Royal SeaWing prisoner

Chapter 20

Large wingbeats echoed through the air, shaking the very foundations of the Ice Kingdom. Startled, the royals glanced at one another, their eyes filled with apprehension. They had all been summoned to the courtyard, where an empty space now stood, devoid of the once-prominent ranking board. Tension hung heavy in the frigid air, as the dragons awaited the reason for this unexpected gathering. Then, with a thunderous thud, DarkStalker, the formidable NightWing-IceWing hybrid, landed gracefully on the snow-covered ground. His massive wings folded tightly against his sleek, ebony scales, he surveyed the faces gathered before him. "As much as I wish to avoid being here, I know it is for a good cause," DarkStalker declared, his voice a low rumble that reverberated through the crisp night air. North stepped forward, his breath forming a frosty cloud with each word he spoke. Holding out an IceWing skull, he said solemnly, "I summoned you all here on this night for one reason." His voice caught, his eyes filled with sorrow. "This, my friends, is Hvitur's skull." DarkStalker's eyes widened in recognition. "Let me guess, that's my father's skull," he said, his voice laced with bitterness. "No, DarkStalker," North replied with a weary sigh. "It is Hvitur's, the guardian of the Dragonets who brought an end to the long SandWing succession war, long before you saved me from the clutches of Snowfall." Hail looked at North, confusion furrowing his brow. "Who was Hvitur?" he finally mustered the courage to ask, his voice barely  above a whisper. North regarded Hail with a sad smile. "Little IceWing, Hvitur was a brave and noble dragon. He was supposed to be the guardian, the protector of the Dragonets, guiding them into a world free of the ravages of war." DarkStalker's talons found their way to his face, his eyes filled with remorse. "After you, little dragonets turned me back into DarkStalker, I brought ClearSight back into my life, and we were blessed with three beautiful dragonets," he confessed, his voice breaking. "Fearless, NightWatcher, and NightGazer are my children, my legacy." The courtyard fell into stunned silence, the weight of DarkStalker's words sinking into the hearts of those present. BrightMoon could hardly contain her astonishment, her wings twitching with excitement. "You have dragonets?!" she exclaimed, nearly catapulting herself off her talons. DarkStalker nodded, tears glistening in his eyes as they dropped onto the pristine snow. "Yes, BrightMoon. Despite the darkness within me, I have been bestowed with the ultimate gift of love and family." Hail, unable to contain his curiosity, couldn't help but interject, his voice filled with hope. "It's fine, DarkStalker. Soon, when we rule BloodWriter's kingdom, BrightMoon and I will have dragonets too. And they will be as beautiful as yours." DarkStalker's gaze softened, his voice tender. "Thank you, Hail. But no matter what they look like, they will be cherished, for they carry within them the essence of their mother and their father." Hail nodded, his heart swelling with newfound understanding and compassion for DarkStalker. It was true that Arctic, DarkStalker's father, had despised him for resembling a NightWing more than an IceWing. But in that moment, Hail realized the true depth of the former animosity that had tormented DarkStalker's soul. Touched by the raw emotions that were laid bare, BrightMoon stepped closer to DarkStalker, their eyes meeting. "Your children will bring you joy and remind you that love can triumph over any darkness," she said softly, her voice filled with compassion. DarkStalker's heart trembled at her words, resonating with a newfound hope. Perhaps, in embracing the love of his family, he could find solace and redemption. And with the guidance of the IceWings, perhaps he could finally heal the wounds of the past and forge a new path forward. As the wind whispered through the courtyard, carrying the weight of unspoken promises and the possibilities of a brighter future, the dragons stood united, bound by their shared experiences and the hope that lay ahead. And with each snowflake that fell, it seemed to carry a glimmer of the harmony that was yet to come.