"Fiver look." Alexis says as she and Fiver check on captain Holly in the burrow and find him mumbling in his sleep seeming to be having a nightmare.
"It's alright Holly. Wake up. You're safe at Watership Down." Fiver says as Holly wakes up.
"Oh its just you two. We've gotta go back for Pimpernal." Holly says.
"When your better." Fiver says gesturing for Alexis to follow him as Holly lays down. Fiver then has Alexis follow him to where Hazel and Bigwig are.
"I never said I was." Fiver says as he hears Bigwig say Fiver isn't right about everything.
"Oh uh hows Holly?" Bigwig asks.
"He's doing better." Fiver says.
"He wants to go back for Pimpernal." Alexis says.
"You see Hazel. That's an owlsa captain for you. More concerned for his troops than himself." Bigwig says.
"Why worry about Pimpernal? Holly said he's safe in a fine big warren." Hazel says.
"Yea well I'm sure it's better than this forsaken place." Bigwig says.
"Your wrong Bigwig this is the only safe place." Fiver says.
"Tell you what. Let's find Pimpernal and have a look at this mysterious warren. We might like it." Bigwig says.
"Not trying to get out of digging burrows are you?" Hazel asks.
"Heh. Perish the thought I was only thinking of Pimpernal." Bigwig says as Hazel and Alexis hop over to Blackberry as Hazel then gets hit in the face with dirt by Hawkbit who is digging.
"Keep up the good work Hawkbit.. we're going off to find Pimpernal and bring him back." Hazel says as Dandelion comes over.
"Most right idea." Dandelion says.
"Oh just like a buck anything to get out of real work." Blackberry says.
"I'll just tidy up a bit and I'll be right with you." Hawkbit says as he brushes off some dirt.
"Me too." Pipkin says hopping over.
"Eh its just Bigwig, Fiver, Alexis, and me this time. Sorry." Hazel says.
"Your sorry." Hawkbit says.
"I know bucks don't normally dig but this is a new place with new ideas. Blackberry needs your help." Hazel says.
"I hate new ideas." Hawkbit says.
"Hold on! I'm coming too." Holly says as he catches up to Alexis, Bigwig, Hazel, and Fiver as they start down the hill.
"I'd rather you stay behind Holly your still weak." Hazel says.
"Shows what you know. He's owlsa. We can handle anything right Holly?" Bigwig asks.
"Are you sure your up to this?" Hazel asks.
"Yes I think so. Who's in charge here anyway?" Holly asks.
"Well if we're gonna go let's go." Bigiwig says as they get moving.
*Timeskip*
"Doesn't look quite as bad during the day does it?" igwig asks as he sniffs the air.
"The warren's on the far side of the woods. Wait till you see it. A fella called Cowslip seems to be in charge." Holly says.
"Well either he is or he isn't." Bigwig says.
"You'd think so. Well anyway you've never seen a healthier sleeker bunch than these alive I'll tell you that." Holly says.
"Sounds off to me." Alexis thinks to herself as they continue on.
"Something about Cowslip bothers you doesn't it Holly?" Fiver asks.
"I never said that." Holly says.
"With Fiver you don't have to." Hazel says.
"Well since you asked..yes Cowslip seemed a bit.. off... they all did." Holly says.
"As if they were lost?" Fiver asks.
"Something like that. How do you know?" Holly asks.
"He gets feelings." Bigwig says.
"Is something wrong Fiver?" Hazel asks.
"I don't know. Maybe." Fiver says.
"Right we're not here to play bobstones." Bigwig says.
"Come on Fiver. I'm sure it'll be ok." Alexis says as they get moving until they stop seeing two rabbits eating on carrots not far away.
"Not scared of being seen are they?" Bigwig asks.
"Look at the size of the burrows. You could get a horse in there." Hazel says.
"The big one's Cowslip. The other one's called Strawberry. They said they'd take care of Pimpernal." Holly says as Fiver starts shaking.
"I don't think I like this place." Fiver says.
"Shows what you know. These rabbits have got a life here." Holly says.
"We're not turning back now Fiver." Bigwig says as it starts to rain.
"I'm for spending the night in a warm dry burrow." Hazel says as they hop over to the two rabbits.
"Welcome welcome. Greetings all. It's so nice of you to call." Cowslip and Strawberry say in union.
"Ok.. thats um.. new?" Alexis asks hearing the strange rabbits feeling uneasy around them.
"What's wrong with them?" Hazel asks.
"It's a thing they do when they meet. We've come for Pimpernal." Holly says.
"Come inside out of the rain. Soft and sweet though it may be." Cowslip says as he and Strawberry go into the warren.
"Oh forget it. I'm not going in there not with those rabbits. I've been around enough animals to know when something is wrong with them and something is definitely wrong with those two." Alexis says.
"Oh come on lass it'll be fine." Bigwig says as he starts pushing Alexis into the warren while Hazel pushes Fiver. As Bigwig manages to push Alexis into the warren he then leaves Alexis with Fiver and Hazel as he goes with Holly, Cowslip, and Strawberry.
"There's a winter in this place. A cold that never ends. Can the two of you smell it?" Fiver asks.
"I smell something but I'm not sure if I wanna know what it is." Alexis says sniffing the air slightly.
"It smells fine to me. You two are tired things will look better in the morning." Hazel says.
"I don't know hazel. Dawn feels a long way away." Fiver says as they get moving.
"Well this looks very inviting." Alexis says sarcastically seeing a bunch of rabbits as Hazel pushes Fiver along.
"Look at them Hazel. They're eyes. They're so far away." Hazel says.
"I see healthy well groomed rabbits. What is wrong with the two of you?" Hazel asks as Fiver backs up and crouches down against a wall. Alexis looks at Fiver seeing this and goes over to him laying down beside him a bit protectively while watching the other rabbits.
"It's really something isn't it?" Holly asks.
"There's certainly room for us if we wanted to move in." Bigwig says.
"They smell outrageously healthy." Hazel says as he sniffs the air.
"I sure hope we go back to the warren soon I don't like it here." Alexis says as she and Fiver listen to Bigwig and Hazel talk.
"Me too Alexis me too." Fiver says as he watches Hazel leave with Strawberry.
"I really don't trust that rabbit." Alexis says as cowslip hops past her and Fiver.
"Come on Alexis." Fiver says as he and Alexis hop over to Holly and Bigwig.
"Let's get out now." Fiver says whispering to Bigwig as he is eating.
"Now? In the rain? With flayrah coming out of our ears not likely." Bigwig says as he continues eating as Fiver then starts having a vision.
"But the ceiling is made of bones. Their hearts are as hard as stones." Fiver says.
"I've had enough of your twaddle for one night." Bigwig says turning away from Fiver.
"Friends attend we have an entertainment. The sweet rhymes of Silverweed for your ears." Cowslip says.
"That Cowslip's got a way with words doesn't he?" Bigwig asks as a silver buck rabbit stands next to Cowslip and starts saying a weird sounding poem. Alexis then watches the silver buck slightly curious as Hazel comes over.
"Silverweed. He smells like autumn. Like dead leaves. It's all wrong." fiver says.
"There's something about him but I cant figure out what." Alexis says listening to the silver buck called Silverweed.
"Let me out! Now!" Fiver shouts as he runs for the exit.
"Fiver! Stop!" Hazel shouts.
"Fiver wait!" Alexis shouts catching up to Fiver and them both stopping under a tree outside before Hazel and Bigwig find them.
"Right Fiver what's the game?" Bigwig asks.
"There's sadness and evil in that place. Don't you feel it Hazel?" Fiver asks.
"Are you coming back inside?"Hazel asks.
"No. It's safer out here." Fiver says.
"I'll stay with him Hazel. He'll be safe with me." Alexis says.
"Alright that's up to the two of you. Fiver wont stay out in this weather." Hazel says as he and Bigwig go back inside.
"Why are you staying with me?" Fiver asks.
"Fiver you have stayed with me many times. I'd much rather be out here with you than in that place." Alexis says as she lays next to Fiver as the two fall asleep next to each.
*Timeskip*
As Alexis wakes up she looks over to see a fox. As the fox growls it wakes Fiver up as Alexis then immediately steps up while staying in rabbit form and stands over Fiver protectively before seeing a hunter shoot the fox killing it. Hazel then come running over.
"Fiver I cant believe you stayed up here all night. Are you two alright?" Hazel asks.
"Someone had to stand watch." Fiver says stretching as he and Alexis sit up.
"From what?" Hazel asks.
"I don't know but it's here. All around us. Please let's go home." Hazel says.
"Look Fiver we haven't found Pimpernal yet. We can't leave." Hazel says as he leaves.
"You wont find him. He's gone." Fiver says watching Hazel leave.
*Timeskip*
"Here have some they've got lots of it." Hazel says as he brings two carrots for Alexis and Fiver.
"No. It's all wrong! This food! Those rabbits!" Fiver shouts as Bigwig comes over.
"Is he still moaning? Ooh I've got a funny feeling in my toe. run and stand on your head." Bigwig says mocking Fiver causing Alexis to roll her eyes at him not caring for his actions as Holly comes over.
"I've looked everywhere for Pimpernal not a sniff of him and nobody will tell me where he's got to." Holly says.
"That is strange. Cowslip wont answer my questions either." Hazel says.
"Oh no not you too. Look Cowslip's invited me to stay here and by frith I think i will." Bigwig says before jumping through a bush and screaming making Alexis and the others go to see what happened.
"Bigwig!" Alexis shouts upon seeing Bigwig's neck in a wire snare.
"Hazel.. help me." Bigwig says.
"Dont pull on it Bigwig that only makes it tighter." Alexis says trying to keep Bigwig calm while Hazel tries biting the wire.
"I can't bite through. Holly run to the warren. Bring everyone you can find. Bigwig your in a snare we'll get you out. Hold on." Hazel says as Holly runs to the warren while Fiver then tries biting at the wire.
"Fiver that's no good. The peg's stuck in the ground." Hazel says.
"Hazel like a carrot." Fiver says.
"Yes! Yes dig. We've got to dig out the peg!" Hazel shouts as he, Alexis, and Fiver start digging.
"Hold on Bigwig!" Alexis shouts as the three of them manage to get the peg out.
"Your free Bigwig we dug you loose!" Hazel says.
"Holly where is everyone?" Alexis asks as Holly arrives back by himself.
"They wouldn't come." Holly says as they all look and see Bigwig still isn't moving.
"Bigwig... he isn't breathing." Hazel says sadly looking at Bigwig.
"We're too late." Holly says.
"Not Bigwig. What shall we do without him?" Fiver asks.
"Oh Frith my heart has joined the thousand. My friend stop running today." Hazel says sadly.
"They're everywhere. Shinning wires all around us. Cowslip knows about them! They all do!" Fiver says in alarm.
"The man will come soon. He'll take Bigwig away." Strawberry says as he appears.
"Why didn't you and Cowslip come!? You could of helped!" Holly shouts.
"I'm alive. We all are. Now get on your feet lad. We've got a score to settle." Bigwig says as they all run back to the shining wire warren and find Cowslip among other rabbits outside.
"Go away. Unless you wanna fight." Cowslip says receiving a slight growl from Alexis as Bigwig goes over to him.
"You don't know how. You've forgotten all the tricks, the cunning El-ahrairah gave us." Bigwig says as Cowslip lunges at him but Bigwig knocks him to the ground as other rabbits run into the warren.
"Leave this place. You need the freedom of the hills. You can relearn the stories of El-ahrairah." Hazel says.
"El-ahrairah is a lie. The man takes care of us. We don't want to leave. We don't want your freedom." Cowslip says as he backs toward the warren.
"The snares will get you if you don't leave. You don't have to surrender to the shining wire." Hazel says.
"It won't get me maybe others but never me!" Cowslip says as he disappears into the warren laughing like a crazy person.
"Run! We have to get away from here!" Hazel says as they all start running but Strawberry.
"Stay in the open! Stay away from cover! That's where the wires are!" Bigwig says as they run until stopping under a tree.
"Well the trouble with Owlsa is you tend to think your right all the time. I should of listen to the two of you." Bigwig says looking at Alexis and Fiver while he is panting catching his breath.
"We all should of listened." Holly says as Strawberry appears in front of them panting clearly having run all the way to find them.
"Take me with you." Strawberry says.
"You lied to us. Why should we do anything for you?" Bigwig asks angrily.
"We have to work hard to survive. We don't live an easy life in the hills." Hazel says.
"There is no life in the warren of shining wires. Please." Strawberry pleads as Alexis and the others than nod in agreement on allowing Strawberry to go with them.
"You can come with us." Hazel says.
"Come on then. let's go home." Bigwig says as they get going soon arriving home to see Kehaar flying.
"Kehaar all better now!" Kehaar shouts.
"Good for you Kehaar! Now you can get your own worms." Hazel says.
"Well we hope you had a jolly time jolly vanting around the country." Dandelion says as he, Hawkbit, and Pipkin wait at the hill seeing Alexis and the others.
"Because we haven't." Pipkin says annoyed.
"We're soaked, the burrow collapsed and Blackberry wont give us a moment's rest." Hawkbit says.
"Home sweet home." Hazel says.
