Wrenspring's Elder Ceremony

Another day, another cat younger than him that Wolfstar would see retire to the elders' den. SkyClan's leader padded back into camp, after a morning hunt that he'd come back from empty-pawed. He was just too distracted, too... torn, on what he had to do. Not just with Wrenspring, but with Bloodstrike, and Briarthorn, and... SkyClan. Wolfstar had never felt as old as he did right now, today, and though his bones weren't brittle and his mind was still clear, he was tired. And he just didn't know how to fix it. Part of him envied Wrenspring on this day, and as he climbed up to stand at the entrance of his den, surveying the cats that meandered around the camp in an effort to escape the heat, he found himself wishing for a quiet retirement. But SkyClan wasn't ready yet. Bloodstrike wasn't ready yet. He just hoped that one day, he would be.

"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather before me for a clan meeting!"

Wrenspring knew what this meeting was for. It wasn't a shock or surprise in the slightest but it had settled within the tom a particular resignation. For a majority of his life, he had been reckless and persistent. But there was a time for everything and it appeared his had come. The onset of a particularly bad twist of his paw had left him limping. After so many moons of different injuries, this was what would finally taken him out. Beechface had reassured him that it wasn't for lack of a weak will. Rather, as he had come to know, with passing seasons, not all things could heal. This certainly wasn't due to poor skill or low effort on the medicine cat's part. Slowly and painfully, in ways that surpassed physicality, the gray and white tom sought out the base of the tallbranch. This would be finite - not turning back, and he had to figure out how to come to terms with that sometimes. Wrenspring was not as spry as he used to be. Perhaps... the rest would be nice.

"Today we are gathered to honor the moons of service and loyalty, and witness the retirement of, a SkyClan warrior." He repeated the words he'd spoken less than a moon ago, during Redfall's ceremony, his amber-gold eyes resting on Wrenspring. "Wrenspring, is it your wish to give up the name and rank of warrior, and join the elders' den?"

"Yes, it is." Saying it aloud felt condemning but he pressed it away with a flicker of his crooked tail. Wrenspring forced the determination into his green gaze, tipping his head ever to sloghtly to the leader. His injured paw was placed firmly into the earth, at an ever odd angle, but the strong pose showed his dedication.

"Wrenspring, you have honored SkyClan with many moons of service," Wolfstar said solemnly. "Countless times you've shown bravery and loyalty where others may not have - SkyClan is better off for having you around... and I am honored to have been a warrior at your side." The leader dipped his head, silent for a second, and then lifted it once more to stare Wrenspring in the eye. Once, he'd considered making the tom his deputy. Many times since then, he'd almost wished he had.

Exhaling through his nostrils, Wolfstar continued. "I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest... may your retirement be peaceful and without strife." He slid down and padded forward, briefly touching his nose to the top of the gray-and-white tom's head and saying, quietly, "Thank you,. You've always been loyal to me... to SkyClan," before moving off to continue his brooding in solitude.

Ravenclaw watched the ceremony from a decent distance, unable to stand any closer less her heart, held together by spare herbs from the medicine den, shatter into many little pieces. Wrenspring entering the elder's den felt like the true finality to their little relationship. If only it had been real... Would anything have changed? She was sure it would have. She just couldn't say for sure what would have changed. Everything, probably.

Juniperlight was similarly dismayed by the announcement. He could see even his brother had difficulty, but if it was what Wrenspring wished, then he deserved moons of rest. He stepped forward with a soft and sad smile. ”Wrenspring, my dear friend, you have my love and respect. Your retirement changes nothing between us. I hope you find peace and comfort in how valuable your seasons of service are. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything, please.” He tapped his nose gently to Wrenspring’s nose. After he said his piece, Juniperlight stepped aside as well, and he moved to Wolfstar’s side with a calming purr.

"And I always will be. Thank you, Wolfstar." Wrenspring bowed his head with a low sigh, a bittersweet smile across his maw. After so many moons, it felt odd to stand before the clan, with all their eyes trained on him. But he also felt surrounded by love, and kin. A particular warmth seemed to soak his pelt. The sensation that flowed through his paws maintained the smile as he met Ravenclaw's eyes, blinking slowly, gratefully. Just when he was certain could not become even more overwhelmed by the moment, Juniperlight approached.

He stared into the gaze of his life-long friend, emotion catching in his throat. It took a moment for Wrenspring to find words, just before the warrior pulled away. His sentiment was a low whisper, "Hey, Juni... I'll make my nest big enough for the two of us, just in case you get cold, alright?"