Holly'fern

* Charart
* Life image

**Holly'fern** is a longhaired tabby and white she-cat with deep amber eyes, soft fur, and large paws. She is a warrior of RiverClan and the mother of Frog'step, Furze'tuft, Fox'kit and another unnamed kit.

## Biography

Holly'fern is a young warrior of RiverClan. She has two love interests- Gray'whisker, a grizzled, large gray tom, and Toad'pelt, a charismatic small brown tom. Holly'fern desperately wants a mate, but is torn between the two due to their very different personalities. Gray'whisker is gentle and kind, and extremely devoted to his clan, and Toad'pelt is charming, skilled but a tad arrogant. Both of the toms clearly show interest in her, but neither pick up on the fact that they are not the only contender. One morning, Toad'pelt asks her to be his mate, which she joyfully accepts, and that same evening, Gray'whisker asks her be his. Holly'fern accepts this proposal too, realising her mistake that night when she dreams of both of them fighting to the death. She awakes in a panic, realising that she has gone too far but has left it too late to decide on who to pick, as she loves them both equally. She comes to the conclusion that she will simply try to keep her secret and ensure that Gray'whisker does not catch her with Toad'pelt, and vice versa.

Holly'fern falls pregnant, with no knowledge of who the father of her kits is. She first tells Toad'pelt whilst Gray'whisker is out on patrol, who excitedly announces this to the clan, causing anxiety and distress for Holly'fern. Gray'whisker returns, and Toad'pelt goes to inform him of the news, when Holly'fern interjects and says she would rather tell him herself. Toad'pelt nods and pads back to his den, and Holly'fern pulls Gray'whisker aside and nervously tells him that she's expecting. Gray'whisker is overjoyed, and buries his face in Holly'fern's shoulder with glee. Holly'fern purrs and tries to ignore the guilt and tension building up inside her. As her pregnancy continues, she struggles greatly, falling ill on a number of occasions and ending up in the medicine cat's den with a high fever and vomiting more than once. She begins to worry for the health of her kits, and for the safety of her secret, which is being threatened by the day. Toad'pelt often claims to be absorbed in his warrior duties and can only make time to pop into the nursery occasionally, whilst Gray'whisker tries to devote all the time he can to spending time with Holly'fern. Holly'fern is in the nursery with Gray'whisker at sunset when Toad'pelt walks in. Holly'fern panics and asks to talk to him in a moment. Toad'pelt grows slightly wary, being distrusting of Gray'whisker, but leaves as his mate wishes. Gray'whisker notices Holly'fern's discomfort and asks her what is wrong. Holly'fern doesn't look him in the eye and says that she just feels unwell, and needs to go back to the medicine cat's den, faking a couple of coughs, and Gray'whisker worriedly takes her there. Whilst alone in the den with the medicine cat, she begins to confess that she told a lie that went too far, and the consequences could be disastrous. The medicine cat calmly explains that she already knows, and Holly'fern feels a great sense of shame, and asks what she should do. The medicine cat encourages her to tell the truth now rather than later so the stress is off her shoulders, but that she will leave that up to Holly'fern. Holly'fern cannot bring herself to tell Gray'whisker nor Toad'pelt, for fear of their reaction. Deeply frustrated at herself for letting this façade go too far, Holly'fern decides that the only option for self-preservation is to push both of them away. Toad'pelt is confused but relatively unbothered that Holly'fern has stopped showing interest in him- as far as he is concerned, she is still carrying his bloodline further. Meanwhile, Gray'whisker is extremely upset and confronts Holly'fern, demanding to know what has gotten into her. Holly'fern snaps at him that she needs some time away from him, and that he never leaves her alone. Gray'whisker is taken aback, and mutters that he was just trying to show his love for her before padding off back to his den. Holly'fern's heart feels like it is breaking into pieces as she watches him walk away.

A moon later, Holly'fern awakes early in the morning with a stabbing pain in her abdomen, and realises that she is kitting. She screeches for the medicine cat, but her breath is cut short by another spasm of pain and they don't appear. One of the other queens awakes and she rushes to Holly'fern's side to comfort her whilst they wait for the medicine cat to arrive. Hardly anyone in camp is awake, and Holly'fern fears that should her kits have any issues, they will be helpless. Suddenly, the medicine cat rushes into the den, followed by Gray'whisker. It is revealed that Gray'whisker was sleeping just outside the nursery, heard Holly'fern's cry and immediately alerted the medicine cat. Holly'fern feels a burning guilt once again as she realises that she should have picked Gray'whisker all along, but there is no hope of rekindling what they once had now. She gives birth to Frog'kit, Fox'kit, and Furze'kit in that order. The final kit emerges, but is completely still and silent. The medicine cat sadly tells Holly'fern that this kit is stillborn, and Holly'fern hangs her head in sadness, but is quietly relieved that her horrific ordeal is over. Frog'kit latches on immediately, but Fox'kit and Furze'kit don't. They are also taking raspy breaths, and the medicine cat quickly takes them to her den with the help of Gray'whisker. Holly'fern's stomach churns with worry, and she closes her eyes, barely hearing the quiet congratulations and condolences of the other queens. She nuzzles into Frog'kit and promises to protect him from all harm, no matter what. Toad'pelt enters the den later that day to congratulate Holly'fern, and upon seeing Frog'kit, states that he looks just like him. Holly'fern nods and realises that Toad'pelt must have fathered her kits after all, further adding to her crushing guilt. Gray'whisker is nowhere to be seen for the rest of the day. The following morning, more devastating news arrives as the medicine cat enters the nursery, looking solemn. They explain to Holly'fern that Fox'kit passed away in his sleep, and Furze'kit is in critical condition. Holly'fern howls for the loss of her second kit, waking Frog'kit and causing him to cry out in unison. The other queens try once again to comfort her, and Holly'fern begs to be left alone. She shakily pads to the medicine cat's den and presses her nose into Fox'kit's fur, before turning to Furze'kit, who looks tiny and weak. Holly'fern's eyes widen as the realises that Furze'kit has the exact same pelt colour as Gray'whisker.

Settling back down in the nursery, Holly'fern thinks to herself that the loss of her two kits is a punishment from StarClan for not being faithful enough to have just one mate. She despises herself bitterly deep down for all that has happened, and the grief and loss that it has brought her and her clanmates. Gray'whisker cautiously walks into the den, and awkwardly asks Holly'fern if she is hungry. Holly'fern replies that she isn't, but Gray'whisker brings her a mouse anyway. Holly'fern sighs and apologises to Gray'whisker, deciding to confess everything. Gray'whisker is silent for a long moment, and Holly'fern expects him to walk out again. Holly'fern quickly adds that she regrets taking Toad'pelt as a mate, as at the time she couldn't see how Gray'whisker was obviously the better choice. Gray'whisker finally responds that, whilst he thinks it is inappropriate to verbally attack Holly'fern after the time she's had, he doesn't think their relationship can be the same anymore. Holly'fern sadly agrees, and the two part ways for good. Gray'whisker comes into the nursery occasionally to check on Holly'fern, but these instances are few and far between. Around a week later, Holly'fern is feeling slightly more ordered, as Frog'kit is fast growing into a strong and healthy kit. She receives regular updates on Furze'kit's condition, who seems to be improving, lightening Holly'fern's spirits a tad. She goes to the medicine cat's den to check up on Furze'kit, who is now squealing and moving around. Furze'kit tries to scoot towards her mother, and begins to open her eyes. Holly'fern watches in happiness, but this quickly turns to concern when she realises that Furze'kit's eyes are clouded over and no pupil is visible. The medicine cat realises that Furze'kit is blind, and Holly'fern runs out of the den, distraught.