In the Mead-Hall of Hrothgar

[Maerdwyn]

"Ho, men of Heorot! We greet you in friendship!" Areld does his best to make friends in the crowd, carefully repeating each name in an effort to remember them. It is not tough for him, as his jovial and outgoing personality fits well even with these Danes not of his people. The food might be less than abundant, but Areld is careful to hide his disdain at the display of weakness, especially after King Hrothgar's eloquent greeting.

A number of Beowulf's men stay relatively close to Areld, the older man's apparent ease beginning to rub off on them. King Hrothgar's brother, Halga, is among the Danes who stands with Areld, and he gives Areld a large horn of mead, saying, "I am glad that you have come to our land, Areld of the Göts. If you can aid us in driving off the Grendel, it will be good. If not, at least, when you return to you land, you will bring word that not even the two strongest peoples in the world could defeat it."

 

[Maerdwyn]

Seeing little in the way of eavesdropping, Briet turns to another young warrior (being Yrminalf), and introduces himself, "I am known as Briet. It is good that we eat together." he says, "Tell me, what news of the hall before our arrival? Its seems that we have come even while your wise King has other things on his plate." He looks around the room, quietly pointing folks out, "I see brave Skalds, emissaries from afar, and beautiful girls, yet to be wed. But what do I know?" He continues to chew his food, waiting for the young man to speak.

Yrminlaf grunts, in a genial, if rueful acknowledgement. He seems a little drunk already. "Things have been bad." He gestures with his lamb shank at the Heathobard prince. "The Heathobards are not the friends that you Göts are. You come with swords in friendship. Not them - they heard of our troubles and begant to raid us - They are cowards. And what do they get for it?" The lamb shank now points toward the lovely Freaweru. "They demand we buy peace with a king's daughter." All this is said quietly. "When we destroy the Grendel, we should turn to Heathbardy."

Another man nearby (Briet recognizes him as one of the ones who met their boat) growls, "Quiet, Yrmen. Ingeld is a guest."

 

[Maerdwyn]

Olaf will of course seek out the other talkers in the room, the skalds looking for brothers of the tongue as it were. For who better to know the true state of the Scyld-Danes than those to whom all is told to be remembered.

Olaf moves over to Aeschere, a large man who is standing somewhat near (between, as it happens) both Freaweru and Ingeld. The large man breaks into a grin a Olaf approaches, "I know your father, Göt. Is he yet well?" Freaweru looks up as Olaf comes to clasp Aeschere's shoulders, her smile pleasant, and her eye's large and round.

 

[Bobitron]

A number of Beowulf's men stay relatively close to Areld, the older man's apparent ease beginning to rub off on them. King Hrothgar's brother, Halga, is among the Danes who stands with Areld, and he gives Areld a large horn of mead, saying, "I am glad that you have come to our land, Areld of the Göts. If you can aid us in driving off the Grendel, it will be good. If not, at least, when you return to you land, you will bring word that not even the two strongest peoples in the world could defeat it."

"I speak to you as a brother, Halga. I do not mean to go back to my home without the head of the Grendel. If it is not possible, I mean to die." He frowns. "Anything less would be an insult to Beowulf, as he has tried long and hard to be given leave to help your people. I will not let him down, nor your people."

Areld finishes off the horn of mead and smacks his lips appreciatively. "Fine mead."

He leans back in his chair and motions for another from a buxom serving girl. "But tell me, Halga. How are things among your people? The acts of the Grendel must weigh heavy on the minds of the Danes. I saw there was damage to your defenses on the way in. Has the Grendel attacked recently?"

 

[Maerdwyn]

Halga frowns. "You are brave man, I don't doubt it. But Grendel thirsts for the brave. Many brave men - two were my sons - have been taken by the beast before they could even blood their swords. Yes, Grendel has killed this month, and has done it within these walls. And it has done it outside the walls. The Grendel kills where and when it wishes. And no warrior has come near to stopping it." This last is said with the ache of hopelessness in the voice.

 

[taitzu52]

Briet chews his food in silence. He looks at Halga as he tells his tale, taking a stance of indifference. Deep in his soul, he knows that soon, he will be in great peril. But alas, the runes have been cast, he made his decision the moment he stepped forward and swore an oath to the King and Beowulf. Life....death....it did not matter any more. Only that he would be greeted in the halls of the valiant, and his name would be cast with those who stood by the great Beowulf until the last.

He is beyond steeling himself now. He looks around the room, seeing little but fear and uncertainty. Briet knows that the Danes would be a stronger if allied to the Geats. Indeed, the Kings daughter would be a fine prize for some prince of Geatland, and the union would serve to keep the Heathobards further from their green lands. But young Briet, while loyal to his clan and country, is no statesman. Being reminded of this, having pressed issues with young Yrminalf, he watches and waits.