Eragon

[Noble Elf Lord]

Did you know that the name Hrothgar has been taken from the Anglo-saxon saga "Beowulf"? In that story, Hrothgar is a (human) king, whose house of feasts is plagued by the monster Grendel. A young warrior Beowulf promises to kill Grendel, and soon does so. But that is no good, for Grendel´s mother avenges for its son, killing the king´s best friend. Again, Beo says he´ll slay the beast. He goes to the beast´s lake, but his sword is no use against the scales of the Monster. In the bottom he sees a sword of sufficient might, and so the Monster is dead. Sometime afterwards Beo becomes a king somewhere else.

I´d like to hear variations about this story, should anyone know them. Thanks.