Week 11 Story Beowulf

Beowulf before battle.

(Photo from A Book of Myths)

In an old town, Geats there ruled a king and a queen. The king and queen had been trying for years to have a child. They wanted and heir so badly they were willing to do anything. They sent out a messenger to go around Geats and any nearby towns that they were willing to pay enough so that one would never have to work again, if this person could help them have a child.

Week after week, the king and queen met with witches, warlocks, medicine men, herbal remedy professionals, religious groups, people of all sorts came to help the king and queen – some more or less selfishly than others.

One day, a man named Theo was traveling through a village and saw the posters. He was a greedy, mean robber, but he was a handsome man which helped made his “job” easier. He snatched a poster, hopped back on his horse and headed straight for Geats.

When Theo finally arrived he had to ponder for a bit. He didn’t know exactly what he was going to do. He walked around and searched for inspiration. And then he saw it.

Well… more like her.

He saw a pregnant woman walking through the town’s market. He approached her and flirted. He found out she was widowed. Her husband died in a battle right after she found out she was with child. He sweet talked her and gained her trust. He helped her carry her stuff home and she invited him in for dinner as a thank you for being so kind. She even offered him a place to stay.

The next morning, he woke just before sunrise and snuck to the beginning of the line in front of the castle. The line went down for miles and he knew he didn’t have much time. People were camped in front of the castle for weeks.

The guards came out.

“Next!” One yelled.

Theo eagerly went inside. The king and queen asked him what he could offer them.

He said, “A child.”

Annoyed, the king replied, “Well, of course. But how do you plan to do so?”

“I will give you my child.”

The king and queen looked at each other.

“What do you mean?” Said the king.

“My wife is very ill and I cannot raise a child on my own. I think the baby will be better suited with both a mother and father.”

The king and queen whispered quietly to each other. They looked at Theo and accepted his offer.

Theo went back to the woman's house to find she was going into labor. He helped her give birth to her child. A boy.

He told her to rest and he would look after the child. She fell asleep and he took off with the child and presented him to the king and queen. They were overjoyed.

“Beowulf is what we will call him,” said the king. And Theo was given more than he could possibly spend in his lifetime.

Years past and the town was hit with devastation. Theo had used his money to buy property and he was draining the town. The king and queen could not stop him. Beowulf had grown into adulthood at this point and he volunteered to kill Theo and restore the town’s wealth.

The king and queen protested at first. They were afraid Beowulf would find out about where he came from, but they knew it was the only way to stop him.

That night, Beowulf and the king’s army set off.

Theo knew they were coming and his army snuck up on Beowulf’s in the middle of the road. They fought tirelessly. Beowulf finally came face to face with Theo and they both fought harder than they’ve ever fought. Beowulf was able to defeat Theo, but his last words left Beowulf unsteady.

“If I die now, you will never see your real mother.”

Beowulf returned home and the town was restored. People that were kept as slaves to Theo were freed and shop owners were able to keep their profits.

Beowulf was having lunch in the court yard alone when a women approached him. He didn’t bother looking up, he thought she was a servant coming to pick up the dishes, but she stood there for a moment. Finally, she spoke up.

“Hello, Beowulf. I believe I’m your mother.”

The end.

Author's note: The original story was of a man, Beowulf, who was very strong, but he was more of a gentle giant because he was sort of clumsy. There was a beast that needed to be killed and Beowulf volunteered. Because he was the king's nephew, he got permission. Defying all odds he defeated the beast and a few more monsters than he planned. I changed my story up a lot. Instead of being the nephew of the king, he was the adopted son, but he didn't know. And instead of a beast, he defeated and evil man who took control of his village. I liked the idea that good defeats evil, so I wanted to keep that theme. I know the story is lacking in details, but I didn't want the story to be too long and needed to stay in the word count range. Hope you enjoyed it!

Bibliography. Strafford Riggs. Beowulf. Web Source.