| "From now on, let us face new threats as StarClan intended—five Clans united." |
| — Alderheart after all five Clans make peace in The Raging Storm, page 322 |
Alderheart is a sturdy[18] dark ginger tom[1] with a white-tipped tail,[19] and amber eyes.[1]
Alderheart is a ThunderClan medicine cat who has served under Bramblestar's, briefly Tigerstar's, the impostor's, Squirrelflight's, Lionblaze's, and Graystripe's leaderships in the lake territories. He was born as Alderkit to Squirrelflight and Bramblestar, alongside his littermates, Sparkkit, Juniperkit, and Dandelionkit. He was originally apprenticed to Molewhisker; however, he later became a medicine cat apprentice with Jayfeather as his mentor. StarClan sent him on a quest to find SkyClan, but he and his companions were unsuccessful, instead meeting Darktail and his rogues. On the journey back, Alderpaw and Needlepaw found two abandoned kits, Twigkit and Violetkit, and took them to join the Clans.
Alderpaw helped raise Twigkit, even taking her to visit Violetkit, who was claimed by ShadowClan. After completing his training, Alderheart served his Clan with compassion and empathy, and he was overjoyed to see that Needletail made it to StarClan. He strongly believed that SkyClan should have a place beside the other Clans at the lake and later became ThunderClan's sole medicine cat after Jayfeather was exiled by the impostor. After being forced to train Flipclaw as his apprentice, Alderheart was exiled by the imposter for standing up to him, and he stayed in ShadowClan briefly as a refugee. He provided assistance to the rebel group in confronting the impostor, and was welcomed back to ThunderClan after the impostor's exposure, and subsequent capture, during a battle with the rebels and members of all five Clans. After the death of Willowshine, Alderheart went to RiverClan to act as their temporary medicine cat.
History
Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!
A Vision of Shadows
- "We need you in ThunderClan, Alderheart. You're a good medicine cat. You work hard to keep your Clan healthy, and you have a real connection to StarClan. And you're young: you’ll take care of the next generation of ThunderClan cats, just as you looked after Twigpaw. If ThunderClan had to lose you, it would be like a wound that wouldn't heal."
- ―Jayfeather to Alderheart River of Fire, pages 238-239
- On the way back, he and Needlepaw find two abandoned kits. They name them Twigkit and Violetkit, and after some disagreement, the kits are taken to ThunderClan. At a Gathering, ShadowClan and ThunderClan fight over the kits, with ShadowClan claiming Violetkit. Alderpaw acts as a fatherly figure toward Twigkit and communicates with Needlepaw so the sisters may meet in secret. When yellowcough weakens ShadowClan, WindClan refuses to share lungwort that was only found on their territory, and Alderpaw speaks against their immorality. Jayfeather is impressed by his apprentice and names him a full medicine cat as Alderheart.
- When Darktail and his Kin take over ShadowClan, Alderheart worries for Needletail and Violetpaw, mourning when he hears of Needletail's death. Though Twigpaw brings SkyClan back to the lake, Alderheart's relief doesn't last long, and he grows frustrated with Sparkpelt when she and several other cats oppose SkyClan settling at the lake. Alderheart desperately misses Twigpaw when she chooses to live with her family in SkyClan, but welcomes her when she returns. He falls for a kittypet named Velvet when she seeks shelter in ThunderClan from a fire. However, he assures Jayfeather that he is loyal to ThunderClan despite his feelings for Velvet and says good-bye to the kittypet at the Twolegplace.
- Alderheart saves Puddleshine's life when he is caught in barbed wire by using deathberry skins. When Tigerstar discovers Alderheart's unusual methods, Tigerstar makes Alderheart become ShadowClan's temporary medicine cat as Puddleshine recovers. In ShadowClan, Alderheart becomes close to Shadowkit, one of Tigerstar's kits, and notes the kit's future as a medicine cat. Alderheart continues to advocate for SkyClan's place at the lake and is relieved when all five Clans make peace at last.
The Broken Code
- Alderheart: "In all the times I have shared dreams with StarClan, our warrior ancestors have never asked any cat to serve a leader without question. Sometimes it's right to question! How much more devastation would Darktail have caused if none of his followers had questioned him?"
- Bramblestar's impostor: "The code says you will obey your leader! But since you've made it clear you can't do that, you can leave too! ThunderClan has no use for a faithless medicine cat!"
- Veil of Shadows, page 188
Character pixels
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Official art
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Please do not edit this gallery  Alderheart on the cover of The Apprentice's Quest  Alderheart's Warriors official website fact sheet  Alderheart's icon on the Warriors family tree |
Ceremonies
| Alderpaw's apprentice ceremony | ||||||
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| Alderpaw's medicine cat apprentice ceremony | ||||||||
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| Alderheart's medicine cat ceremony | ||||||||||
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Personality
- Alderheart is a kind, loving, loyal and nervous tom.[20] As an apprentice, Alderheart tends to become anxious when he is put in difficult situations and often doubts his own abilities when he compares himself to other cats.[21] He is deeply compassionate and naive, and he shares a strong connection with StarClan.[source?]
Relationships
Squirrelflight and Bramblestar
- "Alderkit knew how much his mother adored him and his sister. He was only a kit, but he understood that Squirrelflight was old to have her first litter, and he remembered their shared grief for his lost littermates: Juniperkit, who had barely taken a breath before he died, and Dandelionkit, who had never been strong, and who had slowly weakened until she also died two moons later. Sparkkit and I have to be the best cats we can be for Squirrelflight and Bramblestar.'"
- ―Alderkit thinking about his mother The Apprentice's Quest, page 16
Sparkpelt
- Alderheart: "You didn't care how I felt about SkyClan. Or that I've been worried about the prophecy or that it might be embarrassing to need saving from a kittypet! You're always so sure of yourself—you act like everything you do is okay, and sometimes it's not okay!"
- Sparkpelt: "I know you wanted SkyClan to stay. But that doesn't mean I had to agree. I can have my own opinion. And of course I care that you're worried. But you're right. I guess I've been too caught up with Larksong to take the time to talk to you about stuff that's important. And I'm sorry I saved you from that fat kittypet... I'm not sorry exactly. I wasn't going to let you get your fur ripped off. But I trained as a warrior and you trained as a medicine cat. But if I was bleeding to death right now, you'd save me, wouldn't you? Because that's what you do. You save cats. I hunt and fight."
- Darkest Night, pages 197-199
- Alderheart wishes he had the confidence of his sister. She is much more eager and outgoing than him, and he is sometimes overwhelmed by her energetic attitude.[22] Alderheart thinks she is funny, smart, and an amazing warrior.[26] Sparkpelt thinks that Alderheart's sensitiveness makes him a great brother.[27]
Twigbranch
- Twigkit: "They said I was just an ordinary cat. But if I'm just an ordinary cat, the Clan won't want me anymore. So I had to prove I was special."
- Alderpaw: "Of course you're special! StarClan led Needlepaw and me to you. And the Clan will always want you. You're one of us now, and nothing will ever change that."
- Thunder and Shadow, page chapter 6
Needletail
- "Alderpaw felt good [...] to know he had this cat’s respect. He knew he shouldn’t like Needlepaw as much as he did. She’s from another Clan, and she breaks rules all the time, and she’s rude about senior warriors . . . but she’s fun, and different, and she’s really good at hunting and fighting. And she always says exactly what she thinks.'"
- ―Alderpaw about Needlepaw The Apprentice's Quest, page 104
- Despite their clashing natures, Alderheart liked to spend time with Needletail. He enjoyed how she always spoke her mind, and how she was different, like him. Even though he knew that she broke the rules all the time and was from another Clan, he couldn’t resist seeing her.[28]
Velvet
- Alderheart: "I'm going to miss having you around camp."
- Velvet: "I'll miss you, too. But I know there's no way we could be together. We lead such different lives. I can't stay here, and I know you have responsibilities and can't leave your Clan."
- River of Fire, page 240
Bramblestar's impostor
- Coming Soon
Family
- Main article: Alderheart/Family
- Alderheart's parents are Squirrelflight and Bramblestar. His littermates are Sparkpelt, Dandelionkit, and Juniperkit. For more of Alderheart's family, click here!
Appearances
- Pebbleshine's Kits
- The Apprentice's Quest (First appearance)
- Thunder and Shadow
- Shattered Sky
- Darkest Night
- Tigerheart's Shadow
- River of Fire
- Tawnypelt's Clan (Allegiance only)
- Spotfur's Rebellion
- The Raging Storm
- Squirrelflight's Hope
- Lost Stars
- The Silent Thaw
- Veil of Shadows
- Darkness Within
- Graystripe's Vow
- Daisy's Kin
- The Place of No Stars
- A Light in the Mist
- River
Trivia
Interesting facts
Author statements
- Kate said that she liked Alderheart better than Sparkpelt because she prefers a worrier.[blog 1]
- Kate has said that Alderheart does have feelings for Needletail.[blog 2]
- Kate believes Alderheart to be short-furred.[blog 3]
Mistakes
- He was mistakenly called Alderpaw before his apprentice ceremony,[31] and called by his apprentice name after receiving his full medicine cat name.[11]
Quotes
- Main article: Alderheart/Quotes
External links
- Alderheart's profile on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Outpacing other 'Paws (and Mentors) on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- Warrior of the Week Gallery #32 - Alderheart on the Warriors official website (Warrior of the Week #32) (backup link)
- Firestar's Family Artwork on the Warriors official website (backup link)
- A Vision of Shadows Main Characters Artwork on the Warriors official website ([none backup link])
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 268
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Revealed in The Raging Storm, chapter 7
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 286
- ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 82
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 188
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Revealed in The Place of No Stars, page 90
- ↑ Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 8
- ↑ Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 12
- ↑ Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 85
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Revealed in Thunder and Shadow, page 374
- ↑ Revealed in Thunder and Shadow, allegiances
- ↑ Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 60
- ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 115
- ↑ Revealed in Veil of Shadows, page 27
- ↑ Revealed in The Raging Storm, chapter 25
- ↑ Revealed in A Light in the Mist, page 316
- ↑ Revealed in River, page 27
- ↑ Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 7
- ↑ Revealed on Alderheart's profile on the Warriors official website
- ↑ Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, chapter 5
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 16
- ↑ Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 18
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 19
- ↑ Revealed in Darkest Night, page 110
- ↑ Revealed in Darkness Within, page 200
- ↑ Revealed in Darkest Night, page 199
- ↑ Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 104
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, page 15
- ↑ Revealed in Firestar's Quest, pages 496-497
- ↑ Revealed in The Apprentice's Quest, page 10
Author references
 ThunderClan cats
| |
|---|---|
| Leader | Bramblestar |
| Deputy | Squirrelflight |
| Medicine cats | Jayfeather • Alderheart |
| Warriors | Whitewing • Birchfall • Mousewhisker • Poppyfrost • Cinderheart • Lionblaze • Bumblestripe • Blossomfall • Ivypool • Cherryfall • Molewhisker • Lilyheart • Dewnose • Stormcloud • Fernsong • Sorrelstripe • Hollytuft • Sparkpelt • Honeyfur • Leafshade • Twigbranch • Finleap • Eaglewing • Plumstone • Shellfur • Thriftear • Flipclaw • Bayshine • Myrtlebloom • Finchlight • Nightheart • Fernstripe |
| Apprentices | N/A |
| Queens | Daisy • Spotfur |
| Kits | Bristlekit • Stemkit • Graykit |
| Elders | Brackenfur • Brightheart • Cloudtail • Thornclaw |
