The day came when her pupils had gone of to fight. Where? She didn't even know. Frigga had informed her that she had a day to herself or even more, depending on how long it would take. The questions were running through her mind, but she thought better of it and decided to wait for their stories. However, she had a day to herself and she knew that roaming outside of the palace wouldn't be allowed. In the library, she started roaming around the area but she realized she had energy she needed to burn off and running was not going to do her any good. So, she made her way to the training room.

It brought back some horrible memories when Sif punched her. However, she knew she had to look past it.

Slowly walking into the room, that was more of an arena. The room had to be at least two football fields, with large ceilings and a view of the sea. Only now she really got a view of the area. The breeze that came from the sea was enough to cool them off and the view was amazing. However, the sound of men yelling and grunting had taken her attention away from the scenery. It sounded like a gym, but with the sound of metal clashing, instead of iron being dropped. Observing the soldiers of all sizes, they fought and defended themselves. Some wore protective clothing, while the others went without, showing their bare chests.

Intimidating, would be the word that would come to her mind, but she knew it had to be something more than that because it couldn't be a word. It would have to be term and scared shitless, was it.

These men who were born to do this! A human could not endure this.

Rowena would watch them from afar but now that she was near them, she wanted to walk out. This was not her territory. Remembering her first self-defense class she had taken, she was scared but remained and continued to stay. The fear of being attacked again had been the only reason to continue. Which she did- for almost 6 years. Classes after classes, she continued to strive and do more on how to protect herself. But now, this was no where near what she had taken. Completely out of her league.

The moment the door closed, she saw them all watching her, she froze, as they all gave a small bow. Slowly she nodded and pressed her back against the wall. Some gave a grin while others were started whispering to each other. They had never seen a human before, a female human, at that. Rowena was immune to their looks or charms they threw at her, she had become an expert at repelling it, even if she was scared.

.

Rowena found that they were broken into different divisions, the younger boys, ages, 8-10 were using sticks, 10-15 were using swords that were light and easy, and the men, well, they were ready for war. The one thing that made her cringe and almost feel sympathetic was for the 6 to 10 year old boys who were learning hand to hand combat. All other ages were easy to watch but the younger boys were harder for her. But they held their own and learned that crying would get them no where.

If she was going to learn anything she would watch the younger boys. Start from the bottom up. Watching the younger boys and how they fought. They made it look so easy! As she continued to watch, she realized that there were some techniques that were similar to what she knew. It was somewhat comforting to know she could level up with them.

But the fact that had bothered her was, where were all the women? She was sure there were some women in combat! Sif couldn't be the only one, right?

Watching them all had made her feel confident about getting back to fighting. All she really wanted was a punching bag and a moment to let off some steam. Slowly walking around the large arena. She found they had what was almost a punching bag, it looked more like a large sack hanging on by a rope. She figured it would have to do.

The next day, she found the women were in the arena, practicing with their swords and hand to hand combat fighting. They were just as mean and as strong as the men. This may just work to her advantage. The women did very little to acknowledge her, which was fine by her. She didn't want the attention, she just wanted to relieve some stress and learn. And even that didn't go as planned.

Rowena was told by one of the maidens that she was not allowed to be in the room and training was out of the question, by order of Queen. That shouldn't have been a shock for her, she knew this was going to happen. If she tried to argue with her, it would not go to her favor. Angered by the fact that she had been kicked out she had to fine a way around it.

Night fell and it was a matter of time until everyone had left. If she couldn't train with them, she would train by herself. Sneaking out of her room and into the arena, it had been dead, which was what she wanted.

The sound of the punching echoed in the arena. The stress and relief of anger was being released as she grunted and panted. Punch after punch, blow after blow, she found herself tiring out faster then she normally would but the anger just got to her, she needed it. Using whatever speed she had, she punched as fast as she could that she growled in frustration. Delivering the last blow she fell to her knees, weary from the workout. Catching her breath, she slowly stood up and forced herself to run. In a way, Rowena was punishing herself. She was becoming to accustomed to their comfort and their rules,that she was not retaliating, like she did in the beginning. And frankly, she was mad with herself.

Another round at the punching bags to release her anger in all of this.

Rowena continued for the next few nights and surprisingly no one had approached her about it or had caught her. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she was waiting for someone to say something but no one spoke to her.

Daylight, she would teach and at nightfall, she would fight. Her cardio was becoming easier for her, she could last longer with the punching bags and now, she was starting sword fighting. Or at least, attempting. Taking a wooden stick that the boys would use for training, she attempted to copy their moves. Even though she felt and probably looked like an idiot, she tried. Closing her eyes, she tried to remember their footsteps and what the instructor explained. Waiving the stick in a slow motion she shuffled forward and swung again.

A small laughter echoed in the room. Making her freeze and open her eyes. She had been caught. "Whose there?" she called out.

Out of the shadows appeared a male. Tall with dark hair and a slight grin on his face. "It is only I, my Lady. I heard a sound and I came to inspect."

"Who are you?"

"Just a simple soldier." he responded as he gave small bow, Rowena just nodded. "Are you training, my Lady?" he asked.

"Um, no." she said sheepishly as she slowly put the wooden stick down.

"Are you sure?" he asked as he took another step closer. Not enough to make her uncomfortable but enough for her to feel foolish. Sighing she scratched her head in annoyance, "I'd say, it's not what it looks like but that would be a lie." she said.

Placing his hands on his back he smiled, "I am off duty and I was just passing through."

"Oh, I see." she nodded as she turned to exit the area, leaving the soldier, feeling like she had been caught. Her face had turned red and her stomach dropped. Huffing in frustration she made her way to the door.

"Your footing was too wide," he said to Rowena that she turned around. Watching him grab the stick as he inspected it. Slowly he went into formation, "Feet needs to be at least shoulder width, with a strong back." Then he swung the stick with ease. "Like so." he said, as he turned his attention to her.

Rowena wasn't sure why she continued her way back to him. But when he flipped the stick and pointed the hilt to her to take, she slowly took it.

"Try once again, but take your time." he told her.

Rowena felt a small sense of fear, "You're not going to tell them are you?" she asked with skeptically.

Shrugging his shoulder, "I'm off duty, my Lady. I have no one to report at the moment." The smile he gave made her realize how familiar he seemed.

Slowly nodding her head she did as he instructed and found that she had some success. Looking at the soldier she nodded to him, "Thank you for your help."

"It was my pleasure. But may I ask a question?"

"Sure."

"Why are you training at this time of the night?" he said as his eyes narrowed.

"Uh," she was hesitant on her answers, "I just feel like it." answering him but not really meaning the answer.

"But a Lady is not meant to wield a sword."

"Well, what about Lady Sif? She fights!"

"But you are an educator, not a fighter-"

"Really? Are you going to be giving me that talk like Loki? Forget it." Rowena said in disbelief as she dropped the stick, attempting to leave the soldier. He quickly stepped in front of her, "I apologize for being so bold on my words, but after the attempted training from Lady Sif, I worry that you may hurt yourself again."

Rowena was slightly taken back by the comment, "Wait, you were there?" she asked him.

"Yes, my Lady, what transpired after was a great cause for concern for our Queen." he reminded her.

It was then that she looked at the soldier, his eyes were recognizable. The blue-green shade that made her gasp in surprise. The lighting in the area was adequate but when he stepped closer to the fire, she could see the battle scars on the right side of his face that travelled down his neck. She closed her eyes and remembered him, "You were the one who carried me to the Healing room!" she said while pointing at him.

The soldier simply gave a small bow, "I am glad that you have recovered well." he said to her.

"No, don't bow. Seriously! I should be the one bowing to you!" she said in a shy tone, "I am very thankful for you. Seriously, you really did save my life when no one would listen." walking towards him while fidgeting with her ring, "I didn't think I'd ever get a chance to thank you after all that mess."

"I only responded as I should have and I am sorry that you had to suffer like that." he told her as his eyes gleamed.

Shrugging her shoulders, she gave a small laugh while shaking her head, "That was no where near to what happened after."

"And what was that, my Lady?" curiously asking.

Rowena just smiled at him, "Too much to bare and too much to deal with, so you can understand why I am here. Letting some steam off."

"Is that what Midgardians do?"

"Well," she paused, trying to think of the right way to explain it, "Maybe not all Humans, but a good amount would. I think it's a healthy way to express the anger instead of suppressing it, to a point that you hurt yourself or others. Hell, it's better than drinking your problems away!"

"Buy why learn to fight when you have so many to protect you?" he asked as he handed the sword to her.

A long pause from Rowena as she closed her eyes, remembering the time in the woods with the werewolves. That moment of complete fear and almost euphoria of possibly dealing with death. The words she spoke to Loki, she meant every word of it. "I can only trust myself in this world. I will find ways to survive here, as I had when I was on earth. Nothing changes about that." she told him, "Knowledge is the best weapon. Not just in books but in fights. Learn the opponent and find the weakness. However," she paused as she looked at him, "I am my own opponent and I just found new weaknesses. Which is I know nothing of this world and what it does for me. I don't know how to survive in this world but I will try and do my best, because being in a protective bubble is not how I choose to live."

"I take it you don't trust the princes?"

Rowena didn't answer, she knew she had to choose her words carefully, especially when its about their royalty. Whose to say the soldier wouldn't say anything to them?

"I don't think Loki or Thor will be following me everywhere I go. Besides, how annoying would that be?" she responded in a nonchalant way. The soldier nodded and smiled. It was evident that he was impressed with her.

The name is Broyd, my Lady." introducing himself.

"My name is-"

"Lady Rowena. I know." he said as he looked outside the window. "I'm afraid I have taken too much of your time and have asked too many questions. Forgive me for intruding." he said as bowed to her.

"It really was no bother. You weren't intruding, Broyd, but can we just keep this between you and I? Don't let them know I'm doing this." begging to him, "I really need this for myself. Just to have a moments peace and just let my frustration out."

"As I said my Lady. I am off duty. I have no one to report to." answering her as he walked towards the door.

Just before he closed the door, "Lady Rowena?" he called to her, "Your footing does need some work." he said with a slight grin. Then paused as he gazed towards the hallway, "I take my nightly walks around this area. If you are to train tomorrow night, I'll be passing by." Broyd hinted to her as he smiled. "Goodnight my lady." he said as he closed the door.

Rowena slowly smiled and felt like she had found another ally.

Got more to give. But in the mean time, let me know what you think.