A/N: Here's the next chapter. Sorry for the long wait for an update... :P Enjoy!
The woods were quiet. The sun streamed through the leaves, giving the light a greenish tinge. Wild boars frolicked happily through the bushes. Somewhere nearby, a twig snapped. The boars looked up, in alarm. While they were distracted, a blue-and-white blur pounced on them from behind.
"I got two more!" A large, well-covered Gaul stood up straight, proudly showing off his prize to his best friend. His red moustache seemed to smile as he showed off his latest catch.
"Good job, Obelix," a little, fair-haired Gaul congratulated him, as he approached, two other boars draped across his shoulders. "Now only sixteen more to go, and we won't starve at the feast tonight."
"What's this feast for again?" Obelix asked, as he secured the boars under his arms.
"It's Vitalstatistix and Impedimenta's twenty-fifth anniversary. A very important occasion." Asterix, for that was indeed his name, twisted his blonde moustache between his fingers, a cunning smile on his big-nosed face, as they walked through the woods in search of boars. "And this year, my dear Obelix, please, don't bring them another menhir."
"What else am I supposed to get them?" Obelix asked.
"Impedimenta has asked people not to go out of their way for gifts this year," Asterix explained.
"Which means she really, really wants something nice."
"Right, but since we don't have anything right now, and it's too late to go to Lutetia to get something, we're just going to provide the food for the feast."
They walked for several minutes, without seeing a single boar. Asterix placed his load under a tree and sat down to rest a moment.
"We seem to have exhausted the supply of boars in this area," he remarked.
"And you seem to have exhausted yourself," Obelix observed. "You rest here a moment; I'll keep looking." He dumped his boars unceremoniously on top of Asterix's. "Make sure they don't get away." Asterix looked at Obelix with an amused grin as he removed his helmet, and set it down next to him.
"Don't worry, Obelix," he chuckled. "They won't be going anywhere."
"If I see any Romans, I'll bring one back for you!" Obelix called as he jogged off, his tiny dog, Dogmatix at his heels.
Asterix reclined under the tree, enjoying the warm, mid-morning sun. He closed his eyes, his arms behind his head, his legs crossed out in front of him. All was quiet. The only sounds were little birds flying from tree to tree, and the occasional squirrel scampering along the ground. Asterix loved the woods, but the only time he spent there was mostly hunting boars, or spying on Romans. He never really had the opportunity to just relax. Things were always happening, even now, with the feast that night. He only stole a few minutes for some quiet time.
"Do you see anything?"
"He's under that tree over there!"
"Shut up! He might hear you!"
"I think he's asleep."
"Well, go and find out!"
A wobbly-kneed legionary was shoved out of the nearby bushes. He clutched his spear close to him, and held his shield protectively in front of his body. He took careful steps, trying not to make a sound, but his armour rattled terribly from him shaking. He stiffed, hoping to stop the noise, and held his breath as Asterix stirred, turning over to a new position. The Roman let out a shaky breath, and advanced towards the unsuspecting Gaul.
Meanwhile, Immadoofus had sneaked behind the tree which Asterix was sleeping under. He careful reached around, and removed the gourd of magic potion from his belt. Then he waved it in the air as the signal for the legionary to make his move. The nervous Roman soldier nodded in response, lifted his spear, and slammed it down hard on the Gaul's bare head.
"YE-OUCH!" Asterix exclaimed, waking with a start, and rubbing his head. Immadoofus groaned. It hadn't occurred to him that the Gaul could already be under the effects of the magic potion for boar hunting. Asterix continued to rub his head as he glared at the offending Roman.
"What's the big idea?!" he snapped. "Can't you let a Gaul some peace and quiet?"
"Terribly sorry," the legionary mumbled, shaking more than ever.
"You're lucky I haven't had any potion yet," Asterix muttered. "Otherwise I would have sent you flying." Immadoofus let out a silent sigh of relief, and as Asterix was still scolding the legionary, he grabbed a large rock, and hurled it at the unsuspecting Gaul. And that was enough.
"Tie him up!" the patrol leader demanded, as he, and two other men leaped out of the bushes. He pounced on the vulnerable Gaul, and tied him securely with thick ropes. Asterix moaned as they stripped him of his weapons. Immadoofus, still in disguise, attached the sword to his belt, and picked up the discarded Gaulish helmet.
"You ready, Immadoofus?" the patrol leader asked.
"Ready," Immadoofus agreed. "But I need to get into character."
"Do what you must." Immadoofus grinned crookedly, and pulled the stopper out of the gourd. Taking a big gulp, and consuming the last of the potion in the gourd, he approached one of the patrol, and punched him up the nose, sending him flying into the air, leaving his shoes behind, and crashing down.
"Amazing!" Immadoofus exclaimed.
"Think you can get a hold of a whole cauldron of that stuff?"
"Sure I can!"
"Good. Now, get to your job. We'll take care of the titch." He pointed to Asterix, and two legionaries went over to pick him up, and carry him back to Compendium.
"And, uh," the patrol leader added to the imposter. "Don't fail."
"Yes, sir!" Immadoofus saluted, and began the short walk to the village."
A/N: Please review! :D
