Disclaimer: Redwall is the property of Brian Jacques. The only things that do not belong to him are the OC's.
Prologue
There almost finished. My paw aches from writing all of this time, but I feel that it is my duty to write the account of my ancestors. I have been working on it a while now, and I have collected knowledge and information from my elders who have been a great help through this long ordeal. I hope they enjoy the tale when I read it in Cavern Hole this evening. It's nice and snowy outside, so the fire should be well banked up and the room should feel cozy. The Dibbuns will even get a chance to stay up late tonight, and they are very pleased to know that.
The dusty smell of the books that filled the gatehouse was a familiar scent for me for I had spent many days among them. I will be sad and sort of relieved to leave it behind tonight, it is almost my home. I still have to keep in mind, however, that there is much more to the Abbey. Well, I had better get ready.
The small haremaid sat up when she heard a knock on the gatehouse door. Gathering the scrolls in her paw she shuffled across the cluttered floor to the door. She opened it revealing a small Dibbun. The cold evening air was a relief from the dusty smell of the gatehouse. The Dibbun looked up at her, eyes shining.
"Are ye ready to go Mizz L'ly?" asked the small mousemaid named Trixie. She grasped Lily's free paw as they turned to go into the Abbey.
"Trixie," Lily said looking at the Dibbun, "We had better hurry inside. You aren't wearing the proper clothes to be out in such weather. You'll catch a cold." Her tone was scolding, but held a hint of affection in it.
"I'z sowwy Mizz L'ly, but de Habbot haz gav'ered everyone in Cavern 'Ole already," the Dibbun said looking at her elder. She smiled in anticipation. They quickened their pace across the snowy grounds of the famous Redwall Abbey.
They entered the Abbey to the welcoming relief of warmth. They made their way into Cavern Hole, greeted by the many faces of Redwall's inhabitants. They all looked excited as Lily entered walking over to a high table at the head of the room. Lily let go of the young mousemaid's paw when she saw her parents.
The quiet buzz of conversation that had greeted her ears upon entering the room soon quieted as they gazed at the haremaid before them. All that could be heard was the faint shuffling of paper as she sorted through the documents. She cleared her throat and looked up.
"As all of you know, I have been grueling over this account for almost two seasons." She received quiet nods from the audience. "It has been hard for me to piece together every detail of this tale correctly, but I have finally done it. I would like everyone that helped me do this to know that I thank you. I couldn't have done it without you fine beasts. I know that all of you have been waiting for a long time to hear this-" she was interrupted by a young Dibbun.
"Yea we 'ave, so why don't you tell it already!" He was quickly hushed by the angry paw of his mother. She looked at Lily embarrassed. Lily just smiled and continued.
"As I was saying, you have all been waiting a long while to hear this. And now, after so much work, I am able to tell it to you." Cheering began from the eager audience and was soon quieted as Lily raised her paw for silence. She said with a smile,
"Let the tale begin………"