurt Grendel. The demon had bewitched every mortal mans blade. I continued to hold until Grendels arm was torn from his body. I let him run away to the hellhole he had crawled up from. Fate had made its choice. I had won and Grendel had escaped only to flee to his den to die. Not much of a fight. I thought you were all so powerful Grendel. Man I get mean when I’m cranky. Must need some sleep.

Grendels mother visits......and I though I could relax guess again

I'm only asking for a week. What? You can't spare that, fine then a day. Just when I think I can go home and rest, Grendels mother decides she wants to avenge her son. I can sympathize with her because I would be enraged if my blood had his arm ripped off. But then again my son wouldn't go off and start killing people. I would teach him better than that. Never kill an innocent I would say. I went to see King Hrothgar when I noticed that the arm I had torn off Grendel was missing from were I had hung it. When I found King Hrothgar he informed me what happened. Before I knew it I was on my way to go kill Grendels mother. I just want the fight to be over. I'm tired of these monsters killing these people. When I entered the marsh I was almost immediately attacked by her. I tried killing her with Hrunting, my sword, but I couldn't. This angered me even more. Then I spotted a sword hanging on the wall made by giants. I went over and picked it up. With that I was able to end her. I saw Grendel lying in the corner. I went over to his, raised the sword and cut off his head. His body jerked for the last time. I took his head to King Hrothgar. Celebrations broke out, for Herot would no longer be terrorized by Grendel or his mother. Finally now I can rest.

Last Entry

It has been fifty years since my battle with Grendels mother. When I finished the battle with Grendels mother, I went back home. I then became King of the Geats. Now I had been once more called upon to serve. Some thieve had taken a jeweled cup from a tower where a dragon is guarding treasures. I was going to kill the dragon. I was certain I'll get the job done. I took some men with me and we were off once more. I told them all I needed no hot words that fate would decide who will live. The dragon was big. I'll admit it would have been easier to kill the dragon if my men hadn't run for their lives leaving me to kill it. I was being engulfed in flames. The pain was vivid. But I knew I should still try. My mail shirt protected me from most of the flames. Then it happened. Not all of my men had run off. One stilled remained. Wiglaf his name was. He and I then defeated the dragon. He told me that he couldn't bare stand there and see his king suffer. That he remembered when he and all the other men had said they would repay me. With there lives if I required it. I then told him to lead my people. That my time had come. I gave him my golden necklace, mail shirt, and sword. Wiglaf was the last person who had still abided by our code. He would lead them now.