Thyre stood in nothing. There was only white around him. Looking around, he opened his mouth and shouted. "Anybeast here?"

"Yes," a voice replied.

Thyre turned and saw Martin standing in front of him. The warrior mouse smiled. "You fulfilled your promise."

Thyre nodded. "Valcyn is gone. His horde is scattered and the eastern forests will never be troubled again."

"Good." Martin replied. "Then you may come with me."

Thyre cocked his head. "Where?"

"Dark Forest, of course. If you wish to."

Thyre thought back. Redwall, the remaining fighters…Triss. He shook his head. "No. I'm not ready yet."

"Are you sure?" Martin asked. "Your friends are there already."

"Can I talk to them?" Thyre asked.

Martin nodded and turned, beckoning. Jarren and Justyn appeared out of the light. Jarren walked over and embraced his friend. Thyre smiled. "He's gone. It's over."

"Finally," Jarren replied.

"I'm sorry," Thyre continued.

Jarren cocked his head and looked at Thyre. "For what?"

"For not being able to keep you alive."

Jarren shook his head. "It wasn't your fault, Thyre. It was Valcyn's. I died a free creature, and to me, that was the important thing."

Thyre nodded. "Yes. That's what's important."

Jarren hugged Thyre again. "We'll see each other again."

Thyre buried his face in the otter's shoulder. He nodded into it, giving a muffled, affirmative noise.

Jarren let go, and with a final smile he disappeared. Justyn walked up and held out a paw. "Thank you for forgiving me. It was wrong for me to say those things."

Thyre took the paw and shook it. "It's alright. It's in the past now, and everything is fine."

Justyn nodded. "Goodbye, Thyre."

Thyre smiled. "Thank you for saving Triss."

"You're welcome. Treat her well."

The mouse disappeared, leaving only Thyre and Martin once again. The warrior mouse looked at him. "Are you sure you don't want to come?"

Thyre shook his head. "What did you mean by 'more' when you spoke to me?"

"I was trying to say that you'd have more time in your life. And I hope you'll spend it well."

Thyre nodded. "Thank you, Martin."

"Good luck, Thyre."

Everything faded to black.

Thyre's eyes fluttered and opened. He looked around. He was back at the woodlander village, in the same cave he had woken up in the first time. He smiled at the fact. Looking around, he saw that he was alone except for one thing.

Triss sat in a chair beside the bed. She was asleep. Thyre smiled and worked a paw free of the sheets to gently lay it on one of hers.

She jerked slightly and straightened. Looking at her paw and then moving her eyes up his arm and finally to his face, she smiled at the fact that his eyes were open. Thyre looked around again. "How long have I been out?"

"Weeks. I lost track after three."

Thyre looked under the covers. His wounds were almost completely healed; the places where Valcyn had slashed him already gone. The only wound left was the stab, and that was nearly gone as well. Triss got up and knelt by the side of the bed. "Do you think you can walk?"

Thyre carefully swung his legs over the side of the bed and slowly stood. Aside from a slight pain in his chest, he felt nothing. He smiled in excitement and then they both looked to the entrance as Athe and Arese walked in. The otter healer smiled. "So, you're awake and walking. Two bits of good news."

Arese chuckled. "Indeed." He walked over to Thyre. "How are you feeling, Thyre?"

"Very well."

Athe walked over and looked at the bandage around his chest. "The wound should be healed in another day or so. You're very lucky. The sword missed anything vital."

Thyre sighed. "I don't care how bad they were. I'm just glad it's over."

Athe looked at Arese. "He can go."

Arese nodded. "Good. Dress yourself, Thyre."

Thyre took a tunic from his bedside, then walked out of the cave with all the others. As they walked along the path, Arese told Thyre about the aftermath of the battle. Twenty-five of the fighters had lost their lives. The village was short a few dozen inhabitants now. Thyre saw Aaron walking around and nodded at the mouse. Aaron nodded back. Thyre took a deep breath and released it slowly, looking around. It was so peaceful. And it would never be troubled again.

Sorry about the delay in new postings. I got distracted because on Sunday I was busy playing the two games I got for my birthday (I'm 16 now, by the way) and was on my 360 all afternoon. But anyways, I'll post a few new chapters to make up for the delay.