Thor's POV

The Valkyries couldn't have come at a worst time. I was connecting to Drew faster than was anticipated and they had to show up. I was frustrated and wanted nothing more than to ignore them but my duties came before my personal feelings. I got up and walked towards the throne room. "Drew, Stay here. The Valkyries hate men and won't hesitate to strike you down at first glance." Drew looked like he wanted to object. "This involves matters of keeping peace between us. Fighting now would destroy that peace."

Drew seemed to understand quickly and said, "Fine. I'll head back to the room." I nodded and headed to the Throne Room. I entered the Throne Room and found Brunhilde talking with my father.

"Even if those terms were even remotely acceptable I still couldn't give you want you want."

"Those are my terms, Odin. If you don't accept then consider our peace over." My father was in a heated discussion with Brunhilde. It soundth like she is making a deal that dous beith untrue (couldn't resist).

"What is going on here? Why have you come to Asgard, Brunhilde?" She scowled and looked me in the eyes.

"I have come here for Surtur's Sword." I was puzzled to hear such words come out of her mouth. Everyone should think that the sword was destroyed. "Rumors have been spreading about the sword still existing and then a report comes in about the sword being here. That sword belongs to the Valkyries and if 'The All Father' doesn't hand over that sword, Asgaurd will be plunged into a new war."

I couldn't believe the risk Brunhilde was willing to take for Sutur's Sword. The last time we discussed the sword she let us leave with it. "The last time you spoke of the sword was with me as a child, Brunhilde. You allowed me, my brother, Sith, and the Warriors Three to leave with it. Why are you so concerned with it now?"

She scowled and turned away from me. "At the time the only way to save my comrades was to get the sword away and let you have it. I was planning to take back the sword after it was all over and our home was repaired but rumor had spread that the sword was somehow destroyed. I never truly believed the stories until the next Odin sleep. The sword wasn't used in the defense of Asgaurd and I truly believed it was destroyed until one rumor went around saying that the sword wasn't destroyed. The only logical explanation is that you have it, Odin." She looked at my father with a glare as cold as a Frost Giants. Odin was about to speak when a Valkyrie flew through the doors and landed on her back. She looked injured and fell unconscious as soon as she landed. She was followed along with four other Valkyries also injured and unconscious.

We all looked towards the door and in stepped Drew. "No offense Odin but you might want to find better guards. They got taken out pretty easily by these girls."

I was surprised by Drew's victory. Humans have to learn how to fight in short periods of time where they get little to no experience in true combat. Valkyries were trained to never show mercy especially against males, whether young or old. Drew just defeated five of them and except for a single tear in the clothes I gave him; he doesn't have a single injury.

"How dare you attack my warriors male. Who are you to medal in the affairs of the Valkyries?"

"My name's Drew and it becomes my right when you go snooping into my room." The way he held himself and the way he didn't back down, gave me a strange sensation in my chest. Am I really in love?

3rd Person POV

Brunhilde "You have made a serious mistake in attacking my Valkyries, male. No Asgaurdian has ever survived a battle with me."

"Then it's a good thing I'm not Asgaurdian." Brunhilde stopped in her tracks but her expression didn't change.

"So now the mighty Odin has stooped to the level of taking in mortals. How pathetic." Drew was getting mad at the insults to mortals and Thor could plainly see it. "Do not worry as a favor I shall kill him and release you from you burden. Before Drew could act Thor intervened.

He stepped in front of Brunhilde and called Mjolnir to his hand. "Listen well Brunhilde. If you threaten my mate you will have to deal with me." Brunhilde's face went from amused to laughing out loud.

"Your mate, Thunderer? Well this just make's things easier. I challenge your mate to duel. With the wager being ruler of Asgaurd."

Odin hadn't even flinched when he heard the challenge all he did was crack a smile. He stood up and waved his hand out "A challenge has been issued. Do you, Drew, Accept the challenge?"

"He does not," Thor said trying to answer for Drew.

"I accept."

"Then the battle shall take place in the stadium in one hour."

Brunhilde was having a field day with Drew. His pride will be his down fall. "You should have denied my request mortal. You will die on the battlefield." Brunhilde left to prepare for the upcoming battle.

"I won't go down without a fight." Drew also left to prepare for the battle leaving Thor and Odin to speak.

"You could have easily stopped this Father. Why didn't you?"

Odin chuckled. "Surely you didn't bring him here and expect to fight all his battles. You won't always be there to protect him Thor."

"I knew that the moment I brought him here but now he might not even survive his first night because of you." Odin waved off his son's concern.

"You're supposed to believe in your mate, Thor. Whether he's a pretend mate or not." Thor's face turned into utter surprise. "Years of Loki's tricks and you expect me to fall for one of yours." Thor knew he wouldn't be able to fool his father for long but he didn't expect to be found out this fast. "My son, I know you care deeply for him. He will prevail if you have faith in him."

Thor wanted to believe him but still he was just a mortal.

Time Skip

An hour had passed and Drew was in the armory trying to pick his weapon. The door to the Armory opened and in popped Thor. "Drew you don't have to do this. The rules state that if you agree as your mate I can take your place in the battle."

"No thanks."

"But..."

"Thor I have to do this. I've only been here for a few hours and have already found out two things that I know to be true. One is that you dad is a really clever guy and two everyone hear hates mortals. I need to show them that I'm a force to be reckoned with." As much as Thor wanted to deny it he knew Drew was right, about both reasonings. By the sound of things Drew seemed to know that Odin knew about their little plan probably even before he knew.

"If so then take Mjolnir. It should give you more than enough power to take out Brunhilde."

"No Thor. I need to show them that I can fight without some magic weapon." Drew sighed heavily before finally making eye contact with Thor. "I won't lie. I'm scarred but I'm not the type of guy to run away from my fears. I face them head on." Thor sighed. He knew convincing Drew would be pointless but he came anyway. All he could was believe in Drew and hope for the best. "Do you have any single edged blades?"

Time skip

Drew's POV

Unfortunately Asgaurd didn't have any single edge blades so I was stuck with a knight style sword. I wasn't used to this kind of blade but it would have to do. I entered the stadium and I could hear the sweet sound of booing and the insults of were going to die by the hands of the Valkyries thanks to you. I just ignored them and went to the center of the stadium where Brunhilde was waiting.

"I made this a one weapon match to give you some chance of winning."

"Please take as many weapons as you like. I don't want there to be any excuses for when I bet you."

Brunhilde cracked another smile and motioned to the crowd. "Did you hear that everyone. He has denied my humble gift to give him an edge in this fight." Every Valkyrie in the stadium laughed and the Asgaurdians starting shooting insults again. She motioned to a Valkyrie and she threw her a shield and a second sword. "Will you be arming yourself with another weapon?"

I drew my sword and said, "No thanks. I'm good."

Odin stood up from where he was sitting and raised his hand. "Let the battle begin."

Brunhilde was the first to strike with super human speed she threw her sword down trying to make a killing blow on the first strike. I blocked with my sword. She threw her second blade trying to cut off my head. I dodge. And the cycle continues that way with her not giving me any openings to attack with. I jumped back and that was where I made my mistake. She ran up to me before I landed and slammed me to the ground on my back. The she stuck one of her swords in my right shoulder. I opened my mouth to scream but blood came out instead.

"This battle is done." She said bringing up her other sword for the finishing blow.

"Oh really." I kicked her in her stomach and sent her flying. She landed on her feet with ease but I could tell I still hurt her. I got up and grabbed her sword by the blade and pulled it out of my shoulder letting it fall to the ground. I moved my arm to make sure I was alright.

"How can you move with such ease? Even an Asgaurdian would have trouble moving their arm after that sort of injury."

No more playing around. I had to get serious. "Most of my life I've been injured in both physical and mental ways. So I guess the proper way to say this is I've learned to completely ignore pain like it's not even there." I charged at her and she put her shield up in defense. She threw he sword at me but I blocked and quickly counter attacked. She stepped back and blocked the sword again with the sword. The cycle went on until she jumped back and used her sword to throw dirt in my eyes. Of course I closed my eyes. I could hear her charging at me and blocked her sword. I hope she saw that because I sure didn't. I blinked a few times to get the dirt out of my eyes. Before backing away from Brunhilde. I had to end this before the blood loss makes me pass out. I ran straight at Brunhilde and threw my sword at her face. She blocked with her sword and I grabbed her arm and shield. I started kneeing her in the gut and kicking her where ever. She kneed me in my balls but I kept going completely ignoring the pain. Eventually she let go of her shield and punched me in the face. She wanted to move in for the kill while I was distracted but she couldn't with all the injuries I gave her. I grabbed my sword and swung right at Brunhilde. She blocked and I tripped her making her fall on her back. I brought my sword up to her neck.

"Yield." Her legs were too damaged to move without me knowing and if she wanted to move her arms she would normally have to move her neck to do any serious damage to me. I had this win in the bag.

"I will never yield to a male. Especially on that looks down on us females."

"I never said I looked down on females."

"In the Throne room you called us girls."

"Would you rather I call you guys. It's just the way I talk." Brunhilde didn't show it but she felt real foolish of her mistake. "Fact is I never judge a warrior by their gender. It's one of the easiest ways to get killed." She remained silent and didn't say anything for a while.

Finally she said, "I yield." I removed my sword from her neck and offer her a hand up. She takes it and I help her up. Some of the other Valkyries come up from behind her with their swords at the ready. "No." They lowered their weapons and looked at Brunhilde. "I lost fair and square but that doesn't mean business here is finished. We came for the sword of Surtur and we aren't leaving without it."

I laughed at the promise that would soon be broken. "The Sword of Surtur was destroyed. Odin keeps a fake copy to remind himself and Thor that peace is more important than war." The rest of the Valkyries looked puzzled and surprised but Brunhilde kept a straight face. "Sorry but you guys came here for nothing."

"Valkyries, we are heading home. Enjoy this victory while you can because you won't be getting another from me." She turned around following her Valkyries out. I was so distracted by the Valkyries that I nearly missed Odin speaking.

"The winner is Drew of Midgaurd!" There was no booing... or cheering. There was just silence. I walked to the exit of the stadium, sword still in hand, and left the crowd to their utter shock. I walked out of the exit of the stadium to find Thor waiting for me.

"Are you okay?"

"I've felt better." We stayed silent for a while and then I spoke. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Of course."

"Catch me because I can't hold on any longer." I passed out.

Happening at the exact same time

Brunhilde's POV

I can't believe I lost to a mortal, a mortal that was barely an adult, to top it off. Yet strangely I didn't feel concerned or angry. In fact I felt excited about it.

"Mistress Brunhilde." I looked at the sister that had addressed me. "Why did we leave Asgaurd? Do you really believe that the sword has been destroyed?"

"I believe he will say what needs to be said to keep the peace but in a way he did tell me that the sword was still intact."

"Then where is it?"

"For the sake of peace I must keep its whereabouts a secret but now I know that's it's in the right hands. We have nothing to fear my sister."

Thor's POV

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Of course."

"Catch me because I can't hold on any longer." I caught Drew in my arms and picked him up bridal style. He dropped the sword and I saw the blood that covered the hilt of it.

I didn't notice at first but Drew was holding on to me like I was his life line. I would have enjoyed it if he wasn't so injured.

"I know I won't always be there to protect you but that doesn't mean I won't try. I will try with all my might to protect you." I started running back to the palace so I could treat his injuries.