Two King’s Gesiths arrive at Chapmanshafn with six spare mounts and word that the King awaits Hrothgar at his great mead hall, Heorot. It seems it is but half a day’s ride from Chapmanshafn, but several days sail around the island. Hrothgar puts the Spearhafoc in Odard’s hands while he and his fellow Geats – Tohrwulf, Herewulf, Herefrith and Bumoth – along with Ruric the Dane take horse to return with the gesiths. It quickly becomes apparent that Herewulf and Ruric apart, none of the Geatish party has any skill at riding. Hrothgar in particular finds it hard to control his mount – causing him at one point to part company with it entirely as it throws himself. Indeed it is evident that Hrothgar inspires nervousness in all the horses. However, they reach the hall in the late afternoon without further incident.
The Geats are given a short while to change out of their travelling gear and into their mead hall finery. Hrothgar finds himself completely outshone by Herewulf and Tohrwulf who have spent most of their wealth upon their appearance. The rest of the party dress soberly and Ruric in particular opts for a simple black, hooded cloak over his mail. He advises them to take only scramasaexes to the hall. Upon arrival at the hall they wonder at its marvellous size and rich decoration. They are inspected by the King’s Doorward, Hunfrith, and ushered into the King’s presence.
King Hrothulf greets them and his Thyl, Scrocmael, bids them state their business. Hrothgar presents himself and his gift to the King from Thegn Osgar – a Witch-brew that he claims will cure all ills. Scrocmael questions Hrothgar closely over this dohldrenc – where he came by it and how he chanced to know its properties. Hrothgar, an inexpert speaker, is scarcely convincing in his answers, but Hrothulf’s Queen, Coenburg, who stands behind the throne, inspects the flask and says that Hrothgar’s name must be an omen. Scrocmael points out that it would be easy enough for a man to make up a name that matched that of the King’s youngest son, which was hardly a secret. Nevertheless, Coenburg sends one of her ladies for her son who arrives in the arms of his nurse. It is clear that the child is in the grip of some elf shot that has wasted his limbs and will to live. She feeds the child the potion, who chokes a little on it but shows no evident ill. He is sent away with his nurse.
Hrothgar then presents a personal gift to the King – a flask of honey from the Summerlands of the Giants. Again, the accompanying tale of its origins is poorly told, but it is sufficiently intriguing as to elicit the interest and further questioning of the audience. Hrothgar claims to have entered the Land of the Giants in person to obtain it and to have received it from the hands of the Beo-Queen herself. He also claims to have done it as a service to the One-eyed God himself who bestowed upon him the Godgift of Helruning as his reward. A significant glance passes between the King and his Thyl at this claim. The Queen tastes the honey and pronounces it the finest she has ever tasted, the King tries it and agrees. He gives it to the Queen to use in her brewing that all might taste its wonder in mead.
At this point her little son reappears, this time walking on his own two feet and totters towards her crying, “Mummy!” as he wraps his arms around her legs. The Queen cries out in delight to see such an improvement in his health and men cheer the Geats, and Thegn Osgar in particular, as Gods-sent to the Danes once more – for men here still remember Beowulf and his deeds on their behalf. The King has a chest of silver brought forth for Thegn Osgar and gives a gold ring from his own arm to Hrothgar. He further bids the Geats to stay and over-winter with him at Heorot.
The Queen serves them ale by her own hand and as she does so asked the names of each of Hrothgar’s companions in turn. When she comes to Ruric he draws back his hood and declares himself to be Hroaric son of Hrethmund and greets the King as “Uncle”. There is a hubbub in the hall and the King stands, revealing his full height which is considerable and raises his arms for silence. He bids all there hark to him and say nothing outside the hall of what has just passed. He threatens dire consequences for any who disobey. He then beckons Ruric forward for a privy discussion while the Geats are given places of honour at the mead bench where they are feasted lavishly.Before the feasting is over, Hrothgar is approached by Scrocmael and told that if it is true that he is a Helruner, there is a matter with which he might help the King. Hrothgar says he is at the King’s service.