Ferretnose's Elder Ceremony

It seemed that just as soon as ThunderClan had added a warrior to their ranks, they were going to lose another one.

For the same reason Nettlestar had been excited to gain a warrior, she was nervous to lose one. She still had no clue what had happened to Laurelkit, and the lack of tangible evidence made her uncomfortable. The she-cat had never had the greatest imagination, and she was struggling to come up with ideas for what to do about a problem that had very little information attached to it. And at least if ThunderClan had as many active warriors as possible, the clan could be prepared for anything, even if she, on a personal level, wasn't. She didn't even know if there was anything they actually needed to be prepared for, but she certainly would feel better if they were.

But despite her apprehension at seeing a good warrior retire, she wasn't about to deny Ferretnose her request. That wouldn't be fair. And Nettlestar always wanted to be fair.

So she started the ceremony.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock for a clan meeting!"

There are many signs that an old tree is due to fall. In a territory as dense as ThunderClan's, where vines are like tripwires and boulders come loose with the growing of new roots, it's one of those old queen's tales every cat ought to know. Ferretnose once heard that when a tree is about to fall, squirrels run down it backwards, tail-first. She wished that feeling her own body fail was that whimsical. She knew her tree was falling by the creak of her bones. Her pelt was a duller, more ashen color in the tabby stripes burying the youthful shiny of her thick, short pelt. Her heart had begun to stammer. She sometimes lost track of her steps. The only thing that remained was her nose, for which she was named.

She had considered taking a new name, Cloudeye, in her retirement, but ultimately it was her strong nose that changed her mind. Ferretnose. A strong name.

She took her place in front of Nettlestar, interlacing her tail with Harefoot's, happy to join him in old age, at last giving up her duties to the younger ones. It wasn't nearly as difficult as she had expected it to be. Like all aspects of clan life, she embraced this new opportunity to serve ThunderClan. She glanced halfway to one side to watch her sons and daughter take their place among the ranks of ThunderClan, and for a moment, Ferretnose felt a lump grow in her throat. They were like little clones of their parents... not so little anymore, and yet, the old queen was reminded of the seasons. Leaves and berries come and go, but the trees remain.

Nettlestar waited and watched for Fetternose's arrival along with the rest of the clan.

She very nearly let out a sigh as she continued to worry about being one more warrior short, but the gray she-cat caught herself before she could make any outward display of her inner concerns. Besides, there were plenty of apprentices on the brink of warriorhood. Their ranks would keep growing soon. And ThunderClan wasn't so short on warriors as is that a senior warrior making the choice to have a much deserved retirement would cripple them. She had to stop thinking as if it would.  

"Ferretnose-- Is it your wish to give up the rank of a warrior and go to join the elders?"

Cedarheart stood, hearing her leader’s call. She spotted her mother, next to Harefoot. She smiled a sad little smile, treading over and settling just a bit behind them. Her mother had been showing her age lately, and it was no surprise she was retiring. Now she would be able to live out her life peacefully with Harefoot, something that was every warrior’s dream. The tabby wished Beartooth was there, that they able to have all three mates together. She had never known him, and neither had Beecloud, who was his son. They had never felt like half-siblings, it had always just been brother and sister.

She waited, green eyes glowing. She prayed that leaf-bare would treat them well. They deserved that, after everything that had happened. They deserved their rest.

"It is!" Ferretnose trilled, a softer element to her voice than usual. As the words bubbled up from her tongue she felt ease settle into her joints. Her wait was over.

---

Beecloud wandered closer to the ceremony and rested his head on Cedarheart's shoulder, a deep and languid sigh rattling his chest. He was very happy for his mother, but he was worried for the clan. It seemed that every day, another strong and wise senior warrior was whisked away to the elders' den. How long until he was the warrior everyone sought out for advice and protection? He hardly felt good enough to carry that banner. His eyes flickered up to his sister, who was mature enough for all three siblings. She would do just fine.

When the time came, would he prove himself to ThunderClan? Or would he falter at the paws of someone who sought to destroy them?

Nettlestar dipped her head in acknowledgement. All that was left, then, was to speak the remaining words of the ceremony and confirm Ferretnose's switch from warrior to elder. The gray-pelted leader was still not all that happy to be one more warrior down, but nevertheless she hoped the older she-cat would enjoy her well-earned rest.


"Then ThunderClan honors you, Ferretnose, and all you have done for this clan. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest,"