Disclaimer: I do not own Alice in Wonderland in anyway.

Note: This was slightly inspired by a prompted I filled, "Slice Away the Sun."

Title: The Chains That Bind Us

Pairing: Alice/Stayne

Genre(s): Romance

Rating: M (for later chapters that will involve sexual content)

Summary: The Knave was never banished with the Red Queen, instead he was enslaved by the Mirana to a lifetime of backbreaking labor. Alice can't seem to banish him from her thoughts, no matter what she does. What is she to do when pushed into his company?

Chapter 1: Chained

'I'm doing it again,' Alice briefly noted to herself as she gazed upon the White Queen's grounds. It was always the same place that her eyes fell upon. Sometimes varying between a couple, small glances, to a long, intent stare. It had been a pattern she had developed after returning to Underland some weeks ago, since finishing her business in the Aboveworld sooner than expected. But what held her attention so effortlessly you ask? Why, a certain Red Knave, ex-Red Knave to more precise.

There he was, bound in heavy chains as he worked on one structure to the next. His once pale skin now bronzed from the long, endless hours under the sweltering sun. His numerous scars from countless battles were more apparent than ever on his flesh. The muscles of his body were in a constant state of strain as he did the most difficult of tasks; lifting wood beams and stones much too heavy for the smaller workers. He towered over them all and the white, chess-piece soldiers that surrounded him. Their hands always hovering near the whips and spears at their sides.

Yes, Ilosovic Stayne was a slave to the White Queen and her kingdom. As Iracebeth of Crims had been banished to the Outlands to live a life of loneliness and silence, he had been condemned to one of back-breaking labor.

"Just as your hands have freely ruined all they have touched, they shall be bounded and chained to rebuild all you have destroyed." Mirana had said as her sister was dragged away, screeching.

'A fitting punishment, indeed,' thought Alice as she watched Stayne's arms hammer away at whatever they assigned him today. And a smart one at that. For them not to use that strong form of his would have been a simple waste. With him doing every unwanted and strenuous job, left less work for all, everyone except him that is. It also increased production tenfold while punishing the proud, ruthless man who had aided the Red Queen in her unlawful acts.

That didn't explain why Alice felt the need to watch him, day in and day out. But then again, even she couldn't explain it. Not to anyone, especially not to herself. All she knew was the perplexing fluttering in her lower stomach, and the speeding of her heart. Not to even mention the delightful tension she received between her legs when seeing a bead of sweat grace his temple. As she watched it slide down, she couldn't help but feel a silent envy for it.

This slight-obsession had started gradually, just out of mere curiosity. Only with a few, quick glances as she was on her way to tea and back, but soon enough she found herself making excuses to pass by more often. Always she took the same path, making herself appear busy as she sought him out the corner of her eye. Sometimes, she would stand behind one of the many pillars when there was no one around to catch her. One of those times happened to be now.

She had tried to stop, really she had. She did everything she could think of to break this shameful habit; took different routes between destinations. Busied herself with random chores and visiting her friends. But still her feet found their way back to him, just as her thoughts did throughout every moment of the day. More and more, she became frustrated with herself. She had half a mind to leave the palace and make residence elsewhere, just to take temptation out of the picture...

Suddenly, Stayne's tall frame stopped and looked around, as if somehow knowing he had an audience besides those guarding him. Quickly, Alice pressed against the stone pillar, hiding herself from his view as she sunk to the ground. Holding her breath, she peeked at him again through the bars of the railing. Waiting for him to turn back around so she could make an exit. She bit her lip at the full view of his muscular chest and stomach, his shirt having been discarded long ago. Her eyes traced down to the leather pants he still wore, dirtied and tattered from the constant labor. Alice had to bite back a groan at the sight of a few dark curls that brushed against the edge of them.

Finally he did with one of the guards shouting at him, he made a comment, but Alice couldn't hear. From the guard's expression, she knew it hadn't been anything pleasant. With adrenaline pumping in her veins, she made a dash around the corner and headed to her room. If she had stayed a little longer, she would have witnessed the snapping of the ropes, and the breaking of the pulley that slammed into the Knave. She would of know what was on the gossip-mongers' tongues, instead of only being aware that something had happened. On her way to answer Mirana's summons, less than an hour later, she distinctly heard in hushed tones,

"Ilosovic Stayne has been injured. Serves him right, I say."

Random Author's Note at the End: Hope you guys are interested! I'm still trying to figure out where exactly I'm taking this story, I have a bunch of ideas but only a rough blueprint. So reviews would be more than lovely! :D