B2MEM 2011 - The Silmarillion Extracts by Dwimordene

Where sea meets shore

Prompt: Dol Guldur: Start a story with the phrase: Everyone avoided the tower. It was believed to have...

Everyone avoided the tower. It was believed to have saved more sailors than swimming. Calmindon welcomed them home: radiant, but forbidden – home to its keepers, who mustn't be troubled. 

Uruzir had joined the Guild, world-restless, but seeing Azruphel, the keeper's daughter, he was scuttled.

“Will you wait for me?” he asked.

“As every other,” she answered, placidly. But she looked him closely. Then: “Tell me a story – one to keep me through your ventures, for sailors never stay.”

So he did – two years and ten stories later, she gave him one word worth all of his: yes.