King Thingol demands a Silmaril from Beren in exchange for Luthien's hand in marriage. He believes Luthien is too precious to be allowed to marry a mortal man and intertwine her fate with his. He chooses to set for Beren an insurmountable task which he is sure Beren would fail. He never foresees the array of help Beren would get on his quest from Finrod, Huan, and Luthien herself.