River (book)/Chapter 22

"Flameheart will not be my name. [..] I just know that I want something that reflects the cat I am, not some cat from the past that you all wish me to be."

— Flamepaw about the name Flameheart in River, page 235

River (book)
Chapter number:	22 (of 23)
Page numbers:	228-237
Point of View:	Flamepaw/Flameheart/Nightheart
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter twenty-two of River (book). If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 22 (of 23)

Page Numbers: N/A

Chapter description

During his warrior assessment, Flamepaw stalks towards a rabbit as he notes that Lilyheart and Squirrelflight must be somewhere nearby, watching his every move. Entering the mouth of the burrow tail-first, the apprentice went far enough inside the burrow to conceal himself from the rabbit's sight. As the rabbit enters the burrow, it catches Flamepaw's scent, but he makes a quick pounce and cleanly kills the rabbit. As he drags the rabbit out of the burrow, Lilyheart meets him with Squirrelflight catching up to the pair. Flamepaw's mentor praises him on his catch, while Squirrelflight purposefully observes that the black apprentice surely has a weird method of doing things. As his heart drops, the ThunderClan deputy turns to Lilyheart, stating that she thinks he passed while Lilyheart congratulates him. The pair of she-cats tell the apprentice to go back to camp while they carry the rabbit.

Upon entering camp, Flamepaw shouts that he passed his assessment, prompting many cats to congratulate him and his hearty catch. The black apprentice catches sight of Sparkpelt, who ties his success back to the traits passed down from Firestar, silently infuriating Flamepaw as he believes that the endless nights of practicing is the reason for his success. Sparkpelt states that as the sun is setting then, they will have to hold his warrior ceremony the next day.

Bramblestar calls the ThunderClan camp's attention as Flamepaw begrudgingly allows Sparkpelt to neaten his pelt. Bramblestar conducts the warrior ceremony, first asking for Lilyheart's approval as well as Flamepaw's promise to uphold the warrior code. The ThunderClan leader honors Flamepaw's apparent patience and ingenuity in the hunt that made the ceremony happen. Bramblestar traces these characteristics back to Firestar and gives Flamepaw his new name of Flameheart in honor of Firestar's warrior name. Realizing of his overflowing hatred of his new name, Flameheart raises his tail, stating that he defies his name and that he will not be Flameheart. Cats gasp as Squirrelflight yowls at him because of his disrespect while Bramblestar merely asks what his name should be. Flamepaw replies that he wants a name that suits him, not some cat that he doesn't even look like but his Clan wants him to represent. Sparkpelt angrily tells Flamepaw that his actions are not appropriate, but Finchlight states that because he should've been made a warrior long ago, he should be given the chance to come up with his own name.

The whole Clan is left in havoc, so Bramblestar brings the camp back to peace as he compromises with Flamepaw. Although the leader acknowledges that Flamepaw's name could be more endearing to his appearance, he cannot ignore the astounding similarities the Clan sees between him and Firestar. Thus, Bramblestar gives Flamepaw the name of Nightheart, honoring his similarities in apperance to Larksong while honoring the similarities in behavior to Firestar.

Characters

Major

• Flamepaw/Flameheart/Nightheart
• Bramblestar

Minor

• Lilyheart
• Squirrelflight
• Finchlight
• Bristlekit (Unnamed)
• Graykit (Unnamed)
• Stemkit (Unnamed)
• Jayfeather
• Cloudtail
• Lionblaze
• Sparkpelt
• Brightheart
• Brackenfur
• Daisy
• Alderheart

Mentioned

• Firestar
• Larksong

Important events

• Flamepaw passes his third warrior assessment and is given the name Flameheart, which he rejects, so he is given the name Nightheart.

Ceremonies

Nightheart's warrior ceremony
Bramblestar: One of the most important tasks a Clan leader carries out is the making of a new warrior. And the cat we honor today has waited a long time for this ceremony. Has your apprentice learned the skills of a warrior, and does he understand the demands of the warrior code? Lilyheart: He has, and he does. Bramblestar: Then I, Bramblestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Flamepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life? Flamepaw: I do. Bramblestar: Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Squirrelflight tells me that you showed extraordinary patience and ingenuity in your last hunt, just like Firestar. To honor that connection, from this day forward Flamepaw will be known as Flameheart, and we welcome him as a full warrior of ThunderClan. All: Flameheart! Flameheart! Flamepaw: Flameheart will not be my name. Squirrelflight: What do you mean? How dare you reject your name! Bramblestar: If you don't want to be named Flameheart, what name do you want? Flamepaw: I don't know yet. I just know that I want something that reflects the cat I am, not some cat from the past that you all wish me to be. I'm not Firestar! I don't even look like him, in case you haven't noticed. I will think of a perfect name for myself and let you know. Bramblestar: [...] We will compromise, Flamepaw, I will give you a name that more accurately reflects your appearance and demeanor, but still honors your ancestor. That is the way of this Clan, and—like it or not, Flamepaw—we see some of Firestar's qualities in you. You're right that your pelt doesn't bring fire to mind. Just like your father, Larksong, you are as black as night. So from now on, Flamepaw, you will be known as Nightheart.
Reference: River, pages 235-237