"No need to worry, buckos!" Buckthorn called out as he, Bigwig, and Silver finished scouting the area in a wide circle to ensure that there were no potential dangers around them while they rested in a deep ditch heavily covered with ivy. "We sniffed and covered every bit of the area around us, and there's no smell of Prince Rainbow's soldiers or any other strange rabbits!" Buckthorn was a powerful rabbit, though not as heavy as Silver and Bigwig, and in his lifetime, he was an extremely important member of the Owsla. The new additions of being able to stand upright and the dark-purple tunic he was wearing did not conceal his large frame underneath his dark-brown fur. Silver was a large, slightly obese rabbit with gray fur that shone under the moonlight and was wearing a black tunic that contrasted against his fur, but despite his huge appearance, Justin could see he had a gentle demeanor. Bigwig, wearing a dark-brown tunic and vest, was apparently the most powerful and strongest rabbit in the group; his frame and weight easily outmatched everyone's, and on the top of his head was the famous patch of fur that gave him the nickname "Thlayli" (Fur-head). He also had a rough exterior, sometimes bullying and cursing his friends whenever he was in a bad mood, which happened to be most of the time. However, as Hawkbit put it lightly, "His bark's worse than his bite; he just does this to keep everyone ready in case of attack."
The rest of the rabbits were either lying on the soft ground for comfort or on their hind legs talking excitedly to Justin, who was getting more and more overwhelmed by his experience in the strange and alien land. He could tell that the rabbits were very friendly, but it annoyed him that they were too busy asking questions and not answering his questions about the cross-bearer matter. At a safe distance, Hazel talked silently with Fiver and Blackberry. Fiver was Hazel's brother, and he was incredibly smaller than the rest, his full height only reaching to Justin's chin, yet unlike the rest of the group, he had the power to foresee the future and have visions of upcoming danger. Fiver was wearing a red and gold tunic. Blackberry was also a bright, intelligent rabbit; he was the inventor or problem-solver of the group, and his quick mind could easily devise plans and solutions to anything. What made him most noticeable than his pale yellow and pale orange tunic was that he was the only rabbit with black-tipped ears. Quietly, the three discussed their concerns and worries over the matter with Justin.
"But, Hazel-rah, can we trust him?" asked Blackberry, a bit fearful at the fact that they needed to put the life of El-ahrairah into the hands of a human, one who was always destined to be an enemy of rabbits. "He seems nice enough, but remember when we encountered Cowslip at the warren of the Shining Wire? They seemed nice and kind too until Bigwig nearly died in a snare! We just can't base our judgments on what little we know about him." Hazel nodded, sighing. The minute he heard Vervain declare Justin the cross-bearer, he too, couldn't believe what he had just heard. The legends and stories of the cross-bearer were just stories, and even in the land beyond life, El-ahrairah admitted that he himself never knew if the prophesy would ever come true. It was passed on ever since Frith created the world and Frith never told El-ahrairah what to expect. Fiver, however, shook his head.
"You're wrong Blackberry, we can trust him. I could see his mind, his thoughts, his heart when we helped him in the woods. He's hurt and lost, like we were when we escaped Sandleford warren. He doesn't know why or how he was brought here, not that I can understand that myself. Great seasons! Can you imagine seeing a man here in the land beyond life?! I have never even heard of such a thing until El-ahrairah explained the legend to us when he fell ill."
"But what is your take on the matter, Fiver? Could it be possible that he has passed on as well and that the black Rabbit made a mistake in bringing him here?"
"No, the Black Rabbit could never make a mistake, and even if he did, the boy isn't dead. He was brought here, even though he was alive. But I can tell you one thing of the boy: he's extremely lonely because I felt the pain he's experienced over the years of his life and he wishes he could have a normal family, or at least a group he could feel he belonged to. Yet, I can also sense in him great loyalty, patience, and love. Who knows? Maybe he really is the cross-bearer."
"If he is," jumped in Campion as he left the group that was wildly chattering with Justin, "then the boy is in great danger. Since he's not really dead, he can be killed, and once he is dead, we don't have any power to save this land from Elil-rah. Do you remember what Vervain said to Mallow in the forest? That the man could and will be killed? My guess is that they've already anticipated the legend coming true, and Woundwort and Prince Rainbow especially will do whatever it takes to stop the power of the cross-bearer from coming to light. We would be in no danger since we all have already died in the physical world, but I shudder to think how the attacks from Woundwort's army can affect the cross-bearer." Campion used to be a loyal soldier from Efrafa, but later, when Woundwort was killed, he came to Watership Down to protect and train the kittens of the Owlsa to fight and defend using the Wide Patrols, becoming a hero in the legends spread in Watership Down. When he arrived to the land beyond living, he was placed as a soldier of the El-ahrairah's Owsla, despite being once a member of the enemy. His auburn fur and powerful form stretched the fabric of his dark-blue tunic tightly across his fur and skin. No one knew why he, along with the other Watership Down rabbits, were chosen to go bring and protect the cross-bearer back to El-ahrairah so that he could help the forces of good fight against the hostile takeover of the land beyond life by Elil-rah. Yet, El-ahrairah specifically requested that Campion come along. Apparently, the question would never be answered. Campion continued speaking to Hazel.
"Hazel, I also think it's time we told the boy the truth, about why we think he was brought here, and what he needs to do if he wishes to survive in this land. The sooner he realizes it, the better, otherwise we may be wasting time when every moment, Efrafa and Prince Rainbow's patrols could be able to spot us at any given time. Once they kill him, we're all lost." Grimly, Hazel nodded and together, the four of them went back to the group discussion where the remaining rabbits were chatting animatedly with a completely floored Justin, who was never used to this much attention from anyone.
"So you really came from the physical world, and you know us because all of us and El-ahrairah are part of a story??" Pipkin queried excitedly, his soft hazel eyes wide with admiration. Out of the rest of the group, Pipkin was the smallest and easily the most innocent and childish, as his body only came up to Justin's waist. He was wearing a light green and brown tunic and vest combination, and Justin smiled at the fact that Pipkin looked like a rabbit version of Robin Hood. The small rabbit continued to pester him. "So all of us are in a story called "Watership Down"?? Really?!"
Justin answered with comforting assurance as they were discussing his favorite book since he was a child. "Really, all of you guys are part of a famous story that has been passed down for several decades. It tells about how you guys left Sandleford, fought Efrafa, and made your home at Watership Down. It taught a lot of us how to face dangers and how heroism isn't dependent on status or power and how it was important to never forget your traits passed on to you from generations."
"Frith-rah! You could give Dandelion a run for his silflay for storytelling! One of these seasons, we've got to hear you tell it!" praised Strawberry, a slightly fat yet wise rabbit whose fur was slightly less dark than Campion's reddish fur color. He, like Campion, came from a dishonest warren who abandoned the ways of rabbits to live a controlled easy life, but luckily, he left to join the Watership Down rabbits when they left for the high hills. He had on a dark-orange and green tunic. Dandelion, in good humor, gave Strawberry a playful cuff, which whizzed over as Strawberry ducked his head. The other rabbits laughed and Justin laughed softly with them, feeling slightly better since he came here. Acorn, a skinny buck with light brown fur on his body and dark brown circles around his eyes, also put in his excited opinions as Bluebell, a dark-brown bushy rabbit in a orange and yellow tunic, joked with Justin.
"I must say there, chap!" Bluebell teased Justin lightly, "you're the funniest and ugliest rabbit I've ever seen! If we want to make you an honorary member of the Owsla, we'll do what El-ahrairah did and get some dock leaves for ears and some clematis and ragwort for whiskers and a tail. How about it, young one? Want me to teach you how silflay and hop around like the rest of us jolly chaps?" Justin snickered at Bluebell's humor, lightly nudging the rabbit on the side with his elbow in mock retaliation.
"Oh, come now Bluebell!" laughed Acorn as he held his sides with his paws over his black and purple tunic, rolling on the ground in insane giddiness. "You couldn't teach anyone to be an effective member of Owsla, unless the Owsla likes bucks with big mouths, bad jokes, and less than half the brains to know when to keep his mouth shut!" With a playful gleam in his eye, Bluebell tackled Acorn and both the rabbits scuffled and rolled on the ground, trying to pin the other beneath him.
"Still think I've half a brain, do you? Seems like this rabbit still got the better of you!" Unexpectedly, Acorn expertly flipped Bluebell on his back with his powerful hind legs, and with a bound, pinned Bluebell to the ground.
"You've got the better way of leaving yourself wide open, I'll give you that!" Yet, a loud series of stamping from Campion made the others go silent, and Bluebell and Acorn stopped their play, knowing what was going to happen was serious. Justin felt his heart skip a beat as the smile and his euphoria drained away from his face. Hazel, with a somber attitude, quietly approached Justin and spoke in a clear, firm yet gentle voice.
"Cross-bearer, we would like it if all of us took the time to listen to each other and let you know the truth. We may know why you were brought here in the land beyond life when such a feat is deemed impossible. Yet, we can see we can easily trust you, and the same is mutual for you. However, we don't know anything about you, your name, or what kind of help you could possibly offer to save this world. Now, you've heard bits and pieces about the cross-bearer, but you don't know what it could possibly mean. After you tell us your story and how you came to be here, Dandelion will tell you, to the best of our knowledge, the story of Frith and the cross-bearer." Justin, keenly at a loss of words, forced himself to clear his voice as he told the rabbits his story underneath the bright moonlight.