A/N: And this is where Farley first meets General Woundwort and his men as they were on a patrol before Wilbur first sees the guy. At which point, I won't tell, on the grounds that some of you may have already figured out. Oh, and we'll skip this song about Farley, because who cares, am I right? Charming as it is, though. Anyhoo, enjoy.
Watership Down 3: The Great Adventure
Chapter 6: The Elil are in the Hen House
Meanwhile, at the forest, Woundwort, Vervain, Campion, Orchis, and an additional rabbit were on a wide patrol.
"That barn over there. That must be where the large group of rabbits were headed.", the rabbit reported.
"Hmm. If what you say is true, Sainfoin, we need only require an expert predator who is cunning, one who claims to have a high IQ.", Woundwort theorized.
"You mean someone like him, sir?", Campion asked, pointing to Farley as he was walking down the small hill and then looking at his reflection.
Then Woundwort growled before he advanced with his men following him before Farley tapped the water with his paw as he spoke to himself.
"Ah, a glorious morning for a hunt with the finest of companions: me. Farley, my friend, we are looking good today.", Farley laugher before a gruff voice spoke up.
"Hear me, homba! Any hunts outside my jurisdiction is out of the question.", the voice spoke.
"Uh, do forgive me, but I'd kindly like to know who'd dare speak out of turn to me.", Farley responded, looking around for the source in puzzlement before the voice responded as the source made itself known as he stepped forward behind Farley.
"Woundwort dares!", Woundwort responded before Farley turned to see Woundwort, Campion, Vervain, Orchis, Sainfoin, and a couple of rabbits.
"Ah. Hello. An appetizer.", Farley grinned.
"Appetizer, am I?", Woundwort growled.
"I'd consider putting the idea out of your mind if you know what's good for you, homba.", Campion warned.
"Homba? My name is Farley. Don't you ever forget that. I could devour you all right now for such insolence. Oh, but I really shouldn't spoil my breakfast. Oh, well.", Farley grinned before he growled as he ran toward Woundwort, who snarled fiercely right before scarring Farley in the cheek as he yelled before tumbling back down the hill and into the pond before he emerged and not only noticed a scar running down his cheek, but also noticed his left whiskers noticeably shorter than his right whiskers to add insult to injury.
"Why, I never!", Farley exclaimed.
"He did warn you.", Sainfoin responded.
"As I told you before, any hunts outside my jurisdiction is out of the question. And you will serve me without question or you will see the Black Rabbit of Inlé sooner than you'd ever dare to hope.", Woundwort threatened.
"Mm. I suppose that rabbit has plenty of bite to back up his bark. But if I were to agree to this, I must at least know all your names.", Farley responded.
"My name is Woundwort. General Woundwort. This is Campion, Vervain, Orchis, and Sainfoin.", Woundwort replied.
"The General Woundwort? Ah, I see. Now, please kindly forgive me. You see, I've heard legends about you, about the many feats you've accomplished with your, uh, Efrafa warren. Needless to say, they left quite the impression on me, so much, in fact, that I'm willing to reconsider claiming you as my prize. After all, what I'm really after lies beyond this field and just about reaches this barn. I must admit, though, my first impressions with you had been nothing short of foolhardy, savage, arrogant, and above all else, humiliating.", Farley responded, only earning Woundwort's growl.
"Uh, anyways, what would you all like to have me do?", Farley asked.
"It's not what we want. It's what the General wants, and what he wants is for you to lure the outsiders out so he can tear them all apart!", Orchis replied.
"Woof! You have a really bad temper, my friend. More than that, you have a fierce flame burning inside you. I like that. Now, where do you suppose these 'outsiders' are?", Farley asked.
"We've only recently discovered that they're taking refuge in that barn overhead.", Campion replied.
"That's where you come in.", Woundwort replied.
"So, what you're saying is, you all want me, to locate these outsiders and leave them all to you with nary a mackerel of food? Not a problem. I do have a 108 IQ. No, it's true. In fact, 108.2, but who's counting?", Farley agreed before he laughed about and then went in his way before Woundwort growled softly and then went along.
"Are you sure that's even wise?", Sainfoin asked.
"I'd try not to question him if I were you.", Campion warned before they continued onward.
Eventually, they approached a wooden fence before both got on top and noticed Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Dandelion, Captain Holly, Hyzenthlay, Bluebell, Blackberry, Strawberry, Clover, Blackavar, Kehaar, Wilbur, Cardigan, Nellie, Aranea, and Joy with Bessie in the barn near the hen house, which was where Farley looked next to see a flock of chickens clucking.
"Hello. Mm, yes. Now, would the rabbits in the barn happen to be the outsiders you're looking for as Campion said?", Farley asked.
"The very same.", Woundwort responded.
"Ah, jolly good. Now, I think the best plan to lure them out is that we attack the hen house. The dire commotion will attract them like moths to a flame right into our trap.", Farley suggested.
"Mm. That is an excellent idea. But why would you suggest the hen house of all places?", Orchis asked.
"Truth be told, I am a bit peckish, anyway.", Farley responded before he, Woundwort, and his men got off and made for the hen house.
Then, as soon as all the chickens went inside, Farley arrived near the opening in the fence.
"After you, General.", Farley insisted before Woundwort then went in first with his men following behind him and Farley following them afterward as he went underneath the hen house while the Efrafans went in the entrance, scaring the chickens as they clucked and flew away before the goat baa'd in panic and then ran toward Bessie and the others with a report.
"It's Farley! He's back!", the goat reported.
"Uh-oh.", Bessie responded.
"Farley?! Oh, that fox is big trouble.", Wilbur exclaimed.
"Did somebody say 'fox'?", Templeton asked as he hid.
"And he's not alone! He's got a bunch of baaaad rabbits!", the goat added.
"Bad rabbits?", Hazel gasped.
"Hazel, you don't think that's...", Clover spoke up.
"It is. It's got General Woundwort written all over it.", Hazel responded before Nellie went down from her web.
"Come on, Wilbur. Get in there and save those chickens!", Nellie urged.
"Me?", Wilbur asked nervously.
"It's only a fox and a herd of bad rabbits. What could they do to a big ol' pig like you?", Nellie asked.
"How about turn him into pork rinds?", Templeton responded.
"If there's one thing we've learned from our last fight, it's to never underestimate Woundwort.", Hazel spoke up before Wilbur started backing up.
"I'm not sure I...", Wilbur began before Blackavar interrupted as he spoke up.
"Listen to me. Woundwort and his men have already captured does once before we fought last time. How long before they begin capturing livestock just to get even? If you stay here, they'll all be gone. Now, run!", Blackavar shouted as he then kicked Wilbur by the rump with his feet, making Wilbur yelp before he then ran fast toward the hen house.
"Go, go, go!", Nellie shouted.
"We'll go with Wilbur to provide back-up.", Hazel spoke before he, Fiver, and Bigwig ran inside the hen house.
"I think I'll come along as well.", Captain Holly spoke as he then joined in.
Meanwhile, the chickens were panicking with clucks before Wilbur and the four rabbits got in and gasped upon noticing not only Farley the Fox, but also General Woundwort, Campion, Vervain, Orchis, and Sainfoin as they both turned to face them as Wilbur grew fearful.
"So, we meet again, Bigwig, for the last time.", Woundwort spoke.
"Get out. Get out of here.", Wilbur spoke, trying to be brave before Farley responded as he, Woundwort, and his men, except for Sainfoin, stepped closer.
"Ah, I think you have me confused with the big, bad wolf, dear boy.", Farley responded.
"His name is Wilbur.", Bigwig retorted.
"Ah, whatever. It is of little to no interest to me, rabbit.", Farley responded.
"I'm going to take great pleasure in killing you.", Woundwort spoke up to Bigwig, making Wilbur fearful as he shuddered before Farley then spoke just one word which was enough to scare the heck out of Wilbur.
"Boo.", Farley spoke, quickly frightening Wilbur as he backed away before landing on his back before standing up with Farley and Woundwort headed right for Wilbur only for Bigwig to kick Woundwort back just as Farley managed to get out.
"Yes, I think I'll stay close by the hen house, but preferably not too close to it if the humans get out!", Farley spoke to Woundwort as he recovered.
Then, Campion faced Captain Holly before they briefly fought while engaging in a conversation.
"Why would the General have you attack the hen house of all places?", Captain Holly asked.
"I'm following orders. That's what soldiers do.", Campion responded.
"Take it from me. What makes a good soldier is not always what makes a good rabbit.", Captain Holly responded.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Hirsch got out of her house with a broom in hand and then notice a scene being caused just outside as her puppy ran out barking.
"The hens.", Mrs. Hirsch gasped before Wilbur then turned to see Mrs. Hirsch headed toward the hen house with her broom.
"And that's my cue to leave. Uh, General! I'll wait outside by the fence if that's all right with you!", Farley shouted as Woundwort was preoccupied with Bigwig as he then fled out of the barn and into the wheat fields before Wilbur backed up inside and then tried to run away only to see the door opening with the puppy barking below before he, Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Captain Holly, Woundwort, Campion, Vervain, Orchis, and Sainfoin saw Mrs. Hirsch.
"The wild pig! And a one-eyed rabbit!", Mrs. Hirsch gasped before Wilbur and the three rabbits gasped as Woundwort growled and prepared to attack Bigwig as he gasped before Mrs. Hirsch saw that Woundwort was preparing to attack Bigwig.
"Oh, no, you don't!", Mrs. Hirsch exclaimed as she then whacked the broom on Woundwort, buying Wilbur, Hazel, Fiver, and Bigwig enough time to escape only to come across the puppy and then back to Mrs. Hirsch whacking Woundwort with her broom again.
"Get away now! You better get away! Get, get, get, get, get!", Mrs. Hirsch shouted before Woundwort growled and then scratched the broom to the point where his claw marks were etched in the broomstick, shocking her before Sainfoin spoke to Woundwort.
"General, retreat.", Sainfoin spoke before he, Campion, Orchis, Vervain, and Woundwort escaped as instructed.
"Woundwort's getting away!", Bigwig exclaimed before he ran first with Hazel, Fiver, Holly, and Wilbur following him, unintentionally tripping Mrs. Hirsch before they burst out with the puppy chasing after them before Wilbur, Holly, Hazel, Fiver, and Bigwig hid inside the big haystack with a tarp on it before the puppy then tried looking around for them, not knowing that they were looking to see Woundwort and his men heading out the fence and through the field as Mrs. Hirsch caught up.
"Where did you go, huh? I don't know what kind of one-eyed rabbit you think you are, but you're no better than a… than a giant rat!", Mrs. Hirsch shouted.
"I can't help but feel insulted to hear that.", Hannah responded.
"I feel the same way.", Templeton agreed.
"Conrad! Conrad!", Mrs. Hirsch shouted as she waved to Mr. Hirsch before he then hopped off his tractor.
"Wha...what's all the ruckus about?", Mr. Hirsch asked as he got out.
"A wild pig and a one-eyed rabbit broke into the henhouse and got one of the hens!", Mrs. Hirsch shouted in panic.
"Wild pig? One-eyed rabbit? Are you sure?", Mr. Hirsch puzzled.
"Oh! It was horrible! All covered in muck and foaming at the mouth! Not to mention the one-eyed rabbit with a scar on the left side of his face and an evil, red eye! Thank goodness I ran them off! I ran them off! I did.", Mrs. Hirsch responded.
"We'd better call the fellas and tell them to bring their dogs.", Mr. Hirsch spoke as he and her wife walked away as the rabbits and spiders watched before Nellie went down and spoke up as Hazel, Fiver, and Bigwig popped out.
"Coast is clear.", Nellie assured.
"Yes, but at what cost?", Hazel sighed.
Meanwhile, Woundwort grew livid with Farley.
"Why did you not fight by my side?!", Woundwort shouted.
"All I said was that I'd help you fellows, not fight by your side. There's a difference, and a subtle one that that. Besides, I didn't want to get caught, but I did explicitly tell you that I would wait for you nearby, so I did.", Farley assured.
"It doesn't matter! Now, the entire farm is on lockdown, which means we'll have to think of another way to lure them out! We will have a discussion about this back at the warren.", Woundwort spoke.
"The Efrafa Warren? Oh, that's nice. You mean the one just by the iron bridge?", Farley asked as Woundwort, his men, and Farley then left before Campion stopped a bit and turned back to the hen house before sighing out of remorse.
"Oh, Frith, help us all.", Campion sighed before he then continued onward.
Meanwhile, Wilbur popped out of the haystack.
"What did I do?! I can understand them being mad at Woundwort, but everybody's mad at me, too!", Wilbur exclaimed.
"They think you're a wild pig in the loose.", Bessie exclaimed.
"And more than that, they seemed to think that you're in league with General Woundwort, or 'the one-eyed rabbit' as Mrs. Hirsch called him.", Blackavar added.
"I can understand why Woundwort would be called that, but me, wild? That's ridiculous! I'm not wild! I'm very well-mannered! Do I shove? No! Do I spit? Never! I say 'thank you' and 'please'!", Wilbur exclaimed.
"Then, you'd better take a good, long look at yourself.", Kehaar advised before Wilbur did just that.
"Look at myself? Oh, boy. I do look like a wild pig.", Wilbur realized.
"When you think about it, that actually makes sense.", Bluebell realized.
"I got to get this stuff off.", Wilbur spoke before he then tried to remove it by rolling around, but to no avail.
"It's too sticky! What am I gonna do?", Wilbur asked in worry.
"I don't know, Wilbur, but I do know one thing: we cannot rest until we stop General Woundwort and Farley for good.", Hazel replied.
Meanwhile, at the Zuckerman Farm, Fern and Henry were visiting the barn.
"Wilbur?!", Fern exclaimed before she whistled for him but got no answer.
"Wilbur?", Henry spoke.
"That's odd. He didn't even touch his breakfast. He should've been back by now.", Fern stated.
"You don't think that...", Henry guessed what Fern was thinking.
"I hope I'm wrong about this just as much as you, but I do. I think something terrible happened.", Fern guessed.
Later, Fern and Henry went in front of the tractor.
"Uncle Homer! Uncle Homer!", Fern shouted.
"Stop the tractor!", Henry shouted before Zuckerman then stopped the truck out of surprise before it skidded a bit before stopping.
"Fern! Henry! What do you two think you're doing?", Zuckerman asked.
"Wilbur's gone missing!", Henry shouted.
"Now, don't be silly. He's probably somewhere piggin' out in the barnyard.", Zuckerman assured.
"No, we checked everywhere. He got out. I just know it.", Fern responded.
"We have to look for him as far as we can.", Henry added.
"Now, if he did get out, he can't be far. I'll look into it later. Right now, I gotta tend to the corn.", Zuckerman spoke.
"But, Uncle Homer, something's going on. Wilbur ran away.", Fern spoke.
"Or worse, that Fox could've gotten to him, and...", Henry began to add before Farmer Zuckerman interrupted.
"An animal's an animal. Can't tell what they're thinkin'. Now, don't worry, fellas. He'll turn up soon enough.", Farmer Zuckerman assured before he continued his work.
"I hope you're right.", Fern sighed.
"Fear not, Fern Arable.", a deep, dark voice spoke, puzzling Fern.
"Huh? Who said that?", Fern asked.
"Who said what?", Henry puzzled.
Then, Fern saw her shadow changing into the Black Rabbit of Inlé, surprising her and Henry as he also saw him.
"The Black Rabbit of Inlé?", Fern puzzled.
"The one from the story you told, right?", Henry guessed.
"Do not fear. Wilbur still lives. But...Woundwort and Farley made themselves known in the Hirsch farm, bringing dire chaos upon the world of the living. To combat that chaos, I shall bestow a gift of my own to you.", The Black Rabbit spoke as a tiny bright white orb appeared in front of Fern.
"A gift?", Fern asked.
"What's it for?", Henry puzzled.
"It is the magic. A last resort to finish the war started a year ago at Watership Down. A magic with words that shall help you and your friends win this war.", the Black Rabbit responded as he bestowed a short of tiny bright star to Fern before it went inside herm puzzling her.
"But how will I know if it's the right moment?", Fern asked.
"First, you and Henry must return to the Hirsch farm and locate Wilbur and all his friends. There, when the time is right, you shall know the words by heart. Only then, can peace truly proposer. But be forewarned: there is a price to pay for such magic, one that could greatly exhaust you fatally if used unwisely, and it can only be used once. If used wisely, your old life will be cast aside in favor of a new one. But your memories of that old life will live on. Use it well and use it wisely.", the Black Rabbit warned before he then vanished as Fern saw only her own shadow after that.
"Yes. I understand. I have to save them. I can save all of them.", Fern spoke in determination.
"Yep. That's what I'm afraid of. So, do you think you know the way?", Henry sighed.
"Well, it's worth a try.", Fern responded.
A/N: So what did you think? Was it unexpected for the Black Rabbit to pay a visit to Fern and then offer the magic to Fern to help turn the tides of the war in favor of Hazel and the others? The reason I set this up is because I only saw a few choice episodes of "Watership Down" involving the Black Rabbit of Inle himself. They were pretty awesome, to say the least, and so was his voice from the series, explaining the reason I picked Stephen Mangan to voice him in this story.