Section XXI

Hrothgar announces the death of his beloved counselor Æschere and emphasizes what an exemplary warrior and companion he was, describing him as essential to protecting themselves in battle.

Hrothgar reveals that Æschere was killed by a death-spirit in Heorot, though he cannot determine where the creature went after the killing.

Hrothgar explains that the monster who killed Æschere is Grendel's mother, seeking vengeance for Beowulf's killing of Grendel the previous night, and that she has now established her unrelenting hatred.

Hrothgar recounts what his vassals and hall-dwellers have reported seeing: two mighty creatures inhabiting the moorlands, one with the appearance of a woman and one of a man-like form, far larger than any mortal, formerly called Grendel.

Hrothgar admits that it is unknown whether these creatures had evil-going spirits as ancestors or what their parentage might be.

Hrothgar provides a detailed account of the fearsome, inaccessible landscape where the monsters dwell: wolf-haunted moorlands, wind-beaten cliffs, and dreadful marshes with underground streams.

Hrothgar describes a mysterious lake surrounded by frost-covered forests whose depths are unknown and from which no one can discover the bottom.

Hrothgar reports that at night a fire-flood portent can be seen rising from the mere, which no living person is wise enough to comprehend.

Hrothgar provides evidence of the place's uncanniness by noting that even hunted stags will not seek refuge there, preferring to surrender their lives on the shore rather than venture into the forest.

Hrothgar describes how waters surge upward from the place toward the sky, and how unpleasant weather and winds cause the air to grow gloomy and the heavens to darken.

Hrothgar directly appeals to Beowulf as his only hope for aid, urging him to seek the dangerous dwelling-place of the sin-laden monster if he dares.

Hrothgar promises to reward Beowulf generously with ancient treasure and well-twisted jewels if he succeeds in this dangerous quest.