Final answer:
Grendel encounters Beowulf in the hall of Heorot where Beowulf, feigning sleep, seizes his arm and injures Grendel mortally after a fierce battle, leading to the monster's death.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Grendel first encountered Beowulf in the epic tale, it was not a moment of negotiation or escape. Grendel, known for terrorizing the hall of Heorot, comes upon Beowulf and his men while they are sleeping.
Beowulf, who has feigned sleep to catch the monster by surprise, seizes Grendel's arm in a grip of immense strength. As Grendel tries to flee, a fierce battle ensues within the hall, culminating in Beowulf tearing off Grendel's arm.
This grievous wound leads to Grendel's death as he escapes to his lair. The text of the Old English poem does not suggest that Beowulf made a deal with Grendel or that Grendel killed Beowulf; instead, it presents Beowulf as a hero who overcomes the monster through his unparalleled valor and strength.
When Grendel first encountered Beowulf, he tried to attack him but was unable to harm him due to Beowulf's immense strength. Grendel realized that Beowulf was a formidable opponent and felt fear for the first time. In his attempt to escape Beowulf's power, Grendel ended up losing his arm, which became a trophy for Beowulf.