Mariel and Dandin: Chapter 4
Card Games
The next morning Mariel awoke to the sounds of loud movement. She heard somebeast yell "OUCH!", followed by Saxtus (that's who she thought it was, at least) shush them quickly. She turned her over and tried to raise her head, but gave up when it started throbbing. Luckily Saxtus saw her and went to her bed.
"Good morning. How do you feel?" he asked.
"Alright, I suppose."
"Liar."
Mariel knew his accusation was true, but she didn't want to tell him so. "Speaking of liars, why did you ask me about that mouse, Mikey, yesterday?"
"Honestly Mariel, there wasn't anything to it? I was merely asking you what you thought of our newest abbey member. I was just seeing if you thought he was an honorable beast who deserved to live here in the abbey."
"Oh," she said shortly, feeling foolish. "I don't feel good at all."
"Ha! I knew you were lying!" exclaimed Saxtus with a grin on his face.
"For the abbot of Redwall, you can be very foolish when you wish to be, Sax," she muttered under her breath.
"What was that?" asked Saxtus jokingly.
"I'm going back to sleep, Sax. See you later."
"Not so fast. Dandin wants to talk to you."]
"Where is he and how long will it take him to get here?"
"He's asleep. He said he stayed up all night, as the first assignment as your official caretaker."
"I don't care what he says, he is NOT my caretaker," replied Mariel hotly. "Just wake him up and say 'Violet is here and she wants to see you.' That'll get him up right away. He'll probably start jumping around."
"Okay, but, err, who's Violet?"
"I'll tell you later."
The Abbot shrugged and wet over to where Dandin was and shook him. "Dandin, Violet is here to see you. Wake up!"
Dandin sat up with a start, looking around wildly and rubbing his face. "What? Violet? She's here? Where?" He stopped asking questions when he heard giggles from Mariel's bed.
"Very funny, Mariel. Hysterical."
"I know... aheeheeheeheeheeheehee. I thought so too!"
Dandin glared at her, while Saxtus stood looking at him curiously. "Violet?"
"Nobody. Just somebeast we met on our trip," said Dandin darkly.
"If it hadn't been considered improper by her family, she probably would have asked Dandin to stay with her," added Mariel, grinning mischievously.
"Ok. enough about her. Why did you wake me up?" asked Dandin, quickly changing the topic.
"You said you wanted to talk to me," reminded Mariel.
"Well, I wanted to ask you if you were okay, but obviously you are fine since you managed to pull a prank on me."
Mariel laughed again. "You know me too well."
"Aye. I'll be here all day, so if you want to play cards or do something later just let me know, alright?"
Mariel nodded, closing her eyes. "Mmhh hmmmm .. Sounds great. You don't have to stay though."
"Yes I do. I'm your caretaker."
"I've told you once, you are no more my caretaker then Gabool was."
"Oh come on, that's a bit harsh. I wouldn't throw you off a cliff."
"Very funny. I'm going to sleep." And she did just that.
Dandin went over to her bed and pulled the blankets over her. He did so with great care not to disturb her.
Saxtus watched Dandin with great interest. (A/N: In a NON slashes way.. Don't get any ideas.. This is NOT a slash fic. I can't picture slash in Redwall.) He noted everything; from the way he was extra gentle with her, to the way he glanced down at her. Maybe...
"I've never really noticed before, but Mariel seems so small... very unlike a warrior. You know what I mean? She looks very fragile, like the slightest thing would break her," Dandin said, breaking Saxtus's thoughts.
"I think that has to do with the recent things that have happened to her. But I agree. She's extremely pretty, and if one didn't know her and didn't know that she was a warrior, they might assume tat she was of high class. Last night the mouse Mikey looked like he was in great admiration of her, though I am not sure. Anyway, about the recent things that have happened, I think she's much more upset about her fathers death then she's letting on."
"She broke down crying yesterday. Just out of nowhere. She said I remind her of her father."
"That's a compliment. She held her father in very high regard, you know."
"Aye." Dandin paused for a second before continuing. "So, you think she's pretty, do you?" he asked, grinning.
"Like you don't?" retorted Saxtus. "I saw you. Don't want her to get cold, you have to fix her blankets for her, huh?"
Dandin scowled at him, and t was returned with a confident smirk.
"Don't feel bad, Dan. Just be glad you fell for her and not somebeast else."
"I've hardly fallen for her: we're just friends."
Saxtus gave him a look that plainly stated his thoughts.
"What, you think we can't just be friends? Take us then, for example. We've been friends since dibbunhood, but I'm not in love with you."
"True, but I'm also not a pretty young mousemaid who is your traveling companion."
"Your point?
"My point is that you're attracted to her. It makes sense, you are young, and, well, what's not to like about Mariel? She's spunky, funny, and she is trustworthy. Another thing, we're in the time of our life when marriage is expected, and young mice will be attracted to those of the opposite gender."
"Oh, and you don't?"
"I'm the abbot, Martin save me, and I can't."
"And I'm a warrior. I could die anytime."
"Your point?"
"My point is that marriage and love are as unrealistic for me as they are for you. I could die in a battle anytime, and there would be nobeast to look after whoever my wife would be."
"Yes but if you love someone and have the option of marrying then why not?"
"That's what I'm getting at! I am not in love, so this isn't an issue for me. You're the one who brought it up."
"Now I'm confused. Forget it."
They both grinned at this.
"I should go. I have abbot-ly duties to see to. I'll come back alter, though. And the medicine is in the office."
"Thanks Sax."
Dandin turned and went back into the room where Mariel was. They had slowly made their way out as they talked. He looked at her sleeping form, confused. HE knew he didn't love her, but some of the things Saxtus said made him wonder.
Though he told Mariel he would stay nearby all day, less than an hour later Dandin was running around outside with the dibbuns. Sitting all night had made him restless, and he decided that Mariel would have to wait. She was asleep anyway.
He romped around in the snow with the dibbuns for what seemed like hours. They had numerous snowball fights, they played snow tag, they made snow forts, and then ended the fun with one huge snow fight, complete with vermin names and lingo, which they picked up from Dandin as he played along. Eventually Mother Mellus came out and took them in, to much protest on the dibbuns side. As it was late afternoon, Dandin decided to go inside and see Mariel as promised.
When he got there, he found her sitting propped up on some pillows, reading a book. He waked over to the bed next to hers and to took a seat.
"How are you?" he asked.
She looked up from her book and responded, "Bred. I've taken up reading old abbey records I'm so bored."
"I meant sickness wise, lunkhead. "
"Lunkhead yourself, frogface. I feel fine, O Froggy One, and I wish everybeast would stop asking me that."
"I'll remember that. And the name is O Mighty Froggy One."
"Whatever you say, frogface," she said impudently. "Lets play cards or something. They're on my bed in my room. I'll go and get them."
"Oh no you wont. You'll stay right here. I know you have them up here. I used them last nigh. You left them on the table."
Mariel scowled at him and took the cards out from under her pillow. "Fine, you win. Do you wanna play poker?"
"I'm not really sure what the point is. You'll win."
Mariel just laughed and dealt out the cards. They were almost finished their first round when Mikey came in to see Mariel.
"Hello Mariel, Dandin. How do you feel?"
"Alright, I guess."
"Especially since she's beating me at our game, I'm sure," added Dandin.
All three of them laughed at Dandin's funny but true comment.
"You don't have to stand there you can sit if you want," offered Mariel.
Mikey agreed and sat down. She started dealing out for a new set, and gave him cards as well.
"I must say I find it surprising that a maid such as yourself would know how to play such a game as poker," said Mikey. "Sand even more surprising that you are beating both of us."
"I'm not like other maids. 'I'm not the stereotypical mousemaid. I'm a warrior. I know things and have been exposed to things that most will never see in their lifetime."
As soon as she said this, Dandin thought of what he had said to Saxtus the previous night. When he reflected on it, he realized that he had been crazy. She wasn't fragile, and the slightest little thing wouldn't break her up.
"I know you aren't like other maids. I could tell that when I first met you. I'm just surprised that your parents allowed you to learn," clarified Mikey.
"My father," she said.
"What?"
"My father allowed it. Not my parents. Just my father."
An awkward silence followed this. Mikey broke it two very long minutes later. "Well, I fold. I don't have anything," he said.
"I've got two pair, aces and nines," Dandin said, laying out his cards.
"Flush in clubs," Mariel said triumphantly putting another tally next to her name under the score sheet.
"I vote we just proclaim Mariel the winner," suggested Dandin to Mikey. "She's beating me by five and you by four."
"Aye, I agree."
"But then how will I do to occupy myself?" she asked, yawning.
"You look tired. Go to sleep. I'll play again later," said Dandin.
"Aye. Get your rest so you're better," agreed Mikey.
"Okay," she agreed, yawning again. "Thanks for making me un-bored."
The two mice laughed and left her to her pillow. Mariel sat back and let her thoughts drift. She thought of her father mostly, but not about how much she missed him. She thought more about how much good he did. It was then that she vowed to herself that from then on she wouldn't cry about his death any more. She vowed to stop grieving and to get on with her life. After all this self-promising, she fell asleep.
A/N: One quick note.
Starose: Hmm. the name thing. never occurred to me before. But good point. Should I change it, or would that be too confusing? He hasn't had a big part yet, but he has a semi- big one later. Anyone who has an opinion, please email me (e-mail in my info) or something. Thanks for telling me about this!!!!!
Card Games
The next morning Mariel awoke to the sounds of loud movement. She heard somebeast yell "OUCH!", followed by Saxtus (that's who she thought it was, at least) shush them quickly. She turned her over and tried to raise her head, but gave up when it started throbbing. Luckily Saxtus saw her and went to her bed.
"Good morning. How do you feel?" he asked.
"Alright, I suppose."
"Liar."
Mariel knew his accusation was true, but she didn't want to tell him so. "Speaking of liars, why did you ask me about that mouse, Mikey, yesterday?"
"Honestly Mariel, there wasn't anything to it? I was merely asking you what you thought of our newest abbey member. I was just seeing if you thought he was an honorable beast who deserved to live here in the abbey."
"Oh," she said shortly, feeling foolish. "I don't feel good at all."
"Ha! I knew you were lying!" exclaimed Saxtus with a grin on his face.
"For the abbot of Redwall, you can be very foolish when you wish to be, Sax," she muttered under her breath.
"What was that?" asked Saxtus jokingly.
"I'm going back to sleep, Sax. See you later."
"Not so fast. Dandin wants to talk to you."]
"Where is he and how long will it take him to get here?"
"He's asleep. He said he stayed up all night, as the first assignment as your official caretaker."
"I don't care what he says, he is NOT my caretaker," replied Mariel hotly. "Just wake him up and say 'Violet is here and she wants to see you.' That'll get him up right away. He'll probably start jumping around."
"Okay, but, err, who's Violet?"
"I'll tell you later."
The Abbot shrugged and wet over to where Dandin was and shook him. "Dandin, Violet is here to see you. Wake up!"
Dandin sat up with a start, looking around wildly and rubbing his face. "What? Violet? She's here? Where?" He stopped asking questions when he heard giggles from Mariel's bed.
"Very funny, Mariel. Hysterical."
"I know... aheeheeheeheeheeheehee. I thought so too!"
Dandin glared at her, while Saxtus stood looking at him curiously. "Violet?"
"Nobody. Just somebeast we met on our trip," said Dandin darkly.
"If it hadn't been considered improper by her family, she probably would have asked Dandin to stay with her," added Mariel, grinning mischievously.
"Ok. enough about her. Why did you wake me up?" asked Dandin, quickly changing the topic.
"You said you wanted to talk to me," reminded Mariel.
"Well, I wanted to ask you if you were okay, but obviously you are fine since you managed to pull a prank on me."
Mariel laughed again. "You know me too well."
"Aye. I'll be here all day, so if you want to play cards or do something later just let me know, alright?"
Mariel nodded, closing her eyes. "Mmhh hmmmm .. Sounds great. You don't have to stay though."
"Yes I do. I'm your caretaker."
"I've told you once, you are no more my caretaker then Gabool was."
"Oh come on, that's a bit harsh. I wouldn't throw you off a cliff."
"Very funny. I'm going to sleep." And she did just that.
Dandin went over to her bed and pulled the blankets over her. He did so with great care not to disturb her.
Saxtus watched Dandin with great interest. (A/N: In a NON slashes way.. Don't get any ideas.. This is NOT a slash fic. I can't picture slash in Redwall.) He noted everything; from the way he was extra gentle with her, to the way he glanced down at her. Maybe...
"I've never really noticed before, but Mariel seems so small... very unlike a warrior. You know what I mean? She looks very fragile, like the slightest thing would break her," Dandin said, breaking Saxtus's thoughts.
"I think that has to do with the recent things that have happened to her. But I agree. She's extremely pretty, and if one didn't know her and didn't know that she was a warrior, they might assume tat she was of high class. Last night the mouse Mikey looked like he was in great admiration of her, though I am not sure. Anyway, about the recent things that have happened, I think she's much more upset about her fathers death then she's letting on."
"She broke down crying yesterday. Just out of nowhere. She said I remind her of her father."
"That's a compliment. She held her father in very high regard, you know."
"Aye." Dandin paused for a second before continuing. "So, you think she's pretty, do you?" he asked, grinning.
"Like you don't?" retorted Saxtus. "I saw you. Don't want her to get cold, you have to fix her blankets for her, huh?"
Dandin scowled at him, and t was returned with a confident smirk.
"Don't feel bad, Dan. Just be glad you fell for her and not somebeast else."
"I've hardly fallen for her: we're just friends."
Saxtus gave him a look that plainly stated his thoughts.
"What, you think we can't just be friends? Take us then, for example. We've been friends since dibbunhood, but I'm not in love with you."
"True, but I'm also not a pretty young mousemaid who is your traveling companion."
"Your point?
"My point is that you're attracted to her. It makes sense, you are young, and, well, what's not to like about Mariel? She's spunky, funny, and she is trustworthy. Another thing, we're in the time of our life when marriage is expected, and young mice will be attracted to those of the opposite gender."
"Oh, and you don't?"
"I'm the abbot, Martin save me, and I can't."
"And I'm a warrior. I could die anytime."
"Your point?"
"My point is that marriage and love are as unrealistic for me as they are for you. I could die in a battle anytime, and there would be nobeast to look after whoever my wife would be."
"Yes but if you love someone and have the option of marrying then why not?"
"That's what I'm getting at! I am not in love, so this isn't an issue for me. You're the one who brought it up."
"Now I'm confused. Forget it."
They both grinned at this.
"I should go. I have abbot-ly duties to see to. I'll come back alter, though. And the medicine is in the office."
"Thanks Sax."
Dandin turned and went back into the room where Mariel was. They had slowly made their way out as they talked. He looked at her sleeping form, confused. HE knew he didn't love her, but some of the things Saxtus said made him wonder.
Though he told Mariel he would stay nearby all day, less than an hour later Dandin was running around outside with the dibbuns. Sitting all night had made him restless, and he decided that Mariel would have to wait. She was asleep anyway.
He romped around in the snow with the dibbuns for what seemed like hours. They had numerous snowball fights, they played snow tag, they made snow forts, and then ended the fun with one huge snow fight, complete with vermin names and lingo, which they picked up from Dandin as he played along. Eventually Mother Mellus came out and took them in, to much protest on the dibbuns side. As it was late afternoon, Dandin decided to go inside and see Mariel as promised.
When he got there, he found her sitting propped up on some pillows, reading a book. He waked over to the bed next to hers and to took a seat.
"How are you?" he asked.
She looked up from her book and responded, "Bred. I've taken up reading old abbey records I'm so bored."
"I meant sickness wise, lunkhead. "
"Lunkhead yourself, frogface. I feel fine, O Froggy One, and I wish everybeast would stop asking me that."
"I'll remember that. And the name is O Mighty Froggy One."
"Whatever you say, frogface," she said impudently. "Lets play cards or something. They're on my bed in my room. I'll go and get them."
"Oh no you wont. You'll stay right here. I know you have them up here. I used them last nigh. You left them on the table."
Mariel scowled at him and took the cards out from under her pillow. "Fine, you win. Do you wanna play poker?"
"I'm not really sure what the point is. You'll win."
Mariel just laughed and dealt out the cards. They were almost finished their first round when Mikey came in to see Mariel.
"Hello Mariel, Dandin. How do you feel?"
"Alright, I guess."
"Especially since she's beating me at our game, I'm sure," added Dandin.
All three of them laughed at Dandin's funny but true comment.
"You don't have to stand there you can sit if you want," offered Mariel.
Mikey agreed and sat down. She started dealing out for a new set, and gave him cards as well.
"I must say I find it surprising that a maid such as yourself would know how to play such a game as poker," said Mikey. "Sand even more surprising that you are beating both of us."
"I'm not like other maids. 'I'm not the stereotypical mousemaid. I'm a warrior. I know things and have been exposed to things that most will never see in their lifetime."
As soon as she said this, Dandin thought of what he had said to Saxtus the previous night. When he reflected on it, he realized that he had been crazy. She wasn't fragile, and the slightest little thing wouldn't break her up.
"I know you aren't like other maids. I could tell that when I first met you. I'm just surprised that your parents allowed you to learn," clarified Mikey.
"My father," she said.
"What?"
"My father allowed it. Not my parents. Just my father."
An awkward silence followed this. Mikey broke it two very long minutes later. "Well, I fold. I don't have anything," he said.
"I've got two pair, aces and nines," Dandin said, laying out his cards.
"Flush in clubs," Mariel said triumphantly putting another tally next to her name under the score sheet.
"I vote we just proclaim Mariel the winner," suggested Dandin to Mikey. "She's beating me by five and you by four."
"Aye, I agree."
"But then how will I do to occupy myself?" she asked, yawning.
"You look tired. Go to sleep. I'll play again later," said Dandin.
"Aye. Get your rest so you're better," agreed Mikey.
"Okay," she agreed, yawning again. "Thanks for making me un-bored."
The two mice laughed and left her to her pillow. Mariel sat back and let her thoughts drift. She thought of her father mostly, but not about how much she missed him. She thought more about how much good he did. It was then that she vowed to herself that from then on she wouldn't cry about his death any more. She vowed to stop grieving and to get on with her life. After all this self-promising, she fell asleep.
A/N: One quick note.
Starose: Hmm. the name thing. never occurred to me before. But good point. Should I change it, or would that be too confusing? He hasn't had a big part yet, but he has a semi- big one later. Anyone who has an opinion, please email me (e-mail in my info) or something. Thanks for telling me about this!!!!!