Beowulf: The Battle With The Dragon

By Brandon J.

Cline

“Beowulf ruled in Geatland, took the throne he’d refused, once, and held it long and well”

There was a dragon in Geatland that “has been guarding a tower ,which “was heaped high with hidden treasure, stored there years before by the last survivor of a noble race.”

“The mighty beast slept in those stone walls for hundreds of years; a runaway slave roused it, stole a jewel cup and bought his master’s forgiveness.”

The beast began to plan a “bloody

revenge; vomiting smoke

and fire, the dragon burned

down their houses during the day, and return to

his castle at night.

“Beowulf’s sorrow beat at his heart.” He knows this may be his last battle, but he “will fight again, seek fame still, if the dragon dares to face him.”

He began to fight the dragon with all his might. After his shield began to melt under the dragon’s breath, “he raised his sword and struck at the dragon’s scaly hide. The ancient blade broke, cracked , and failed him.

“For the first time in his life Beowulf fought with fate against him.” The beast’s drove it’s tusks in his neck.

“Blood fell like rain,” and a “stinging venom” was left behind.

“His brave followers ran for their lives . And only one of them remained, remembering what kinship should mean.” His name was Wiglaf, and he began to help Beowulf fight the dragon.

“And then when Beowulf needed him most,” he plunged his sword in the dragon’s neck, exhausting the flames, and enabling Beowulf to split the dragon in half.

Dying from the venom in his neck, he told Wiglaf, “My days have gone by as fate willed.” He also passed his legacy onto Wiglaf and had two wishes:

1.) To see the treasure for which he gave his life

2.) A tomb be built for him on the water’s edge so the sailors could “remember his name.”

Beowulf died ,and Wiglaf obeyed Beowulf’s wishes, by burning his body and placing the ashes in the tomb built for him. His men cried “that no better king had ever lived, no prince so mild, no man so open to his people, so deserving of praise.”

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Jr., Ed Beard. "Beautiful Collectible Dragon Prints and Dragon Boxes by Ed Beard Jr.."

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