Tryndamere trudged back toward his house, bones aching from the days battles. New champions were entering the league regularly, and it was difficult to keep up with all of them skillwise. There were still several champions who seemed to annoy him to no end, the largest and, ironically, smallest of them being Teemo.

He walked on, dragging his huge sword behind him as he went. His reception in his kindom was widely varied. When the barbarians saw him, they immediately stopped and bowed to him, some getting on one knee. They would follow their leader to the death, and although Queen Ashe was more powerful politically, they would refuse to take orders from any but Tryndamere.

Ashe's people, on the other hand, looked upon him with distain when he passed. Not that he could blame them, really. Mixing cultures of hardened, barbaric nomads and civilized, propper artisans and nobles had created quite the stir among both groups. Ashe's people would cry indecency in outrage, while the barbarians would shout back, tempers flared and faces rudy, unable to understand why a public fountain cannot be used as a communal bath.

Most of the antics merely brought a smirk to Tryndamere's face. He had adapted better than most to the new customs of the land they were living in, but even then he found the majority to be useless and restricting. It had done nothing to ease the rift between him and his queen, though he had decided long ago to give up on that account. In his heart was no malice for Ashe; rather, he was loyal to the one who had given his people a home, regardless of the reasons. So be it if he could never marry someone he truly loved. If it meant a home to those who had faithfully stood by him, by the sword of Garen, he would do it.

"Can't say I've ever been to your place before," a young voice prodded Tryndamere, startling him. Upon his shoulder rested Fizz, leaning against one of the horns on his helmit and absently balancing his trident on his hand.

"Get off," growled the barbarian king, sweeping his free hand across his shoulder. Fizz lazily dodged it, flipping onto his trident and landing on the ground gracefully. He smiled up at the large man, who had stopped to look at him.

"What do you want?" Tryndamere grunted, crossing his arms. Fizz spun his trident around his palm easily, a playful look set on his face.

"Well, it's always fun talking to Queen Ashe. And I've never gotten to hang out with you before. Figured I'd kill two Noxians with one stone."

Tryndamere grunted, secretly enjoying the twist Fizz had put on the old addage. It was hard not to like the young fish, who had made friends from every nation. His closest allies were the Bilgewater crew, Miss Fortune and Gangplank, and he seemed to be the only one who could sit comfortably with Nautalus.

"Very well," Tryndamere consented. "Come along, Fizz. We shall speak to Queen Ashe."

Fizz nodded eagerly, flipping once more onto the man's shoulder. The walk to the castle wasn't far, and they finished the trip in comfortable silence.

"My dear Fizz, how good it is to see you." Ashe welcomed from the open door of the castle. She smiled down as the young fish beamed up at her. She dropped to a knee as Fizz bowed and kissed her hand, though it was mostly for fun. It was well known that Fizz refused to see any lord or master, and made short examples of those who tried to force their reign.

"Always an honor, Queen Ashe," Fizz replied easily. He smiled at Tryndamere, subtly winking in one of his own private jokes.

"King Tryndamere, I assume today's battles were taxing?" she asked, turning towards her husband. The smile had fallen short of her eyes, her arms crossed across her chest.

"You could safely assume that, yes."

"I see. I shall prepare a meal then, as I was not summoned. Fizz, would you be so kind as to join us for a meal?"

The fish smiled. "As much as I'd love to, I can't. I told Nocturne that we could play Hide and Go Seek later this evening, and he seemed really excited. I don't think anyone has played with him before." The look of disbelief and horror on the royal couples faces cause him to grin. "I know, right? Someone shouldn't grow up without playing hide and seek."

Tryndamere was the first to recover. "Well then, Fizz, I hope you enjoy yourself, and give the shaddow strider my best."

"Yes, do indead," agreed Ashe, recovering from her shock. "Well, then, I shall go to prepare a meal."

Ashe walked inside the house, closing the door behind her as Tryndamere stood outside. He breathed deeply, willing himself to relax, and realized that Fizz still stood beside him.

"Shouldn't you be going to meet Noctune, Fizz?" he asked, slightly confused.

Fizz grinned. "I played with him yesterday, and he loved it so much he wanted to play again. But I woulldn't want to intrude on your meal."

Tryndamere huffed. "Might have improved the conversation."

"Yes, it might have," agreed Fizz, nodding slowly. "You know, you could try asking her more about herself."

"What are you talking about?" grunted Tryndamere.

"Just saying. You guys could have a really good thing going on here. Maybe you could turn it into something better."

Tryndamere grunted once more. "This marriage is completely political, Fizz. There is nothing resembling romance or relationship outside of what is necessary for our people."

"I know," said Fizz, more softly. "But nobody said that it had to be like that."

Tryndamere looked at the young fish for a long time. "Why are you telling me this?"

Fizz gave him a sad smile. "Because it's a shame to waste even the most political of marriages. Even if you don't yet love her, at least someone of your race is alive to marry."

With that Fizz hopped upon his trident and flipped onto a nearby rooftop, disappearing from sight almost immediately.

Tryndamere stood for a moment, lost in thought. Then, he lifted his great sword, set his head high, and strode into his castle.