Author's Note: This is kind of a strange fan fiction for me. I'm excited, and I've had these ideas floating around in my head for awhile. I'm intending for this to be a sort slow reveal, slow burn, character growth story for all main parties involved. So, bear with me, things will makes sense in due time. 😄

"Do I really have to go?" she pleaded, eyes large and watery.

Surely, he would show mercy. No one could resist her big doe eyes when brought to near tears. Maybe her tribe would let her stay. Please. She'll do anything.

His hand touched her cheek. "I'm sorry. I don't want you to go, but…"

She pulled away, dejected.

In one week, she was to be of age. In one week, she'd leave her homeworld forever. In one week, she'd be a princess of Asgard through arranged marriage.

She's never been royalty. The concept was foreign to her. Vanaheim didn't have the typical bloodline hierarchical structure amongst the Asgardians. They consisted of tribes and multiple tribal leaders that stayed out of each other's business as much as possible.

She strolled along the forest's path. She heard Asgard didn't have open forests and beautiful, natural, expansive landscapes like these. She'd miss the sheer amount of green and thickets of shaded trees. She didn't know how she'd get her herbs for potions, tea, you name it. She'd be cut off from it all.

She took a seat underneath her favorite ancient weeping willow tree. No one was around, so she let the tears fall down her face. She was rarely allowed these moments of vulnerability. And, she suspected they'd be even rarer now. She'd be an outsider, a commodity of war, and some wedded broodmare. Things weren't… fair!

BOOM!

Her head snapped up, wiping the tears away quickly, getting to her feet quickly. What was going on? She saw the opening of the rainbow close and dust from the fallout scatter. What's going on? She pulled her short sword from her holster at her waist. They could be foreign invaders.

Cautiously, she walked towards the source of the explosion. When the dust settled, she saw a tall, muscular man with a blond mane. Her eyes widened and cocked her head to the side in curiosity and confusion. He was a rather large man without any defining clothing. She leant down curiously to get a better read on him. She placed a hand on his cheek and turned his face over towards her and the sky. She was taken aback for a moment by how handsome he is. Not everyday do you see someone exceptionally attractive.

"Hello, are you still alive?" she asked softly, patting his cheek.

He groaned softly before his eyes opened. There was a shocked look on him and a familiar gleam to his eyes as he looked all over her face. Strange, why does he seem familiar to her? The intensity of his gaze made her look away.

Then, after a moment, he started hyperventilating and thrashed to his feet to which she leant back in confusion. What's wrong with him?

"Father!" he called, walking around. "Father! Hammer! Hammer?"

"Have you been touched in the head?" she said incredulously, getting to her feet as well.

"You, maiden," he said, approaching her, "which realm is this?"

"It's—"

He didn't let her finish. He simply grabbed her by the shoulders, startling her. There was a wild look in his eye that was unsettling.

"Alfheim, Anaheim, Vana—"

She place two fingers to his chest and shouted, "Elektrificere."

Immediately, he dropped to the forest floor with a loud thud – mildly electrified due to her spell. She winced softly. That didn't go well.

She supposed she could leave the oaf where he was, but she knew she couldn't. The nightly predators of the forests wouldn't let such easy prey just lie there. And, she needed to know why he was here. She let out a mildly frustrated sigh through her nose.

After casting a spell of levitation, she took him back to her place. She plopped him down on one of the cots. She considered just leaving him there for a moment, and then thought against it if his earlier behavior was any indication. She pulled out some ropes and made quick work to tie him to her guest cot.

And well, it was time to wait. She sat on her chair and propped her feet up on the chair across from her. She picked up the book on the table beside her she was in the middle of – a lovelorn adventure in a familiar yet different land. It was a departure from her spell books which can be a little tedious.

"Ughngh…"

Her brown eyes flicked up at her 'guest'. He woke up growling and thrashing like a feral creature out of the pits of hell. She sighed through her nose, already sour for the day, and placed a bookmark in her novel before putting it aside on the table.

He stilled because he seemed to notice her presence. They caught eyes. His were wild blues in contrast to her brown, mildly perturbed ones. He swallowed and began to mildly struggle again.

"Maiden, explain yourself now!"

"Surely you jest. You're the barbarian who came from the sky and attacked me. Explain yourself."

"I am Thor Odinson Prince of Asgard!"

Her brows furrowed in shock. What? Why was he here? He was supposed to be in Asgard. Why would a prince be down here? Wasn't he supposed to be the king as of yesterday? All the nine realms knew about it. What the hell?

She got up, crossed the room, and glared down at him. "You're lying," she said quickly. "Thor Odinson always has Mjölnir. He's a thunder god who would blast his way through everything. And yet, you're tied to my guest cot."

"That is I," he emphasized.

"Prove it," she said.

She hoped it wasn't him. She knew Thor. She knew the arrogance, the anger, the cruelty, and the destruction he leaves in his wake. And, she didn't need that in her life. Vanaheim didn't need in its life. People are peaceful here.

"Untie me and I'll show you," he said deeply, looking her dead in the eye with that same intensity.

She held that stare, not backing down. "Thor could get himself out of there with his sheer strength alone," she threw back.

She saw the challenge pass over his face, and a smirk grew there. He began to pull at the ropes, groaning in frustrations along with the ropes. Her eyes widened in terror at the sight of the ropes beginning to strain underneath his efforts. No, he couldn't break them. He wasn't Thor. He didn't have Asgardian strength. No, he couldn't.

Snap.

He grunted in victory as his arms and legs were free. She gasped in shock as he got to his feet. She was about to use her spell again. She lifted her two, shaking fingers quickly, but he grasped her hand and entered her space.

"Not again," he said, smirking down at her face.

She brought her other hand up, pressed it to his forehead, and quickly shouted, "Elektrificere!"

He fell right back onto the cot and was out like a light. Mild panic set in as she looked down at her 'guest'. He might be Thor, or an Asgardian pretending to be Thor. She hated both, but the latter was better. He needed to be gone either way. They were a violent, vicious people that conquered everything in their way.

Her eyes drifted down at the knife in her holster at her side. He might be the Asgardian to take her to Asgard or to conquer her homeland. Either way, she was considering it. She didn't condone murder often. But, she considered taking his life to prevent a tragedy.

He groaned and shifted in his sleep, and suddenly she was brought back to her senses. She stopped thinking it, breathing heavily and realizing where her head space was. She was no better than the Asgardians if she did it. She backed up and collapsed in her chair again, waiting as she held her knife with steady hands.

Some time later when he awoke again, she was more prepared this time. Her knife was held and when he sat up, the panic had lessened with deep breaths.

"Now, are you to be civil?" she questioned, showing him her knife.

"Yes," he said. "I'm always civil."

"I beg differ," she sighed.

"What realm is this?" he demanded.

"Vanaheim if you must know," she said drily. "Why are you here?"

"I'm banished if you must know," he said, throwing that back at her.

Banished from Asgard? Why? Was he traitor? He seemed like a traditional Asgardian man, granted probably more spoiled than others, but regardless he's a prime example of an Asgardian man. He's violent, arrogant, and inconsiderate.

"Good, then you're not here for me," she said, relieved.

She saw the confusion in his face to which she wasn't going to clarify for him. She simply sat there, basking in the relief.

Suddenly, she heard the whistle of boiling water. She got up immediately and went to the fire place where her pot was settled above. She removed her boiled eggs and asparagus from her pot and placed it on the plate.

He stole her fork and plate right out of her hand, and she looked at him in irritation. "I'm starving," he explained.

"It isn't yours," she said, giving him a look.

He looked as if he didn't care. "I'm the first son of Odin. I can have anything I—argh!" he exclaimed and dropped her plate. "It's hot!"

"It just came out of a boiling pot, you dumbass," she amusedly, laughing shortly.

She picked out more from her pot and set it on her table to cool down. Should she share? Maybe if he asked nicely.

He grasped her hand and immediately she withdrew it as if she'd been burned. She looked over, trying not to get so jumpy. But, him in her presence did that to her. Asgardians made her a little jumpy, okay?

"I seek my hammer," he said. "And, you're going to help me get it back."

He meant to invade her space, so she raised her knife at his throat as a warning. She didn't trust him and wouldn't be intimidated by his overwhelming stature.

"Am I now?"

"I can feel your contempt for me, maiden," he said, stroking a lock of her hair to which she glared at the offending hand. "I assume you must want me gone."

"I do," she said, smacking away his lingering hand and glaring at him. "And do not touch me."

He smirked as if she didn't mean it. Did he really want to go that route? Who was wielding the knife here? He went to grasp her hand, but she pointed the tip of her knife at his throat in warning.

"We're not familiar," she said tersely. "So back off."

He backed off thankfully. And, she took a breather to let the immediate contempt pass from her. It tended to cloud her judgement.

"I must find Mjölnir," he said.

"If I do a locator spell and find Mjölnir, you will leave, correct?" she said but it didn't sound like a question.

She wanted him out and gone. She didn't much like helping potential Thor. After all, he could still be lying. But, she wanted him gone either way. He looked the part enough for her to take that chance.

"Yes," he said, looking back at her. Then, he grasped her hand and lifted her knuckles to his lips. "You have my word."

Unimpressed, she took her hand back from his and ignored that cheesy smirk on his face. He wasn't charming. He was just an arrogant pussy hound hidden behind polite gestures. It wasn't a new to her. In fact, it bores and, if too pushy, annoys her.

"I hope your word is worth something."

He smirked. "I don't think I caught your name, maiden."

"No, you didn't," she said with dry amusement.

He looked at her expectedly.

"And you won't."

He looked at her as if he was enjoying himself, and she was his personal challenge. Ha! She was no one's challenge. When she didn't like someone she didn't like someone. And, well, she really didn't like Thor. In fact, she'd go as far as to say she hated him. And, her mind wasn't easily changed.

"You," she pointed at him to keep his focus. "You need a bath. You smell so badly my neighbors will complain."

A look of confusion graced his features before he smelled his armpits and recoiled. Well, now, he understands.

"Where is your bath in this dingy hut?" he said.

"This dingy hut," she said unamused, "is my home, and if you're not respectful you can sleep outside. Now, the bath is in the back room, and the soap is above the basin. There's a fresh towel in the cabinet when you're done." He looked at her expectantly. "I have nothing more for you. Go bathe," she said simply.

He walked back and as soon as the door closed she collapsed in her chair again. The fear and stress dropped out of her and was replaced by relief that he didn't have Mjölnir. He wasn't as dangerous as before. He was still a domineering Asgardian whose lineage brought war and destruction to her home world. But now, she had a moment to gather her thoughts and get things ready for the locator spell now that he was out of her presence.

…

"Dammit," she exclaimed in frustration.

"What?"

She didn't bother to turn towards him. Her work was far more important. Why wasn't her locator spell working? She performed it correctly. And yet, the crystal was still popping and sparking, rejecting her request. It's not happened in years.

Suddenly, his presence was in her space. And thankfully he smelled much better, but from her profile she saw he wasn't exactly wearing a shirt. She refrained from scoffing. It was clear he was trying to get a better look at Beldoxian Eye to see what was up, but the placement of his taller, beefer body was ridiculous.

"You can put on a shirt," she said.

"I couldn't find one," he said easily. Then, he pointed at her crystal and its stand. "Your magic orb is sparking. Is it supposed to do that?"

"No," she sighed. "Something is blocking my signal."

"I'll take care of it," he said, smirking down at her.

"You can try," she said, giving him a look for the arrogance. She turned towards him and didn't appreciate the proximity where she could see freckles on his hairless chest. "You have to find a fellow mage in the area who's using the crystal's twin. I think it's coming from two homes down. I suppose we could wait until he's done."

"No," he said immediately. "I will take care of it."

He went to walk away. She didn't look away, too consumed by the crystal and its sparking. Damn thing. She'd upgrade if she found a peddler who wasn't trying to swindle her.

Not even three minutes after he left, he was blasted back in through her door. He was flat on his back, and she didn't bother to look back at him, knowing he probably deserved it. He wasn't exactly a loquacious, patient individual.

"You're fixing that door," she said simply.

"Put on a shirt, you dumb brute!" she heard what turned out to be Aegir's voice and she heard the smack of a shirt hit her 'guest'.

Her eyes widened as realization dawned on her face. She ran past Thor, not even glancing his way, as she left the room.

"Aegir, how are you?" she exclaimed, trying to redirect his attention.

It worked.

"You have the most unruly guest," he said.

"Don't I know it," she said, frowning at the man brushing himself off briefly before she turned towards him and smiled sweetly at him. "You wouldn't happen to be using Beldoxian Eye's twin, would you?"

"Yes, he tried to smash it," he sneered at Thor.

Her eyes rolled. Good Gods, he's stupid. And the punishment is so wonderfully perfect. It seemed violence was his only teacher. It's very Asgardian of him: big, stupid, and violent.

"Quite a brute, I know," she said before looking back at her neighbor. "But, do you mind if you wait about thirty minutes or so before you use its twin? Yours is interfering with my signal. And, it would be so nice if you could do that for me," she said sweetly and batting her eyelashes.

"Sure," he said, smiling at her. "Pinch him for me though."

"That I can do, thank you."

She walked back into her home and pinched Thor's arm in passing.

"Ow," he said, and she felt his eyes on her.

"It's deserved, you oaf. You tried to break my neighbor's magic crystal he traded his best sheep for."

"You can't simply warn me?"

"Like you'd listen," she said. "Besides, experience is a far better teacher for you than words."

She took the hair from his arm she pinched off and placed it in front of the crystal. Hopefully, this will increase the signal and make things a little more accurate. After all, he and that hammer have a connection. He's possessed it for quite some time. Likewise, the sparking finally ceased and a picture began to appear in its many rock faces.

"Finally," he said, hovering over her rather easily. Damn those Asgardians for being tall.

"It seems your hammer is in the nest of… Nidhogg," she said in shock.

"Nidhogg?" he asked confusedly.

How does he not know anything that goes on the nine realms? She supposed warriors don't have to be smart or aware of the world. Must be nice. She'd love to live in ignorant bliss.

"Do they not have history classes in Asgard anymore? He's a giant snake who consumes Yggdrasil. He's very large and very dangerous. No one goes near him," she said. "Good luck with retrieving your hammer from him."

"You are not going to help me, maiden?"

"It's not a part of our deal, Odinson," she said simply. He looked taken aback. "Our deal is I find the hammer not get it for you or aid you in that endeavor. I value my life and safety after all."

She didn't want to go anywhere near Nidhogg. He was dangerous and had a penchant for blood. And guess what, she has blood in her. No thank you, she doesn't need death right now. She would like to live a few more centuries, thank you.

"I am more than enough protection for you to be my guide," he said boastfully.

He grasped her hand to which she immediately pulled back. She didn't want to be touched by him. She's made that very clear. Next time, he gets stabbed.

"If you are Thor, then you're Thor without Mjölnir. You can't protect anyone," she said bluntly. "I assume you can't call upon your lightening now?"

"I am still a viable threat," he said, puffing out his chest.

She lifted her two fingers, and he backed up. She smirked. Good, he needs to eat a little humble pie, respect her boundaries, and be afraid.

"Am I really to go without you? How will I know where this Nidhogg is?"

"I will give you directions and a place to stay tonight if you intend to leave in the morning," she said, despite the reflex not to, but she didn't like sad faces like the one he was giving her.

He seemed dejected. Why? Wasn't he the mighty Thor? Did he not care if he was alone or not? Wasn't the typical profile of a warrior to be emotionally distant? Or was he that upset she wasn't interested in being around him or letting him into her skirt? Well, it's time to realize not everyone will like you.

…

It was some hours later in the night where they were both lying in separate beds in the same open room she was truly reflecting how weird this day has been. Her biggest problem as of this morning was dreading going to Asgard in a week, but it seems Asgard came to her early. She wondered idly if she was to be wed to him or his brother. Well, he's banished, so she wasn't to marry him anymore. But, she wasn't told as a child or as an adult. She'd prefer neither to marry blindly to be honest.

She looked up at her ceiling, counting the tiles absentmindedly. She was didn't trust falling asleep near him. She had her knife on her and some basic protective spells. Sexual assault or murder shouldn't happen to her. He was no warlock.

"Thor?" she said, trying to distract her mind and calm her nerves.

"Hmm?"

"Do you snore?" she asked.

"No one has complained," he said.

"Hmm, the perks of being a prince, I suppose," she grumbled softly.

"I'm not as awful as you think, maiden," he said.

She rolled her eyes. She knew he was that bad. And, she doubted he'd change so drastically. The only reason he was putting on a front was because he wanted her to retrieve his hammer and fuck her. Gross.

"I shall agree when it's to be seen," she said.

She woke the next day in the morning, wondering how she'd ever been lolled to sleep considering who had been six feet away from her. But she managed to.

Speaking of the devil…

"Snnnrgh," she heard a rumbling snore to her side.

"So you do snore," she whispered to herself disdainfully.

She stood to get ready for the day. She went to her wooden dresser and picked up her change of clothes for her washroom. She closed the door behind herself and went to bathe for the day.

It seemed the oaf left his clothes on the floor and didn't bother to clean anything up after himself. Again, the perks of being a prince to which she'll never understand. And, she won't pick up after him. She was grown, and he wasn't her child.

She bathed rather quickly, putting her hair up, not bothering to wash her hair. And just as she was finishing up she heard him bumbling around which made her roll her eyes.

"Maiden? Maiden!"

"I'm in the washroom, you oaf!" she shouted back through the door. "Wait, outside—"

The door opened and immediately she flicked her wrist, shutting the door in his face. She rolled her eyes at his stupidity. She would not be peeped on by an impulsive idiot.

She heard a grunt of pain, "Gods, maiden."

"I told you to wait outside," she said simply. "Pervert."

She finished, dressing and took her hair down from her messy bun. She entered the room again to see him munching on her loaf of bread sitting on her table.

"Sure, help yourself," she said to herself, unimpressed.

"I will," he said, smirking at her through a mouthful.

She stood on her tiptoes and reached for the cabinet. Her hands pulled out a rolled up scroll and unraveled it onto her table. Her eyes flicked over to the large man raiding her pantry expecting him to pay attention. She cleared her throat, getting his attention.

"Do you want the map to-"

Knock, knock, knock.

She straightened up and walked over to her door as her 'guest' went to her map. She walked over to the door and opened it. She blinked in surprise to see her brother Freyr standing outside. Hmm, she wasn't expecting him.

"Freyr, what are you doing here?" she questioned.

"Father said you seemed depressed. I came by to…," his head peered through behind her and she knew exactly what he was looking at. "You have a guest?"

She laughed drily, "I suppose you could say that. Let's talk outside."

Before the door shut behind her, she saw her brother eyeing Thor suspiciously. It was deserved. She didn't like him either, but she didn't want anyone on Vanaheim panicking, especially her family, as she took care of the problem. She could handle it after all.

"I know you must be feeling-"

"Panic, anger, anxiety? Were those the ones that came to mind?" she said stiffly.

"They're fools if they don't love you immediately," he said, cupping her cheek affectionately. "They don't deserve you, sister."

She laughed, trying not cry. She would do anything not to go. But, she had to follow the terms Asgard set. And apparently, being a village leader's daughter qualifies her to marry a prince of that realm for… 'peace'. She knew the consequences if she refused, but she wanted so badly to be selfish.

"They are fools. Remember?" she said, looking him in the eyes.

"Perhaps, they've wised u-" he started laughing. "Sorry, I couldn't finish that sentence."

She started laughing with him. It felt good. She'd miss her brother when she had to leave. She'd miss him. Hopefully, they'd allow her or him to visit along with the rest of her family. She'd find a way.

"I'll miss you," she said, hugging him.

"You as well," he said as he left.

She sighed deeply, trying to expel the tension and the misery. It worked somewhat. Her brother's visit certainly helped and depressed her simultaneously. But, it certainly solidified an idea she'd been tickering in her head for some time.

She opened her door and Thor fell on his face onto her foyer. She raised her eyebrows at him as he had the decency to look ashamed.

"You have an issue with privacy, don't you?" she said, stepping on his back as she crossed the room.

He grunted in irritation before saying indignantly, "I wasn't listening."

"You're a terrible liar…," she said as she went back to the map to give it a proper look.

"Are you still not coming with me, maiden?"

It wasn't particularly complicated. Even an oaf like him could read this map and follow it. Interestingly, the winding path to Nidhogg was on the edges of Vanaheim to which many don't go and wouldn't go and it takes about a week… huh.

"Wait, if I go with you," she said. "Then, they might not find me. And, I won't be forced to go back to Asgard... Alright, I'll go with you."

"To Asgard? Why?" he asked.

Her guard stayed up. She wouldn't let it down around him. Just being in his proximity put her on edge. She preferred not to divulge with him.

"None of your business," she said simply. "Do you want me to come along or not?"

"I do."

He gave her a smile, looking down at her from a very close proximation. She didn't return it knowing exactly what her week with him would most likely entail.