AUTHOR'S NOTE: God, between viruses and homework, this took FOREVER!
Anyway, here's chapter three, and, as I'm sure you'll notice, it is in
third person POV. For those who are wondering about the plotline, I've
decided to make this an AU where most (if not all) of the Marlfoxes
survive. In fact, it might just have a happy ending. *gasp*
Gelltor: OMG! A ~happy~ ending?! That's practically unheard of for us Marlfoxes. Usually you evil authors like to make things as angsty as possible. *mutters darkly under his breath about revenge*
DISCLAIMER: Plot is mine but the characters belong to Brian Jacques.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter Three: The Plan Gone Awry
~~~*~~~
Gelltor carefully made a bandage out of white linen and an herbal salve the Marlfoxes carried. [A/N: Yes, I know it's dock leaves, sorrel, and mud in the book, but I think this is more sanitary, so shoot me.] He was stoically focusing on tending his injury and ignoring his siblings except for Predak who's paw gently brushed against his good shoulder in sympathy.
The Marlfox tried doggedly to stop the humiliating memories of the last "attack" from surfacing, but it was like his brain was stuck in rewind. . .
***FLASHBACK***
"Mmff! Grmmf! Should've cut a wider gap fer this t'go through!"
"Owch! Y've trapped me paw. Leggo, I can do it!"
Gelltor rolled his eyes in annoyance as the four rats continued to bicker and whine about who could open the gate fastest. It was really a wonder Fatchur could concentrate on his task at all!
The Marlfox impatiently whacked the maple tree he was leaning against and called out, "Hurry it up, Fatchur. What's the matter? I thought you were supposed to be good at opening locks."
Suddenly there was a clatter of metal on metal. Gelltor winced, hoping no one from the abbey had heard anything. Then Fatchur turned to the Marlfox triumphantly. "I think I've got it, sire. The hook's over the bolt end!"
Gelltor nodded, but before he could give further orders, a loud THWOK! echoed through the air. Fatchur's body collapsed to the ground, a sling stone had slain him instantly. The surprised Marlfox glanced quickly upward at the walltop where two squirrels stood. One was holding an empty sling, and the other was poised to throw a javelin. Realizing the danger he was in, Gelltor tried to dodge out of the way. Had he been any slower, he would have died. As it is, the javelin buried itself in his right shoulder and pinned Gelltor to the tree he was leaning on. The Marlfox stifled a shriek as he tore his cloak - and flesh - free before crawling on all fours to get out of range. Behind him, the three remaining water rats ran for cover too, and a stone from the squirrel's sling cracked against the last one's tail sending him yelping through the forest.
***END FLASHBACK***
Gelltor grit his teeth slightly. Although the wounds of mortification were just as fresh as the gash on his shoulder, the glares from most of his brothers and sisters were even more tangible. Once again, all the Marlfoxes and water rat captains were gathered around the central campfire eating trout and preparing a new plan of attack. But the meeting had hardly begun before Mokkan spat a fishbone in Gelltor's direction and started berating him for his failure the night before.
"Blitherin' oaf!" You made a right mess of that plan. Now the Redwallers are sure to know we're about!"
Predak reached forward and took a piece of the trout. She delicately ate a bite of the smoked fish before coming to her twin's defense. "They probably already knew we were in Mossflower if they have half a brain between them. Don't blame Gelltor. I don't think you could have done any better."
Gelltor smiled inwardly. He could always count on Predak to stick by him. However, this time it seemed her loyalty would not be nearly enough.
Mokkan thoroughly wiped his paws clean on the grass and continued mocking his injured brother. "A Marlfox getting himself wounded by a squirrel, and losing a good water rat into the bargain. Tell me, Gelltor, d'you think I could have done better?"
Gelltor was well aware that his most dignified choice would be to simply let the conversation drop. However, recklessness won out over common sense, and the Marlfox declared, "They'll get back more than they gave when I start on them. I'll slay ten for killing Fatchur and twenty for injuring me!"
Mokkan shook his head in disbelief. Why was Gelltor setting himself up like this?! Gelltor KNEW that they hadn't come here to fight. Did he WANT his brother to further humiliate him? If that was the case, Mokkan was happy to oblige. "You don't understand, stupid. We came to steal, not to start a war. Where's the profit in that?"
Although Gelltor inwardly agreed with his brother, he now had Mokkan's undivided attention, and - despite the coming embarrassment - he wished to keep it this way for a few minutes more. //At least he's focused on me//, Gelltor thought ruefully as he questioned his siblings, "Blood for blood, I say. Who's with me?"
To Gelltor's surprise, it was Ziral who answered him, not Mokkan. "It's not blood for blood unless somebeast kills a Marlfox. That's our law, brother. Mokkan's right. We came for plunder and Redwall Abbey is the only place worth thieving from. You messed things up, got yourself wounded and lost Fatchur. None of us is with you!"
Mokkan meticulously cleaned his teeth with a fishbone before agreeing with his sister. The eldest Marlfox had been looking for an excuse to add more insult to his brother's injury, and Gelltor was practically begging for it. "See, for the moment we're robbers, not killers. Haven't you got it into that thick skull of yours? High Queen Silth must be surrounded by beauty. Rich, wonderful things, that's what we need to bring back to the island. Imagine what she'd do if we staggered back to Castle Marl with half our number dead because we'd started an all-out war with the beasts of Redwall?"
Gelltor slumped back onto one of the fallen logs, adjusting the bandages over his wound. "Aarh! I don't see the sense to it, trampin' around the woodlands just to rob stuff to please that crazy old relic. It's daft."
Abruptly, Ascrod - who had not uttered a word so far - spoke up. "Listen, brother, we're storing up these valuables for ourselves. Remember, one day our mother will be dead - maybe sooner than we think, considering her age. When that day comes, we will rule the island together. Castle Marl, everything will be ours!"
Ziral gave a short chuckle although it lacked all humor. "Not according to Mokkan. He says we'll kill each other off until there's only one left to rule, right, Mokkan?"
Mokkan shrugged with faked indifference. "Who can tell? I say let the future look after itself."
"But sometimes the future isn't always what you think it to be," Gelltor countered nonchalantly. "Sometimes you just. . .stumble into things and have a change of heart."
At this point, Gelltor turned and looked his older brother right in the eyes. Mokkan barely managed to bite back a growl. It was almost like Gelltor could see straight through him to his confused heart and clamor of emotions, and Mokkan hated it. But instead of snapping back, the agitated Marlfox stood up and started walking away.
"Mokkan!" Vannan called. "We need to plan our next attack! Where are you going?"
The older Marlfox paused for a moment and glared over his shoulder as he snarled, "I'm going to get some rest!"
Predak solemnly shook her head at Mokkan's retreating form and muttered, "Asshole!" under her breath. And yet, all the Marlfox siblings were surprised. This was the first time Mokkan had EVER walked away from an argument.
~~~
As soon as he entered his secluded clearing, Mokkan drew his ax and swung it at a sycamore, burying the blade in the unrelenting wood. Collapsing to his knees in the cool grass, the Marlfox let out a shaky sigh. He despised his lack of control and composure. But, to be honest, Mokkan could barely take the confidence Gelltor so easily spoke with. The Marlfox had been so nervous when he found out that his brother had nearly died.
//Does he have any idea how upset I was?// Mokkan thought. //When those three rats returned but Gelltor didn't, did he realize how overwhelmed with grief I was? By the fang, it shouldn't have mattered to me so much!//
The Marlfox glared upward at the violet-hued heavens. Although it was still twilight, a few stars were already visible. "Why?!" he called to the sky. "Why is this happening to ME?! This is all so wrong. Gelltor's not supposed to love me, and I shouldn't care about HIM! None of this should be transpiring! Everything's gone awry!"
With another forlorn sigh, Mokkan stalked out of the clearing almost defeatedly. The Marlfox was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he didn't even realize Gelltor had been standing in the shadows listening to every word he'd said.
~To be continued. . .~
~*~*~*~*~*~
AUTHOR'S NOTE: As always, please R&R. A little warning to those who are weak in stomach, there will definitely be a lemon in the next chapter (whenever I manage to finish it). . .and, of course, the rating will jump right up to an R. We also find out that Mokkan is -
Mokkan: SHUT UP!
VampCat: *exasperatedly* Oh, now look what you've done! You broke my chain of thought. *shrugs* I guess the readers will have to wait until the next chappie to find out.
All the Marlfox siblings except for Mokkan: *snickering because they've seen VampCat's notes for the next chapter and know what she's talking about*
Gelltor: OMG! A ~happy~ ending?! That's practically unheard of for us Marlfoxes. Usually you evil authors like to make things as angsty as possible. *mutters darkly under his breath about revenge*
DISCLAIMER: Plot is mine but the characters belong to Brian Jacques.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter Three: The Plan Gone Awry
~~~*~~~
Gelltor carefully made a bandage out of white linen and an herbal salve the Marlfoxes carried. [A/N: Yes, I know it's dock leaves, sorrel, and mud in the book, but I think this is more sanitary, so shoot me.] He was stoically focusing on tending his injury and ignoring his siblings except for Predak who's paw gently brushed against his good shoulder in sympathy.
The Marlfox tried doggedly to stop the humiliating memories of the last "attack" from surfacing, but it was like his brain was stuck in rewind. . .
***FLASHBACK***
"Mmff! Grmmf! Should've cut a wider gap fer this t'go through!"
"Owch! Y've trapped me paw. Leggo, I can do it!"
Gelltor rolled his eyes in annoyance as the four rats continued to bicker and whine about who could open the gate fastest. It was really a wonder Fatchur could concentrate on his task at all!
The Marlfox impatiently whacked the maple tree he was leaning against and called out, "Hurry it up, Fatchur. What's the matter? I thought you were supposed to be good at opening locks."
Suddenly there was a clatter of metal on metal. Gelltor winced, hoping no one from the abbey had heard anything. Then Fatchur turned to the Marlfox triumphantly. "I think I've got it, sire. The hook's over the bolt end!"
Gelltor nodded, but before he could give further orders, a loud THWOK! echoed through the air. Fatchur's body collapsed to the ground, a sling stone had slain him instantly. The surprised Marlfox glanced quickly upward at the walltop where two squirrels stood. One was holding an empty sling, and the other was poised to throw a javelin. Realizing the danger he was in, Gelltor tried to dodge out of the way. Had he been any slower, he would have died. As it is, the javelin buried itself in his right shoulder and pinned Gelltor to the tree he was leaning on. The Marlfox stifled a shriek as he tore his cloak - and flesh - free before crawling on all fours to get out of range. Behind him, the three remaining water rats ran for cover too, and a stone from the squirrel's sling cracked against the last one's tail sending him yelping through the forest.
***END FLASHBACK***
Gelltor grit his teeth slightly. Although the wounds of mortification were just as fresh as the gash on his shoulder, the glares from most of his brothers and sisters were even more tangible. Once again, all the Marlfoxes and water rat captains were gathered around the central campfire eating trout and preparing a new plan of attack. But the meeting had hardly begun before Mokkan spat a fishbone in Gelltor's direction and started berating him for his failure the night before.
"Blitherin' oaf!" You made a right mess of that plan. Now the Redwallers are sure to know we're about!"
Predak reached forward and took a piece of the trout. She delicately ate a bite of the smoked fish before coming to her twin's defense. "They probably already knew we were in Mossflower if they have half a brain between them. Don't blame Gelltor. I don't think you could have done any better."
Gelltor smiled inwardly. He could always count on Predak to stick by him. However, this time it seemed her loyalty would not be nearly enough.
Mokkan thoroughly wiped his paws clean on the grass and continued mocking his injured brother. "A Marlfox getting himself wounded by a squirrel, and losing a good water rat into the bargain. Tell me, Gelltor, d'you think I could have done better?"
Gelltor was well aware that his most dignified choice would be to simply let the conversation drop. However, recklessness won out over common sense, and the Marlfox declared, "They'll get back more than they gave when I start on them. I'll slay ten for killing Fatchur and twenty for injuring me!"
Mokkan shook his head in disbelief. Why was Gelltor setting himself up like this?! Gelltor KNEW that they hadn't come here to fight. Did he WANT his brother to further humiliate him? If that was the case, Mokkan was happy to oblige. "You don't understand, stupid. We came to steal, not to start a war. Where's the profit in that?"
Although Gelltor inwardly agreed with his brother, he now had Mokkan's undivided attention, and - despite the coming embarrassment - he wished to keep it this way for a few minutes more. //At least he's focused on me//, Gelltor thought ruefully as he questioned his siblings, "Blood for blood, I say. Who's with me?"
To Gelltor's surprise, it was Ziral who answered him, not Mokkan. "It's not blood for blood unless somebeast kills a Marlfox. That's our law, brother. Mokkan's right. We came for plunder and Redwall Abbey is the only place worth thieving from. You messed things up, got yourself wounded and lost Fatchur. None of us is with you!"
Mokkan meticulously cleaned his teeth with a fishbone before agreeing with his sister. The eldest Marlfox had been looking for an excuse to add more insult to his brother's injury, and Gelltor was practically begging for it. "See, for the moment we're robbers, not killers. Haven't you got it into that thick skull of yours? High Queen Silth must be surrounded by beauty. Rich, wonderful things, that's what we need to bring back to the island. Imagine what she'd do if we staggered back to Castle Marl with half our number dead because we'd started an all-out war with the beasts of Redwall?"
Gelltor slumped back onto one of the fallen logs, adjusting the bandages over his wound. "Aarh! I don't see the sense to it, trampin' around the woodlands just to rob stuff to please that crazy old relic. It's daft."
Abruptly, Ascrod - who had not uttered a word so far - spoke up. "Listen, brother, we're storing up these valuables for ourselves. Remember, one day our mother will be dead - maybe sooner than we think, considering her age. When that day comes, we will rule the island together. Castle Marl, everything will be ours!"
Ziral gave a short chuckle although it lacked all humor. "Not according to Mokkan. He says we'll kill each other off until there's only one left to rule, right, Mokkan?"
Mokkan shrugged with faked indifference. "Who can tell? I say let the future look after itself."
"But sometimes the future isn't always what you think it to be," Gelltor countered nonchalantly. "Sometimes you just. . .stumble into things and have a change of heart."
At this point, Gelltor turned and looked his older brother right in the eyes. Mokkan barely managed to bite back a growl. It was almost like Gelltor could see straight through him to his confused heart and clamor of emotions, and Mokkan hated it. But instead of snapping back, the agitated Marlfox stood up and started walking away.
"Mokkan!" Vannan called. "We need to plan our next attack! Where are you going?"
The older Marlfox paused for a moment and glared over his shoulder as he snarled, "I'm going to get some rest!"
Predak solemnly shook her head at Mokkan's retreating form and muttered, "Asshole!" under her breath. And yet, all the Marlfox siblings were surprised. This was the first time Mokkan had EVER walked away from an argument.
~~~
As soon as he entered his secluded clearing, Mokkan drew his ax and swung it at a sycamore, burying the blade in the unrelenting wood. Collapsing to his knees in the cool grass, the Marlfox let out a shaky sigh. He despised his lack of control and composure. But, to be honest, Mokkan could barely take the confidence Gelltor so easily spoke with. The Marlfox had been so nervous when he found out that his brother had nearly died.
//Does he have any idea how upset I was?// Mokkan thought. //When those three rats returned but Gelltor didn't, did he realize how overwhelmed with grief I was? By the fang, it shouldn't have mattered to me so much!//
The Marlfox glared upward at the violet-hued heavens. Although it was still twilight, a few stars were already visible. "Why?!" he called to the sky. "Why is this happening to ME?! This is all so wrong. Gelltor's not supposed to love me, and I shouldn't care about HIM! None of this should be transpiring! Everything's gone awry!"
With another forlorn sigh, Mokkan stalked out of the clearing almost defeatedly. The Marlfox was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he didn't even realize Gelltor had been standing in the shadows listening to every word he'd said.
~To be continued. . .~
~*~*~*~*~*~
AUTHOR'S NOTE: As always, please R&R. A little warning to those who are weak in stomach, there will definitely be a lemon in the next chapter (whenever I manage to finish it). . .and, of course, the rating will jump right up to an R. We also find out that Mokkan is -
Mokkan: SHUT UP!
VampCat: *exasperatedly* Oh, now look what you've done! You broke my chain of thought. *shrugs* I guess the readers will have to wait until the next chappie to find out.
All the Marlfox siblings except for Mokkan: *snickering because they've seen VampCat's notes for the next chapter and know what she's talking about*