DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN WINGS OF FIRE OR THE CHARACTERS IN THIS FANFICTION FROM THE WINGS OF FIRE SERIES; THEY BELONG TO THE WONDERFUL TUI T. SUTHERLAND. SNOWDROP IS AN OC, BUT YOU MAY USE HER. (just give credit and all dat good stuff :)

Ch. 5

"Queen Snowfall," said Winter, falling onto his knees in a respectful bow. Out of the corner of his eye, Snowdrop did too, shaking but trying to hide it.

"Rise," Snowfall commanded after an impossibly long period of time. It might have been a few seconds, or a few millennia, but Winter no longer knew.

"Jasmine," said Winter tapping Snowdrop on the shoulder to let her know he was talking to her. "There are some pastries in the cupboard. Could you go get them while I fetch Her Majesty's statues?"

Snowdrop nodded, rushing to the little kitchen to get the pastries.

"Thank you for your efforts," said Snowfall in a haughty voice. "I am sure your work will be pleasing to look at in every way." She settled herself in a queenly position on the couch. "North, you may come forth."

The young princess, fifteen or so, sat right beside her mother. She certainly looked the part of a future queen; the way she sat, perfectly poised next to Snowfall, gave off an aura of "I know exactly what my purpose is." Winter resisted the urge to bow to her too, and picked up the statue of Snowfall from besides him.

Snowfall examined it, a judgmental look on her face. "I don't believe my snout is that curved." She frowned at her likeness, examining it from top to bottom. "Do I really have a kink in my scales there? No. I am the queen of the Icewings, perfect in every way. Everything else looks fine. This will not melt or scratch, correct, even with my claws?"

"No, your Highness," said Winter. "I can demonstrate with a flame, and you can try to scratch the very bottom, if you are skeptical."

"No, no," said Snowfall waving a serrated, razor-sharp claw at him. "Your assurance is enough. I will seek punishment for you if you're wrong." When Winter did not budge or go back on his word, she nodded. "Now, what do you know about Snowdrop?"

"What about Princess North's statue, your Highness?" inquired Winter.

"I'll look at it later," said Snowfall dismissively. "What do you know? Answer the question."

"I do not know anything past the facts your royal guards told me," Winter said, trying to mask his fright. "She has been terrorizing you and your image. She has fled the guards who tried to arrest her. Another Icewing told me a few rumors; she made beautiful weavings, allegedly. I know nothing else."

"Really." Snowfall's voice was as cold as the Kingdom she ruled over.

Snowdrop came back with the pastries. She set them on the sitting table, trying to seem as insignificant as possible. Her wings drooped, and she bowed her head down, Winter noticed. "Thank you, Jasmine. You can go. I have another commission you can deliver."

"Wait," said North. The sound was delicate yet firm. "Snowdrop."

To Winter's horror, Snowdrop turned around.

My beautiful Princess North :3 she's MINE :)

Some info that I forgot to mention: North is 15, and she and Snowdrop met once before when they were little. There might be a short story on that someday... I dunno yet.