But I Won't Do That

I would do anything for love,
I'd run right into Hell and back
I would do anything for love
I'd never lie to you and that's a fact ...
And I would do anything for love, but I won't do that
-Meatloaf

We've all been in Meatloaf's shoes. We've all insisted that, no matter how ardently we feel about a person or passion, that we draw the line at doing that.

This month, we ask you to consider what "that" is for your character: the one thing that she or he refuses to do, no matter what. And what happens when she or he ends up having to do it anyway?

Your story can be serious, perhaps involving the many wars, kinslayings, and other tragic events of The Silmarillion. Or it can be humorous: What one commission would the young artisan Nerdanel refuse (and what happens when it is offered to her at a price she can't refuse?) Sauron is all about repentance until Eönwë suggests--what exactly?? The key is to put you character into a tough spot and see how he or she extricates himself--or doesn't!

This challenge opened in January 2016 .