Oh, you actually chose the quotation that initially drew me to it. Well done! Poor Beren! Poor Finrod! But I really love them for their response to this provocation.

Not a great fan of what Thingol has allowed himself to turn into.

So I told him elven fathers counted their daughters of little worth if they set their bride price so low, and that he hadn’t seen the last of me – and the next time we met, I’d have a Silmaril in my hand.”

In other words, Beren had made everything worse.

Made everything worse for sure. But I really admire that he stuck to Thingol in that case someone needed to say it! No wonder Luthien fell in love with him.

It's good to get a glimpse of Finrod's feelings and assessment of the situation at this moment and your take is interesting and sympathetic.

I like Beren nervously twirling the ring.

I'd be interested to learn whether Finrod is just underestimating the impending problems with his cousins here or whether this introduces a different angle on their reactions.

Nice!

I enjoyed so many different aspects of this; I appreciated the way in which the cultural differences played into the unfolding of Beren's situation (in particular his refusal to back down).  Finrod's diplomatic skill is show nicely here, for all the good it may do him.  That said, I wonder as well whether he reads the sons of Feanor accurately or no.  I'd love to read more of this.

Lovely read, Grundy!

I like how you included the cultural differences between Elves and Men, there, at the beginning and good choice of a first line.

Like the others, I really loved your exploration of the cultural differences between mortals and Elves. Only a life can pay for a life... *shivers*

I also liked the idea that Beren could, perhaps, have begged for a less impossible errand. I doubt Thingol would've agreed! After all, he very much doesn't Beren as a son-in-law! But it's an interesting thought. Of course, Beren is too proud for that!

Yes, I think the initial assessment is pretty spot-on... and applies to Finrod as well. (He should've known better than to swear an oath!)