3rd Water

Christmas Special - Pipkin's Winter Adventure

Disclaimers:

The Watership Down series belongs to Alltime and Decode Entertainment. The original characters were the work of Richard Adams, however, many of the characters in the series were changed, and these belong to Alltime/Decode. I am just borrowing the characters for this fansite, and I mean no-one any harm by this. This is supposed to a be virtual third series, and is in no way supposed to detract from the official third series. When I originally planned out my third series, I never knew of the existance of the official third series. As it has never, and doesn't look as though it ever will be, aired in the UK, I decided to write an alternative series, continuing on from where series 2 (The Homecoming) left off. I am in no way connected with any of the companies mentioned above.

All characters are completely fictitious and any resemblance to any persons either living or dead is purely coincidental. If anyone has any problems with this episode, they are advised to contact the webmaster on [email protected].

 

Writer's notes:

Yep, its a Christmas episode. Unlike the Christmas Specials in the second series, I'm keeping this completely standalone from the rest of the 3rd Water series. That's why it's not referred to as Episode 8! There are, however, several references made to 'last Frith's Eve', which is based upon what happened in those official Christmas episodes.

Be nice to see how this turns out, as the plans for it were only finalised about a week ago. It's been mentioned recently in the guestbook how Pipkin seems to be very popular in Fiction at the moment. Well, that's certainly going to continue in this episode.... just look at the title.


On the down

A thick covering of snow covered the countryside, turning everything a shimmering white. Hazel looked out across the Down from the entrance to the warren.

"What are you doing out here in the cold?", asked Hannah, appearing behind him

Hazel turned round

"oh... er... just looking. I'll be back down in a moment.", he replied

Hannah started to head back down the run, passing Bigwig as she went

"Hazel's worrying again.", she whispered as she passed him

"Are you sure we have enough Flayrah?", asked Hazel, as Bigwig joined him

"Will you stop worrying about it Hazel. It's not going to be like last Frith's Eve. There's more than enough this time round. In fact, with the amount we gathered, we could probably feed everybody in the warren for the next 3 round moons.", he replied

"But is there enough for all the other animals?", continued Hazel

"More than enough. Besides which, I think alot of the others wont turn up this time, after last year's misadventure.", replied Bigwig

Hazel was about to reply, when he heard Pipkin approaching cheerfully with Bushthorn

"And just where do you think you're going?", asked Bigwig

"We're going to fetch some holly to decorate the warren.", replied Pipkin

"So what's Bushthorn doing with you?", asked Hazel

"He's coming too.", replied Pipkin

"I don't think that's a good idea. He is still a baby you know.", replied Bigwig

"Oh Uncle Bigwig, I'm old enough now!", whinged Bushthorn

"I have to agree with Bigwig on this one.", continued Hazel

"We're not going very far, and I can look after him.", pointed out Pipkin

"Hmmm. Well...", started Hazel

"Please!!!!", they pleaded in unison

"Alright then, just dont go too far. I want you back before afternoon silflay... and don't tell Primrose I let you!", finished Hazel, as the two of them ran out in the snow.

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

Meanwhile, just outside Efrafa

"Typical. Having to search for outsiders on a day like this. None of them will be out in this weather.", snorted Vervain

"You're the one who's always going on about loyalty to Efrafa, mate.", replied Moss

"Oh, dont get me wrong. I'm not at all like that slug Campion. I would follow the General into the lair of the Black Rabbit if he told me.", replied Vervain

"Well then, belt up.", replied Moss

"I still outrank you Moss and dont ever forget it. What I'm saying is, we wouldn't be out here now, if you'd followed your duties and found the outsiders. You've had all season.", snorted Vervain

"Me? You're the one who always leads...", started Moss

"Silence!", shouted Vervain

"Anyway. I don't mind the snow. Us white rabbits blend in wonderfully into the snow. Wouldn't you agree ma... oh wait. I forgot, your fur's black, and can be seen for miles. Never mind, I'm sure the elil will treat you nice.", laughed Moss

"Right, let's get moving. All this time we're wasting, we could be looking for outsiders.", snapped Vervain, looking around nervously

"After you, mate.", sniggered Moss

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

Near the edge of the Down

"Dont you just love this time of year!", shouted Pipkin, jumping in the snow

"Why's that?", asked Bushthorn

"Well, the snow! Everyone loves the snow! It's just so much fun.", replied Pipkin

"But it's cold, and wet. What's fun about that?", asked Bushthorn

Pipkin paused for a minute

"There's lot of fun things you can do in the snow.", he finally replied

"Like what?", asked Bushthorn

"Like....er... ", started Pipkin, stopping to think

"Make patterns with your tracks in the snow.", he finally managed

"But Mum always says cover up your tracks, or the elil will get you!", replied Bushthorn

"Well then, you can roll about in it.", shouted Pipkin, rolling about on the ground

"It's so soft!", he continued, laughing

Bushthorn followed his example, and began rolling in the snow

"Hey, you're right! This is fun!", he laughed

"See I told you!", replied Pipkin, as the snow began to fall again

"I could do this all day!", continued Bushthorn, rolling through the snow

Pipkin stood back up again to watch

"Just so long as you don't go too near the edge of the down.", he shouted

"What!!", replied Bushthorn, rolling dangerously close

"Get back now!!!", shouted Pipkin, but it was too late. Bushthorn disappeared over the edge.

Pipkin ran across in panic, and peered over. A trail of black ice led all the way to the bottom, and disappeared into some bushes

"Bushthorn! Where are you!!", shouted Pipkin, looking around frantically. There was no reply

"Hold on. I'm coming!", he continued

Pipkin inched his way onto the ice, trying to keep his balance, but it was no good. Within seconds, he too lost his grip, and slid down the hill on the ice. He closed his eyes as he hit a thorny bush at the bottom, and kept going. He finally tumbled down into a deep ditch with a thud, and came to a stop.

"Bushthorn?", he shouted, after shaking the snow from his fur

There was no reply

"Frith No! Hazel's going to kill me!", he muttered to himself

As he struggled to see through the rapidly closing in blizzard, a clump of snow suddenly hit him in the face.

"Ha Ha! I've found a new game.", laughed Bushthorn, kicking snow in the air

"Come on. We have to get back to the warren. The weather's getting worse.", shouted Pipkin, shaking off the snow

Pipkin turned and started to head back, but soon found his way blocked by the wall of the ditch.

"So how DO we get back?", asked Bushthorn

Pipkin screwed up his face

"I'm thinking, I'm thinking!", replied Pipkin

"Well dont try too hard, you might hurt yourself!", laughed Bushthorn

"You really have been spending too much time gnawing on Hawkbit's tail. You're even starting to sound like him!", replied Pipkin, taking a few steps backwards

"What are you doing?", asked Bushthorn

Pipkin didn't reply. Instead he charged at the wall of the ditch and jumped as high as possible. He managed to hook one paw over the edge, before promptly sliding back down again.

"Okay, so that didn't work. What now?", continued Bushthorn

"Well, let's follow the ditch along for a bit. It cant go too far, before we find a way out.", started Pipkin, already starting to move

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

Back in the warren, early afternoon

"The other animals are getting impatient. Perhaps we should start the feast.", suggested Bigwig

"No, we cant do that. We cant start without Pipkin and Bushthorn.", replied Hazel

"Well, perhaps we can tell a story to keep everyone occupied.", suggested Bigwig

"How's about Frith's Promise. A traditional festive tale... and I never got to do it last year.", continued Dandelion

"You know how much Pipkin loves that story. Can't you leave that until later, and tell a different story. I'm sure Pipkin will be back before you finish.", pointed out Hazel

Dandelion thought for a minute.

"Alright then. I'll tell everyone the story of our last Frith's Eve. Everyone could do with a laugh.", replied Dandelion

"Hey! What do you mean 'could do with a laugh'! I didn't think it was funny.", snorted Bigwig

"You didn't see yourself from our point of view.", laughed Hawkbit, before jumping out of the way to avoid another cuffing off Bigwig

"Everyone gather round!", shouted Dandelion, before clearing his throat

"The Story of Bigwig - The Ice Rabbit...", he continued

"Hazel?", came a voice from nearby

"What is it, Primrose?", replied Hazel

"It's Bushthorn. I cant find him anywhere. Have you seen him?", she asked

"er... I'm sure he's about somewhere.", he replied

Hazel quickly moved away as Primrose sat looking at him suspiciously

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

Somewhere, out in the cold

"H..How much further is it?", shivered Bushthorn

"There! The side's shallow enough to climb over there.", replied Pipkin, pointing

"Climb on my back to get up.", he continued, crouching down in the snow

Pipkin flinched as Bushthorn jumped on him, before climbing out of the ditch

"Y..You know the way back home, right?", shivered Bushthorn

Pipkin looked around for a minute, before speaking

"It's alright. We can just follow the ditch back to the bottom of the Down. At least it's stopped snowing.", he decided

"Come on. Let's get back. Hazel and the other's will be worrying.", he finished, already starting to run in the direction of home

Soon...

"Hey, following the ditch wasn't such a bad idea. We should be back for evening silflay at this rate, right.", spoke Bushthorn, struggling to keep up with Pipkin

"What is it?", he continued, as Pipkin suddenly skidded to a stop

"er... this could be a problem.", Pipkin replied, pointing to the ditch

Bushthorn looked, only to see the ditch split off in two directions a few metres ahead.

"Don't you know which way we came?", he asked

"I didn't even know we passed a split. I couldn't see a thing in the blizzard earlier.", replied Pipkin

"And it's starting again.", continued Bushthorn, as a gust of wind blew the first flakes of a fresh snowfall past his ear

"I say we follow this way. I'm sure that must be right.", decided Pipkin, heading down the left path

"You're the oldest.", replied Bushthorn shaking snow out of his fur

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

On the edge of the Down

As Hazel watched, Kehaar crashed, and buried himself in the snow

"Any sign of them?", he asked

"No sign. Look all across Down, but no rabbits. Tracks start that way, then is only snow, yah.", replied Hazel

"We're going to have to go out and look for them.", he decided

"And get lost again. I dont much fancy spending another Frith's eve away from home.", replied Hawkbit

"We won't get lost again.", decided Hazel

"er... how exactly?", asked Hawkbit

Hazel looked around, before setting his eyes upon some holly

"We'll leave a trail with the holly. Frith's promise wont let us down.", decided Hazel

"You really think there'll be enough.", snorted Hawkbit

"There'll be plenty. If not, we can always find other plants along the way.", replied Hazel

"Then we're agreed.", spoke Bigwig

"We'd best not tell Primrose. She still doesn't know I let Bushthorn go out alone in the snow.", sighed Hazel

"He's not alone, he's with Pipkin. He'll be fine.", replied Fiver

"Right, We'll head off in the direction Kehaar saw those tracks. He can fly ahead, and keep an eye out for anything.", decided Bigwig

"Head off in which direction Hazel? Where are you all going?", asked Primrose, suddenly appearing from the entrance

"er...", muttered Hawkbit

"Um...", continued Dandelion

"We... were... um", started Bigwig

"Just going to get some more flayrah.", finished Hazel

"But, there's plenty in the warren.", replied Primrose

"er... run!", shouted Hawkbit, at which the bucks all scattered

"He's acting odd. There's something he's not telling me.", muttered Primrose to herself

"I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. Perhaps Hazel just wants to surprise you. Come on, let's go back inside.", replied Blackberry

"Do you think we lost them?", asked Hawkbit, as they all regrouped halfway on the Down

"I think so.", panted Bigwig

"I dont like having to lie like this to Primrose. We trust one another.", sighed Hazel

"Hey, it's either that or tell her how you managed to lose her son in the snow.", pointed out Hawkbit

"Point taken. Come on, let's get moving.", finished Hazel

"Hawkbit, I'll leave you in charge of putting down the trail.", decided Bigwig, pointing at some holly at the bottom of the down

"Oh great. I get the job where I hurt myself. What else is new?", he sighed back

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

Meanwhile

"I really dont think this is the right way home.", sighed Bushthorn

"We must be nearly there.", replied Pipkin

"I hope so. I've decided I really dont like the snow now. It's not much fun.", started Bushthorn, as Pipkin stopped suddenly

"What is it?", he asked

"The ditch. It finished up ahead. We must have come the wrong way.", replied Pipkin

"Oh, well that's it. We're never going to get home now. We'll be lost out here forever.", sniffed Bushthorn, desperately holding back tears

"Hey, calm down. Things aren't that bad. Your dad and the others will be looking for us now.", replied Pipkin, trying to comfort the young buck, despite having his own doubts

"And look at that river!", shouted Pipkin, pointing to a nearby frozen river

"What about it?", sniffed Bushthorn

"I dont know why, but it looks strangely familiar.", replied Pipkin

"You mean its a way home!", shouted Bushthorn, as his eyes brightened up

"I'm not sure. But let's follow it. We cant get any more lost.", replied Pipkin

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

Fiver stopped and looked up at the sky

"What is it?", asked Hazel

"The sky's clearing. If we can see the moon, it means it'll be even colder than usual. Bushthorn could never survive a cold night like that.", replied Fiver

"Hey, we'll find them long before night fall.", replied Hazel

"Well, we're definately on the right path. I can pick up their scent, albeit very faint.", shouted Bigwig from nearby

"It looks like they're following the ditch.", pointed out Hawkbit

"I think you're right. I say its best if we follow it too, lads.", decided Bigwig

"Does that mean I can stop laying down the holly for a while?", asked Hawkbit, shaking his aching paw

"er... no. I think you'd best keep putting it down, just to be on the safe side.", replied Bigwig

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

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

"So, do you recognise where we are yet?", asked Bushthorn

"I dont recognise anywhere very well in the snow.", replied Pipkin

"What's that thing over there?", asked Bushthorn

Pipkin looked, and saw a strange snow-covered mass spanning the river

"I'm going to go and have a look. Wait for me here.", replied Pipkin

Bushthorn crouched behind a tree to shelter from the icy winds, as Pipkin hopped forward to investigate

"I've been here before. I know this place... but from where.", he muttered to himself

He gasped, as it suddenly hit him, and he realised he was staring at the stone bridge near Efrafa

"Well, no guard. I guess I'd best not waste any more time.", he continued, before turning

"Well, well, well. Look who it is! We haven't seen each other in a while, and imagine seeing you again today. My, the General will be thrilled.", smirked Vervain, blocking his path

"Grab him!", he continued, at which Moss leaped on him

"See what I told you about the outsiders being stupid enough to go out in this weather.", spoke Vervain, at which Moss simply shook his head again

"Now, let's get him back to Efrafa.", he finished, sniggering

Vervain turned, and was suddenly hit in the face with a large clump of snow. Pipkin instantly seized his chance and broke free

"There's another one!", shouted Vervain, pointing at Bushthorn, the source of the snow-throwing

"Get after them!", he continued, clearing the snow from his face

"Across the river!", shouted Pipkin

The two of them skidded onto the ice. Moss carefully tried to follow, but almost instantly fell over

"No! They wont get away that easily!", Vervain shouted to himself, as the two rabbits neared the far bank. He ran over the bridge, just in time to greet them on the other side

"Ha Ha! There's no escape!", laughed Vervain evilly, leaning over the bank of the river

"er.... Kehaar! Down here! Get Vervain!", shouted Pipkin

Depite the fact Kehaar was nowhere to be seen, Vervain instantly crouched down to avoid the bird. Pipkin used the opportunity to grab onto his neck, pulling himself onto the bank, and Vervain onto the ice

"Come on!", Pipkin shouted to Bushthorn

Moss came running across the ice, just as Pipkin lifted Bushthorn onto the bank

"Yarrghhh!", yelped Vervain, as Moss skidded into him

"Now run!", shouted Pipkin, kicking snow down on top of the two Efrafan captains

"Oof! Watch it mate, will you!", shouted Moss, as Vervain stepped on to him to climb onto the bank

"Over this way.", shouted Bushthorn, directing Pipkin across some black ice

Vervain followed, then smiled, as the two young bucks suddenly started to slow down

"HaHa! They're giving up! I knew they would!", he laughed

The two of them slowly walked towards a tree, as Vervain continued to run

"Now!", shouted Bushthorn, at which the two of them jumped sideways off the ice

"Huh!", snorted Vervain

"Argghhh!!!", he shrieked, as he tried to stop running, but slid on the ice straight into a tree, causing a mass of snow to fall from it and cover him

"I'll get you for this! I promise you!", he shouted, with his head just above the snow, as Pipkin and Bushthorn disappeared into the distance

At that moment, Moss crawled out onto the riverbank

"Get me out of here!", squeaked Vervain, as Moss walked across to him

"Are you sure? Wasn't it you who said a rabbit with black fur is easy for Elil to spot in the snow. Fortunately, they wont see you now, will they mate!", replied Moss

"Would you believe. Two small bucks, and we couldn't even catch them. The General isn't going to be pleased. He's likely to have you demoted for this.", he then sighed

"Hmm. Okay, Let's get the story straight shall we....", replied Vervain

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

Nearby...

"I can see their tracks now. We must be getting close.", spoke Hazel

"Hush!", shouted Bigwig

"I hear something approaching. Everyone, get ready to run!", he continued, listening

"What can you see Kehaar?", asked Bigwig

"Is nothing there!", replied the gull

No sooner had he spoke, than Pipkin suddenly came running through a bush, still looking over his shoulder

"Watch out!", shouted Hazel, as Pipkin crashed into him

"Dad!", shouted Bushthorn, running up to him

"What in Frith's name has been going on!", shouted Bigwig

"We got lost, then had to follow a ditch, then found a river, and we found Efrafa, and they nearly caught us, and we had to outsmart Vervain, and then I had to run and....", mumbled Pipkin

"Slow down! Did you say you've seen the Efrafans?", asked Bigwig

"Yes. We're not far from the stone bridge.", replied Pipkin

"Then we'd best not waste any time. They cant be far behind.", decided Hazel

"Have you been leaving that trail Hawkbit?", asked Dandelion

"Leaving it! My paw feels like it's part of it!", snorted Hawkbit

"Good. Now that we know we're in Efrafa, we can find our way home anyway, so we dont need it. Good Job though, Hawkbit!", replied Bigwig

"You really like to try my patience don't you!", sighed Hawkbit

"Well, if you feel so strongly about it, you can go back that way with Dandelion.", replied Bigwig

"Sound's fair enough to me!", replied Hawkbit

"On the way, you can destroy the trail too. We wouldn't want any Efrafans following, would we!", continued Bigwig

Hawkbit sighed in disbelief, and collapsed in the snow

"Come on. Let's go home!", finished Hazel, as they began to move

"And on the way, you can think of what you're going to tell Primrose.", laughed Bigwig, running alongside Hazel

"Oh yes! I'd best get thinking!", he replied, as the group split in 2, and headed back home under the clear winter sky.

THE END


My first ever Christmas special. I hope you enjoyed it, as it had me up early on Christmas day to finish writing it. I thought the storyline came out quite well, considering I completely changed my mind over the plot halfway through. Efrafa was originally not in the plans, but I thought it's about time we saw them again!

Thoughts and Opinions always welcome =:) - Guestbook / email

 

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