The timeline skips again! It goes back into Beowulf’s life and describes his heroic battles. It describes how Hygelac was slain, Beowulf’s swim across the sea (with the armor of thirty man in his hand). His encounter and victory over an enemy tribe, and his continuing quest home. When he gets home Hygd offers him the throne, her son Heardred is too young and inexperienced to rule wisely. Beowulf is a man of honor. He refuses to usurp the throne from the prince, and becomes his counselor instead, guiding the young ruler until he matures. Later Heardred is killed for protecting fugitives; Beowulf becomes the ruler and takes revenge on the murderers. The story skips back to the present. Beowulf finds the slave who stole the cup and makes him show the dragon’s layer. While getting ready for battle Beowulf realizes that he’s dying and this is going to be his last quest. He tells a tale about his youth. (Yet another time warp) Beowulf’s childhood guardian had two sons. One of them accidentally killed the other. The father could not be comforted because he could not punish anyone nor feel satisfied. So Beowulf goes on to tell how in the name of the deed he took it on himself to lead battles and honor the name of that family. This entire chapter is in a chaotic wormhole. There is no mention of what Beowulf did with his life after the battle with Grendel, and until he gains the Geat throne. There is a gap of about 50 years in that epic. But aside from learning that the Anglo-Saxons are lousy historians, we can learn much about their culture.