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Walkyries

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(Anglo-Saxon, Vä lcyrigear, from val, the battle-field, and kjora, to choose), in Norse mythology, ate two beautiful young maidens in the service of Odin, as his cup-bearers, called Hist and Mist — the former name signifying a black cloud, the latter a watery, floating vapor. In general, they are imagined as hovering over battles, or even participating in the conflict, marking with the point, of the lance the heroes who shall fall, and whom they shall conduct to Walhalla. They somewhat resemble the Hours or Destinies, but never attain that lofty and unapproachable dignity which characterizes those deities. The Walkyries, though superhuman, are not goddesses. They fall in love with men, and then confer their favors in battle as they are prompted by their own passions. For this Odin expels them from Walhalla, dooms them to marriage, or drives them into a trance, where they lie sleeping until the warrior comes who understands how to break the spell.