Captain Holly and Bigwig both took their place beside the
gate. The sound of footsteps was getting closer, and a
feeling of dread was starting to settle on Holly's heart.
Another attack, just days after a battle had been fought?
They were certainly entering a dark chapter in the Watership
Down history.
The footsteps grew louder and clearer. The guardsmen braced themselves for battle.
Suddenly, four rabbits bounded through the gate and into the Down. One of the guardsmen jumped, bringing down the last rabbit to come through. He held the rabbit still. As Holly looked at it, he saw that it was one of the scouts sent to find Pipkin.
"Release him," Holly ordered. The guard took his paw off the rabbit's chest. The other rabbits came back to where they were gathered.
"Captain Holly-rah," the lead rabbit said. "We bring ill news of the little one we set out to find, Pipkin."
"What is the news?" said Holly, concerned.
The lead rabbit nodded its head. The rabbit straight behind it came forward and spat something on the ground. Bigwig and Captain Holly squinted at it, and saw that it was a tuft of bloody rabbit hair.
"Damn," Holly sighed. "Pipkin is dead. Bigwig, I want the entrance barricaded. How long will it take to finish this wall?"
"Probably two more days, if I get my soldiers to work harder," said Bigwig.
"Then do it," said Holly. "As fast as you can. We could be attacked at any moment. War is upon us!"
* * *
Fiver lay in the field, fast asleep, on his back. He had fallen into an uneasy slumber while chewing the grass. His head was swimming in foggy visions - but he couldn't tell what they meant.
He saw what he was pretty sure was a rabbit running, and then flying suddenly backwards. Another rabbit, who was running with him, ran the other way suddenly but a huge tan form on four - yes, legs - caught him and brought him to the ground. Something red, probably blood, flew from the rabbit it caught.
Another rabbit began running away, and was chased by another, the same one who had flown up into the air. He was now limping slightly. He was following the last rabbit, and then -
Fiver was nudged in the side, and awoke. He blinked his eyes, and when his vision came back to him, he saw Dandylion standing next to him, a grave expression on his face.
"Dandylion?" said Fiver. "What is it?"
"Captain Holly gave me orders to bring this message to you," said Dandylion. "The scouts who set out to find your friend, Pipkin, have returned. Pipkin was not among them. They came back with only these." He showed Fiver the bloody hairs.
"But -" Fiver spluttered. "Is he."
"I'm afraid so," said Dandylion.
Fiver sat silent.
"How?" he said finally.
"The scouts inform me that Pipkin was killed by a black stone," said Dandylion. "They found it next to the hairs."
Fiver hung his head. He couldn't face it. Pipkin.dead.
"I am sorry," said Dandylion. Fiver said nothing. Dandylion turned on his heel and sped back up to the hill.
* * *
"We're on schedule," said Bigwig. It was two days later, and he, Captain Holly, and Captain Broom had met in Holly's chamber. "The wall is finished, and no Efrafin shall ever breach it, much less get through it. My scouts are keeping a close watch on the area surrounding the Down, and inform me that they have seen no Efrafins approaching."
"I still fear for Watership Down," said Holly, grimly. "We lost some fine officers in the Efrafa attack. Double the guards on watch duty for a week. If we have no attacks by then, we can call them off. We cannot be certain of the wall's strength."
"Yes, Captain Holly-rah," said Bigwig and nodded his head.
"In the time we are not being attacked, sir," said Captain Broom, "would it be wise to build up our forces so as we can launch an assault upon Efrafa?"
"An excellent suggestion, Captain Broom," said Holly. "However, we must use our remaining rabbits to guard the perimeter of the Down."
"Of course, sir," said Broom.
"Bigwig, go and put more soldiers on the guard," Holly ordered. "We need them now!"
"Certainly, Captain Holly-rah," said Bigwig. He turned and galloped down the tunnel, winding here and there, and finally emerging into the sunlight. He walked to a group of his rabbits, who were working on the wall.
"Soldiers," he said, "I need you to go on guard duty around the perimeter of the Down. Captain Holly-rah fears that Efrafa may attack again soon."
"Yes, sir," said one of the rabbits. The six of them jumped over the unfinished portion of the wall and joined the guardsmen.
"Sir, there is a rabbit approaching the wall!" cried Dandylion from atop the hill.
"Don't worry, the guards will get it!" said Bigwig. He waited for a moment.
"Sir, the rabbit is outrunning our guards!" Dandylion called back.
"He'll have to stop at the wall," said Bigwig. If he gets over the unfinished portion, I'll have him."
He waited a little while again, until a rabbit leapt over the wall, and landed in the Down. Bigwig couldn't believe it! A rabbit had cleared the highest point of the wall!
The rabbit approached, and Bigwig charged forth to meet it.
"Stop!" the rabbit shouted, in an oddly familiar voice. As Bigwig got closer, he saw that it was.
"Pipkin!" said Bigwig, dumbfounded. They both stopped. "You're supposed to be dead!"
"Dead?" said Pipkin, for it was he. "No! Far from it! Well, I was close to being so, a few days ago."
"Tell me all," said Bigwig.
"I shall," said Pipkin. "First, take me to Captain Holly-rah. I will tell you both. He needs to know, too."
So Bigwig led Pipkin down the tunnels and back into Captain Holly's chamber.
"Captain Holly-rah," he said.
"Yes, Bigwig?" said Holly, not looking back.
"Pipkin is alive!" Bigwig announced.
Captain Holly turned.
"What?" he said.
Bigwig came into the chamber, followed by Pipkin.
"He is!" said Captain Broom. "It is a miracle!
"Pipkin, how did you survive?" said Captain Holly.
"Captain Holly-rah, I will tell you," replied Pipkin. He cleared his throat and began.
"During the battle, Fiver had told me to stay in the warren. I knew this was the smart thing to do; and I later wished I had listened to my instincts. But I thought Fiver needed my help, and so I left the warren and came out onto the field. The battle was so gruesome, I almost went back inside.
"But before I could, I was butted in the side and fell over. I looked to my side, and saw two fat rabbits coming towards me. One was grey, and one was brown. I immediately jumped up and started running. The rabbits chased me. Fortunately, I was faster than they were, and was able to keep them at my heels for a while.
"I ran for about an hour, I think it was, and began getting very exhausted. I was slowing down. So were the other rabbits, but I saw that they noticed my weakness and so barreled forward faster than ever.
"'We've got him now!' the grey rabbit snarled. Suddenly, I heard a loud bang, and he got knocked over so fast and with a yowl of pain. The other rabbit quickly looked to the side, as did I, and we both saw that a big dog was running towards us. I bolted away immediately, but the brown rabbit was too slow and the dog got him. It was horrible!
"Then, the rabbit that had been chasing me hauled himself up, and picked a black stone out of his shoulder with his teeth. He spat it out and came after me. I ran faster than ever.
"'Get back here!' the rabbit roared. He was very mad. Finally, I slowed to a halt, and he jumped on top of me. He bared his teeth. 'Nothin's going to save you now,' he hissed. 'You're mine!'
"Suddenly, the dog let out a loud bark. The grey rabbits eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. He turned, just in time to see the dog's jaws close on his chest, and swing him up into the air. The dog shook him violently, but then tossed him into a nearby tree. It looked painful. At this time, of course, I had hidden in a small hole which I found, to avoid the dog catching me.
"After another hour, a poked my head out of the hole. The dog was gone. I got out and looked around me. I didn't know the way back to Watership Down! So I walked around for the rest of the day, and then turned in under a willow tree. The next day, I set out again after a lovely breakfast of Dandylion leaves. Soon, however, I came across a big Alfalfa army. They stopped when they saw me. There was a big, black rabbit right at the front of the group, with one of his ears missing."
"Colonel Thornfoot," Holly whispered.
"'What have we here?' he growled. 'A wanderer, no less, in the wild. Little one, what is your name?'
"'P-Pipkin,' I stammered.
"'Pipkin, is it?' said the big rabbit. 'Where are you from?'
"I almost said Watership Down, but then realized this would be very stupid.
"'Nowhere imp-portant,' I said. 'I j-just live in a little b- burrow with my brothers and sisters. P-please don't hurt me!
"'A little lost one!' the biggun laughed. The others laughed, too. I thought it was very rude. 'I'm not going to hurt you. I need to save my strength. But you'd better not get in our way again, or I just might hurt you. Go about your business, and trouble us no more. Onward, soldiers, to Watership Down!' They charged off again. They were headed to Watership Down! Well, at least I knew the way back. I was faster than they were, and so I dogged them for a while, hiding behind rocks and trees, until I knew where I was, and I bounded off ahead, and finally reached the Down. It took me three days to get back here. Some of the guards chased me until I jumped over that silly wall and got into Watership Down and met Bigwig."
The captains and Bigwig listened intently.
"So, Colonel Thornfoot is their new leader," said Captain Holly. "I feared it was so. The colonel is very cunning, and will destroy us. We must send a host to negotiate with them."
"I will go," said Captain Broom.
"I knew I could count on you," Holly replied. "Good. Take with you Blackberry; his cleverness is useful. Lieutenant Willow and Sergeant Pinecone can be your support if violence amounts - take them too. Dandylion might be useful also. He should go."
"Of course, sir," said Captain Broom. "Your planning skills are unmatched."
"Thank you," said Captain Holly. "Now hurry. You must set out immediately! Be swift. Thornfoot is very powerful."
That's all for now! Please review! Also, thanks to my friend bunny-luver for recommending my story! I suggest her story; it's very good.
The footsteps grew louder and clearer. The guardsmen braced themselves for battle.
Suddenly, four rabbits bounded through the gate and into the Down. One of the guardsmen jumped, bringing down the last rabbit to come through. He held the rabbit still. As Holly looked at it, he saw that it was one of the scouts sent to find Pipkin.
"Release him," Holly ordered. The guard took his paw off the rabbit's chest. The other rabbits came back to where they were gathered.
"Captain Holly-rah," the lead rabbit said. "We bring ill news of the little one we set out to find, Pipkin."
"What is the news?" said Holly, concerned.
The lead rabbit nodded its head. The rabbit straight behind it came forward and spat something on the ground. Bigwig and Captain Holly squinted at it, and saw that it was a tuft of bloody rabbit hair.
"Damn," Holly sighed. "Pipkin is dead. Bigwig, I want the entrance barricaded. How long will it take to finish this wall?"
"Probably two more days, if I get my soldiers to work harder," said Bigwig.
"Then do it," said Holly. "As fast as you can. We could be attacked at any moment. War is upon us!"
* * *
Fiver lay in the field, fast asleep, on his back. He had fallen into an uneasy slumber while chewing the grass. His head was swimming in foggy visions - but he couldn't tell what they meant.
He saw what he was pretty sure was a rabbit running, and then flying suddenly backwards. Another rabbit, who was running with him, ran the other way suddenly but a huge tan form on four - yes, legs - caught him and brought him to the ground. Something red, probably blood, flew from the rabbit it caught.
Another rabbit began running away, and was chased by another, the same one who had flown up into the air. He was now limping slightly. He was following the last rabbit, and then -
Fiver was nudged in the side, and awoke. He blinked his eyes, and when his vision came back to him, he saw Dandylion standing next to him, a grave expression on his face.
"Dandylion?" said Fiver. "What is it?"
"Captain Holly gave me orders to bring this message to you," said Dandylion. "The scouts who set out to find your friend, Pipkin, have returned. Pipkin was not among them. They came back with only these." He showed Fiver the bloody hairs.
"But -" Fiver spluttered. "Is he."
"I'm afraid so," said Dandylion.
Fiver sat silent.
"How?" he said finally.
"The scouts inform me that Pipkin was killed by a black stone," said Dandylion. "They found it next to the hairs."
Fiver hung his head. He couldn't face it. Pipkin.dead.
"I am sorry," said Dandylion. Fiver said nothing. Dandylion turned on his heel and sped back up to the hill.
* * *
"We're on schedule," said Bigwig. It was two days later, and he, Captain Holly, and Captain Broom had met in Holly's chamber. "The wall is finished, and no Efrafin shall ever breach it, much less get through it. My scouts are keeping a close watch on the area surrounding the Down, and inform me that they have seen no Efrafins approaching."
"I still fear for Watership Down," said Holly, grimly. "We lost some fine officers in the Efrafa attack. Double the guards on watch duty for a week. If we have no attacks by then, we can call them off. We cannot be certain of the wall's strength."
"Yes, Captain Holly-rah," said Bigwig and nodded his head.
"In the time we are not being attacked, sir," said Captain Broom, "would it be wise to build up our forces so as we can launch an assault upon Efrafa?"
"An excellent suggestion, Captain Broom," said Holly. "However, we must use our remaining rabbits to guard the perimeter of the Down."
"Of course, sir," said Broom.
"Bigwig, go and put more soldiers on the guard," Holly ordered. "We need them now!"
"Certainly, Captain Holly-rah," said Bigwig. He turned and galloped down the tunnel, winding here and there, and finally emerging into the sunlight. He walked to a group of his rabbits, who were working on the wall.
"Soldiers," he said, "I need you to go on guard duty around the perimeter of the Down. Captain Holly-rah fears that Efrafa may attack again soon."
"Yes, sir," said one of the rabbits. The six of them jumped over the unfinished portion of the wall and joined the guardsmen.
"Sir, there is a rabbit approaching the wall!" cried Dandylion from atop the hill.
"Don't worry, the guards will get it!" said Bigwig. He waited for a moment.
"Sir, the rabbit is outrunning our guards!" Dandylion called back.
"He'll have to stop at the wall," said Bigwig. If he gets over the unfinished portion, I'll have him."
He waited a little while again, until a rabbit leapt over the wall, and landed in the Down. Bigwig couldn't believe it! A rabbit had cleared the highest point of the wall!
The rabbit approached, and Bigwig charged forth to meet it.
"Stop!" the rabbit shouted, in an oddly familiar voice. As Bigwig got closer, he saw that it was.
"Pipkin!" said Bigwig, dumbfounded. They both stopped. "You're supposed to be dead!"
"Dead?" said Pipkin, for it was he. "No! Far from it! Well, I was close to being so, a few days ago."
"Tell me all," said Bigwig.
"I shall," said Pipkin. "First, take me to Captain Holly-rah. I will tell you both. He needs to know, too."
So Bigwig led Pipkin down the tunnels and back into Captain Holly's chamber.
"Captain Holly-rah," he said.
"Yes, Bigwig?" said Holly, not looking back.
"Pipkin is alive!" Bigwig announced.
Captain Holly turned.
"What?" he said.
Bigwig came into the chamber, followed by Pipkin.
"He is!" said Captain Broom. "It is a miracle!
"Pipkin, how did you survive?" said Captain Holly.
"Captain Holly-rah, I will tell you," replied Pipkin. He cleared his throat and began.
"During the battle, Fiver had told me to stay in the warren. I knew this was the smart thing to do; and I later wished I had listened to my instincts. But I thought Fiver needed my help, and so I left the warren and came out onto the field. The battle was so gruesome, I almost went back inside.
"But before I could, I was butted in the side and fell over. I looked to my side, and saw two fat rabbits coming towards me. One was grey, and one was brown. I immediately jumped up and started running. The rabbits chased me. Fortunately, I was faster than they were, and was able to keep them at my heels for a while.
"I ran for about an hour, I think it was, and began getting very exhausted. I was slowing down. So were the other rabbits, but I saw that they noticed my weakness and so barreled forward faster than ever.
"'We've got him now!' the grey rabbit snarled. Suddenly, I heard a loud bang, and he got knocked over so fast and with a yowl of pain. The other rabbit quickly looked to the side, as did I, and we both saw that a big dog was running towards us. I bolted away immediately, but the brown rabbit was too slow and the dog got him. It was horrible!
"Then, the rabbit that had been chasing me hauled himself up, and picked a black stone out of his shoulder with his teeth. He spat it out and came after me. I ran faster than ever.
"'Get back here!' the rabbit roared. He was very mad. Finally, I slowed to a halt, and he jumped on top of me. He bared his teeth. 'Nothin's going to save you now,' he hissed. 'You're mine!'
"Suddenly, the dog let out a loud bark. The grey rabbits eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. He turned, just in time to see the dog's jaws close on his chest, and swing him up into the air. The dog shook him violently, but then tossed him into a nearby tree. It looked painful. At this time, of course, I had hidden in a small hole which I found, to avoid the dog catching me.
"After another hour, a poked my head out of the hole. The dog was gone. I got out and looked around me. I didn't know the way back to Watership Down! So I walked around for the rest of the day, and then turned in under a willow tree. The next day, I set out again after a lovely breakfast of Dandylion leaves. Soon, however, I came across a big Alfalfa army. They stopped when they saw me. There was a big, black rabbit right at the front of the group, with one of his ears missing."
"Colonel Thornfoot," Holly whispered.
"'What have we here?' he growled. 'A wanderer, no less, in the wild. Little one, what is your name?'
"'P-Pipkin,' I stammered.
"'Pipkin, is it?' said the big rabbit. 'Where are you from?'
"I almost said Watership Down, but then realized this would be very stupid.
"'Nowhere imp-portant,' I said. 'I j-just live in a little b- burrow with my brothers and sisters. P-please don't hurt me!
"'A little lost one!' the biggun laughed. The others laughed, too. I thought it was very rude. 'I'm not going to hurt you. I need to save my strength. But you'd better not get in our way again, or I just might hurt you. Go about your business, and trouble us no more. Onward, soldiers, to Watership Down!' They charged off again. They were headed to Watership Down! Well, at least I knew the way back. I was faster than they were, and so I dogged them for a while, hiding behind rocks and trees, until I knew where I was, and I bounded off ahead, and finally reached the Down. It took me three days to get back here. Some of the guards chased me until I jumped over that silly wall and got into Watership Down and met Bigwig."
The captains and Bigwig listened intently.
"So, Colonel Thornfoot is their new leader," said Captain Holly. "I feared it was so. The colonel is very cunning, and will destroy us. We must send a host to negotiate with them."
"I will go," said Captain Broom.
"I knew I could count on you," Holly replied. "Good. Take with you Blackberry; his cleverness is useful. Lieutenant Willow and Sergeant Pinecone can be your support if violence amounts - take them too. Dandylion might be useful also. He should go."
"Of course, sir," said Captain Broom. "Your planning skills are unmatched."
"Thank you," said Captain Holly. "Now hurry. You must set out immediately! Be swift. Thornfoot is very powerful."
That's all for now! Please review! Also, thanks to my friend bunny-luver for recommending my story! I suggest her story; it's very good.