Summary: Weylan thought he was the last of his family, but an unexpected discovery in Redwall's records could change all of that...
Rating: T, for the usual Redwall stuff
And yes, so begins the sequel to "Weylan's Treasure." This story will focus more on Weylan's family tree than the last one did. There are also some surprises I have planned for this story, ones I think you'll all like. Also, characters that did not appear in "Weylan's Treasure", but by all accounts should of (like Auma, who I simply spaced to include until too late) will appear in this story.
If you have not read "Weylan's Treasure", it is HIGHLY recommended that you do so before reading "Weylan's Family."
Weylan's Family
Chapter 1
The sun shown brightly down on a Mossflower in late spring, with it all in bloom. Colorful flowers blossomed all over the woods and plains, creating a magnificent, fluttering, rainbow of light.
Redwall Abbey towered out above the treetops of the surrounding woods, it's red sandstone walls sparkling in the late afternoon sunlight. Within the four great walls that enclosed the abbey's yard were a many creatures bustling about with activity. Just beyond the main gates, long tables had been placed side by side of each other, placed horizontally so that the two lines of tables began at one end of the yard, and ended at the other, near the pond.
Cooks and maidens from the kitchens raced to and from these tables, placing large amounts of food upon them, awaiting to be eaten. Redwall's current friar, a mouse named Ben, watched over the preparations for the celebration feast. And he did it in peace, for there were no creatures anxiously awaiting to eat the magnificent food, not even a certain hare and otter.
That was because the rest of Redwall's occupants were gathered at the eastern wall, gathered into two crowds, one on either side of the path that lead through the area, which had been left clear. They were anxiously awaiting something.
They did not have to wait long, for soon two creatures arrived at the head of the path, and started down to the end, where Abbot Mordalfus stood waiting. The crowd watched anxiously as Tess and Mattimeo, paw in paw, marched down the path.
Tess was dressed in a magnificent, yet simple, dress that was of similar color to the green grass that grew on the abbey lawn around her. So much so that the hem of the dress was occasionally lost from view, blending in with the grass and plants around it.
Mattimeo was dressed in a simple habit traditionally worn for special occasions such as this, colored a light cobalt blue in the spirit of the season. Around his waist he wore a belt, and tied to it was the scabbard containing the sword of Martin the Warrior, there for show and to display Mattimeo's position at Redwall, even though the sword was not yet his responsibility.
The couple arrived at the end of the path, and stood before the abbot, beaming. Abbot Mordalfus grinned broadly back at them in response, the elderly mouse looking no older than he had when he first became abbot several seasons ago.
"You two ready?" Mordalfus asked quietly.
Mattimeo looked behind them where his many friends and family stood behind him. He saw his father, Matthias standing proudly in full armor, with Cornflower standing at his side, one arm wrapped around her husband. He saw Basil Stag Hare, dressed in full regimental uniform and Cheek Stag Otter standing to the opposite side, dressed in the best clothes the otter had (which paled in comparison to everyone else's).
He saw Swayner and Marigold, the squirrel couple having been happily wed for a full season now, Marigold already great with child. He saw Constance, Auma, Tim Churchmouse, John Churchmouse, Mrs. Churchmouse, Rollo Bankvole, Cynthia Bankvole, Sam Squirrel, Ambrose Spike, Sister May, and the many, many other creatures who had gathered to see this event.
"Yes." Mattimeo replied confidently, a response Tess was quick to echo.
"Then let us begin." the kind abbot stated.
Stepping forward, he raised his hands outward. "Attention, Redwallers!" he said, and a sudden hush swept over the large crowd that had gathered.
The abbot continued. "Today we are gathered to be witness to a momentous occasion." he said. "For several seasons now, it has been no secret that the two mice who stand before you now, Mattimeo, son of Matthias the Warrior, and Tess Churchmouse, have been quite close. And that it was only a matter of time before that bond between them strengthened to the point it has today."
"Today, they wish to finalize that bond between them, to be wed for all time. A moment that the rest of us have been wondering when they would reach for some time now."
A ripple of polite chuckles broke loose at this.
"And so, without further ado, I will now begin the wedding ceremony." Mordalfus concluded.
And with that, he stepped back, standing before Mattimeo and Tess once again. From within the folds of his habit he withdrew a small, brightly polished, redwood box. Holding it with one paw, he lifted the lid with the other.
Within the box, placed upon the silk lining the inside of the box, were two bracelets. Mordalfus with drew one, the smaller of the two, and held it aloft, speaking loudly so that all could hear.
"Maiden, so pretty and fair,
On this day take great care.
You have chosen to be wed,
A path all lovers will tread.
On this day will become a wife,
and regardless of any strife,
intend to remain loyal to him who you wed,
from rising in the dawn, to settling into bed,
for all of your seasons, may they be long,
and in this marriage be forever strong.
Maiden, by accepting this bracelet,
the symbol of the deed to commit,
you agree to the aforementioned wants
and needs a wife must forever grant.
If this is your wish,
then place the bracelet on your wrist.
To forever stay."
The abbot held the bracelet out to Tess, who accepted it, and gently slipped it onto her left wrist, the silver metal it was made out of glinting in the sunlight. Mordalfus them reached into the box and retrieved the other bracelet, bigger than the first, and held it before them like he did the previous.
"Warrior, so strong and true,
On this day be not blue.
You have chosen to be wed,
A path all lovers will tread.
On this day will become a husband,
and will try not to offend,
the maiden you hold dear to your heart,
a bond you will protect with all your heart,
and will forever be at her side,
never, all throughout, losing stride.
Warrior, by accepting this bracelet,
the symbol of the deed to commit,
you agree to the aforementioned wants
and needs a husband must forever grant.
If this is your wish,
Then place the bracelet on your wrist.
To forever stay."
Mattimeo accepted the bracelet without hesitation, placing it on his right wrist, opposite of the wrist Tess had placed hers on. Mordalfus then closed the box and set it aside, folding his paws into his wide habit sleeves.
"Mattimeo and Tess," the abbot said calmly, "By the power bestowed within me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
A loud cheer rang out from the Redwallers as Mattimeo and Tess embraced each other, kissing. The moment they let go of each other, they were instantly surrounded by the other Redwallers, each and everyone of them having something to say, and a congratulation to give. After several moments of that, everyone wandered to the front of the abbey where the wedding gifts were to be opened, and then followed by the celebration feast.
Everyone, that is, except for two.
Weylan Riverstryke watched the proceedings from the Infirmary window, his mother, Kesmin Riverstryke lying in a bed next to him, positioned so that she could see the proceedings as well.
"Beautiful." Kesmin whispered, letting her head sink into the pillows that propped her up. "Simply beautiful."
Weylan remained silent, staring out the window, pressing one paw to his lips.
Kesmin turned to look at her son. "I 'ope someday ye'll do the same." she said slowly.
Weylan glanced at her. "There's no rush fer me to wed." he pointed out.
"True." Kesmin agreed, pausing for a moment to cough. "I just wish I could be there t' witness it."
"Ye will be." Weylan said, coming to her side. "I'll see to it."
Kesmin frowned. "Weylan, son, stop tryin' to fool yoreself an' face the facts."
"No, I won't give up that easily." Weylan said, taking his mother's paw.
"Weylan..." Kesmin began.
"I won't!" Weylan persisted.
"I'm dying." Kesmin stated bluntly. "And nothin' will change that. My time 'ere 'as ended. It's time fer me to move on."
Weylan opened his mouth to reply, but couldn't bring himself to do it. He knew it was true. Time had not fared so well with his mother, and as she grew older, her health grew weaker, until the point she had become bedridden two days earlier. Sister May said she was trying everything she could to prevent the worse, but...there was no denying it. Weylan hung his head.
"Weylan," Kesmin continued, "Regardless of wot will 'appen, I want ye to stay strong. Ye can bear the sufferin' and rise to go on with life. I 'ad t' do it when yore father disappeared. If I can do it, ye certainly can."
Weylan nodded, indicating that he understood. Kesmin looked out the window once more, watching the stragglers in the abbey grounds below hurry off to join the rest of the celebration.
The elderly otter smiled. "I'm glad I lived long enough to see Matti and Tess wed." she said. "That way I can die knowing that they will be happy together. Weylan, I want ye to follow their example one day, ye hear?"
"Yes." Weylan replied.
Kesmin smile broadened, and she gave Weylan's paw a squeeze.
The festivities drew well into the fading light of evening. Breaking away from the crowds of creatures still congratulating him, Mattimeo wandered over to the heavy-laden tables of food to get something for him and Tess to eat.
He was surprised to see Weylan sitting there. Dry-eyed, the otter sat there staring into an untouched bowl of hotroot soup, an equally untouched flask of October Ale sitting nearby. Sensing something was wrong, Mattimeo wandered over to the otter.
"Weylan, what are you doing here?" he asked. "I thought you would be up with Kesmin still, is something...?"
Weylan shook his head. "She's sleeping." he explained.
Mattimeo relaxed. "Oh." he said, relieved. "So you're just coming down here to join in the festivities until she awakens."
But Weylan shook his head again. "No, mate." he said. "This kind of sleep is forever."
Stunned, Mattimeo dropped into a nearby seat. "You mean she's..." he began.
Weylan nodded sadly. "She's passed on to the Dark Forest."