Ugh... My head... Oh moons... Where am I? Where is Mother?
Snowheart let out a groan, flickering his eyes open, the next morning light streamed into his eyes which made him hiss, this startled two Icewing nurses who were overlooking the Prince.
"Your Highness, are you okay?" One of them asked, the feeling of her forepaws against his body made him shiver slightly, but he gave a nod as he slowly rose from the cot he found himself in.
"I am alright, though where is my Mother? Is she alright?" Snowheart questioned, tail lashing about as he climbed down from the large cot. Shaking his body, he let out a tired yawn, arching his back before stretching his wings. Though there was a part of his back he couldn't get at as he let out a huff of displeasure.
At that moment, Peppermint, who was the head of the medical section of the complex, came in. She looked at Snowheart, seeing he was in discomfort before she looked over at the two nurses. "Seriously? Why are you two standing there!" She threw her wings up in disbelief, shaking her head while she walked over to Snowheart.
"Your Highness? What part is bothering you?" She roamed her paws along his back slowly, keeping an eye on his head movements, waiting to see whenever she passed over the spot that was bothering him.
"There!" He cried out when her paws ran over between his wing joints, making Peppermint freeze before she squeezed her paws slightly, a small *pop* came from his back, causing the Prince to let out a groan of pleasure, yet he still seemed unsatisfied as she applied more pressure—causing more pops to sound from his back before there was an almighty pop.
"Ah, that's the spot" Snowheart unknowingly pressed back against Peppermint, feeling her slender talons work on his back as she ran them up and down his spine, causing countless little pops from his back as she freed his back of pressure.
"Thank you Peppermint" Snowheart looked back at her, giving a gentle nod before he turned around fully and pulled her in for a hug, making her yelp lightly before slowly melting into the hug. They sat like that for a few seconds before Snowheart broke it off, pulling away before he looked at Peppermint.
Peppermint had shades of Peppermint Green, along with a few freckles which bore the same colour. Snowheart made his way past her, giving her a gentle headbutt into the side of her neck as he slipped by, a sign of goodwill. "Oh!... Peppermint..." Peppermint was about to start cleaning up the blooded towels when Snowheart called out to her.
"Yes, Your Highness?" She looked at him, tilting her head while he remained still, halfway out of the room when he turned his head to look back at her.
"I wish for you to travel with me and my family" He watched her face turn to one of shock, tilting her head while her tail flicked about, her wings twitched as she began her way towards Prince Snowheart.
"Y-your Highness... Are you sure?" the white-Peppermint-coloured Icewing questioned, a frown appearing on her face as she stopped beside Snowheart, who was considerably larger than her due to Peppermint being around the same size as Icewave.
"Of course I am, you have done wonders for me, and it would only fill me with guilt if I didn't ask for you to accompany me!" Peppermint seemed stunned by the Prince's answer, making her gaze downwards before he continued.
"Ah yes! One more thing... Straighten up Peppermint" He told her, watching as she straightened herself, making her appear regal in a sense while he made his way over to a small sword. Picking it up in his right forepaw, he made his way back over to her, seeing fear envelop her eyes. "Relax, I'm not going to hurt you... in fact, I was going to promote you"
"Promote me? Sir!" She yelped out softly, only calming down when Snowheart held out his left forepaw to her, telling her to stop before he started.
"By the authority vested in me as Prince of the Ice Kingdom, I hereby recognize your exceptional service and dedication to the Ice Kingdom. In acknowledgement of your outstanding contributions, I am pleased to promote you to the esteemed position of Royal Recovery Overseer. May you continue to serve with honour, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to the prosperity of our Ice Kingdom. Rise Peppermint, Royal Recovery Overseer to me. May your actions forever reflect the ideals of our noble cause."
Peppermint couldn't breathe, she felt a tear roll down her face as Snowheart tapped the sword once on each of her shoulders before placing the weapon down. A smile grew on his face before he opened his forearms, giving Peppermint the opening to hug him, which she did.
"Thank you, Thank you, Your Highness. I'll do my all for you, I'll make you proud Prince Snowheart" She nuzzled into Snowheart's chest, feeling him hold her as he chuckled.
"I'm glad to hear that Peppermint-" "Well, this is nice isn't it" Glacier commented, grinning while the rest of the family, including Icesheet, Icewave and Arctic just stood there with open mouths, shocked at how well Snowheart had conducted himself.
"Well done my boy! That was the best I have seen so far!" Frostbite laughed, padding up to his son before gently slapping him on the back. He then brought him in for a hug, the two of them chuckling while Snowfall, Crystal, Glacier and Mink joined in.
"It's not everyday you hear a member of a royal family publically promote someone like that" Arctic whispered to the two girls next to him, who in return gave a nod.
"Right... are we ready to go back?" Glacier questioned, looking around at everyone who was part of the group, seeing all of them give nods before she turned on the spot and left the room, with her husband and daughters in tow, leaving just Snowheart, peppermint Icesheet, Arctic and Icewave alone.
"So, you ready to go back and have every girl try to jump all over you" Arctic grinned, knowing that no one besides the royal family and the complex knew of Prince Snowheart's and Icesheet's relationship. Icesheet let out a snort, moving closer to Snowheart, intertwining her tail with Snowheart's while she pressed herself up against his larger, bulkier form.
"No dragoness will steal MY Prince" She hissed, claws digging into the icy flooring when Snowheart suddenly placed his right forepaw on Icesheet's shoulder.
"Relax darling, he is only joking, Arctic is like that" He watched as Icesheet's expressions wavered, watching as she wrinkled her snout, tilting her head while she looked upwards in thought.
"Yeah, I guess you're right... But I still don't like the idea of other dragonesses talking and even attempting to flirt with you!" She gripped Snowheart's right forearm, her claws digging in, making Snowheart wince while he and the rest of the group left the room and headed towards where his Mother and family were waiting.
Heading down the long hallway towards the main cafeteria, Snowheart noticed that all the Icewings who worked at the complex had what seemed to be sacks. (Are they leaving?) He wondered, yet became more confused when another group of Icewings came in with similar sacks.
"Ah, it seems that the new batch of IceWings has come to take over the complex for us," Arctic said, letting out a huff right after. He then looked towards his left, where Icewave was, noticing a worried expression covering her face, her beautiful eyes glistening with concern.
"Hey, are you okay dear?" Stopping behind the group, grabbing hold of Icewave's right wing gently to stop her. Icewave lowered her head, letting a breath blow from her maw before she looked back at her mate.
"I'm worried Arctic. We have worked so hard for years to make this complex run well, and now we are just supposed to just give up our rule of the place to another group. I know it's only for like a year, But still! Anything could happen during then" She flared her wings out, expressing her utmost concern for the complex workings of the Icewing system. The training complex had an even more complex and harder-to-understand system than the circle system of the main Icewing Capital.
"Wavey, relax, I'm sure Her Majesty has sent the best to cover for us until our return-" "Our Return! What on three moons do you mean!" Icewave cried, her tail flicking about as she spun to face Arctic.
Arctic held up his forepaws, shaking his head before he gently cupped her cheeks and pulled her head against his chest, letting her relax as he wrapped his wings around her, careful of her pregnant stomach as he let out a sigh, looking out towards the cafeteria.
"Hey! Are you two coming?" Icesheet called out to them, looking down the hallway from the entrance to the cafeteria. Giving a nod Arctic looked down at Icewave once more, planting a kiss on her forehead before he let go of her. "Shall we go now, darling?" He purred softly, allowing her to go out front while he followed.
"About time you two showed up" Snowheart rolled his eyes, shuffling his wings about slightly before he let out a growl of pain when Icesheet elbowed him in the chest, she then grabbed hold of his right horn and pulled him down to her level, snarling playfully in his face.
"Stop being such a grump" After a few seconds of holding a serious face, she licked his nose, giggling before she jumped into the air, followed by Glacier, Frostbite and their Daughters. Snowheart looked out where Icesheet was flying, receiving a smack across the back of the head, albeit lightly when Arctic spoke.
"Just remember, not only do you have the most beautiful dragoness as your mate-to-be, But you also have one of the most protective bodyguards in the world. She will protect you with her life, and I Hope... that you will do the same" Arctic gave Prince Snowheart the side eye, letting out a snort of frost breath before he and Icewave jumped into the air and flew towards the waiting group of dragons.
"But I will always protect her with my life" He whispered to himself, looking down at the icy ground, and letting out a sigh before he unfurled his wings and took off into the sky, joining his awaiting family and friends.
"You're so slow, Brother!" Snowfall groaned, flapping her wings to keep her aloft when Glacier spoke. "Come along now Snowheart, everyone is waiting for you back at the palace. And there are a few surprises back home as well" She then set off in the direction of the palace, with her Husband and Daughters in tow, as was the rest of the group.
It had been two days, and the group had settled down in one of the many large caves for the night. a fire burnt brightly, its heat filling the cave while the group of Icewings talked amongst themselves.
"So, what was the training really like brother?" Crystal questioned, tilting her head slightly as her ears flicked, her tail lazily swishing along the cool rocky floor of the cave as she and her sisters all waited for a response from Snowheart.
"Well..." He looked up at the lit ceiling of the cave, seeing the yellows and oranges blend, dancing about before he looked down at the fire, his eyes narrowing slightly as he thought about how to answer his sister's question. "It was gruelling, and at times painful, yet very rewarding" His sisters all leaned closer in, little Mink having made her way up to her brother, staring up at him.
"It's far too cold for you to be there little one, come and snuggle with me" Snowheart scooped Mink up, holding her in his forepaws while she squealed in delight, her long thin tail curling around his left wrist while he held her against his side, using his right-wing as a blanket.
"So... would you say it's harder, or a lot harder than the stories say they are?" Snowfall fired a question at him, confusion riddled her eyes while Snowheart let out a sigh.
"Yes, the training was extremely demanding at times, even as far as losing days of sleep. Though the max amount of time I was allowed to go without sleep was three days since five days or more without sleep for an Icewing is a death sentence"
Crystal and Snowfall looked at each other, Mink was already asleep, and the rest of the group were talking amongst themselves. Yet Snowheart couldn't hear due to the roaring fire.
Looking down and peeking under his wing, he watched as Mink's little chest rose, then fell at a steady pace, the adorable look on her peaceful face could only melt any Icewing heart as he covered her back up before lying his head down, slowly closing his eyes as sleep took hold of his body.
The first lights of the morning sun struck his face, making Snowheart wince. He slowly rose his head, letting out a yawn before he moved his right wing aside, seeing Mink still asleep with her forepaws curled up against her chest, her tail curled around herself as were her wings. Watching her chest rise and fall in a slow steady pattern, Snowheart looked around the cave, seeing that everyone else was asleep, all their faces had content expressions on them.
Looking out towards the cave entrance, Snowheart watched as waves of cold wind blew along the icy plains, throwing up particles of snow along the way. He then looked up at the sky, seeing a few white wispy clouds move quickly in an eastwardly direction.
(I wonder what mother meant by surprise?) Snowheart thought to himself. He had known about his Mother's brother, Prince Narwhal, and his mate, Princess Tundra. (Hmm... Perhaps they had dragonets? If so, I never heard about them) He continued to think of what his Mother had planned when he suddenly heard Icesheet's voice.
"I see you got up early, I'll wake up the others so we can get back sooner" She nuzzled into Snowheart's neck, purring before she made her way towards the large ball of scales which was the royal family.
"Bover? Is time to go?" Mink looked up at Snowheart, her large wide eyes full of nothing but adorableness as she gave a tilt of her head, her little tail still curled tightly around her tiny body while Snowheart looked down at her, a loving smile on his snout as he lowered to her level.
"Yes Minky, it is, do you want me to carry you this time?" He asked her, letting her clamber all over him while the rest of the group woke up.
"Ugh, it's Far too early for this" Snowfall complained, shaking her body of snow that had claimed its position on her scales overnight. Crystal rolled her eyes before she looked over to see Snowheart and Mink playing, as did everyone else, just watching the two.
"No Brover hehe!" Mink giggled while trying helplessly to bat his large claws away from her belly as he continued his tickling attack on her. "Haha, King Snowheart claims this territory as his!" He gently places his right forepaw on Mink, smirking while she nibbles on his paw ferociously.
"Snowheart, that's enough, let your sister get up before you squish her" Glacier chuckled, getting up from her resting spot to make her way over to where the two were. "Mother, you know I'm gentle" Snowheart huffed, rolling his eyes before letting Mink up, shaking his wings slightly to rid the snow that had been blown on top of him.
"I know son, but you're a huge boy now, and Mink... well... she is tiny compared to you" Glacier explained, picking Mink up only for the little dragonet to wriggle within her grasp slightly.
"Mummy! Brover carry me!" Mink whined, her tail doing spins as she then relaxed in her mother's paws, looking up at Glacier who smiled softly. "Alright, the day is still young, let us get going before one of those foul snowstorms moves in!" Frostbite said with authority before he and the group took off into the sky, with Mink within Snowheart's forepaws.
The large group of dragons continued on their way through the sky, Mink had her small wings stretched out to their max, feeling the wind blow against her fluffy body as she let out squeals of joy.
"Faster Brover!" Mink squealed, her tail flailing behind her while Snowheart chuckled at the adorableness which was little Mink.
"So, what will you do when you get back?" Icewave questioned Snowheart, who turned his head to eye her carefully before answering her question.
"Honestly, not sure, perhaps just relax with the family, get to know the system once more you know. Since I have been away for so long heh" He tilted to the left, gently shifting his weight so he drifted towards Icewave and Icesheet a bit, holding Mink who was still loving the flight within his large forepaws.
"I wonder how Tundra and Narwhal are doing though?" Icesheet questioned, tapping a single claw against her chin when Frostbite spoke up, having flown close to the trio.
"Tundra laid two eggs just after you left Son" Snowheart looked over at his father with wide eyes, shaking his head before he snorted.
"Of course she would have more dragonets to use as puppets"
Frostbite glanced at his son, a smirk forming on his snout before Glacier tapped her left wing against his. Turning his head to look at his wife, he noticed she had a concerned look on her face which made Frostbite frown.
"Darling, there is no need to worry about Snowstorm, I'm sure there is no way on the moons that he will do anything absurd" Glacier let out a long sigh, calming herself before she locked eyes with her husband once more.
"I just hope that nothing terrible happens, I mean, Snowstorm has been acting odd lately, as if he is up to something" She narrowed her eyes, letting out a soft growl which Snowheart heard, turning his head over to where his parents were before he gently banked to the right, slowly drifting over to them while Icewave and Icesheet began talking amongst themselves.
"Mother? Are you okay? You seem upset by something, what is bothering you?" Mink looked up at her brother, her pupils as wide as the moons before she looked over at her mother, noticing the way her eyes darted about, the way her ears flicked, and how she struggled to speak.
Snowheart stared at his Mother, studying her reactions before he spoke "It's Snowstorm isn't it" Snowheart let out a snort, frost blowing from his nostrils while Glacier snapped her gaze to her son.
"How did you know that!" She hissed softly, glancing to her right to where Crystal and Snowfall were talking to each other, she then looked back to her son, letting out a sigh before giving a nod of confirmation.
Seeing this caused Snowheart to grow more annoyed as he shook his head, looking forwards he noticed they were close to the capital of the Ice kingdom, and so passed Mink to Frostbite before he sped off, with everyone calling out to him to stop, yet he was too fast for them as he seemingly sliced through the white clouds like a knife.
"With the royal family out of the way, we now have time to start the revolt" Icehunter said, looking towards his father who went by the name of Snowstorm.
"Very good Icehunter, go and tell the others, for it starts today!" Snowstorm growled, watching his son sprint off before hearing shouts from Icewings who leaned towards his revolution.
"Though Prince Snowheart is going to be a problem" The old Icewing tapped a claw against his chin when a female Icewing came trotting in, bowing her head slightly towards him as if he was her King.
"Yes, Snowflake?" Snowstorm looked around the large dark icy meeting room, slowly making his way around the large central table, dragging a single claw across its surface as Snowflake began to speak.
"The rebel Icewings are ready to start the revolt, sir, though from what I have heard from one of our scouts, Prince Snowheart is only about half an hour away" She clicked her tongue, her tail lashing about while she ruffled her wings. She had a long scar that ran from the top left of her head, across her left eye and down to the beginning of her neck. Her right wing was also torn slightly, making flying harder than normal for her, yet that didn't stop her from being a proud Icewing.
Letting out a sigh, Snowstorm turned his head just enough so she could see the right side of his face, seeing that his right eye was pale white, with a deep old gash that ran over his face, a clear sign he was blind in his right eye.
"We must act now while they are still outside of the Capital" Snowstorm said, turning around fully to face Snowflake, making his way around the table fully before stopping in front of her. "And once we win, you'll be my Queen" They both grinned before leaving the room to join the large mass of Icewings who were ready to take the Kingdom by force.
"Icewings! We make our move now!" He roared to his group and they all roared with him.