Author's Note: This chapter is just an introduction to the fantasy versions of Clint and Natasha, so it's a little shorter than the last. I'll be switching character perspectives back and forth a bit in different chapters as the story progresses. Thanks for reading!
In another, more wooded part of the realm, an elven archer was leaning against a tree, his arm muscles straining to keep an arrow taut in its bow. Clinton Barton, or just "Clint" to those too lazy to say an extra syllable, leaned his ear against the trunk of the tree and listened. Thump. Thump. Thump. The tree shivered with every thud, signaling to the elf that his target was approaching.
Clint narrowed his eyes and let out a long breath, clearing his mind and focusing all his senses on the sharp point of his arrow. In one swift motion, he pushed off of the tree trunk and tumbled to the right, aiming his arrow in the direction of the footsteps and letting it fly.
The projectile met its mark, as always, burrowing right in between the eyes of a large troll. With a small smirk of satisfaction, Clint relaxed his arms and wiped the sheen of sweat from his brow with the back of one hand. He reached into a small leather pouch on his belt, removing a crumpled poster with a drawing of the troll's likeness on it. "Wanted. Dead or Alive." it read in large, bold letters. Clint chuckled to himself, strolling over to the felled monster and nudging it with his boot. "Not bad for a day's work, and it's not even noon yet," he said to himself.
He reached down to begin tying the troll for easier transport purposes when suddenly he stiffened. Something felt...off. Clint stood back up slowly, hand automatically going to his quiver and brushing the feathered end of an arrow shaft. The hair on the back of his neck stood up, but then suddenly the presence he sensed began to feel familiar. He let out a small sigh of relief when he realized who it was.
"Natasha. I knew you would come," he quipped. "You just can't stay away, can you?"
"Did you really think I was going to sit back and watch you have all the fun?" she smiled as she stepped out from behind a tree and knelt to tighten his knots. "Nice shot, as always." She braced her leg on the troll's head and ripped out the arrow, throwing it back to Clint.
Clint smirked at the compliment. "That was nothing, you should see me on a good day," he teased, catching the arrow. He scraped the tip along his boot, wiping off the troll's blood before returning it to his quiver. "Any interesting bounties come up recently?" he asked.
"Just the usual trolls and goblins," she replied, leaning back against a large oak. "Except one. The sign did not have a name and the drawing did not give much to go on, but it said that he is a man with an enchanted arm of metal. I did not think much of it until I overheard men talking in the tavern of him. They say he's been traveling north, attacking travelers, merchants, and anyone else who crosses his path. I think it's worth looking into. He nearly killed a traveling queen in the south; you will not believe the bounty placed on his head."
The tips of Clint's pointed ears twitched in interest. "Really?" he asked. His fingers itched at the thought of a well aimed arrow scoring him a generous bounty. "We should look into it," he said with a grin. "Where do we start?"
She smirked and spun her flail anxiously. "I knew you would be up for a challenge. As much as this guy stays hidden, I could use those tracking skills of yours." Fetching a worn map from her bag, she motioned for Clint to come closer and pointed at a red x. "The last attack was a few miles east of here, not too far from the northern pass through the mountains. If I am correct, that's where he is heading. I've pieced together the stories of his tirades and it seems he is following on a direct path- I know not where, but he seems to be on a mission of his own. If we can make it to the mountain pass we may be able to ambush him," she spoke curtly, then folded the map and flung her bag on her shoulders.
Clint smiled and stretched his arms in front of him, cracking his knuckles. "Sounds fun," he said, eyes glinting in excitement. "If we go east through these woods..." he motioned towards a darkened forest thick with growth- "then we should make it to the mountain pass before nightfall. Shall we?" he grinned.
He began to stride forward, but she planted a hand on his shoulder and pinned him against a tree. "Clint," she said as she looked him in the eyes. "I know not what to expect of this man, but from the tales I have heard, we are not to take this lightly. Knights and lords have fallen prey to him, we must be on our guard at all times." She released his shoulder and continued. "If anything is to happen and we get separated, we will wait for each other at the tavern nearest to the north end of the pass."
Clint nodded, knowing that she needed him to give a sign that he understood the danger. He reached down and gently clasped his hand around her own, returning her serious gaze. "I'm not going to let anything happen, Nat," he said confidently. "We'll be careful. I'm sure when we find his tracks we'll be able to observe him for a while before making our move. Besides," he said, releasing her hand. "Knights and lords may have been felled by this guy, but he hasn't met us." he smiled.
Natasha smiled back at him, "He's sure going to regret it when he does. Now, let's go! We've got to make it there by sundown!" And with that she took off through the forest with him following close behind.