A/N ((Rated for minor Violence and Swearing))

Ch. 2

A bone rattling slap to the back and a booming laugh greeted Clint as they arrived to their destination. Nausea gripping his stomach still as he wiped the back of his hand across his parted lips. Spitting off the side of the remains of the glowing bridge he took a few cautious steps backwards. Thor seemed immensely amused by the mortal mans reaction to Bi-frost travel. Clint merely cast a soft glare in his direction as he turned to take in his surroundings. Beyond the bridge he could see the floating towers and gleaming pillars of gold. Buildings and landscape of which he could scarcely comprehend the size of. On earth you could at least gauge something's size and scale. Here it seemed everything was beyond the imagination.

Gesturing towards the horses waiting for them a few feet away Thor began making his way over. Clint took one look at the horses and held his hands up "Whoa whoa, hey I think I'll walk buddy. Horses and I don't exactly get long." Thor who had already climbed onto one of the animals shrugged his shoulders. Replying "Suit yourself my friend, but it is a long journey on foot and we have much to speak of when we arrive. The All-Father awaits us." And with that he turned on the horse urging the animal to begin its journey home. Clint stood there for a long moment watching Thor's retreating form. No use complaining already. He walked up to the saddled horse grabbing the reins in his left hand. He regarded the creature warily. It seemed only a horse, nothing different from the ones he had seen on earth. Slipping one foot into the stirrup he hoisted himself into the saddle. His bow and a small pack meant for lengthy missions his only luggage. Giving the horse a gentle nudge to the ribs he urged it to follow its friend up ahead. Mumbling under his breath that if it chose to bite him he would make damn sure it ended up on someone's dinner plate.

Standing inside the All-fathers chambers felt no stranger than the rest of his journey thus far but the suspense of his orders was beginning to get to him. Thor stood across from him, the old king to his left his one eye staring intently at Barton. This was somewhat a familiar experience for him not much different from being sized up by Fury. Shifting his stance from side to side he cleared his throat hinting to the two immortals he grew tired of waiting. This staring contest was getting old. A few heart beats later the old king gave a sudden nod and smiled in a tired way that spoke of too many sleepless nights of worry. Of decisions that weighed heavily on his mind.

His voice was exactly as you'd think it would be, coarse and deep sounding.

"My eldest son tells me you are unmatched on Midgard with your patience and abilities with a bow. Perhaps he is correct in his assumptions that a man of your qualities is more apt then one of our own to complete the task that is before us."Said Odin politely, a faint hint of tiredness in his voice.

Clint nodded in response not wanting to seem overly confident but content that Thor thought so highly of him.

Clint gave his answer bolder than he intended.

"If you'll excuse me but what exactly is this task? Thor didn't exactly explain anything to me."

The All-Father tilted his head towards his eldest child with open amusement.

"He is rarely so cryptic I assure you. He feels the same concern I do, despite thinking we knew what my youngest was capable of we had no idea how vast his hatred and loathing of us would go, and for his part in your planets strife I apologize. It is of little consequence I realize and far too late but it is sincere none the less." He stood now taking a step towards Clint. "It is another matter one quite more subdued involving Loki this time as well. He is locked away stripped of his magic so he is not our ultimate concern. His enemies though are our own people. He is a traitor in their eyes and has brought shame upon himself and another. I am ashamed to see he did not think before he acted, for now he is not the only one who will suffer because of his imagined slights. We would have you protect someone for us, act as a guardian of sorts."

Clint uncrossed his arms now, exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he'd been he had some answers. A clearer idea set before him to ease his restless mind. A protection detail was easy. No muss no fuss. He gave a single nod.

"That sounds easy enough."

Flicking his chin up at the blonde demigod he grinned casually.

"Thor your pretty dramatic you coulda' just told me this before I wouldn't have been so damn worried." Clint's grin faltered even as he spoke as he watched Thor's troubled expression return once more.

The All-Father raising a brow of his own now.

"Thor my boy, you didn't tell your friend who he would be protecting did you?"

Thor sighed meeting Clint's gaze as he answered his father.

"No, I dare say I did not think he would have accepted the task had he known he would be protecting Loki's betrothed."

Clint felt his fists grind painfully tight, well shit.

Hawk-eye thought if he clenched his teeth any harder they would crack, the air inside the chamber felt hot and uncomfortable to his skin. Leveling his glare onto Thor he pointed a finger towards the blonde.

"You got a lot of nerve keeping that bullshit from me!" He said voice low and brimming with annoyance. This was just great; he wasn't sure which was worse. Thor's pathetic attempt to look sorry for his fib or the fact he was even standing in this room still.

"You do remember what happened in New York right? Huh, or did that whole incident of your brother manipulating my mind into doing his bidding escape you!?"

Thor had the decency to at least appear remorseful.

Clint lowered his accusing finger.

"What makes you think I shouldn't turn you down and leave right now? Because I have every right I owe that monster nothing."

Swallowing the tension in his throat Thor looked to his father at the mention of his brother and the Tricksters past actions on Earth. The All-Fathers expression remaining stoic and void of any true emotions during their exchange. If these comments bothered him, he chose not show it.

Thor spoke now."Clint I apologize for my actions and it may be what my brother assumes is a fool's sentiment but I believe Loki's actions were not his own, I believe him to be have been twisted and molded by another unseen force. The present anger and hatred towards us the clay they would mold him from."

When the other man said nothing Thor took this as permission to continue his speech.

"My brother is responsible for his crimes I do not dispute that and it is a desperately unfortunate result that his betrothed should suffer as well. Our people do not simply shrug away their anger at a traitor like Loki, it may take years if ever. Khaleesi is innocent of his wrong doings. But the people of Asgard will not see it as such. They feel because she is his future wife that she is just as responsible and yet she has never even set eyes on Loki; she knows not his crimes here in Asgard or beyond. I fear they will find her if given enough time. Extract the revenge they cannot from Loki." Taking a deep breath he gave Clint a pleading gaze.

Pursing his lips into a fine thin line Clint ran a hand through his dark hair. His unusual friends plea's not falling on deaf ears.

"I can't believe I'm even considering this…What do you mean if they have enough time to find her? She's not here in the palace?" He asked, knowing if he was going to consider this mission he needed all the facts. No more secrets.

Thor's face showed the tiniest ray of hope, his team mate's words bringing a hint of relief to his face.

"No my friend, she is quite far from here and has been all her life. It is a two days journey from here. On our great lakes there is an island where an estate is. Our customs are quite different from your realm. She has been sheltered from outside influences until my brother could come to retrieve her before their wedding. It is custom for some royals to have arranged marriages from birth, my brother was already near a thousand when it was put into contract. Until now I don't think he's given it or her much thought in all actuality. Our people however have not forgotten her ties to him. She would have no idea why they seek to punish her. No defense against their cruelty."

Clint held up his hand again as if to stop the demigod from his rambling. Looking towards the All-Father and Thor he said.

"Alright alright, I get it. She's innocent. Just give me a few hours sleep a chance to regroup my thoughts and I'll be ready to go. You owe me Thor, owe me big time." Turning away from the two immortals he pushed open the chamber doors not bothering to glance back. He didn't give a damn if it was rude.

Thor released a breath he hadn't know he had held, relief flooding his veins. He had not seen Khaleesi in nay a century he could only imagine what had transpired in all that time. He had also failed to explain to Clint what her protection from outside influences had involved. Aside from a hand maiden and a single guard, she had not seen anyone else. Thor had been unable to visit the island estate in all this time, including when he had been banished and then battling his brothers ill will. He prayed the people on the estate with her had not yet heard of his brothers crimes. His attempts in protecting his would-be sister in-law carrying the high potential to very well be in vain. What defense could a small sheltered young woman have against them? He gazed to Odin in silence before he too turned to exit the chambers. He prayed to the gods they were not to late.