Sleep, My Son
Matthias looked at his sleeping son, curled amid the blankets of his bed. Despite all the mischief Mattimeo had gotten into that day – he was sure Friar Hugo would never forget the tablecloth – Matthias smiled. Matti was headstrong with a keen mind for trouble. A pity he insisted on dragging his friends into it.
But Mattimeo was young, Matthias knew, and he had plenty of time to grow up and learn the ways of a warrior. Young ones always got into some mischief or another, all easily forgiven. Let another season pass, and Matthias would begin instructing his son in the ways of the warrior, but only if he could learn to cool that hot head of his.
Deep in dreams, Mattimeo smiled, and Matthias wondered what was going through his mind. Softly, he kissed his son, then quietly closed the door behind him as he left the room.
Watching Mattimeo sleep, Matthias felt his anger subside. Who would want to chastise such a peaceful creature? He hated punishing Matti, but it seemed like the only way to keep him out of trouble. Not that that was ever possible – trouble should have been his middle name.
Mattimeo rolled over, murmuring in his sleep. Matthias sighed softly. He knew Matti needed a harsh punishment for fighting, but prohibiting him from going to the feast would be cruel and wouldn't accomplish much. He needed to learn some character, not find an excuse for rebellion against authority.
"Oh Matti, what will I do with you?" Matthias whispered. He should have taught these lessons earlier. Maybe if he had, this problem could have been avoided. Not for the first time, Matthias felt the burden of parenthood and he blamed himself for his son's faults. He feared that he and Cornflower had spoiled him too much by allowing him to run wild instead of giving him duties around the Abbey like the other young creatures. Maybe they had hoped he would learn for himself, as Matthias had during the war with Cluny.
Mattimeo slept on, unaware of his father's thoughtful presence.
The band of freed slaves and rescuers camped by the side of the river. In the morning, they would cross the water and go through the pine forest of the Painted Ones. But now, they rested.
Matthias could not sleep. He kept a watchful ear, in case some unlikely enemy approached, but his mind wandered. After so much searching and following, he had finally found the young ones. He looked over at Mattimeo, sleeping nearby. Matti had grown – he was nearly as tall as his father now. Only another sign of the passing season, Matthias reflected.
Pride filled him as he watched his sleeping son. Though he could not imagine what Mattimeo had endured, it had been better for him then any lesson Matthias could have taught him. Matti had learned what it meant to protect those weaker than himself and to be resourceful in times of danger. Suffering made him grow into a mouse well on his way to becoming a real warrior. When they returned to Redwall, Matthias would teach Mattimeo to use Martin's sword. He had become a warrior in spirit over the last few weeks and the time had come for him to learn to fight like a Redwall Warrior.
For the first time in a long time, Matthias felt joy instead of worry or fear in his heart. A summer fraught with danger would give way soon to an autumn of hope for the future.
"Sleep, my son. You have earned the peace," he whispered to Mattimeo in the still night. Looking towards the starry sky, he added, "Thank you, Martin, for giving me a son worthy of your legacy. I know he will be all we hoped he would."
The soft snores around Matthias seemed to reply that all was as it should be. So he lay back down and let his breathing join the rest of the sleepers.