Anna Fora, Period 2, 02/3/23

Creativity & Fiction


And the Geats rode their horses,

Gallops of slow and heavy steps heard

Across the hoary, rocky cliffs, where

Just half a year ago they rode

With Beowulf, the legendary fearless

King of Geats whose name was known

Throughout all the lands. But today

The Geats carried his ashes and his treasure

From his final battle towards the sea, on their

Solemn way to mourn the death of their

Beloved King. Ahead of all the travelers was

Wigalf, Wexston’s son, Beowulf’s cousin,

And the one who stood by Beowulf during his

Final moments. The men eventually reached the

Sea, tired from their journey. Yet they did not rest

until Beowulf laid solemn and in peace at his

Resting place, until the great king, Edgetho’s son,

Was properly honored as his countless adventures

And service to the feudal lands deserved.

They dismounted the priceless treasures

Of glittering jewels and gold, a sight that

Would make anyone gasp and stare in awe.

Wigalf watched the sun’s light bounce from

Sea to gold to jewel, and sighed in admiration.

If only Beowulf had the freedom to watch

The efforts of the dragon they slayed

Dance in front of his eyes as Wigalf saw now!

But thankfully, he thought, that Beowulf,

The king he always looked up to and praised,

Saw these gems at least one time before

His fateful end.

Wigalf thought of their final moments together

As he placed Beowulf’s ashes on the top

Of the mound of treasure, forever remembered

By the passing voyagers and the

“Loyal” Geat soldiers he so greatly

Served. Wigalf remembered how he took

Beowulf’s necklace, gold-covered helmet,

Glittering rings and famous mail shirt

In the monster’s cave, who slayed the great

Beowulf, with tears in his eyes. Touching the

Golden necklace around his throat now, he

Admits, that day Wigalf wept like a child.

His tears that day were filled with grieving anger

Towards the soldiers who fled for their lives,

For the empty words they laughed at the

Mead-hall the nights before, boasting

How they’d repay Beowulf for the

Swords and armor, kindness for kindness,

That they’d defend their king with their lives

If need be. Is their life’s protection

Only worth a couple moments’ stand

On the edge of a fight, before a dart for

The hills when times got perilous?

When Wigalf stepped outside the burning

Stones of the dragon’s cave, still hot from its

Breath, carrying his king’s limp body in his

Hands, he found his fellow followers of Beowulf,

No longer following Beowulf anymore. Wigalf

Unleashed a storm of insults and lectures,

Fueled by the flames of his heavy angered heart,

Knowing the noble followers he laughed with

In that mead-hall were no good men, no good kins,

Told them they weren’t worthy to stand alongside

And call themselves men of Beowulf after

Such foolish acts of cowardice. How dare they

Leave Beowulf miserable and alone in

His final moments in turn for their safety?

The men stood through the berating, their

Heads hung low in shame, in crushing sorrow, but

Also in a newfound respect, for they knew

If one man could declare that he was worthy

Of Beowulf’s blessings, of Beowulf’s respect,

It was Wigalf. They honored his brave and noble

Acts, respected his command when he pushed

To get Beowulf’s body cremated. And Wigalf

Watched the flames burn his beloved king’s

Body, this time to finally rest in peace and

Not in the midst of a deadly battle. The Geats

Didn’t hesitate when Wigalf commanded the men

To build Beowulf’s tower, to raise it high,

High above the ground, in plain sight of

Anyone who was even remotely close

To Beowulf’s marvelous tower.

So there stood the Geats and Wigalf,

Taking in the honorary mound they’ve built

With Beowulf’s ashes resting on top,

Watching over the dragon’s treasure

Below it. One of the Geats turned around,

Facing Wigalf, and spoke: “Wigalf, you

Stand before us, mighty one, the one

Follower of Beowulf fearless and honorary

Enough to protect our king in the face

Of terror, the one who fought alongside

Our best great king, the one brave enough.

You, Wexston’s son, cousin to Beowulf, are

The only one worthy enough to continue Beowulf’s

Legacy. You, Wigalf, are the next legend after

Our great king. Lead us and relish in your

Bravery and competence. You’ve worked hard

Enough to honor Beowulf’s legacy, so let it

Rest evermore within you.” Wigalf stood in

Utter shock, unable to process the words and

Praises bestowed upon him. How could be be

Proclaimed the next legend after Beowulf?

Apart from proper kinship and being a good

Man and warrior, Wigalf must admit another

Reason why he protected Beowulf in battle. He

Was not only related to Beowulf through a distant

Cousin, but his family, the Wexstons, enjoyed

Lavish gifts and estates from the family of Beowulf.

What made Wigalf jump, a loyal servant, to

Beowulf’s side initially was not his kinship,

Was not his loyalty, but was his effort to keep

His family’s wealth from Beowulf. Yes,

Wigalf was no honorable man such as Beowulf,

But simply loyal through materialism.

But as Wigalf stood in shock, facing the fellow

Geat, his honor still didn’t show. Instead of the

Truth, instead of a confession, Wigalf closed

His gaped jaw, and said, “Thank you for the

Extremely kind words, maybe I might be

A legend that follows Beowulf, but not today.

Not right now, not when we’re honoring our

Great king. Let us finish the mound, let us

Ride to the tower and sing and tell stories

Of our everlasting king Beowulf. He deserves

Us to carry our sorrowful and heavy hearts

Longer. Especially those who have shown

Cowardice and betrayal to their king.” But

The slightest smile glinted across Wigalf’s

Face, for he thought that since Beowulf

Gave Wigalf his knowledge, his service,

And more importantly his armor and treasures

On his deathbed, that the words said by the

Geat was more than true. And so carried on

The legacy of pride as the Geats took their

Horses and galloped to the mountain top.