Warriors: The Prophecy of Frost - Danger Lurking

Part 2: Chapter 12- Grief

When they entered the camp, the Clan dropped to a deadly silence. Only the shocked faces of them followed as Patchheart carried Fernpaw to the medicine cat den.

Stagwind had exited the medicine cat den and asked, "What happened?"

Sunstream sadly looked behind her, where Silvercloud carried Froststar's motionless body to the middle of the camp. The rain have cleared slightly, but Patchheart felt cold.

My mate is gone, he thought, closing his eyes and letting the raindrops fall on his cheek.

Hailpaw looked upset and his eyes became dull with grief as he looked at Fernpaw, who was unconscious.

Moving his numb paws, he padded to Silvercloud's side. Her head was low and she looked afraid and slightly angry.

"It is not your fault," Patchheart mewed to the Clan deputy.

"I know," Silvercloud mewed, "but... it reminds me too much of how Brownstar died... and I feel that it's too sudden, too soon and too much to cope."

Specklebreeze had shouldered past her mate, her belly heavy with kits. When she saw Froststar's body, she yowled in grief.

Icetail tried to comfort her nudging his mate to her paws and whispering in her ear.

Appleshade, who had just returned from a patrol, and stumbled to her former apprentice's body. She stared at the body silently, too shocked to speak.

The Clan slowly looked at Silvercloud expectingly and the deputy rose to her paws.

"Froststar had died a noble death, trying to protect her kin, even though she had a life left," Silvercloud trembled as she spoke, but she continued, "StarClan will welcome her into their ranks, and I hope to follow her paw steps faithfully."

"Silvercloud! Silvercloud!" the Clan called out, not as warm as it was at her warrior ceremony.

"I will sit vigil for Froststar before going to the Moonstone to receive my nine lives," Silvercloud mewed, her head drooping as she sat by the former leader's body.

Patchheart sat nearby and mewed sorrowfully, "You were a great friend, then mate. You were loyal to the end, risking your life for the Clan. You suffered so much, but you kept going. You exposed the unknown treachery from our Clan, not to become deputy, only to protect ThunderClan. You fought bravely in battles, refusing to back down. When you are injured, you insisted on being treated last. You were a great leader, like the leaders before you. Finally, you sacrificed yourself for your kin. Because you knew it was right. Maybe you have thought it was your time. Whatever happens in the future, you wouldn't want us to grief for the rest of our lives. I will be strong, for you, and for the Clan."

Although the rain had eased, Patchheart still felt that his pelt and face were soaked.

Finally, he let his feelings all out. He began to cry out loud, and when he stopped, his chest was heaving with pain.

Stagwind was beside him, and she gave him some poppy seeds. "For the pain," she mewed.

Patchheart shook his head. "No thanks," he mewed, feeling better slowly. "I feel better now."

"If you need it, visit me in my den," Stagwind mewed, walking off.

Patchheart gazed up to the darkening sky. Froststar, if you could hear me, I promise to keep our kits safe. I will not grief for the rest of my life. One day, when I join you, and our kits, we can be a whole family again.

~~~~

When the new leader entered the camp, the Clan remained silent for a moment. Silverstar nodded in understanding as she jumped up the Highledge.

"Let all cats who are old enough to catch their own prey to gather at Highledge for a Clan meeting," she mewed half-heartedly.

"Clan life must go on," Silverstar mewed. "And with that I will appoint a deputy."

"I say these words before StarClan, so that they can hear and approve of my choice," she mewed.

"Rockpelt will be the new deputy of ThunderClan," Silverstar mewed hazeily.

"Rockpelt! Rockpelt!" the Clan called out hesitantly.

The grief must have been so bad if Silverstar had appointed Rockpelt as deputy, Patchheart thought in alarm. He is reckless, for StarClan's sake!

But he remained silent as Silverstar jumped down from the ledge. The leader's word is still law.

Suddenly, he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Stagwind. "What is it?" Patchheart asked.

"It's Fernpaw," she mewed. "She's awake."