Beowulf: The Midgard Epic - James Matthew Byers

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Résumé :
Called from across the ocean, BEOWULF responds to KING HROTHGAR's plea. Bringing a small band of warriors, he arrives in Daneland under Hrothgar's instruction. There the mighty fighter learns of the terror GRENDEL, a heinous monster, inflicts night after night on the king's people. Murders by the dozen craft panic and fear into the citizens of Daneland. Seemingly unstoppable, Grendel devours flesh and bone as he sees fit.

Weaponry cannot penetrate the creature's hide, but Beowulf does not need sword or shield to accomplish his duty. Choosing to lay all weaponry aside, the warrior prepares for battle. Feigning sleep, he waits, until the beast arrives. The two battle. Conquering the creature's horror, the mighty one surpasses Hrothgar's expectations. Ripping Grendel's arm from its socket, the beast flees into the night howling. Beowulf and all of Daneland celebrate in HEROT, Hrothgar's monstrous mead hall construction. Its creation lured the now defeated monster from the depths of the unknown.

Victory, short lived, ends in yet more tragedy. Grendel's MOTHER appears, unleashing the full fury of a woman scorned. Dismembering and beheading Hrothgar's closest friend nearly brings Hrothgar's ruin. However, as with Grendel, Beowulf answers the call to battle. Diving beneath murky waters, slaying serpents and sea beasts, he makes his way to the lair of the demon. Grendel's mother awaits, prepared for the mighty warrior. Her venomous touch brings some difficulty in the undertaking, but as with Grendel, Beowulf prevails. Using a magical sword from the days of the giants, he courts her doom. Severing her head, the Geat fighter brings peace to Hrothgar, Herot, and the lands beyond.

Spanning fifty years, peace ensues. Once a thief steals a cup from a sleeping DRAGON's hoard, this alters the state of retirement Beowulf enjoyed. Silent no longer, the giant wyrm rises from its pile of hidden treasure unleashing fiery death upon the great hero's countryside. Many lose their lives, but their cries do not fall on deaf ears. WIGLAF, a young pupil of the now aged warrior, aids him in what will become Beowulf's final conflict. Many thanes flee during the altercation, for the dragon's bite means sudden death. However, Wiglaf stands by until the bitter end. Beowulf triumphs over the old wyrm, but in the process is bitten by its venomous fangs. The ancient legend of a man passes into twilight as Wiglaf chastises his comrades for their cowardice. Beowulf lives on in song and story for generations to come.