Goldenfern's Perma-Queen Ceremony

"Let all cats safe from the bramble's thorns gather beneath this rock for a clan meeting."

What a shock it had been when Goldenfern had approached her and Mottlestar, requesting to be released from her warrior's duties. Perhaps on some level she wasn't that surprised - the fighting required would cause a toll on any softhearted cat and Goldenfern...She was one of the sweetest cats that Acornstem knew. Her plead had been heartfelt and neither the deputy nor leader could find the strength to object. While they could use all of the paws they could get... They would simply have to make do, even if it was an extra shame because Goldenfern was one of the few cats in ThunderClan who had escaped the illness it seemed.

Goldenfern had thought long and hard about this decision. She had always aspired to have kits of her own and a happy family, but the world seemed determined to rid her of every chance of happiness. She had remained a warrior then because ThunderClan was small and had little warriors, but now... looking at the crowds of Warriors and Apprentices that gathered for this ceremony, she knew that she was no longer needed to hunt and provide for the Clan. She could now offer her help to queens and kits, something she was confident that she could do well. The golden tabbyapproached the front of the crowd and sat down, tail curled around her paws.

Acornstem let out a soft, wistful sigh as she raised her head as the Clan gathered. "I've called you all here to celebrate a life well-lived," she started, pausing to cough a few times before she shook her head and continued. "A few sunrises ago, Goldenfern approached Mottlestar and I with a simple request - she has lived her life proudly as a warrior, but it is not where she sees her place within ThunderClan anymore. And so, I have called you all here so we can all cheer what a boon Goldenfern was as a warrior and mentor...And how she will continue to serve the Clan as a queen, protecting and nurturing our future generations. But as tradition..."

Her gaze fell onto the warrior, giving her a smile. She knew the answer - this has been at Goldenfern's own request but if this was to be a proper ceremony, then the rest of the Clan deserved to hear the answer from her own muzzle. "Goldenfern, is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the queens?"

Goldenfern felt her throat run dry as Acornstem began the ceremony, knowing that after this there was no going back. And then it was her turn to speak, to confirm for her clanmates and herself that this was truly what she wanted. "It is," she replied, her voice far more firm than it had been at her warrior ceremony. She would deal with what her clanmates thought of this later, though the urge to turn around and look at the faces of her mother and her son was near impossible to ignore.

Acornstem smiled softly, nodding as Goldenfern gave her answer. "Then your desire is granted - ThunderClan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest as you care for our future warriors," she called out with a purr, before she hopped down from the rock and closed the distance. "It is an honor to know that you will be supporting our Clan for moons to come, Goldenfern. You deserve the happiness of being a forever queen."

Goldenfern dipped her head as thanks as the ceremony drew to a close. She would thank Mottlestar and Acornstem personally later, but for now her attention was taken by a shocked cry. Flysnap couldnt believe what he was seeing. His mother, one of the best warriors in ThunderClan, was giving up her title when she was so young in favor of staying in the nursery all day? The tom couldnt understand why she would do that, but he knew that it was a mistake. He burst out of the crowd to rush to his foster mother, desperate gaze searching hers for some kind of hint that it was all a joke. Goldenfern sighed. She knew that this would happen with Flysnap. She waved her tail to signal for him to calm down, then quietly brought him to the side, away from the rest of the Clan. It was time they had this talk.