Afterward:
By: The Author
This story is based on the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf. The story that I have written is more specifically based on the second part of the epic, when the lead Character "Beowulf" battles with "Grendel's Mother." In the original epic "Grendel's Mother" is characterized as a monster descended from all evil spawned on Earth. I personally felt that maybe the epic was not entirely correct.
Using this idea, I set out to tell the story from an original point of view. In my story "Grendel's Mother" is not completely aware, until her confrontation with "Radgar", of the actions of "Grendel." In fact all she knows is that her son "Grendel" was murdered; so she does what I think any mother would do, try to find answers. That night she travels to Herot where he meet's "Hrothgar's" Friend "Radgar." "Radgar" is not interested in helping her and proceeds to continually attack her, until finally she pushes him away and he falls on his sword. This part of the story was unclear to the readers, so I took great artistic license with this version of the story.
The story ends with her meeting with "Beowulf," the hero of the epic, My version of these events are exactly as they appeared in the story, with the exception of a few minor details. The Battle Hall did not fit my version of the story, so it was changed accordingly, although "Beowulf" may have perceived it as a Battle Hall. Some other changes you may notice is that of the Sword and the Glowing around "Beowulf." These were changed from the story to make it seem as if "Beowulf" was not as great a hero as he is remembered; it also helped in supporting my idea that "Grendel's Mother" was just a victim of great circumstance, and not just some evil demon.
I hope that you enjoyed "Grendel's Mother's" take on the events depicted in the epic, remember to keep an open mind.
Thank You,
Grant
The Author