Authoress's Note: I don't own the poem, and don't ask what "Huesca" is, I don't know. Also, Felldoh is way, way OOC, so, um, yeah. Just, bear with me.

Heart of the heartless world,

Dear heart, the thought of you

Is the pain at my side;

The shadow that chills my view.

The wind rises in the evening,

Reminds that autumn is near.

I am afraid to lose you,

I am afraid of my fear.

And if bad luck should lay my strength

Into the shallow grave,

Remember all the good you can;

Don't forget my love.

-John Cornford

Chapter Four

Huesca

Felldoh rested easily now in Celandine's arms. She had refused to allow anyone to move him, nearly hysterical that more harm come to him, and so a tent had been erected over the two. The pretty squirrel maid had brought blankets to cover and cushion him. He laid his head against her breast, and sighed softly with contentment as she gently stroked his face.

Martin, one protective arm about Rose, entered the tent to find the two squirrels simply staring in sleepy wonder at each other. The warrior mouse breathed a silent sigh of relief, and shared a smile with Rose, that his friend lived.

"Felldoh," he said, smiling slightly as the squirrel painfully tore his gaze away from Celandine," sorry to interrupt, it's good to see that you're still breathing. How are your wounds."

"I'll live," Felldoh said, his voice still ragged and tired. He looked back to Celandine as she sighed at his words. He smiled at her and laid his head wearily on her shoulder before looking back to the mice. "Unfortunately, Badrang still lives as well."

"We'll take him," Martin assured. "The army outside is enough to flatten the fortress to the ground. Don't worry," and his eyes sparked with anger," I wanted Badrang for myself anyway."

Felldoh did not miss the worried look that crossed Rose's face. "It will be alright, Rose," he told her. "Martin will do for Badrang."

"Yes," the mousemaid said, though she looked at Martin for a moment before turning back. "I hear that you nearly had him, if he weren't such a coward." Rose smiled at the squirrelmaid who looked so proud of her charge. "You must be Celandine, Brome told us how you helped save Felldoh's life."

"We can't thank you enough for saving our brave friend," Martin added.

Celandine crossed her arms across his chest and laid her cheek against the top of his head. "I can't thank your brother enough," she said to Rose, choking a little bit as she squeezed Felldoh gently. He murmured soothingly to her, laboriously raising one paw to cover hers on his chest. "Felldoh would have bled to death in the sand without him."

"I'll be alright," Felldoh told her with quiet firmness.

"You'll give me gray furs before my time," she said prissily. She flicked up her tail and eyed it ruefully.

"You will be just as beautiful with gray fur," he said. Rose smiled and squeezed Martin's arm as Celandine blushed.

"Are you well enough for a council of war?" Martin asked Felldoh.

"Yes," he said.

"No," said Celandine at the same moment, and glared at him when he frowned up at her. "You are not moving, Felldoh."

"We'll bring the others here," said Rose, sending Martin off to do just that with a smile and a lingering gaze. She turned after the tent flap fell close behind him. "You must be exhausted, both of you. Can I bring you anything? Grumm was cooking up some delicious fish stew when I left, and we have cherry cordial from Noonvale."

"Yes," said Celandine. She smiled with tired fondness at the mouse maid. "That would be wonderful." Rose nodded and left, wisely giving the two a little time to talk.

"I'm fine, Celandine," Felldoh said.

"I had to help your father hold you down while Brome pulled arrows out of you and stitched up you wounds," she told him flatly. "You are not alright. You are very, very hurt and Seasons be thanked that you're alright. Oh Felldoh," she sniffed, and there were sudden tears in her eyes," I thought you were dead. I thought we were all dead. I thought that I would never see you again. I was afraid, so afraid, that you-you'd never kiss me again."

He rested his head against her, willing her to be comforted. "But I'm alive," he told her softly. "You will see me, and if you like, I will kiss you again."

"Did you like kissing me?" She whispered, pulling the blankets up higher on his chest.

Felldoh felt his face growing hot, and found himself surprised that he had enough energy to blush. "Yes," he said gruffly. "I did."

"Did you mean it? Earlier?" Celandine asked. Her eyes were large and bright with hope as she looked down at him.

"What?"

Celandine swallowed. "About, about wedding me and-and kits?" Her voice barely above a whisper, she looked away from him.

Felldoh remembered saying that. He wished he could take her in his arms and hold her so safe and close that he would never see sadness in her eyes again. "Yes," he said, and his voice cracked. He swallowed in embarrassment, but felt warmth bloom in his chest when he saw Celandine's eyes spark with happiness. "If you'll have me. I. . . I'm sorry that I didn't exactly find a very romantic way to ask you."

"Oh Felldoh," she exclaimed, and hugged him so fiercely that he barely contained the gasp of pain. "Oh! I'm sorry!" She loosened her arms, tears springing to her eye. "Felldoh, forgive me."

"I'm alright," he managed a smile. Celandine smoothed his fur and fussed at his bandages. Satisfied that he was alright, she wrapped her arms around him again. "Just fine."

Pallum held back the tent flap for Rose as the mousemaid entered with a large bowl of steaming stew and a jug of cordial. Ballaw sniffed appreciatively and his long ears perked up.

"You haven't got another bowl of that lovely scoff, have you?"

"There's plenty more in the kettle outside, if you'd care to stir your lazy tail," Rowanoak growled. "Let the poor kits eat in peace."

"Thank you," Celandine murmured with a smile as she accepted the bowl from Rose.

"I can feed myself," Felldoh muttered.

"Hmph," the squirrelmaid said," you can barely lift your paw. You'll get it all down your front," she took a delicate bite for herself," and it's too delicious to waste."

"Don't fight it, mate," Martin whispered loudly out of the corner of his mouth," these maids can be awfully stubborn."

Felldoh rolled his eyes, but opened his mouth and allowed Celandine to feed him.

"I don't think you'll be taking part in the attack tomorrow." Barkjon patted his son's leg.

"It will be some days before you can even move," Brome said firmly as his friends eyes flashed. "I say you've done your part. If Badrang weren't a yellow-bellied coward, he'd be dead now. As is, he's in that fortress right now shaking in his boots."

"A scared tyrant is no tyrant." Again, Pallum pulled back the flap and Boldred carefully waddled in. Her enormous golden eyes transfixed Felldoh as she blinked slowly in the lantern light. "He will fall on the morrow, and no mistake."

After a moment, Felldoh looked away from her gaze and shut his eyes in defeat. As the rest of the council began to speak of how best to assault the fortress, Celandine set down the bowl and crossed her arms over his chest.

"Will you be alright?" She whispered.

"Yes." He settled his head back against her shoulder and smiled as she nuzzled him. "I wish I had the strength to fight. I'll feel foolish, resting safely apart from the battle while everyone else is risking their lives to do what I failed to."

"Hush," Celandine held a paw to his mouth. "You're being silly. No one could defeat an entire army by themselves. You did all that you could, and now you'll just have to stay here and let us do the rest."

Felldoh's eyes snapped open. "You're not going," he growled.

She squeezed him lightly in an attempt to soothe him. "I'd be worthless in a battle, but Brome may need help with the wounded."

"Celandine," and his voice was half a groan, and half a sob. Though the effort wrenched a low cry of pain from his throat, Felldoh turned and got an arm around her waist.

"Stop, lie still and rest," Celandine whispered frantically as he lay panting with pain and exertion against her shoulder. His arm tightened around her.

"Is he alright?" Rose knelt beside the two squirrels and rested a comforting paw on Celandine's shoulder.

The squirrelmaid sighed. "He's hurt, very hurt, and he still wants to fight."

"It is the warrior spirit," Rose said, and the two shared a knowing look.

"And he doesn't want me to go either. Even, if I only go to help with the wounded."

"Please," Felldoh's tortured whisper broke in between them. His eyes squeezed tightly shut, he could not stop the tears from welling from them. "Please, please don't go. Seasons, if I lost you, after all this. . ."

"Hush," Celandine bent and laid a line of gentle kisses along his brow.

"Don't go, Cel. I want to protect you," and though it hurt him more than bodily wounds, he continued," and I can't right now."

Rose squeezed the squirrelmaid's shoulder. "I do not think there will be any wounded tomorrow who are in more danger than Felldoh. Brome told Martin and I that any other beast would have died from such a beating."

"Aye," Brome said as he knelt beside his sister. "No one needs you more than Felldoh."

Celandine kept quiet as the healer checked Felldoh's bandages and reapplied dressings. She stroked his ears absently and a thoughtful frown creased her pretty face. "I only want to be as brave as you," she said at last. Felldoh shivered with silent pain as Brome carefully rewrapped his wounds. Celandine's arms tightened around him. "Oh Felldoh, of course I'll stay with you. Anything you want, if it will make you feel better."

"I'm sorry," he said as he shifted slightly to settle himself. He lifted his face to nuzzle her neck, and he could not help but smile as she sighed happily. The half-smile which curved her mouth and the tenderness shining in her warm eyes eased his breathing and dulled the pain wracking his body. He blinked sleepily. "Cel, I'm selfish, and a coward for both of us."

"No, Felldoh." Martin knelt to take his friend's paw. Behind him, the rest of the council spoke quietly as they left the tent. "No, you're the bravest beast I know, and you'll be needed when Marshank falls."

"Matey," Brome cut in," you aren't out of danger yet. Celandine will need to keep a close watch on you for the next few days."

Martin nodded. "If you tried to move, you'd only be finishing Badrang's work for him."

Felldoh squeezed his paw. "Thank you, warrior." He grimaced a sad imitation of a smile. "I'll let you do for the tyrant. I know you'll take back your father's sword."

"Do you need anything?" Rose asked.

Celandine shook her head. "No," she caught the mousemaid's paw. "Please, Rose, be safe. I'd say that your warrior needs you as much as mine needs me."

"I will be fine," Rose smiled and hugged the squirrelmaid briefly before rising. "We will see you tomorrow after the battle. Perhaps if Felldoh rests, he will be well enough for a little celebration."

Martin waited for her by the tent flap. Rose slipped her paw into his and pulled him outside.

"You should sleep," they heard Celandine say to her charge.

"I think," Felldoh returned," that you should kiss me first. I think it will help me sleep better."

Rose smiled at Celandine's soft laugh. "They are sweet," she said as they moved away.

"I'm thankful that he's alive," Martin murmured. "It's my fault, for being away so long. If Ballaw and Rowanoak had been much longer in getting to him, or if there wasn't Celandine to keep him here-"

"Martin," Rose stopped and turned to face him," Felldoh knew what he was doing when he chose to attack Marshank on his own. Thank the Seasons that he's even alive, and now you are here to finish what he started." She dropped her eyes from his. Cautiously, she reached out and took his other paw in hers. "Martin, tomorrow, you will be careful?"

"Badrang must fall."

"I know, but. . . Won't you come back to me?"

"I would like to." Martin watched tears gather in Rose's eyes and then, without a word, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight. Her arms found their way around him and she buried her face in his neck. They stood motionless under the starlight and the cool breeze off the ocean washed over them. At length, Martin cleared his throat. "I'm not going alone like Felldoh. I have allies, and I have an important reason to come back."

Rose took a deep breath. "I want to go with you."

"You are not a warrior."

"I know but, but if anything happens to you. . ."

He shook his head. "Rose, I can't say what my Fate is, but only death will keep me from coming back. I hold your happiness above my own, and I'll fight like ten Felldohs to come back." Rose smiled tremulously as he kissed her soft ears. "Brome will need you with the wounded. Your gentle paws will bring more comfort than the best herbs."

She nodded slowly. "Yes, Martin." She looked up at him, and a real smile spread across her face. "I think you need sleep. You have a war to win tomorrow."

Martin chuckled. "Yes Rose, but only if you will tuck me in before you go." They laughed together. Gradually, their mouths came closer and closer together. "Promise me," Martin murmured, his lips just above hers," that you will stay away from the battle tomorrow."

"I promise," Rose replied, and then closed the distance between them.

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