Shyael's hands shook as her own thoughts overwhelmed her. Surprised at how exhausted she felt after having such a short fight with her sister. Had she tried to hard or not hard enough to make Tira understand what she was dong was inevitable? Or had the laws of the kingdom finally succeeded in breaking them apart.

It wasn't always like this. The Valkyries were once free women to do as she pleased and prosper down her own path while still being fully devoted to Odin and the kingdom. Odin, her sister probably saw him as a tyrant set to degrade women, but what Tira didn't understand was he is the exact opposite.

Asgard was full of garden parties and sunny days free for them to roam without concealed faces. Then Hela, Odin's first born, rose to a rebellion that would destroy them all. War raged out and her kind was sent to the front line only to be slaughtered. Tira took damage her head that wiped out it's events, A trauma Shyael saw as a blessing.

Shyael remembered everything, it was one of the few battles in life that she had lost. Nova, her Pegasus stallion took a barb to the chest in mid flight. Spiraling down the crashed among the bodies of Valkyries with Nova landing on her.

She thought it was her last moment in life. Through tired eyes she could see Spectra, her beloved wings circling above her. Arms found their way around her nearly lifeless body. It was Odin, battle worn and scared. Once he banished Hela with a seal of his own life he personally carried every surviving Valkyrie from the field.

It was Hela's short reign that push such laws on Valkyries. Not to control them, but to spare what few remained knowing Asgard stood no chance if another misfortune occurred.

Passing through the gate Heimdall greeted her without a smile. This was odd for him and quickly disturbed Shyael. Before she could ask what was wrong two guards met her with spears. Knowing that if they dared touch her skin they would be at the mercy of her mind.

"What is the meaning of this?" Shyael kept her composure, "You dare threaten a shield maiden of Odin."

"It is King Odin that has sent us." One guard replied "He demands your presence and is far from pleased."

For centuries on the battlefield, Shyaels heart never beat as hard as it was doing now. Something inside her made her stomach twist in knots, her nerves shot and her mind spiraled with all kinds of regrets. Entering the throne room at spear point she saw Loki, Tira and Jote standing before Odin. She needed no explanation about what harsh action had brought her here.

Shyael spoke no words as she stood before Odins feet. Tira's eyes burned red from Tears, as Loki was forced to stand to the sidelines when he desperately wanted to comfort her. Jote on the other hand was grinning with satisfaction. This only made Shyael's blood boil over, it was Odins presence that stopped her from choking the bitch.

Looking towards the king as he stood from his throne, his expression was not one of anger...but of disappointment. She stood straight with her hands at her side, ready for whatever was about to be cast upon her.

"Your sister." Odin exhaled deeply "has broken one of the most forbidden

laws of the realms with my son. Were you aware of such treason?"

Shyael took in a deep breath, her face expressionless. "I did my King."

"And yet you kept this from me?" Odin scorned, feeling betrayed by his choice of future queen.

"I did and I had every intention of telling you-"

"But you didn't!" he snapped.

Shyael suddenly felt herself becoming desperate, something she never felt before. The thought of begging in front of Jote made her want to kill herself, but as of now their competition was no longer important. Taking a knee, she dropped before her king and allowed her choice of words to fight for her. If it meant one last act that could spare her sister she would do it, gladly. Even if Tira thought she was selfish.

"My sister is young, naive and very stupid it seems. Many times I have pulled her from this path to protect her but never truly knowing just how far she would go." Shyael struggled to keep her voice from breaking. "I strongly follow the path that was given to me without question but Tira follows her heart...something I strongly envy. I made the choice to hold this secret not because it was against you laws but because she is all that I have left and I love her. Please, as I kneel before you now, I beg of you to spare her recklessness and in return I will take any punishment required for the both of us."

For the first time Odin was silent. Shyael wondered what could have been going through his mind that very moment and hoped that her words had reached them.

"Send both Valkyries to the dungeons until a decision has been made." Odin finally spoke, "I need a moment to think."

With the Valkyries locked away below and Loki escorted to his chambers until things are resolved, Frig stood silently to the side as her husband paced around the room. His mind was heavy with thoughts, but nothing compared to the betrayal on his heart. With so few Valkyries remaining from Hela's rage, his ultimate plan to protect their order was crumbling.

Had he failed them yet again?

"How could this happen? I have been fair to them have I not? Yet they defy me in such manner."

Watching her husband rant as he traveled around the room with troubled expressions, Frig couldn't help but chuckle as she leaned on the nearest pillar. Disturbed, Odin stopped his pacing and turned towards his beautiful Queen.

"Have I said something amusing?"

"You speak like a scorning father rather than a king." her voice was as soft as ever. "Have you forgotten what it was like to be young and in love."

"Of course not."

Frig smiled. Her dress glided gracefully over the floor as she approached her husband. Taking his arm she rested her chin on his shoulder, gazing into the one vibrant blue eye. "Then you'll know that we were no different. Who was it who wrote me poems in the sand, stole kisses by the lily pond and left white roses on my balcony."

Odin's cheeks turned a soft shade of red before he cleared his throat and justified his own actions. "That was different, we were to be wed."

"Oh you claimed me as your own and would fight anyone who told you different and rules didn't stop you. Would you look down on your sons for wanting the same?"

Frig didn't stop there and continued to bashful shame Odin about his not so warrior like side. "Just like you paired Thor with Shyael simply because he was too proud to admit his feelings himself. Tell me? If Shyael has no interest in becoming Thor's Queen, how would you counter her?"

"I would accept her rejection respectfully." Odin stood proudly "My only goal was to give the notion that perhaps a woman's touch may do our son some good and for Shyael to have the choice to guide Asgards future."

Odin exhaled. Admitting to himself that he may have reacted poorly to the current situation. Still, lies were told by the ones he had trusted the most and judgement must be met. Brushing off his wife's delicate fingers, Odin called in the Valkyrie if Justice. Jote stood proudly but stern as she awaited Odin's final decision.

"Thor will return to Asgard and we shall rejoice his latest victory with small morning feast. I want both Valkyries released at first light and dressed in Asgards finest fabric." Odin Ordered, "Summon the Valkyries to attend for I wish to make an announcement of another coupling."

"I beg your pardon?" Jote looked confused, "You will show them no punishment?"

"I will show them my mercy," Odin answered, "Even for a king made of stone can still break. Yes they have acted against my laws but they simple fell to their own nature to love and be loved in return. To find the one who they would claim as their equal."

Odin smiled, Thinking about the last words Shyael had spoke. It was the very first time he truly felt her voice from within her heart and wanted nothing more than to honor that. Looking at a most dissatisfied Jote, he made his final order very clear. Asgard would have not one but two Valkyrie queens.

"At first light you are to release them and bring them to my throne room upon the arrival of Thor. Do you understand?"

Jote kept a straight face but the darkness allured her eyes. "Yes my lord...it shall be done."

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Author's Note.

Thank you so much for reading my loyal Marvel followers. I hope you are enjoying my tale of two sisters.