Here it is at last! Man school really slows you up! It's first day so this part's a bit short, but lots of drama for those of you who like that sort of thing. Thanks to jesusfreak7777777 for your support.

Noonvale returns Chapter 4 - the Truth

The next thing anybody knew was that Martin and Grumm were hugging each other so tightly it looked as though their bones might break. Pallum the hedgehog also got up. "Martin!" he said in disbelief.

Grumm broke away. Tears streamed from his eyes. He turned to his friends. "Look yurr pals, et be Marthen!"

The Noonvalers were broken out of their reverie. All of them but one cheered and rushed toward the warrior mouse, leaving Gonff and all those seated at the table to murmur among themselves. Beau chuckled. "Seems our old mousy chap has found himself some old acquaintances, wot!"

Gonff sat himself down. "Well then, we'll just have to wait for them to reacquaint themselves won't we?" No one noticed that Brome hadn't left the table.

Martin was lost under a wave of familiar creatures hugging him and patting him on the back. Ballaw the theatrical hare was shouting, "Done well for yourself young mouse, good-o!" and Pallum was giving everybody some nasty pricks while trying to shake Martin's paw.

It was Rowanoak who finally restored order. Bowling creatures aside with her massive paws, she bellowed, "Move back, there, let him breath!" All of them except Grumm and Pallum backed off.

"Well," said Abbess Germaine in her shaky voice. "What was all that then?" She appeared to be addressing her champion, but Martin didn't answer. Brome was still staring at Martin (and now Grumm and Pallum) as though in a dream. He answered the Abbess in a voice Martin realised was too old for him.

"That is all that remains of the four who went adventuring and brought back an army to save our land from Badrang the Tyrant."

Gonff was the only one on whom this speech didn't have an effect. He only muttered, "wouldn't be the first time either mateys," and fiddled with his dagger. The Redwallers all stared, the others looked respectful.

Martin hung his head. The lie was out. He had lost count of the seasons he'd spent in happiness here, not having to talk about his former life with those who knew nothing about Badrang or Marshank. He also wished Brome hadn't said 'all that remains'.

"Did you have to tell them Brome?" he asked softly, though the room was so quiet that everyone heard.

Brome looked somewhat confused. "They don't know?"

"Do I get the feeling they're talking about us?" said Gonff. Columbine looked at him. He was acting strangely; there was a tone in his voice she had never heard before.

"I swore an oath," Martin reminded Brome.

"Well, yes, but still, I mean, they're your friends, aren't they? Surely it couldn't hurt to." He trailed off. Martin was glaring at him. Pallum put a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"I swore an oath," Martin repeated. "And I kept it. No one in this room knows. Don't you think there was the odd time when I wanted to tell someone so badly it felt like I was going mad? Don't you think it was hardest of all this summer, when I visited my father's caves on the Northland shore and learnt of his death when he came back and found me gone? Don't you think I wanted to explain to his companions," he pointed at Vurg, Beau, Dulam and Denno, "why I wasn't there? And I didn't, I never did, just to protect you. You, and all of Noonvale - " He stopped speaking suddenly, breathing hard. His face had changed from being angry and sad, to being astounded, and afraid. No one could ever remember seeing Martin like that.