Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands

'Some say heroes are born.

Others they're made.

I only ever knew one.

Beowulf.'

Ya!

Father!

Run!

Ya!

Aaaagh!

He will be welcomed in the Halls of the Dead.

I know.

I'm Hrothgar.

Thane of Heorot.

What's your name?

Beowulf.

The people will remember it.

Beowulf?

Why come so far to watch an old thane die?

We parted badly.

I wouldn't leave it that way.

Don't you bury your dead in the Shieldlands?

- A mud-born did this. - A troll?

The bite marks are too small and deep.

There's no time to bury him.

Not if we're to make Heorot by nightfall.

I don't like this place.

Well, then, go home.

Face that lynch mob.

It wasn't a mob. Just close friends and family of the dead man.

The dead man you killed.

There are two sides to every story.

Why did you save me from them, anyway?

We all make mistakes.

When you said you parted badly...

from the look of things, I'm wondering how badly?

Still need that blade of yours fixed?

Now might be a good time.

- What is it? - Beowulf.

You know we can't let you enter.

You were slow 20 years ago.

You'll only be slower now.

Hello, Slean.

Kill him.

Beowulf!

Enough!

Slean.

There'll be no more blood spilt in this hall while I'm Reeve.

He was banished.

On anyone's orders.

I'm here to see Hrothgar.

Beowulf!

Hrothgar's dead.

Where's the smith?

You're looking at her.

You're a girl.

With a big hammer.

Think you can fix this with that big hammer of yours?

If you pay upfront, I can.

You don't think I'm good for it?

Does being judged on your appearance trouble you?

Tonight we feast in Hrothgar's honour.

May I see the body? To say farewell.

Slean, whatever else has passed between us...

That is not my son's decision.

I am Thane.

Rheda, no family or friend can be turned away from a man's last feast.

You're neither.

No. Let him stay.

I would not dishonour my husband, but you will not see the body.

Rheda? Rheda!

What is going on?

Brother?

Well, are you gonna announce me or not, you old goat?

Abrecan, Thane of Bregan.

Sister.

Or should I address you as Thane of Heorot now?

Come.

Slean, come and hear your uncle's news.

Watch yourself, lad.

- You did this. - He was trying to kill me at the time.

Well, at least help me move him.

The other thanes arrive for the gathering after the funeral rites.

And they all vote for you to succeed Hrothgar.

One thane must rule us all. Why not you?

Some doubt my father's nomination as his successor.

Still smarting that Hrothgar passed you over, nephew?

If they do, they do not know your mother as I do.

It was a bold choice your husband made.

People will come round. Give it time.

There is no time.

Leave him in there. Give me a hand here.

Quickly.

It's his shoulder.

I know.

- All yours. - Hold him.

Tightly. He's not gonna kiss you.

- It'll hurt a lot more going back in but you'll live. - Ready?

You're different to the old healer.

One, two...

Agh!

- Different how? - More violent?

Well...

Move.

Bandage his hand, will you?

- Thought I might help. - Or Bayen sent you to keep an eye on me.

Well, you made quite the impression.

- Why are you staying for the feast? - You begrudge me food and drink?

Would you to mind getting to know each other somewhere else?

That's it? No thanks?

Well, you are the reason they're here.

Fair point.

Will you be at the feast tonight?

Everyone will.

Somebody's died and there's a feast tonight.

We should stay.

It's your old thane.

My sympathies.

You almost sound like you mean it.

He was a great man.

Who left his son full of rage.

At least Rheda is wise.

But is she strong?

She has us.

I'll have Rheda ready. You keep Beowulf from this chamber.

This hall is full of memories.

Beowulf.

Beowulf?

- No married women. - Hm?

Love is blind.

My husband's wake.

And all I can do is curse him for appointing me his successor.

The dress, it's new.

It's a little tight.

You could've refused him.

Let your son become Thane.

Hrothgar was right. Slean's not ready.

They're waiting for you.

You don't have to be Hrothgar tonight.

Like a new dress, power fits better with the wearing.

Please!

You'll become accustomed to it.

May even come to enjoy it.

Remember, before man came to the Shieldlands,

the only living things here were the mud-born.

Giants, trolls and the wolf-like barghest.

All with black blood, all born from this land's dark dirt.

Go on.

I remember doing it but I don't remember why...

Ho!

Don't go seeking after glory.

It'll find you.

Slean?

He didn't succeed his father.

It was Hrothgar's right to name his successor.

He always did have a sense of mischief.

You don't think a woman can rule?

Many do.

Few are seen to.

Bayen, we want our pay tonight.

No. You wait like everyone else. Now let go of me.

Tarn.

Your reeve's a little long in the tooth.

Hrothgar relied on him.

And I must, too.

A widow.

Her husband died six summers ago.

She owns the smithy now.

Our unwanted guest, find out his intentions.

This is Lila. From the smithy.

I met your daughter. Forthright girl.

She gets it from me.

You're not looking to by five lengths of iron chain, are you?

Not really, no.

Good.

I didn't come here to work.

How's the hand?

Y-You can't enter the private quarters.

Beowulf, you have no place here.

Bayen. I just want to see Hrothgar.