Swanpaw’s Warrior Ceremony

Head held high, Ivystar sat atop the Willow Branch with an odd air of confidence. Today she’d be promoting another apprentice to the rank of a warrior, after speaking with Loonwhisper and determining that she was more than prepared. “All cats old enough to catch their own fish, gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting!” She called out, whiskers twitching as she watched the Clan gather.

Today was the day.

The day where she was finally a warrior, the day where Swanpaw would be no more. She had practiced the sign signals that she was told to try. She tensed up a little as she heard Ivystar's voice ring out around the clearing.

This was her ceremony, right? She was supposed to be excited, confident and all that. But.. she struggled to even look into the eyes of the leader.

Once Swanpaw was present, Ivystar officially began the ceremony. ”Today we've gathered to witness the rise of RiverClan's newesr warrior. Swanpaw, if you believe yourself to be ready, step forward now and your ceremony will commence." She mewed, watching the apprentice closely.

She was right. Today was the day. Swanpaw closed her eyes taking in a deep breath as she emerged from the crowd. She felt suddenly small, like her throat was closing up at every step she took. She looked behind her, her eyes flicking from cat to cat, most of them watching her, some more focused on Ivystar. She sat down. A little hesitation before looking upwards at her leader. That same wanting-to-run feeling washed over her, like at the moonstone but stronger. She tensed up, she didn't know why, it was her warrior ceremony, shouldn't she be happy? Shouldn't she be confident? Her tail flicked side to side nervously as she gazed up at Ivystar, uncertainty was the clearest emotion in her yellow eyes.

Ivystar offered Swanpaw a small smile and nod of encouragement, continuing the ceremony once she had stepped forward and separated herself from the crowd. “I call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Swanpaw, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?” Ivystar mewed, looking at the she-cat from atop the Willow Branch.

Swanpaw watched the leader as she spoke, shaking a little but she held her head high. Once the leader finished, Swanpaw remembered that other apprentices had to say something during the ceremony. Her ears flicked downwards and the feeling of wanting to run away came down upon her like a wave, so strong that she stepped backwards a little. After a long hesitation Swanpaw nodded shakily, hoping that was enough to continue her ceremony like normal.

Ivystar’s smile faltered a bit when the she-cat hesitated, but promptly returned when she nodded in her own form of agreement to her vows. “Then from this day onward, you shall be known to all as Swanmist. RiverClan honors your dedication as an honored warrior. As is tradition, you will hold a silent vigil tonight while the rest of the Clan sleeps. Until then, however, we will come together to celebrate the rise of a new warrior.” Ivystar leaped off of the branch and gently touched her nose to the she-cat’s, then stepped away to allow the rest of the Clan to celebrate.

Swanpaw- no- Swanmist looked up at Ivystar as she jumped down. She leaned forwards to touch noses with her leader, still feeling a bit woozy from the sudden worry that came over her when she first stepped up towards the rock. Swanmist was a warrior now, even if her ceremony didn't really have the 'I do' part. It felt like a sudden burst of happiness came from inside of her as she looked back at the crowd that chanted her name. Swanmist, Swanmist! She smiled, chanting her own new name in her head.