"Still waiting for her?" He mewed, tail flicking as he approached his chief. He thought this all was silly. The jarl held his frozens in high regard but he lacked a well enough bond to do something like this. But Leatherstar seemed to be quite the sentimental cat. He sat down before him, tucking his tail over his paws.

Crimsonrose came up to them, her amber eyes surprisingly soft. She understood that a warrior bond came with a great deal of risk, she would feel all the pain Leatherstar endured. But this wasn't something she'd done spur of the moment like everything before.

Choosing to train him rather than try to kill him when they first met, what felt like ages ago. Choosing to take her runt daughter to WinterClan. They were spur of the moment decisions.

This decision stemmed from the results of those spur of the moment choices. Crimsonrose had grown to be a mighty fighter and had become quite renowned within WinterClan and even some cats outside the clan had noted her skill. But by training Leatherstar, her skills didn't become just renowned. They would be allowed to continue with him. He had given her the start of a legacy, he would lead his clan, and use the skills she taught him to be a leader to be remembered. And she in turn would be remembered as his teacher.

He'd given her a way to save Mysterykit and ensure that she would have a future. He'd given her a home, and serving by his side to protect, to teach him, and teach others in WinterClan. She was building something bigger than herself. And not to mention forging connections with cats like she never had before. No longer were these cats she surrounded herself with, competition, occasional allies, and even potential threats if you got careless. These cats were actual friends, and though before meeting Leatherstar, she would've scoffed at the idea of her having friends. Battle over all was what she wanted. And though she still enjoyed battle and bloodshed. Her life now in WinterClan allowed her to forge friendships and make ties with cats. And just as she'd thought before coming here, having something to fight for and cats to fight for and alongside, made battles (even those not to the death) still exciting intense and filled with emotion.

And her life becoming this way was all thanks to the cat before her.

And for that she wanted to be able to be connected to him. He wasn't just her student anymore, he was her best friend. And she wanted to know the instant something happened to cause him pain. So she could be quick to crush the enemy. She wanted to know when he was happy, so she could share in his joy. She wanted him to know how happy she was in WinterClan, that she had no regrets, even if she might playfully grumble about being denied bloodshed. She wanted to be connected to him, share a tighter bond than the one they had now, so they could go forwards sharing more and more.

For too long Crimsonrose hadn't had anyone to open up to, but with Leatherstar, she was quite content being herself. There was no mask to put on here. She could swap between speaking respectfully, dramatically and longwindedly, to jokingly, crass and even throw in some dark humor. He knew who she was and he didn't care. She knew who he was and though she might tease him, she didn't judge him. But would be ready to help if she felt he was being blinded by his feelings.

All these thoughts were going through her mind as she came up to him. "Hmm was expecting a bit of fanfare. OR at least a dramatic drawn out ceremony, like the one where you gave me Silverpaw to mentor." She said lightly. Then she glanced at Sweetpine and nodded. "Sweetpine, looking perfect as ever." She said with a purr.

Leatherstar dipped his head to Crimsonrose. A much more formal greeting than he would normally give her. "Its a simple ceremony for a life long complex result." he meowed in amusement. The Ancients had a sense of humor after all.

He looked to his Jarl. "Ready when you are."

The jarl cleared his throat, standing tall, straight. He was official to say the least. "Face each other if you will, and starting with you, Crimsonrose, state the warriors oath so that the ancients may bless you with this remarkable bond..." he instructed, standing both before and between them, "So that you two will share a link with both body and soul."

(im just over here trying to be pretty and official with my man sweets lmaoo but yeah ik whatever yall wanna say works )

(Sorry for the wait,)

Crimsonrose looked at him, he’d grown bigger than her. When had that happened? It brought out a purr.

“Leatherstar, you know me. Battle is my siren song. I once lived solely to partake in its dance. I thought that’d be my only purpose in life. Then I met you, and I saw greatness. So I took you under my wing and taught you. Passed on my skills, and helped you grow stronger. I will not claim all the credit, but I am glad that I helped you reach this point. I’m so very proud.” She said softly.

“I once would’ve declared we do battle! That now you must prove you’ve succeeded, but I don’t need that. You’ve become more than I expected. You’ve also given me a path, that has raised my own potential. Once I was but a hunter amongst many, now I stand here, a mother, a guardian, a shard, and a clanmate. I still live for challenges but I’ve learned struggle is a part of life. And I see greatness still yet lies ahead. So let me walk beside you. Let me offer you my shoulders to shoulder the burdens that may weigh you down. I’ve never run from a fight, so let me stand with you for yours. Every life you lose, you will not lose alone. I am sure there will be great pain, great struggle, but in this we will achieve greater heights. We will shatter the expectations of those around us and in ourselves. Our triumphs will be that much sweeter, our blows will rain harder strengthened by our resolve to each other.”

She paused, “So now I must ask of you Leatherstar. My student, my leader, the cat for whom I would die for, my best friend; I ask of you, will you accept my warrior bond. And let me stand with you, through joy and triumph, through sorrow and defeat, through death and suffering, it is my wish to give you my strength and myself in this bond.”

His eyes narrowed, the air in his throat caught a bit. He didnt like this. The air felt still and heavy. Looking towards Leatherstar and Crimsonrose, back and forth, not wanting to focus on the stifling fog that had fallen over them. The Jarl didnt want to see what it brought, instead his eyes glazed over as he stared at what was solid, physical before him, his leader and his shard.

"Crimsonrose." Bellona addressed her dedicate eyes softening as she landed on the feline who carried her blessing. "I am pleased by your offer to your Chieftain. I will bless this bond for ten lifetimes. Nine of his and one of yours." She shifted her gaze to Sweetpine. She could see the unease her presence caused him. "Sweetpine, Jarl of WinterClan you are the chosen witness to this bond and living officiant. Watch with your eyes and bare witness to this moment."

She shifted her gaze to Leatherstar, the tom whom she had had many arguments with over the last several moons. She just couldn't convince him to take on his foes with the force of ancients behind him. He was always so stubborn believing in his and his clans stand alone power to win their battles. She admired him. "Leatherstar, do you accept Crimsonrose's bond?"

Leatherstar blinked emerald orbs casting his gaze from his Shard to his Jarl to Bellona. Her presence causing his heart to race with the thrill of battle. Her natural effect on those who wondered into her presence. "I do. I accept her bond as her Chieftain and her friend."

Bellona reached out with her shadowy maw and placed it on crimsonrose's head then on Leatherstars. She shifted her gaze to Sweetpine. "I have blessed this bond. Now you are to finalize it with your words."

Crimsonrose let out a purr, she hadnt been sure it was Bellona but seeing her now she recognized the ancient.
Shed been the same one to surprise Crimsonrose by giving her her blessing. Showing that Crimsonrose had WinterClan blood.