Soon, we analyzed the vision: Two bucks and a new doe would have to go on a journey to avoid an enemy coming close to hurt them to place where they came make a wish come true. But without any armed guards, no Hazel, no Bigwig, no Campion, no one. Not even Spartina.

That night, Hazel spoke to Fiver.

"I don't know about this, little brother," he said. "I never let you go on your own before."

"We were separated when Bark sheltered me," said Fiver.

"But that was different," said Hazel. "I didn't know you were gone then."

"We must follow the rule of the vision," argued Fiver.

"But it sounds too serious to be true though," said Hazel. "No. I'm coming with you."

"No you're not!" snapped Fiver. "I am following the rules of the vision and that's that."

"I am coming!" shouted Hazel. "You have a long way to go to order me around!"

"HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE LAST TIME YOU IGNORED MY VISION?!"

That was a leaf of a different colour.

Hazel stopped, looking sickly.

"You're a mate and a father!" said Fiver. "Would you go and get yourself killed to be so reckless?"

"That was also different," said Hazel guiltily. "I wasn't Hazel; but a stupid Bigwig Junior." The older buck suddenly broke down. "I'm sorry Fiver!" he sobbed. "I'm so ashamed. You're obviously more grown-up than me."

"No Hazel," said Fiver, his eyes also oozing with tears. "You are. You're the leader. You're my big brother. The one I ask questions to when I don't know the answer, the one I hide behind whenever I'm scared."

"I just wish this vision never came," said Hazel. "I'm scared of losing you, little brother. When you were born, I cared for nothing else but you. I never told you enough times that I love you."

"I'm scared too, Hazel," said Fiver. "But this vision said there is someplace I could make my wish come true. Besides, I'll have Leo, Silverweed and the Owsla to look after me."

"As well as Gooseberry Schmooseberry," said Hazel, letting a little laugh out.

"Leo told you that didn't he?"

"He did," said Hazel. "I want him to be safe as well. Just because Darklunn is gone doesn't mean there aren't any worse elil. But then there is you, Fiver. I want to look out for you. That's what I've been doing ever since Mother di - since Mother ... moved on."

"I should be returning the favour."

"No way. Let me do the protecting while you do the hiding behind me."

"I'm sorry I screamed at you, Hazel."

"And I'm sorry I yelled."

"We're brothers," said Fiver. "It's a tradition."

They hugged each other for a very long time enjoying it in their own way: Hazel protecting the small rabbit that will always be his baby brother and Fiver pressing his face into his brother's furry chest enjoying the comfort.

"You know what else is a tradition?" asked Fiver.

"What?"

"Tickling the life out of older brothers!"

Fiver pounced on Hazel and tickled him all over to which Hazel fell to the floor laughing his lungs out until he grabbed Fiver and blew a raspberry into his belly. Soon they lay down, worn out from their games.

"Would you like me to spend the night with you?" said Fiver.

"Yes please," said Hazel as he hugged. "I want us to be together for one more time and make the most of it."

….

"Are you worried about this, Silverweed?" I asked.

"Yes," said Silverweed. "I'm frightened for you all though."

"Why not yourself?"

"I don't think anything about myself," he said. "Everyone here is more important than me."

"But you must though," I said. "What if you got hurt and you carried on?"

"I'd be fine," he said. "I'm just glad I'm joining you and Fiver on this journey. Also we will be taking Bluebell and Snowflake much to Dandelion and Fiver's delight."

"I hope Dandelion will succeed," I said.

"Goodnight, Leo," said Silverweed as he hugged me. But then he gasped. "You shall help one who is in threat." Then he fell.

"Silverweed!" I cried. "Are you alright?"

"Err, I'm fine," said Silverweed. "It's nothing."

"Oh no it isn't," I insisted. "Tell me."

"Well," said Silverweed hesitantly, "I share something in common with Fiver. When I touch someone, without meaning to, I can read their trail to tomorrow. Before I died, I lost it. But now that it's back, I feel doomed again. A threat so to speak."

"You call yourself a threat and yet you care for everyone in this warren and Fiver and Hazel took you in as their brother and love you like one," I said. "You're almost as bad as Fiver; thinking you're a threat when you aren't."

"I'm sorry," said Silverweed. "It just feels strange how I possess this ability."

"We all have out own gifts," I said consolably. "Whether normal or magic. Without Fiver, you probably wouldn't be free. He told me the story about how you were forced into his mind to betray the warren. He saved you though, as you saved Watership Down. I just want you to accept who you are and be happy."

"Oh I am happy," said Silverweed. "I chase butterflies and play with some birds."

"That's good," I said. "I won't tolerate my friends and family being upset."

"What happened to Fiver?" he suddenly asked.

We hopped to Hazel's quarters where we found him and Fiver asleep together, Hazel lying on his side while Fiver rested his head comfortably against his brother's belly.

Silverweed shed a tear at the sweet sight.

"Let's leave them," I said. "We got a long day tomorrow."

We hopped back to our quarters noticing Hawkbit digging.

"The joys of digging when I need to be resting for tomorrow," he grumbled.

We snickered and went up to him.

"So you being a helpful mate then are you?" I said.

"Watch I don't hind-kick you, chum," he said. "At least Dandelion and Strawberry are helping me."

We hopped around the corner to find the two playing Bobstones quietly together. Me and Silverweed snickered as we hopped away from them.

"Leo? Silverweed?"

We thought we woke up Hazel but he smiled at us and said, "There's room for two more."

We happily hopped up to him and he rolled over, bringing all three of us to his chest.

A big brother was a better bed than the one Aunt Madeline held; so soft and warm and so easy to make you drift off.