Loyalty, Honor and a Willing Heart

For a long time Fíli's world is small and simple. Something which he has created entirely by design. He keeps it to the hum of the tide and the salty bite of the wind. He keeps it to a life of quiet solitude broken only by the companionship of his dog, his best friend, Bryn.

Once, this had been enough.

On this morning, Fíli walks along the shore, his boots crunching over the pebbled beach. The sky overhead is a sullen grey that merges almost perfectly with the sea on the horizon. It is cold, the kind of cold that feels wet and cloying, seeping through layers and clawing its way into bone.

Fíli's hands are thrust deep into the pockets of his oilskin coat and the thick cord of Bryn's leash is looped loosely around his left wrist. He scans the ocean with squinted eyes, following the screeching gulls that skim low over the dark, restless waves. They're coming to shore, a storm is brewing.

Up ahead, Bryn ploughs through the rolling tide, kicking up sea spray with her large black paws and panting with deep, clouded huffs. She is in her element here, a true sea dog at home amongst the waves and the kelp. Fíli whistles to her, warning her not to go too far ahead. Bryn reluctantly relents by slowing her bounding gait at least a little. He watches her, his eyes creased somewhere between affection and weariness. He has no real intention of reeling her in before she is ready. There's no need; it has been a long time since he's seen another soul this far out. Anyone wandering up from the town would either have to be extra determined or extra stupid to navigate the treacherous rocks of the coastline to reach Fíli's lighthouse.

This belief is tested when Bryn let's out a sudden deep 'uff!' and abruptly picks up speed as she rounds an outcrop of rocks, her ears perked and tail straight like a banner.

--- Brine by @filigreeing

Those of you who are on the Discord Server know that I'm obsessed... just a tiny bit. Like... I live for this story now, this is how I get through my days. 61k and counting of a regularly updating and actively being written quality slowburn that will gently destroy you with feels.

@nightrunners requested: