Double update! Wow, I already have two reviews. I didn't expect this to get that many. Although, I would like to point out that she is called Elf for a reason. If you continue reading, you'll find this out. I've also posted only the cats in ThunderClan, because the others aren't mentioned that much. Anyways, I really hope that you guys continue reading this; I want some feedback :D
Chapter Two
Thief
Allegiances
ThunderClan
Leader: Firestar - ginger tom with a flame-colored pelt
Deputy: Brambleclaw - dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes
Medicine Cat: Jayfeather - gray tabby tom
Warriors:
Graystripe - long-haired gray tom
Millie - striped gray tabby she-cat
Dustpelt - dark brown tabby tom
apprentice, Briarpaw
Sandstorm - pale ginger she-cat with green eyes
Brackenfur - golden brown tabby tom
Cloudtail - long-haired white tom
apprentice, Blossompaw
Thornclaw - golden brown tabby tom
Brightheart - white she-cat with ginger patches
apprentice, Bumblepaw
Sorreltail - tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with amber eyes
apprentice, Rosepaw
Spiderleg - long-limbed black tom with brown underbelly and amber eyes
Birchfall - light brown tabby tom
apprentice, Toadpaw
Berrynose - cream-colored tom
Hazeltail - small gray-and-white she-cat
Mousewhisker - gray-and-white tom
Cinderheart - gray tabby she-cat
Lionblaze - golden tabby tom with amber eyes
Foxleap - reddish tabby tom
Icecloud - white she-cat
Apprentices:
Toadpaw - black-and-white tom
Rosepaw - dark cream she-cat
Briarpaw - dark brown she-cat
Bumblepaw - very pale gray tom with black stripes
Blossompaw - pale brown she-cat with a dark stripe along her spine
Queens:
Ferncloud - very pale gray (with darker flecks) she-cat with green eyes, expecting Dustpelt's kits
Daisy - long-haired cream-colored cat from the horseplace
Whitewing - white she-cat with green eyes, mother of Birchfall's kits: Dovekit (gray she-cat with golden eyes) and Ivykit (white tabby she-cat)
Poppyfrost - tortoiseshell she-cat, mother of Berrynose's kits: Molekit (small gray-and-cream tom) and Honeykit (dappled tortoiseshell she-cat)
Elders:
Longtail - pale tabby tom with dark black stripes, retired early due to failing sight
Mousefur - small dusky brown she-cat
Rain was falling heavily. A thick fog had surrounded the Band as Ice led them through Twolegplace.
The ground was sodden, and it smelled terrible. But he was leading them towards a place that would give them sanctuary and the one thing they needed more then anything: Kits.
A moon had passed since Elf's capture. Her once lovely figure had been depleted. The rogues refused to hunt for her, after what she did to them. An ugly scar stretched across her neck from either side, thanks to one of Ice's Elites. He had made certain that it remained, as a remembrance for her capture.
Elf was now guarded by two bulky toms known as Ruffle and Twig. They didn't seem to care that her pelt was a mess. Blood still stained it, and maggots had begun to feast upon her scar. Her pelt clutched to her bones, and her ribs showed visibly.
Ice had forced the group to pause for a moment. A dark shape was bounding towards them. Pale yellow eyes could be made out in the fog, despite its thickness. A cat could see much further then a Twoleg, which was what gave them an advantage when traveling at night.
"Storm, have you seen anything?" he asked.
Storm and the Elites were the only cats who knew what Ice was searching for. There was a large group of cats who lived in four parts of a lake. They had plenty of kits, and even shelter for them to sleep in for some time. One of the groups in particular was always welcoming. And there were so many cats that taking kits wouldn't matter.
"I saw mountains ahead," the dark gray cat replied. "I ran into this she-cat while scouting." He pointed his tail towards an unfamiliar cat.
She was a pretty silver tabby, with bright green eyes. Her belly was a soft white, and she had bands of darker stripes going along her legs.
"My name is Stream, and I have traveled over the mountains several times," she explained with a dip of her head. "I have also learned about the Clans, and I have kin there."
Elf's ears pricked with interest as she listened. Stream had flinched almost automatically when she saw Elf's condition. But she continued to speak to Ice like Elf wasn't there. And the dappled she-cat appreciated Stream for that.
"Good," Ice meowed.
He suddenly glanced at Elf, who crouched lower to the ground.
"I would like you to take our friend here with you," he added. Stream's eyes lit up in a mixture of surprise and disgust. "We will meet you near the lake. Storm, you must travel with them."
Storm dipped his head, though he was mildly surprised that Ice had chosen him to guard Elf. It was no matter, though Storm had expected Ice to choose a younger cat who knew the way.
The group split apart and began to hunt for themselves. Elf was forced to stay with Stream as the silver tabby washed herself.
"So...where do you come from?" Stream asked.
Well, she's making an effort, Elf thought, unimpressed. However, Elf knew she would have to say something.
"I come from a distant land," she replied, knowing this was a lie. In truth, even she didn't know where she came from. Her mother had abandoned her as soon as she was old enough, and she knew nothing about her father, except that he had died of greencough.
Stream saw the lie. But she made no move to press forward. She seemed to realize that Elf no longer wished to talk about her past.
"Ice would like to speak with you." Elf whirled to face a light brown tabby tom. "Alone," he added when Stream rose to her paws.
The silver tabby glared at him, but said nothing as Elf was escorted to Ice. The large white cat looked taller then ever as he glowered at her.
His den was hidden amongst a clump of ferns. Bones and rotting meat littered the ground around him.
It was apparent that he used this nest often when they traveled through this territory.
And there he was, sitting tall and proud in the middle of his nest. His green eyes were narrowed in thought as he portrayed what was about to happen. This would be his greatest plan yet. All he needed to do was put it to action.
"Greetings Elf," he meowed coolly. "I hope your stay with us is well."
Elf said nothing. She only stared off into the distance, towards the trees that once made her home. They had all but disappeared in the last few days since the Band began traveling.
She could feel her heart stir at the thought of those trees, whispering warnings to her about these rogues. The forest had told her. And she had ignored it. In a way, this was almost a suitable punishment.
Ice went on, ignoring Elf's silence. "As you know, you are traveling to the Clans with Stream. There are a few things I would like you to do while you are with the Clans." Ice paused for a moment, as though adding an effect. "I have made certain that my members know of your curse. You have killed countless kits, and I will not let you forget that." His words were laidened with a threat that made Elf flatten her ears. It was as though he had sliced through her.
"I have decided your punishment." Elf blinked as he said these words slowly. He had no right to punish her! He had already captured her, taken away her home, and was now using her as a tool!
"You will steal kits from these Clans," Ice growled.
His voice was cold and stiff. Elf let out a faint gasp, and Ice smirked.
Steal kits? Elf stared at her paws in dismay. She couldn't think of anything worse then spiriting kits away from the forest.
"The Clans have plenty of kits for us to take," Ice purred. "They wouldn't even notice their disappearance. And it is only fair that you take them. Think of how many happy queens there would be, if they had kits to take care of. Think of how much stronger we would become, and how we could rule the lake if we grew strong enough."
Though his words held some strange sense of power, Elf knew that they would only lead to death. She shivered at the thought of what would happen if his plan succeeded.
"And if I refuse?" she mewed quietly.
Ice let out a chuckle that gave Elf chills. If she ran, she would be caught. Ice would not kill her. No, he would make sure she lived. By allowing her to live, he was torturing her.
"I will remind Hazel of what you did to her kits," he growled menacingly.
As if his words had drawn her, the brown-and-white former queen appeared at his side.
Hazel had once been Elf's friend. She had once watched Hazel's belly grow more and more plump as her kits grew stronger.
That once plump belly was now depleted, and now Hazel's eyes were as cold as stone.
"You killed my kits!" she yowled. "You should wish you were dead!"
I already do, Elf replied silently. She remained quiet.
"Tomorrow, you and Stream will begin your journey," Ice meowed, ignoring Hazel's hostility. "I expect you to arrive at the lake within two days. And I expect to see kits within three."
Elf narrowed her eyes. She knew that even though Storm would be with them, he could not stay amongst the Clans. He was far too brutal, and the other cats wouldn't trust him. She would do this alone, or go with Stream.
She would use this as a chance to escape. Joining the Clans might be her only hope. Perhaps, if the legends were true, then the great Firestar would allow her to stay, despite the ugly scars that now stretched across her pelt.
Finally. It took me almost two days to write this chapter, because it's almost two thousand words. But that makes me VERY proud. Anyways, thanks to those who have reviewed in the previous chapter; you all get an Elf plushie!
