Part Two - New Grotto

"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and everyone else." 1 Thessalonians 5:15, NIV

Grotto Warren changed forever when Cypress and his bloodthirsty army was destroyed at Ivy's warren. No one knew what to do when Cypress didn't return victorious from his mission of destruction. Many would not believe the news brought back by the two messenger does that Cypress had pressed into service, and who had survived to return. There was a period of confusion and anxiety with the absence of leadership. Some still thought that Cypress would eventually return, but this belief waned as more Grotton survivors returned home.

Those survivors related the tale of how Cypress' forces were quickly obliterated, but emphasized the fact that the wounded Grottons were nursed back to health and unconditionally freed by the victors. They told how Ivy had wanted this, and how after he and Cypress died in the final battle, the new Chief General Hrairah had also insisted that forgiveness be shown to the Grottons.

That was quite the concept for a warren used to the cruel antics of Chief Cypress. He would never release prisoners; rather, he would take pleasure in having them randomly tortured and executed for the smallest crimes that Cypress would perceive had been committed. No one in the warren would dare speak out, though, for fear of suffering the same fate. To Chief Cypress, all rabbits except himself and his most loyal Owsla and Council were expendable.

After a few days of Cypress' absence, a power struggle began to emerge. One of the older rabbits, named Walnut, felt that Grotto should become more like General Hrairah's warren, as it was obvious where Cypress' ways had gotten him and his followers. But, the rabbits that had been sent to containment by Cypress after their failed earlier raid on Ivy's warren - led by Spleenwort - had other ideas. They conveniently released themselves from their punishment upon word of Chief Cypress' death, and tried to set Spleenwort up as the new Chief.

Fortunately, the other Grottons had had enough of the legacy of Cypress. They all unanimously rallied behind Walnut and faced the would-be coup leaders. Spleenwort's group was terribly outnumbered, and after a brief struggle, in which several rabbits were hurt but fortunately none killed, Spleenwort and his friends were ejected from Grotto for good. They were never seen or heard of again in the region.

After the coup attempt, it was universally accepted that Walnut was the new Chief of Grotto Warren. He immediately sent an envoy to General Hrairah declaring Grotto's new peaceful way of life, and even to ask for advice. To Chief Walnut's surprise and joy, General Hrairah himself showed up in response.

"It's an honour to have you here, my friend," said Walnut, "Welcome to my warren."

"It's a pleasure to be here," replied General Hrairah, "and I'm glad to hear of your rah-ship here, and your plans for Grotto."

"Cypress is a memory," assured Walnut, "hopefully not even that someday. But, what I really needed was just some guidance. I know we're both new Chiefs, but you already have a reputation for wisdom. I mean, I'm hrair years of age, and you are only one, right? You have to be very wise to be a Chief while so young!"

General Hrairah looked away humbly. "Thank you. I'd be glad to share ideas, Walnut, and I'm sure at your age, you've plenty of wisdom to go around yourself. I propose we meet at least once per cycle of Inle, to share advice and news. How does that sound?"

"Consider it done."

So, regular meetings were held each month, hosted alternately by each warren. The meetings became quite an event, earnestly anticipated by everyone. It not only was used by the Chiefs and Owsla Captains to exchange advice and news, but also for telling stories, which is a favourite lapine pastime. A storyteller from one warren would accompany his Chief and share his or her tales with the other warren.

***

The first winter of peace between Grotto and General Hrairah's warren was a severe one. The journey between the two warrens was made difficult by the deep snow and biting winds, but none of the meetings were missed.

On one winter day, while the rabbits were gathered on the silf after one of the meetings that was held at General Hrairah's warren, Walnut mentioned that it was odd that the warren had no agreed-upon name. It had been known as Ivy's warren, and now it was known by the name of its new Chief. "Every other warren I have heard of has been named - why not yours?"

"I guess we've never had the need for one," replied General Hrairah, "but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have one. Any suggestions?"

"I don't know; what comes to your mind?" prodded Walnut.

"Hmmm..." Chief Hrairah looked around, "What do I see? Ah! There's a cloud, and there's a tree! How about 'Cloudtree'?"

More than half of the rabbits within earshot made an earnest attempt to stifle snickers. Many of the rest failed to suppress their laughter. Brilliant, Walnut-rah, thought Oaktrunk with amusement and mild annoyance, Now that's going to be our name. However, in the long run, most felt the warren's new name to be as good as any, and the name remained.

***

In the late winter after Cloudtree Warren was named, the Grottons received quite a test of their new outlook on life. It all began when a young hlessi - a doe - was found wandering and apparently lost in the snow and cold near the warren. She reported that she had managed to escape a distant rabbit hutch. That was apparent, given the strong scent of man on her - and that was a major problem for the Grottons who found her.

"Who are you, hlessi?" demanded Beet, the Grotton Owsla Captain, in an openly hostile tone.

"I-I... my n-name is F-Fawn," replied the shivering doe, "c-could I p- please st-stay with your warren? I've n-nowhere to g-go."

"Nowhere to go; you've got that right, hlessi!" growled Beet, pinning Fawn roughly down in the snow, "Don't you know what happens to rabbits that stink of humans?" He called to several other rabbits that by now had gathered to see the commotion, "Here! Help me kill this hlessi before she attracts every human around!"

At this, Fawn squealed in terror and struggled in vain to escape. "No! Please! Don't do this! Please!"

The other Owsla had gathered around the now sobbing Fawn, sparked to anger by the human scent on her. Just then, another Grotton saw the commotion and came over to investigate. "What's happening?" he inquired..

"You stay out of this, Restharrow!" snapped Beet, "This is for the Owsla to handle!"

***

Restharrow had been in the Grotton Owsla under Cypress, but had left the Owsla for good after his experience during the attack on Ivy's warren. Unlike the others who were in that raid, Restharrow wasn't a true volunteer to attack and destroy Ivy's warren. His father and older brother, who both jumped to volunteer to join the bloodletting, had dragged him into the whole sordid affair against his will. He had never felt that it was right, but there was no escape. To refuse would have meant being branded a traitor, as his father was one of Cypress' closest advisors. His father's position enabled Restharrow to get into the Owsla despite being only one year of age at the time.

When the time came to attack the enemy by raiding each of the entrances to Ivy's warren two Grottons at a time, his father had forced Restharrow to go with him. Restharrow shuddered to remember what happened next:

"Sir, I can smell rabbits here." (His father always insisted on being addressed as "sir", even by his own sons.)

"No kidding, you think? You idiot!" snapped his father.

"Sir, I don't feel good about this," whispered Restharrow.

"You want me to tell Cypress that you said that?"

Then, they were set upon. His father was killed, and Restharrow had begged for mercy, after which he was cuffed repeatedly. When he had awoken some time later, a doe by the name of Crystal was tending to him and several other wounded Grottons.

"What's your name, son?" asked Crystal, making note of his youthful appearance.

"Restharrow, ma'am. Are you going to kill me?" he squeaked.

"No, Restharrow," said Crystal softly, with a reassuring look, "rather, when you feel you are better, you are free to leave."

"Thank you, ma'am." He got up, but a sudden splitting headache made him lie down again. "Maybe not yet," he finished weakly.

After spending two more days there, and witnessing General Hrairah becoming the new Chief, Restharrow decided to return to Grotto. He would never forget the kindness shown him, despite being part of an invasion bent on destroying Ivy's warren.

***

Restharrow's focus returned to the present. "You're going to kill her just because she smells of humans, aren't you?"

"Why, of course," replied Beet, "We can't have men wandering around here, now can we?"

"But don't you remember the story of General Hrairah? He smelled of man, too, when he arrived at Ivy's warren, and he ended up helping save them from Cypress. Give that poor hlessi a chance, at least."

"What's this about?" demanded Walnut, who had just arrived on the scene.

"We're just getting rid of a human's pet, sir." replied Beet.

"No, you are NOT" growled Restharrow.

"And why is that, hmm? Do you think that a civilian can order an Owsla member around?" Beet pressed his face into Restharrow's, his growl matching Restharrow's.

"I choose her as my mate, so let her be!" stated Restharrow firmly. Fawn looked up in surprise, tears running down her cheeks.

Chief Walnut immediately caught onto Restharrow's idea. "Well, that settles it, then. She is no longer a hlessi, but a member of our warren, and is to be treated as such."

"But Chief," protested Beet, "What about-"

"This issue is settled, Beet," Walnut flatly cut in, "leave her alone." He looked at the doe and asked, "What is your name, then?"

"Fawn, sir."

"Good to meet you, Fawn," said Restharrow, giving a grateful glance to Walnut, "let me show you our warren."

Fawn, shaken by her experience, nodded in agreement and stayed close to Restharrow as he showed his mate around her new home. Their first litter was in mid-spring.

Chief Walnut gave a long lecture to Beet after that incident regarding welcoming strangers, regardless of what instinct told him about man-scented hlessil. "Haven't you heard of Hazel-rah of Watership Down?" Walnut had said, "He didn't kill hlessil that smelled of man, he protected them." Walnut had, during the Rah meetings, listened carefully to all that General Hrairah and his warren knew of the rabbits of Watership Down, a warren of old that Cloudtree Warren obviously respected greatly and held as a standard to live up to.

Beet eventually saw reason, ashamed that he hadn't been fully able to shake Cypress' legacy. He apologized to Fawn, and then to his own mate Pipit, whom he knew was upset at how he had treated the new doe. Then, after apologizing to the rest of the warren, he was glad to help carry out Walnut's new policy of welcoming any rabbit that may wander through, regardless of man-scent or any other circumstances.

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