//------------------------------//
// "I Accept" 
// Story: The Valkyrie 
// by Curio 
//------------------------------//


THE VALKYRIE


This land was the land of my ancestors. Griflheim’s frozen landscape was tamed by them, and her forests had been transformed into the most prolific of hunting grounds. Their talons have scarred the mountainsides in the midst of battle, and their blood soaks the scanty plains.
However, despite that all of my ancestors left, they were nothing more than fools. Civilization crumbled due to overhunting. The Kingdom of Griflheim lasted less than a century, and in the end, all that was left were malnourished rats and bickering tribes. Some left to live in the rising pony civilization once the Wirrwarr spirit was banished, but many clans, including my own, remained. We knew that one day The Valkyrie would descend from the sky, and with her Griflheim’s greatness would be restored.

When I was very young, Mutter told me the legend of The Valkyrie. “The Valkyrie will descend from heaven,” she would say, “and with her will come bountiful prey and the peaceful union of all the tribes.” 
    I was a very introspective cub. Once the legend ascended to its climax, I would ask, “How will we know who The Valkyrie is? Do the legends tell what she looks like?” 
    This would cause Mutter to smile. “You will know, my young one, ” she would say in such a way that would press any cubs’ patience, “Because she will be somebody completely unexpected.”
My mother would be proud at how accurate she was, for The Valkyrie was not just an unexpected somebody, but also an unexpected somepony. 

       The Eisenklauens gathered around the long family dining table, a great pine which, despite having been sawed in half, still displayed its beautiful inner rings. My grandfather sat at the southern head of the table while my brother, the tribe’s new patriarch, sat at the northern head. 
My grandfather, Klaus Eisenklauen, was once a great warrior. He had heroically led our tribe into battle many times. This was displayed in his left hind leg, which had been long been replaced with a thick wooden peg. 
Bamber, my brother, was completely different. He was stout and chubby, and would rather use his biased reasoning for diplomacy. Judging by the small group of twenty griffons at our table; as opposed to the tribe average of a hundred, one can tell how his new tactics worked. One he took charge after our father and mother’s deaths, the Eisenklauens instantly lost all of their prestige. 
“Stalwart, one day your brother will die heirless and you will be the new clan leader,” my grandfather had told me once in private. “One day, my boy. One day I believe you will lead the Eisenklauens back to their former glory.”
I would like to think that what he said would one day be true. Whenever I dueled with my bow and arrows, I was told I was invincible. Why, if I was only given the chance, with The Valkyrie’s blessing, I could be-
“Brother,” a voice muffled from food began. I raised my head to stare at my brother. How hideous he was; with his oversized belly, his sickly white feathers, and tiny wings.
“The Speerspitze tribe has asked that I pay them a visit to discuss plans for a treaty. I would like you to accompany me.”
       The request surprised me. Only on occasion did my brother ask me to go with him on trips, but never one as important as a treaty discussion. I glanced to my grandfather, who nodded slowly with a wild smile. I scratched my golden feathers, and inclined my beak slightly.
“I would be honored to be of assistance, Bamber.”
    Upon hearing my response, Bamber returned to gorging himself with food. Normally, I would squirm slightly in my seat at seeing the sight, but I was too overjoyed. I was confident Bamber, and perhaps I as well, would broker an alliance with the Speerspitzes. Maybe then the Eisenklauens would begin their return to glory.
   Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, The Valkyrie was dreaming of glory as well.

We were covered in layers of hide and cloaks as we traversed the frozen tundra of Griflheim. Griffons had always been accustomed to this type of severe weather and prided ourselves on being the sole survivors of it. The only other kingdom to exist in the Frozen North was the Crystal Empire, but its inhabitants were protected by a spell that caused the temperature to always be mild. Often we mocked them, questioning why they couldn’t be adaptable.
Bamber directed his escort party, which consisted of my two black-feathered twin cousins named Dunkle and Dirk. My cousins seemed glad that I was going with them, but were quick to warn me that if I slowed down, the pack they would cast me to the ice.
We traveled for many days, only stopping to refill our water or eat. I had never traveled this far before. My limbs were limp and my breath was heavy. I nearly collapsed when Bamber suddenly stopped. I gave him a bewildered look as he patted my back. “We’re here, Stalwart. The Speerspitze Keep.”
While Speerspitze tribe was not the more powerful tribe, they were certainly extremely wealthy. They built lavish grandiose structures and were shrewd at business, unlike Bamber.
The stone fortress was build onto the side of a cliff and towered to nearly the clouds. A greeting party emerged from its wide doors, which was headed by none other than Herr Speerspitze himself.
“Ah, Herr Bamber Eisenklauen! You got my message?” Herr Speerspitze was the most handsome griffon I had ever seen. He had golden feathers similar to mine, but they had a healthy glow, and contrasted greatly with his black wings, crown, and beak. A guile spark seemed to light up his ice blue eyes whenever he spoke.
My brother bowed. “We did, Herr Speerspitze. It was an honor to be invited to your home.” Herr Speerspitze lowered himself slightly out of respect.
“Then come in, Eisenklauen tribe! We have much to discuss.”
       He led us to the outer bailey, where we saw hundreds of griffons of all different shapes. Some were warriors, while others curled under trees with a book. It was certainly spectacular, but lacked the tight-knit feeling of my home.
We kept onward until we came upon the iron gates of the keep, which the Speerspitzes were able to push open with ease. They revealed a great hall with stained glass windows, tapestries on the walls, and bards playing with more glee than I could have ever expected in a desolate place like Griflheim. Herr Speerspitze made his way to his throne in the back of the room, and sat down. He began twiddling his claws. The room grew silent as if every move he made was a command, and all eyes were on us.
“So, Herr Eisenklauen? Did you read our terms of agreement?”
“I did.”
“Do you accept?” Herr Speerspitze asked with a wicked grin. 
“I accept. The Eisenklauens will do good under the Speerspitze banner,” 
Dunkle frowned. “Excuse me? Under the Speerspitze banner?”
“Yes,” replied Bamber. “The letter sent from Herr Speerspitze offered our tribe a chance to merge with his. Just look around at this magnificent keep! Wouldn’t you rather this be your home?”
Dirk and Dunkle glanced at one another, then around the great hall. They saw the imported fabrics and the beautiful displays. Dirk grinned and glanced back at Bamber. “Of course,” they said
While they were on their knees thanking Herr Speerspitze for the opportunity, I was fuming with rage. The Eisenklauens were not going to form an alliance with the Speerspitze, they were going to merge with them! Our glorious past and fame would be lost in the shuffle of official documents and formal diplomats.
Although my brother had agreed to these terms, I would not. I shoved Bamber out of the way and faced the Speerspitze leader square on.
“I, Stalwart Eisenklauen, heir to the Eisenklauen tribe, object to your terms,” I spat out with as much conviction as I could muster. My brother’s eyes widened, and Dunkle began whispering for me to lower my voice and drop the argument.
“The Eisenklauens are a noble tribe, and will not accept merge with any other tribe.”   
Herr Speerspitze narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
“We have our pride and our honor,” I gestured towards the tapestries, and bards, and every other lavish thing in the great hall.
“How would you feel if all of this was no longer yours?” 
“The Eisenklauens have nothing,” he threw back with a sneer. “They are a tribe that will die out within a decade.”
“Then we will die out as Eisenklauens.” 

After that I was cast to the ice. Dunkle, Dirk, and Bamber vowed allegiance to the Speerspitzes and left the tribe. Fortunately, Herr Speerspitze no longer seemed to have any interest in claiming my tribe as his own. “The Eisenklauen are weak,” he said to Bamber before he sealed off the keep from me. “You are a Speerspitze now and will no longer have to consort with them.”
With much struggle I was able to return home, though I was much past exhaustion once I arrived. Once I told my grandfather what had happened, he tussled my feathers with a chuckle. “My boy, you don’t know how proud you’ve made me.” I was fed, watered, and bathed until I felt physically restored, but my heart still felt empty at losing three of my family. Though I now led the Eisenklauen tribe, I was hurt to know my brother was so willing to surrender us.
Several days after my return I rushed out from my family’s clutches to hunt. Though I searched for hours I was not able to track anything, and decided to instead sit by the river’s side. I closed my eyes, yearning for something to fix our broken land. Something wonderful. Something new. 
At that moment a blinding light filled up the sky, causing me to go blind for a moment. The ever-present clouds began to dissipate, and a red magic aura began to melt the thick packs of snow. Birds flew out from the trees and deer galloped in the opposite direction. Could it be? It must be...  “The Valkryie...” I muttered in awe. Great wings could be heard flapping, and I struggled to my feet to greet our savior. The one who would return order to the griffon race.
She was not what I expected, that is certain. I had heard of the alicorns of Canterlot before, but they were not described as like this one. She had a coat of sky blue, and a mane of cobalt, dark grey, and turquoise. Unlike the Canterlot princesses, who were said to be beautiful, this alicorn was frightful. She was more muscle than fat, with a scarred, coltish muzzle and shaggy fetlocks.
She kept her head raised high, and spoke with a deep, raspy voice. “Are you Stalwart Eisenklauen?” the alicorn asked. I nodded cautiously. “I saw what you did to Herr Speerspitze.”
I kept my head down. “The Eisenklauens will not be mocked.”
“I am not judging you, Stalwart. Actually, I was applauding you.” The Valkyrie, savior of griffons, had just complemented me. At this point it mattered not what she was, receiving her approval caused me to swell with pride. “It’s not everyday you see somebody standing up to pompous aristocrats like that. That is why I am asking you to join me”
“What?”
The alicorn grinned, she flicked her hair and puffed out her chest. “My name is Antares. I am the former student of Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria. I gained my alicorn state after I mastered battle magic.” She spread her wings out, revealing a winged sword mark. “I have been sent by her to unify the warring griffon tribes under a single banner. After seeing your actions, I decided that I would like you to be my commander and your tribe to be my vassal. Do you accept?”
I stuttered. In a moment, the Eisenklauens could go from weak tribe to noble house. With my brother gone, I now led the Eisenklauens. The choice was mine. 
My denial of the Speerspitzes gave the Eisenklauens access to a better lord. Not a wealthy tribe leader who wanted to remove competition, but The Valkyrie who would return Griflheim to glory, this time with the Eisenklauens at the top. My response was short:
“I accept.”