"Queen Clarissa, the ice is almost at the door. Do you wish to order a retreat?" asked a tall young man, the brass buttons on his tan coat gleaming.
"No, we will stay. I trust that adequate wood has been gathered to heat the castle?" she replied, as she gazed at the splendor of the throne room, where she had spent so many happy hours with her mother as a child.
"Yes, my Queen. Also, I have taken the liberty of posting sentries to keep the ice from encasing us in. They are equipped with axes, picks, and large torches." he informed her, with a low bow.
"Excellent work, Alexander. Have them retreat inside should they be overcome, I don't intend to lose any men to this." she replied with feeling.
"Of course, my Queen. Also, a big black raven is sitting on a clump of snow, just before the ice begins. My men are asking if they should kill it." replied Alexander, dropping to one knee.
"No, I think it's a Guardian. Nobody is to harm it. In fact, I want food taken to it, three times a day. Good food, not scraps." she said, remembering the story of a raven which had once saved the kingdom by dropping the hat of the general of an enemy army in the castle courtyard. The advance warning had given her great great grandmother a full week to prepare for the siege.
"I will attend to it now." he replied, before leaving the throne room.
A week later:
"The ice has not advanced any closer since the raven arrived, my Queen. We have been caring for the bird as best we can, but it can't stay there forever. We are using torches to force the ice back, but it advances as soon as the heat is gone. I fear it will encase us when the bird leaves or dies." Alexander reported grimly.
"Then we will help the raven to make its home there. Have a warm house built, similar to a chicken coop. Take out one of our cook-stoves to heat it. Someone is to always be there, to ensure it stays warm, and attend to the bird." she ordered.
A day later:
"My Queen! As soon as the coop was built, eleven more ravens arrived. They all moved in, and the ice is retreating! It's almost back to the guard shack again." he happily reported.
Queen Clarissa sighed in relief, thankful that the ravens of her kingdom were there to guard their Queen. She vowed to always repay them with kindness and generosity.
Participation link and image source
Ice is my own artwork, a fractal which I ran through a 3D program
