Loki's heart wanted to explode. Out of all the books in the world and it was his father who has given him the one answer he desired. Tira was a Valkyrie born once upon a star, there will never be another like her. The angel had his heart the moment she so willingly slipped into the library, he couldn't lose her now. The plan was simple, he would get the kings blessing and would then ask Tira to marry him. As nervous as he was, proposing to his beloved would be the easy part.

Guards marched swiftly up and down the halls as Loki made his way into his father's study late that night. Taking a breath he slipped inside and found the king glancing over scrolls laid along the table. Opening his mouth to speak Loki froze, he would feel better if mother was present.

Perhaps he could take his request up with her and have to relay to the king later. Rethinking his mission, Loki quietly spun around and went for the door.

"Are you in the need of something?" Odin spoke suddenly, "Why do you wonder the halls so late in the evening?"

Caught in the act, he now had no choice but to continue with his request. "I was hoping to speak with you."

Odin rose and looked Loki, his face tired but calm. "Yes?"

Loki stepped forward, "I heard through the halls today, that you have chosen a Valkyrie to be the bride of Thor."

"Yes," Odin smiled, "as future king, he has requested as such."

"It shall be a grand ceremony I'm sure," Loki admitted, "All of Asgard will be in praise of the new Queen,"

"Yet you are troubled? Odin spoke, seeing right through the younger prince

Embarrassed and somewhat nervous, Loki fought to find the right words that would lead in his favor. Fidgeting his fingers he placed them at his sides to behave. "I was wondering, is it possible for both sons to wed a Valkyrie?"

A chuckle escaped from the king as he approached the nervous boy and playfully put his hand on his shoulders. "You are something else Loki. A Valkyrie is a gift to the warriors of the realms. A high honor to be able to request one as a wife."

Loki stood up straighter, "I can be a warrior."

Odin smiled, finding his youngest ones sudden burst of courage quite adorable. "You are many things my son but more over soft...not a warrior"

discouraged Loki's shoulders dropped. "So it is a no."

"I will not refuse you, give it time." Odin said not wanting to crush him "If you so desire a Valkyrie wife then I will seriously take it into consideration. You have much room to improve, but you are not yet ready."

"Yes, father." Loki took his leave in disappointment.

Besides blind arrogance, what did Thor really have that Loki didn't? Walking the dark halls he fought to put his finger on it. He didn't want the throne nor the grace of Thor's shadow...just Tira. Sighing, Loki passed his beloved library and wandered into the armory. Looking around he found no desire for such toys of battle, the two daggers at his side were more than needed for him. Rubbing his brow in frustration Loki came to the conclusion that he may not be what his father deemed as worthy enough and turned around to leave.

To his most misfortune, Loki turned right into his brother. "There you are! I've been searching  the nine realms for you, have you heard the good news? I am to wed a Valkyrie."

"So I've heard."

Thor chuckled as he picked up one of the swords hanging along the walls "Father thinks he can keep me in the dark but I already know who she is."

"Tell me, do you plan to treat her like a wife or a sword towards the kingdom?"

"First off. They are Valkyries young brother, they are born for war. Secondly, she will be more of a shield, the sword shall be my place."

"How heroic." Loki rolled his eyes. Then it hit him, perhaps he could go through his brother for assistance. Or, at least know what he did to convince Odin to gain such a bride other than being the favorite. "What do you do to claim a Valkyrie bride."

Thor threw his head back and laughed "Why do you ask?"

"No reason, Valkyries are such a rare honor."

"Yes, a rare honor to warriors much like myself."

"And how was it you became this warrior you claim to be?" Loki said, trying desperately to dig into his brother's mind for answers.

"Why, winning battles dear brother. You make a name for yourself by picking the biggest worst foe, someone you don't think you could stand a chance with." Thor swung the sword around as he spoke as if he were reliving one of his stories.

"And then what?" Loki asked

Thor scoffed and dropped the sword onto a table. "You win."

Patting Loki on the shoulder Thor left the armory, to sleep no doubt, but Loki's mind was spinning like never before. To win a losing battle gains you such title, surely he was speaking ignorance.

Looking back, he had witnessed such when he followed Thor unwilling into battle. Loki exhaled deeply and picked up one of the spears and admired the craft. Taking his finger he poked the tip and felt its sharpest point. Wondering what he would ever do with such a thing.

Days passed.

Shyael went with a heavy heart and silence, which was nothing unusual among the other Valkyries. Should she tell her friends, inform them of her new path? As for her warrior, Jote was more than happy to greet her and gloat about how he was pretty much a trained monkey. Dressed as a patriotic jester for the real warriors of war. Shyael brushed her off and blocked out her annoying laughs, her mind was too stressed to deal with the obnoxious attitude.

Finding her way into the west wing waters, it appears Jote's rant was true. He had been turned into war amusement and not in the best of ways. Giving relief for those already tarnished from war. Shyael could steal see his heart and how he longed to fight. She vowed to make that happen because the first time in many moons she had found someone who felt the same as her. Both trapped by the laws of their society, yearning to be free but standing completely still. Like the sands in an hourglass, Shyael's life had been completely flipped upside down.

Tira's voice echoed softly behind her. "Haven't seen you in a long while."

"I've had a lot on my mind," Shyael sighed, "Be prepared to accept some changes in our future."

Sitting down next to her sister she could see the weakness in her eyes. Something Shyael rarely expressed "What has happened?"

Shyael took a deep breath and explained what was needed to her sister "I have been chosen to be the next Queen of Asgard."

"...this is good news?" Tira asked.

"And wife to Thor."

"You didn't have a choice did you?" Tira frowned, she felt pity for her sister but mostly her voice expressed anger. "Do you want this? Do you even love him?"

Shyael didn't answer her, but Tira could tell the answer was a most definite no. Tira groaned and jumped to her feet. "See, this is what I'm talking about! We are just tools to them."

"Not now Tira." Shyael warned as she rubbed her temples "please."

Tira couldn't handle it, she took her leave and let her sister to be swallowed in her own self-pity.

Shyael sighed and gazed into the water, not even war would make her happy anymore. She would have power as Queen but she wouldn't be herself. He had taken what little freedom she had. However, perhaps as Queen she would be allowed to keep watch over her soldier permanently. She found herself wanting to be in his company more than anything else, it made her happy.

If granted, this is would be a luxury for the price she would have to pay as Thor's Queen.

===============

Author's Note.

Thanks again for reading With Broken Wings and I hope you are enjoying this revision. The next chapter is an all brand new chapter never written before!