The Lion Prides: Icewind

Chapter Two: Icewind's Story

   Collecting his thoughts, Icewind began his tale. "All lions know of the First Lion, but few know the story of how lions got their many colors. The First Lion was black as a night with no moon and no stars, with eyes of burning gold and a mane of shimmering white."

   "How do you know this tale?" Snowdrop asked, shifting his paws.

   "This tale is not merely legend, but genealogy, Snowdrop. I only know this because my mother, who was white as freshly fallen snow, told it to me. Now, may I go on?" Icewind explained.

   "Sorry, Dad. I was just curious. Please, go on." Snowdrop bowed his head and lay down in front of his parents.

   "Anyway, the First Lion was lonely, so he created the Great Lioness, Mother of all Lions. They fell in love, and the Great Lioness had six children. Each was of a different color: the eldest was white with sapphire blue eye, the next black with silver eyes, the next was brilliant gold with emerald eyes, the fourth was crimson with gold eyes. The fifth was gray with blue eyes, and the youngest was sapphire blue with bold green eyes. Each had a special power: Snowfall the White had every power imaginable, Midnight the Black had the ability to drain magic and life from any living being, Sapphire the Blue had the ability to control the elements, Emerald the Gold had the ability to bring life to any thing, Scarlet the Red had the ability to see the future and walk through fire unharmed, and Stormcloud the Gray possessed the power to fly and become invisible.

   "The six siblings were strong when they fought together, but could never land a scratch on one another. I will tell you at a later date how Midnight and Snowfall became the worst enemies ever, splitting the siblings in two. Scarlet, Emerald, and Sapphire were all lionesses who, for lack of options, mated with their brothers. Every one of Snowfall's descendants has been born pure white with his abilities. In fact, Snowfall is my great-great-great-great-great grandfather. His only mate was Sapphire, whose blue color adorns my mane. Take pride in your heritage, my children, for our line is the only one that has maintained its original color for generation after generation."

   Icewind's cubs, who had been listening intently, slowly blinked. Then, Icedrift asked, "If Snowfall and Sapphire were our great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents, who were our ancestors from that time on to your mother?"

   "I'm glad you asked. After Snowfall came Glacier, his eldest daughter. She mated with Emerald and Midnight's eldest son, Evergreen. Don't ask me how that happened because Midnight and Snowfall's descendants still hate each other. Anyway, their eldest son, River, mated with a young lioness named Sunray. Then came Wizard's Flame, my great grandfather. His mate was Dragon's Flame. Your great grandmother was the legendary Unicorn, who joined with Watermane's group, where she met Reedclaw. They had four cubs, but my mother was their youngest and most beloved. Your grandmother was Snowball, who was Streammane's head lioness until she died in battle against Darkfur's eldest brother, who had insulted her line and tried to force her to have cubs with him. She fought and killed him in her refusal, but she died of her wounds shortly after returning to the pride. Then, of course, came your mother and I."