Natalia spent her week visiting Clint in the mornings and spending afternoons with Loki. She and Clint would always chat about their days. The past few days for Natalia had involved meetings with several seamstresses to make her new gowns (one being for her wedding, but Natalia didn't need to tell Clint that). Clint always had a story to tell about his trips to the city, like one where a young, female newcomer was mistaken for a witch. "How could that happen?" she wondered. "Witches have some characteristics you really can't miss…"

"Desperate times, I guess," Clint shrugged. "People are bored here, Nat. They want something interesting to happen." He had just finished tightening his bow string. "So they're resorting to false accusations…"

Wanting to change the subject, Natalia reached out to grab an arrow from the wooden table before her. "How about you teach me how to shoot today?" The corners of her lips turned up in a devious smirk.

Clint shook his head and laughed. "It's not something you learn in a day, Princess."

"You make it look easy enough," she cockily pondered.

"I've been doing this for years," he reminded her.

"And I'm a fast learner."

Clint swore that she winked at him and chuckled. "Alright. But no whining if you can't get it right."

Natalia hopped up from her seat and impatiently waited at the door for Clint to get his equipment all together.

Clint made sure to hurry so he wouldn't upset the princess. Once outside, he drew a bull's eye on a piece of old parchment and pinned it to a nearby tree. "We're getting to the fun part," he announced, grabbing a leather arm guard. "You're a lefty like me. This should make things easy." He took her left arm and secured the bracer over the sleeve of her dress. "Safety first," he smirked, looking straight into her eyes.

Natalia suddenly lost her cool composure. Archery suddenly seemed like a bad idea… Clint grabbed his bow and stood behind her. He was so close that she could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest.

"Grip it with your right hand," he instructed. "Left hand pulls the string."

"Right!" Natalia did as he said. She watched him ready an arrow and felt his warm hand cover hers as they pulled back together.

"Eye on the target," he whispered into her ear.

The gentleness of his voice directly in her ear sent a shiver up Natalia's spine. She ended up losing her grip and sent the arrow in a downwards spiral into the grass. "I can do this myself!" she hastily remarked.

"Alright…" Clint backed off, not wanting to anger her.

After several failed attempts, Natalia managed to get an arrow to hit the outermost circle of the bull's eye. "Told you I was a fast learner," she boasted with a smirk.

"You were born with good aim," Clint chuckled.

All was going smoothly until Loki happened to stare out the library window overlooking the laughing couple. He scowled, furious that Natalia was seeing Barton behind his back. Loki needed Clint gone-he needed something to get rid of the man for good… And he had just the answer. Loki eyed the book in his hand, knowing full well of the taboo contained within it. He headed straight to his private chambers to practice some real magic. Potions were too simple. Following a list of instructions was something any well-educated mortal could perform. His first attempt at brewing shampoo worked nicely on Sleipnir's mane and made Natalia's hair shine like the midday sun. Not only did it work, but Natalia loved it and Loki made some for his Mother. When the Queen asked where Loki obtained it, he claimed that it was something he bought from a travelling merchant. Loki now felt confident enough to try something more complex. He wanted to attempt what only true witches could execute. After locking himself in his bedroom, He searched through the piles of books he had borrowed from the secret library. There was one spell in particular that had made him chuckle. He found the tome and opened it up to a bookmarked page containing a brew to turn one into a hideous beast. Loki only hoped that the incantation required at the end of the instructions would work for a mortal. "Let's see if Barton will ever want to look at you if he turned into a monster…"

The next morning, Natalia was chatting with Clint when Doctor Banner showed up. He wanted to check on Clint's arm to make sure his burn was healing.

"I told you I'm fine, Doc. Good as new," Clint promised. The skin on his arm was no longer pink and enflamed. It was back to its natural tan.

"You can never be too careful, Clinton," Bruce said with a sheepish grin. "I'm glad you're better. And how about you, My Lady?" he asked Natalia. "You are well, I hope?"

"Just fine," the redhead nodded.

There was a knock on the door and Clint went to answer it. "My Lord?"

"I have a delivery for you," Loki announced, holding a silver tray of tarts. "One of our servants was going to deliver this, but Natalia is needed for our seamstress." He smiled towards his fiancé and noticed the look of panic in her eyes.

"You knew I was here?" Natalia asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Of course," Loki answered. "I saw you run off after breakfast and grew curious." Today wasn't the only time he had seen her run off, though… The prince kept a bright smile on his face as he thought about what was soon to come. "These are meant for you, Clint," he continued, handing the plate of lemon tarts to the archer. "And I added a berry one for Natalia." He knew she favoured the berry ones the best and that made his scheme easier to play out. The only thing Loki wasn't expecting was for the Doctor to be present.

"Thank you, Loki." Natalia reached for the tart smothered in red jam.

"Do you want one, Doc?" Clint offered the plate to Bruce.

Loki tensed upon hearing Clint's offer. The tart for Natalia was perfectly fine-they all were, actually. Except the batch of lemon tarts Loki stole from the kitchen had a little something extra added in. Still, he couldn't make any objections in fear of looking suspicious. Loki snatched one for himself for added effect. He kept a watchful eye on Clint as he reached for a snack of his own. It was then that Loki's plan crumbled when Doctor Banner began to choke after taking his first bite of the dessert.

"Shit!" Clint dropped the tray, sending all the pastries to the floor. "Banner?" He and Natalia dropped to Bruce's side while Loki stood in place, watching. Clint began slapping Bruce on the back until the Doctor coughed up some crumbs.

"Bruce?" Natalia worriedly asked. She noticed his complexion looked a bit off and wondered if he was going to be sick. "Is there another Doctor around?"

The irony… Loki thought to himself, fighting back a chuckle. It seemed that his potion didn't work. He figured that the chant at the end was what failed him. Witchcraft was for witches, and witches alone.

Bruce grabbed his middle as he lurched forward in pain. His body trembled and he broke out into a cold sweat.

"I'll go to the castle!" Natalia said, jumping to her feet.

"You're gonna be okay, Doc," Clint whispered, patting him on the back. The Doctor began groaning as his muscles seized beneath Clint's touch. "Wait-are you okay, Natalia?" Clint asked before she could run off. "You ate one of those…"

"An allergic reaction, perhaps?" Loki interjected.

"It's a pretty damn bad reaction…" the archer breathed. The subtle sound of ripping fabric forced the three to stare at Bruce's crouched form. Clint watched as the robe's shoulder seams tore apart, revealing the sickly green flesh underneath. "What the hell…?" Clint backed away to grab his bow and arrows. "Nat, get outta here!"

Loki grabbed Natalia's shoulder and pulled her close to his chest as they both stared at what was once Doctor Bruce Banner. The Doctor they had known was gone, and in his place was a hideous beast with enlarged muscles and abnormally green flesh.

The Doctor had doubled in size and stood up on his knees. He threw his head back and a carnal growl escaped his throat.

"Bruce…" Natalia clung to Loki, eyes wide with terror.

"Loki, get her out of here!" Clint shouted, his arrow pointed at Bruce.

Banner's large hand swung towards the Prince and Loki couldn't help but smirk. He did this to the Doctor, after all. Loki couldn't blame him for this. "Come, Natalia." Loki dragged her out of the cabin, much to her dismay.

"You can't leave Clint!" she yelled at him. "What if Bruce kills him?!" Natalia cried. She would be left devastated if the archer were to die trying to protect her. "Loki-!"

"Barton, Barton, Barton!" Loki seethed, gripping her upper arm tightly. "Do you even give a damn about me?!" All of his pent up anger bubbled over and spilled out onto her.

"Your life isn't in danger right this second!" Natalia hissed. "I have every right to worry about Clint right now!"

Loki clenched his jaw. He knew that she was just giving him an excuse. "I've seen you wander over here, Natalia, unless my eyes deceive me!" If only that were the case…

"You don't own me!" the redhead bit back. "Stop acting so possessive!"

"Possessive? I'm only worried for my wife! Is that wrong? Na-" Clint's nearby screaming interrupted their spat.

"Clint?!" Natalia cried. A green fist smashed through the stone wall, sending her into a panic. Her body broke into a sprint, only to have Loki snatch a fistful of her hair and yank her back.

"Are you trying to kill yourself?!" the prince seethed.

Tears rolled down her cheeks as her eyes met with Loki's. "Please," she rasped, "don't let him die!"

The green beast came charging towards them and Loki shoved both he and Natalia to the ground. She screamed as she smacked against the hard ground, but at least with his body hovering over hers, she would be safe… hopefully.

"Get away from them!" Clint shouted. Despite some bruising he received from a series of hits from Bruce, he was fine. He readied an arrow and shot the Doctor's bare back.

Bruce's alter ego grabbed Loki's leg and raised him up into the air, only to drop him like a load of hot coals once Clint's arrow struck him.

"Loki!" Natalia screeched. "Loki, no!" The tears fell harder as she eyed the prince's limp form. She quickly rose to her feet and ran towards him, only to have the monster block her path. He growled, revealing his yellowed teeth. Natalia kept up a strong front. Her body felt hot with rage over what happened to Loki. She swerved around Bruce, desperate to reach what mattered most to her.

"Nat, duck!"

Natalia threw herself to the ground once Clint's yell sounded in the air. When she looked up, the monster was howling in agony as an arrow pierced through his chest. Clint ran to her side and the two watched as the creature's green skin turned pale and the body shrank in size until Doctor Banner was lying naked on the ground.

Thor and Sif were the first to come running to the scene. "What in the hells was that?!" Thor questioned, staring at Bruce's shuddering form.

"You guys showed up late," Clint informed the two. "Why'd you even come here?"

"Heimdall came running for us saying a witch was loose on castle grounds," Sif explained in a forced deep voice.

"Right now we need a doctor… A different one…" Clint carefully approached Bruce and noticed that the arrow had fallen from the wound and the area he was shot had completely healed.

"This isn't a witch…" Thor breathed, hovering over Banner's body. "Only Banner."

"I think one was behind it," Clint said, recalling the tart that made the good Doctor into a beast. "Foul play's been involved…"

"Loki needs help first!" Natalia shouted, "H-he's not breathing…" She knelt down and placed his head in her lap. "Loki?" she asked. "Loki!…"

Thor fell to his Brother's side immediately. "Send for help!" His booming voice sounded like thunder. "Loki! Loki, wake up!" he begged.

Natalia lowered her head, letting her long curls cascade against Loki's porcelain skin. "I'm sorry, Loki," she murmured. "So, so sorry…" What if he was dead? Their last words were all said out of spite. "Please-don't do this to me!" Natalia couldn't lose him-she hadn't even gotten to profess the one thing her heart ached to tell him… "Loki…" Her heart was in pieces as the horrifying reality struck her-everyone she loved was dead.

A smile slowly formed across Loki's lips. Those soft, silky curls tickled his cheeks, forcing a weak laugh out of him. "Na…talia…" His eyes slowly opened and he never thought he would ever awaken to a sight sweeter than his beloved's face.

Natalia was terrified she would never hear his soothing voice ever again. Fresh tears streamed down her cheeks as he said her name. She knew that she looked like a wreck with her red, swollen eyes and snot stuffing up her nose. "L-Loki…" Seeing his bright emerald orbs brimming with love for her assured Natalia that all was well. "You idiot!" she cried. "I thought you were dead!"

"Did I frighten you?" he softly asked. A pain was slowly spreading in his chest. "I-I'm sorry," he croaked.

"Don't scare me like that again!" she quietly threatened. "I love you too much to lose you!"

Like magic, Loki swore that the pain had lessened. Her words had a healing power of their own. "You love me," he gasped in disbelief. "You love me," he repeated.

Natalia began to sulk. She didn't want him to hear her say those words until their wedding. Desperate times, desperate measures-at least Loki was alive. That was what mattered more than anything in the world to her.

Loki began to chuckle and it was then that the pain in his ribs returned. He groaned, making Natalia grow frantic.

"Loki? What is it? What hurts?" she desperately asked.

"Let me have a look at him, Natalia." Doctor Banner had finally come to his senses and was wearing a blanket Clint had brought him to cover his naked body. He undid the brass buttons on Loki's shirt and Natalia hurried away before she could see anything.

"Let me take you inside," Sif suggested as she strayed from the small group of men.

"But Loki-I need to know what's wrong!" Natalia protested.

"He's strong," Sif promised. "Let's get you inside and cleaned up." She eyed Natalia's ripped up dress, covered in grime and grass stains. "Good thing you have new ones being made." The warrior glanced behind her to see that the men were all distracted. Now was the perfect chance for her to slip away into the castle with the princess in tow.

After a long bath, Natalia changed into a new dress and waited in the Queen's study to wait for news on Loki's health. Frigga told her that the Doctor was looking over Loki as they spoke, while Clint and Thor were scouring castle grounds for any trace of witches.

"Do you remember what happened to the Doctor?" Frigga wondered, handing Natalia a cup wine.

She took a long sip of the watered-down beverage to collect her thoughts. "Loki brought us tarts and Doctor Banner ate a bad one-do you think it was a witch's doing?"

Frigga didn't want to scare Natalia with the truth, but the girl looked determined to know. "Yes. One of our servants… That's what Thor and Clinton are in search of."

"In here?!" Natalia coughed, nearly choking on her drink. "You don't think a witch is still here, do you?"

"No," the Queen assured her. "They couldn't detect anything, so whoever it was could have fled. The chef's name has been cleared, unless the real witch is found."

"What do you mean by 'unless the real witch is found?'" she prodded, raising a brow.

Frigga looked the young woman straight in the eyes. "He will be put to death," she said icily. "We cannot have such a risk in our home."

"But what if he's innocent? That isn't right!"

"This is for everyone's safety, Natalia," Frigga warned her. "After what became of the Doctor…" she hesitated, "my poor Loki has suffered enough… The witches could somehow be tricking us-we haven't a clue."

Natalia set her cup down to give her Mother-in-law a hug. "He's strong." She then remembered his vow to write her a poem on their wedding day. "And we made a promise. He's not the kind of man to go against his word…"

Shortly after, Odin entered the room. Frigga and Natalia were finally allowed to visit Loki, who was on bed rest in his chambers. He suffered several broken ribs and bruising around his spine, but Bruce promised that with rest and medicinal herbs, he would heal. Natalia bolted into the bedroom to kneel at Loki's bedside. She wanted to hug him, but she knew that would do him more harm than good. "Loki." Her grin widened once he smiled for her. "I knew you would be fine." Her hand reached out to cup his cheek.

Loki's hand covered hers as he pressed her warm palm against his skin. "You've given me strength, Natalia," he murmured. "I could thrive on you, and you alone."

Natalia lowered her head and allowed for her hair to fall in her face to cover her flushed cheeks. "And I, you," she softly finished.

The prince swore he heard a hushed 'I love you,' but his Mother's thrilled rejoicing muted Natalia's confession.