Late morning, on Watership Down

Fiver, Hazel and Hawkbit were sitting chewing on the grass just outside the entrance to the warren

"Looks like Frith's bringing us another beautiful day.", started Hazel

"Must be making up for that awful flood that came!", replied Hawkbit

"Everything's so peaceful and quiet today Hazel. It's strange.", continued Fiver

"Dont worry, that's soon going to change. Time to hide.", replied Hawkbit, running for cover

"Why?", asked Fiver

"Kehaaar!!", screeched Kehaar, before Hawkbit replied

Fiver ducked as Kehaar crashed to the ground. He rolled across the ground for a few seconds, before crashing into The Great Beech tree. Kehaar let out an almighty cry.

"Are you okay?", shouted Hazel, running across

"Me... yah. Fine!", replied Kehaar. He tried to lift his wing, but quickly pulled it back down again

"Okay, so maybe not fly till tomorrow. Kehaar, stupid gull!", he sighed

"You were gone a long time.", continued Hazel

"Fine. You try catch worms on own!", replied Kehaar angrilly

"Steady on Kehaar, I was only saying.", continued Hazel

"Aye! Kehaar Sorry! Hungry, hurt gull is not happy gull!", replied Kehaar

"Why were you out on your own anyway. Why wasn't Hannah with you?", asked Fiver

"She say she sick this morning. Not up to flying.", replied Kehaar

"Odd, she never said anything to us.", continued Hazel

"Come to think of it, has anyone else actually seen her today?", asked Fiver

"You're right. Let's go and find her.", decided Hazel

"Are you coming Hawkbit?", he continued

"uh... I suppose!", grumbled Hawkbit in reply

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

Inside the warren

Hazel, Fiver and Hawkbit headed towards where Hannah normally slept, whilst Kehaar staggered behind them. Primrose and Blackberry were already there

"What is it?", asked Hazel

"She's terrible Hazel.", replied Primrose

"We found her shivering like this not long ago. Primrose was just about to come and find you.", continued Blackberry, who was huddled up against the mouse

"It's the feared s..sickness. Get R...Rowslan.", whispered Hannah, before falling asleep

"Who's Rowslan?", asked Hazel, but there was no reply

"Kehaar, do you know what she's going on about?", asked Hazel

Kehaar sighed

"Is long story.", he replied

"How did I know he was going to say that.", sighed Hawkbit

"Rowslan is brother. When Hanyah live with other mice, oh... long time ago. Whole family suffers from rare sickness, sometimes fatal. Thought might have been fault of bad air at place. Part of reason she left, and went to Nuthanger.", explained Kehaar

"Not affected her for long time, so thought she safe.", he finished

"Fatal! What'll we do Hazel?", screeched Primrose

"What can we do, Kehaar?", replied Hazel, turning to face the gull again

"We do like she say. Find brother. Maybes he help.", replied Kehaar

"Do you know where this place is?", asked Fiver

"Hah! Kehaar always know! Is not far!", he shouted raising his wing, before quickly dropping it in pain again

"Oh wait. Dont tell me! The wing still hurts, so you can't take the easy option of flying there, and we're going to have to do another rediculously long trek overland instead.", sighed Hawkbit sarcastically

"How long do you think it'll be before you can fly again?", asked Hazel

"Early sunrise tomorrow, be fine then.", replied Kehaar

"That's not too long then. I vote we wait.", snorted Hawkbit

Hazel looked at Hannah who was still feverish

"She may not be able to wait that long. We'll have to go now... and take her along with us.", he decided

"How did I know you would say that?", sighed Hawkbit

"Look if you dont want to come along, you don't have to. You can stay and help look after the babies.", replied Hazel, pointing

Hawkbit looked behind him to see Bushthorn eagerly eyeing up his tail as usual

"N.. Now I didn't say I didn't want to come. After all, we do owe it to her. Count me in!", he quickly improvised

"We'd best bring along Pipkin too. He's good at talking to other animals.", finished Hazel

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

Outside on the Down

Hazel, Blackberry, Fiver, Bigwig, Hawkbit, Pipkin and Kehaar were all assembled on the down.

"That ought to help keep her warm.", whispered Blackberry, burying Hannah in Bigwig's long main

"Hey, just watch the hair will you.", replied Bigwig

"I dont think I've ever seen you look so worried before. Trust you to worry about your hair!", joked Hawkbit. He soon wished he hadn't, as Bigwig cuffed him.

"Are you sure you want to come with us, Blackberry?", asked Hazel

"Hey, it's about time I got to go somewhere. I haven't been out in ages.", she replied

"Come on then. Let's not waste any more time.", decided Hazel

"Lead on Kehaar.", he finished

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

Early Afternoon

The group arrived in a field, full with wheat.

"This looks new, but smells familiar.", muttered Hazel, as they all stopped

"Is far side of Nuthanger. Cat prowl field often. Best watch out.", replied Kehaar

"Oh, and just how long were you going to let us stand here before telling us that.", sighed Hawkbit

Hazel looked at the sky

"Do you think we'll be there before sunset?", asked Hazel

"Oh yah. We near now. Come to Town soon. We find him there.", replied Kehaar

Writer's note: Anyone who's interested, this town is real. It's Kingsclere, just over 2 miles to the North East of the Down - Now there's some continuity for you all!

"We'll be there soon? Why do I get the feeling we're going to keep hearing that.", sighed Hawkbit

"I'm sure Kehaar wouldn't mean to tell us it, unless he thought it was true.", argued Pipkin

"Everyone. Wait!", shouted Bigwig

"What is it?", asked Hazel

"Over there! Man's entering the field in one of those big Hrududu's.", shouted Bigwig

Everyone looked, to see a large combine harvester entering the field.

"It's heading this way!", shouted Hazel

"Well let's not hang around to wait for it. Let's get moving!", shouted Hazel

Everyone started to run, except for Pipkin, who was frozen with fear

"Pipkin, come on!", shouted Hazel, turning to run back

"The Hrududu's coming. It's going to get me Hazel!", shouted Pipkin in fear

"Oh no! It's not going to happen this time!", shouted Hazel, pushing Pipkin to get him moving

"Come on!", shouted Bigwig from cover of some bushes at the far edge of the field, as Pipkin finally started to run, with Hazel following

As they watched, Hazel suddenly disappeared.

"What in the name of Frith just happened!", shouted Bigwig, as Pipkin arrived

Hazel's head suddenly appeared from a hole in the ground. He climbed out, and started limping towards the others. The harvester gained ground on him

"It's going to get him!", shouted Pipkin

"Not again. Does anyone have the distinct feeling we've been in this situation before!", snorted Hawkbit

"No! The Black Rabbit isn't going to take anyone this time!", shouted Bigwig

"Take Hannah!", he continued, handing the sleeping mouse to Blackberry

"Why?", she replied, before Bigwig suddenly ran out into the field

"What are you doing?", Hazel shouted back

"You just keep moving. Get to cover!", replied Bigwig, before running up alongside the harvester. It suddenly pulled to a stop

"Bloomin' rabbits!", was heard coming from the tractor, as Bigwig began running in the opposite direction to Hazel

"He's distracting the farmer!", shouted Blackberry

"You mean you never thought of that! I thought you came up with all the good ideas!", muttered Hawkbit

"I come up with good ideas. Bigwig just comes up with ideas!", sighed Blackberry

"Oh no! He has firestick!", shouted Kehaar

"Dont worry. He'll never get Bigwig!", replied Hazel

He was right. The farmer fired twice, both of which missed, due to Bigwig's imaginative direction changing.

"You see. He's into cover now! Good Old Bigwig!", shouted Hazel

"Come on. Why we waiting. Big Owsla captain not be very happy.", shouted Kehaar, as the farmer started up his harvester again

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

Later, overlooking the town

It was very early evening by the time the group reached a hill overlooking the town.

"There. Family live somewhere down there, Hazel!", spoke Kehaar, pointing at a cemetary on the outskirts

"Do you know exactly where?", replied Hazel

Kehaar shook his head

"Well, there's not that much area to cover. Come on lads.... not forgetting Blackberry of course, let's split up into groups of two.", started Bigwig

"Kehaar, you go with Hazel and Fiver. I'll stick with Pipkin and Hannah, so if anyone finds them, come and find us.", he continued

"That leaves you Blackberry, and um...", he continued, before Blackberry interrupted

"It leaves me with Hawkbit. Oh thanks alot Bigwig!", she snorted

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with Hawkbit, so everyone lay off him.", shouted Hazel

Bigwig nodded in agreement with Hazel

"Good luck!", he secretly whispered to Blackberry as they split up

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

In the Cemetary

Pipkin hopped tentatively across to a small blackbird, as Bigwig watched from the shadows nearby

"Hello. Me Pipkin!", he started

The blackbird just looked back at him

"Sorry to bother such a great bird as you...", he started

Bigwig chuckled to himself at Pipkin's flattery

"... but I wondered if you'd be so kind as to help us find a friend. Do you know of any mice around here, please?", he asked nicely

The bird paused for a moment, before finally replying

"One mouse in far corner. Near biggest stone with man carvings on it.", she spoke

"I cant believe how he's so good at this!", Bigwig sighed to himself

"Thank you so very very much.", finished Pipkin, heading back towards Bigwig and Hannah

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

"Got anything yet?", Blackberry shouted to Hawkbit

"Any second now.... the sarcasm.", she muttered to herself, rolling her eyes

"Oh yes. Saw feet. It's great! Really it is!", he replied, just as predicted

"Blackberry, Hawkbit! We think we know where they are!", shouted Bigwig, appearing nearby

"Have you seen the others?", he continued

"No, but I'm sure they'll be around somewhere.", replied Blackberry

"Well, that narrows it down a bit.", remarked Hawkbit

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

"Can you sense anything?", asked Hazel

"I dont know. All I've been able to see recently is mist. It's strange.", replied Fiver

"That's how I didn't see any danger back at the field. Nearly got you and Bigwig killed", he continued, hanging his head in shame

"Dont blame yourself. You cant be expected to see everything that's coming.", replied Hazel, putting his arm on his brother's shoulder to try and comfort him

"Hazel right! You allowed to not see some things. Kehaar not see things always. Is why wing get hurt!", continued Kehaar, just managing to lift his wing

"I can see danger now though!", shouted Fiver suddenly

"What is it? What are the visions telling you?", asked Hazel

"No there! Cat! Scatter!", he shouted, pointing

Hazel and Fiver darted off in the same direction. Kehaar, made a vain attempt to fly, but crashed straight back down on the ground. He then started to clumsily run away

"Where did she come from!", whispered Hazel

"We'd best get out of here!", he continued

"KEARRGHHH!!!", screeched Kehaar, as the cat pounced on his injured wing.

"What's going on!", shouted Bigwig, running with the others to join Fiver and Hazel crouched behind a gravestone

"Stupid Cat. It's got Kehaar!", replied Hazel

"He's bigger than her. He can easily fight her off!", pointed out Hawkbit

"Not with his wing like that he cant!", replied Hazel

"So what are you suggesting we do?", asked Hawkbit

Hazel paused to think for a moment before answering

"All of us charge at her together. She's not likely to take on all of us! She's more likely to flee.", suggested Hazel

"It's a crazy idea.... I like it!", replied Bigwig

"Pipkin, stay here with Hannah.", he continued, handing Hannah down from his neck

"Keha-haaaR! Rotten Stinking Cat!!", screeched Kehaar, trying in vain to fight back

"What's wrong? Not fighting back I see. Why dont we just play instead?", replied the cat evilly

The cat raised her front paw to strike at Kehaar.

"RAHHH!!!", shouted Bigwig, leading the group, as they charged

The cat turned, just in time to see Bigwig slam into the side of her.

She stood up again, and looked at the group in fear.

"You'll regret this, long-ears. You'll regret this!", she whispered, before running off

"Not likely, seeing as we wont be staying here long enough.", laughed Hawkbit

"Are you alright, Kehaar?", asked Hazel

"Yah, be fine in a minute. Stupid Cat no bother me!", replied Kehaar

"Come on then everyone. Let's not waste any more time.", finished Bigwig, heading off in the direction Pipkin had been given

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

In the corner of the Cemetary

"There. That must be it!", whispered Blackberry, pointing to a small hole in an old wooden hut

"Go on Pipkin. You try and see if you can get a response.", continued Hazel

Everyone stayed back, as Pipkin hopped forward, and leaned over the hole

"Hello?", he shouted

There was no reply

"Rowslan? Are you there?", he continued, however there was still no reply

"I'm a friend of Hannah...", he continued

Suddenly a scruffy looking mouse stuck his head out of the entrance

"Hannah? What do you know about Hannah?", asked the mouse

"She lives with us on Watership Down.", continued Hazel, as the rest of the group joined Pipkin

"She's not well. We thought you might be able to help.", continued Bigwig

"Why would I want to help her, after what she did to us?", snorted Rowslan

At that moment, Hannah muttered a few words

"Rowslan. I found you. Where's Mother?...", she managed before dropping off again

"She's dead. Has been for a long time.", replied Rowslan

"You mean the sickness got her?", asked Hazel

"No. We worked out how to cure that ages ago. She died of a broken heart. After Hannah left, her mother never got over the pain. She died shortly after.", sniffed Rowslan, before pausing

"Hannah turned her back on her family, so I'm turning my back on her. Let her suffer!", he continued, angrilly, turning to face the other way

"What are we going to do Hazel?", whispered Fiver

"Leave it to me.", he smiled back

"We know she left. But it wasn't because she didn't care...", he started. Rowslan didn't turn back

"She left because she...er... cared too much.", he continued

"Oh really?", snorted Rowslan, without turning round

"Oh yes. She was so proud of her family, that she left to tell everyone else.", continued Hazel

Rowslan turned his head slightly

"She said that?", he asked

"Why of course. All she ever talks of is how great her family is. She tells our babies stories of your courage and bravery all the time. Isn't that right, Bigwig?", continued Hazel, nudging him

"Oh, er yes. We um... never imagined that everything she said would be true. We never realised anyone could be so... great.", agreed Bigwig

Rowslan turned to face them fully with a tear in his eye

"I can't believe she said that. How could I ever have doubted her? Oh, I've been a terrible brother!", he cried, collapsing to the ground despondently

"It's not too late to show her how much you care.", spoke Hazel, comfortingly

Rowslan, paused for a minute, before wiping away the tears

"You're right! I'll be back soon.", he replied, before scurrying away.

"Hannah never said anything about how great her family is.", muttered Hawkbit

"We know that, But he doesn't.", laughed Bigwig

A few moments later Rowslan returned with a strange looking plant.

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

Late Evening

"So how is she?", asked Hazel, as Rowslan emerged from his home again

"Oh, she's responding well. Our family always does. She'll be fine by the next round moon.", replied Rowslan

"We'll send Kehaar to come back for her then, assuming his wing's okay.", decided Hazel

"Why! Where are we going?", asked Hawkbit

"Home! I dont think it's wise to wait around for that cat to come back.", replied Hazel

"I'll second that.", agreed Bigwig

"And remember. You can visit our wonderful family here anytime you like!", shouted Rowslan, as they all turned and headed back towards the Down