Grendel explains in part why he has not simply destroyed men. While he derives some of his identity from killing, and he would not have that identity taken away, another reason for holding back is the queen, Wealtheow. Grendel explains his holding back at first as an attempt at balance. He does not want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. But in reality, he cannot bring himself to kill the queen (yet).
Flashing back to the second year of his war, Grendel describes how the Scyldings hear of another king, Hygmod, amassing an empire nearby. Grendel has weakened the Scylding army, and Hrothgar's advisers fear an attack. They raise a huge army from all of Hrothgar's allies. They camp on a hill outside the hall, then march toward the young neighboring.....
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