Chapter 2: A Hero Arrives

Months passed.

Many outside warriors came to Denmark, trying to rid the Danes of Grendel. They came and failed, with nothing left of them but blood on the floor, walls, and benches. The only one to survive Grendel's attacks, was Genevra, the secret sister whom he loved so much.

She never told him to stop coming. She never told him to stop killing. Honestly, she enjoyed the entertainment. She enjoyed watching her older brother kill the ones who dare harm him. And sometimes, when his kill was done, they would run to the moors together, playing as siblings do, while their mother watched with pleasure. Her two beautiful children, human and monster, playing hide and seek. In the mornings, Genevra would always be the first one at the hall,screaming in terror to wake up the town as she pretended to be mortified about the demon still lurking about.

But now,as a new hero approaches, she will not be able to hold such a secret anymore. Tonight, she will have to choose only one. Her love for her brother, or her life with the Danes.

Genevra looked up from unwrapping her arm as she heard horses riding in from the bridge. One of them was a Dane warrior, the other sixteen were unknown to her. Perhaps, just one more army of hopeless warriors come to kill her brother.

She watched as Hrothgar came out, welcoming one of the warriors.

As she stared at the young, muscular blonde man, she got a strange vibe from him. A strong vibe. She shivered as he spoke, obviously speaking of killing Grendel.

Curious as the man continued to speak, she got up and approached the crowd. As she did, the Danes fell silent, opening a path for her straight to the front. This confused her, until she noticed her king and the man approaching her.

"Ah, here she is." Hrothgar nodded to her. "The child whom Grendel does not seem to harm."

"Hmm." The man nodded as he knelt to her height. "Young lady, do you have any idea as to why the monster will not touch you?"

Genevra gulped as she stared into the blue eyes of the man. She sensed an aura around him. The aura of strength. Her brother would be no match against this man.

"Genevra, answer the son of Edgetho, Beowulf." Hrothgar ordered.

"No, my lord." Genevra shook her head. "I have no idea why it is that the demon will not harm me."

"Hmm," Beowulf nodded. "Do not worry, young one. I will kill your monster. And you will not have to watch him kill your loved ones ever again."

"A hero, a hero! I knew the seas would bring us a hero!" Hrothgar cheered. "So, will you go up to the moors to the darkpool and kill my demon in its wake?"

Genevra gasped silently.

The moors?! Grendel will surely have no chance against Beowulf there. And if he kills him there, no doubt will he find their mother and kill her as well, despite of her power.

"No!" She cried, confusing the crowd. "I mean, wouldn't it be easier just to lure him here?"

"I don't quite follow." Beowulf frowned.

"She means to open the mead hall." Unferth answered. "Merrymaking brings the devil, Grendel."

"Hmm, well then." Beowulf turned to the king.

"Open the mead hall, let's drink!"

As the Danes opened the mead hall, preparing it for tonight, Genevra snuck away into the moors, running as fast as she could to Grendel's lair. What she did not know, was that Beowulf had seen her run into the moors, and he became very suspicious of her.

….

"Storebror!" Genevra called through the darkness. "Storebror! Dear brother, Grendel!"

"Lillesøster!" Grendel jumped down from a tree, landing in front of her. "What are you doing here?"

"I've come to warn you, big brother." Genevra answered. "There's an army at the hall. Geats, Grendel. Their leader, Beowulf, I sense that he is not like the others."

"You've come to warn me about an army of Geats come to kill me?" Grendel frowned. "My sweet sister, it's like you don't know me."

"You don't understand." Genevra shook her head. "Beowulf, he has an aura around him. The aura of strength. My brother, you will be no match against him."

"What are you suggesting, Genevra?"

"I'm suggesting that you don't come to the mead hall tonight. No matter how much the noise hurts, you must resist coming, or you will surely die."

"Lillesøster." Grendel sighed. "This, Beowulf, you speak of is just another lowly warrior. I can handle anything the gods can throw at me. This man, will be no different."

"Please, Storebror, you must listen to me!" Genevra cried. "I can't lose you! Not now, not ever! I love you too much!"

Grendel sighed as he wrapped his arms around his weeping sister.

"And I love you." He sighed. "Which is why I can't let a bunch of men separate us."

"But Grendel…"

"No buts, sister dear. I shall continue my deed, until there is no one left but you, me, mother, and Hrothgar."

"Our father." Genevra shook.

"Hush now, Genevra." Grendel rubbed his sister's head. "Go now. Return to the mead hall, and wait for my arrival."

"Please be safe."

….

That night, the hall was crowded with Geats and Danes as they listened quietly to their beautiful queen sing as she played her harp.

Genevra startled as Hrothgar called Beowulf's name, beckoning him to come to the back. Curious, she followed the two secretly to the back, where Hrothgar revealed the Royal Dragon Horn.

Genevra gasped at the treasure. Though she has seen it before, she has never seen it up this close before.

"The Royal Dragon Horn." Hrothgar smiled.

"It is beautiful." Beowulf gasped.

"Ain't it magnificent? She's the prize of my treasure." Hrothgar explained as he took it out of the case. "I claimed her after my battle with Fahmer, the dragon of the northern moors. Nearly cost me my life. There's a soft spot underneath the throat."

Hrothgar demonstrated by pointing at the red jewel on the the dragon's throat with his knife.

"Have to go in with a knife or dagger. It's the only way you can kill a dragon. I wonder, how many men have died for her beauty."

"Can you blame them?"

"If you kill my Grendel, she will be yours forever, and ever, and ever." Hrothgar promised as he gave Beowulf the treasure.

Upon closer inspection, Genevra noticed that the king was not looking at the horn, but rather at his queen, and she wondered, what was it that her Danish king was up to?

….

A few hours later, Hrothgar stood from his throne.

"The hour is upon us." He yawned. "This old man needs his sleep. Where is my beautiful bedmate? Come my love."

"In a moment." Queen Welthow protested.

"Come, let us fluff the pillow." Hrothgar grabbed her arm.

"Don't touch me." She hissed.

Genevra growled as the king continued to provoke the queen. She always hated sex hungry men. And by the looks of Beowulf, he did too.

"My lord." He called." Perhaps the queen can grant us, one more melody, before we all retire?"

"It's the least I can do." Welthow nodded.

"Right then," Hrothgar nodded. "Beowulf, I hope to see you in the morning. Make sure your things secure the door. Genevra, are you staying here tonight as well?"

"As always, my lord."

"Fine, but be safe, not that you'll need it. Good-night."

"Good-night Beowulf. Watch out for sea monsters. I'm sure your imagination is teaming with them." Unferth chuckled before he too, left.

"Sea monsters?" Genevra frowned.

"It's a long story." Said Wiglaf, Beowulf's first mate.

Genevra nodded as she listened to her queen sing softly about a hero coming home. She shivered as she could've sworn she just heard her brother scream in agony.