Disclaimer: I do not own any Redwall characters mentioned in this story that have been mentioned in any other person's story or anywhere in the Redwall series. I only claim the characters of my own imagination—wholly original characters like Jem, Lignutt, Smargren, etc.

Enjoy the story—and tell me what you thought of it! Thanks again!

Chapter 3

Abbess Mhera sighed contentedly as she gazed at the serene calm of her beloved home. Redwall was the only home she had known and she loved it. The aged sandstone walls, built by many beasts long ago, glittered faintly with dew, as the light from the sun grew stronger. The day was just beginning and all the Abbeybeasts were still asleep, all except her brother Deyna, and his close friend, Nimbalo. She sighed happily, breathing in the cool, sweetness of early morning. Life seemed so perfect. Just a short year ago, her long lost brother Deyna had found his way back to Redwall Abbey. She sat in the Abbey orchard gazing at the spring produce. Consumed with her thoughts she did not realize that somebeast was sneaking up behind her. Without warning Mhera felt her foot paws leave the damp grass. She shrieked as she was lifted high in the air. When Mhera saw who it was she laughed. "Deyna! You overgrown water walloper, put me down! How am I supposed to be dignified if you're forever sneaking up on me, scarin' me out of my wits?" The Abbey Warrior laughed also and gently deposited his older sister on the grass. "So you're trying to be 'dignified', ehh! "Yes, for your information I am Deyna." The two otters sat on the grass side by side enjoying the morning air. Mhera began to speak again as the Abbey bells were tolled, telling everybeast to get up. "Where is Nimablo? I thought he was with you earlier this morning." Deyna smiled, "Oh, he's around." Mhera was mystified at her brother's unusual secretiveness. "What do you mean 'he's around---Ahh!" Mhera yelped as the harvest mouse in question jumped out from behind a nearby raspberry bush. She berated the two trying to keep a stern face. They were rolling around on the ground laughing hysterically, "Oh you two. Don't you have anything to do besides scare me to death? You're acting like dibbuns." Suddenly Mhera slipped on the grass and fell flat on her behind. The three laughed until the sound of their merriment echoed off the rosy tinged walls. After a short while, when they were able to stop laughing, they stood up and brushed pieces of grass off their habits. As the three began walking into the Abbey, Tilla, a tiny mousemaid, came running over. "Muvver Abbess, Muvver Abbess. Missus Tuckel be needin' you righta now. She wan'ed for me to tell you befor' bekfist began." Mhera smiled at the small dibbun, "Thank you Tilla. Go on to breakfast, tell them to begin without me." As the little mouse dashed off to give those in the great hall the message, Mhera began walking to the kitchens, talking to her brother and Nimbalo who had decided to accompany her to the kitchens. "I wonder what Tuckel wants to talk to me about? It must be important if she wanted to talk to me before breakfast began." Deyna and Nimablo smiled at one another, knowing why Missus Tuckel wanted to speak to the Abbess. The Abbey Warrior grinned as the young harvest mouse did cartwheels across the lawn. In a silly, energetic voice Nimbalo danced around the two Abbey leaders.

In only two days it will be time,
And all of Redwall shall splendidly dine.
It'll be our seasonal Nameday Feast,
Meaning lots of fun for every beast.

Mhera gasped, taken completely by surprise, "Ohh no, the Nameday feast. I completely forgot! It is only in two days! Goodness, that's why Tuckel wants to talk to me; I hope she and Leana will be able to manage everything. I bet mother will help, you know how she loves to cook."
Deyna smiled down at his sister, "Don't worry O beautiful sister of mine," impishly he remarked, "Or should I say Mother Abbess." He ducked a swat from Mhera as she chuckled.
"Go on to breakfast you two. Tell everyone I'll be coming shortly after I talk to Cook Tuckel." She watched as her brother and Nimablo trotted off, so happy that she had her brother was here to stay at Redwall.

Back in the Abbey, the Great Hall was filled with the Abbey residents: squirrels, mice, moles, otters, and hedgehogs. Food of all kinds and descriptions covered long wooden tables set up in the spacious hall. The tables were laden with hotroot soup, deeper than ever pies, immense salads, scones smothered in butter, tasty puddings, and various breads. October Ale, strawberry cordial, mint tea, and dandelion burdock also accompanied the delicious food. As they ate the scrumptious fare, the Abbey beasts commented on the food and everyday things as they scolded the Abbey young ones, also known as dibbuns, who often played with their food instead of eating it.
"Urr, this em be furst roite deeper 'en ever pie, bain't it Brundil."
"Hey! Hundie come back 'er ya little rip. No, no don't you dare! That's Leana's puddin'. You've still gotta eat your salad."
"Don't wanna 'ave salad. Tastes yucky! Me lika puddin' better."
"Jad matey, try this hotroot soup. It's the best that I've ever tasted!"
"Trelen are you an' Missus Tuckel takin' the liddle ones strawberry picking?"
"Yes I'm sorry ta say we are. Those little rogues will give us no rest. At least one of those liddle uns will try to run off, mark my words."
"By the spike I wouldn't take on those rascals for all the October ale in the Abbey cellars."
The banter continued as Mhera entered the Great Hall, taking her place at the head of the table. Greetings were called out to her as she began to pile her favorite foods on her plate.
"Good day to ye marm. Beautiful day isn't it."
"Yes it sure is Windtip."
"Good morning Mother Abbess."
"Good morning Sister Athel."
"Muver Abbess taste soma the strawbee cordial. It is wunnerful."
"Thank you Frigg. Oh your right the cordial is delicious."
After giving everyone time to finish his or her food Mhera stood up and clapped her paws together to get their attention. "Excuse me everyone. I have a wonderful announcement to make. In two days we will have our Nameday feast----." She was interrupted as all the dibbuns whooped in delight. Namedays meant delicious food, games, and staying up later than usual, something every young beast in Redwall enjoyed. Mhera smiled and began speaking once again as things quieted down, "As I was saying in two days we will have our Nameday feast. I have not thought up a name yet but as soon as I think up a good one I'll announce it to everybeast. I also have yet another announcement to make, one that you young ones might like to hear." The room was deathly quiet as the dibbuns sat very still, anxious to hear the news. "Missus Tuckel and Brother Trelen are going to take all the dibbuns strawberry picking today." The hall erupted with loud cheers from the dibbuns as low groans came from the older beasts. The grown beasts smiled at their young ones who were dancing around in anticipation and excitement.
"Whoopee! Strawbee pickin'. I love strawbees."
"Yippee! Wes a goin strawberry picknin."
"Ha! By my rudder glad I'm not goin to take that lot picking. They'll be bouncing off the walls."
"Hurr an' um trees too!" "Gurr, boi hokey. Thems liddle rips be very exciterted."
"I hope I'm not the beast who has to give them baths when they come back. They get terribly messy."
Abbess Mhera smiled and asked for quiet once more, "Everyone can now go about their duties. Dibbuns please go up to the dormitories and make your beds," The dibbuns trotted up the stairs. "Trelen, Tuckel I believe you leave with the dibbuns in a short while."
"Yes we do marm. Right after we get the baskets and food for the trip," Tuckel replied.
"It should only take a moment to gather everything though," Trelen added.
"Wonderful We'll expect you back---," Mhera was cut off as Cook Truckel's assistant, a field mouse Leana, suddenly stood up, and walked to the head of the table, her eyes wide open but unseeing. The great hall went deadly quiet as Leana called out in a chanting dreamy voice.

"Beware the Ruthless One and his band.

Stay away from the shady woodlands.

Where he goes there is fear and hate,

He is the bringer of terrible fate.

Keep the babes inside these walls,

Let not one beast stray from Redwall."

Leana's eyes closed and then opened again. She blinked looking around her in surprise, "Why is everyone staring at me?"
Mhera motioned for everyone to sit down, "Leana you were just chanting something. I did not catch all of it; do think you could repeat it. I think it was important."
"I, I didn't realize I was chanting anything," the young mousemaid stuttered in confusion. "Was I?"
Foremole waddled up, "Yesum ye was chantin' sometin' Miss Lawna. Mayhap tis e Marthen th' Woarrior tryin' to tell us'n somethin'."
Mhera's mother, a kindly otter with graying fur named Filorn, smiled and put a comforting paw on the pretty mouse's shoulder. "Yes Foremole, I believe you are right. I caught the bit that mentioned staying away from the woodlands. I think Martin was warning us that somebeast is coming to the woodlands, one that would hurt us if given a chance."
Deyna agreed, "I believe your right mother. Does anybeast remember it all?" A new addition to the Abbey dwellers, a shy hedgehog named Ellis clothed in the Abbey garb, came forward. Quietly, Brother Ellis spoke the verse word for word in a deep bass voice.

"Beware the Ruthless One and his band.

Stay away from the shady woodlands.

Where he goes there is fear and hate,

He is the bringer of terrible fate.

Keep the babes inside these walls,

Let not one beast stray from Redwall."

Noise arose from the Abbeybeasts as soon as Brother Ellis finished speaking. The Abbess stood up and asked for everyone to quiet down. As the talking died to a low murmur Mhera continued. "We are lucky you caught the whole rhyme Ellis. Thank you. Now, listen up everyone. It is clear that this 'Ruthless One' is evil and he has a group of followers. Most likely, he is some kind of vermin. It is also clear that Martin is warning us not to go into the woodlands. We should be even more careful than normal in keeping the dibbuns inside the Abbey. They'd go adventuring if we leave them unwatched. I know you are all shocked and surprised by this sudden warning, as am I, but we cannot ignore it. Deyna, Skipper, Foremole, and I will discuss a possible defense plan and tell you our ideas after the dibbuns have been sent off to bed tonight. Please just go on about your duties, we should still try to keep everything as normal as possible while this problem exists." Everyone began to leave their tables to go do as the Abbess suggested, still mulling over everything that had happened that morning. As Tuckel and Trelen left the great hall, Foremole could be heard muttering to the Abbess, "I um soire harppy Marthen told usn not to go outsiode Redwall, but aiore dibbuns won't be so harppy when they 'ear no strawberrin' tomorra!" Whispering in Tuckel's ear Trelen muttered, "Those dibbuns might not be 'harppy' with the Abbess's decision, but I don't have a problem with it!"