TEoV Excerpt #4

Cirindiel trained harder then anyone, he became the best lore-master that any of the elves had heard of.  Malladryl also trained hard in her study of runic use.  At their sixteenth birthday, Daelinia gave Cirindiel a yew staff.  And Malladryl as a rune keeper picked her element of runic choice and received The Runes of Fire.  “Cirindiel, you have trained hard in the ways of lore, this yew staff will allow you to call any animal to your aid, at any time, take care of it when you go,” She said handing the beautiful staff to him, “I will mother,” He replied, “Malladryl, you have trained hard also in your studies of runes, take these, they will allow you to control fire, and no harm will come to you from fire as long as they are with you,” She handed her a satchel that carried the two runes, “Thank you ever so much mother,” Malladryl smiled and hugged her mother.  Cirindiel also hugged his mother, then walked out of their house and strode towards the training field, Malladryl followed from behind.  Strapping the staff on his back he walked over to the trainer, “15 trainer dummies, level 8 please,” He said, “Level 8? You’re too young for level 8, come back in a few years or try the level 5,” The elf said, Cirindiel took his staff from its place, “Level 8, now,” He replied, “Your death,” The elf shrugged, the elf prepared the dummies, Malladryl sat on a bench waiting for her turn.  Lifting his staff he said aloud, “I summon from the ancient lore a companion of choice,” He chanted, his staff began twirling, “An eagle companion I call upon for protection,” He continued chanting.  An enormous shadow covered the field, Malladryl looked up.  The eagle flew down by Cirindiel.  Cirindiel held out his arm and it perched on his shoulder, he turned and winked at Malladryl.  The training dummies attacked, “Attack!” Cirindiel commanded the eagle.  Using his staff he disposed of two attack dummies, a third, the eagle had the forth and fifth.  Easily they disposed all 15 dummies and walked back towards the elf who sat stunned, “Your turn,” He said smiling to Malladryl, she nodded and stood up, “Same I assume?” Asked the elf sighing, Malladryl nodded and readied herself.  Grabbing the runes out of her satchel, her eyes lit up red, and the drawings on them dazzled with light.  The dummies appeared, she let out all the stored up energy through the runes, blasts of fire shot from the ground, striking the dummies down.  She ran towards one, flipping over the top she struck one down with her foot, fire fell from the sky.  One by one they fell, until 15 burning dummies, strewn in piles were all that was left.   Malladryl smiled and put her runes away.  Hidden behind a tree Elrond smiled and nodded, “Daelinia has taught them well,” He said folding his arms behind him and walking away in thought.  

They continued to learn even more of their new found skills.  Cirindiel learned how to control air and fire and lightning, Malladryl learned to control ice, fire, water, lightning, and others.  Cirindiel and Malladryl had just turned 20.  Daelinia had grown elderly and was dying, Cirindiel and Malladryl lay watch next to their mother.  “Do not worry about me my children, I will be alright, Cirindiel, now that you have turned 20 you will be thrown out of this fair city,” She explained, “Because I am man?” He asked, “Yes, that is the reason, you are old enough to take care of yourself, I have fostered you well,” She stopped and smiled, “Goodbye my children,” She finished, “Goodbye mother,” They replied, Daelinia died and was buried.  Later that day, Cirindiel was kicked out of the elf city.  And Malladryl was banished, for she had refused to let them kick Cirindiel out, they wept.  Slowly they wandered towards Bree. 

 

TEoV Excerpt #3

Daelinia, Cirindiel and Malladryl stayed with the midwives for several years, the two children learned to walk, talk and read, and in turn Cirindiel never knew he was man, and not elf.  They got in to all sorts of trouble together, from mixing up the midwives medicine, to putting bugs into their beds.  Oh how mischievous they were! Finally the midwives said that the two were healthy and strong enough to make the journey to Vaslantis, “We will go, I will train Cirindiel in the ways of my ancestors, he will learn how to fight, and when he is old enough, he will go out on his own, this I promise you,” Said Daelinia, “Then go, and may He bless you!” The midwives replied.  Daelinia went to her room and called Cirindiel and Malladryl to her, “We are leaving, pack your things, we will be gone by noon,” She said, “But momma, why are we leaving?” Asked Cirindiel, “We must go back to Vaslantis, it is where I belong,” She replied, “Okay momma,” He replied tramping off to pack his things, “Momma,” Said Malladryl tugging on her shirt, “Yes dear?” She replied, “What is mister Elrond going to say?” She asked, “Say? Say what?” Daelinia asked confused, “About Cirindiel, being a man,” Replied little Malladryl, Daelinia sighed, “I don’t know dear one, we will just have to see,” She replied, Malladryl left and packed her things.  Daelinia turned back to her things when Cirindiel came back in, “Momma, can I take my staff with me?” He asked, “Your staff? But it’s just a stick,” She replied, “But it’s my lore-masters staff!” He argued, “Lore-masters staff, where did you learn about that?” She asked, “I read it in a book, I wanna be a lore-master when I grow up big and tall!” He exclaimed bounding out of the room, Daelinia sighed a second time, “Kids,” She smiled.

The horses steadily trotted on, Daelinia on her spotted palfrey, Malladryl on her grey mare, and Cirindiel on his black stallion.  It took several hours to reach their new home.  As they entered, elves came to celebrate Daelinia’s return, and to look upon her child Malladryl, when they saw Cirindiel they stopped, and cast questioning eyes on Daelinia, some murmured and whispered what they thought, Elrond strode over, “What is this?” He asked nodding towards Cirindiel, “This is my son,” Replied Daelinia, gasps from the crowd, “Is there something wrong with me?” Cirindiel asked, “Explain to me, how he is your son,” Elrond motioned for them to follow, obediently they followed him, he lead them into his home and sat down, pointed for them to sit, and continued, “There better be a good reason for this,” He exclaimed, Daelinia sighed, “Cirindiel is not my son, I am only fostering him until he is old enough to go out on his own, his mother died in childbirth,” She said turning to Cirindiel, “I was going to tell you when I thought you were old enough to understand,” She said, Cirindiel sat there, “My mother is dead?” He asked, Daelinia nodded, “Cirindiel, I am so sorry, I’ve tried to be the best mother I am able to be, “She said,“ You have been the best mother, ”Cirindiel replied,“ What do you want me to do?” Asked Elrond, “He is a man, and we are elf,” He said, “Let him stay, he said himself he wants to learn to become a lore-master! Let me train him; he will be one of us!” Daelinia exclaimed, “No, he will never be one of us, I will let you train him, teach him to fight, but, when he gets to be 20 years old, he will leave,” Elrond said, Daelinia sighed, “What you have said will be done,” She said leading her son and daughter out. 

 

"TEoV" Excerpt #2

In the days when Elves and men lived together, everyone was at peace.  There was a women named Kalithain, she was near the expected time to give birth to her son, her husband had been killed in a fight.  As the time grew closer she left her home and went to stay at the midwives house, it took her several days, and on those nights when she slept she dreamt she would never make it.  She arrived at the midwives house where another, an elf, was in labor.  The midwives grabbed her and led her to her room.  They bustled about getting prepared.  A burst of pain hit her, she tried to hold in her scream but it let out, with a loud wail. The midwives rushed in, one at her side holding her hand, and one instructing her.  She screamed, and wailed, and finally lost consciousness.

Across the room the elf, who’s name is Daelinia, had successfully given birth to her daughter, “A very successful birth if you ask me,” one of the midwives remarked to another as they scanned the baby, “Yes indeed, this one is very healthy,” The other pointed out, “But Kalithain, poor Kalithain, what will we do with her boy?” The other asked, at this the she elf stirred, “What happened to her?” She asked, “I’m sorry to say, she died, it was a hard labor,” The midwife replied, “Who will take the baby?” Daelinia asked, “Who knows, someone who will foster him until he is old enough to go out on his own I suppose,” said the midwife, “I will foster him,” Daelinia said, “Daelinia are you sure?” The midwife asked, “I am positive,” She replied, “But you, you’re a—““An elf?” Daelinia snapped, her violet eyes flashing, “I do not care, I will foster the child, my husband has died, and I only have one child, I can take care of two,” She insisted.   “Now fetch me the child, he needs a name,” She said straightening her blond hair.  “Yes, Daelinia,” The midwife replied and left.  On the way to the other room the midwife met another and told her the news, “Daelinia is going to foster Kalithain’s boy, along with her own? What great news,” The elder midwife said her cheeks turning joyously pink.  “Now hurry along and fetch the child and take him to her,” She continued, “Yes ma’am,” The other said.  The midwife returned with the child in arms, he was quite healthy, he had blotches of freckles along his cheeks, with brown hair, and piercing hazel eyes,  She handed the baby to Daelinia, “Hello there little one, how charming,” Daelinia said, “I shall call you Cirindiel, for it means, Elf-Friend,” She handed the baby back to the midwife, “Now bring me my daughter, I must name her also,” She asked, the midwife nodded and laid little Cirindiel in a crib and picked up the girl, the girl like her mother had blond hair, blue eyes took in everything around her,  she handed her to Daelinia, “And you my precious little girl, you will be Malladryl, for it means Friend Of Man,” She handed Malladryl back to the midwife, “Now leave me to rest,” She said.

 

Excerpts of "The Elves of Valantria" #1

The man was shouting, swords were crashing around him as he ran.  The man looked around frantically, “Malladryl!  Malladryl where are you?” He thought, men raced all around him, “Oh dear Lord, give her speed,” He prayed quickly, he ran towards the pile of rubble that provided little coverage for the men behind fighting for their lives.  He glanced through the men, hoping she was with them.   “Swords draw your swords they are coming!” A man shouted, “Cirindiel, where are they?” The man shouting orders asked, Cirindiel shook his head and drew the staff from behind his back in a ready fighting stance, his hooded cape blowing in the light breeze, several men came out of the barracks that surrounded the camp, there were more boys then men in the group.  He continued searching for her, everything started speeding up, men raced past him from behind, evil looking men, and with swords so long they were almost unbearable to carry.  “Defend the tower! Defend it with your lives!”  The general shouted to the men, the boys, barely 14, were shaking so hard, their swords were too heavy and could barely be lifted.  Everything slowed down again.  Cirindiel and the boys fought hard, at that moment a Horn blew.  He spun around and stared, and then a cry rose up from the men in line guarding the tower, “The Elves of Valantria! They have not forgotten us! We are saved!” they cried.  A palomino horse galloped in, Malladryl somersaulted off as the horse stopped its gallop.  She was clad in scarlet and gold armor and a gold crown.  She had brought with her an army, sages, knights, archers, Lore-Masters, and rune keepers, the evil men turned and fled before them.  Disposing of one of the men in her way she walked over to him, “Worried about me Cirindiel? How charming,” She smiled flicking some lint off the young mans shoulder, Cirindiel smiled and hugged her, “Greetings Malladryl, I was worried sick, for I thought you had perished,” He replied as elves ran past him in pursuit of the evil men, “Perished? An elf hardly perishes,” She said laughing.  “I know things weren’t always like this, were they?” He asked remembering back, “You’re still a runaway?” She replied smiling.

 

Excerpt #7 Last chapter, for now ;)

Diamondheart and Shadowpaw marched into camp carrying two mice a vole and squirrel. They dropped it on the fresh-kill pile, Shadowpaw ran over to his sister and they walked to their den and started scuffling about.  Diamondheart looked around the camp, when he spotted Frostfur he started walking towards her, “Hi Frostfur, how did training go with Willowpaw?” He asked nodding towards the two apprentices practicing their fighting moves.  “Fine.” Frostfur meowed turning and stalking towards the warriors den.  “Frostfur!’ He called, “Whats eating her?” He thought, he shook his head and walked over to Leafpool’s den, “Whats wrong this time Diamondheart?” Leafpool called from inside the den, he  flinched, “Its Frostfur, she seems to be upset with me for some reason, and I can’t think of why,” He said lying down and resting his head on his paws, “Have you ever thought that going hunting with Skystorm has anything to do with it?” Leafpool meowed a reply, he jumped up his neck fur bristling, “I was just being nice! Skystorm is a friend, just like Teddypelt!” He started shouting, then stopped and shook his head, “I’m sorry Leafpool, I didn’t mean to shout,” apologetically he gave her ear a quick lick,  Leafpool nodded and continued to move her supplies around, she turned to look him straight in the eyes, “You should tell her how you feel, before you lose the chance, why don’t you go look for some chervil root, I could really use some more,” She asked, He nodded, “Thanks Leafpool, I’ll do my best,” He meowed nodding a thanks and walked out, Leafpool sighed “Not only am I a medicine cat, I’m a psychiatrist, Starclan forbid I heal anyone of mere wounds, always broken hearts!” She said rolling her eyes, Diamondheart let out a mrrow of amusement as he walked over to Firestar who sat grooming himself by his den, “Firestar, may I take a small patrol to look for some more chervil root for Leafpool?” He asked sitting down in front of his leader, Firestar looked at him for a moment and nodded, “Of course, try not to take too long though, we can’t afford to lose anymore warriors,” Firestar glanced around, “We have too few already,” He said so quietly that Diamondheart wasn’t sure if he heard him.  Diamondheart nodded his thanks and set out to look for Frostfur.  She sat beside the warriors den sunning herself and licking down her chest so that it lay neatly down.  “Frostfur!” Diamondheart called, “What do you want O’ mighty Diamondheart?” She said hotly, “Frostfur, Leafpool asked me to ask you to help me look for chervil root, she needs more for her stock,” He replied ignoring the fact that she had just tried insult him, Frostfur nodded, “Sure what do I care? I have nothing else to do,” She glared at him and walked toward the camp entrance, Starclan help me! He thought as he followed her out of the camp.



Diamondheart raced after Frostfur, keeping up with her was the easy part, but finding chervil, now that’s different.  Frostfur skidded to a halt, and began sniffing around the plants in the area to see if she could smell the unmistakable scent of the herb.  Diamondheart dashed through to where Frostfur stood, he sat down trying to catch his breath.  He looked up at Frostfur, who was gazing at him, when their eyes met she looked away.  Diamondheart sighed and stood up, “I guess that chervil isn’t going to find it and leap into our laps,” He meowed, Frostfur nodded, they continued to pick their way through the thick gorse bracken that was all around.  Finally a familiar scent flooded his mouth, Diamondheart spotted the herb immediately, he sat down, “Can we rest a second before we pick this chervil?” He asked Frostfur who was breathing rather hard.  She looked at him for a second with grateful eyes, then they changed, “Sure, if you’re tired,” She meowed.  “I’m not tired, I was worried about you,” He replied, Frostfur shrugged, “Then lets get the chervil so we can get back to camp,” She retorted, they began to chew off the stems and leaves of the plant, not paying attention Frostfur bumped into Diamondheart, “Sorry,” She said, Diamondheart shook his head and sat down, “No, I’m sorry, I never should have gone hunting with Skystorm, I thought I was being friendly, I mean we are friends and all, I never thought it would hurt you so much,” He stopped, “I never doubted my love for you,” His head and shoulders sagged, Frostfur sat down beside him and began licking him affectionately, “You are in my dreams Frostfur, I cannot go anywhere without thinking of you, I cannot live without you,” He continued, laying down, she fell down beside him. She continued to lick him, his face, then his ears, they huddled together, pelts brushing against each other warming them.  They fell asleep.

Diamondheart shot bolt upright, had they really fallen asleep in the middle of the forest? He looked around; Frostfur still lay next to him.  He stood up and nudged Frostfur, “Hmm?” She lifted her head and blinked several times, then stood up and shook her fur, “We should get the chervil and go,” She said starting to pick up the leaves of chervil, Diamondheart picked up the stems and they started to pad back to camp.  A patrol was walking out of the entrance of the camp when they arrived, Firestar at the lead, “Where have you been?” He demanded, glaring first at Frostfur then Diamondheart, “We—we were picking chervil and stopped to rest and fell asleep,” Frostfur muttered lowering her head,  Firestar shook his head, “You had us worried, try not to fall asleep next time,” He replied turning back into camp.  Frostfur and Diamondheart glanced at each other and followed her father.  They dropped the chervil off at Leafpool’s den, “You’ve been gone a long time,” She said amused, “We fell asleep,” Diamondheart retorted, “Thanks for the chervil by the way,” Leafpool meowed, Diamondheart and Frostfur nodded and walked out.  Diamondheart’s stomach growled, “I guess its time to eat,” Frostfur mewed; he followed her towards the fresh-kill pile.  They shared a squirrel.  After they finished they padded over to the warriors den and decided to lie down and began sharing tongues together. 

 

Excerpt #6

Diamondheart blinked his eyes, standing up he shook the morning dew off his grayish white pelt, it had been several moons since his vision from Starclan, he turned around and walked towards the fresh-kill pile, he sniffed around, finding a juicy vole he padded over to the warriors den, laying down he began to devour the vole.  Firestar, Frostfur, and Sandstorm walked through the entrance of the camp, Diamondheart stretched himself, shook his fur and walked over, greeting them with a bow of his head, “Is Riverclan still guarding Sunningrocks?” He asked, Firestar nodded, Diamondheart sat down and began licking his chest fur, “You know, Flowerfur’s kits are ready to be apprenticed, the sooner they are apprenticed, the sooner we have warriors,” He stopped, eyed Sandstorm and Frostfur, who nodded back, “The sooner we can take back Sunningrocks,” He added his eyes glinting, Firestar nodded respectively, “A very good idea, I will tell Flowerfur that her two kits will be apprenticed today, we shall meet at sun down, Frostfur, I expect you to be there too,” He meowed walking off, flicking his tail Sandstorm obediently followed, Frostfur looked at Diamondheart, “What was that all about?” She asked cocking her head, “We need more warriors,” He paused lowered his head and continued, “It was my fault they took Sunningrocks and murdered Goldenbrook, if only I had scented them, I could have stopped them,” He shook his head, “It is not your fault! Nobody could have known what Riverclan was going to do,” She exclaimed, “If you weren’t so stubborn you’d see how much Firestar trusts you,” She meowed and stalked off.  Diamondheart sighed and shook his head.  On his way back to the warriors den he was interrupted by Shadowkit who  was soon to be apprenticed later that day.  “Hiya Diamondheart!” He said bouncing around.  “Hello Shadowkit,” He replied flicking his tail across the kits pelt.  Shadowkit smiled and bounded toward the nursery, Diamondheart smiled “I wouldn’t mind mentoring him,” He thought.  Diamondheart decided to go hunting, passing Skystorm she asked, “Where are you going Diamondheart?” Flicking her tail in greetings, “I’m going hunting, want to join?” He asked.  “Sure!” She replied excitedly, “Let’s go!” He meowed bounding towards the tunnel entrance.   Entering the outer parts of the forest they started searching for prey.  Diamondheart sniffed around, his ears swiveled, a mouse shuffled under a leaf, nibbling on a seed it had found.  Crouching down, he began to stalk slowly towards it; he leaped and caught it in one swift moment.  Burying it where he could find it easily later. Skystorm had caught a squirrel and she buried it also.  They walked on; both caught an exceptional amount of prey, Diamondheart a mouse and two voles, and Skystorm a squirrel and raven.  They carried it back to camp and settled down with a piece of fresh-kill.  Frostfur glared at them from across the clearing.  

It was almost sundown; the apprenticeship ceremony will start soon.  Diamondheart stood up, licked his fur down and walked over to greet Frostfur and Sandstorm, Sandstorm nodded and Frostfur flicked her tail at him, she seemed upset, Diamondheart turned and stalked away towards Leafpool’s den.  The she-cat was rummaging around. “Is there something wrong Leafpool?” He asked walking up and sitting down outside of the den to watch her.  “No Diamondheart, I am just making sure all my supplies are in order,” She meowed shuffling here and there, then walked over to him and gave a big smile, “Something I can help you with?” She asked before Diamondheart shook his head.  “Well you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t need something,” She replied, “I just thought I would come to see if you needed anything,” He replied standing up, “But you don’t seem to need anything, so I’ll just be going,” He said starting to walk off, “Diamondheart,” She meowed, he turned.  “Don’t take Frostfur seriously, you’re still young, just trust each other, and nothing can keep you apart,” She mewed, Diamondheart nodded and walked off.





Firestar walked out of his den shadowed by Sandstorm and Roseheart, He leaped onto the high-rock, “Let all those old enough to catch their own prey gather here, beneath the high-rock for a clan meeting,” He meowed.  Cats began to gather, Flowerfur and her two kits, Shadowkit the kit that Diamondheart had run into, and Willowkit, Shadowkit’s smaller sister, she was completely silver with bluish green eyes.  Flowerfur herded them towards the high-rock, the followed, Firestar looked down at them, Shadowkit stepped forward towards the high-rock, “Shadowkit, you are strong, and ready to be apprenticed, you will have great courage, You will be known as Shadowpaw, I have spoken to Roseheart and Sandstorm, and they agree, that Diamondheart, shall be your mentor,” Firestar meowed, Shadowpaw’s smile grew so big that his sister could have fit inside, Diamondheart looked shocked.  Shadowpaw bounced over to Diamondheart’s side and bowed his head, Diamondheart licked his ears and they sat together.  Willowkit walked forward, “Willowkit, you are small, agile, and quick-thinking, you do not rush into things, You will be called Willowpaw until your warrior naming, Sandstorm, Roseheart and I debated much on this, and have decided that Frostfur, will be your mentor,” Firestar meowed, Willowpaw smiled walked over to Frostfur and she licked her ears, and they sat together, “I have finished, go back to your dens and rest,” Firestar finished.  Diamondheart and Frostfur smiled at each other.  They had finally become mentors!



“Come on Shadowpaw, I’m not that scary, am I?” Diamondheart said letting out a mrrow of laughter.  Shadowpaw stood up, shaking himself vigorously, “Oh Diamondheart, I’ll never be able to learn all these techniques, I can’t even beat you!” He mewed upset.  Diamondheart sighed and sat down beside his apprentice, “When I was an apprentice to Sandstorm, she told me once, that fighting and hunting skills will come when they are most needed,” He sat up and began licking his paw, “You can’t expect them to be perfect, now do you? It takes practice Shadowpaw, you have to learn, you have to practice as hard as you can, then, one day you will be as strong as I am” He continued, “Well, no, I guess... But couldn’t they be at least half perfect?” Shadowpaw replied, “I guess it depends on you, if you think you can be perfect with your fighting skills, and hunting skills, you can, but you have to listen, and learn, and push hard,”  Diamondheart replied, “But... you don’t have to worry too hard, you just started and look how far you’ve come!” Diamondheart added,         Shadowpaw perked up, “I guess you’re right, can we go hunting now?” He asked, “Of course, we can never have enough fresh-kill,” Diamondheart replied getting up and padding after the young apprentice.

 

Excerpt #5.

“Riverclan did what?” Firestar shouted lashing his tail back and forth, clan members around the camp turned and stared at their leader, “Firestar, Goldenbrook is dead, Riverclan has taken Sunningrocks, you must gather more warriors, we must drive them off, Sunningrocks has been ours ever since Bluestar was leader,” Roseheart meowed, Firestar shook his head, “How long?” He meowed. “How long...?” Sandstorm asked cutting in, Firestar wheeled around, “Yes, how long? How long has it been since Diamondpaw and the other apprentices have been training?” He meowed turning to look up at the stars that were shining in Silverpelt,  “Nearly 3 moons Firestar,” Sandstorm replied nuzzling him and licking his ear, Firestar shook his head and sighed, “half the time it would normally take to become a warrior,” He mewed, Sandstorm nodded, then stood up and stretched, “Firestar, think about the clan, as leader, you can do anything, if you go to war with Riverclan, your warriors will follow you to the death, but,” She paused, “Think about it, are you willing to sacrifice warriors to beat Riverclan and get Sunningrocks back?” She asked walking towards the fresh-kill pile. She turned back, and at once Firestar ran up to her and pressed his head into her warm fur, feeling her warmth spreading about his him.  “Oh Sandstorm, how will I ever tell the clan?” He said shaking his head.  “I understand Firestar, we do, need more warriors,” She replied, “Tomorrow at sunrise, I will announce the apprentices warrior ceremony,” He said, Sandstorm nodded, “As you wish Firestar,” She bowed her head and backed out of her leaders den.



Diamondpaw woke up the next morning.  He still couldn’t believe that Goldenbrook had died.  “What was Riverclan thinking? Sunningrocks is rightfully ours, and now they’ve sunken deeper now that they’ve killed a clan cat out of it!” He thought shaking his head.  He looked around lazily; several moons had passed since he had joined the clan.  He had gotten used to the daily routines.  He could smell Frostpaw’s scent, turning around, Frostpaw walked up, “Glad you’re awake,” She said, they touched noses; “Finally,” She added her eyes were filled with her amusement.  Diamondpaw smiled.  They walked to the fresh-kill pile together, Diamondpaw chose a starling from the pile and took it to eat, Frostpaw chose a vole and followed.  Gulping his meal faster then he expected he looked up in time to see Firestar and Sandstorm walk up, Diamondpaw and Frostpaw stood up and bowed their heads respectfully, Sandstorm nodded to Firestar, “We’ve spoken to Teddypaw and Skypaw, we must speak with you now,” Firestar hesitated, then continued, “Its time you became warriors,” He meowed, Frostpaw looked at Diamondpaw and did a little skip of delight.  “We will have the ceremony at Sun high, you are excused from patrols, hunting and training until then, get cleaned up nicely and be ready,” He said turning around and summoning for Sandstorm to come with a flick of his tail, Sandstorm turned, started walking off then turned back, “Diamondpaw, as your mentor, I want to say that you did extremely well, I am very proud of you, congratulations,” She said, Diamondpaw nodded and smiled, Sandstorm smiled back and followed Firestar.  Diamondpaw and Frostpaw looked at each other, smiled and ran as fast as they could towards the apprentices den.  Teddypaw and Skypaw looked up from where they were dozing in the sun,  “Did you hear the news?” Skypaw asked sitting up.  “Yes! Isn’t it great?” Frostpaw panted slowing down a bit before bowling over Teddypaw, “Well at least you hit Teddypaw and not me,” Skypaw said, before getting bowled over by a laughing Diamondpaw, they wrestled and laughed.  It was their last day as apprentices, together they had grown close, and together they had fought side by side against rogue cats, now they would become warriors!  Frostpaw leaped off Teddypaw and sat up, playfully batting his ears; Teddypaw also sat up, as did Diamondpaw and Skypaw.  Sandstorm walked over, scowling, “Its time, what happened to your grooming?” She asked suspiciously, she laughed as Skypaw batted Diamondpaw in the back of the head bowling him over, Diamondpaw shook his head and sat up, “We’re dirty...” He said starting to lick himself, the others followed suit.  Diamondpaw finished and started helping the others; they finished and followed Sandstorm to the High-Rock.  Firestar was already there, Sandstorm nodded, and he climbed onto the rock, “Let all those old enough to catch their own prey, gather here beneath the High-Rock for a clan meeting,” He shouted.  Clan cats lazily walked towards the High-Rock and gathered together and looked up expectantly.  Diamondpaw and his friends stood next to the big rock, Firestar looked around, “We have lost many warriors and apprentices this leaf-bare, thankfully, we haven’t lost any of our kits, I come to you today, introducing Thunderclan’s newest Warriors!” His voice thundered around the camp, meows of happiness came from the gathered cats, “Step forward, Teddypaw,” Firestar meowed, Teddypaw climbed the rock and sat in front of Firestar, “Teddypaw, you have shown your worth for the clan, both in hunting and battle, you are strong and show great courage, my clan, look upon this young apprentice, I ask you, is he worthy?” He asked glancing around at the cats, “He is,” They chorused.  “I Firestar, strip you, Teddypaw of your apprentice name, you shall now be called Teddypelt,” He lowered his head and touched it on Teddypelt’s head, Teddypelt in return licked his shoulder.  Teddypelt walked down back to his friends with a big smile on his face, he sat down.  Firestar continued, “Step forward Skypaw,” Skypaw started walking up the rock, she slipped and fell, twisted her paw and grimaced at the cracking sound as she stood up, she shook her head and limped up.  Firestar looked down at her and smiled, “Skypaw, you have become experienced faster then normal, your agility and speed give you great hunting abilities, is she worthy?” He asked, “She is worthy!” The clan chorused back, “Then I Firestar, strip you of your apprenticed name, you shall be called Skystorm,” He said, he lowered his head and touched it on her head, she licked his shoulder in return, limping down she sat by Teddypelt and began licking her injured leg.  “Step forward Frostpaw,” Frostpaw bounded up the rock and skidded to a halt in front of Firestar, “Frostpaw, you are ambitious, you think things through more then any other cat, you will be a great addition to our warriors, is she worthy?” He asked again, and again they replied “She is worthy,” They said, “No more will you be called Frostpaw, we had a great warrior once, her name was Frostfur, you now also will be known as Frostfur,” Firestar bent and touched his head to hers and she licked his shoulder.  Firestar called once more, “Step forward Diamondpaw,” Diamondpaw proudly bounded up the rock and sat down in front of Firestar, “Diamondpaw, you have shown how loyal you are, you fought for us against ShadowClan before you even joined us, I ask you my clan, one more time, is he worthy?” there was a silence, then a chorus of yowls from Frostpaw and the other two newly made warriors, “He is worthy!” They shouted, and then it was picked up by the rest of the clan, Firestar smiled, “Diamondpaw, you shall be called Diamondheart!” Firestar once more bent low and touched his head to Diamondheart’s, Diamondheart in turn licked his shoulder.  The clan burst out shouting all four of the new warrior’s names, “Teddypelt! Skystorm! Frostfur! Diamondheart!” Their shouting echoed through all of Thunderclan territory, it even dared enter into Riverclan and Shadowclan territory.  All four warriors smiled and nodded their thanks.  Diamondheart excused himself to rest, the other warriors followed, “What a big day!” Skystorm said yawning, “Indeed” replied Teddypelt, Frostfur nodded and started heading towards the fresh-kill pile when Diamondheart yowled and rolled on the ground with a spasm, “Diamondheart, what’s wrong?” Her eyes flew wide, he lay still for several moments, then gasping he shook his head several times,  “I--I’ve had a message from Starclan,” He replied shocked and gasping hard, “A message? What did it say?,” Skystorm meowed standing up, “Blood from the clans will be shed, when the day that dawn rose in red,” He replied standing up, then fell down and lay there shuddering, Frostfur whipped her head around, “Skystorm, fetch Leafpool, now!” Frostfur shouted, then sat down beside Diamondheart and began licking him, “Don’t worry Diamondheart, Leafpool will help you,” She said trying to soothe him, “Yes but...can she... save us...from...the--the destruction,” His eyes flew wide open, “The--the blood, the cats, stop them, don’t let them... NOOOOOO!” He screamed and lost consciousness.

~Justin D~