Ploverpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Goldengale's extra time in camp had made more time for talking. The she-cat's leg had been healing well, and Finchstar enjoyed finding her in sun spots, going over the current happenings. Of course there was always much to converse over. The influx in foxes on WindClan's territory was certainly troubling, but Finchstar would smile as he knew they'd leave eventually. Not all beasts were suited to the moor. Ploverpaw had also been a topic of interest. Goldengale's first apprentice, and a very interesting pair. Ploverpaw in fact was much older than his mentor, having gotten kidnapped by twolegs during his apprenticeship. Times had changed afterward, Brindlestar had passed. The tom's family had came and gone. And now he returned alone, coming back to the clan he was born into, still a 'paw. It was intriguing to watch Ploverpaw's interactions with his younger mentor, and Finchstar applauded Raventail for the choice. It seemed they both learned from one another, but at long last, it was time. Finchstar sat atop the Tallrock, gazing at his clan with a smile. The wind these days had become nippy, carrying the scent of Leaf-fall. It was the perfect scenery for Ploverpaw himself. How glorious it was to have a ceremony under the white, white sky. Finchstar wondered what the apprentice could possibly be thinking, and admired his adventures. It was far from a normal coming-of-age, but not any less glorious. "All cats old enough to run the moor, gather beneath the Tallrock for a clan meeting!"

Goldengale's leg had now healed, and though it sometimes still ached if she slept on it funny the limp was gone from her step. There was a nice scarred set of teeth marks that bore as a symbol of the battle, but otherwise the young warrior had moved on. In the time of her confinement to camp (especially after going after Raventail and facing another attack) she and Finchstar had plenty of time to talk. She had spoken her praise of Ploverpaw's initiative and courage in the battle, and in the time since with his patrols. She spoke with the leaders of the patrols, and they always had great things to say about her first apprentice. It was with pride and excitement that she announced to Finchstar that she believed he was ready to earn his long-deserved name.

The day finally arrived, and Goldengale groomed herself until her gold tabby fur shone in the sunlight, seeking out her apprentice with a smile on her face. Giving him a small, nondescript nod as she took a place at the front of the gathering crowd, she tried to contain her glee as she waited for the ceremony to begin.

Ploverpaw knew the day was coming for his warrior name but he didn't know exactly when. He felt he didn't deserve it just yet, but that was his own doubt inside him speaking and not actual truth. The tom did his best to keep his rather fluffy fur clean and straightened out, but the wind always had to mess it up. Long fur and wind didn't go well together. As soon as the leader called for the meeting the tom padded over to join the others. Maybe it was today? If so what name would he get?

Ploverpaw's fur was akin to Raventail's in its length. It never failed to make Finchstar chuckle as the wind would carry it in all directions. Sometimes the leader would wish he could borrow some length from his furrier counterparts, especially in leaf-bare, when the days got cold. However today they stood together for a different reason then pelt-trading. Ploverpaw sat below with his mentor as the rest of the clan gathered, and Finchstar beamed, ready to give this long-time apprentice the name he had earned a thousand times over. "WindClan, we gather here today to give a new name to one of our wayward adventurers." The leader's eyes sparkled as he knew there were many. "Ploverpaw, you perhaps have seen more of this forest than the rest of us combined, and yet you remain here in this sandy dip in the moor on your own accord. Your loyalty astounds me, 'paw, and I am enamored with the heart you carry. Stars, had I known you resided in the twolegplace, I would have trekked over there myself to do the warrior ceremony you have undisputedly earned. However you've made things easy for me, and now sit here." Finchstar's voice was full of honey, a small chuckle clinging to the ends of every sentence. "Ploverpaw, step forward please."

Ploverpaw listened as Finchstar spoke. His heart filling with pride as the leader spoke highly of him. The gray apprentice always thought Finchstar was a great cat even with his interesting personality. Though he couldn't help but feel a slight doubt about him earning his warrior name. It was common in him. He was sure there was still more to prove. Clearing his head of his thoughts when he was called forward the fluffy tom walked forward. He turned to face the clan that had only started to get to know him, but hopefully he would have his spot among them soon enough. He was loyal to them.

Finchstar's eyes creased in a smile as the old apprentice made his way before the Tallrock. He stood mature, with a noble aura and a loving heart. The leader wished he had known Ploverpaw as a kit, wished he could have watched him grow. But the gray-and-white tom had seen things no other clan cat had experienced. He had walked with Twolegs and explored lands unknown. It would be selfish to wish for a life with Ploverpaw, taking his adventure away in return. No, this cat was meant to roam, to wander. Finchstar loved the hearts that rode the wind and purred as they passed by him in life. A warrior ceremony was a sacred tradition, an oath to clan life, and all the things it entailed. But Finchstar knew deep down that it was never meant to entrap those wandering hearts. May Ploverpaw remain free ever still. "I, Finchstar, leader 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 as a warrior to you in return." The ancient words, the long-ago ceremony. They entwined their beings with things like these, glowing as brilliantly as the sun. "Ploverpaw, do you promise to uphold the code, and protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Ploverpaw looked at the gathered cats. He knew once he accepted his warrior name there was no going to Skyclan like his mother suggested. As much as he wanted to see his family he knew that Skyclan wasn't the home for him. He chose Windclan many moons ago, even if it felt wrong at the time he had a loyalty to them. He focused back in on Finchstar's words. Did he promise to defend this clan? His clan? Of course he did. "I do." He said his voice steady and even, confidence in his tone as he spoke those words. This is what he wanted. This is what he chose. For once this was for him.

Finchstar smiled as Ploverpaw spoke the two earth-shattering words. Curious, where loyalties decided they should lie. Finchstar only wished for the gray-and-white tom to feel free as all cats should. No matter if that was SkyClan or as a loner. But he had chosen the moor. The wiry cats and the swift heather. It was an honor and humbled the leader as he chuckled quietly to himself. Oh, he would never tire of the hearts around him. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Ploverpaw, from this moment forward, you shall be known as Ploverpuddle. StarClan honors your determination and bravery to face the unknown. I am honored to welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan." Grinning widely, the orange patched tabby leapt from the Tallrock and padded to Ploverpuddle's side, yellow eyes creased in amusement. Cheers roared around him as he meant the newest warrior's face. "I find your undying dedication to be something of an inspiration, friend. You are driven and I admire you. I cannot wait to see where the wind takes you." Feeling lighter than air, Finchstar rose his maw to the sky and cheered with the others.

"Ploverpuddle! Ploverpuddle! Ploverpuddle!"

Goldengale approached the newly names warrior, touching her nose to his. "A wonderful name, Ploverpuddle. Congratulations, and if you ever need anything, I'll always be just a few tail lengths away. You've done well, and I'm proud of you." Goldengale smiled at the older cat who she had been charged with when he returned, and nodded respectfully to him. He had earned this, and as she stepped back to raise his new name to the sky above, she smiled brightly.

Ploverpuddle... He was named after his mother. He knew the name choice wasn't intentional but it was important to him. As soon as he heard it for the first time, it took all of his strength not to show any change in emotion but pride. To him his name meant his mother would always be by his side. He knew she already was when he spoke to her on his Moonstone journey but more so now that they shared the name.

His attention turned to Finchstar and the other cats as they started to celebrate his warrior name. Finchstar admired him? He didn't quite understand why but the leader's words made him happy. He looked at his mentor as she spoke up next. "Thank you. Both of you." Ploverpuddle said to both of them.