I was running around on a sunny field chasing some butterflies which my mother often took pleasure of watching when I was a child. One butterfly in particular, out of all the soured ones of red, yellow, blue and green, caught my attention. A silvery blue butterfly reminded me of someone I knew. I followed it and it led me to some trees in the clearing, bluebells decorated all around the bushes and hedges. In the centre was a rabbit in the same colour of the butterfly.
"Blackberry!"
I ran up to the rabbit was standing there and smiling at me. When I reached we nuzzled together.
"I'm so happy to see you again, Leo darling," she said.
"I missed you so much!" I replied. "We've been through so much danger but now I've seen you I feel as if it has ended!"
"And it will," Blackberry replied. "You must return five more times to learn the truth between us."
I gasped I shot my eyes open.
It was a shame this dream ended. I loved these dreams with Blackberry involved as she was so assuring whenever I was doubtful, angry, sad or afraid. But this left me in somewhat disturbance mixed with confusion. Return five more times to learn the truth between me and her? I've been trying very hard for a fair few years translating Shakespeare into English and this was the most confusing puzzle that had ever come to me, but gracious why am I thinking too much on it? I was merely a dream.
Fiver's head was resting against the tree behind us, Pipkin still spread across our laps, with a smile on his face for the first time I had ever seen on him in a while. The night sky was clear with the stars twinkling down on us. The serenity of my surroundings and the gentle calmness of the night was enough to bring me back to sleep when I gasped in shock as something white flew over us and down to the ground, five feet away from us where we would be standing while on night watch.
It turned around, tucking its feathers in. A snowy owl was starting at me, its right wing saluting at me and bowing down to me. I knew this owl from my last two visits and earlier on the day Michael fought the mysterious weasel.
I gently got up carefully so not to wake Pipkin. He stirred and murmured a little but was sound asleep through it. When I was inches away so not to wake the pair, I hopped quietly over to the owl.
"You've been guiding me haven't you?" I said.
"Owing to the idea of your need for guidance," replied the owl. It was a female and there was something solidly familiar about her voice.
"Is this place different from where you reside?"
"Yes," I said. "Being a rabbit."
"In your soul is what I intend for you to understand," replied the owl gently.
She pointed her wing at a young, silvery kitten hopping around next to where Michael was sleeping alongside Blackavar.
"Hey," I said quietly as possible to it. "What are you doing out here alone? It's dangerous!"
It didn't seem to quite hear me but I didn't really want to wake the others up. The kitten was now hopping over to Jason who was sound asleep and nuzzled him.
"You and your brother," said the owl. "Not brothers of blood."
"What?" I said in confusion.
Jason murmured grumpily in his sleep as the kitten subsequently hopped over to where Fiver was sleeping and the next thing I knew, it was talking the position where I slept, though too small to rest Pipkin on its tiny lap.
I looked in astonishment as it bore a smiler resemblance to Silverweed, no - to me. I was like Silverweed coastwise except for the ears and while Silverweed was completely silver, my ear-linings that went from my forehead to my nose was silvery blue, just like this kitten whom I had never met in my life.
"That's not me," I protested to the owl. "Surely."
The owl puffed her chest and replied;
"You must return five more times to learn the truth of yourself."
I gasped and shot my eyes open to morning.
I was alone by myself. Fiver and Pipkin were silfaying, Pipkin munching happily.
"Leo?"
I looked up to see Michael over me with concern.
"You okay? You've been having a carrot coma just now."
"Unless it was a carrot trip," I replied. "These dreams, I tell you. I found Blackberry she said something about something between us - then I seemed to have woken up and that owl - that white owl we saw yesterday said the same thing to me while showing me a young kitten who looked exactly like me."
Michael looked just as confused like as if some drunk had told him of a doom to come his way should he pass him again.
"My advice is this," he suggested. "You get some breakfast in you and will soon realise that it was all something to do with that wolf chase and the vision Fiver had last night."
I hopped over to Fiver and Pipkin who were still nibbling on the grass. I started my share, my spirits low.
"You look well," said Fiver. "What happened?"
"Dream within a dream," I replied. "I'm too confused to explain."
"Some grass should help you forget," Fiver comforted.
I looked over at Jason who was eating by himself. Thinking back on last night, I was probably too hard on him even if he did cause a massive deal of trouble. After all, he did find the acorn which we needed in order to get back home. Not to mention that he had unlocked the mystery to Chestnut's whereabouts. I keep forgetting that God makes good out of predicaments like these.
I hopped over to him, but he seemed to pretend I wasn't there.
"Come for another declaration about me to the United Kingdom?" he remarked sourly.
I sat opposite him.
"I just wanted say thank you for solving half the mystery," I said quietly.
"How clever of you to notice," replied Jason not taking his eyes off the grass.
"But you do understand where I was coming from last night, right?" I checked. "You didn't tell me about this whole thing with Cornstalk. I guess it was partly my fault for humiliating you when I scolded you, but when you disappeared you frightened the whiskers out of me. Imagine if something happened to you and I had to go home without you. What would I say to Mam and Dad?"
"I doubt they'd say much," said Jason. "All they do is obsess over your taster credits and your grades and your reading and your flirtations with Rosie. I have nothing to do to make them speak about me for a change."
This was partly true. They often came to my shows and they spoke to friends and family about me and their pride. I never considered myself the best out of anyone and Jason himself would just say unkind, critical stuff. But then he only played video games and nothing else.
"Well," I suggested. "Perhaps if you set certain limits, pitch in with the dishes and washing, perhaps participate in some activities, we would both get a fair slice of the cake."
There was a very pregnant pause between us as we just looked round in silence. Finally I broke the silence.
"Is this why you set Gorwood on me?" I asked. "Because you were jealous?"
"Yes," Jason grumbled. "Just for some attention."
"Cruel thing to do," I admitted, "but this is the good that's come out of it. I never had sanctuary like this one. You pretty much led me here."
It was difficult to believe but it was true. Jospeh's brothers sold him to Egypt out of jealousy but God created good out of it so everyone could survive the seven-year famine.
"But maybe this is a sign meaning that we ought to work together," I said. "We must try, Jason. Two years, the first time I came here, I met these two rabbits called Pine and Birch. They had differences but had to look out for each other so to stay alive. Something we must do lest something was to happen."
"You hardly let me try," said Jason shortly and now looking me in the face.
"True," I said. "Pipkin and the others have been training you. I guess I should have been asking more often about you instead of spending every minute of the day with Rosie."
"How clever of you to realise," remarked Jason. "You have no idea how many people doubt me at school. Have you seen my friend list? And I'm not referring to Facebook. Pipkin is the first real friend I ever had and now I ruined everything by blurting out about his parents."
"Well, if you apologise, he will accept it happily. Pipkin is a lovely, forgiving rabbit."
"He threatened to bite my tail," replied Jason. "I wouldn't call that forgiving."
"He felt bad about it," I replied. "Go to him now and speak, the sooner you do it the quicker it's finished."
Jason got to his feet hopped slowly over to Pipkin.
I watched everything happen. I couldn't hear what Jason said but Pipkin seemed to apologise somehow too. Pipkin hopped up and nuzzled Jason. Judging by Jason's face, he seemed to go with it like he did want smoochy stuff but wanted to make Pipkin feel better.
As I watched him, I reflected back on the dream. The owl said to me that we were not brothers of blood.I reflected on my silver appearance with my silvery-blue topping. Jason's coat was deep grey and his topping was not silvery-blue; it was a more darker grey. I tried to laugh it off that siblings can be born in difference of appearance, but the dream kept nagging me. I began to feel awkward now. At the same time I reminded myself that I was only dreaming. However it just nagged on and on inside my head until finally -
"FOG OFF!"
Every rabbit in the group glanced at me shock and wide eyes.
I just flopped to my side almost like faint but still awake.
"If it's your dream you're better off telling us about it."
I turned to see Fiver crouched down next to me, a look of compassionate concern on his face.
"Come on, Leo. You'll only struggle more keeping it to yourself."
I gathered myself together rather quickly than I knew. I told Fiver everything I told Michael.
"And then the outburst from just now was because I'm starting to feel convinced that me and Jason are not brothers. Look him, look at me; different in appearance. Look at you, look at Hazel; both heavily similar. I'm shaken, Fiver. I think I've gone mad."
"You shouldn't," Fiver consoled. "Look at Hazel's children. When they were young, they looked remarkably like Primrose in her yellow appearance, but as they got older their colours changed."
I blurted out a little burst of laughter at the thought, half of relief and half of disorientation.
"Watch this," Fiver instructed. "Hazel showed me this whenever I had disturbing thoughts in my head. Do this:"
He held his ears down completely blocking out sound.
"Then you rub them while shaking your head around."
I did all of that exactly. My head began to feel like I was on fast, speedy roller coaster and finally I released, my head was spinning but otherwise a little exercised.
"While doing so," Fiver instructed further, "you say this poem; The rabbit hopped into the past, but wisely picked to leave it fast."
"The rabbit hopped into the past but wisely picked to leave it fast," I repeated with my ears clamped and my head spinning around.
"How do you feel?" Fiver asked.
"Better, I suppose," I replied. "Maybe it will kick in. Thanks, Fiver."
Rustling was heard nearby.
The others had come down to me and Fiver when they were also disturbed.
"What's hap -" Michael began.
"Shh," I urged.
I crept forward closer and closer to the hedge when, all of a sudden, a black figure shot at me pinning me to the ground,
"THE BLACK RABBIT!" screamed Hawkbit.
Everyone panicked but I saw this black rabbit had a confused expression on her face and in her - blue eyes.
"Rosie?"
"Leo?"
My heart lightened as did her's judging by the wide, open smile she displayed.
"Bagheera!"
"Lolly!"
We nuzzled happily and Rosie helped me up.
"You pack a wallop for one so gentle," I commented, referencing her pouncing.
"My words exactly," came another familiar voice who emerged form the hedge.
"Hazel!"
Fiver ran up to his older brother and they collided and tumbled about on the grass nuzzling each other.
"Thank Frith you're alright!" cried Hazel happily. "I thought you were bait to that bird."
"For a runt, I'm too heavy to carry," Fiver joked.
"Sorry about that Black Rabbit assumption, Rosie," Hawkbit apologised. "I truly am."
"It's okay," said Rosie. "I'm just happy we're all okay!"
"I'm happy you and your sister are fine too!" I said. "Your dad's not gonna cook me for Christmas dinner after all!"
"What?" asked Rosie with a confused smile.
"Err, forget I said that."
Pipkin looked, sided, leaned until finally he found the black rabbit of his green days. He ran up to her and she ran up to him and hugged him tight.
"I was so worried!" she cried.
"Me too, Cinny!" said Pipkin happily. "I'm so happy you're fine. I was worried I might perish after what me and the others went through."
"What happened?"
"Wolves," explained Pipkin but smiled. "Hey, something we both have in common."
"I," began Cynthia. "I'd rather pretend it didn't happen."
She looked down, her ears drooping.
"I can never forget it."
"You'll be fine now," said Pipkin. "Pipkin's here. He got rid one for you didn't he? Unlike Daft-odil."
Cynthia perked up a smile and kissed Pipkin's mouth to which he giggled and nuzzled her nose.
"You know, Rosie," said Cynthia looking at her sister. "I won't have to worry about the future. When I finish school, I will move here to stay with Pipkin."
Rosie smiled but was invisibly concerned over that decision.
When all the greetings were over, I announced what had happened last night with Jason's run-in with the wolves.
"And what's this Rosie tells me of Jason insulting Pipkin's parents?"
Jason crouched down in fear at this huge rabbit, fire in his eyes.
"He apologised, Bigwig," said Pipkin quickly with an assuring paw on Jason's right shoulder.
"Had you been my kitten, you'd have had something to cry about, my lad!" he growled at my brother.
"Look, Bunny Lion!" said Michael crossly. "He apologised! Forgive and forget! So shut the cluck up so Leo can carry on with what Jason's discovered."
Hazel and Campion were amazed by his boldness, for no one had ever dared to speak to Bigwig so, but said nothing but watched in surprise.
Bigwig glared at Michael who looked rather cool in the face.
I resumed before Bigwig spoke again.
"Jason? Would you like to explain what they told you?"
I only did this just so to keep him away from Bigwig lest he had been given more admonishment than he necessarily needed. With everything Jason went through and my outburst when I rescued him, he had obviously been punished enough.
Jason made his way to where I stood and feeling some sort of options inside him.
"So what mischief did you cause to lead to this?" remarked Bigwig sourly.
"That'll do, Bigwig!" I admonished firmly. Once he was silent, I nodded at Jason to begin the story.
"I was tricked by a rabbit called Cornstalk to pause everyone's time to go into the forest to meet the Twilight Pack. The leader, Skymoon, told me about some rabbit called Chillblack."
"But she's dead," responded Hazel. "We were there last year when she died."
"I'm only telling you what I was told," said Jason calmly trying to ignore Bigwig's stare. Ever since the incident with Pipkin's parents he must have had some strong grudge on Jason now.
"They said Chillblack allowed Larkspur to inherit half her power - but stronger so to lure Leo towards her. As for Chestnut, he is with some other bunnies and a badger to some sort of field what's-it-called. From what I recall, it's supposed to be some sort of trap."
"And you said we need to leave early," said Fiver.
At his words, the distant church bell chimed for either seven or eight.
"No time to waste then," said Hazel. "Let's move and get my brother's child back."
We got to our feet and moved towards the clearest path.
"I don't suppose we remember where the white or bright path is," I asked any of them.
"When we came back to find you all," Hazel replied, "we wanted to find the rest of you and resume, but I'm guessing -"
"Guessing is not wise when a search is desperate."
We stopped running as we turned to the location where the new voice came from.
Standing love a rock dug into small hill leading up to a path was a black rabbit with green eyes, stern-faced and all.
"Now it really is the Black Rabbit," gulped Hawkbit.
"Green eyes, Dorkbit," clarified Strawberry, "not red."
Thorn stepped in front the whole band.
"Are you friend or foe?" he demanded at this mysterious rabbit.
The rabbit dropped down from the rock.
"Depends what you are," he replied cooly.
"We're all friends," Thorn replied.
"Then I'm one."
"Say," remarked Thumper, "I recognise you from Rawfinn. Apple, is it not?"
"Aster," the rabbit replied. "I am Aster."
"Why by Frith's whiskers it is the sly dog!" said Huckers. "And how may you do, lad? We saw nothing of you again since the escape."
"Hold up!" remarked Fiver. "You said Rawfinn."
"Indeed," replied Huckers. "Escaped with two little kittens. Forgot what their names are but one was referred as the Child of the Seer."
"Chestnut!" Fiver gasped. "Was he ever with you? Do you know where he is?"
"He was already gone when we escaped," explained Tiger-Lily.
"Then we must find Larkspur and retrieve these two bunnies along with another two who were once part of the Path but left."
"Path?" asked Hazel.
"The Path of Frith," explained Aster.
"Do you know the names of these two rabbits that quit?" asked Campion.
"Oaknut and Periwinkle."
When I looked at Hazel his eyes widened as though he had suddenly remembered something he had forgotten long about.
"Periwinkle?" He reacted. "Periwinkle?!"
"I had a feeling Hazel had more than just three children!" cried Fiver.
"What is Periwinkle doing so far from home?" said Hazel in concern.
"Larkspur holds many of these stories," replied Aster. "The Path involved. Let us go and find them."
"Wait just one second!" said Bigwig angrily. He hopped up to Aster and glared at him.
"How do we know you are not leading us to a trap? Would you confess if I was to kill you first?"
Aster revealed his claws for his left paw and brought them previously up to Bigwig's under chin, making the big rabbit gasp.
"I'm capable of killing," Aster replied, "but as I'm a friend, I cannot. Life has scarred me you know, and it takes effort to earn trust form rabbits as you. The choices are to trust me or to kill me. And I trust your seer over would have sensed something about me by now?"
He was looking at Fiver was shaking his head.
"Nothing," he replied. "Not so much as a pollen tickle."
Silverweed hopped forward to Aster and made a gesture to place his paw on his chest.
"May I?"
"You must not share my secrets if you know what it means to respect secrets," Aster said. "But I permit you so you will all know to trust me."
I watched as Silverweed placed his paw onto Aster's chest.
"What's he doing?" Jason asked me, Rosie also intrigued.
"Silverweed can read emotions through people," I explained.
We watched as Silverweed hunched himself and shaking a little. Finally he broke free and backed away.
"He pretends to be another person so to keep alive," he announced.
"Larkspur locked me with the Child of the Seer," Aster explained. "So I escaped and meant for the kitten to wait for me, but he already left with his comrade."
"What comrade?" asked Spartina.
"Another kitten."
"We were told he was with more than one kitten," Fiver pointed out.
"The kitten mentioned was the only one to start with," explained Aster. "But we must leave now to retrieve the group."
"That shouldn't be too hard," replied Hawkbit bluntly. "Seeing there's no more paths."
"No time for sarcasm, Hawkbit," said Hazel shortly.
"I hold the scent," remarked Aster. "You just need to follow me. We have a long journey and cannot stop before evening."
"Your vision, Fiver," I whispered to him. "I think we're getting somewhere."
"I hope so," said Fiver.
"We will find Chestnut, Fivvo," Michael comforted placing a paw on the runt's shoulder. "We find more lost people than four-leaf clovers."
As we hopped on through forest, following Aster some relief was flowing inside all of us - however in Hawkbit's case (including Dandelion I think), he seemed uncomfortable like as if were actually following the Black … Black … it was strange but because I was getting more used to this universe, I was somehow learning to dread the names of what we must dread.
"I say," said Fiver as we hopped along. "What happened to Daffodil?"
"Left us," I replied.
"Right after that nonce failed to lay Cynthia."
"Lay?" asked Fiver in confusion.
I whispered the definition in his ear.
Fiver gasped.
"Despicable!"
"Not only is Daffy a liar," remarked Michael, "but a nonce too."
"And a coward," I responded, as I told Fiver about the incident with the underground caverns Daffodil lured Cynthia into and almost getting her killed by a wolf which Pipkin saved her from.
"Well they're obviously right together," Fiver observed as he watched Pipkin carry Cynthia on his back.
"Suddenly you realise," Michael chuckled.
"With due respect, I knew that since they arrived together," said Fiver simply. "And I had no vision, Mighty Dawn-Rah."
"I hope you didn't struggle too much when we were separated," Hazel checked with Rosie who was hopping next to him.
"Not many," replied Rosie. "However, we had a run-in where Cynthia was nearly killed by wolf. Leo and the others saved her." And then, Daffodil tried to sleep with her.
"Nonce," said Hazel in a tone of making something obvious.
"So now I need to protect her extra, being rabbits. Which is why I pounce on you other night. Again, I'm really sorry for that."
"It's okay, really," assured Hazel with a smile.
"I think I should have made her stay at the down."
"This reminds of when we rescued Pipkin when we saved him from out oldest enemy Woundwort," Hazel memorised. "We became something of a mother hen towards him, until he pointed out that it could happen to anyone being taken by Woundwort."
"But no," replied Bigwig gruffly. "He had to make it difficult for me; ruining my nap time, disrupting my silflay, pinching by nest. Just to prove he was capable."
Rosie chuckled. "I would have loved to have seen that."
"No you wouldn't," replied Bigwig stiffly, "and I'm very grateful you can't."
"Back on topic," said Hazel. "You know your sister is growing up, right, Rosie?"
"I know," Rosie admitted thought reluctantly. "But she's only thirteen and she was almost eaten and almost raped, it's not fair for her to lose her innocence so young."
"You think she's the youngest to lose innocence like that?" said Bigwig harshly. "Pipkin was only a baby when he lost his parents?"
"What is with you, Bigwig?" interrogated Hazel irritably. "You've been acting like a prowling weasel ever since that whole incident with Jason. Pipkin said he apologised, just to refresh your memory."
"I know," grumbled Bigwig. "But having to raise Pipkin on account of a fall out I had with his father."
After a few minutes, Hazel resumed:
"I know human ways are different compared to rabbits, but you are a rabbit now and must do what we do. As they get to a certain age, they must learn to fend for themselves. Pipkin, as he was an older kitten, started raiding with us and my children are beginning to learn it as well."
"But they are only children," said Rosie in shock. "Aren't they too young for that? My mother would her very disappointed to learn that I take Cynthia into danger."
"I know what you mean," said Hazel. "But that's the way of rabbits. This world not our friend, Rosie. Your world is not your friend either, proven by these people who chased Leo into here. The kittens need to be prepared quickly or we will lose them - like how I'm likely to lose Periwinkle if we stop. I do not even know why she wasn't in my mind and yet only Fiver's. Well, I suppose there will be an explanation."
Hazel reflected on what Hazel said yesterday evening about magic occurring ever since Leo had come to Watership Down, but he refused to believed Leo was responsible for it. He was a very pleasant, good-hearted rabbit who meant no harm to anyone. Deep down, Hazel had a feeling of worry about him when he said he was being tracked for an arrest for an unfair crime - but since Fiver had no vision, he held more confidence and how bad felt for secretly judging Leo which he was very glad he did not let Leo know.
Little did they realise how thick the woodland was growing as they hopped on through the forest, birds cawing above and spooky rustling here and there was enough to convince them that elil was everywhere. The rabbits at the front were scared of losing Aster lest he camouflaged into the black of the forest.
I noticed that Jason had a look of worry about him. This must have been to do with last night. I myself should know when we went to look for him and the first was harrowing at night.
"Stick next to me, Jason," I instructed.
Jason seemed like he was going to say "I can take care of myself," but he didn't. He simply obeyed.
"Cynthia?" I heard Rosie call. "Stay behind me."
I saw her getting off Pipkin's back and obeying just like Jason did.
We were now hopping into an open space like in a bull pit. Trees were a meter divided from one another forming a circle and it was very dark despite the fact that it was only morning coming to afternoon.
A swift wind brushed past me and I gasped.
I turned around as did the others who felt it and so did those who heard me gasp.
"Who's there?" I called out.
"What is it, Leo?" asked Campion.
"I felt something rush past."
"Just common wind," assumed Tulip.
"The breeze here is still, you div," remarked Loganberry.
"Suppose it was weasels?" wondered Acorn.
"There's not scent of weasels," Pollen pointed out.
"The Black Rabbit," quivered Hawkbit. "I'll wager no green eyes."
"Over there," Rosie pointed out.
Hawkbit leaned down and covered his but noticed that Rosie meant something else.
"Thanks for explaining what got your attention," remarked Hawkbit grumpily.
"Just because danger awaits," said Aster standing over Hawkbit, "does not mean the Black Rabbit is always ready."
They hopped toward what seemed like the entrance to a burrow, but very damp and dirty.
"Hello?" Rosie called.
Hazel pulled her back.
"Think about it for a minute," he criticised. "We don't know if this is where elil resides."
Cynthia, out of curiosity, looked inside and leaned forward to see what Rosie was curious about, when suddenly -
"AAAGGGH!"
Rosie jumped in panic as her sister disappeared once again. She peered into the hole as did I. Inside there was a well going down like a slide, but we could hear Cynthia calling up to us.
"Can you hear me, Cynthia?" asked Rosie.
"Yes!" the voice called back.
She turned to everyone.
"We need to go in, now!"
"Stay here, Rosie!" I said as I began to dig may way in.
"Not this time, Leo!" said Rosie frantically. "I need to come with you this time to prove my dedication! No arguments, this time."
"Let her, Leo," agreed Hazel. "Even though she's knew, there's always time for her to learn."
I had to confess, I did here her talk with Hazel earlier and he made some relevant points.
"Alright," I accepted. "but you've got to stay with me."
"And if I hear Cynthia," replied Rosie seriously, "I will carry on in my quick pace. I must commit to the role of big sister."
I let her words sync in.
"Like how you decided to go back last year on account of playing the role of big brother, Leo," said Fiver.
"Such as teaching him how not insult the dead," remarked Bigwig glaring at Jason who cowered. But once again, Michael came to his rescue.
"Another word out of you and I will go back to my world, return here with a razor and give you a bloody mane cut!"
Bigwig obviously did not know what a razor or a mane cut was, but he could tell it was a threat, epically from a human as a rabbit, so he said no more.
Fiver's words somehow triggered my new fear that me and Jason were not related.
"The rabbit hopped into the past," I quickly whispered, "but wisely picked to leave it fast."
I aimed to look at Fiver who I wanted to share a smile of gratitude for this new regime, but he started to twitch all over and quiver. We all started as he recited.
They who enter will emerge, Turn your backs and one shall purge
Innocent will be free to go, but no more normal will it show
