Part Two

Wotan smiled gleefully, knowing that his son had finally found the sword he'd left for him. This sword held the god's own power and Siegmund could not lose with it.

This would only be the beginning of the battles Siegmund would fight, as Wotan hoped that one day he would slay the dragon Fafner and bring back the ring. Wotan's wife Fricka soon approached in her carriage, looking angry. He knew this could not be good, but he steeled himself to listen to whatever it was she had to say.

"Husband, I have seen your wretched plan begin to fall into place," she said. "I know that Siegmund has your sword and he is to fight Hunding tomorrow. I know we always meant for the two to find each other, but we never meant for them to become adulterous lovers. They lay together while her husband lies upstairs! I cannot let this be. You must remove your protection from Siegmund at once for tomorrow's fight."

"Remove my protection? But how can I do that, wife, when he is to be the one to slay Fafner? And how can it matter if they lay together when her husband is abusive and will be dead tomorrow?"

"Wotan, you know that I, as the goddess of marriage, cannot allow such a sin to happen without some form of judgment," Fricka, harrumphed indignantly. "It insults everything I represent. Is it not enough that my own husband forsake the monotony of marriage, but I'm to let his son and my daughter do the same? And yes, I did sleep with that nasty Volsung man to bear a child, only to further your plan. But besides that I have always been a faithful wife."

Wotan despaired, knowing he must oblige his wife's wishes.

***

Brunnhilde, Wotan's daughter and Valkyrie, raced to where her half-brother prepared to fight Hunding. Wotan had ordered her to give the fight to Hunding, letting Siegmund perish as Fricka wished. She hoped to bring him back to Valhalla with her to join the castle's company of soldiers she had chosen over the years to protect the gods before he could be slain by Hunding.

She finally came upon Siegmund and Sieglinde standing close together in a field, approaching them slowly so as not to scare them.

"Siegmund, Sieglinde," she called out. "My name is Brunnhilde. Do not be afraid. I am a Valkyrie, daughter of Wotan and half-sister to Siegmund. Today's battle has been decided in Hunding's favor, so I have come to bring you, Siegmund, back to Valhalla with me before he has the chance to kill you. There you will join our host of fallen soldiers that protect the gods."

The two were understandably confused, so Brunnhilde tried to explain as quickly as she could that Wotan had left the sword and his protection over it for Siegmund but that Fricka had changed things.

"Can Sieglinde come with me to Valhalla then?" Siegmund asked hopefully.

"No," Brunnhilde sighed. "She must remain here on earth, for fate has not deigned to allow her to enter Valhalla. I will watch over and protect her, I promise."

"But if Siegmund does not kill Hunding, I will still be bound to him," Sieglinde protested. "I would rather die than go on as his wife, especially now that I have known the love of Siegmund."

"Perhaps that is our best choice, if I am really fated to lose this fight. We can die together, Sieglinde, if that is what you wish."

Sieglinde nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. Siegmund began to reach for his sword, but with a gasp Brunnhilde put her hand on his wrist to stop him. She realized the two would not part, and made a choice.

"Please, I will not let that happen," she said matter-of-factly. "If I truly cannot part you, then I will go against Wotan's orders and protect you in this fight. Hunding will arrive soon, so Sieglinde, you must hide out of sight and Siegmund, you must prepare."

Sieglinde nodded, giving Siegmund a parting kiss before running off towards the treeline. Brunnhilde sensed Hunding's presence nearing and she cloaked herself from sight, moving off a ways to watch the fight take place and ensure the protection of Siegmund.

As Hunding approached, both he and Siegmund drew their weapons. Hunding was surprised to see Siegmund with the sword, but did not hesitate as the battle dance ensued. Even from where she hid in the woods, Sieglinde could hear the clang of metal on metal.

As they fought, storm clouds rolled in causing the sky to darken.

Siegmund was faring well, but Brunnhilde knew that even with her protection his swordsmanship would have to win this for him.

Suddenly, in one quick motion Siegmund disarmed Hunding of his weapon. Her breath hitched as she watched Hunding's face fill with fear, and Siegmund plunge the sword of Wotan into Hunding's chest.

"He's done it! He's won!" screamed Brunnhilde's thoughts.

Her heart began to beat victoriously as she raced to meet Siegmund, when she heard the crackling of the sky and saw her father plunging down toward the earth on his steed. He was angry, but it was too late for him to do anything.

Siegmund stood tall, the sword dripping thick, red blood, as Wotan approached them. Brunnhilde looked to where Sieglinde hid, motioning for her to stay.

"My daughter and my son standing together," Wotan said, his voice brimming with anger. "I never thought I'd see this day."

"Father, please let me expl-" Brunnhilde started but was cut off.

"Brunnhilde, you deliberately defied my orders. While I am not sad to see Siegmund alive, you know Fricka and I cannot let your disobedience go unpunished. Come with me, and I will return to speak with you, Siegmund."

The two nodded, and before she went with him, Brunnhilde pulled Siegmund close to whisper in his ear.

"Sieglinde is pregnant with your child. I cannot promise to be able to protect her. Promise me you will not let anything happen to her. I sense that your son will be very important."

Wide-eyed, Siegmund nodded and watched as Brunnhilde mounted her horse and she and Wotan rode away, disappearing into the clouds.

***

Author's Note: This second part is based on the second act of Richard Wagner's The Valkyrie. There were some things I had to cut out or shorten for the sake of word count, like the conversations between Brunnhilde and Wotan before and after he spoke with Fricka. The first conversation consists of Wotan telling Brunnhilde to ensure Siegmund's protection in the fight with Hunding. Then, after his conversation with Fricka he tells her she must do the exact opposite. In these conversations, we see how much Wotan cares for and trusts Brunnhilde. And we also see how much she loves and respects him, as she agrees to let Siegmund lose the fight (even though she later changes her mind). The conversation with Fricka, though much longer in the original, is much the same. Also, in Brunnhilde's conversation with Siegmund and Sieglinde, Sieglinde is asleep in the original and Siegmund makes the choice to kill her and himself without discussing it with her. Then, as the fight with Hunding ensues, Wotan shows up in the middle of it. He shatters the sword, lets Hunding kill Siegmund, and then kills Hunding himself. Brunnhilde then escapes with Sieglinde and Wotan swears Brunnhilde will be punished as the act ends.

Bibliography: The Valkyrie

Image Information: Brunnhilde with her horse, source