Battle with the Water Witch

On yet another conquest, Beowulf and his men sat rocking side-to-side on a small boat. The Scandinavian men were once again trying to convince Beowulf not to take on a beast alone. Beowulf was headstrong and said, "I do not want my comrades to fall to danger because I cannot stay away from its grasp," and he jumped into the rough waters into the depths of the ocean just near Geats Isle. His men glanced at each other worried, but hopeful that their brave leader would return.

This quest was dependent on finding the hideous Water Witch, an ogre that spent much of her time in her cave in the depths of the sea hatching miserable plans meant to harm to the Geats. Beowulf swam deeper and deeper into the dark and murky waters. He swam for ages, until his lungs were screaming for air. Just as the water began to lighten, long, spidery fingers stretched around and clenched Beowulf's arm. The Water Witch had sensed Beowulf coming and rushed to attack him while he was vulnerable.

With Beowulf's desperate need for oxygen he could not stop the Witch whom he could barely see. Her figure was dangerously thin and the color of moss. When she looked back at him her eyes were white orbs in the dark waters. The Witch's tight grip on Beowulf's arm continued to squeeze as she led him to her lair. Through this journey he saw all sorts of terrifying undersea monsters. Some with long jagged teeth and others with bodies that you could see through, for they had never seen the light of day. It seemed as though these sea creatures stayed away per the Witch's orders. Beowulf's vision was beginning to fade around the edges as the Witch flung him into her lair where it was oddly lit and there was no longer water surrounding them. Beowulf began to take in large lungfuls of air.

Beowulf was exhausted from the efforts of holding his breath for so long and felt dizzy and off-balance. The Water Witch took the chance to attack Beowulf while he was weak. The Witch held a long, gleaming dagger in her hand and thrust it at Beowulf's chest. Thankfully, Beowulf was wearing his best coat of mail and this did nothing to harm him. Beowulf took advantage of the Witch's hesitation and grabbed the trusty sword at his belt. This strong and sleek sword had never let Beowulf down but as he swung his first blow the sword merely bounced off the Witch's body as if the sword were made of wood. Out of frustration Beowulf threw his sword to the side. Furiously Beowulf bellowed, "I will use my hands to take you down then!" Beowulf charged the Witch's slight but strong body and they tumbled to the ground. The Witch screeched as they rolled together and she was able to get on top of him. The Witch drove her dagger many times into Beowulf's chest to no avail. In the midst of the Witch's stabbing Beowulf was able to get a hold of her arms and throw her off of him. Once she was out of the way he found his ground and returned to him feet. Before the Witch could regain her own footing, Beowulf glanced up the cave's walls and noticed many weapons hanging from them. Only one weapon caught his eye. A fantastically large sword with a gleaming hilt, which he could see was made specifically from Giants. Beowulf knew this was the weapon that would make the Witch fall for Giants' swords were known to harm ogres. With one great stride Beowulf grabbed the sword from its resting place on the wall and quickly swiveled to face the Witch.

Gripping the giant sword's hilt with all his might Beowulf swung at the Witch. He knew right when he made contact that it was a fatal blow because the Water Witch's thrashing ceased and she dropped to the dank cave's floor. Once the battle had ended Beowulf had time to take in his surroundings. Apart from the many weapons in the cave there was not much to be taken from the space. Beowulf decided he would take the Giant's sword as his reward and be rid of the foreboding cave. With an exhausted sigh Beowulf slipped the new sword and the old into his belt.

Floating atop the water's chopping surface Beowulf's men were feeling very worried. It had been a long time since their friend dove courageously into the water and they noticed the color of the water changing to crimson around their boat. Though very frightened that Beowulf was terribly hurt or worse, dead they continued to wait.

With his new weapons Beowulf jumped into the water once again and made his way to the water's surface. Every muscle in his body ached as he finally reached his men's boat. Beowulf slumped into the boat looking haggard and smiled saying, "You should see what the Water Witch looks like." His men gave a hearty laugh and felt great relief that their dear friend had made it out of such a dangerous adventure once again.