A/N: I love the book, the movie and the series but this tale is based on the TV series after the end of season 3. I fell in love with the character of Silverweed in the series and felt he was worthy of a tale of his own. This is the Prologue followed by chapter one and I hope to continue the story. I own nothing, except a well worn novel and a love for Richard Adams's wonderful world.
Themes: Angst, romance, religion and adventure. This story has been written for the purposes of Fanfiction only. This is my idea of what happened next.
The Prologue has been written for those who don't know the TV series, or a recap for those who do.
Prologue a quick review of the story so far.
Watership Down was no stranger to war and tragedy. They had fought the warren called Efrafa in the past and seen it's destruction. Now the fearful leader of Efrafa had returned with another army. General Woundwort had made his way back to his former home, Dark Haven, and brought a new army against the rabbits of Watership Down.
The battle was seeing it's second day. Many of the rabbits had been injured on both sides but General Woundwort would not stop until Watership Down had been destroyed. Everyone knew this, including a small mouse named Hannah. She had sought the help of the Hedge Wizard, a large turtle, who lived on an island in the middle of a pond. The Hedge Wizard had warned Hannah that the cost of using The Magic would be high but Hannah would not let her Rabbit friends meet defeat. Seeing the battle before her she prepared to use The Magic.
Silverweed was beside her. He had once been the mystic at the Warren of the Shining Wires, but the chief there, Cowslip, had sold him into slavery to General Woundwort. Hazel and his friends had saved him and he had finally found freedom on The Downs. Silverweed's mystic abilities had shown him in a vision of what would happen if Hannah used The Magic. He knew she would stop running. He loved the little mouse, and all his new friends dearly.
Using his psychic gifts he stopped Hannah from using The Magic. Invading into her mind he stole the words from her and said them himself. This opened a portal to Inlé, and the Black Rabbit appeared before Woundwort and his army, sweeping them away with a huge cyclone of wind. The Black Rabbit was angry that Woundwort was taking death into his own hands. A job reserved for the Black Rabbit alone.
The cost of The Magic was indeed great. Now Silverweed's body had suddenly shriveled and aged far beyond its years. The once young rabbit was now nearing death.
This is where my tale begins...