It was a lovely day out in the fields as Moss, Fiver and Silverweed were just coming back from visiting Redstone warren. Kehaar had gone with them as well both to visit Hickory's warren and watch over the Buck-Does but as they were heading back home Silverweed couldn't help but notice how Kehaar was flying with less joy than his usual self. When he stopped to look up at the gull it made Fiver and Moss stop as well.
"What's the matter, Silverweed? Why'd you stop?"Moss asked.
"Is there any Elil about?"Fiver asked.
"No, it's Kehaar. Just look at him. We usually have to race to stay ahead of him, but he's falling back and not flying in his happy way."Silverweed said and pointed up at the gull who was wobbling in the air as he flew.
"Say, now that you mention it Silverweed it sure does look like Kehaar isn't himself."Moss said.
"Yes. I wonder why he's so down?"Fiver asked. When the rabbits saw the gull absentmindedly flying towards a tree they gasped in shock and tried to warn him.
"Kehaar! Stop! You're going into a tree!"Silverweed called out but the gull didn't seem to hear.
"Kehaar, you're going into a tree! Turn to the side!"Fiver called out but Kehaar still failed it listen.
It was too late to try and warn him again though for the gull slammed beak first into the hard oak tree. Moss, Fiver and Silverweed cringed at the hard impact. When Kehaar fell down the rabbits quickly rushed to his side to see if he was alright.
"Kehaar, are you okay?"Moss as as he and Fiver helped him up.
"How many claws am I holding up Can you see them?"Silverweed asked as he extended two claws from his left paw.
"Yes, Kehaar see. Sorry, bunny friends. Kehaar just not feeling best. Let's go back to warren."Kehaar said with a sad sigh and slowly flew up to go on ahead.
The Buck-Does watched him with concerned expressions but followed Kehaar without asking questions. When the animals all got to Watership Down Kehaar landed on the ground particularly hard but didn't seem to care as he slowly walked over to a rock and plopped down against it and sulked. The normally happy gull's sad mood was so obvious that it was hard for the other rabbits out to ignore.
"I wish we knew what was wrong with Kehaar." Fiver voiced as he watched from afar.
"Me too Fiver." Moss replied and Silverweed nodded in agreement.
But before any of the Buck-Does could go to the depressed Kehaar they noticed Hana was walking up to the gull, carrying a large Earth worm for him since he didn't get as many chances to eat fish like he wanted to and didn't like to eat grass with his bunny friends.
"Here you are Kehaar, a nice big, fat, and juicy worm for yeah." Hana said as she offered it to him but Kehaar glanced at the wiggling pink worm before sighing sadly and looking away from it, uninterested.
Hana was confused by this and while she was distracted the worm started to wiggle harder which took her by surprise and accidently lost her grip on the slimy creature. Once free the worm quickly wiggled away into the grass and soon back down into its worm hole where Hana had pulled it from.
"Ah, drat." Hana growled angrily at herself for letting it get away but her attention was then taken by Kehaar who sighed deeply again.
"Kehaar whats the matter with ya? Why don't you want to eat, ya sick or something?" She asked with great concern.
Kehaar sighed and nodded.
"Sick yes. My heart is…sore." Kehaar said softly as he rubbed his chest with a wing.
Hana was a bit surprised to hear this and became a bit worried about her friend. She then turned and ran back to her rabbit friends to tell them what she just found out. She ran to Fiver, Moss, and Silverweed who all instantly gathered around her.
"What's the matter with Kehaar, Hana?" Fiver asked her.
"I don't know but he's very upset about something, says his heart is sore." Hana replied, glancing back over her shoulder to check on him only to find he hadn't moved an inch.
"Hmm, maybe I can cheer him up a little." Silverweed suggested and hopped over to the sulking gull.
"Hello Kehaar, Hana says you are down in the dumps. Anything I can do?" Silverweed asked.
Kehaar looked up at the silver Buck-Doe through half lidded eyes before picking himself up of the ground.
"Can you give me big water, smell of salt air, taste of sea fish?" Kehaar questioned as he walked around, eyes closed as he tried to remember and imagine all those things but there was one thing that he desired most.
"Can you give me Catherina?" Kehaar added, opening his wings to express how much he desired, loved, and adored her.
Silverweed cocked his head to the side in confusion to the last request. Moss and Fiver hopped over to hear what they were saying.
"Who's Catherina?' The silver buck questioned.
"Catherina, she the most beautiful and graceful gull on whole big water. She Kehaar's little feather." Kehaar happy described which made the three Buck-Does smile as they now understood what had Kehaar so sad all day.
"Oh I get it, you miss Catherina don't you Kehaar?" Fiver asked with an understanding smile.
Kehaar nodded and walked back over to his rabbit friends, flapping his wings slowly.
"Yes I miss, I miss, I miss." The gull admitted.
"Well then you should go to the big water and see her."Moss said. Kehaar's face then brightened up and he smiled widely.
"Yeah! Kehaar go!"The gull exclaimed and started to fly off only to come to a halt. "But Kehaar not want to go away from friends. Kehaar is too sad to make trip."Kehaar said and sulked, his head drooping.
The trio of rabbits looked at each other for a moment before thinking of a possible way that'll let Kehaar see the big water and yet still be close to Watership Down. It was then that Moss got an idea and led his fellow Buck-Does to the side to discuss their idea. Kehaar and Hana looked at the rabbits curiously as they discussed their plan, whispering amongst themselves. Finally after a shared nod the rabbits hopped back over to Kehaar.
"Kehaar, I think we figured out a way so that you can see the big water and have some of Watership Down with you."Moss explained.
"Really? But how bunny rabbits do that?"Kehaar asked curiously.
"We'll go with you to the big water."Fiver said and Kehaar smiled widely and cheered, flapping his wings in an excited manner.
"Yay! Bunny friends can come see big water! You'll love it! Big water is most beautiful place you'll ever see and Caterina will love to meet bunny friends."Kehaar said with a smile as he hugged his rabbit friends. The Buck-Does and Hana smiled at seeing their gull friend happy again.
"I'm sure the big water is a charming place, Kehaar. But first we need to tell Hazel about this. And since we're bound to meet new animals I think we should bring Pipkin along too."Silverweed said.
"That's a wonderful idea, Silverweed. This'll be a wonderful...Oh wait."Fiver said, suddenly turning from happy to sad.
"What's the matter, Fiver?"Hana asked.
"I just realized that there's no way Bigwig, Campion and Woundwort will never let us go to a strange place so suddenly."Fiver said.
"Well we certainly can't take them with us. Campion's too weak to make the trip and Bigwig and Woundwort need to stay here to keep up security."Moss said.
"What'll we do then? Have someone cover for us?"Silverweed asked and right before Moss could reply Hawkbit, Dandelion and Strawberry suddenly came running about laughing and playing together. The largest Buck-Doe's lips slowly curled into a plotting smirk and the tips of his ears curled.
"Not just someone, Silverweed. Follow me."Moss said and the rabbits hopped over to the delinquent rabbits.
Hawkbit, Strawberry and Dandelion were all playfully pulling each other's ears and tickling each other when three shadows loomed over them. The bucks looked up and saw Fiver, Moss and Silverweed with sweet smiles on their faces. But the other rabbits knew better than to think they were just saying hello. They had a plot in mind.
"Hello there, chaps. Lovely day it is."Moss said with a smile.
"Don't go playing us for fools, Moss. What do you want?"Hawkbit asked suspiciously.
"Come into the burrows with us to meet Hazel and we'll tell you everything."Fiver said and hopped ahead with Moss and Silverweed and the three other rabbits reluctantly followed.
Once making it to the burrows the Buck-Does requested Hazel and Pipkin to meet with them privately to discuss their idea. Pipkin was happy to go on such a grand adventure and while Hazel, being the over-protective older brother that he is, wasn't quite keen on letting his little brother go to a possibly dangerous place he knew that Fiver was too stubborn to persuade otherwise and allowed them to go with Kehaar. But when it got to the part where Dandelion, Strawberry and Hawkbit would have to cover for the Buck-Does and Pipkin while they were gone there was a great deal of protest.
"Covering for Pipkin is one thing, but covering for you three is like trying to hide a cow in a warren."Hawkbit said.
"And plus if Bigwig, Campion and Woundwort thinks we let something bad happen to you three they'll give us a thrashing we won't soon forget."Dandelion said in a worried tone.
"Don't worry your long ears, lads. I'll help you all with the cover."Hazel assured with a smile.
Dandelion, Strawberry, and Hawkbit looked at each other until they gave in and Hawkbit sighed.
"Fine, we'll help." The grouchy buck mumbled.
Fiver, Moss, and Silverweed smiled.
"Oh thank you Hawkbit." Fiver said.
"Yes and thank you Dandelion and Strawberry." Moss added to the two sulking bucks.
"Yeah, yeah, let's just hope your mates don't ever find out or this will be the last time we give you any favors." Dandelion said, waving his paw at the two to go on.
Fiver and Moss looked at each and started to head back up top to tell Kehaar the good news when Hazel stopped them.
"Fiver, a moment." Hazel called.
The young Buck-Doe looked at his brother and then at Moss.
"I'll meet you back up top." Fiver said before hopping over to his big brother.
Sensing this was going to be a private brotherly talk Dandelion, Strawberry, and Hawkbit hopped out of the burrow to give them some privacy. Once alone Hazel wrapped his paws around Fiver and hugged him closet o his chest.
"I know I can't stop you Fiver but please…please be careful. I don't know what I'd do if I ever lose you." Hazel pleaded.
Fiver smiled in understanding to his brothers fears and snuggled closer to him.
"I will Hazel, I promise." Fiver vowed, hugging Hazel back.
They stood there holding each other for a bit longer until Hazel finally released his brother. The Chief rabbit cleared his throat to get his emotions back under control, feeling a bit silly to be so worried when his brother was just going on a small trip with Kehaar and is fellow Buck-Does.
"Right, you will bring me a souvenir won't you?" Hazel asked.
"I'll try to Hazel." Fiver laughed and hugged his brother once more before hopping out of the burrow and headed up top, keeping a close look out for his protective mate.
He knew that Bigwig caught wind of what they were planning before they could leave the Lion Head will never let him out his sight again.
"Fiver! Down here!"Called out the voice of Pipkin and the Seer looked down to see the group at the end of the hill waiting for him and he quickly went down to join them.
"Our unknowing mates don't seem to be anywhere around so we better leave now before we're found. Lead the way Kehaar."Moss said and the gull took off.
"Ooh, Kehaar can't wait to see big water again!"Kehaar exclaimed happily.
As the rabbits followed Kehaar down the path that would lead to the big water they passed by Nuthanger Farm. Kehaar then circled around a bit and flew down to make a soft landing and walked to the hole in the stone wall. The gull peeked through it to make sure the coast was clear before looking back to the others.
"Way to big water may be little too far for rabbits to hop, so you all will get to first part of trip with hrududu."Kehaar explained and pointed to the vegetable delivery truck.
"Are you sure it's safe for us to ride in there, Kehaar?"Pipkin asked in slight worry.
"Yeah. Twice every season hrududu takes vegetables to market in man town."Kehaar explained.
"What's a market?"Silverweed asked.
"Place where man buy, sell and trade items. They also show off good looking animals in contest and most good lucking one wins. Even play games and enjoy good food."Kehaar explained.
"It sounds very interesting. Seems like we'll be treated to two different sights."Fiver said with a smile.
"Yeah. Now bunny rabbits get going and get into hrududu. Kehaar watch for man and dog."The gull stated and flew above while the rabbits headed to the truck.
Moss looked around first to make sure that no one came by before giving a signal for the others to go on ahead while he followed to keep guard in back. Pipkin was the first to reach the truck, climbing onto a crate left out then Fiver and Silverweed climbed in as well. As Moss was starting to get in Kehaar then noticed the guard dog Duster strolling by.
"Ooh God, not gone five seconds from Watership Down and we've got trouble! Look out, Moss, is a dog! Hide!"Kehaar exclaimed.
Just one look around the tire proved that Kehaar wasn't kidding and Moss quickly ducked. Duster almost looked his way but then he turned his head again. Taking this chance of distraction Moss hastily climbed into the truck.
"Moss, what are you..."Fiver started to ask but the Owsler shushed him.
"It's the dog! Hide!"Moss stated in a whisper and the rabbits were so quick to hide that they didn't notice they bumped against a crate which caused the carrots in it to fall out and caught Duster's attention.
The farm dog growled lowly as he walked over to the back of the truck to investigate the sound to find the carrots laying in the bed. Curiously Duster sniffled the air inside the truck and growled when he smelt something else other then vegetables in the truck. But before he could climb in to search his master whistled for him. Instinctively he abandoned his hunt and went to his master.
Slowly Moss peeked out to check if he really had gone and looked back at his fellow Buck-Does.
"All clear." He whispered before suddenly he gasped when there was a soft thump from the tarp that was covering the flayra.
Fearing it was another elili they went still and waited for whatever it was to show itself but as the thing walked to the end of the truck they were relieved to see Kehaar pock his head in.
"Everyone ok?" The gull asked.
The rabbits smiled up at the gull and nodded.
"Yes we're fine." Moss answered as he hopped out of hiding.
Kehaar smiled and got ready to climb into to join them when he heard something coming. He looked and gasped.
"Hide quickly." Kehaar shouted before he flew off again as the farmer came walking up to the back of the truck.
Fiver, Moss, Silverweed, and Pipkin gasped fearfully at the sight of the man and ducked down before they could be seen.
The farmer bent down and picked up the crate of vegetables that were left outside and put it onto the truck. Once everything was loaded he shut the back and walked around to the driver's side, Duster following loyally at his heels.
The man opened the door and let Duster climb inside, waiting for him to sit in the passenger's seat before climbing in himself. The Down rabbits looked around in confusion and curiosity as the hrududu started to rumble and shake.
"Wh…what's happening?' Pipkin questioned as he looked around fearfully, not liking the strange trembling under his feet.
"Truck about to leave." Kehaar announced as he made it back and landed inside the truck with his rabbit friends.
Moss and saw the man and Duster settled into the front of the truck through the glass window and soon the large vehicle drove off which made the animals stumble a bit from the shake. The truck then drove out of the farm and down the path that led to the town market. The trip was rather long and as they took many turns the rabbits caught onto different smells. It was a very pleasant trip and the rabbits enjoyed some of the fallen carrots as they rode in the hrududu. Suddenly the truck did a slight turn before coming to a stop. Moss sniffed the air and caught onto the scent of man and many other animals.
"I smell a lot of animals and man."Moss stated.
"Then we made it to market safely. Let's go."Kehaar said.
But suddenly the tarp was pulled back and the animals quickly ducked away as the farmer grabbed one of the crates and carried it away. Duster came out and looked around to make sure that no one stole from the truck and started to go in to investigate what else was inside but at the sound of his master's whistle the dog ran off to him. Soon after the rabbits came out and looked at the market in awe. It was very big and had many new things with people and animals in all shapes and sizes walking about.
"Whoa. This market is so big, Kehaar. I've never seen anything like it."Pipkin said in astonishment.
"It's truly amazing. We may be the first rabbits to see anything like this." Silverweed said.
"Yes, but let's keep our guard up, lads. We don't know anything about this place."Moss said.
"Moss is right. And we should leave this hrududu before Duster or his owner gets back."Fiver said and the rabbits hopped out of the truck while Kehaar flew out.
"Stay in Kehaar's sight, bunny friends. Don't want to lose you."Kehaar called out from above.
The four rabbits ran for cover in a fabric stand but on the way there Silverweed and Fiver were slightly cut off from the group by a large horse being rode through the market. The rider, not seeing the rabbits rode his horse right towards them and the two rabbits darted around the horse's heavy hooves to keep from being stepped on.
One they were clear of the horse and watched it walk off the two Buck-Does looked in the direction they had last seen their friends and their hearts sunk when they didn't see them.
"Oh no, we've lost sight of them." Silverweed said fearfully and looked around the market place, searching for any hair or feather of them.
"Don't panic Silverweed. Remember the Owsler rule. If you're separated from your patrol go to ground and wait for them to come for you." Fiver said, placing a comforting paw on the silver Buck-Doe's shoulder to try to calm him.
Silverweed nodded and then hopped over to a nearby stand to get out of sight of man and wait for their friends. The stand they chose to hide under was a balloon stand with a happy elderly man blowing the colorful balloons up and handing them out to passing children. While he was working he whistled a happy tone which caught Fiver and Silverweed's attention and then looked up at the man and watched him as he put some small rubber thing on a nozzle of a strange green tank and slightly flinched back when the tank started to hiss loudly. But they didn't run away, took amazed as they watched the small rubber thing get bigger and rounder and started to lift up into the air.
Once full the man took the fresh balloon off and tied a string to it and tied it to the stand to hand out later. But while he turned away to continue working he didn't see that one of largest red balloons was losing its air and started to drift down to the ground where Fiver and Silverweed were standing. They watched curiously as it slowly drifted down like floating snow until it lightly bounced on the ground.
Very curious and confused by their strange thing and wanting to know more Fiver very slowly creped out from under the table and sniffed it. But unfortunately for Fiver where the balloon had landed it was now sitting on a sharp rock that was slowly pushing into the red balloon's rubber skin until finally it couldn't take it no more and popped loudly. At the same time Fiver had just barely touched the balloon with his nose when it popped and stung his nose.
Instinctively he and Silverweed bolted from the loud bang, fearing it the sound of a fire stick. But as they run they didn't pay attention to where they were going until they found themselves in a completely different part of the market.
"Uh oh, now we've really gone and done it." Fiver voiced as he searched for anything that may look familiar to lead them back to where they came but everything looked too different and strange to tell.
"Don't worry. Dandelion, Hawkbit and Strawberry will tend to Woundwort and Campion."Hazel said with a smile.
"We will?"The three bucks asked in shock.
"Of course you will, lads. After all fellow rabbits help each other out."Hazel said with a hinting grin at the two. The trio groaned but nodded in agreement.
"Right, Hazel."Dandelion said and hopped over to Campion and Woundwort.
"Well I suppose I'll just have Blackavar help me store this flayra until Fiver comes back. Maybe I could surprise him with it later."Bigwig said thoughtfully as he picked up the baby pea bush.
"I'm sure that he'll love it, Bigwig. I'll help you."Hazel said and picked up the carrots. As they went to store away the flayra the brown buck couldn't help but think of how lucky he was that the Owslers fell for his ploy.
Back at the market Kehaar had searched around the territory of the area near the fabric stand but didn't find Fiver nor Silverweed. Moss and Pipkin didn't have much luck either in their search. The small group joined back together near a stand to discuss their next course of action.
"What we going to do now? Fiver and Silverweed aren't around any place near."Kehaar said in worry.
"I know, but they must have taken ground somewhere here. We just have to keep looking."Moss said. Just then a stream of rainbow gleaming bubbles slowly flew past Pipkin which the young buck took notice of and he smiled brightly at the sight.
"Look! Bubbles of rainbow. It's a message from Prince Rainbow. It has to be. Don't you see? If we find where they come from we'll find Silverweed and Fiver."Pipkin said which made Kehaar hum in thought.
"Little bunny Pipkin may have point, Moss. We got nothing to lose."Kehaar said and Moss nodded in agreement.
"You're right Kehaar. Let's follow Prince Rainbow's message then."Moss said and the trio went down the path where the bubbles were coming from.
Meanwhile Fiver and Silverweed were ducking from the foot traffic of the children and adults in order to find a safe place to hide. At every turn there seemed to be one danger greater than the other. Finally they managed to duck under a trinket stand and the two Buck-Does took the moment to catch their breath. Once they calmed down for a moment Fiver looked at the box filled with the gemstones of many different colors and sizes and gasped in awe.
"Silverweed, look at these beautiful bobstones."Fiver said as he hopped over to look at the gems in the box.
"I think these are the jewelry stones Kehaar told us that some people in man's world wears to look attractive."Silverweed said.
"Maybe I'll take one as a souvenir for Hazel. Which one do you think he would like most?"Fiver asked his friend as he looked through the box. Silverweed hummed in thought and looked through the box also until he stumbled upon a lovely medium sized amethyst gemstone.
"How about this one? It's lovely without being too fancy."Silverweed said as he pointed out the gemstone. Fiver smiled and picked it up.
"This is perfect, Silverweed. Hazel will love it. Now all I need is something to carry it. Kehaar told me that man uses a cloth to carry things and wraps them around their necks."Fiver explained.
"Well let's use some of the cloth here."Silverweed said and ripped a piece of cloth covering the table stand and handed it to Fiver. The runt placed the amethyst gemstone in it and then Silverweed wrapped the cloth around Fiver's neck securely but gently.
"That should do it. Thanks Silverweed. Now let's get out of here and try to find the others."Fiver said and hopped out from under the stand with Silverweed and they were soon met with floating bubbles.
Fiver gasped and then smiled in awe as he watched the floating bubbles drift by, dancing in the air.
"Look Silverweed. It's a sign…from Prince Rainbow. He knows we're in trouble." Fiver said and stood up to reach for one of the bubbles and chuckled as it lightly popped once his paw touched it.
Silverweed smiled and laughed as he jumped into the air to pop a couple too.
"Do you think?" The silver Buck-Doe asked hopefully as he continued to play, his mind away from all the strange and chaos around them.
"No, I believe." Fiver answered and started to run in the direction the bubbles of rainbow were coming from, Silverweed hopping after him.
They followed the bubbles deeper into the market, running under and around different stands, ducking to hide when man came too close before continuing their journey until finally they found where the bubbles were coming from. A large colorful and amazing stand with many different colorful and fun looking things filled the stand, young children were crowded around the stand as they looked in awe of all the things that caught their curious eyes.
But one thing caught Silverweed and Fiver's interest more than anything else there and that was a bear standing up tall, holding a bucket in one paw, a little wand in the other. They watched as the bear dipped the wand into the bucket, lift it to its mouth, and blew out more bubbles of rainbow.
Fiver gasped in amazement as the bubbles floated away, gently carried away by the soft summer breeze that was blowing.
"Prince Rainbow works in strange ways." Fiver stated.
"We're in a strange place, it makes since in some way." Silverweed replied.
While the two Buck-Does continued to watch the bear make more bubbles, Moss, Pipkin, and Kehaar arrived in the area as they followed the trail of bubbles. Pipkin looked around before looking in the direction the bubbles were coming form and smiled wide at what he found.
"Fiver, Silverweed, we've found you." The young buck shouted happily and ran to them, Moss and Kehaar following after him.
"We've thought we lost you for good." Moss said as he hopped up to them.
"We very worried you'd be lost forever." Kehaar added as he flew down and landed beside all his rabbit friends.
"Prince Rainbow was watching over us." Silverweed replied, looking up at the message from Prince Rainbow and sent a silent prayer of thank you to him.
Moss nodded before he looked around and started to feel less comfortable about how exposed they were.
"Right, now we're all together let's find someplace safe and plan our next move." Moss ordered as he sat up on his hind legs to look around better until he spotted a stand that was full of potted plants, bags of soil, and seed.
"There." The masked buck said before he started to hop towards it, leading them underneath a short shelf that was big enough to hide them all.
The rabbits and Kehaar all ducked under one of the stands holding the many potted plants and once they were safe they went over their next course of action.
"Alright, we're obviously getting nowhere near the big water and are caught up in this market."Moss said.
"Kehaar there must be an easier way we can get to the big water."Fiver said. The gull hummed in thought, stroking his chin.
"Kehaar have one idea but may not be so good to rabbit friends."Kehaar said.
"At this rate we're willing to try anything Kehaar. Tell us."Silverweed said.
"Well Kehaar figured that since we came to market in hrududu why not we go to great water in hrududu?"Kehaar asked.
"Heh, I know what Captain Broom would have said about that. Smashing strategy, you old bird."Pipkin said with a chuckle as he imitated the old Owsler.
"It couldn't hurt to try. What do you say, Moss?"Silverweed asked the largest Buck-Doe. Moss hummed in thought over this before shrugging.
"Why not? We've got nothing to lose."Moss said.
Just then the group heard the sound of a strange machine whirling and looked under the stand to see a man driving a fork lift their way and the metallic arms moved under the stand then slowly began to lift it up. The animals gasped in shock as their cover was being lifted up and quickly ran away to a nearby food stand and ducked into whatever hiding place they could get. Once the sounds of fork lift began to fade Fiver was the first to peek out to see if it was gone for good and sighed in relief.
"It's alright everyone. We're safe now."Fiver said and one by one each rabbit popped out of their hiding place.
"This certainly is a fine barrel of fish we're in."Silverweed said and suddenly heard a burp that sounded like their gull friend.
"Kehaar? Is that you?"Silverweed asked aloud and looked around the food stand with the others for Kehaar.
Eventually their eyes landed on a barrel and watched as the lid was lifted off and fish bones were tossed out. Soon after this Kehaar came out of the barrel and licked his beak and feathers for any leftover fish taste making Fiver laugh at the sight.
"Correction Silverweed, that was a fine barrel of fish Kehaar was in."Fiver said.
"Ah, been so long since Kehaar had fish."The gull said with a content sigh.
"I'm glad you enjoyed your snack, Kehaar, but we can't sit around here. We have to find an open hrududu. Let's hope it."Moss said and the group cut across the stands and went through the entertainment section of the market.
The traveling bunch hopped though a strange course with sticks in the ground and kids and adults tossing rings at the sticks to try to ring a stick to win. The rabbits ran through as fast as they could, no one paying them any mind as they hopped and dodged around the sticks and flying rings. Once they made it passed the game Moss lead his friends to a more open area but had benches with kids sitting on them. Moss stopped to wait for everyone to catch up to him when they heard the kids sitting started to laugh and cheer. Curiously they looked to see what they found so entertaining and saw what looked like to be smaller versions of man with frozen faces, whacking each other with sticks.
At first the rabbits didn't understand what was so funny about it until the longer they watched they started to laugh too as the small man creatures chased, fought over the stick, and hit each other.
"What are they, they're hilarious?" Fiver asked.
Kehaar was laughing so hard from the act it took him a while to catch his breath, whipping a tear from his eyes.
"Is called puppet show. Those things are puppets." Kehaar answered.
The rabbit cocked their heads to the side in confusion.
"What's a puppet?" Silverweed questioned.
"Puppet is like sock man puts on hand and makes move and act real." Kehaar explained.
Now understanding they turned back to finish watching as the old woman puppet pulled out a larger stick and started to beat down and yell at the man puppet, making the kids and rabbits laugh harder. Soon after that the show was over and all the kids got up and started to leave. Once the coast was clear the Down rabbits continued on their way, heading into the live stock part of the market. Seeing cows, chickens, pigs, horses, and other familiar farm animals helped all the rabbits be more at ease.
But even though they were surrounded by things they knew Moss made sure to keep everyone safe and when he saw a man heading their way he ordered everyone to duck down inside a nearby wooden holding pin.
They all huddled down into the hay that covered the ground as they watched for the man to walk off but a voice from inside the pin startled them all.
"Lost are you?" A female voice called.
The Down rabbits looked and found a very large but friendly looking sow inside the same pin they chose to hide in. She smiled down at the rabbits and walked over to speak with them better.
Pipkin smiled back up at her and sat up.
"Yes we are. How did you know?" The young buck questioned.
"Wild rabbits on the loose in the market, logical really." The Pig answered.
"Yes, I suppose it is. But I'm afraid that we're in a dreadful fix here, Miss..."Moss trailed off, signaling for the pig to tell her name.
"Call me Hyacinth. I may be a prize winner but I don't stand on ceremony."Hyacinth stated.
"Alright then, Miss Hyacinth. We're looking for a hrududu to take us to the big water but we'be been running into a lot of trouble and can't find one."Moss said.
"Don't bother asking pig for direction, Moss. She probably not even know what hrududu is."Kehaar said and Hyacinth gave an insulted snort.
"Oh don't I, gull? Well hrududu is rabbit talk for a truck and a car. And I've been in all of them and airplanes and boats."Hyacinth stated proudly.
"We know about boats but what's a plane?"Silverweed asked.
"A large body that flies. Oh yes, a prize pig get's around I tell you. But I never get to go where I like."Hyacinth said with a sad frown and her head drooped a little.
"Why not?"Fiver asked.
"Oh because my owner wants to show me off in every market fair as the best looking pig around. It's funny actually. I've never really been out in the woods. It must be wonderful to go where you want as wild animals. I always wanted to wander in the high hills myself."Hyacinth said and looked at the sky with hope.
"Then why don't you?"Moss asked.
"Well, because...um, why I'm sure I don't know. You mean just go like that?"Hyacinth asked.
"Well why not? I'll bet you're strong enough to bash through this fence."Fiver said and the pig gave a thoughtful expression and looked at the fence.
"I suppose I am...I suppose I could...Ha! I suppose I will!"Hyacinth said and started to get herself ready for a charge until Kehaar stood in front of her.
"Wait, Miss Hyacinth pig. Before you go can you show us to a hrududu? We really need to get going."Kehaar said.
"Of course. I might even sniff out the smell of the sea on one of them. You do want to go to the big water, yes?"Hyacinth asked.
"That was our original plan but now anywhere away from the market is good. Is your nose really that good?"Silverweed asked.
"A pig's nose is a window to behold. Now stand back."Hyacinth stated and the Down animals gave her plenty of room to charge and the pig bashed through the fence and everyone ran out.
"Oi, oi! Me pig!"Shouted the farmer who owned Hyacinth as he and other farmers tried to grab her but she was too fast.
The rabbits and gull all followed Hyacinth swiftly as she led them to where there would b a hrududu. Everyone who saw the pig running by screamed in fright and ran off to avoid being tackled. The animals were all so caught up in their moment of freedom that they failed to notice Duster the dog guarding the vegetable truck as they ran past him and Hyacinth accidentally knocked over the wagon cart filled with turnips. Duster growled at this and chased after the animals to make them pay for ruining his master's food. The run led the animals back to the entertainment section of the tents.
"Look out, Hyacinth is free and she's heading for the hills!"Hyacinth exclaimed with joy as she ran ahead with Kehaar but at the sound of a growl the rabbits turned back to see Duster coming right at them!
"Move it, lads!"Moss ordered and the rabbits leaped for the ring game to avoid Duster's fangs.
However they realized too late that it was a bad choice to make when they found themselves trapped by the tarp around the enclosed space and Duster slowly began advancing upon them. The rabbits gasped in shock as Duster came closer and closer, licking his lips in anticipation of eating his prey. The Buck-Does pushed Pipkin back behind them so that he wouldn't get attacked and stood ready to fight if they had too. Just then however they heard the familiar shout of Kehaar and turned to see him riding on Hyacinth's back as said pig charged at Duster and tackled the unprepared dog. Duster whimpered in fear and quickly ran away and Hyacinth snorted with disdain at his retreating form.
"I don't know why man keeps dogs around. Pigs are so much smarter."Hyacinth said.
"That was a close thing. Thank you both. We were worried that you wouldn't notice we didn't go with you."Moss said.
"From living with rabbits Kehaar can sense when friends are in trouble without looking."Kehaar said with a grin.
"Yeah, I suppose you would sense such a thing Kehaar."Fiver said with a chuckle.
"Right then, we still have to get you all a ride out of here. Follow me."Hyacinth said and led the way onward with the rabbits trailing close behind and Kehaar flying above. They went into the parking lot and Hyacinth began sniffing at one bus before shaking her head. "No. This one is from horse country. Up north at that."Hyacinth said.
"I don't believe it. I've never known a creature to have such an amazing sense of smell that they can tell exactly where something has been."Silverweed said in awe.
"Oh I've been everywhere. Trotted from one fair to the next. Every place has it's own particular smell."The pig explained.
"And you remember them all?"Fiver asked.
"Yes. Just like I can remember your smell. Let's see, you are from the high hills along the path of the setting sun and you've recently been at a farm."Hyacinth said as she sniffed Fiver's scent.
"Amazing."Moss said with a smile.
"You ate lettuce and a beet root. And you, your mask eyed friend and the silver rabbit are also those rabbits that are half male and half female. I believe the term is Buck-Doe."Hyacinth said.
"That's right. You're really something special Hyacinth. I'll never doubt a pig's nose again."Fiver said with a smile.
"Thank you. Now let's see if this is the right bus."Hyacinth said and went over to a red colored bus then sniffed it deeply.
"Sand, seaweed, salt. Ooh, here we are! A bus from the seaside. On you get."Hyacinth said and the rabbits all went into the open baggage compartment.
"We'd have been in a sticky situation without you, Hyacinth. Thank you."Moss said gratefully.
"And I'd still be in my pin waiting to get carted off to the next fair without you."Hyacinth said with a smile.
"You'll like the high hills, Hyacinth. We do."Fiver said. Just then the animals heard shouts in the voice that sounded like Hyacinth's former owner.
"I'd best be off before man finds me. Good luck rabbits!"Hyacinth said and ran off before the farmers could catch her.
When the bus door opened Kehaar flew away to keep from being stepped on and sat atop another bus to wait for the red bus to leave so he could follow it and his friends. The bus driver then picked up two other bags and pushed them into the baggage compartment, unknowing about the rabbits inside. Fiver, Moss, Silverweed and Pipkin all cuddled up close to make sure they wouldn't be noticed and smiled in anticipation of their trip.
"I can't wait to go see the big water. I'll bet it's as beautiful as Kehaar told us it is."Pipkin said.
"I'm sure it will be. But I hope to Frith that we'll get there to see it."Silverweed said.
"We'll get there, Silverweed. After all how far can it be?"Moss asked.
Hyacinth meanwhile was strolling up to the high hills and at hearing a vehicle pass by she turned to see that it was the red bus her rabbit friends got on. The pig smiled at this an continued her walk up to the hills.
"I'll never go back to a pin again, no. It's the lone high hills for me."Hyacinth sang merrily as she walked up to the hills.
Kehaar meanwhile was following the red bus closely as it traveled to the big water and smiled widely at the prospect of seeing his old home and Catherina again.