The Swan Maidens, Valkyries, and Other Things. An Unhinged Theory.
It's my time to shine!
Have any of you ever wondered what happened to the original Valkyries? What about Koschei and his weird little bird menagerie? What about that box Elain was talking about in ACOWAR?
Well, you've come to the right place! I've had this theory since 2022. But I don't color code or screenshot.
(If you read my long abandoned fic, Future Rust and Future Dust, you'll know where this is headed.)
The OG Valkyries are trapped as Koshei's Swans: We know the OG Valkyries "died" in the War and the survivors disappeared to their shame. But what if they didn't? What if a certain death god snatched up a bunch of beautiful warriors and put them in a nice little menagerie in his prison? Perhaps as SWANS.
Through research, Gwyn figures out where the Valkyries are. And our beloved trio go to the lake to save them. With the help of a certain shadowsinger.
BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE:
What the hell did Papa Archeron trade for Vassa's Gap Year? It had to be something big, right? Perhaps a piece of his soul, which in fae terms meant his favorite child?
Elain is on her way to the lake too, perhaps as a prisoner. Maybe she becomes a little bird, or a bride. Much like Marya Morevna in the Russian fairytale, The Death of Koschei the Deathless.
Even though Elain reads more like Vasilia the Beautiful, she knows about the box, just like Koschei's clever and deceptive wife in the tale. She along with her LOVER find the box and destroy Koschei's soul inside. Sounds like a job for Elain's MATE LUCIEN.
We all win. We all get what we want. You're welcome. Have fun.
