Chapter 36 – The Fate of Cuwaert and Bellin

(30 years before the events at the end of Zootopia The Movie)

Cuwaert felt a strange feeling. It felt like a sharp tight point.

That was when the hare looked down in shock to find a knife embedded in his belly. Cuwaert sat stunned, his mouth agape, as he saw the handle of the blade was held by a red paw. He followed the paw up to an arm… to a chest... and then to the placid face of a red fox.

The hare had gotten so wrapped up in remembering and telling the story, he had even forgotten where he was or who he was even talking to. But as his muddled thoughts began to resolve, and he remembered, the sharp pain he now felt seemed to clear his mind. What had happened? Surely some accident as he remembered being friends with the fox who was now casually looking at him with a slight smile. The fox acted like nothing was wrong at all, as if they were still having a pleasant conversation.

The other strange thing was that while the pain in his belly was great, it more shocked him than hurt him. He thought to himself that having a knife in the belly would be a great deal more painful than this.

He looked up into the calm eyes of the fox, asking him with his expression what had happened.

The fox seemed to understand what the hare wished to know and kindly answered him as calmly as he had ever heard anyone, "My Dear Cuwaert, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have such a talent for telling a finely crafted detailed tale. In fact I very much felt I was right there with you the whole time. It was very good to know the complete story finally."

The hare still seemed quite stunned. He had no idea what the fox was talking about. Even though through the pain he managed to utter, "What? Why..."

The fox gave him a slight smile and a nod explaining, "I was wracking my brain as to what to get my dear beloved wife for our anniversary. What do you get the vixen who has everything and is never left wanting?"

Cuwaert continued his stunned responses, "What?"

Reynard looked pensive for a moment and then disclosed the answer to the hare as if he was explaining a simple concept to a child, "What… what indeed. You, my dear friend. What greater gift could a husband get his wife than the mammal responsible for her greatest torment? I thought finding her parents and reuniting them with her was the greatest gift. But this would certainly be quite close."

The hare was thoroughly confused. What was the fox talking about? He managed to utter, "Huh?"

Reynard picked up the portable phone he always kept nearby while at the estate, and called his guards to have Aza brought to the study, and to let her know he had a special surprise for her. He then casually released his paw from the knife, and got up and walked over to a desk, and started rummaging around until he found what he was looking for.

The fox could see the hare looking down at the knife and beginning to grab the handle.

Reynard glanced at him as he strolled over, "I wouldn't do that. If you pull it out, you will bleed out all over my nice rug. That wouldn't be a very polite thing to do. Besides, it would be very bad for your health you know."

The fox then began tying a piece of ribbon around the neck of the hare while the hare looked up at the fox with pleading confused eyes.

"There!" Exclaimed the fox quite pleased with his efforts.

"That is the very best bow I have ever made!" He said admiring his work.

For Reynard had created a gorgeous choker around the neck of the hare with a wide silky red ribbon. He had tied a large fancy bow with the ribbon so it was just a bit to the left side of the center of the hare's neck.

Cuwaert was now looking confused down at the bow tied snugly around his neck.

The fox causally walked over to the door listening, giving the hare a conspiratorial look putting one digit up in front of his mouth to shush the hare and snickering a bit as if the two were preparing to give someone a surprise party.

Hearing soft footsteps he knew quite well, Reynard quickly opened the door and stepped outside keeping the door partially open as he intercepted his wife who had a curious look on her face. He then got behind her covering her eyes with his paws and opened the door with his foot. He walked her into the room standing in front of a very confused looking Cuwaert.

"Tada!" The fox exclaimed in triumph.

"Happy anniversary honey! I got you just what you always wanted!" Reynard announced with a big grin and extended paws presenting his offering to his treasured and cherished soulmate.

Aza looked to the hare with the bow, then searched around the room with her eyes, and finally stared at her joyous husband giving him a questioning look.

"Look closer my sweet. Who was it you always wanted to get your lovely paws… and teeth on?" Reynard looked excitedly in her eyes. He then thought for just a moment and added, "Besides the wolf."

Understanding finally dawned on his darling wife as her head whipped back to stare at the hare with the lovely bow.

Her eyes got dark and her countenance changed as the beast within the lovely vixen package began to emerge and began glaring intensely at the bunny in front of her.

Cuwaert then stared into those impossibly intense deadly eyes. The same eyes he had stared into many years ago. He now saw that same red demon, except this time he had no wolf to hide behind, and no cage to protect him. His only hope, the fox who was his supposed ally, but also somehow the husband of the she monster who now stood in front of him. Why did the hare even think of the fox as his ally? Even that part was confusing him right now. But just as he had those many years ago, he had a similar reaction upon gazing deep into the eyes of pure hatred. Eyes wishing him the most horrible death imaginable. Little plopping sounds could be heard as well as the putrid smell of fresh urine.

The fox looked quite upset, "Cuwaert, that is no way for a guest to behave! You could have just asked to use the restroom down the hall you know. The staff will not appreciate having to clean this up one bit!"

But the hare barely even heard the fox as he stuttered, "What? How? No….."

Aza was instantly on him grasping the knife in her paws moving it around the hare's insides as he gurgled a bit in absolute terror frozen still.

"Oh, you might be wondering why you aren't feeling the pain so much. I added a nice little enhancement my medical friends provided me to the wonderful drink you have been enjoying. It helps numb you a nice bit and really assists with making lasting friendships. I figured we needed a little of that don't you agree? Careful Aza dear, you should go slow and enjoy your gift. In fact I was gonna grab the kits so they can see how their Mommy deals with those that have displeased her." Reynard, with a sly grin, calmly told the duo who were busily eyeing each other.

He then left the room strolling off to collect his army of lovable little hellions.

When he returned with his wee red army in tow, Reynard opened the door to see his darling wife enjoying her anniversary present quite fondly playing with it quite enthusiastically on the floor. Little droplets of blood were scattered and smeared along the polished rich burgundy Jatoba wood flooring Reynard had brought in from his shipping interests in the southern hemisphere. The fox thought to himself that the blood would only enhance the wood's natural beauty, but figured he would be needing a cleanup crew in a bit anyway. He praised his wife for being considerate enough to remove her gift from the rugs as the stains would truly be a nightmare to get out.

The hare seemed to be naked now, the remains of his clothes appearing to have been shredded off him by the vixen who seemed to be running her claws over Cuwaert's formerly pink bunny sacs near his tail. They were now quite red and bleeding, and her gift was making an awful lot of screaming noises.

The kits all stood in front of their mom quite puzzled by what she was doing. She seemed not to notice they were even there at the moment as she continued delighting in her husband's present to her.

Reynard decided it was best he use this as a teaching moment. His kits were not like the children of any normal mammal for they knew exactly who their father was and what he did for a living. Reynard never sheltered his children from the truths of the world. He protected them physically sure, as his enemies would certainly like to use them against him if they were able to get a hold of them. But emotionally and intellectually they were told from a very young age how the world worked and the brutal truths it contained. Their mom would explain to them that their father punished those who hurt children like them and other innocent mammals. Aza would frequently explain that he wished all in the kingdom to live free of fear of being harmed and to be happy. The kits were all very proud of their father, and understood that sometimes he would have to do bad things to bad mammals. And that is why it was a good opportunity for them to see justice done firsthand. For a child of Reynard was not to be coddled, but continually tested so they could grow as mentally and physically strong as possible.

Little Scarlet was the first to ask, "Daddy, why is Mommy hurting Mr. Cuwaert?"

At the mention of his name the hare turned and saw five kits sitting in a row watching him being ripped apart by their mother. The sight was quite unusual, and Cuwaert reacted appropriately stunned.

"Why do you think?" Reynard asked his children.

Rose raised her paw and Reynard nodded to her, "Because he is bad?"

The fox nodded to the children, "Yes… Mr. Cuwaert has been bad… he has been VERY bad to your mother… and has been VERY VERY VERY bad to Auntie Rachel."

All his kits growled and snarled in disgust and revulsion as they loved their Aunt Rachel as much as their Aunt Marion and their grandparents. The thought of anyone hurting the sweet bunny made them all very angry.

Cuwaert glanced at Reynard and the kits very confused asking in a very pained voice, "Who… who is… Aunt Rachel?"

Reynard looked very disappointingly at the hare explaining, "She is my wife's best friend and godmother to all these kits. She is the little bunny you stole from Aza's side and whose innocence you took and then defiled repeatedly in the most horrible horrific ways. Oh… and I am quite fond of her myself."

The hare got a shocked expression, his eyes going wide, as he nearly choked remembering exactly who they were talking about and also the detailed story he had just told the fox.

"But… but… but…" Stuttered the hare, "how… how could a fox, a vixen, be best friends with a bunny?"

Reynard glared at the hare explaining, "Well this particular bunny in the loving claws of my wife won't be best friends with anyone ever again."

It was then Aza seemed to notice her kits were present and released the hare addressing them, "Children, why is it okay for Mommy to kill the bunny?"

Brick blurted out, "Because you're hungry?"

The kits all laughed.

Aza smiled at her kits, "No… that is never a reason to kill anyone. But why is your mommy allowed to kill the bunny?"

Crimson piped up, "BAD! Bad bunny!" The tiny kit looked very fiercely at the hare.

Aza shook her head, "That is the main reason yes. It is the justification for such an action certainly. But why is Mommy allowed to kill the bunny and no one else?"

Rose had the answer, "Because Daddy said it was okay!"

"Exactly. No one is allowed to kill anyone except Daddy. And those Daddy tells it is okay if they have good reasons. Anyone know why only Daddy can do this?" The vixen asked her kits.

"Because he's the boss!" Scarlet exclaimed hugging her father's legs smiling intently.

Aza nodded at her adorable little daughter, "Exactly… only your Daddy has that right… and only Daddy can give permission."

Brick uttered, "But I want to be able to do that!"

"You can if you are the boss someday when Daddy is done being boss. But it is not an easy responsibility. He has a very tough job. It may seem like fun, but it is very serious."

Cuwaert decided to use the distraction to try and crawl towards the door and Reynard gently removed his daughter from his legs and walked over and lifted the hare by the neck high into the air so his legs were dangling free. The phone on table began ringing and Reynard picked it up answering. On the other end Bellin the Ram could be heard in the background. One of Reynard's assistants informed him the ram was getting impatient and wanted to see when his meeting with Cuwaert would be done.

Hearing the ram in the background, Cuwaert yelled out, "Help, Bellin! Where are you? This fox is killing me!"

The hare did not utter any more words as Reynard closed his paw around his windpipe preventing him from speaking. In one motion a knife suddenly appeared in the fox's free paw slicing off the hare's tail and then stuffing it into the coughing hare's mouth thoroughly silencing him.

"Tell Bellin I will be with him shortly. Inform him I have a special mission for him specifically and just need a short while to get everything ready." The fox informed his assistant hanging up the phone.

He then turned to his wife, "Aza my dear, I wish you could have days to reward our dear guest Cuwaert with his just desserts. But unfortunately our timetable is a bit pressed. And besides, we have a feast to celebrate our good fortune that we must attend quite soon."

Aza nodded understanding she would need to get busy. He could see her eyeing the hare's neck with deadly purpose and knew that was what she had been dreaming of since first seeing the hare enter the cage so many years ago.

"Sweetheart could you please try to keep the area above this clean of marks..." Reynard indicated a line on the hare's neck. Aza nodded that she understood, and the fox tossed Cuwaert onto the floor in front of the kits.

His wife and mother to the five kits who were intently watching, pounced on the hare instantly clamping onto his neck with her sharp teeth. FINALLY she tasted the blood she had so long been craving. But she didn't want to end this too quickly so she was careful not to clamp her jaws down too hard, and began slowly shredding the hare with her claws while savoring the blood of the one in charge of the place she was tormented, the one who stole her best friend and raped the bunny over and over. She wished she could have done this long ago, but she thanked fate and her husband for the opportunity to do it now.

Cuwaert gurgled and screamed in agony as the vixen's claws shredded his body over and over. Aza savored the hare's pain and suffering wishing it could go on forever. The hare shook and shuddered making wretched hacking sounds coughing and wheezing. If he had not already emptied his bowels and bladder, they would certainly have been voided at this point. Aza sucked on the blood in her mouth tasting it's delicious sweetness grinning as she felt the life drain out of the hare. The kits all yipped and yelled cheering their Mom's long overdue vengeance.

Finally it was over as the life was gone from Cuwaert. Aza lay with her jaws clamped around the neck for awhile and then finally released her gift looking a bit sad it was over but exhilarated in her triumph. She had never killed before, but she did not regret this death at all. In fact she quite relished it. She only knew she would sleep quite well tonight and for many nights to come as one of the key figures from her nightmares was finally no more.

Reynard then walked over to a drawer pulling something out, and then casually strolled over to the hare lifting him by the ears with one paw and held the body over a serving cart. In one clean stroke, he severed the head with a short sword held in his free paw, right at the line he had shown Aza, just above her teeth marks, and watched the body collapse onto the cart. Reynard then placed the dripping head into a plastic bag sealing the top. He then placed the plastic bag into a box from the finest jeweler in Zootopia that was just big enough to fit the hare's head. He sealed the box with special tape from the jeweler to indicate the contents of their box had not been disturbed. He then pulled out the royal treasury box the King had provided him earlier that morning.

Reynard then announced to his family, "I believe the King has provided us something worthy for our chef to prepare for our feast and celebration. For tonight we dine on a good fat hare. While he only caused suffering and grief in life, I believe in death our friend Cuwaert here will provide us delighted and contented bellies."

All five kits and Aza cheered and celebrated this news, and Aza wheeled the cart off to the chef while Reynard took the prepared the jeweler's box and treasury case to Bellin.

As Reynard met Bellin the Ram at the door of the estate, he grinned at his guest and noticed the eyes of the ram immediately going to the large jeweler's box he held.

"My dear Bellin, I must apologize for neglecting you so, but I was having such an engrossing conversation with your friend Cuwaert that I lost all track of time. I hope your meetings with my business associates went well." The fox asked his guest with a friendly smile and warm pawshake.

The ram responded, "Think nothing of it, I certainly understand. The meetings certainly show much where we both could benefit greatly. But where is Cuwaert?"

"Dear Bellin, why so impatient? Cuwaert is entertaining my dear wife and children. It occurs to me that you shouldn't be displeased by that. He asked me to suggest to you that you go on ahead, and he'll come afterwards. We can have a driver send him to you shortly. He must stay and comfort Aza and the kits as they have so long wished to meet him, and are loathe to be separated from him so soon." Reynard informed the ram.

"What happened to Cuwaert?" replied Bellin, "I could swear I could hear him calling out for help on the phone."

"What are you talking about, Bellin?" responded the fox, "Do you think that any harm could come to him? Now listen to what he did when meeting my dear wife and the kits. They were so excited upon meeting such a lovely bunny they all surrounded him hugging him with all their might. You know how excited children can get. So when I was on the phone and he heard you, he called out loudly: 'Bellin, come help save me from these cute adorable rascals as they are killing me with their tickling and hugs!' He then was tackled by my five kits, who all wanted to show him their love as he giggled and laughed uncontrollably in joy."

The ram looked relieved, "Oh dear, I am so relieved. I had thought Cuwaert was in great danger."

"No no truly," said the fox somberly, "I'd prefer my wife and children to suffer a great deal of damage rather than Cuwaert suffer any harm while in my house."

"Bellin do you remember," asked the fox, "that I had said I had a special gift for the King just this morning? I need to attend my family as I have neglected them far too long and promised them I would feast with them. I was hoping you could take this gift to the King in my stead so I could attend them. I am sure he will be quite pleased with what he finds."

Reynard handed the jewelry box to the ram who seemed quite impressed by it's size and weight.

"I am sure your gift is quite impressive, my dear fox, but do you have anything to carry it in so it is protected and proper for the king?" Bellin requested.

The fox nodded and reached inside the door pulling out the royal treasury box, "Fear not, for I have the perfect thing just given to me by his highness himself this morning for just this purpose. I imagine his majesty will be quite pleased to see you coming carrying such a gift. You will do me such a favor, as the King will finally see me in a new light as his greatest servant, and I will inevitably rise to his most favored subject in all the land."

Bellin thanked the fox carefully taking the box and filled it with the sealed jeweler's box dreaming of the treasures it contained for such a thing as the fox had said to be possible. But what need did the fox have for his majesty's favor? He had one of the best and most powerful positions in all the kingdom next to the King himself. While a tireless servant such as himself could instead rise from the mundane to true glory as a Duke or even daresay the Grand Duke himself with such a gift. His family could then live in a grand estate rather than the current squalor in which they currently found themselves. Not so grand as Reynard certainly, but Bellin would be thrilled with only a small portion of such luxury and wealth. Yes, the fox had everything he could want. What need had he for anything more?

If Reynard was so foolish as to not present such a gift personally to the King, what complaint would he have if the King mistakenly thought the gift came from Bellin himself? By the time there was any question of whose gift it was, Bellin would have already risen in station and have the rewards which accompanied such a position. The fox would not wish to be seen as such a trusting fool, and would no doubt just simply produce another such treasure for the King from his vast riches. Yes, thought Bellin, fortune did seem to be smiling on him quite brightly.

So the ram answered the fox telling him what he wanted to hear, "Reynard, I know what a favor you are doing me now. I'll be praised in court once it is known how I have your trust and favor to present such a gift to his majesty. Who knows, perhaps the king might see me in a slightly better light as well finally. I am truly blessed to have a friend such as you who would share even a modicum of glory with a friend. Even though I am totally incapable of providing such a glorious gift myself, it's often the case that God permits some mammals to derive praise and honor from the work of others, which will be my case now. Now what do you advise friend Reynard: Shall Cuwaert the Hare come with me to court to share in the credit?"

"No," said the fox with a sly grin, "he'll follow along soon. He can't come yet as he is quite busy entertaining my family, something for which I will be truly indebted to him more than you could possibly know. My wife will praise my bringing him to her for a very great deal of time to come as she had been so looking forward to meeting him for so very long. Now you go on ahead, and I will share some secrets of my own with our friend Cuwaert."

So after Bellin bade farewell to Reynard, he quickly gathered the treasure box and raced as fast as he could to see the King. He called ahead to secure a special appointment in front of his majesty and the most important members of the court. Bellin wished his acclaim witnessed and spoken aloud by all the top holders of power in the court before Reynard or anyone else could say any different. With a great deal of finagling and quite a few bribes which cost him quite dearly, he arranged for an appointment within the hour. This was just another example of how unfair the court was as Reynard could surely demand an audience with the King at any time without such trouble. But a lowly member such as he had to go through such extraordinary efforts to arrange such a meeting. Well hopefully his fortunes would finally be changing soon.

Bellin entered the throne room at the appointed time, and was pleased to see the King was being attended by his barons, dukes and chief advisers. The King was quite astonished to see Bellin before him by himself holding the Royal Treasury Box. The ram was a useful lackey who the King and court could order around to do various errands. But for him to take such an initiative, and by himself no less, was quite an unusual circumstance indeed.

Once the ram was standing before him bowing low as he rightly should, the King asked, "Tell us, Bellin: Where have you come from? Where's the fox? Why doesn't he have the Royal Treasury Box?"

"My lord," Bellin replied, "I did accompany Reynard to his estate. My curiosity got the best of me, and I asked the fox about the gift he claimed to have for your majesty. After much convincing, he showed me what he proposed, but I was dismayed as it was merely a bauble and nothing so fine as your lordship could ever want or deserve. This angered me greatly for I saw this as an affront to your majesty, an insult! I could not have my King treated so! So I gathered my resources and decided to procure for your majesty a true gift, one befitting such a great and noble leader such as yourself. I hope my gift is well received, and that you decide to reward me appropriately for offering such a truly worthy tribute. For I doubt you will have ever laid your eyes upon a more precious worthy contribution to your majesty's glory."

So the King commanded Bokart his Minister of the Treasury, who he trusted implicitly with the handling of his most valued treasures, to examine the gift and present it to his lordship. Tybalt the Wildcat and Bokart took the box from the outstretched arms of the ram who was prostrate on the floor.

Minister Bokart opened the box revealing the sealed large jewelry box inside much to the amazement and impressed murmuring of the collected high ranking members of court. They all knew that such a large treasure from such a source would truly be valuable indeed.

Bokart unsealed the box, looking curiously inside seeing the plastic bag which was opaque so its contents were hidden. He undid the zipper type seal across top and his eyes got wide in astonishment looking into the bag.

The entire collected body got quite excited seeing the Minister's expression as he was known for being quite stoic and never showing any reaction whatsoever to anything. They all whispered excitedly that this must be the greatest treasure ever presented to his majesty.

Pulling the head from the bag by the ears, he held it before the King in shock exclaiming, "What kind of treasure is this? My lord, this is most definitely Cuwaert's head!"

"Damn It!" said the King in a furious rage, "What kind of sick joke is this? Have you so little respect for your King and even less for your own life? Do you think to mock me in front of all the leaders of the court! You specially arranged this meeting so only the chief among the court would be here to witness this presentation so that you may demean and belittle me to maximum effect!"

The King was so angry he roared so loudly that all those in attendance had to put paws and hooves to ears to prevent their hearing from being damaged. The lion shook with anger standing up and looking ready to pounce on the ram cowering before him in confusion.

Sir Fineskin the Leopard, who had kinship with the King through marriage, stopped the King from moving forward rubbing his back and speaking, "My lord King calm yourself. This is exactly what this wretch wants. He wishes to unhinge you and make you the fool. Act as the mammal we all know and respect. For you are regal and all powerful. You are the greatest king the underworld has ever known. Your paws are only meant to attend to the Queen or enjoy kingly pleasures and not be sullied by the likes of this scum!"

The King calmed himself hearing Fineskin's words and sat back upon his throne looking regal once more asking the whimpering Bellin, "Bellin the Ram, what is the meaning behind such an insult? For you have attempted to harm me worse than anyone before, in my own home no less! You have killed my valued servant who has worked tirelessly to aide me, and then presented his head to me as if it was the most valuable treasure in all the world! Do you have so little regard for me? Have I harmed you or your family in such a way as to justify such harsh treatment?"

Bellin looked terrified, shaking and whimpering. He looked all around the court as if seeking anyone who would be his ally. But he could not think of anything that could explain his actions other than the truth which would most likely condemn him anyway. So he answered the only way he could speaking the words, "My lord, it was Reynard, not I, who has killed friend Cuwaert so cruelly. He tricked me into bringing this before your majesty as an offering of ultimate love and respect."

The King glared down at the shaking ram, "Yet you come before me claiming this gift all for yourself. You never mentioned Reynard as having anything to do with this, but instead dismissed the good fox's own offering as worthless. It seems you have determined to defame the now tame and subservient fox who has acted as nothing but obedient and faithful these nearly past two years. For shame attempting to treat such a repentant servant of the court in this way. I know of your association with the fox's detractors and adversaries. You act as another of their ploys to get me to act against him. But your actions instead betray your deceit and unworthiness to be among the underworld anymore. You are to be executed here on the spot and your wife and kin to be given to Isengrim to do with as he will for all of their days since he was a longtime close friend of Cuwaert who you so viciously killed. The wolf will be so despondent over the news, but I hope he can gain some pleasure in revenge against your own for this affront to his valued friend. You do not even deserve a hanging, but should instead to die as you have treated poor Cuwaert. Remove this ram's head immediately!"

The King then ordered his assistants to silence the babbling frantic ram and placed his head on a hastily gathered block. Fortunately the Queen was not in attendance as she would have surely been distraught at seeing such a sight. The members of the court solemnly stood and witnessed the leader of the Royal Guard take a large axe from the wall and cleave the head and horns of the ram in one smooth stroke at the neck. The head and body were ordered removed from the sight of the king, and he then ordered the kin of the ram to be gathered and offered to the wolf as a consolatory gift for the passing of the wolf's dear friend and former associate.

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Author Notes:

The story of the hare and ram correspond to the very end of Chapter 19 and Chapters 20-22 in the original legend.

The deaths of Cuwaert and Bellin are out of sequence from the original and would normally take place much farther into the story. But I preferred fitting them in during the lead up to Reynard finally embracing his nature and rescuing the huge number of helpless victims of Isengrim and his allies.

In the original legend, Cuwaert's death is a mere couple of lines, but in my Reynard's story, it offered a chance to look back and see a glimpse of what really happened to poor Aza during her stay at The Dungeon. I always wanted to examine her story from multiple perspectives and this afforded me that opportunity. Originally Reynard would be the instrument of Cuwaert's demise just as he was in the original. But as it was being written, it just felt right that Aza be the one to seek revenge on the hare, as she was the one most wronged by his actions (Other than Rachel of course… but her best friend is not a killer… and had fully gotten over what had happened unlike Aza). It also gave us a chance to see how truly well suited she is as the one true love of Reynard. No other female could ever be so perfectly matched given her circumstances and fortitude. She is the sweet loving mother as well as the vicious red demon.

The whole story with Bellin was reasonably closely adapted to the original, except in the original the ram merely jointly claimed credit with Reynard for letters written to the King and returned in a pouch The Fox was given. Now how an entire hare's head is fit into a simple letter pouch, or how it didn't drip blood and guts all over and stink is beyond me. But apparently those creating the legend did not think of such things. But realize that in the original this even takes place well into the future when Reynard is taking a pilgrimage to Rome. So the King is supposed to get angry at Reynard and condemn Bellin for even being associated with him. In my adaptation, due to the sequence of events, all the blame had to be placed on Bellin.

In the original legend, the King orders all the descendants of the ram to be forfeit to the wolf's own lineage until the end of days whenever they may be found. It was a clever way of explaining why wolves hunt sheep. Obviously this made no sense in Zootopia, so I had to settle for offering Bellin's family to Isengrim as compensation. The reason they were given to Isengrim in the original was due to a harm Reynard had done to the wolf in the King's name. So the King sought to make up for this because the ram had supposedly acted in league with Reynard. Fortunately in my version, the close relationship between Cuwaert and Isengrim was established in the hare's story to Reynard, and it made sense that he be compensated for the loss of his dear friend by the one who had supposedly done this harm.