In the Mead-Hall of Hrothgar
- Thread starter Maerdwyn
- Start date
taitzu52
First Post
"Hard times seem to have befallen this land." Briet says to the others, "Perhaps this is why we are now taken to Heorot, whether Hrothgar be there or no. These people's fate, I know not." Briet helps to flip the longboat and carry it up the ridge onto the grass. He sets it down, and takes a draught of water from his skin. He looks inland, surveying the terrain of this foreign place. For even he, has not raided here, sent silent and naked as a bloodhound, to seek rich towns to plunder. Perhaps soon, his skills will also be known to Beowulf.
Last edited:
Maerdwyn
First Post
ooc: sorry about that Taitzu 
As they move the boat, Beowulf talks to Areld, Ealdstan and Olaf. His voice is low, and Briet is unsure if he was suppoed to hear or not, but he does. "They don't even have enough strength left to keep their shores their own. It is well for them we have vowed to rid them of the Grendel - else they would have presented too tempting a target for us. No matter. Hrothgar will want to speak to me in private tonight, so he can tell me of the Grendel and his troubles and ask for help without asking for help. He is a proud man, and vain one, and what he tells me will likely not be of true use. Talk to his men, and if you think it will not insult them, his women. I want to know what we are facing without the embelishments of a king who is afraid he will be though lacking in the defense of his people."
As they move the boat, Beowulf talks to Areld, Ealdstan and Olaf. His voice is low, and Briet is unsure if he was suppoed to hear or not, but he does. "They don't even have enough strength left to keep their shores their own. It is well for them we have vowed to rid them of the Grendel - else they would have presented too tempting a target for us. No matter. Hrothgar will want to speak to me in private tonight, so he can tell me of the Grendel and his troubles and ask for help without asking for help. He is a proud man, and vain one, and what he tells me will likely not be of true use. Talk to his men, and if you think it will not insult them, his women. I want to know what we are facing without the embelishments of a king who is afraid he will be though lacking in the defense of his people."
taitzu52
First Post
Briet is used to going unnoticed. Having always been passed up for larger, stronger men, he has led a life in the shadow of others. He is neither as tall and broad as the bear, nor is he learned like the Skald. But Briet knows to keep his mouth shut. The Gods have granted him sharp eyes, and quiet feet. Men of all ranks appreciate that bit of information that no others can come by. And keeping quiet was something Briet was good at. Maybe Beowulf thinks him too small to be respected by the Danes, perhaps he has some other part to play.
Maerdwyn
First Post
Beowulf then speakes to them men as a whole. "When we arrive in Heorot, we shall be guests. Take care with your words - our presence will not be a source of joy to most here."
Everyone walks the rest of the way up the hill, and then along the top of it, on the seaward side. As they walk, Beowulf and his men see in the distance the hills, valleys, and marshes that make up interior of this island. The sun sets, and the band walks the rest of the way by moon light, torch light, and norðrljós,* led by Hjördis and his fellows. They always remain in sight of the coastline, and it soon becomce clear, to who do not already know, that Heorot must be on the same stretch of coastline that the Göts themselves had landed on - and that if that is the case, it probably would have been quite easy for them to have rowed here directly instead of landing so far down the coast and walking. ]
And, in fact, when Heorot finally comes into view several minutes later, it is right below them, set on a gentle beach in perhaps the worst defensive position those present have ever seen. There is no harbor to speak of, allowing boats to approach the fortress from any direction, and the hill above it (upon which everyone is now standing) slopes down so gradually that a horse could easily charge down it.
The fortifications themselves, however, look strong. A stout wooden palisade encircles the village. Walls of spiked stakes set at angles bolster the defense in front of both the seaward and landward gates, and more spike can be seen poking out of the sea close to the beach.
As the band approaches the fort Heorot, that is the main hall itself, seems to glow slightly in the moonlight, and a wooden structure atop the roof seems to perfectly capture the northern lights within its frame. It is easily the most beautiful building those present have ever seen, and, initially, at least it seems to easily live up to the rumors of the hall's opulence.
As they apporach the gate, however, even simple torchlight give the first lies to that assessment, for the small areas of farmland to the north and south of the fort looks overgrown and worthless. The palisade looks broken and damaged in places, and hase great, deep, scars covering many of the areas that are still structurally sound. Further observations must wait, however, for the gate swings open, and Hjördis beckons them to enter.
He leads the Göts directly into the Heorot, where about twenty men warriors stand with swords sheathed, lining the dies of the hall. A table that looks to have been hastily prepared for a meal dominates the center of the room. At the opposite end of the hall from the entrance, the one-eyed greybeard king sits impassively on a silver throne. The Göts enter and the two groups of warriors regard each other, each waiting for someone, whether on their side or the other, to speak.
*Northern Lights, aurora borealis.
Everyone walks the rest of the way up the hill, and then along the top of it, on the seaward side. As they walk, Beowulf and his men see in the distance the hills, valleys, and marshes that make up interior of this island. The sun sets, and the band walks the rest of the way by moon light, torch light, and norðrljós,* led by Hjördis and his fellows. They always remain in sight of the coastline, and it soon becomce clear, to who do not already know, that Heorot must be on the same stretch of coastline that the Göts themselves had landed on - and that if that is the case, it probably would have been quite easy for them to have rowed here directly instead of landing so far down the coast and walking. ]
And, in fact, when Heorot finally comes into view several minutes later, it is right below them, set on a gentle beach in perhaps the worst defensive position those present have ever seen. There is no harbor to speak of, allowing boats to approach the fortress from any direction, and the hill above it (upon which everyone is now standing) slopes down so gradually that a horse could easily charge down it.
The fortifications themselves, however, look strong. A stout wooden palisade encircles the village. Walls of spiked stakes set at angles bolster the defense in front of both the seaward and landward gates, and more spike can be seen poking out of the sea close to the beach.
As the band approaches the fort Heorot, that is the main hall itself, seems to glow slightly in the moonlight, and a wooden structure atop the roof seems to perfectly capture the northern lights within its frame. It is easily the most beautiful building those present have ever seen, and, initially, at least it seems to easily live up to the rumors of the hall's opulence.
As they apporach the gate, however, even simple torchlight give the first lies to that assessment, for the small areas of farmland to the north and south of the fort looks overgrown and worthless. The palisade looks broken and damaged in places, and hase great, deep, scars covering many of the areas that are still structurally sound. Further observations must wait, however, for the gate swings open, and Hjördis beckons them to enter.
He leads the Göts directly into the Heorot, where about twenty men warriors stand with swords sheathed, lining the dies of the hall. A table that looks to have been hastily prepared for a meal dominates the center of the room. At the opposite end of the hall from the entrance, the one-eyed greybeard king sits impassively on a silver throne. The Göts enter and the two groups of warriors regard each other, each waiting for someone, whether on their side or the other, to speak.
*Northern Lights, aurora borealis.
Maerdwyn
First Post
At last Hrothgar rises, and holds up one hand. He speaks in a surprisingly young voice, in verse, almost singing to his men:
"I knew him of yore in his youthful days;
his aged father was Ecgtheow named,
to whom, at home, gave Hrethel the Göt
his only daughter. Their offspring bold
fares here to seek the steadfast friend.
And seamen, too, have said me this, --
who carried my gifts to the Götish court,
here for thanks, -- he has fifteen men's
heft of grasp in the gripe of his hand,
the bold-in-battle. Great Ing has carried them
to Danes of the West, as I ween indeed,
against horror of Grendel. I hope to give
the bold mem gold for their gallant thought.
I bid them here, clan of kinsmen, to come before me;
and add this word, -- They are welcome guests
to folk of the Dane!"
Loud, if perhaps slightly unenthusiastic cheers greet the end of Hrothgar's song, and the warriors pour from the sides of the hall, and begin clasping Beowulf and his men on the shoulders, greeting them formally, and in some few cases, warmly. Girls carry meat and bread and mead into the room, and a somewhat poorly supplied feast is begun.
As Beowulf had guessed before, Hrothgar takes Beowulf aside quickly, and speaks to him throughout the night - the two receive some dark looks from Hrothgar's thegns, but nothing comes of them. The rest of the men have the opportunity to talk with whomever they wish.
"I knew him of yore in his youthful days;
his aged father was Ecgtheow named,
to whom, at home, gave Hrethel the Göt
his only daughter. Their offspring bold
fares here to seek the steadfast friend.
And seamen, too, have said me this, --
who carried my gifts to the Götish court,
here for thanks, -- he has fifteen men's
heft of grasp in the gripe of his hand,
the bold-in-battle. Great Ing has carried them
to Danes of the West, as I ween indeed,
against horror of Grendel. I hope to give
the bold mem gold for their gallant thought.
I bid them here, clan of kinsmen, to come before me;
and add this word, -- They are welcome guests
to folk of the Dane!"
Loud, if perhaps slightly unenthusiastic cheers greet the end of Hrothgar's song, and the warriors pour from the sides of the hall, and begin clasping Beowulf and his men on the shoulders, greeting them formally, and in some few cases, warmly. Girls carry meat and bread and mead into the room, and a somewhat poorly supplied feast is begun.
As Beowulf had guessed before, Hrothgar takes Beowulf aside quickly, and speaks to him throughout the night - the two receive some dark looks from Hrothgar's thegns, but nothing comes of them. The rest of the men have the opportunity to talk with whomever they wish.
Bobitron
Explorer
"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.
taitzu52
First Post
Unsure of Beowulf's intent from excluding him from his instructions, Briet greets those who greet him, and eats in silence. He is more intent on using his good sense to detect any feelings, good or ill, in the hearts of the Danes. No, Briet chews his food quietly, and smiles at all that look his way, especially the girls. He does, keep an eye on the thanes however, taking note of their dour mood.
taitzu52
First Post
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.
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