Okay, so this is my first fanfic. Hope everyone likes it. First chapter: basically just introducing main characters.

I do not own Redwall.

A Warrior's Heart

Chapter One

The summer sun shone brightly in the cloudless sky. The vast green treetops of Mossflower Woods rippled in the breeze. Below, the banks at the fork of a stream buzzed with activity. Two otter clans had met up with one another. They were both headed to the seashore for the Hullabaloo, an otter celebration held every fourth summer. Clans all across Mossflower would follow streams and rivers to the sea for a celebration that could last for a few days, or until autumn.

The majority of the otters were setting up camp. The two clan leaders, Vanthur Stormriver and Garad Rainwake sat reliving old times and watching the younger otters. A group of maids sat on the riverbank ogling the young males, who were wrestling, sparring, and generally showing off in the shallows of the river. One ottermaid sat apart from the others, not really doing much of anything.

Vanthur and Garad mainly kept their attention on the males in the river.
"That son o'yours has gotten pretty good since the last time I saw 'im," Garad said, watching as a big otter flipped two opponents into the middle of the river.
"Aye, I'm one of the few who can still beat Theo one on one," Vanthur said, "The others are older warriors with years of experience. Hullo, what's this?" the ottermaid sitting by herself had come over and stepped up as Theo Stormriver's next challenger. Garad laughed.
"That's Pippin Floodgale. She doesn't look it, but I've seen her beat some that were twice her size. She's got a true warrior's heart. C'mon, mate. I wanna see this up close."

Theo looked down at his tiny opponent. Her dark eyes stared back at him, determined and unafraid. Theo shook his head and turned to leave.
"No," he said.
"What's the matter, Stormriver? Afraid of somebeast half your size?" One of the Rainwake otters jeered. Theo whirled around to face the speaker.
"I will not fight a maid," he said.
"Really," Pippin said. She punched Theo in the stomach, causing him to double over. She then spun around and caught him in the back of the knees with her rudder-like tail. Theo fell forward, and Pippin jumped on his back and dunked him under the water. She held him under for a few seconds, and then released him.
"Why not?" she asked. Theo stood up, shaking water from his face.
"It's not the way I was raised," he said, looking up at his father on the riverbank.
"I think this time you should make an exception," Vanthur said with a grin.

Word quickly spread around the otter camp that Theo Stormriver was fighting a girl. Otters of all ages crowded the riverbank. Many members of the Stormriver tribe laughed at the tiny otter going up against their chieftain's son, while Rainwake otters grinned and nodded knowingly at each other.

Jeers and bets were called out between the two clans, and encouragement to the two opponents circling each other in the shallows.
"There aint no way your maid can get the best of Theo!"
"Don't be too sure. I'll wager me best knife that Pippin wins!"
"C'mon Theo! You can win this in thirty seconds!"
"Don't worry about anythin' Pip. You've taken on three of us at once!"

Theo was trying to figure out the best way to beat his opponent without hurting her. Or making her cry. Pippin, on the other hand, had analyzed Theo while he was sparring with the other otters. She knew his style. She also knew that she could use her size to her advantage. She was a smaller target, harder to hit. Also, regrettably, Theo would probably be going easy on her.

As they slowly circled each other, Pippin realized that Theo was not going to make the first move. Quick as lightning, she kicked out and hit him in the knee, then moved to elbow him in the stomach. She did pretty much the same thing she had done before, jumping on Theo and dunking him under the water. Theo realized this just in time, and when Pippin jumped on his back, he pitched forward to flip her over his head. He didn't count on Pippin still holding on to his neck, and ended up falling in the shallows as well.

Theo finally realized that this was a serious opponent, and from that moment on was going to treat her as such. Pippin and Theo both rose from the water and went at each other with everything they had.

The two young otters were equally matched. Neither one was going to admit defeat until they could no longer stand to retaliate. Over half an hour had gone by before the two chieftains had this thought. By this time, both Theo and Pippin were letting their attacks and blocks get slow and sluggish.
"I think we'd better stop this fight, before one of 'em collapses of exhaustion or something," Vanthur whispered.
"Aye, mate. I agree," Garad replied quickly.

The chieftains splashed into the river and stood between pippin and Theo.
"Hold it right there you two, this 'as gone on long enough! We're callin' it a tie." Vanthur said. The clans applauded the two weary fighters, and most went back to whatever they had been doing before the fight. Soon all that remained were the two chieftains, the original group of otters who had been sparring, and the ottermaids who had been watching since before the fight.
"Listen up!" Garad said, addressing the entire group, "Why don't all o' ye take a break from this. I think the river gets real calm up ahead. Take some nets and lines and try to catch fish and watershrimp for supper tonight."
"Oh, and pick some fresh hotroot if ye see any!" Vanthur added. Hotroot was a plant commonly used in otter's foods. Their favourite was shrimp n' hotroot soup. Most creatures can't stand the spiciness of hotroot, but otters love it.

The young otters bounded ashore to get their nets and fishing lines. It wasn't long before all of them, maids included, were making their way downriver. Pippin was walking by herself, listening to the chatter of the others. Specifically, she was listening to, and rolling her eyes at, the other maids crooning about how strong or good looking or talented someone was.

Theo suddenly appeared at her side.
"Um, hey," he said.
"Hi," Pippin replied shyly. She didn't have many friends, and not many other otters her age actually talked to her.
"We sort of started off on the wrong paw," Theo said, "I was wondering if we could start over." Pippin shrugged.
"I'm Theo Stormriver," he said, holding out a paw. Pippin took it and they shook.
"Pippin Floodgale. Nice to meet you."
"You're really good at fightin', you know?" Theo said.

Pippin was surprised at his compliment, and couldn't think of a reply, so she just stayed quiet and let Theo continue.
"You would be good on a warrior crew," he said.
"I want to join the crew," Pippin said "but Garad is against maids fighting."
"Aye, my father's the same way," Theo said, "What do your parents think?"
"They both died when I was young. My aunt raised me. But she doesn't like me fighting either. I keep hoping that Garad will make an exception and let me join, but I don't think he ever will," Pippin said sadly.
"Aw, chin up, matey," Theo said, lightly punching Pippin's shoulder, "Mayhap things'll change in yer favour."

Please review! I'll probably only keep going if people think it's good.