Lichenfang's Elder Ceremony

Blizzardstar climbed onto the Highrock rather slowly and ears low. Elder ceremonies were hard enough for her already, but having one of her clanmates retire for reasons beyond old age...it was like adding insult to injury “All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under the Highrock for a clan meeting”.

Lichenfang had been in the medicine cats den when she felt Orchidfeather gently nudge her mother. Orchidfeather had heard the call where as he mother barely could. As it was Lichenfang's hearing had been damaged and so had her hind legs. She could barely walk as is. So Lichenfang was leaning against her youngest daughter as Orchidfeather helped her to just outside the medicine cats den. From there Lichenfang sat down her jagged stub of ears would have flattened but they could barely do anything anymore let alone hear everything now. Lichenfang lifted her head to Blizzardstar. She then scanned the crowd of gathering cats hoping to see her mate wanting to be near him for this but it may not happen. She didn't know. Though she knew full well this was a ceremony but not the one that happened very often in Thunderclan and she knew it was for her.

Blizzardstar had to take a deep breath to calm herself down and continue with the ceremony "Lichenfang, please, step forward" She raised her voice more than usual, knowing from Maplepaw's words that Lichenfang was having issues to hear those around her "Lichenfang, is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?" While she already knew the answer to this question, she refused to give up the tradition that came with this ceremony.

(short, might edit later)

Leopardclaw dashed out of the crowd to stand comfortingly beside his mate, licking her cheek tenderly.  His hazel eyes were clouded with unimaginable sorrow, and fury came in waves.  She didn't deserve this fate...the beautiful calico should have been able to continue to live the life she loved, not forced to retire because of the actions of some despicable rogue.  Despite his best efforts, Leopardclaw's eyes glazed with tears as he gazed up at Blizzardstar.

Lichenfang relaxed a bit when Leopardclaw came to her side. This would be thought for both of them but she hoped they could make it through. She was upset that she had no choice but to retire due to her injuries but if it was as starclan wanted she would do it. She stood on her paws her legs sending shooting pain up them which caused her to lean a bit against Leopardclaw. Looking up to Blizzardstar pain and sadness filling her mossy green eyes. She didn't answer for a long moment but then she opened her maw and mewed loud enough that she could almost hear herself."It.....It is"She mewed trying not to choke up on her words.

Birdflight watched from the camp entrance, heart in pieces. She couldn't even look at her without her blood boiling with rage and regret. Lichenfang was injured badly by a terrible rogue. She flattened her ears before turning back and leaving camp. She didn't want to see any more of her mother's elder ceremony.

Blizzardstar sighed and nodded slowly after the answer reached her ears. While she had learned to respect rogues in her past it was incidents like this one the reason she still was a bit on edge regarding those who wanted to join, making them go through trials and training "Your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest" With those words the ceremony came to its bitter end and, without saying anything else in fear of allowing her emotions to overpower her in doing so, she jumped down the Highrock to dismiss the clan.