Grendel's mother

Grendel's unnamed mother is the second primary antagonist in Beowulf. After Beowulf mortally wounds Grendel, he returns to his home in the marshes to die. Grendel's mother then seeks revenge for the loss of her son against Hrothgar and his Danes. Hrothgar and his offers lead Beowulf to the monster mere, deep in the country, where Beowulf makes a single-handed assault upon the creatures' home. There, Beowulf fights Grendel's mother, who proves to be an even more powerful and dangerous foe than Grendel.

The ancient heirloom sword Hrunting is destroyed, melting like an icicle upon cutting into Grendel's mother.