The Prophecies Begin (volume 1)/Part 3

"You and Silverstream...I can't understand it, but it's also not my place to judge. This is something for you to work out for yourself. Just know...Graystripe, whatever you decide to do, I will always be your friend, okay?"

— Fireheart to Graystripe in The Prophecies Begin, volume 1, page 260

The Prophecies Begin (volume 1)
Chapter number:	Part 3 (of 3)
Page numbers:	195-264
Point of View:	Fireheart
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter three of The Prophecies Begin (volume 1). If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: Part 3 (of 3)

Page Numbers: 195-263

Chapter description

At the Gathering, Bluestar announces Fireheart and Graystripe as ThunderClan's newest warriors. Nightpelt introduces himself as ShadowClan's new leader following Brokenstar's exile, and Crookedstar revokes ShadowClan's access to their territory as a result. Nightpelt eventually relents since ShadowClan and RiverClan still have access to WindClan's moors, but Bluestar demands that WindClan must return to the forest. After the Gathering, Fireheart laments not having the time to tell Bluestar the truth about Ravenpaw, though Graystripe warns Fireheart not to be hasty without evidence of Ravenpaw's claims. That night, Fireheart dreams of Spottedleaf telling him that fire alone can save their Clan, but he is unsure what it could mean. The following morning, Bluestar instructs Fireheart and Graystripe on a mission to bring WindClan back home.

After searching WindClan's desolate camp, Fireheart and Graystripe track WindClan's scent beyond Clan territory, across a Thunderpath, and beneath a maze of Thunderpaths. In a tunnel, Fireheart and Graystripe discover the frightened and missing Clan and bring news of Brokenstar's defeat. The two ThunderClan warriors lead WindClan back to their territory and take refuge in with Barley and Ravenpaw in their farm for the night. Fireheart is pleased that Ravenpaw seems much happier living on the farm with Barley. Upon arriving at their camp, Tallstar thanks Fireheart and Graystripe for ThunderClan's help and sends Deadfoot and Onewhisker to escort them home. However while crossing RiverClan's territory, they are ambushed by an enemy patrol. While Bluestar is slightly irritated, she decides that the Clan needs more warriors. She appoints three new apprentices: Swiftpaw to Longtail, Brackenpaw to Graystripe, and Cinderpaw to Fireheart. Dustpaw remarks how pitiful it must be for Cinderpaw to be mentored by a former kittypet, but Sandpaw tells him knock it off.

While Fireheart knows that Tigerclaw is waiting for him to fail, Cinderpaw's enthusiasm keeps him motivated. Fireheart and Graystripe take their apprentices to Sunningrocks to search for prey, but Graystripe accidentally falls into the river while chasing a mouse. A RiverClan warrior dives in and rescues him, scolding Graystripe for being so foolish. Graystripe is immediately smitten by her, thanking her for the save, and she introduces herself as Silverstream. However, Graystripe falls ill and is instructed to stay in camp to rest. Fireheart takes both Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw hunting but is frustrated when Graystripe is missing from the warriors' den later that day. Graystripe returns later that night but is dismissive on where he was. Suspecting that his friend is hiding something, Fireheart relays this to Yellowfang, who instructs Fireheart to take Sandpaw to look for more lavender for Graystripe. In the forest, Sandpaw apologizes for her earlier behavior, and the two playfully wrestle around. Suddenly, Onewhisker arrives with news of ShadowClan and RiverClan threatening to drive WindClan away.

Bluestar and Tigerclaw agree to help WindClan, though Yellowfang advises Bluestar to remain in camp. Tigerclaw orders the battle patrols: he will lead Darkstripe, Longtail, Dustpaw, and Fireheart while Whitestorm will take Willowpelt, Runningwind, Mousefur, and Graystripe. On the way, Fireheart asks if Graystripe is feeling well enough to fight, but to Fireheart's horror, Graystripe wonders if RiverClan has a good reason to drive out WindClan. The ThunderClan cats dive into the battle within WindClan's camp, and Fireheart quickly runs into Silverstream. Before he can attack, Graystripe grabs Fireheart's scruff to stop him. He follows Graystripe out of WindClan's camp, where Graystripe reveals that he and Silverstream are in love. Horrified, Fireheart returns to the battle to help his Clanmates, leaving Graystripe alone on the moor. Leopardfur, RiverClan's deputy pins Fireheart down while Tigerclaw watches, but Graystripe shoves her away. RiverClan and ShadowClan flee, and ThunderClan returns home. Cinderpaw asks how the battle went, though Tigerclaw and Darkstripe accuse Fireheart of being too soft with certain RiverClan warriors, but Whitestorm defends Fireheart.

That night, Graystripe thanks Fireheart for not saying anything and for letting Silverstream go during the battle. Fireheart can't fully understand, but he vows that he will always be Graystripe's friend no matter what. Fireheart reflects how it's nearly been a full year since he first joined ThunderClan. Tigerclaw suspects that Fireheart knows his secret, but Fireheart's not afraid: he has his friends, his Clan, and his warrior's heart. He is a warrior of ThunderClan!

Characters

Major

• Fireheart
• Graystripe

Minor

• Crookedstar
• Bluestar
• Nightpelt/Nightstar
• Goldenflower
• Yellowfang
• Runningnose
• Frostfur
• Rippleclaw
• Longtail
• Whitestorm
• Spottedleaf
• Tigerclaw
• Dustpaw
• Sandpaw
• Leopardfur
• Tallstar
• Deadfoot
• Onewhisker
• Morningflower
• Gorsepaw (As a kit)
• Ravenpaw
• Barley
• Cinderkit/Cinderpaw
• Brackenkit/Brackenpaw
• Swiftkit/Swiftpaw
• Silverstream
• Runningwind
• Halftail
• Patchpelt
• Darkstripe
• Willowpelt
• Mousefur

Mentioned

• Brokenstar
• Redtail
• Raggedstar

Important events

• WindClan is brought back to their territory.
• Fireheart and Graystripe become mentors.

Ceremonies

Swiftpaw's, Brackenpaw's, and Cinderpaw's apprentice ceremonies
Bluestar: This moonhigh, we gather to name three new ThunderClan apprentices...Swiftkit, you will be apprenticed to Longtail, and known as Swiftpaw. Brackenkit, you will be apprenticed to Graystripe, and known as Brackenpaw. And Cinderkit, you will be apprenticed to Fireheart, and known as Cinderpaw. Reference: The Prophecies Begin, volume 1, page 219

Trivia

• This chapter aligns with chapter two, chapter three, chapter four, chapter five, chapter six, chapter seven, chapter eight, chapter eleven, chapter twenty-nine, and chapter thirty of Fire and Ice, and chapter thirteen and chapter sixteen of Leopardstar's Honor.

Notes and references

The Prophecies Begin (volume 1) chapters
Prologue • Part1 • Part2 • Part3