Gorse studies the tree. The pigeon nest is on a weaker branch that will definitely break if he puts his full weight on it. However there does seem to be a stronger branch above it. Though getting the egg out of the nest will be tricky.
He starts to climb up the tree, trying to steady his breathing. His pelt burns from the scratches the rats gave him and his muscle ache from fighting them and hunting right afterward.
Rowanclaw really wanted to make this task difficult didn't he.
Unfortunately for him, he was a Thunderclan cat and Thunderclan cats know how to climb trees. Since it's an integral skill. We use it for hunting and for fighting.
Soon he reaches the branch right above the pigeon nest. Looking down at it he realizes there's a stronger branch close to the edge of the nest, out of sight from the watching Shadowclan cats.
He purrs. Perfect.
Carefully he climbs down onto that branch. With his teeth he delicately grabs a pigeon egg.
Starting to climb down he does it backwards, that way the egg has less chances of dropping onto the forest floor. Hopefully.
Once he reaches the ground, he pads to the watching Shadowclan cats and places the egg in front of them.
"The egg has been safely delivered," he announces proudly while Rowanclaw glares at him.
Heh! I did it. I'm a Shad…..
"Well done Brokenheart!" Rushstar exclaims.
Rowanclaw mutters, "Yes, well done. Wherever did you learn to climb like that?"
"My mentor Moontuft taught me," Gorse answers, puffing out his chest in pride.
Maplefall purrs, "And now we can be together."
Forever, he thinks, adding that last bit to her sentence.
"There's still one more thing we need to do before we can celebrate," Rushstar meows.
Gorse's heart soars. "You mean…"
"I believe it's time we gave you a proper warrior name."
The walk back to the camp is filled with the other Shadowclan cats welcoming him and congratulating him on completing his third task.
His gaze wanders to Maplefall as they pad side by side. He couldn't be happier. He's in a clan that expects him for him, with a she-cat he loves. And now they're mates. Now Rowanclaw, not any cat!
Nothing is holding them back anymore.
Rowanclaw can pout all he wants but I'm not going anywhere.
"I love you Maple," he whispers.
Maplefall replies, "I love you Gorse."
Soon they reach the Shadowclan camp.
He suddenly realizes that this is his home now. And he realizes that he actually likes it here. It's no stone hollow, but here the cats accept him for who he is. Here no cat compares him to his biological father, Nectarclaw, or to his great-grandfather Graystar. Here he's free from the burden of legacy…..
And he loves it.
Rushstar leaps onto the highbranch and yowls, "All cats who can catch their own prey gather beneath the highbranch for a clan meeting!"
Most of Shadowclan is already gathered, but Pinenose comes out of the nursery with her and Lilacshimmer's kits. She along with Duskeyes have been watching the deputy's litter while she's away in Riverclan.
"Brokenheart has completed his three tasks and has earned his place as a Shadowclan warrior," he mews. "However before we welcome him there is something I must do."
Beckoning Gorse with his tail he continues, "Brokenheart come forward."
Gorse obeys and walks to the highbranch, looking up at the leader. Rushstar bounds down, standing in front of him. The Shadowclan leader is taller than him, as Gorse can't look him straight in the eye.
"Starclan, you know every cat by name. I ask now that you take away the name from the cat you see before you, for it no longer stands for he is. By my authority as clan leader, and with the approval of our warrior ancestors, I give this cat a new name. From this moment forward he shall be known as Gorseblaze, for his determination, cunning, speed, devotion and loyalty. We welcome you, Gorseblaze, as a warrior of Shadowclan."