A Dragon Awakes
Fifty years went by. The deaths of Hygelac and his only son and heir meant that the crown of Geatland passed to Beowulf. The hero ruled wisely and well over a prosperous land. Then a great peril awoke.
A fleeing slave, seeking refuge from a hard master, stumbled upon a hidden passageway that led to the lair of a dragon. Sneaking quietly through the sleeping beast's treasure hoard, the slave snatched a single jewel-encrusted cup before escaping in terror. He returned to his lord and proffered his find, hoping to be reinstated. The master agreed, little knowing what price the kingdom would pay for his slave's transgression.
When the dragon woke up, it knew instantly it had been robbed, and it vented its fury on the land. Scorching crops and livestock, devastating homes, the dragon raged across Geatland. Even the king's mighty stronghold was burnt to a cinder.
The King Prepares to Fight
Beowulf wanted revenge, but he also knew he had to stop the beast to ensure the safety of his kingdom. He refused to raise an army, but prepared for battle himself. He ordered a special iron shield to be made, tall and able to withstand the flames, and took up his ancient sword, Naegling. Then he gathered eleven warriors to accompany him to the lair of the dragon.
Upon discovering the identity of the thief who'd snatched the cup, Beowulf pressed him into service as guide to the hidden passageway. Once there, he charged his companions to wait and watch. This was to be his battle, and his alone. The old hero-king had a foreboding of his own death, but he pressed onward, courageous as always, to the dragon's lair.
Over the years, Beowulf had won many a battle through strength, through skill, and through perseverance. He was still possessed of all these qualities, and yet, victory was to elude him. The iron shield gave way too soon, and Naegling failed to pierce the dragon's scales, though the power of the blow he dealt the creature caused it to spew flame in rage and pain.
But the unkindest cut of all was the desertion of all but one of his thanes.
The Last Loyal Warrior
Seeing that Beowulf had failed to overcome the dragon, ten of the warriors who had pledged their loyalty, who had received gifts of weapons and armor, treasure and land from their king, broke ranks and ran to safety. Only Wiglaf, Beowulf's young kinsman, stood his ground. After chastising his cowardly companions, he ran to his lord, armed with shield and sword, and joined in the desperate battle that would be Beowulf's last.
Wiglaf spoke words of honor and encouragement to the king just before the dragon attacked fiercely again, flaming the warriors and charring the younger man's shield until it was useless. Inspired by his kinsman and by thoughts of glory, Beowulf put all his considerable strength behind his next blow; Naegling met the dragon's skull -- and the blade snapped. The hero had never had much use for edged weapons, his strength so overpowering that he could easily damage them; and this happened now, at the worst possible time.
The dragon attacked once more, this time sinking its teeth into Beowulf's neck. The hero's body was soaked red with his blood. Now Wiglaf came to his aid, running his sword into the dragon's belly, weakening the creature. With one last, great effort, the king drew a knife and drove it deep into the dragon's side, dealing it a death blow.
The Death of Beowulf
Beowulf knew he was dying. He told Wiglaf to go into the dead beast's lair and bring back some of the treasure. The young man returned with heaps of gold and jewels and a brilliant gold banner. The king looked at the riches and told the young man that it was a good thing to have this treasure for the kingdom. He then made Wiglaf his heir, giving him his golden torque, his armor and helm.
The great hero died by the gruesome corpse of the dragon. A huge barrow was built on the headland of the coast, and when the ashes from Beowulf's pyre had cooled, the remains were housed inside it. Mourners bewailed the loss of the great king, whose virtues and deeds were extolled that none might ever forget him.
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