Labors of Winter
A/N: Dedicated to all the guys and gals at the WoF Writer's Guild Discord, where this idea first came into being. Hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 1: The Proposal
Winter stood in front of the ruins of the Great Ice Wall, which still marked the edge of the Ice Kingdom. He still couldn't believe that they were gone, after being up for thousands and thousands of years. His cousin's reign as Queen had been a tumultuous one, to say the least. Between Darkstalker, Pantalan refugees and the Othermind, things were crazy even before she started making changes to the whole kingdom.
No more ranking circles. No more wall. No more isolationism. If it wasn't for the white scales and blue flesh and ice breath, there'd be nothing separating them from any other Tribe. Part of that still offended his Princely Icewing dignity, even now, but he wanted to believe this was the right choice. Especially if it meant he had a chance going back home and seeing his brother again. He missed Hailstorm. He never really had a chance to talk with him, after the Trial with Foeslayer. The longing wasn't as strong when he was with Moonwatcher and Qibli, but after his friends got together…
He shook his head, keeping the feelings of regret away. He wanted to be happy for them. He was happy for them. If he couldn't have either Nightwing or Sandwing, he could take comfort knowing they were with the one other dragon who could them as much as he could. He'd taken solace in that, and in following his passion of studying the scavengers at Possibility. It was a simple life, but a life he could find happiness and purpose in.
He was snapped out of his reverie by the flapping of wings. Looking up, he saw three Icewings descending in front of him - two stoic-looking guards, and his cousin, the new Ice Queen. Snowfall was a beautiful dragoness, from any objective standard. Little pink highlights complimented her bright white scales, from her line of icicle horns to her spike tail. Her silver crown framed her steely blue eyes in a way that, had he not grown up with her, would've been just as intimidating as her mother's.
"My Queen," Winter greeted, bowing his head, "I'm here, as requested."
"I'm glad you could come on such short notice, dear cousin," Snowfall returned, extending a paw to him, "I've heard you've been hard at work on some… what was it? A scavenger sanctuary?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Winter answered, taking her paw and giving it a light kiss, "I've been working in Sanctuary for several months now. We've made some very interesting discoveries-"
"Yes yes," She waved off his explanation, "Scavengers are very smart, blah blah blah. Why don't we get down to business."
Winter furrowed his brow, as Snowfall started walking. Annoyed and confused, he followed her as she asked, "Winter, how would you like to come home?"
The ex-Prince of the Ice Kingdom did a double-take. "My Queen?" He asked, certain he misheard.
"What would you be willing to do," She asked slowly, "If I offered you a chance to come back to the Ice Palace?"
Winter stared at her, trying to see any hint of deception or mischief on her muzzle. There was none. Still, he answered with skepticism and suspicion, "I'm not going to kill anyone, if that's what you're asking. I want to see my family again, but I'm done fighting."
"Oh Winter," Snowfall giggled, tapping his chin with her wing, "My sweet, innocent cousin. I'm not asking you to do anything so violent and brutish as that. That's never been your thing. You've always been more of a lov-looker than a fighter."
Winter tilted his head, but said nothing. What had she meant by that? Did she know about his dalliances with Qibli and Moon? He thought he'd kept his feelings a secret, but maybe he was more transparent than he thought.
Clearing her throat, Snowfall continued, "You see, the Ice Kingdom is entering a new age. The Icewings can't hold ourselves up in our lands anymore. The world is growing smaller, more connected. Phyrria and Pantala are talking, new alliances are being formed. We can't afford to stay home and be left behind in this new era of peace and prosperity."
Winter nodded. "That makes sense," He agreed, "But that doesn't explain what you need me for."
"We need to show the other kingdoms what we have to offer," The Queen explained, "Not just our goods and culture, but our dragons as well. You may not know this, but you were often considered the most handsome drake in the Ice Kingdom by many of my classmates. For all your brooding, you left quite an impression on many of the Queens you visited. You are, quite simply, as ideal an Icewing male as one can hope to find."
Winter smiled uncomfortably. He wasn't so naive as to not notice how many dragonesses looked at him. Moon's friend Kinkajou was very vocal about what she thought of him as the "handsome, brooding prince to die for". He became fairly certain some of the males viewed him the same way, which annoyed and disgusted him until he met Qibli. To hear his cousin be so open about this admiration made him uneasy.
Snowfall leaned closer, her voice just above a whisper. "My task for you, should you accept it, is to be a representative of Icewing endurance and virility. You will visit every Queen in Phyrria and Pantala, lay with them, and show the world why the Icewings are the best lovers."
Winter's eyes went wide, and he stepped back. "Excuse me?!" He protested, "You want to stud me out?!"
"In a manner of speaking, yes," Snowfall admitted, shrugging, "Don't worry, you shouldn't be breeding with any of them. Every Queen has their own supply of moon tea to prevent unwanted eggs. But we don't always have the privilege of taking a partner for a night who isn't trying to become a king. You, however, are still banished, and you're not eligible for any throne until I say so. But if you complete this quest and satisfy the Queens, I will welcome you back home, and you can come back with me and Icicle and Hailstorm again."
She placed a paw on his shoulder, offering him a friendly smile. "So what do you say?" She asked, "Will you accept?"
Winter looked away, mulling it over. The idea of being pimped out across Phyrria for royal entertainment somehow offended his almost nonexistent Icewing pride. But here was his cousin, the Queen of his Tribe, offering a path to see Hailstorm again. What would he be willing to do to go home and be with his people again?
"If I did this," Winter asked, "Would I be Prince again?"
"Of course, Winter," Snowfall assured him, her tail brushing his, "You're family. If all the Queens are 'satisfied' with your 'performance', your title and privileges will be returned. In fact, under my rule, you're free to date or marry whoever you wish. You could even marry that Nightwing you're smitten with. Or that handsome Sandwing, if that's who you're into."
Winter looked away and scoffed, hoping she couldn't see his blushing blue cheeks. Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see her smirk, which just irritated him more. Still, with an offer like that, what did he have to lose?
Besides, how many drakes could claim they mated with every single Queen in the world?
"Fine," He growled, "I'll do it. I'll show the Queens all the 'virility' and 'vitality' they can handle. And I will see my brother and sister again."
Snowfall's smirk became a toothy grin, and Winter wondered just what kind of horrific doom he cursed himself to…