Just wonderful, I really enjoyed this. I started at 2 oclock in the afternoon, and finished reading it at 20 after midnight. The feeling that others felt for her, only to be coldly turned away. Just WOW.

Ah, poor girl. She can't even realize she's crying.

A fitting prologue which demands more which I'm sure will come... eventually.

In the grand scheme of things, in the decades of back and forth... It's fitting that Beowulf managed to steal the last word with his dying breath. He's been a smartass ever since he was introduced and I'm glad to see him continue the tradition. Reading the last bit of dialogue between Beowulf and AEphelhild was a treat, as was her reaction to his death.

It's also fitting that while she was able to briefly come close to admitting her feelings, in the end she withdraws within herself and builds mile-high walls to protect her from those nasty emotion things.

The sister, of course, provides a sharp contrast to AEphelhild's own life. Where AEphelhild seems to almost mourn life, the sister embraces every mortal aspect she can get. An amusing contrast in the way they both deal with their immortality, perhaps.

Excellent chapter.

Bwahahaha! You've succumbed to my dark whisperings!

I'm glad you had Beowulf take out the Dragon. I wasn't sure if you would or not after our conversation (as I recall, it involved a fair amount of alcohol) but I'm glad I was able to impress on you the importance of it being Beowulf's kill. Just the way the poem is written, I don't think Æþelhild would have written it like that if he hadn't been such an element of chaos. Beowulf is completely unpredictable, favouring honour where discretion should be used and using discretion where his honour is challenged (IE the bloodless, gloriless ride against those who slew the King). She constantly surprises him and I think that's what's kept her around for all those decades.

That and the pleasant memory of having broken his nose at least once.

I've noticed a few grammar problems here and there, but I have no doubt that a readthrough a little later will allow you to catch more than I've noticed myself.

I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

Having the villain connect back to the earlier stuff is good, probably make it all read better as one whole story. Stupid Beowulf... I can't believe it's almost over. I'm gonna miss Æþel when the story's done XDD

The climax slowly builds...

As always, reading is a treat. I'm enjoying the tie-in to Grendel and his people as well as the little bits of sentiment creeping into the narrative as Beowulf strides ever closer to his final battle. Æþelhild's conflict as she tries to pretend she doesn't care in the face of Beowulf's impending death (whether caused by the Dragon or simple old age) is very fitting for her character, even if she's letting things trickle through.

The small part of me which still remembers the poem is wondering how you'll finish everything. Assuming your computer ever decides to work, of course.

Ouch ouch ouch. They're so mean to each other sometimes ;_;

Aw what a cute little girl XD

The chapter speaks for itself really, another big confrontation between the two of them that actually got somewhere and was done really well. It's always moving when Æþel breaks a tiny bit and shows even the slightest hint of emotion. More!

The climax approaches!

Æþelhild admitting something resembling her feelings for Beowulf was very well done. The same argument they've been having for sixty years spliced with honesty. I love that even sixty years later not much has changed.

There were a few things here and there which were incorrect on the whole grammar/punctuation thing but I'm sure you'll notice 'em on your revision.

Write the next one, damn it!

It's about bloody well time.

I liked the idea of the timeskip and, as I mentioned when you read me the first bit the first time, the introduction of Beowulf as a nameless old man before we know who he is (or even that a length measured in years has passed) was awesome.

I like that you introduce the concept of the dragon early. Based on the poem, Æþelhild is in for a rather nasty shock. You need to finish up this story... Though I suppose I'm getting a chapter tomorrow so I can wait 24 hours.

I suppose.

Introspection with Æþelhild is, as always, excellently written and provides a nice insight into her character, though perhaps the continual "I don't care" attitude she displays is a bit overdone (if one were to take it from an in-book-format form aside from the chapter a week format now).

Cheers, and gimme more.
-Marshie

Kenshin soundtrack references make *everything* cooler.

"So I never said it, I just thought it. Constantly." Hahaha so mean XDD

Æþel's speculation about it really being some guy calling himself the Dragon is awesome.

"The image of my sister flashed in my mind like lightening." Lightning, lightning! Lightening is when something, um, lightens.

"I took my hand away. “Now you’re holding nothing but air.”" Again, so mean XDD

"“I’d like to know what I’m-” [snip] “sending my men off to fight.”
"[snip again] That’s when I realized he was planning something I wouldn’t like. But what?"
Oh come on!! Æþel can't pick up on *that*?

I hope *I'm* spry enough to be using swords fifty years from now, stupid Beowulf. The Wiglaf-Æþel relationship and the reason for it is well-done, no worries there so far! Again though, hope it doesn't end *too* badly... happy to see the story back! Even with the busy-ness I hope you can keep it going till the end ^^

I was wondering when you're going to update ' Beowulf: The Poet's Tale'

YAY! More vague and ambiguous stories of battle XD

"I let myself be a Geat for a moment and thought in my head, I’ll take care of him." Aww how sweet XDD Seeing how that turns out should be interesting! Just... try not to be too cruel to either of them, okay? ;__;

Aw what a great ending XDD

As long as I'm not still waiting for the rest of the story *years* from now? Fine, fine, take your break =P

The first part with Nerienda was so sad! Poor poor Heardrede.

"I sincerely doubted that I would get bored of watching men hack each other’s limbs off." Well said!

Æþel vs. those four Swedes was awesome."I really, really had no patience with the grieving." Hahaha, that Æþelhild XD

The last part with their little fight was so sad! Poor poor Beowulf XDD

The ending of this chapter was just so sweet!

"This bloody whether is too cold."

WEATHER.

I like Æpelhild's cold analysis of Heardrede's funeral, as well as Nerienda's touching trust in the Immortal of Heort Hall. Æpelhild's calm, quiet acceptance of the hug is at once a small gesture and speaks volumes of the growth she's experienced during her stay.

Beowulf's cold demeanor as he rode out to meet Onela's retreating men also speaks volumes about his grief. No boasting, no talk of glory... He just wants that man and those he leads to be dead.

The conversation when Beowulf returns is beautifully crafted, as well. In a show of Beowulf's own growth, however minute, he moves past the banter and makes a run at a more serious conversation... and then turns back into the child-like hero he was when he was a boy (something he never really outgrew) when he learns that he's finally getting his way.

A very touching ending to a fantastic story.