Warning, contains yaoi and I do not own anything. To continue on with the story!

Chapter 13

Thor nearly flew across the Rainbow Bridge, ignoring Heimdall's calls in his panic. It made perfect sense. All the meaningless battles. All to distract him from protecting the one who mattered to him most. It was widely known across the universe that he had an Intended and the courting process had begun. What better thing to hold above the Prince of Asgard than the one who held his heart. Thor's breath caught in his chest at the thought of losing Clint. He couldn't lose Clint.

Thor turned the corner of the castle, noticing briefly what looked like the end of repair work. He quickened his steps, fear filling him at the sight of something had happened in his absence. He nearly barreled in Loki who called out his name in confusion as Thor turned the corner to Clint's and Frigga's quarters. He couldn't spare his brother any words as fear filled him. The repairs continued closer to their chambers.

Thor threw open the door leading to the sitting chamber that connected his parent's chambers and Clint's. Frigga and a couple of her handmaidens jumped at the intrusion. "Thor! What are you..." Thor ignored his mother's words and ran over to the doors to Clint's chambers. He threw open the doors, ignoring his mother's protests. The room was empty.

"What is wrong with you!" Frigga demanded. "You come in here, right into my chambers, without any kind of announcement!"

"Not to mention you just tore through the palace like a mad man," Loki said, moving over to stand by their mother.

"Thor? What's wrong?"

Thor's head snapped upwards to the ceiling to see Clint staring down from the rafters, a book held loosely in his hand. He tucked it under his arm and carefully lept to the ground. Thor could find himself breathing easier with the sight of the archer. Before Clint could ask what had happened, Thor closed the distance between them and pulled him into a tight hug. Clint stiffened in surprise before sinking into the strong arms, gently rubbing Thor's back.

"Thor?" Clint whispered, leaning close. "What's wrong? Did something happen on Midgard? Is someone hurt?"

Thor took a shuddering breath before slowly pulling away. He kept Clint's hands in his own, raising the fingertips up for a kiss. Clint smiled and returned the gesture, knowing something had scared Thor deeply.

"I apologize for my behavior, Mother," Thor said, turning back to the others in the room, keeping Clint's hands in his own, unable to let the archer go.

Frigga stood with her hands on hips, her lips in a tight line, as she glared at her son. "That was highly inappropriate behavior. Storming in like some roughen. You are lucky Clint likes you so much otherwise I would make him Loki's Intended. Now, explain yourself!"

Thor blushed at her words. He knew he should step away from Clint but he couldn't find the strength to do so. Clint only tightened his grip on Thor's hands. "There have been several attacks on Midgard. It wasn't until we captured the person behind it that I truly did see. It was all a distraction to keep me occupied. I feared someone had come after you." Thor pulled Clint closer, wanting the physical contact.

Clint looked away from Thor's eyes but slipped an arm around Thor. Loki stepped forward. "You fears were correct."

Thor tightened his grip. "What?"

"Well," Loki started, taking a seat where the handmaidens had fled. "There was an attack on the Far Fields. They didn't make it far but until Clint showed up, we were able to drive the intruders off."

Thor whipped Clint around, shaking him slightly. "You went into battle?! You could have died!"

Clint rolled his eyes. "I'm an assassin. I've been doing this kind of thing for years. I could have died years ago."

"You shouldn't have..."

"You were gone," Clint stated. "Do you expect me to simply stand aside when I could help? If I am to be the future Queen and stand by your side, I am going to have to represent you in your absence. That means going into battle."

"You needn't..."

"Thor. I'm going to do it. You can't stop me." Clint stared down Thor. "I will not stand to the side while others protect me."

"It was a lovely sight!" Loki mused. "We were gaining nor losing ground. A stalemate. Then, riding upon the unridable white mare, decked out in silver and purple with a dash of red, Clint came. An arrow flying through the air turned the battle, giving the men a reason to fight harder. Clint looked every bit a Queen riding for his King."

"You did that? For me?" Thor asked.

Clint smiled. "Of course."

"I can't even begin to tell you how many had approached me and father to ask to be put in service to him," Loki smirked. "And Father turned down every single one of them!"

"It was Queen business," Frigga said, sitting down next to Loki. "Ten came to me, asking for the honor and I granted it."

"They really didn't need to..." Clint said, guilt creeping into his eyes.

"There was nothing you could have done, Clint," Loki reassured, a soft look on his face. "Their actions would have still been the same, no matter what."

"Something else happened?" Thor asked.

Clint nodded, while Loki answered, "Yes. In the night, we had intruders sneak into the palace with the intent to take Clint. They were stopped but lives were lost. Clint insisted on honoring their sacrifice."

"Those Clint didn't win over in his deeds on the battlefield, he won over when he set the funeral pyres for the fallen. He has proved himself worthy of being the future Queen of Asgard," Frigga said, smiling over at the two. "I have told Asgard such and they are welcoming their future Queen."

Thor gazed down at the man at his side in awe. In the time he was away, Clint had not only proved himself worthy of being Thor's husband but he had proved himself Queen of Asgard. The people of Asgard adored him. Thor loved this man.

Author's Note: Moving onward with the story. Special thanks to Katie MacAlpine and Quest for the reviews. Until next time.