Hrothgar and Beowulf

This was a creative writing assignment from my English class, to practice some vocabulary words and dialect related to the text. We were studying Beowulf, can you tell?

Hrothgar stood on the cliff above the coast, watching the mix of his and Beowulf’s men hurrying to finish the preparations for the Geats’s return home. Straining his eyes, he sought the figure of Beowulf, finding him in the middle of the commotions, shouting orders. Hrothgar smiled as he called Beowulf’s name. Thinking to himself, the smiled faded for a moment. It was a long way between their lands and he was old. There was no doubt in his mind this would be the last time he would see the young thane. He had come to think of the young man as kin, even with the short amount of time they had spent and he would regret not being able to see all this man would accomplish. And Beowulf would accomplish a lot; there was no doubt of that in the king’s mind. Seeing the young thane coming up the cliff side, he brought the smile back to his lips. Now was not the time for an old man’s rambling thoughts. No, now was the time to give the thane advice and gratitude..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

As Beowulf bent down to kneel in front of the king, Hrothgar grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him back up.

 

"No Beowulf, do not kneel to me. Have I not said that you are like a son to me? Then treat me as you would treat your father. Now, come with me for I wish to speak with you one last time before you leave."

 

Beowulf clapped his hand on the aged king’s shoulder in a gesture of friendship. They turned for a moment and looked at the ship and the bustling people around it and then they turned to walk.

 

"Sire, I must thank you for all the treasures you have given me. I had not expected half of what you have given me."

 

Hrothgar’s eyes sparkled with jest as he spoke, interrupting the thane’s speech. "Ahhh, so you did expect something when you came, Beowulf?" Waving his hand to stop the young man’s sputtered defense, he chuckled. "The treasures are the least I could show my thanks. Besides, I remember what it was like to be young and full of vigor. That is actually what I came to speak with you about." Hrothgar sobered some as he stopped again and turned to face Beowulf.

 

Beowulf stopped when He saw Hrothgar turn about and he stood still, taking one more look at the ship over his shoulder.

 

"Speak, my lord. Any wisdom that you can give will be worth more then the treasure that you have given me."

 

Hrothgar smiled again as he shook his head. He took a moment to look over Beowulf’s shoulder. He did not have long before Beowulf would have to go. He would have to speak quickly.

 

"You do not treasure wisdom, or you would have never come to rid me of Grendal and his mother. But one day, you will treasure it and I speak so that you will hear my voice when that day comes. One day, Beowulf, you will be more then a thane. You will lead a people and select your own thanes from amongst them. And thanes from other lands will want to come, like you did. When that day comes, you will have to let them come and let them seek their glory and treasures, as you did. You will have to let others make their place in the scops’ songs."

 

At this Beowulf held up his hand.

 

"My Lord, I do not understand. Are you to say that I was wrong in coming? Or that I must hang up my sword when I return home?"

 

Hrothgar sighed and shook his head. Behind the young thane was one his companions, waiting to tell him it was time to go.

 

"No Beowulf, do not ever hang up your sword, do not take my words into account. As I said, one day, you will need wisdom more then a sword and you will think of what I said then. And only then you will know of what I mean."

 

At that, he grabbed Beowulf’s arm and clapped him on his back. He sent the young thane off with final goodbyes and the two waved at each other right before Beowulf got on the ship. Sighing, Hrothgar watched from the cliff as the ship pulled out. He would have to pray and burn incense that Beowulf would understand what he meant before it was too late. A thane had to seek glory but there also had to be a man of legend to give his blessing and his treasure. And there had to be a man who could step back and guide the thanes into their own places in the songs that scops sing.

Author's Note

Honest opinions welcomed. Particularly on dialogue, as I struggle with it.