Goldeneye was laying in the nursery with a content smile on her face. Her belly grew in size and she couldn't sleep in the Warriors' Den anymore. The others Queens welcomed her warmly and the kits , particularly Bramblekit and Tawnykit were happy by the idea of having new playmates as well as Willowpel't kits ( Sorrelkit, Rainkit and Sootkit the youngest members of the Clan)
It had been a moment since the White and Honey furred molly announced her pregnancy and Fireheart was always at her side , making sure she had everything : fresh kills, water, fresh moss for her nest. All the Queens commented about how lucky she was to have such a caring mate and Goldeneye knew it was the truth.
Since that night were the Clan learnt about Tigerclaw , now Tigerstar, being the new Leader of Shadowclan after Nightstar's death. Fireheart organized double patrol to be sure their rivals wouldn't put a paw on their territory but surprisingly, Shadowclan staid calm. To make things worse, they discovered that a lone Dog was in the forest and was killing what was left of preys after the fire.
And as if it wasn't enough , Bluestar refused to let Brightpaw , Swiftpaw , Thornpaw and Cloudpaw become Warriors and Speckletail's only kit , Snowkit was kidnapped by a Falcon after Cinderpelt discovered that the kit was deaf and unable to be a warrior. Bluestar saw this kidnapping as a sigh from Starclan declaring War on Thunderclan , much to everyone's shock and horror.
Now a moon later, Fireheart went with some Warriors to the Gathering and as predictted Goldeneye was denied to go "You are pregnant Goldeneye ! You can't do the trip to Fourtrees !" Of course his mate tried to argue but had to gave up when Goldenflower , Cinderpelt , Willowpelt and some Elders told her to listen to her mate , much to her chagrin and annoyance.
She was right now watching the kits playing still laying on the nest Fireheart made for her , which was really comfortable. Suddenly Sorrelkit approached her before gently pawing at her large belly "When they will come out ?" she asked the Older She-cat with childish curiosity "Soon Sorrelkit don't worry~" The White and Honey furred Queen responded with a warm purr. However it wasn't the kit's only question "How will you call them ?" "I have some ideas but I can't name them until they're born little one ! Image I call one Whitekit and he/she is black !"
"Ok..." Sorrelkit responded with a nod before pouncing on her brother Sootkit. Purring in amusement, Goldeneye looked at her tummy with proud " It won't take long before they come out ! I bet they would be beautiful !" Willowpelt commented as she was sitting beside Goldeneye. Goldenflower nodded in agreement but the White and Honey furred Molly purred in response.
Later, Bluestar ,Fireheart and the rest of the group entered the Clearing. The Blue Leader went straight to her Den and she didn't seemed happy. Fireheart , for his part , approached her and gently nuzzled her cheek which caused her to purr loudly in content "How was the Gathering love ?~" she asked him gently but soon she saw the sadness in his emerald eyes "Crookedstar is dead. Leopardstar is Riverclan's new Leader and asked for more territory. Bluestar accused Windclan for stealing preys in front of the four Clans !"
Goldeneye and the other Queens were surprised to hear the last part of Fireheart's report "What ?! But…. Its a DOG who is stealing our Prey not Windclan !" The White and Honey furred Queen remarked softy in shock and her mate sighed deeply "I know..." Goldeneye , who didn't like to see her mate like this, licked his cheek and neck to comfort him and it worked as he nuzzled her with a purr.
"Do you need something Goldeneye ? Water ? Fresh kill ? New Moss ?" Goldeneye purred gently at her mate's care before saying "I don't need anything right now thank you love~" "I say it again : You REALLY got lucky with that one Goldeneye !" Goldenflower remarked with a smile as she watched the couple. "I know I am~" The White and Honey furred Queen cooed in response as she looked at her mate who seemed really embarrassed right now.
"You should go resting honey….You look tired~" she inquired him gently as she licked his muzzle "We all are..."Fireheart began to argue but quickly stopped when he saw the look his mate was giving him "Fine you won….See you tomorrow " he responded gently as he licked her neck before disappearing in the Warriors Den. Goldeneye then yawned as Goldenflower and Willowpelt gatheredtheri kits against them for the night. With a smile, Fireheart's mate closed her eyes before falling asleep.
The next day, Goldeneye was eating a rabbit Fireheart gave her. The flame pelted warrior was talking with Bluestar in her Den as the Blue furred Leader seemed pretty angry about something. After a moment, she saw him stepped out of the Leader's Den with a look of shock before padding toward Cinderpelt's Den. But he quickly stepped away from the Medicine Cat's Den before asking Thornpaw where was Cinderpelt which the apprentice responded that she was collecting herbs. When the Deputy asked him where she was , Thornpaw responded that he didn't know. Fireheart seemed worried and padded toward the Warriors Den where he met Brindleface who after a short talk, licked his ear before walking away ad the Flame pelted Warrior entered the end.
Goldeneye was concerned for her mate but , the second she tried to get up, Goldenflower approached her "Where do you think you're going young lady ?" "Well...I wanted to see Fireheart...He seemed a bit off today…." the White and Honey furred molly responded with evident concern in her eyes "You shouldn't move Goldeneye ! I know you are concerned for your mate and I won't blame you for that but you need to rest ! Your kits are due to any days now !" The Golden Queen explained to the younger molly with a frown.
Goldeneye wanted to argue but she had to admit that Goldenflower was right so she sighed deeply "Okay...I won't move..." The Older Queen seemed pleased with this answer as she walked away toward fresh kill pile. Sighing in defeat, Goldeneye putted her head on her front-paws wondering what was bothering her mate.
Some time later, Goldeneye was trying to calm a frantic Goldenflower. Bramblekit and Tawnykit weren't in the camp anymore ! Of course, their mother was completely concerned and feared that her kits were hurt or worse as the other Queens tried to comfort her. But soon , the two missing kits came back along with….Darkstripe ?!
Instinctively, Goldeneye growled at the black stripped gray tabby who hissed at her "What were you doing with them ?!" she asked him angrily while Goldenflower was scowling her kits for running away. "Its none of your business rogue !" the Male snarled at her but before she could say something, Sandstorm stepped in "She is not a rogue anymore ! She is an equal member of this clan so leave her alone !"
Darkstripe growled at the two mollies but then, he huffed before storming toward the Warriors Den. "Thank you Sandstorm~" "Friends always help each other Goldeneye !" The pale ginger she-cat replied as the two pressed their heads against each other before Sandstorm walked away. Goldeneye watched her go for a moment before looking back at Goldenflower and her kits.
"Are they alright ?" she asked the other Queen with concern and she was relieved to see Goldenflower nodding at her "Yes...but I wonder what were they doing with Darkstripe..." "He took us with him so we could meet our father..." Tawnykit's voice echoed softy but loud enough for only the two adult she-cats to hear. Goldenflower looked at her kits with wide eyes of shock "He did WHAT ?!"
The two kits shrunk under her rage as Goldeneye couldn't believe what she heard. "You two won't leave the nursery for a moon and I don't want to hear more about this am I clear ?" the Golden Queen was telling to her kits who nodded in agreement before the trio entered the nursery. Goldeneye watched them before glaring toward the Warriors Den. She REALLY wanted to claw Darstripe right now !
Sighing, she remembered than in her current, she couldn't do much so she looked away at Willowpelt's kits to change her mind. As she watched the three kits playing together, Goldeneye couldn't help but thought about her unborn kits and how they will look like. She hoped that one of them will look like her mate. A warm smile grew on her face as she thought of the possible name she would gave to her kits once they will enter this world.
Some time later, Goldeneye saw Fireheart entering the clearing with Whitestorm. She was surprised because she didn't noticed that he had left. She observed the two toms and Whitestorm seemed angry about something her mate told him. Then they nodded as they separated. Surprisingly, the two toms were trying to gather everyone in the clearing and Goldeneye was wondering what they were doing.
Soon the entire Clan (except Bluestar) was gathered around Fireheart and Darkstripe grumpily asked "What is the matter ? ". The Thunderclan's Deputy sighed before explaining to everyone what he did : their Leader who planned an attack on Windclan , his own decision to stop this unjust war by organizing a meeting between Bluestar and Tallstar. Goldeneye couldn't believe what she was hearing but deep down she knew he did the right thing. The only thing she disagreed was the fact he hided his plan to her.
Once the flame colored tom finished , the Clan was silent. Some had a look of surprise and shock on their faces. Mousefur looked at Whitestorm after a moment "Whitestorm ! Are you agree with what Fireheart did ?" The others waited for the senior warrior's answer. "I wouldn't have done it… But he is right : its a dog who steal our preys not Windclan !" the White tom responded with his usual calm but stern tone. Mousefur and Brackenfur were equally agree with that testament. But sadly, Sandstorm asked how they could hide secrets to their leader which Fireheart responded that he didn't have a choice.
Darkstripe sneered at the Deputy " Kittypets don't know what the Warrior Code means !" Before Fireheart could retort, Goldeneye glared at the gray tabby snarling " He know the Warrior Code better than you mouse-brain ! He did this to make sure we don't jump into a unjust war !" Of course Darkstripe snarled at her but he quickly stopped when some Queens growled at him.
The Fire pelted Deputy continues, saying that WindClan didn't do anything wrong and it would hurt ThunderClan to fight and to have some of them killed . Brindleface agreed , saying their kits would get hurt and Frostfur agreed as well before everybody quietly murmured amongst themselves. Longtail asked what Fireheart wanted them to do and the Thunderclan's Deputy said that a few warriors needed to attend at the Fourtrees meeting.
Sandstorm , however, got angry and asks Dustpelt to tell Fireheart that his idea was horrible. Surprisingly, the dark brown tabby agreed with his deputy. Then Mousefur asked what would happen if they DO have to battle and Fireheart thought that it won't because Tallstar might only bring a few warriors, not all of them. The brown she-cat wondered what will happen if WindClan attacked instead and Longtail remarked that he won't go in that case . At this, Dustpelt called him a coward but Longtail protested saying that he was loyal and the Deputy said that he can guard the camp instead if he wanted to.
Whitestorm offered to go as do Brackenfur, Darkstripe and Dustpelt. Mousefur refused, saying she would not go against her leader. Brindleface and Frostfur agreed to go as well to prevent battle and Sandstorm agreed to join them despise hating lying to her leader. Then Darkstripe asked if they should take any apprentices with them as he added that Fernpaw , his apprentice, was too young to go. Dustpelt immediately agreed with the gray tabby.
Whitestorm said the same thing for Brightpaw. Brackenfur then remarked that Bluestar would find it strange if there weren't any apprentices with them so Fireheart suggested to take Swiftpaw and Cloudpaw. After that, the Flame pelted tom requested Brackenfur and Frostfur to stay back at camp to help guarding it and the two Warriors nodded in agreement. As the Clan separated,
Fireheart found Ashpaw on guard and asked him to watch for Ravenpaw and let him in if he came.
The fire colored tom then approached his mate who nuzzled his cheek gently "You did what you believe was right Fireheart ! No one can blame you for that ! But you SHOULD have warned us first !" Fireheart sighed sadly "I know but I didn't wanted to bring you all in the middle of all this..." Goldeneye's stern face softened as she licked his muzzle and the two nuzzled each other before the Deputy got up "I should talk to Cinderpelt before someone do it before me !"
"Go then I will be fine~" Goldeneye said gently and the Flame pelted tom trotted toward Cinderpelt's den.
The White and Honey furred molly sighed as she putted her head on her frontpaws . She was wondering how Bluestar would take the news…
Goldeneye was with Willopelt and Goldenflower at the nursery. As planned Ravenpaw , Fireheart's friend, came and delievered Tallstar's message to Bluestar who accepted the meeting. Its been a few minutes since Bluestar, Fireheart and the rest of the escort left now and Goldeneye couldn't but being worry for her mate as many questions entered her mind : Is he alright ? Did the meeting went well ?
Her thought were interrupted by footsteps and she looked up to see Fireheart and the rest of his group. She sighed in relief when she noticed that none of them were injured so it meant one thing : the meeting went well. Her mate approached Mousefur and asked her if there were any trouble wheile they weren't here. The brown she-cat responded that everything was fine, and that he should probably send out a hunting party.
" I will lead one..;" Fireheart began to say but Bluestar stopped him from leaving " I doubt it...I want to see you...now !" the Blue Leader's last words were laced with anger. Goldeneye heard it and she was a bit scared about Bluestar's reaction. She saw her mate deflecting at his Leader's words and she looked at him sadly. Then Whitestorm approached the Deputy " I will lead the patrol..." Fireheart thanked him before entering Bluestar's Den under Highrock.
Goldeneye was a bit nervous about what their Leader would do to her mate and she hoped that he won't got exiled. Then she saw Sandstorm walking by and called her. When the pale ginger she-cat stopped in front of her with a curious raise-brow "What do you think Bluestar will do to him ?" Goldeneye asked her friend with worry. Sandstorm seemed to think for an answer before responding " Well….if he is lucky, he would only lose his rank but if he is not then….he would be exiled..."
The pale ginger molly instantly almost regretted her words when she saw the shock and horror in her friend's golden eyes. "But I think everyone would be fine ! Fireheart was her apprentice after all…;maybe she would take this in consideration..." she quickly added to ease the White and Honey furred molly's mind.
Goldeneye then took deep breath to calm herself but then she looked towerd Highrock to see Fireheart stepping out of Bluestar's Den. He seemed….shocked . The White and Honey Furred Queen became worried again and when he approached her, she gently licked his face. Sandstorm ,for her part, asked "Is everything alright ?" "Yes….She didn't punish me…." Goldeneye seemed delighted by his answer but she didn't understand why he was so bewildered by this. " You should be happy no ? You are still the Deputy and you didn't got exiled !" his mate said to cheer him up a bit.
"She is mentally ill… I'll send Cinderpelt to check on her...Now how about we eat together..." Fireheart offered gently to change his mind and Goldeneye nodded but Sandstorm shook her head saying that she promised to go on hunting patrol and with that said, she left the two alone.
Fireheart picked up a shrew for him and a mouse for his mate before the two enjoyed their meals , their furs pressed against one another. When they finished, Fireheart licked his mate's forehead before entering the Medicine Cat's Den.
Goldeneye made herself comfortable inside her nest before yawning one last time and falling asleep.
(To be continued…)