Hola! New chapter for you guys! I don't know which one it is, but I know you guys will like it! (I think)

Guest reviews:

Hamlet: Romsca from the Pearls of Lutra, and Blaggut are my favorites. I remember Grubbage a bit. :) Fuffle your name needs . . . I don't know what. But I can't take you seriously!

Heartstring tugging *fiddles fingers* yeah there might be some of that. Maybe. A lot.

I have a theory on why no one wrote it down that will come into play near the end of the fanfiction :)

I am hopefully going to spirit paradise ^_^ but it depends on what I do with my life as I grow older, and how God sees what I do with my life. So I don't know quite yet.
Hamlet, these long conversations, while I may enjoy them, seem to bother some other reviewers. I wish we could private message, and while I understand you don't have an account, I don't know what to do.

Guest: I'm really sorry about the authors notes. I know they are long. You don't have to read replies to other guest reviews, or yours for that matter, but I like to answer everyone. I would pm people, but they don't have accounts, so I can't. If I could, trust me, I would do it.
I am glad you are enjoying that story. :)

Yo: I am not bringing Rose back to life. One of the reasons I started this fic is because I wanted a "martin returns to Noonvale" fic that doesn't have Rose being alive. Yeah. So that is no problem, despite me loving the rose and martin relationship. :)

Well there you have it. I'm going to post chapter now :)

Disclaimer: *is riding on a swans back* Sorry! I've been taking a trip to another fandom with squirrels, mice, and hedgehogs that I don't own! But I don't own Redwall! Wheeeee!

Chapter 24

Rowanoak smiled as she surveyed everyone's positions. They'd moved the majority of the creatures of Noonvale to the safest part of the valley, and now they were setting up their ambush.

She was sure that Raxil would send some forces to attack soon. Surely the vermin were getting tired of just sitting and waiting, and at some point the leader of the horde would need to relieve some of that energy, and attacking was the best way to go about it.

But now the remnant of the Fur and Freedom fighters were in the positions they would need to be in the ambush the attacking parties.

It was fascinating to watch how the veterans fell right back into their positions as fighters. Even those who had been poor fighters, like Celandine, were there, working steadily, talking only in hushed whispers.

It was clear to Rowanoak that they were all remembering the Battle of Marshank, just as she was, and very possibly, several of them were wishing that Martin was there with them, his sword raised, all of his experience focused on defending them.

But they didn't have the warrior. They didn't even have Felldoh, who also would have been quite helpful.

Suddenly, a squirrel ran out of the darkness toward Rowanoak. She was one of the creatures who had been imprisoned in Marshank, and then stayed in Noonvale. Her name, if Rowanoak remembered correctly, was Fernlen.

"They're coming Rowanoak, just like you thought." She said breathlessly, her eyes sparkling.

"Thank you Fernlen, now go take up your position next to Celandine, and please keep her out of trouble if you can." Rowanoak said softly. The young squirrel nodded and darted over to her position.

Rowanoak looked around, feeling pride in what they'd managed to do over the past few days. Emalet had been their spy, flying all over Noonvale, and a little beyond to see what was going on in the territories surrounding it, bringing back all sorts of useful information. Currently the owl was heading towards Marshwood hill to find the Warden, and the Gawtribe, and anyone else she could who might help.

Rowanoak had assessed the abilities of all of the creatures of Noonvale, and chosen those who were at least mediocre in fighting, and defense. Then Brome had managed the packing of supplies, and taken all of those who couldn't fight to the safest place they could find.

Rowanoak smiled wryly, knowing that the young mouse leader was probably going out of his mind as he tried to keep the others safe, while at the same time wishing he could help.

It was possible that Brome was the only one with real experience fighting that they'd left behind. Rowanoak had told him it was because he needed to be there to help the creatures of Noonvale, but if she was being honest with herself, it was because they needed him to be kept safe.

If they lost Brome, then they had lost the battle. Rowanoak knew it, and deep down, Brome knew it too.

Rowanoak readied herself for battle as she heard the sound of the horde coming towards them. She'd been in only a few battles, scattered throughout the years, but she was most likely the strongest warrior on Noonvale's side right now, and she would fight to defend her home with her life.

Rowanoak closed her eyes, thought of Ballaw, of Martin, of Felldoh, of Brome, and of Rose. She thought of all those who had sacrificed so much while defending the creatures who could not defend themselves.

Her resolve strengthened, Rowanoak opened her eyes, and dove into battle as the first rats, foxes, ferrets, and other such vermin appeared through the trees.

There would be blood that day.

~~O~~

Emalet sighed with relief as she caught sight of her cave. Her wings were aching with all the flying she had been doing. She would rest there for the night before flying on through Marshwood hill to speak with the Warden.

She'd met the Heron before, but it had been a long time. Hopefully he didn't think she was trying to take his territory.

Because she wasn't, she was just trying to get him to help the poor creatures of Noonvale.

Emalet landed on the ledge in front of her cave, and began to walk slowly through the tunnel. She would get through the mountain, to the other side, and then she would sleep. For now she had to keep moving, because all of Noonvale counted on the help that she was bringing.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, Emalet arrived at her cave. Her very full cave.

She stayed in the shadows, blinking at the firelight, and trying to make sense of what was in front of her. A huge group of shrews were chattering, and cooking, and arguing, while a mouse, an otter, a hedgehog, a mole, and a hare were sitting in a circle with a bigger shrew, talking about something in hushed voices.

"Oi 'ope miz Em'let cums 'ome soon. She'm be very gud at 'elping us with maps. She'm should be back soon." A familiar mole voice rang in Emalet's ears, followed by an even more surprising voice that made her feathers tremble and ache.

"That jolly old owl will point us in the right direction, you can bally well be sure of that, wot!" Ballaw said, right before shoveling a scone into his mouth. "Mmmf, scrumf, delicious tuck that." He added cheerfully.

The mouse stood, moving away from the others towards the entrance of the cave. "I hope Martin catches up to us soon." He said quietly. "He's the one that Noonvale needs, not the rest of us. We may be of some help mates, but from what I've heard, Noonvale needs Martin."

There was a general murmur of agreement, while the otter and the hedgehog shifted restlessly.

Emalet felt warmth blossom in her heart as she realized what the group was talking about. Noonvale may finally stand a chance.

Because Martin the Warrior had returned.

I love writing. most of the time. I mean, I have had writers block for weeks, but at least I'm still posting ^_^

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