The boulder that had fallen and crushed Campion had started a cave in inside the hidden tunnels. Woundwort and his army rushed to get out before they too were killed or trapped inside. Sharp stalagmites that hung from the ceiling trembled and fell and nearly pierced through rabbits and stones and rocks crumbling from their structures, falling and pelting the rabbits as they ran for their lives.
Woundwort struggled to lead his troop to safety as they were hit and knockout over by large falling rocks or from the violent shake of the cave in that shook the caverns.
"Don't stop, keep running." Woundwort shouted as rabbits stopped to try and help fellow rabbits that were sadly unfortunate not fast enough to dodge a boulder or pointed pillar as they fell.
Vervain, being one of the slowest rabbits was lagging behind and struggled to keep up until suddenly his path was blocked by a stone pillar that fell just in front of his nose, nearly taking it off. The cowardly rabbit cried out in shock to the near miss and turned to go around it but another pillar fell and blocked that path too. Suddenly Vervain was surrounded as more pillars fell all around him, trapping him in a cage of stone. The black rabbit started to panic as he realized he was trapped and started trying to find a way out but he couldn't find a space to squeeze through.
"General, help me!" Vervain begged and prayed his Chief will save and not leave him.
Vervain's please echoed through the tunnel, reaching Woundwort's ears which made him stop and look back to find what had happened. Snarling, Woundwort knew he couldn't leave Vervain like that to die.
"Keep going, don't stop." General Woundwort yelled to his warriors as they run for the light at the end of the tunnel.
Woundwort turned and ran back towards where Vervain was trapped. The dark rabbit ran at full speed and launched himself at the stone pillars, ramming his skull into the stone which was too weak to withstand against the General and broke apart from his might.
The stone pillars crumbled away, freeing Vervain from his prison who stupidly stood there in shock at his Chief came back for him and freed him so easily.
"On ward!" The General shouted, breaking Vervain out of his daze and started to run again.
The cave in was getting worse, the ceiling and floor was starting to crumble and split up beneath their feet and over their heads but Woundwort and Vervain continued running, determined to make it.
The two last rabbits were just about to reach the exit when the tunnels couldn't take the cave in no longer and finally collapsed. The force of the cave in caused the water that still flowed through to bellow up and spit Woundwort and Vervain out of the tunnel and onto the river banks, soaking and nearly drowning the exhausted rabbits.
Woundwort and Vervain began to regain their energy a bit and shook off the water and pebbles that got into their fur.
"Thank you, sire. Thank you."Vervain said gratefully between pants.
Woundwort looked around to observe his troops as they panted from the tiring run and coughed out whatever dust and water got into their lungs. After a quick check over of everyone Ruffian hopped over to his Chief.
"Corporal Ruffian, report."Woundwort ordered as he stood up.
"We lost more than half the troops, sir. Along with Captain Campion."Ruffian said and bowed his head as he prayed silently for the lost Owsler Captain.
"He gave his life for me."Woundwort said as he looked down sadly.
"No, sire. He betrayed us!"Vervain started as he came up beside his Chief who glared at him with his one good eye.
"He gave his life for me! And his name will be legend."Woundwort stated and Vervain bowed before his Chief.
"Yes, General. Legend."Vervain said and looked at the dark rabbit cautiously as he loomed over him.
"Hazel and his Outsiders will suffer for this. By the Black Rabbit of Inle I will have my revenge!"Woundwort swore.
Meanwhile back in the cavern Hazel, Bigwig and Fiver were going over their next plan of action while Holly took Moss away from having to view the place were Campion lost his life.
"Campion died for Watership Down. We have to make his sacrifice mean something."Hazel stated.
"Then we take the war to General Woundwort."Bigwig said. Though Hazel didn't want it to come to this, he nodded in agreement all the same.
"Yes. The war to end all wars. Woundwort lost a lot of his troops here. We'll attack while the Efrafains are still licking their wounds."Hazel said.
"About time."Bigwig said eagerly and started to leave until he noticed that Fiver was looking intently at the rocks where Campion was crushed.
"Fiver? Are you alright?"Bigwig asked as he and Hazel looked to try and find what the runt was looking for.
"I don't believe Campion is gone after all. It feels like he's still with us."Fiver said as he looked at the crumbled rock heap.
"He's alive in our hearts and always will be." Bigwig replied as he pulled Fiver closer to try to comfort him, letting the other buck snuggle closer and bury his nose in his thick mane.
Hazel hopped over and placed a comforting paw on Fiver's shoulder.
"Come on little brother, we've got to gather an army." The Chief said before headed back up into the burrows to start making strategies and plans.
Fiver sighed sadly and pulled out of Bigwig's strong and protective embrace to follow after his big brother. Bigwig watched them go before looking back at the pile of rubble Captain Campion was buried under. The Lion Head frowned and sighed sadly and hopped up the rocks to place his paw over Campion's grave.
"We'll all miss you mate, and I'll protect Moss for you." Bigwig vowed and gave the fallen rabbit one last prayer before he too headed up top, never noticing the stone pile slightly shifted as if something was trying to move them.
Back in Efrafa, life was running the same as usual. The slaves that were out to sylfly slowly ate the grass, their lives never changing no matter if Woundwort won or lost a battle. But as for the Captains, Woundwort was snarling and growling in rage as his Captains stood to attention before him while he sat up upon his throne.
"Woundwort…is never defeated. Never" General Woundwort hissed, denying the truth to what happened to him.
"Of course you can never be defeated, Sire. General Woundwort all powerful, all knows." Vervain spoke up, the only Captain of Owsler brave enough to speak up while every other rabbit knew to keep their mouth shut. The General glared down at Vervain.
"Really Vervain?" Woundwort growled as the black rabbit before he jumped down from his stone ledge and hopped up to Vervain.
Then what happened in the caverns? We ran like mice before a cat. Run out by Hazel and his Outsiders." The dark rabbit said, getting closer and closer to Vervain who coward away from him the closer he got.
"N..No, no Sire. It was Captain Campion fault, he betrayed you. He turned away from your glorious light." Vervain tried to say and point the claim on who he believed was the real cause of their defeat.
But General Woundwort was pleased by Vervain's argument.
"Liar!" Woundwort accused, making Vervain cringe to the ground in fright, fearing his General's wrath.
"Campion's heart was true. There was no defeat. We won the battle. We won the battle didn't we?" Woundwort questioned the Owsler Captain's.
"Yes my Chief." A pale brown buck answered.
"Liar." Woundwort shouted, making the buck gasp and fear he displeased his Chief with his answer.
"We lost. You're all weak, cowardly, liars." Woundwort yelled as he looked at every rabbit that stood there before him.
"Sire, please. We all tried our best."Vervain said in an attempt to calm Woundwort down but all he got was a growl.
"Your best wasn't good enough. Now fight me. All of you fight me! I'll show you Woundwort is unbeatable!"The Chief Rabbit stated and without warning blinded his Owsler with tackles, knocking them sideways.
Vervain tried more to calm his Chief down than to attack him but he was just smacked across the face, instantly knocking him out. Other Owsler Captains all piled on their Chief and tried to hold Woundwort down and restrain him but the dark rabbit broke free and sent them all flying onto the hard ground making them dazed from the impact. Woundwort looked over his defeated Owsler and growled lowly.
"Never defeated. Never..."Woundwort muttered to himself and left to go to his quarters. Vervain was the first to wake up and looked after his Chief fearfully and worriedly.
"Woundwort, what's happened to you?"Vervain asked.
Meanwhile back at Watership Down the rabbits were going over their plans for the war against Efrafa.
"Pipkin, I want you to find Darkling and Tassel. Ask them if the bats and squirrels will stand with us."Hazel instructed.
"I know they will."Pipkin said confidently.
"Hana, Kehaar, we'll need diggers. I want you to ask Jolly the mole if he'll bring his tribe."Hazel said.
"Right."Hana confirmed.
"Hawkbit, Dandelion, get all the birds you can to help in this as well."Hazel said to the two young bucks.
"You got it, Hazel."Dandelion said.
"We'll need Bark's power in this fight. Who's going to visit the badger?"Bigwig asked.
"I'll do it."Fiver said.
"And I'll go with him."Moss supplied.
"Alright. You all have your assignments, now go."Hazel ordered and everyone left to do as they were told.
Moss and Fiver headed to the apple orchard where Bark lived and after a long run of his friend not speaking Fiver decided to try and get Moss to talk.
"You haven't said much, Moss."Fiver pointed.
"There's nothing to say. Without Campion the world is grey and my heart is empty. I'm not sure I have much of anything to live for now."Moss said in a depressed tone.
"Don't think like that, Moss. Campion would want you to live on. Now more than ever."Fiver said.
"Yes, you're right. I suppose the most I can do for him is try to pull through."Moss said in agreement.
"Right. Now let's talk to bark."Fiver said and the two got to the tree with the burrow where Bark lived. The Buck-Does peeked inside to try and find the friendly badger but couldn't quite see her. "Bark! Are you home?"Fiver called out and soon a larger figure came out and Bark smiled at the runt.
"Fiver! Moss! Friends, Bark happy to see them."Bark said and took the rabbits into her arms and hugged them tightly.
"Oh, It's…it's nice to see you too Bark. We've come to ask for your help." Fiver grunted as the badger squeezed them a bit too hard.
Bark then stopped squeezing to hear what they were here for.
"We're going to fight Efrafa and was wondering if you'd…" Moss started to ask but Bark interrupted them.
"Bark like to fight, we go." She said in excitement and started to head to Watership Down, carrying Fiver and Moss.
"You might consider putting us down Bark. Really, this isn't very dignified, Oh Bark" Fiver complained, he and Moss wiggling around in the badgers strong grip but she didn't listen and continued to carry them.
"Bark please, we are grown rabbits and we can walk ourselves." Moss tried to reason with her but she continued to ignore them. Fiver and Moss sighed and then chuckled at each other at how silly they probably look, being carried off by a big and ferocious looking badger. They then went still and let their friend have it her way and let her carry them back home.
Back up on the Down Pipkin returned back on the done to report.
"Darkling and his clan are going to help up Hazel." Pipkin explained.
Hazel nodded and patted the young buck's shoulder in thanks before Pipkin hopped off to go find more help. Then Hana and Kahaar returned and landed in front of Hazel and Bigwig.
"Half of the animals on the Down are on their way Hazel. Moles, Voles, Water rats, Birds, the lot. They'll all fight with us." Hana happily reposted to her Chief rabbit.
Bigwig smiled at the news and look at Hazel who didn't look to happy as the news of their army continued to grow.
"This will be glorious, hey Hazel." Bigwig stated.
"There's nothing glory about war, Bigwig." Hazel said back to his old friend. The Lion Head then nodded in understanding but they all knew that they had to fight to protect their home and all that they had here.
"Yeah maybe your right. Still, I wish Campion was here to Efrafa." Bigwig added, looking up at the sky as his thoughts wondered back to the great and noble rabbit and the place where he fell, protecting their warren and…saving the life of his Chief that he was betraying.
Down in the caverns, the grave sight of Campion's fall suddenly started to move again, the stones shifting and falling until finally a beaten and battered rabbit pulled himself from the rubble. The weak and exhausted rabbit fell to the ground as he climbed out of the rocks and laid there to catch his breath before standing back up. Wounds and scars covered his left side of his face, taking the sight in his left eye, and mangling his left ear. Two deep cuts crossed over his chest and his legs were badly injured but he was still able to walk.
The rabbit looked back at all the large boulders and rocks that had him buried, confused to how he had survived such a thing. Remembering he had threw himself under a huge falling boulder, saving his old chief from being crushed and taking his place.
Campion looked around the cavern he was in now before he slowly started to limp away from the fallen rocks, following the tunnels and praying they will lead him out and too Hazel and his peaceful warren.
Meanwhile back at Efrafa the Captains were all starting to get worried over the fate of their warren and themselves now that Woundwort was delving deeper into his madness. One minute he seemed to act like his normal self but then the next he would shout how they didn't lose the battle and demand fights with his Owsler. Even Vervain was beginning to lose confidence in his Chief and becoming very worries. So when Woundwort demanded for his presence the buck gulped fearfully but went to see his Chief none the less.
"Y-yes, General?"Vervain asked.
"The time has come to take our revenge against the Outsiders, Vervain. Hazel has hurt me for the last time by taking my best Owsler Captain from me. We'll attack them at dawn. Assemble the army!"Woundwort ordered. Vervain shuffled nervously at this and looked down.
"Um that might be a bit iffy, Sire. For one thing we don't know where to attack."Vervain pointed out.
"Details. What else?"Woundwort asked.
"Well, there's not much of an army left exactly."Vervain explained gently.
"Then the slaves will fight! The does will fight. The little ones will fight. Have them prepared for battle by dawn. Dismissed."Woundwort stated and left for his quarters.
Vervain sighed sadly at hearing this. Woundwort was really beginning to lose it. And at this rate nothing of Efrafa would be left. Deciding that he must do something in order to change this around for at least some of them while he still had the chance, Vervain left to the Owsler burrows and sought out one officer who he knew was loyal to him and would help. Once he got there and made sure that everyone else was sound asleep Vervain went to the burrow of Corporal Aspen.
"Aspen. Aspen! Wake up, it's urgent."Vervain whispered into the burrow. A loud yawn answered him and soon a large cream colored loop eared buck came out.
"Oh, hello Captain Vervain. Why did you wake me up? Is it morning already?"Aspen asked tiredly.
"No it isn't, Aspen, but morning might not ever come for us again if we don't do something. Woundwort has gone mad and everyone will suffer if we don't do something."Vervain explained in a whisper. Aspen gasped in shock at hearing this.
"Oh no. What'll we do, Captain Vervain? We can't take on Woundwort ourselves."Aspen said with a worried shake of his head.
"We're not going to fight exactly, Aspen, but during the fight we'll get as many rabbit as we can out of here."Vervain whispered.
"But who would be willing enough to leave Efrafa against the order of Woundwort?"Aspen asked.
"I know one doe that would. Come with me."Vervain said and the two rabbits hopped down to the slave burrows.
In said burrows one lone doe was asleep keeping watch over the weaker rabbits while they slept in their shared burrow. Her name was Heather and she was a tall doe with orange colored fur, a light brown underbelly and green eyes. She was notorious in Efrafa for trying to escape every chance she could get but no matter how often she was caught that didn't end her resolve to get free. The sound of paws hopping on stone made Heather more alert and she looked down the left of the tunnel and saw Captain Vervain and Corporal Aspen approaching the burrow and standing right in front of her.
"You're Heather, aren't you?"Vervain asked.
"Why do you care? I'm just another slave."Heather said defiantly and turned her head.
"A slave who tries to run every chance she get's. I'm Captain Vervain and this is Corporal Aspen. I'm sure you heard of the most recent battle Efrafa had."Vervain said.
"Yes. I heard that we lost. What do you and your Corporal want, Captain Vervain?"Heather asked. Vervain looked around to make sure that no one was listening before turning back to the doe.
"Aspen and I are starting a resistance movement inside Efrafa. But we don't have much time. Woundwort plans to attack the Outsiders with what's left of the army and even use the slaves and children. We want to get everyone out. We need your help."Vervain said in a whisper.
"Why should I trust one of Woundwort's cruelest Captains led alone help?"Heather asked. Vervain looked down in shame at the words but he couldn't say the doe was wrong. After a moment he looked back at Heather and replied.
"Though I never cared much for Captain Campion, even I can't deny his honor and courage. He saved my life more than once, even when we were kittens but I was never grateful to him. I'm doing this to repay my debt to Campion."Vervain stated.
"You've got to help us, Heather. Please?"Aspen begged.
Heather looked into the burrow she was guarding, seeing the rabbits had woken from their sleep from over hearing their conversation. She didn't have to ask when on buck nodded, speaking for the others that they wanted their freedom.
"Yes, we'll stand with you Captain Vervain." Heather answered with a smile.
Aspen and Vervain smiled at her answer.
"Thank you Heather. We make our move at dawn, make sure everyone if ready." Vervain said as he and Aspen turned to hop off before they were seen.
Heather and the other slaves watched them go and the tall doe closed her eyes.
"Frith protect us all." She blessed, playing their plan will work.
On Watership Down, the burrows were abuzz with chatter, squeaking, and chirping from all the creatures that were piled into the Honeycomb Chamber.
"This is the strangest thing I have ever seen. Back in my day we fought our battles rabbit against rabbit, none of this inter species mingling." Holly stated as he looked around in awe at all the squirrels, mice, water rats, birds, bats, and many more that come to help.
"Hazel believes in new ways of doing things. New ideas, he always has." Fiver explained as he watched proudly as his big brother and Bigwig talked among themselves.
Holly hummed in thought, fully understanding but being an old buck he proffered the way how things were done back then. He then gasped in surprise when he felt something land on top of his head and looked up to find a friendly Magpie decided to use his head as its new perch.
Fiver and Silverweed saw this and chuckled at how silly the old rabbit looked as the two smiled at each other. Hazel and Bigwig stopped talking together and decided to start the meeting.
"If I could have you attention, hello? Quiet down please." Hazel tried to say friendly way but sadly none of the other creatures seemed to hear him and continued to talk and chatter loudly. Bigwig then decided to step up and give t a shot.
"Oi, belt up you lot!" Bigwig shouted over the talking which worked and now everyone stopped speaking and were now listening for what Hazel had to say.
"We stand together, on the eve of our last battle with Efrafa. With your help, we shall be victorious in this awful enterprise and there is only one good thing that comes of it. Peace. By mornings light the struggle will be over and we'll have peace, for all time." Hazel preached.
Every animal that was there, forming Hazel's army cheered for the Chief rabbit. But sadly not everyone was willing to fight. Silverweed frowned and looked away sadly of what all this hate and fighting was coming to. Fiver noticed his friend's distress and placed a comforting paw on the silver buck's shoulder.
"Silverweed, is everything ok?" Fiver questioned.
The silver Buck-Doe shook his head, keeping his head bowed.
"No, I don't want to fight. I wish this war was over and that there was another way then to just keep fighting." Silverweed said, his voice heavy with how upset he was.
"I know Silverweed. We all wish it were different. But at this point we don't have much choice."Holly explained gently to his son who gave a sad nod.
"Yes. Still I can't help but wonder if things would be different if Captain Campion were still alive."Silverweed said.
Speaking of Campion, the scarred buck was laying down in the cavern panting weakly. Suddenly he felt a horrible chill over him and turned around to see the shadows in the cavern take the shape of a large figure and smoke appeared. Campion looked up at the figure in fright once he saw who it was and what it meant for him.
"The Black Rabbit of Inle. I'm ready to go with you. I'm tired."Campion said as he stood up before the spirit.
"Your time has not come, Captain Campion. You have a life to live and a job to perform for me before we meet for the last time."Black Rabbit stated in his ominous voice as he looked Campion straight in the eye, almost penetrating his soul.
"I don't understand. What do you want me to do?"Campion asked tiredly and before passing out yet again.
"When the time comes, you'll know."Black Rabbit's voice rang out as his shadowy body formed back into Campion's shadow.
"M...Moss...Wait for me!"Campion called out.
Back in the Honeycomb Chamber the animals listened to Bigwig as he gave their instructions.
"Each of you is assigned to a unit. Make sure you know who's in charge of it. Listen to what they tell you and obey them instantly without question."Bigwig stated to the crowd. However just as he was listening intently to what his mate was saying a vision came over Fiver.
"Moss...Wait for me."Fiver said as his entire body shook.
"Fiver? What is it? What do you see?"Silverweed asked but it was a distant echo for the runt. Fiver panted painfully as his vision assaulted his mind
"A dear friend thought to be gone comes back to life. Hard trials await before things can all be right."Fiver rhymed and gasped as if he just came up for air when the vision was over.
"Fiver, you said 'Moss wait for me'. What did you mean?"Silverweed asked.
"I...I don't know. It didn't make much sense."Fiver said. Deciding to let it go for now, the Buck-Does turned back to listen to Bigwig.
"If you got any questions ask your unit commander. We assemble at the stone bridge after sunset. Kehaar's our path finder. Keep an eye on him and you'll get where you're going. Right, that's it then. Dismissed."Bigwig said and all of the animals assembled.
Once sunset came Kehaar led the way to the Efrafian bridge with all of the animals from the Down following. Finally after all their practice and fights with enemy after enemy it was coming to this. The last battle with Efrafa. Though most were afraid to go into war against such fearsome rabbits they knew that for the sake of the forest they had to do it. And just as Hazel said, the peace that'll come from this turmoil will be worth the fierce battle to come.
"This is big one, eh Hana? Tonight we finish Woundwort forever."Kehaar said with a confident smile.
"I don't know, Kehaar. If there's always one more battle does war ever end?"Hana asked and sighed sadly as she watched the army move closer to the bridge leading to Efrafa while Kehaar kept out of the storm clouds which were starting to rumble with thunder.
Below Fiver, Bigwig, Moss, Hazel and Silverweed were watching the animals ran ahead to make sure they were all going in the right direction.
"Can we trust them?"Bigwig asked Hazel.
"Let's hope so. Our plan rather depends on them."Hazel stated.
"I pray to Frith that Campion will get some peace after all of this is said and done."Moss stated as he looked at the red sunset sky sadly.
"I'm sure he will, Moss. And he'll surely smile down at you for what you've done."Silverweed said with a smile making the masked buck smile a bit.
"Yes, I suppose so."Moss said. Hazel looked to the sky and saw that it was just starting to turn dark.
"Time to go."Hazel said and led the rabbits to the bridge.
Unknown to the Down rabbits however once it turned Dark Campion finally made his way into the upper burrows. The scarred rabbit looked around with his good eye to find Hazel or even Moss but it seemed like no one was here. As if the warren was abandoned.
"Ugh. Moss…Primrose...Hazel…Bigwig?"Campion called out but received no answer. Even as he went higher and higher into the warren he found no one. The scarred buck sobbed sadly when he couldn't find anyone and hopped up to the surface.
"No one left. They're gone. My Moss isn't anywhere. The world is empty. Show me what I must do, Black Rabbit. Show me what I must do."Campion pleaded as tears ran down his face as he looked into the stormy night sky.
Meanwhile Kehaar and Hana checked over the warren of Efrafa to make sure that it was safe to attack and found that it was. However that was the strange thing about it. Efrafa was usually so well guarded, even on a stormy night like this one. But not a single guard was to be seen. It was as if the warren was abandoned.
"I've never seen Efrafa so lightly guarded."Hana said in shock.
"We attack them easy, eh Hana? Like picking wrinkles off a rock."Kehaar said.
"You talk like that, Kehaar, and you'll jinx the attack. Let's get back to the bridge."Hana said and the gull nodded then flew back to their checkpoint.
On the stone bridge two large Owsler rabbits stood guard keeping a close watch out for any Elili or enemy rabbits. Hazel and the others reached the bridge but stayed hidden in the tall grass as they watched from afar. A loud crack of thunder rolled across the sky as some nasty weather collected over head.
Bigwig looked behind them to check on their army and saw that a few creatures didn't understand the meaning of stealth, standing up and clear to be seen.
"Get down, everybody stay hidden until we clear the bridge." Bigwig hissed at the trouble makers who quickly ducked down and disappeared from sight.
Once he knew everyone was hidden, Bigwig looked at Hazel who was watching the guards closely.
"We need a distraction." Hazel whispered to the Lion head who nodded.
"Water rats, front and center." Bigwig commanded and a couple rats scurried up to Bigwig and waited for further orders.
"I need two volunteers." Bigwig said and two water rats stepped forward, willing to o the job.
"I want you to swim across the river, come up on the far side of the bridge, and distract the guards." Hazel ordered.
The two rats snickered to each other before they snuck down to the river, slipped into the water, and swam across to the other side of the river. Once there they climbed out and went to the far side of the bridge which the guards had their backs to. The water rats snickered to themselves again as they got ready to start some mischief. They then used their tails to smack a couple pebbles that were laying around near the bridge, aiming them right at the guards heads who yelped in pain from the sudden hit and turned to see the trouble maker rats standing there laughing. The two Owsler guards got ready to go after them, never noticing Hazel and Bigwig running up behind them until they were pushed over, into hole in the bridge and down into the river below.
Hazel and Bigwig looked down into the hole to watch them be swept away. At the time Kehaar and Hana showed up to repot what they found at Efrafa.
"There are hardly any Guards at Efrafa, Hazel." Hana reported.
"Yeah, like they are inviting us to attack." Kehaar commented.
"Then lets hit them hard and fast." Bigwig suggested, itching for a fight to end all this madness but Hazel disagreed.
"Not yet, move the army closer to Efrafa and wait." Hazel replied as he looked up at the rolling storm clouds as another roll of thunder and crack of lightning flashed across the sky.
"Wait, for what?" Bigwig questioned, not really understanding why.
"For the moment of greatest confusion." Hazel answered his Captain of Owsler but poor old Bigwig still didn't understand.
"Huh?" The Lion Head asked as he raised a brow and cocked his head to the side.
"We'll attack then the storm breaks." Hazel slowly explained his plan as another flash of lightning light up the sky.
Bigwig looked up and watched the clouds Hazel had been watching, now understanding Hazel's plan.
"You've got a right nasty mind Hazel. I'm glad you're on our side." Bigwig complimented his wise and cunning Chief.
"You'd be surprised by the nasty things I think of, Bigwig. I thought of quite a few when you first asked me for permission to court Fiver."Hazel said with a grin and Bigwig's ears dropped in slight embarrassment before he regained his composure and cleared his throat.
"Right. Well let's move out then. Keep your chatter to a dull roar."Bigwig said to the army and the group crossed over the bridge and into Efrafa.
When the Down army all got to their enemy's warren they saw a few Owsler guards had shown up so they made sure to keep quiet and out of sight, Bigwig making sure the Buck-Does were close by and hidden. Hazel then looked up at the storm to see that it was getting ready to break. Everyone made sure to stay ready and prepare for their last battle.
Meanwhile, Woundwort was sleeping the burrow he shared with Vervain and the Chief Rabbit was having a nightmare of what transpired in the cave from when Campion tackled him off of Bigwig to when he tackled him out of the way of the falling rock. The nightmare was so intense that it woke Woundwort from his sleep with a shout.
"No!"Woundwort cried out and whimpered which woke Vervain up and made him look at his Chief in surprise and worry.
"General? Are you alright?"Vervain asked. The dark rabbit didn't answer for a long time as he looked down in sadness but then he finally spoke.
"Campion betrayed me, didn't he Captain Vervain?"Woundwort asked.
"Eh well more or less yes he did, Sire."Vervain answered slowly.
"Then he saved my life. So he didn't hate me, did he? He hated what I had done to my people. To establish an empire you need force. To maintain it you need kindness. Just like Fiver said. Oh, what have I done Vervain?"Woundwort asked but left before the other buck could answer.
"Sir?"Vervain asked as he watched his Chief run out of the burrow.
Back outside of the warren the storm finally broke and it began raining which cued the start of the battle.
"Now!"Hazel ordered and the animals all ran down into the dug up warren.
"Ready mate?"Hawkbit asked Dandelion who nodded and the two leaped into the fray.
"Swift running."Hazel blessed to Bigwig and the Buck-Does and they all ran down to battle.
Back in the slave burrows Heather was sleeping soundly with everyone else until she heard a shout.
"Invaders!" Shouted the voice which made Heather wake up and look out the entrance of the burrow.
"We're under attack!"Shouted the same voice and the doe could see the shadows of rabbits hopping along. Just then Vervain and Aspen rushed to the entrance.
"This is our chance, Heather. Aspen will lead you and the others out. I'll distract Woundwort and we'll meet under the tree. Move!"Vervain ordered and left to go join Woundwort while Aspen led Heather and the other rabbits out of the burrows.
Woundwort meanwhile hopped to the entrance of the burrow, panting hard as he ran fast and Vervain soon came to his side.
"It's Hazel and his Outsiders!"Exclaimed one of the Owsler.
"What shall we do, Sire?"Vervain asked.
"We shall end this war."Woundwort said and when he heard the sound of rabbits yelling 'freedom' he turned to see the slaves running out of the burrows making the Chief Rabbit growl. "Three of you go after the slaves. The rest come with me!"Woundwort ordered and the army charged outside.
Outside in the rain the Down rabbits fought with the Efrafains alongside their animal friends. Every creature fought tooth and nail for victory. When Hazel saw slave rabbits running out of the burrows and out of Efrafa he called out to Blackberry and Primrose.
"Primrose, Blackberry! Lead the slaves away from here!"Hazel called out. The does nodded and when they saw a group of slaves cornered by an Owsler they both tackled him into a rock which knocked the buck out.
"Follow us."Blackberry said to the slaves and they did just that. Near the wilted tree Vervain spoke with Heather and Aspen.
"This is your chance to be free at last, Heather. The two does on the embankment seem to be leading everyone to their warren. You and Aspen should get going."Vervain stated.
"But what about you, Captain Vervain?"Heather asked.
"I doubt I'll have a home in Hazel's warren. I'm going off wherever I can find peace. Farewell."Vervain said and started to leave but then Aspen stopped him.
"Wait, Vervain. I want to go with you."Aspen said but the black rabbit shook his head.
"No, Aspen. You should go with Hazel's warren and live a happy life."Vervain stated.
"Life won't be happy if I'm not with my best friend. I'm coming with you, Vervain."Aspen said adamantly. Vervain sighed at the loop ear's stubbornness but smiled anyway.
"Alright, Aspen. You can come with me. You should get going too, Heather."Vervain and hopped up the embankment with Aspen.
"Vervain!"Heather called out and Vervain turned to look at the doe who then smiled.
"Captain Campion would have been proud of you for what you're doing."Heather said making Vervain smile and then he and Aspen hopped away from Efrafa while Heather went to run off with Blackberry and Primrose.
Meanwhile Fiver and Silverweed were fighting off a couple of Owslers until they got cornered by a larger pair. Luckily Hana came in on Kehaar and tossed acorns at the bucks which gave Fiver and Silverweed time to run off. Before the Owsler could chase after them Darkling and his bat clan came in and started biting at the two rabbits. Hawkbit and Dandelion meanwhile were having a growling match with another Efrafain Owsler at which time the Magpies came in and began pecking at the buck and while he was distracted Dandelion and Hawkbit tackled him. The moles and water rats meanwhile were working to uplift the wilted tree and Bark was fighting off all the other Efrafains. Up from the embankment Woundwort looked at the battling and felt great sadness that it had all come to this.
"Stop this war!"Woundwort wailed.
No one seemed to have heard him but Silverweed did. The Buck-Doe looked up at the Chief who seemed to have broken down into tears and while Moss wasn't looking he went up to Woundwort. When the Owsler turned around he was shocked to see that Silverweed wasn't on the battlefield.
"Silverweed?! Where are you?!"Moss called out and tried to search for the Seer but several Owsler stopped him leaving him no choice but to fight on.
Back on the embankment Woundwort was sobbing sadly until a voice spoke to him.
"Woundwort." Called out the fair voice, Woundwort gasped in surprise and turned around to see Silverweed.
"You. Silverweed."Woundwort said slowly as he walked up to the Seer.
"Yes. I heard your call. Do you really want to stop this war, Woundwort?"Silverweed asked.
"Yes. It's brought nothing but pain. I lost half of my Owsler, I lost a dear friend who fought alongside me, I lost my best Owsler Captain and now I'm losing my warren. I'm tired of all this madness. I just want peace."Woundwort explained in a broken sob. Silverweed smiled kindly and laid his paw on Woundwort's shoulder.
"And I'll see that you get it, Woundwort. Everyone deserves peace. Even you."Silverweed said and the dark rabbit looked at the Buck-Doe in surprise then smiled back.
At the sound of a sharp crack of lightning everyone stopped fighting and looked up in shock to see the bolt hit the wilted tree, making it catch fire and break apart. Quickly the moles and water rats ran away but Woundwort didn't have time to do so and started to fall into the trench forming from the ground that began to split open with every branch that came loose. Silverweed gasped in shock and grabbed Woundwort's paw. The Chief Rabbit held onto the Seer's paw desperately and worked to get himself up but seemed to only fall down further. However Silverweed was determined to save the dark rabbit and with every bit of strength he could muster he pulled Woundwort out from the trench and they landed safely on the far side from the tree before the second lightning strike hit making it collapse and gravel fall into the trench. Rabbits from bellow scattered as bark from the flaming tree fell down into the dug up warren. Meanwhile the two rabbits on the embankment panted tiredly and Woundwort looked at Silverweed.
"You...saved my life again, Silverweed."Woundwort said between pants.
"It's what fellow rabbits do."Silverweed said and smiled and Woundwort slowly gave a smile too.
"Come on then. If you really want this to end, you should see Hazel."Silverweed said and hopped down from the embankment with Woundwort.
The Down rabbits and their friends watched the embankment closely when they saw movement. At seeing Silverweed come down they sighed in relief, glad that he wasn't hurt, but then they gasped when they saw Woundwort come from behind him. Despite Bigwig's want to attack Hazel stopped his Captain of Owsler from attacking as the two rabbits came up to him. Silverweed and Woundwort sat down in front of Hazel and the Seer nodded to Woundwort. The dark rabbit looked at Hazel in the eye, and Hazel looked at him. After a moment Woundwort bowed before Hazel making the Down rabbits gasp in surprise. Soon all of the remaining Efrafain Owsler bowed down as well. Finally after a moment of silence Fiver spoke.
"It's over. We won!"Fiver exclaimed happily and soon everyone cheered in victory.
Once the rain stopped and the clouds gave way for the dawn skies Woundwort sat at the embankment with Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver and Silverweed overlooking the fallen tree of his warren.
"And to think, I considered this Frith forsaken place a great kingdom. But I see it for what it really is now. A hollow shell I tried to make into a warren."Woundwort said.
"No warren is a hollow shell, Woundwort. You just ruled yours in the wrong way."Hazel said.
"But don't think that just because you stopped the fight means that we'll all be good buddies. You've got a lot to make up for and no one's going to make it easy for you."Bigwig stated sharply.
"Come now Bigwig, be nice. You promised."Fiver said to his mate.
"No Fiver, he's right. Woundwort does have a lot to fix but he won't do it alone. I'll be by his side and help him."Silverweed said and laid his paw on Woundwort's and looked at him with a smile making Woundwort smile back.
"I appreciate the gesture, Silverweed."Woundwort said softly. Hazel and Fiver smiled knowingly at the scene while Bigwig looked on in confusion.
"Eh, anyone want to run by me what's goin' on?"Bigwig asked. Fiver chuckled and licked his mate's cheek.
"Never you mind, Bigwig. Let's go home."Fiver said and hopped ahead and was soon followed by his mate, then Hazel and soon Woundwort and Silverweed.
That day when Frith shined, he shined with the utmost brilliance.