| "Fireheart is not a true deputy; he was appointed too late, and Lionheart's spirit would never have approved. What can we do? Look at us. We're old, deaf, toothless. We needed a warrior to lead our Clan, a light that would shine forever for all the moons to come. And Bluestar brought us a kittypet." |
| — Patchpelt to the other elders on Fireheart's deputyship in The Elders' Concern |
The Elders' Concern is a short story found in the Warriors App. The story describes a confrontation between the ThunderClan elders regarding Fireheart's deputy ceremony.
Summary[]
- Halftail gathers his fellow elders, Dappletail, Patchpelt, and Smallear to discuss Fireheart's deputy ceremony. Smallear says when he was an apprentice, he brought back better feathers for their nests than any other apprentice. Dappletail complains that his feathers were black and ugly. Patchpelt asks them if they are even going to sleep, and Halftail replies that they will discuss the late deputy ceremony.
- They debate, mostly on how Bluestar broke the warrior code. Patchpelt points out they are not able to do anything about it. Smallear deems Bluestar should not lead the Clan after she broke the warrior code like that, and ThunderClan is doomed. They wonder why Fireheart was chosen, saying that he is not the best hunter or fighter, and Dappletail says that there must be something special about him that Bluestar is not telling.
- Dappletail suggests that Bluestar broke the code with making a kittypet Clan deputy, knowing StarClan would object to that as well. Halftail says that if Bluestar broke the code on purpose, then she must not care about what their warrior ancestors thought. Dappletail says that Bluestar cannot turn her back on StarClan, but Patchpelt says that she already has, by bringing a kittypet into the Clan and appointing him as deputy after moonhigh.
- Patchpelt assures the elders that Fireheart is not a real deputy, that he is only a kittypet. Halftail tells them he will not give up on his Clan, and that if they treat Fireheart rightfully, StarClan will forgive Bluestar and accept Fireheart. Smallear shakes off the suggestion and confirms to Halftail that he will not forgive Bluestar. Dappletail and Patchpelt agree. Halftail is left in dismay, wondering what will be in store for ThunderClan.
Trivia[]
Interesting facts[]
- This short story is also featured in the ebook exclusive Warriors 3-Book Collection of Into the Wild through Forest of Secrets.[3]
Mistakes[]
- Fireheart is said to have hardly been in the Clan for half a moon, despite being in the Clan for nearly a year at this point.[4]
- Fireheart was said to be the deputy after Lionheart died, even though Tigerclaw became deputy after Lionheart.[4]