Chapter Twenty-Five: Remember Who You Are
When Hannah returned to the bucks' prison burrow, she was nearly trampled by none other than Bigwig, who was currently wandering around in a rather odd manner.
"What's up with 'im?" she grumbled.
"He's been hypnotized," Hazel explained, "We've been trying to make him hold still, but he won't."
"Sit on him," Phlox advised, "Maybe I can fix him."
Hazel shrugged. "Worth a try. Twinleaf, Blackavar, grab him."
Apparently, counter-hypnotism worked rather well, because a few minutes later, Bigwig sat up with a confused expression on his face.
"What...happened? Why does my head hurt so much?"
"You were hypnotized. So was Moss."
"Oh, that's right. Violet... Wait, what in Frith's name are you all doing here?"
Hazel explained their situation, and when he had finished, Bigwig stared at him in disbelief.
"And you did this why?"
"Because I had no choice. You didn't want to die, did you?"
"No, but you still shouldn't have done it," Bigwig protested. "Is Cory here too, then?"
"Yes, she's with the other does somewhere close, I'd imagine. I left the kits with Blackberry."
"Will they be all right?" Bigwig asked.
Hazel exchanged a helpless glance with Twinleaf. They couldn't have safely brought the kits with them, but it hadn't been entirely safe to leave them behind, either.
"Certainly," said Twinleaf, "I'm sure Blackberry will take marvelous care of them while you're away."
"I hope so."
At that moment, a completely unhypnotized Moss came plodding unhappily over.
"Well, Hazel-rah, this is a lovely situation we've got ourselves into. What do you suggest we do?"
"Wait, Moss," Hazel advised, "I've told Hannah to tell Campion to keep his eyes and ears open. We'll find a way to get home."
"Campion?" Moss growled, "He betrayed Watership Down, Hazel! Or haven't they told you?"
"Moss, Campion was forced to say that," Phlox said, "Woundwort's using Snowdrop, Mallow, and Lilac against him."
"Really? Then why didn't he find a way to tell us?" Moss demanded.
"Moss, I'm sure he would have, but you were hypnotized several minutes later, so he had virtually no time," Fiver interjected.
The grey rabbit frowned.
"True. But I won't believe it until I hear it from Campion himself."
"You're hearing it from us!" Hazel yelped, "Why do you need it from Campion?"
"I've been betrayed too many times, Hazel-rah," Moss said, "I'll believe it when Campion looks me in the eyes and tells me so, and not before!"
The young doe looked up, eyes wide in fright, as Vervain entered her burrow.
"C-c-captain V-vervain," she stuttered, "What do you want?"
"General Woundwort has ordered me to check on the hostages. How are they?"
"Not as well as they could be, sir. They need food, and so do I if the little one is to live."
"No excuses, Oregano!" Vervain growled, "Those kits must not die, or the General...will kill you!"
"I understand, Captain Vervain," Oregano said.
"See that you do," said Vervain, "Or else, little doe, the General will deal with you."
"Like Vine dealt with Phlox?" Oregano said boldly.
"No! Like Woundwort deals with treachery, Oregano, is much worse than that!"
As Vervain left, the doe looked at the three sleeping kittens in dismay.
"Woundwort, you drive the rabbit I loved away, get my mate, who was your loyal servant, killed, my kits die of sickness. And now you torment me by giving me the kits I know you will murder when they no longer serve your purposes. One day, you will find the doe you took everything from as your hated enemy!"
At that same moment, Campion hovered between unconsciousness and alertness. He was beginning to think of giving in to the darkness as giving up, and staying awake, as staying determined to escape from Efrafa. In these hours of darkness, in the middle of the night, it seemed so easy to give up, so hard to keep going.
*Sound the bugle now - play it just for me
As the seasons change - remember how I used to be*
And after all, what did he have to live for. His family... he would never see them again. Lilac would grow up in Efrafa, Jade on Watership Down... And neither would have a father...
*Now I can't go on - I can't even start
I've got nothing left - just an empty heart*
He remembered... So much. The first time he met one of the Watership rabbits, when he was still a part of Efrafa. And then, being left for dead by the Efrafans, saved by Hazel... And then, saving Redstone from Woundwort, then saving him from the Shining Wires...and being arrested. The first time he saw Blackberry, and then, saving Woundwort again, and being buried in the rock slide.
*I'm a soldier - wounded so I must give up the fight
There's nothing more for me - lead me away...
Or leave me lying here*
He sighed. What did it matter? Why should he care? He could barely feel anything anymore. In his heart, the last light was dimming.
*Sound the bugle now - tell them I don't care
There's not a road I know - that leads to anywhere*
He stood up and made it out into the darkened runs. Campion tripped on a stone, and fell heavily on his injured side. He tried to rise, but then gave up, and just...lay there.
*Without a light I fear that I will stumble in the dark
Lay right down - decide not to go on*
And then he remembered... Blackberry's voice, her laughing eyes. And she seemed to be laughing at him. "How could you ever think of giving up, Campion?" her voice whispered.
*Then from on high - somewhere in the distance
There's a voice that calls, "Remember who you are"
If you lose yourself - your courage soon will follow*
Now the memories came thick and fast. Wide Patrols with Moss, and later, Phlox. His kits, playing with Hazel's. And he knew, he was a warrior.
*So be strong tonight - remember who you are
Yeah you're a soldier now - fighting in a battle
To be free once more - yeah, that's worth fighting for*
He would never give in, and one day, he would go home.
Sorry it took so long. My cousin was here all weekend, so I had very little spare time. The song was Sound the Bugle by Bryan Adams. I think it's Bryan Adams, anyways. I heard it first in a movie... Please review!