Summary

Grendel remembers the second year he began terrorizing Hrothgar’s court. A larger army has come and is making plans to attack. One day, they come to Hrothgar and make a peace offering. Hrothgar won’t accept any of their gifts except one, the other king’s beautiful sister, Wealtheow. Seeing Wealtheow stirs up strong emotions in Grendel. She makes him feel the same way the Shaper’s songs made him feel. He longs to be her friend or companion, but he knows it can never happen.

Wealtheow’s presence has a calming effect on Hrothgar’s men. Even the Shaper stops singing about history and instead focuses on love and happiness. Grendel also stops attacking the people because of Wealtheow’s presence. Grendel, though, grows anxious knowing a human has interrupted his objective view of mankind, and he intends to remedy his feelings. Grendel goes...