Morning on the Down

"It's a beautiful morning, isn't it Hazel.", shouted Pipkin, running out, before chasing after a butterfly

"It sure is. Frith's smiling on us today.", he replied

At that moment Dandelion came running across the down, chased by Periwinkle.

" 'ere! Instead of lazing in the sun, perhaps you could keep these little nippers entertained. I'm exhausted!", he panted

"At least your tail is still in tact!", grunted Hawkbit, running past with Bushthorn clinging to his tail

"Stay close with the others now, Pinecone.", shouted Blackberry, as she appeared at the entrace the down with her adopted kitten

"...and try not to fall asleep.... again!", she continued as her kitten ran out

"Pinecone?", Hazel muttered to Bigwig

"It's what Blackberry named her. She's really brightened up since we brought the kitten back to the down.", replied Bigwig

"Shame the same cant be said for Pinecone herself!", replied Hazel, pointing at her, as she curled up in the morning sun, and promptly fell asleep again

"Will someone please help me sometime today?", mumbled Hawkbit, from under a pile of 3 of Primrose's kittens, who were busy pulling out large clumps of his fur

"This hair takes time to grow back you know. I just hope you remember that when I look all ugly.", he continued

"You never looked that great anyway Hawkbit!", joked Gooseberry, emerging from the down with Primrose and Captain Broom, to join the collection of rabbits now already outside

"They're bored Hazel. We have to think of something to keep them entertained.", started Primrose

"...and preferably soon!", continued Hawkbit

"Hello Everyone.", came a voice suddenly from behind Bigwig, causing him to jump

"It's only me, Hickory!", he continued

"Oh thank Frith. Dont ever sneak up on me like that again!", replied Bigwig

"You're the one who always goes on about security. You're not trying to tell me you weren't ready and alert there, were you?", laughed Hickory

"er.... well... I... er...", stuttered Bigwig

"It was a new tactic to catch you by surprise. When you least expected it, I would have swung round and cut you down!", he continued, quickly improvising

"I'm sure it was.", laughed Hickory

"So what brings you all the way up here?", asked Hazel

"Two of our sentries reported seeing some strange rabbits searching around near Redstone yesterday. They lost them, and we haven't found any trace of them since.", replied Hickory

"You have sentries now. Glad to see you took some of my advice.", interrupted Bigwig

"We were wondering if you'd seen anything of them?", finished Hickory

"No, we haven't, but it doesn't sound like a good sign.", replied Hazel

"We'll come back with you and check it out.", decided Bigwig

"It sounds like a good chance to show your babies your home warren Primrose. I remember a time...", started Captain Broom

"At least they can get off me!", snorted Hawkbit

"Then we're agreed. Someone find Fiver. He'll be useful to have along, as he can usually see any danger before us. Bigwig, Gooseberry, Hawkbit and Dandelion, you come along with me, Primrose and the babies. The rest of you, stay here, and keep an eye out for danger. We'll tell Kehaar to fly backwards and forwards between the two warrens just in case any trouble does turn up.", decided Hazel

"Why do you want me along? Cant I get away from those little ones for a few hours?", sighed Hawkbit

"We need you and Dandelion there because they all like you two.", replied Hazel

"I cant imagine why. I've tried my best to be make them not like me.", snorted Hawkbit

"Well, Bushthorn's certainly become quite attached to you these days.", laughed Bigwig, pointing at the young buck still clinging to Hawkbit's tail

"Oh, how funny. Ha... Ha.", Hawkbit muttered sarcastically

"What about Pinecone. Is she coming along too?", asked Dandelion

"See for yourself.", replied Blackberry, pointing at the sleeping kitten, just as Fiver emerged from the warren with Kehaar and Hannah

"Let's get moving then.", finished Bigwig

*************

Near Redstone warren

"Do you 'ave any idea where we are, mate?", muttered a white rabbit, as two of them crawled through some bushes

"I know exactly where we are, Captain Moss.", replied Vervain

"Sure ya do, mate!", replied Moss

"Undermine my authority again, and I'll have you up in front of the General for dereliction of duty.", snorted Vervain

"So where are we then?", asked Moss

"Ah... er... Be quiet!", shouted Vervain, before sniffing in the air

"Well mate, whatcha got?", asked Moss

"I don't know. This place smells strangely familiar, but I dont quite know why.", replied Vervain

They scrambled forward a bit further, before finally reaching the edge of the woodland, looking down from the top of a steep hill

"I recognise this place now, dont you? Lets get away from 'ere!", whispered Moss, as the two of them crouched in a bush at the top of the hill

"er... Of course I... um... recognise it. I just want to test if you do though, so please tell me.", stuttered Vervain

"Sure ya do, mate! I wasn't even on that misson, but I can recognise it. It's the plague warren that Cowslip fella led the General to, remember!", replied Moss

"Of course I remember. I'm the smart one here, and dont forget that.", snorted Vervain

"Well what are we waiting for, mate. We know where we are, so we now know the way back. Let's not 'ang around in this diseased place any longer.", replied Moss

"The General told us not to come back until we found The Outsider's Warren, or else!", pointed out Vervain

"He tells us that all the time, but he's never acted on it yet, mate", replied Moss

"That sounds awfully like disloyalty to me, Moss. You know what happened to the last Owsla Captain who acted like that.", pointed out Vervain

"I was just saying.... Look, whats the point of 'anging round this plague warren?", asked Moss

"I'm not too sure it really is a plague warren.", replied Vervain

"Surely you aint forgotten the mad old rabbit we found last time, 'ave you!", snorted Moss

"How do you explain that then?", asked Vervain, pointing, as Marigold and two other rabbits emerged from the warren to silflay

"Frith mate!! You're actually right!", exclaimed Moss

"And when haven't I been right?", asked Vervain

"Well, there was that time you said an eagle was flying around Efrafa, and then there was the time you said the ice could support the weight of the mark, then....", started Moss

"Shhh!! There's someone coming!", whispered Vervain

They both watched in silence, as the Watership group walked into the open

"I knew it! It's The Outsiders. They must have something to do with this warren. I bet it was them who set up that plague warren trick.", continued Vervain

"Hazel. I didn't expect to see you here.", shouted Marigold, running up to greet the group

"And Primrose... and Bigwig... and Dandelion.... and Fiver!!", she continued, greeting all the Watership rabbits

"And you are?", she asked Gooseberry

"I'm Gooseberry. Pleased to make your acquaintence. I'm from the warren Pimpernel came from.", replied Gooseberry

"We didn't expect to see you here. And you brought your babies too. Oh aren't they adorable!", screeched another of the Redstone does, running across to join them

"Yes, Hello there Hawkbit, pleased to meet you. How are you? I'm very well, thank you for asking.", Hawkbit muttered to himself, as Marigold still failed to notice him

"We came to see if we could find any signs of the rabbits your sentries spotted.", replied Hazel

At that moment, the sound of branches snapping was heard

"What was that?!", shouted Hazel, instinctively bolting forward

"It came from the edge of the bushes!", replied Bigwig

The rabbits ran across to the bush to look, but it was deserted.

"Someone was here recently.", shouted Hazel

"Efrafans Hazel.... Vervain and someone else, judging by the scent.", continued Bigwig

"Oh no.", sighed Fiver

*************

In the Heart of Efrafa

"How long has that idiot Vervain been gone now?", shouted Woundwort, standing up on his platform

"Almost 2 days sir. You did tell him not to come back until he found the outsi...", replied one of the lower-ranking officers

"I know what I said. I just dont trust that one. There's always been something about him.", interrupted Woundwort angrilly

"Sir, Captains Vervain and Moss have just come in. They say its important.", spoke another rabbit, appearing at the entrance

"Ah, about time. You are Dismissed! Show them in!", Woundwort spoke to the officer

A few minutes later Vervain and Moss entered.

"Well. What have you to report, and this had better be good!", thundered Woundwort

"Oh it is sir, it is!", started Vervain, in his usual smarmy voice

"We were lost off track sir. Captain Moss here had managed to lose our way. We wandered for days starving and tired, but of course I keep reminding him its all for Efrafa. For you, General. I took....", he continued, as Moss rolled his eyes

"Did you find the Outsider's warren?", shouted Woundwort, cutting off Vervain's great speech

"er... no, not as such General.", replied Vervain

"You know the punishment for failure.", started Woundwort, signalling to some of the other officers

"General, I found the next best thing. I found where the outsiders are staying.", replied Vervain

Woundwort signalled to the officers to fall back

"Go on.", he spoke

"The Plague warren. Along the path of the setting sun. Cowslip wasn't lieing, sir. There are rabbits there. Lots of them, sir. Including Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver and two runners, sir.", replied Vervain

"Is this true Moss, or is it another of his raving stories?", shouted Woundwort, at which Vervain tried to hide his disgust

"It's true this time sir. Saw them myself.", replied Moss

Woundwort paused for a moment to think

"Gather the army. We'll attack them at dusk!", shouted Woundwort

Vervain and Moss turned to leave. As they did, Woundwort spoke again

"And this had better not be a waste of my time Vervain.", he finished

"Oh the General will love me for this one. To think, I could be the one with the honour of being the rabbit who led to the outsiders downfall. I'll be the second most popular officer in Efrafa.", remarked Vervain, as the two captains ran out into the open, not noticing Kehaar sitting on the tree above them

"I shouldn't think thats too likely, mate! Even if we invaded all the warrens under the light of Frith before the moon today, I cant see the army liking you more.", replied Moss

"Shut up!", Vervain snarled back at him

"Kehaar!!", screeched Kehaar taking off

Vervain instinctively dived to the ground in fear.

"It's their bird. Keep it away from me! Keep it away from me!", he shouted, cowering on the floor.

By this time Kehaar had already flown away. Moss stood shaking his head in shame as several of the other officers sniggered at Vervain.

*************

At Redstone Warren

"And you're sure Woundwort's going to attack.", asked Hazel

"yah, hear peeg ugly Vervain talk about it. He say make him look 'peeg popular rabbit'.", replied Kehaar

"Hi Hi! We certainly made him look 'peeg fool'. Hi Hi!", laughed Hannah

"Any idea when they're going to attack?", asked Hazel

"Some other rabbit mentioned something about 'before the moon today'.", replied Hannah

"That probably means they'll attack at dusk.", continued Hazel

"We have plenty of time to move everyone out and cover up our tracks then.", replied Bigwig, looking at the sky

"We couldn't possibly cover up everything. This warren's alot bigger than the last time they came.", pointed out Hickory

"And anyway. Now that Woundwort knows there are rabbits here, he'd keep coming back until he'd crushed the warren. We would have to convince him everyone had gone for good for some reason.", continued Hazel

"Fiver, can you see anything?", he asked, turning to his brother

There was no reply

"Fiver?", he pressed

"Leave him. He's off again. Maybe's he'll find us a solution.", whispered Bigwig

"Nooo! Elil! Elil!!", Fiver shouted, before running into the warren

"I cant sense anything.", Gooseberry muttered to Hazel

"Well, let's not chance it anyway. I'm sure Fiver knows best.", replied Hazel, heading for the entrance to Redstone

All the other rabbits followed. Hawkbit was the last. Just as he headed for the door, the ear piercing screech of an eagle was heard.

"Bolt for it!!!", shouted Bigwig from in the warren run

The bird clipped the back of Hawkbit's leg, sending him tumbling down the run, knocking over Bigwig in the process

"Are you alright?", asked Primrose

"Oh just fine, thank you. No really, I enjoyed that!", snorted Hawkbit

"Your leg! It's bleeding!", shouted Hickory

"Oh, aren't you the perceptive one!", Hawkbit snarled back

"It's only a little scratch!", pointed out Bigwig, deliberately prodding at it, to get his own back on Hawkbit's sarcasm

"And what are you smiling at?", he snarled at Hazel

"I think I might have just come up with an idea on how to fool Woundwort.", replied Hazel

"Oh no! If it involves me getting hurt again, count me out!", he replied

"Hawkbit, as soon as your leg's a bit better, take the babies back to Watership Down with Primrose.", he decided

"Oh great. I have a bad leg, and now I get stuck with those little furballs. Any more highlights today?", snorted Hawkbit in return

"Meanwhile, Bigwig, come with me!", shouted Hazel, already looking out of the doorway to the run to check the bird had gone

"Where are we going?", asked Bigwig

"I feel like some apples.", replied Hazel

*************

Soon, at an orchard

"Well then. What have you brought us here for?", asked Bigwig

"I have a plan.", replied Hazel

"I thought you might!", replied Bigwig

"Bark! Bark!", shouted Hazel, into a hole near a tree

"Where does she come in to all this?", asked Bigwig

"Woundwort won't give up as long as theres a chance there may be rabbits at Redstone. Well, let's make sure he thinks there isn't anymore!", replied Hazel, leaving Bigwig just as confused as before

"Rabbit Friends come see me. Bark happy.", spoke the badger, emerging from under the tree

"Nice to see you Bark. We need your help.", replied Hazel

"Bark always happy to help friends. We friends.", she replied

"I'll explain everything on the way, come on.", he finished, already heading off

**********

Back at Redstone

It was late afternoon by the time the three of them had returned to Redstone.

"Right everybody, listen up. I have a plan....", started Hazel

Everyone leaned forward attentively

"We're going to make Woundwort think the warren has been destroyed by elil.", he continued

"That's why we brought Bark.", continued Bigwig

"But how, Hazel?", asked Marigold

"Hawkbit gave me the idea. We scratch one another. Make some small wounds. It's not much, but it'll leave blood around the warren.", started Hazel

"The Efrafan's will never buy into that. They'll know straight away there's been no attack.", pointed out Gooseberry

"Which is where Bark comes in. If the Efrafan's see blood and a badger skulking about the warren, I dont expect them staying too long to investigate.", continued Hazel

"I help friends. Friends help each other.", spoke Bark

"Once everything has been set up, we cross the river to lose their trail. We can then double back and watch the warren from the safety of cover.", continued Hazel

"If they think the warren has been destroyed, it's unlikely they'll attack again.", finished Bigwig

"Do you really think it'll work, Hazel?", asked Marigold

"We have to trust them, Marigold.", replied Hickory

"I'll go first.", he continued

"That's the spirit!", replied Bigwig

Hickory winced as Bigwig drew his claws across his hind leg. Blood dripped onto the ground.

"Awww. I wish we hadn't sent Hawkbit back now. I would have enjoyed doing that to him.", sighed Bigwig

"I'll go next.", continued Hazel

**********

Early Evening

Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver, Hickory and Marigold lay low in the bushes watching Redstone from the other side. The rest of the rabbits had all returned to the down to wait patiently for news. Kehaar swooped down, managing to stay silent for a change, and landed next to Hazel.

"Is Efrafan nearing edge of forest. Many rabbits, yah.", he whispered

"This is it then.", replied Hazel, before ducking for cover as Vervains voice was heard

"There it is General. Filled with healthy rabbits, sir.", whispered Vervain

"Seems awfully quiet to me Vervain. Are you sure this isn't another of your strange dreams?", replied Woundwort

"No sir. Moss confirmed what I'd seen.", replied Vervain

Woundwort glowered at Vervain

"er... M.. must just be sloppy security.", stuttered Vervain

"Well, lets find out. ATTACK!!", shouted Woundwort

The Watership party watched as all the Efrafan officers scurried out from the forest, keeping in tight formation, before splitting to surround the entrance to Redstone. Woundwort gave the order to halt the army, expecting some sort of retaliation. Instead there was silence. Woundwort stared at Vervain, who had suddenly started to look very nervous.

"Over here, sir.", shouted Captain Moss, indicating at the splashes of blood on the ground

"It's fresh. Smells like elil was here, sir.", he continued

"Odd. There should be more than this for such a large warren.", replied Woundwort, coming across to investigate

"General! Over there sir!", shouted Vervain, pointing

Bark emerged from the brambles, walking slowly, and growling

"Everybody. Pull Back! Keep in formation!", he shouted, not noticing that half the officers had already turned anyway. Brave Vervain was at the head of the retreat.

"You heard the General! Retreat! Pull Back!!!", he squealed, fleeing in panic. Woundwort just shook his head.

"I suppose, at least he was right. There were rabbits here!", pointed out Moss, running alongside Woundwort

"That isn't good enough, captain! We're still no closer to finding the outsiders warren! We must find their warren, and smash it!", he shouted back at Moss. Hazel and Bigwig crouched closer to the ground

"Head back to Efrafa!", he continued, as the Efrafans melted back into the forest

After a few minutes, everything fell silent again.

"We did it!", shouted Bigwig, once they were sure everyone had gone

"You were brilliant Bark!", shouted Hazel, running up to the badger

"I helped friends! Bark like to help!", she replied

"You sure did help.", finished Fiver

"And now, thanks to you, our warren will be safe for many seasons to come.", spoke Marigold

Hazel paused for a moment, before speaking.

"Come on everyone. Let's go home!", he finished, under the first shimmering stars of the night