Originally Written: March 3, 2004
A/N: I'm aware that the abbey tapestry did not exist at the time our story takes place, but that part is left unchanged. I apologize for the discontinuity.
ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE
She watches from her mirror that she holds in her hand. The young mouse maid cannot be with him, but she guards over him although he does not know. Always silent and soft, she watches from her mirror, her brave warrior.
But today she is saddened upon seeing the former-fighter look so defeated; he leans on his unused sword and sits down on the bank of the pond located within the Abbey walls. Redwall, such a lovely place to live, to laugh, to learn, the sanctuary of many creatures mouse and mole alike, even to badgers and otters and hares. Yet, he is cheerless.
Rose knows what he is thinking about, for it is also on her mind. Ten seasons have passed since her death, and while Martin remains at his abbey, she must patiently wait for him on the other side. A pebble is thrown into the waters and creates a ripple effect. The mirror she holds wavers slightly.
He calls her name to the water lilies in bloom.
"Rose…"
The Warrior still weeps for her and a part of him blamed the sword for not being able to protect Rose during that horrid battle. He was her Knight and she his Lady. They could have stayed together and lived in Noonvale. But what was to become of Redwall then?
Martin gazed sadly at his reflection, his young face already creased with battle scars and worry over the safety of his new found family. This was a peaceful time in history, but knowing from experience, it was not always to remain that way. There were many preparations yet to be done, to prepare for the future, the new soldiers in Martin's dreams who would protect Redwall with honour, once he was gone and finally laid to rest. Food provisions and wine cellars to stock, festivals and celebrations to hold… yes, life was never dull at the abbey, there are always new tasks to do.
Save for today, the mouse wanted to do nothing at present but stay in solitude until the sun set in the west. He couldn't forget her and doubted in his mind he would ever be able to. Laterose of Noonvale, affectionately nicknamed Rose, his Rose… Martin sighed a great sigh and needed to quiet the sorrows within his spirit. Looking upon his reflection once more, a timid paw touched the surface of the water, feeling the relaxing coolness of the liquid as it dampened his pads and soothed his mind.
"Martin," a voice called out from underneath the waters. The mouse took a step back for he recognized that voice anywhere. But it couldn't be she.
"Martin," she called out again, "why are you so unhappy?" Leaning over the edge, the Warrior looked into the pool to see not only his reflection, but that of Rose standing directly behind him. She smiled at his surprised face. He spoke her name, hardly daring to believe.
"Please don't look so astonished, Martin. I've always been by your side, you just didn't see me," and he understood immediately what she meant. She was the moon that watched him as he stood sentinel upon the parapets, the candle that flickered by his bedside when he went to retire at night, the breeze that whispered into his soft, velvety ears as the apple blossoms swayed in the misty wind of early spring. Rose had been watching him, while he had been mourning for her all this time. She really never left her dear friend, and he spoke.
"I missed you." On the glass surface of the water, Martin saw her stretch a paw and place it upon his shoulder. Sweet warmth swept through his body, he could feel her touch as if she were alive and breathing. This must be a dream, it must.
And I wish it will never end.
"I've missed you too." she murmured tenderly as the mouse maid knelt beside him on the soft, grassy banks of the abbey pool. Martin raised his own paw and placed it over hers, wondering how he could feel the softness of her fur. This was simply too wonderful to put into words, to be reunited with his Rose especially on this particular day.
"How can you — how can I — why are you here?" He stumbled through his words, utterly confused and delighted both at the same time. The most delicate paw was placed to his lips and hushed him gently. He turned around, and beheld her ethereal form. Breathtaking.
"Don't ask questions, or you'll break the spell…" was all she said, the riddle shining in her bright eyes. But he asked just one more question.
"Will you stay like this, or is it just for today?" Rose tilted her head downwards, "Just for today, but it's all we need, isn't it?" Her glowing smile raised the mouse's spirits and for the first time this week, he laughed.
"Would you like to see the abbey?" She nodded in earnest, being on the other side of the mirror was harder than most thought for it required absolute silence and stealth. Things were hazy in the mirror and it was mostly due to the fog as she watched Martin through the thin glass. Furthermore, the secret that no other creature should know of her spiritual existence, apart from a miniscule orb of light that followed him, was to remain untold. That was the form she usually took, a glowing ball of luminosity that stood in Martin's shadow whenever he went, like a halo of a most revered saint or some inner strength that he radiated, blessing all those who shared in his love for Redwall.
Holding hands, Martin the Warrior escorted his Lady around his beloved home, taking her to the gatehouse, the kitchens, the gardens, and to the tapestry. So caught up was he in her wonderment of the place, he didn't notice that they were the only two beings within the grounds.
"This picture is amazing, Martin, their portrayal of you shows a very high regard." He blushed.
"It's not completed yet, there is much to do." He squeezed her hand just to make sure she was there with him, the afternoon had already passed by quickly and soon the sun will set along with his beloved Rose.
"You're always saying that, is there no time for rest? For play?"
"Not until I'm finally with you." He added, giving her a genuine smile and the maiden laughed, very much like the clear tinkling of silver bells in the early morn. He asked, "What shall we do next?"
"If you don't mind, I want to go back outside, to the pool before I must go," she answered regretfully and Martin felt his heart rise to his throat before dropping down to the bottom of his stomach.
"If you wish."
In companionable silence, the couple made another complete stroll around the abbey grounds before arriving at the spot where she first appeared from the other realm. They sat down on the bank, their feet scooting the surface of the water as Rose leaned on his shoulder. Unable to hold it within for much longer, a sharp voice cut through the smooth air.
"Why did you have to die?" She was taken aback with the desperate sorrow in his voice, which he did not bother to hide. "Why did you have to leave so soon?" A deep pain resided within his eyes and she was saddened at the look of it. Her dear Martin… if only he knew how much his happiness meant to her.
"It was just my time, Martin. I had to go for the sake of the future." Her Warrior shifted his head so that he looked upon her beautiful face. It should have been like this, they should have been together. She was one of his best friends, a true companion, perhaps more than that if they were given the change. And the time. No, time had not been on their side, severing her candle just when it was burning so fiercely with life. Why was he being so selfish? Harsh words spurted from his mouth.
"Then what about our future? Don't tell me you never thought of…" but his words faltered when he saw tears glimmering in her eyes.
"Marrying you so we could live happily ever after? Return to Noonvale, settle down and have my father watch over our young ones?" He nodded and Rose sighed heavily. "Oh, Martin. I've always dreamt of that day ever since I first laid eyes on you, and that was before you knew me." She leaned on his shoulder once again as he held her paws tight. "But you see, you have a much bigger role in this world than I do, you have so much more to give to these creatures of Mossflower and Redwall."
"But what does that make you? If it wasn't for your friendship, I never would have become the warrior monk I am today."
"I am your muse, Martin. Your guardian angel until we are reunited."
"And how long will that be?" She felt his chest tighten and his paws grasp hers, refusing to let her go.
"Not for a while, I'm afraid. On the other side of the mirror, you know I'll be waiting for you."
"An old mouse, you mean." Rose smiled despite his sarcasm and stood up. He did the same.
"No, you'll return to me as the young, brave mouse with a deep passion in his eyes that cannot be quelled — just like that tapestry likeness of you. Please understand, Martin, you've strayed from your destiny these past few days and I am only here in corporeal form to set you back. Don't let the despair rule you, be strong. You are to be a timeless hero in the future, many will look towards you for inspiration and assistance, and you need to be ready to face that. You'll have to wait to see me another time."
"But it's been ten seasons; do you know how long that is?"
"I know." Her eyes spoke truth, "I've spent most of those days hiding in your shadow."
"Will I ever see you again, like this?" Martin looked down at the water's reflection of Rose and he, the sky a soft mixture of baby blue and pink as the sun sank below the horizon, bathing all in the same color as the walls of the abbey. Rose hue…
"I'm not sure, but I would like to think that we will."
"The sun is setting," and not fearing anymore, took a step forward to wrap his arms around the small waist and hold his Rose in a lover's embrace. He never felt so alive, not since she had died. The memory of her broken body still sent chills down his spine and Martin held his maiden even tighter.
"Let's just stay like this a little longer." She whispered, burying her face into his chest, his whiskers tickling the top of her forehead. This was home to her, right where Martin was.
"I love you. Do you know that, Rose?" She raised her head to look into his brown eyes and smiled.
"I know. I love you too."
"Will you always be my Lady?"
"Always." The stretched rays of the sun reached over the walls and fell upon her face, generating a fantastical aura of light around her. She really was his muse.
"I shall always treasure this day… for the rest of my long, hardworking, Rose-dreaming life." he added in a slightly amused tone, grinning down at her. "No more days of lollygagging and wandering. One day, I'll also give up fighting."
"That's nice to hear." It was very comfortable, to be held in his arms just like this. The mouse maiden smiled to herself, her Warrior of Redwall had the most amazing destiny of anyone she had ever known. The mirror had shown her that, bringing up visions of Mariel, Mattias, Cornflower, Mattimeo and many others… including another young mouse named Martin. Redwall would face many dilemmas in the future, some much sooner than others, but it was her Warrior's spirit that gave hope and courage to all.
"What are you thinking of?"
"Nothing much, just how wonderful you are and what you'll mean to all those creatures."
"Thinking about the future again? How can you do that?"
"You worry too much, Martin. On the other side, things are different and then you'll see."
The mouse laid his chin upon the top of her head, contemplating his Lady's words. Is it true what she had proclaimed? Will he really be a legend whose adventurous tales of bravery and comradeship inspire others in his wake? Will Redwall truly be safe? He was just a mouse after all, a young lad from a land far away who arrived in Mossflower just in time to help his comrades. Yes, just a mouse. He rubbed noses with Rose as the thought crossed his mind. But a mouse in love.
"Will you give me something?" The sun had completely disappeared from behind the dark green forest, and already the first stars of the sky had begun to come out.
"Like what, there's nothing I could possibly give. You have Redwall, your sword, your friends…" Martin couldn't help but feel an immense adoration towards Rose, she was always thinking about him, fretting over his well-being. He grinned mischievously.
"A kiss." The maiden blushed crimson as the Warrior gazed fondly into her doe-eyes. "Will you give me my first kiss?" Already, he bent his head lower so that their whiskers touched. Oh dear, he truly was a charmer. Such a sweet, thoughtful, adorable…
"Yes, Martin. I shall give you a kiss." And his lips met hers as two stars, beside the rising moon, happily twinkled above them.
The End.