Approaching Geats: Enemies or A Savior?

It is cold outside and I can feel the harsh winds breaking through my furs; the strong breeze has been encouraged by the sea. For this month, it is my turn to keep watch of the sea. I must carefully guard our coastline as we cannot afford ill-willed intruders while we also fend off Grendel, the shadow-stalking monster. Although Hrothgar has been a strong king to us, he has grown older, and therefore weaker. We the Danes are no longer a match for Grendel. He has been steadily destroying our magnificent mead-hall, not one better can be found the world over. We constantly replace the men and send more and more to keep watch over the hall, but our supply of men drops every year due to the captain of evil, and yet we cannot stop him. It seems that we send them in only to be feed for that devil’s spawn-

What is this I spy in the distance? It appears to be a large boat. They are displaying their war gear. Do they mean to attack? I could call the guard, but if the tribesmen are friendly, I should not like to have called in the soldiers; they have enough to deal with. now they unload their battle-equipment. They are disembarking, and without asking the sentries as well. This is making me anxious, why do they not pause or ask permission? I shall go down the crags and face them; we will see how they respond. As I get closer on horseback, I can see that the man in front, the leader, he appears to have a quite noble bearing, perhaps he means no evil to the Danes? They approach in a large number, so impressive a group I have never witnessed. They bear a fancy assortment of weapons: decorated shields, shirts of mail, cheek-hinged helmets and javelins. Regardless, I cannot be too sure when my people and my reputation are at stake. I flourish my spear at them. I inquire as to their reasons for arriving.

They seem to have noble intentions. I intend to display myself undaunted in the face of so large a number of clearly experienced soldiers. After all, the Geat’s goal, he proclaims perhaps too proudly, is to defeat Grendel. This lofty goal could very well be impossible to achieve; this warrior aims high. He claims to owe allegiance to our king, Hrothgar. I shall proceed and ask him if this is so. If he can defeat Grendel, I will make every effort to aid him in his desire. I plan to advise Hrothgar to support this as yet unnamed Geat, son of Ecgtheow, and welcome him accordingly. This Geat seems to be loyal to my king, Hrothgar, and I believe he will serve us well. I sense, though, that he does this for hidden reason of his own, along with those he has already spouted to me. I instruct my comrades to keep safe the Geats’ vessel. I will lead the men now to Hrothgar. After conferring with him, I expect a man as noble as this Geat-leader appears to be will be allowed at least a conference with the king. (528)