In Dorthonion, Melkor kills all but 12 of Barahir’s companions. They are attacked again and only Beren, Barahir’s son, is left alive. After avenging his father and recovering the ring of Felagund, he flees and spends years as an outlaw before he arrives in the Elvish realm of Doriath, where he meets Lúthien, the only daughter of Thingol and Melian. Lúthien is dancing and singing in a glade and Beren falls in love at first sight. She grows to fall in love with him as well, but Thingol dislikes Beren and is “filled with anger” (80), as believes Beren to be unworthy of his daughter. Thingol gives Beren a seemingly impossible task to achieve before he could marry Lúthien, asking Beren to bring him one of the Silmarils that Melkor stole long ago.

Beren travels through difficult terrain toward Angband, receiving help from Finrod Felagund after presenting his father’s ring. Fearing retaliation from the sons of Fëanor, Finrod decides to join Beren on his quest and leave his brother to govern in his stead. Should anyone other than Fëanor’s sons possess a Silmaril, the sons will be sworn to kill them and take it back.