 In Norse mythology , a valkyrie ( from Old Norse valkyrja " chooser of the slain " ) is one of a host of female figures who choose those who may die in battle and those who may live . Selecting half of those who die in battle , the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain , Valhalla , ruled over by the god Odin ( the other half go to the goddess Freyja 's afterlife field Fólkvangr ) . There , the deceased warriors become einherjar ( Old Norse " single ( or once ) fighters " ) . When the einherjar are not preparing for the events of Ragnarök , the valkyries bear them mead . Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and other mortals , where they are sometimes described as the daughters of royalty , sometimes accompanied by ravens and sometimes connected to swans or horses . 
