Chapter Nineteen
Inside the Abbey kitchens, Nipfleet was trapped. Midnight had blocked the doorway by standing there, preventing escape. Friar Horvory was standing in front of him, brandishing his beloved ladle fiercely as he tried his best to sound gruff as he spoke, only resulting in a squeaky voice.
"Look 'ere, laddo, tell us who y'are an' we won't 'urt ye."
"Steady on thar, mah wee squeaky mousie. Ah've done nae 'arm tae ye beasties. All Ah want is a bit o' vittles an' Ah'll be one mah way."
Midnight left the doorway. She stood in front of Nipfleet and nodded at Friar Horvory, who put the ladle down.
"That's all well, but y'still 'aven't told us who ye are. So who are ye?"
Nipfleet, not exactly sure of what to do, bowed deeply and curtsied also, the stood straight up again and winked.
"Mah name's Nipfleet, from thee northern mountains."
Midnight smirked, obviously amused at the hare's antics.
"Is that something y'do at yer old home, matey?"
Nipfleet blinked, then finally realized that his curtsey wasn't the best thing to do. Still, he pushed that thought out of his mind.
"Weely noo, meh wee bairns, care t'tell meh who ye are?"
A ladle snaked out and started waggling under the March hare's nose, and holding the ladle was none other than Friar Horvory.
"Lookit here, Fleetynip, or wote'er ye call yerself, this is my kitchens. Y'don't go 'round orderin' me around. An' I'm not wee. I'm a fair amount older than ye. Gotit?"
Midnight began busying herself in calming the old harvestmouse down, but Nipfleet just chuckled good-naturedly and nodded in an obedient manner.
"Clear as th'sky, auld 'un."
The otter took an immediate liking to the hare, and started pushing him out the kitchen before Horvory could get worked up even more. She grinned nervously and waved goodbye.
"Calm yerself down, Friar, an' I'll take this hare t'the Abbess. She'll know wot t'do wid 'im."
With that, the door slammed shut and the hare and otter were gone.
Azalea the young squirrelmaid flounced around Cavern Hole, placing flowers everywhere. She had recently had an awful fever, which passed only the other day. She was now full of verve as ever before, and the large smile and lively bounce proved it. The excitement of the feast had gotten to the squirrelmaid, and she loved helping out however she could. As she sprung over to the other side of the large dining table, she was bowled over by three other squirrels. Azalea's brother Sandfir helped the squirrelmaid up immediately and said a thousand 'sorry's that she was suddenly getting bored of the word.
"It's okay, Sandy. I'm fine an' alive, see. No bruises, no cuts, no scratches, nothing. Oh, hullo, Toppy an' Peri. Whatcha have in your paws there?"
The squirrel peered closely at the long, green rope-like object that protruded from behind Treetop and Periwinkle. The took it out from behind their backs and showed it to Azalea. It was a long, thin vine, taken from the Abbey east wall. The squirrelmaid looked up at the two older squirrels, her face a picture of curiosity. Treetop suddenly turned a bit red, so Periwinkle did the explaining.
"Toppy was against the idea all along, so I guess I'll do the explaining. I was thinking we could hang the ivy along the walls, and attack flowers to it. That way, we wouldn't have to use up all the Friar's vases. What do you think, Zaley?"
Azalea clapped her paws together in excitement and took the vine from Treetop's and Periwinkle's paws.
"I think it's an excellent idea. I think Friar Horvory was getting' a bit upset that we were usin' up all 'is vases. I'll get started on it ri- yeeks!"
Again, Azalea was almost knocked over by a hasty young squirrel dashing into Cavern Hole. The squirrelmaid glared at Birchleaf, who grinned nervously and began apologizing rapidly, just as Sandfir had done.
"Sorry, I'm so sorry. It'll never happen again. I'm sorry, Azalea, so sorry. Sor-"
"Okay! I git the point, Birchy. Maybe th'Abbess should call it Spring of the Sorrys. The word is getting' dreadfully annoyin'. Righto, so why are ye in a hurry?"
The young squirrel was already making his way out of Cavern Hole, replying over his shoulder as he quickly bounded out.
"I need to find Abbess Sencatina. There are travelers approaching the Abbey!"
Abbess Sencatina peered at Nipfleet over the rim of her cup of mint tea. Her eyes twinkled and she hid a smile as she studied the hare, whose ears were drooping and eyes were downcast. All in all, the March hare made a very humorous sight. Then the old squirrel's gaze wandered up to Midnight, who had a tense smile pasted on her face. She was fidgeting her paws nervously. Manei was also there, for she had also been involved in the situation. The young otter was looking up at the Abbess, awaiting her response. Finally, Sencatina put down her cup and spoke.
"So Manei, you are telling me that Nipfleet one day just appeared when you woke up, and asked for food. Then you went downstairs, stole some food and gave it to Nipfleet?"
The question was more of a statement, but nevertheless, Manei nodded furiously. The old squirrel smiled and continued.
"And Nipfleet, you say you are a hungry traveler from the north, seeking shelter and food. You found the Abbey, weren't sure if we would let you in, so you snuck into the dormitories and asked Manei for food. Then a few days later, you heard of the feast, wanted to attend, and snuck out of the dormitories and to the kitchens, where Midnight and Friar Horvory caught you. Am I correct?"
"Aye, lassie…er, Ah mean Abbess. Right as rain."
"Thank you. And lastly, Midnight, you claim that Friar Horvory was over reacting, so you took Nipfleet to me along with Manei to ask for my judgment."
"That's right marm. I couldn't 'ave said it better meself. So wot do y'say?"
Three pairs of eyes watched the Abbess intently. The squirrel pretended to think carefully, then chuckled and winked at the three.
"I say that Nipfleet will always be welcomed at Redwall Abbey, as long as he remembers that next time, he should knock on the gates instead of sneak in the window. Midnight, go help Friar Horvory in the kitchens. Nipfleet and Manei, make sure you two don't get into any more mischief. Right then, run along you three."
The March hare and two otters nodded at Sencatina gratefully, then headed out the Abbess's chamber. Right when they opened the door, Birchleaf burst in. The young squirrel nodded respectfully at the Abbess before launching into his report.
"Was walkin' 'long th'Abbey roof, marm, when I saw a large bunch o' travelers approaching. They have a big bird wid them, and there are a lot o' otters too. They're probably at the gates now, marm."
**
Kintre finally stopped her strong stride and pointed a paw up at Redwall Abbey, a large beam spread across her face. She turned her face so she was facing the small group of travelers, but her paw never left the Abbey.
"There y'go, mates. Redwall Abbey, home o' the most peaceful creatures in Mossflower Woods. I'm sure y'll enjoy yer stay there. My otters an' I will stay wid yer fer a while, then we'll be returnin' to our Holt. Eh? Hoi, Diathus, Skydrop! Stick wid th'main group."
All eyes turned from the Abbey and looked back to Diathus and Skydrop. The hare and eagle had been lagging behind, conversing softly between themselves. Although they were whispering, their voices were still slightly audible.
"Are ye sure, lassie? I doant mean t'desert ye."
"You ain't desertin' me, Sky. 'Tis simple th'matter that ye kin't stay wid me fer th'rest o' yore life. Ye have a family who y'haven't seen in a while, an' ye have yore own life, too. Y'kin't be my travellin' companion ferever."
The brawn eagle blinked his large eyes, then heaved a sigh.
"Ye speak th'truth, lassie. Long 'ave I longed t'return t'mah family, y'ken. Ah will go, then, but Ah will return fer a visit."
The eagle held out a wing, temporarily forgetting that he could not exactly shake the hare's paw. But Diathus ignored the outstretched paw and hugged the large bird, paws wrapped around his neck.
"Remember Sky, ye promised, so don't ye go ahead an' break it!"
Finally, the haremaid released Skydrop and backed away a few feet, waving goodbye. The eagle nodded his head once before giving his large wings a great flap and took off into the air, shouting out from the sky.
"Kreeeekaaahhh!"
Diathus waved the eagle until he was out of sight, then turned out to face the others, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Well mates, he's gone. He'll visit sometime, he promised. Shall we be off t'Redwall now?"
Kintre nodded, turned around, and continued leading the way to Redwall Abbey. The large group continued on in silence.
Abbess Sencatina looked down from the Abbey rooftop. From there, she could see what was inside and outside the Abbey, which included the large mass of creatures standing in front of the gates. Although she was still spry, the old squirrel's voice wasn't too loud. She was about to call out and hope that the ones outside the Abbey could hear her when Skipper looked over the ramparts and called out, "Kintre, me ole heart's delight, wot's brought ye t'this part o' Mossflower?"
Kintre laughed heartily and waved up at her brother.
"Ahoy, Skip! How's life at the Abbey? Brought some travelers wid me, along wid a hare friend o' mine who'll probably eat yer out o' Abbey an' home!"
The otter crew leader threw his paws up into the air in mock despair, crying out, "Woe on us an' our Abbey! We already 'ave th'Long Patrol a- comin' this way, wid twenty three o' the walkin' stomachs. Now we've got another t'add t'the list."
"Make that two!"
Skipper had already started heading off the battlements when Kintre's strong voice was heard adding another number to the list of hares. The otter crew leader laughed as he reached the gates and began to open them for the travelers and Holt members.
"Birchleaf matey, go tell Friar Horvory that he shouldn't be too surprised if'n two hares come stormin' inter 'is kitchen fer food!"
Inside the Abbey kitchens, Nipfleet was trapped. Midnight had blocked the doorway by standing there, preventing escape. Friar Horvory was standing in front of him, brandishing his beloved ladle fiercely as he tried his best to sound gruff as he spoke, only resulting in a squeaky voice.
"Look 'ere, laddo, tell us who y'are an' we won't 'urt ye."
"Steady on thar, mah wee squeaky mousie. Ah've done nae 'arm tae ye beasties. All Ah want is a bit o' vittles an' Ah'll be one mah way."
Midnight left the doorway. She stood in front of Nipfleet and nodded at Friar Horvory, who put the ladle down.
"That's all well, but y'still 'aven't told us who ye are. So who are ye?"
Nipfleet, not exactly sure of what to do, bowed deeply and curtsied also, the stood straight up again and winked.
"Mah name's Nipfleet, from thee northern mountains."
Midnight smirked, obviously amused at the hare's antics.
"Is that something y'do at yer old home, matey?"
Nipfleet blinked, then finally realized that his curtsey wasn't the best thing to do. Still, he pushed that thought out of his mind.
"Weely noo, meh wee bairns, care t'tell meh who ye are?"
A ladle snaked out and started waggling under the March hare's nose, and holding the ladle was none other than Friar Horvory.
"Lookit here, Fleetynip, or wote'er ye call yerself, this is my kitchens. Y'don't go 'round orderin' me around. An' I'm not wee. I'm a fair amount older than ye. Gotit?"
Midnight began busying herself in calming the old harvestmouse down, but Nipfleet just chuckled good-naturedly and nodded in an obedient manner.
"Clear as th'sky, auld 'un."
The otter took an immediate liking to the hare, and started pushing him out the kitchen before Horvory could get worked up even more. She grinned nervously and waved goodbye.
"Calm yerself down, Friar, an' I'll take this hare t'the Abbess. She'll know wot t'do wid 'im."
With that, the door slammed shut and the hare and otter were gone.
Azalea the young squirrelmaid flounced around Cavern Hole, placing flowers everywhere. She had recently had an awful fever, which passed only the other day. She was now full of verve as ever before, and the large smile and lively bounce proved it. The excitement of the feast had gotten to the squirrelmaid, and she loved helping out however she could. As she sprung over to the other side of the large dining table, she was bowled over by three other squirrels. Azalea's brother Sandfir helped the squirrelmaid up immediately and said a thousand 'sorry's that she was suddenly getting bored of the word.
"It's okay, Sandy. I'm fine an' alive, see. No bruises, no cuts, no scratches, nothing. Oh, hullo, Toppy an' Peri. Whatcha have in your paws there?"
The squirrel peered closely at the long, green rope-like object that protruded from behind Treetop and Periwinkle. The took it out from behind their backs and showed it to Azalea. It was a long, thin vine, taken from the Abbey east wall. The squirrelmaid looked up at the two older squirrels, her face a picture of curiosity. Treetop suddenly turned a bit red, so Periwinkle did the explaining.
"Toppy was against the idea all along, so I guess I'll do the explaining. I was thinking we could hang the ivy along the walls, and attack flowers to it. That way, we wouldn't have to use up all the Friar's vases. What do you think, Zaley?"
Azalea clapped her paws together in excitement and took the vine from Treetop's and Periwinkle's paws.
"I think it's an excellent idea. I think Friar Horvory was getting' a bit upset that we were usin' up all 'is vases. I'll get started on it ri- yeeks!"
Again, Azalea was almost knocked over by a hasty young squirrel dashing into Cavern Hole. The squirrelmaid glared at Birchleaf, who grinned nervously and began apologizing rapidly, just as Sandfir had done.
"Sorry, I'm so sorry. It'll never happen again. I'm sorry, Azalea, so sorry. Sor-"
"Okay! I git the point, Birchy. Maybe th'Abbess should call it Spring of the Sorrys. The word is getting' dreadfully annoyin'. Righto, so why are ye in a hurry?"
The young squirrel was already making his way out of Cavern Hole, replying over his shoulder as he quickly bounded out.
"I need to find Abbess Sencatina. There are travelers approaching the Abbey!"
Abbess Sencatina peered at Nipfleet over the rim of her cup of mint tea. Her eyes twinkled and she hid a smile as she studied the hare, whose ears were drooping and eyes were downcast. All in all, the March hare made a very humorous sight. Then the old squirrel's gaze wandered up to Midnight, who had a tense smile pasted on her face. She was fidgeting her paws nervously. Manei was also there, for she had also been involved in the situation. The young otter was looking up at the Abbess, awaiting her response. Finally, Sencatina put down her cup and spoke.
"So Manei, you are telling me that Nipfleet one day just appeared when you woke up, and asked for food. Then you went downstairs, stole some food and gave it to Nipfleet?"
The question was more of a statement, but nevertheless, Manei nodded furiously. The old squirrel smiled and continued.
"And Nipfleet, you say you are a hungry traveler from the north, seeking shelter and food. You found the Abbey, weren't sure if we would let you in, so you snuck into the dormitories and asked Manei for food. Then a few days later, you heard of the feast, wanted to attend, and snuck out of the dormitories and to the kitchens, where Midnight and Friar Horvory caught you. Am I correct?"
"Aye, lassie…er, Ah mean Abbess. Right as rain."
"Thank you. And lastly, Midnight, you claim that Friar Horvory was over reacting, so you took Nipfleet to me along with Manei to ask for my judgment."
"That's right marm. I couldn't 'ave said it better meself. So wot do y'say?"
Three pairs of eyes watched the Abbess intently. The squirrel pretended to think carefully, then chuckled and winked at the three.
"I say that Nipfleet will always be welcomed at Redwall Abbey, as long as he remembers that next time, he should knock on the gates instead of sneak in the window. Midnight, go help Friar Horvory in the kitchens. Nipfleet and Manei, make sure you two don't get into any more mischief. Right then, run along you three."
The March hare and two otters nodded at Sencatina gratefully, then headed out the Abbess's chamber. Right when they opened the door, Birchleaf burst in. The young squirrel nodded respectfully at the Abbess before launching into his report.
"Was walkin' 'long th'Abbey roof, marm, when I saw a large bunch o' travelers approaching. They have a big bird wid them, and there are a lot o' otters too. They're probably at the gates now, marm."
**
Kintre finally stopped her strong stride and pointed a paw up at Redwall Abbey, a large beam spread across her face. She turned her face so she was facing the small group of travelers, but her paw never left the Abbey.
"There y'go, mates. Redwall Abbey, home o' the most peaceful creatures in Mossflower Woods. I'm sure y'll enjoy yer stay there. My otters an' I will stay wid yer fer a while, then we'll be returnin' to our Holt. Eh? Hoi, Diathus, Skydrop! Stick wid th'main group."
All eyes turned from the Abbey and looked back to Diathus and Skydrop. The hare and eagle had been lagging behind, conversing softly between themselves. Although they were whispering, their voices were still slightly audible.
"Are ye sure, lassie? I doant mean t'desert ye."
"You ain't desertin' me, Sky. 'Tis simple th'matter that ye kin't stay wid me fer th'rest o' yore life. Ye have a family who y'haven't seen in a while, an' ye have yore own life, too. Y'kin't be my travellin' companion ferever."
The brawn eagle blinked his large eyes, then heaved a sigh.
"Ye speak th'truth, lassie. Long 'ave I longed t'return t'mah family, y'ken. Ah will go, then, but Ah will return fer a visit."
The eagle held out a wing, temporarily forgetting that he could not exactly shake the hare's paw. But Diathus ignored the outstretched paw and hugged the large bird, paws wrapped around his neck.
"Remember Sky, ye promised, so don't ye go ahead an' break it!"
Finally, the haremaid released Skydrop and backed away a few feet, waving goodbye. The eagle nodded his head once before giving his large wings a great flap and took off into the air, shouting out from the sky.
"Kreeeekaaahhh!"
Diathus waved the eagle until he was out of sight, then turned out to face the others, wiping tears from her eyes.
"Well mates, he's gone. He'll visit sometime, he promised. Shall we be off t'Redwall now?"
Kintre nodded, turned around, and continued leading the way to Redwall Abbey. The large group continued on in silence.
Abbess Sencatina looked down from the Abbey rooftop. From there, she could see what was inside and outside the Abbey, which included the large mass of creatures standing in front of the gates. Although she was still spry, the old squirrel's voice wasn't too loud. She was about to call out and hope that the ones outside the Abbey could hear her when Skipper looked over the ramparts and called out, "Kintre, me ole heart's delight, wot's brought ye t'this part o' Mossflower?"
Kintre laughed heartily and waved up at her brother.
"Ahoy, Skip! How's life at the Abbey? Brought some travelers wid me, along wid a hare friend o' mine who'll probably eat yer out o' Abbey an' home!"
The otter crew leader threw his paws up into the air in mock despair, crying out, "Woe on us an' our Abbey! We already 'ave th'Long Patrol a- comin' this way, wid twenty three o' the walkin' stomachs. Now we've got another t'add t'the list."
"Make that two!"
Skipper had already started heading off the battlements when Kintre's strong voice was heard adding another number to the list of hares. The otter crew leader laughed as he reached the gates and began to open them for the travelers and Holt members.
"Birchleaf matey, go tell Friar Horvory that he shouldn't be too surprised if'n two hares come stormin' inter 'is kitchen fer food!"