This started out as an experiment: could I come up with interesting shades and tones using just lines (without hatching) and one 0.3 pen? Besides, class was putting me to sleep, might as well do something to keep myself awake...

Ah, and a confession:

The Queen of the Underworld (aka Persephone) was supposed to be a different queen. I started with the idea of the Snow Queen, then decided I wanted a pose different from the usual "sitting on her throne in the middle of the frozen lake" -- then went on to draw someone made of minerals, not ice, in an underground cave.

It's interesting, though, how stories come when one is doodling. While doing this I thought up a scene that turned out to be one part of a much, much bigger whole. It's an interesting story. I might write it one day if I don't forget.

And yes, that's a dragon sleeping by the lake.

Ink on Moleskine sketch paper. (The original is very small...!)