Alderheart

StarClan must have shared their wisdom with this article, because it was previously featured on the front page.

Alderheart is a short-furred,^{[blog 1]} dark ginger tom^[1] with a white-tipped tail,^[16] and amber eyes.^[1]

Alderheart is a ThunderClan medicine cat who has served under Bramblestar's, briefly Tigerstar's, the impostor's, and Squirrelflight'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 himself after standing up against the impostor, staying briefly in ShadowClan as a refugee and assisted the rebels. He returned to ThunderClan following the impostor's exposure during a battle.

History

Looking for a longer overview? Find one here!

A Vision of Shadows

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

Like the other medicine cats, Alderheart is worried when StarClan cannot be contacted when the Moonpool freezes over. Bramblestar falls mysteriously ill, and Shadowpaw informs them of a cure for him. Both medicine cats try it, but it initially doesn't work, and Bramblestar dies. Alderheart grieves for his father, but when he revives, he is overjoyed. Rootpaw summons Bramblestar's ghost for the medicine cats and reveals the truth about the impostor. The false Bramblestar exiles Jayfeather for being a codebreaker, leaving Alderheart as the sole medicine cat of ThunderClan. The impostor also forces Alderheart to reluctantly train Flipclaw as a medicine cat apprentice, much to both cats' dismays. Alderheart is exiled after he stands up to the impostor, leaving Flipclaw as the sole medicine cat with very little training. After the impostor is defeated, Alderheart and Jayfeather return to ThunderClan.

Character pixels

Please do not edit this gallery Kit Version Apprentice Version Medicine Cat Apprentice Version Medicine Cat Version Loner Version Refugee Version

Official art

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

Personality and Relationships

Alderheart is an anxious and kind-hearted cat who cares deeply for his Clanmates. Despite their occasional differences, he has a close relationship with his family, and is like a brother to his friend, Twigbranch. For more of Alderheart's personality and relationships, click here!

Family

Alderheart's parents are Squirrelflight and Bramblestar. His littermates are Sparkpelt, Dandelionkit, and Juniperkit. For more of Alderheart's family, click here!

Appearances

Trivia

Author statements

• Kate said that she liked Alderheart better than Sparkpelt because she prefers a worrier.^{[blog 2]}
• Kate has said that Alderheart does have feelings for Needletail.^{[blog 3]}

Interesting facts

• He has kittypet blood through Firestar,^[17] and SkyClan blood through Tigerstar.^[18]

Mistakes

• He was mistakenly called Alderpaw before his apprentice ceremony,^[19] and called by his apprentice name after receiving his full medicine cat name.^[10]

Quotes

External links

Notes and references

Author references

v • d • e ThunderClan cats
Leader	Squirrelflight
Deputy	Lionblaze
Medicine cats	Jayfeather • Alderheart
Warriors	Thornclaw • Whitewing • Birchfall • Mousewhisker (Baypaw) • Poppyfrost • Cinderheart (Finchpaw) • Bumblestripe • Blossomfall • Ivypool • Cherryfall • Molewhisker • Lilyheart (Flamepaw) • Dewnose • Stormcloud • Fernsong • Sorrelstripe • Hollytuft • Sparkpelt • Honeyfur • Leafshade • Twigbranch • Finleap • Eaglewing (Myrtlepaw) • Plumstone • Shellfur • Snaptooth • Flywhisker • Spotfur • Bristlefrost • Thriftear • Flipclaw
Apprentices	Baypaw • Myrtlepaw • Flamepaw • Finchpaw
Queens	Daisy
Kits	N/A
Elders	Graystripe • Brackenfur • Brightheart • Cloudtail