Elmpaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather underneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!" called the deputy with an authoritative tone. Swiftstep was tense. There was no denying that. He didn't show it but he felt it shake his core. Brindlestar had come down with whitecough and is currently resting. All duties previously done by the leader had been placed on his shoulders. The tom was determined to lead Windclan as Brindlestar usually does. That included performing warrior ceremonies. Swiftstep could only pray to the cats above that their leader would recover soon. He shook every thought from his head and smiled gently. A certain apprentice's day was going to be brightened once hearing that this is their warrior ceremony. The brown tom scanned around the group of clan-mates gathering in the clearing for the cat of honor.

Elmpaw limped out of the apprentices' den at Swiftstep's call, making his way out into the crowd gathering in the clearing. Someone's ceremony was today, it seemed. Whoever it is, he mused, congrats to them. Surely it wasn't him...He was close, but...it couldn't be him. Not with how slow his training had been. Brindlestar was ill so her deputy had to handle all the ceremonies until she recovered; if by some grace of StarClan that it was his ceremony, he would resent that Brindlestar couldn't be there. The apprentice settled himself down in the middle of the crowd, gazing expectantly up at Swiftstep.

Once the clan had settled down and and the noise had been muted, Swiftstep's amber gaze traveled across the assembled clan, stopping at Elmpaw for a split second before moving on. The deputy's smiled softly as he proceeded with the ceremony, "We gather here today to honor the commitment of one of our apprentices as well as bestow the title of warrior upon him." The brown tom stood tall as he gazed down at the gathered cats. "He has proven himself worthy to climb the ranks of WindClan and receive his Warrior name." The deputy once more glanced down upon Elmpaw before continuing, "Elmpaw, please step forwards."

Elmpaw's green eyes widened in surprise and he stumbled to his feet, blinking in the chilly air. Your ears are playing tricks on you, he thought, closing his eyes. He shook his head once, looking back up to peer up at Swiftstep. He wouldn't let his doubts hold him back, not today. Paws trembling, he stepped forward, stretching up to his full height at the base of the Tallrock.

Swiftstep couldn't help the tiny smile that formed on his muzzle. He could slightly sense the apprentice's hesitation but that was understandable. It feels unreal, almost like a dream, when you're beckoned forward during a clan meeting and being told it's your warrior ceremony.

"I, Swiftstep, deputy of Windclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in return. Elmpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I--" he stammered quietly, his voice coming out as an embarrassing squeak. He cleared his throat, trying again, this time raising his voice. "I do."

Swiftstep smiled warmly and nodded in satisfaction. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Elmpaw, from this moment you will be known as Elmskip. StarClan honors your perseverance and dedication, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan." The deputy hopped down from atop the Tallrock and rested his muzzle on top of the new warrior's head, finishing the ceremony.

"Brindlestar is very proud of you Elmskip. You have come far and i'm certain that you will go even farther as a warrior of our clan. May Starclan always light your path." After speaking to the newly named warrior, the deputy joined the rest of the clan in chanting the tom's name.