Third Challenge: The Chains That Bind Us - this theme can be taken literally, such as a character who finds himself imprisoned... or you can go the metaphorical route and write about a character who feels restricted by circumstance.

Category: Gen (Canon)

Characters/Pairings: Trickler, King Alined

Rating/Warnings: K

Word Count: 228

A/N: I've gone the slightly obscure route and taken a look at the ties between King Alined and Trickler (from the episode "Sweet Dream" (S.2, Ep. 10)). Beta-ed by sarajm


Peace was certainly not what King Alined wanted. A man could only prove himself in war, and to do so magnificent weapons were needed. Alined's kingdom was renown for its forges and the quality of the weapons made at those forges. It was war that brought the profits, not peace. His jester, Trickler, had promised that by the end of the talks, Uther and Olaf would be at each other's throats, and Alined could make a tidy profit outfitting either, or both if he played his cards right. Trickler's promise was the only reason King Alined had agreed to attend these peace talks. He was looking forward to having a front row seat at the imminent conflagration.

As they rode into Camelot's Courtyard, King Alined gave a quick glance over to his Jester, perched inelegantly on the back of the donkey. The man was ridiculous; in his clothing, his speech, his actions. But he had magic and bowed to Alined's will, so Alined was willing to put up with his servant's antics.

He knew Trickler could be counted on to obey his every command. After all, the Jester had no other option. His well-being was tied to Alined's good graces, and Trickler was wise enough to know this.

Alined, though, never realized that his future was bound up in the very same chains he had forced on Trickler.