Disclaimer: Really, do you think that if I owned Redwall I'd be writing Fan Fiction?? 'Twouldn't be a Fan Fiction story... It'd be one o' da bally books!! I will stop ranting now.

Book 1:

Warriors Spring Forth

Chapter 1

Abbot Rilvet sat at the edge of the Abbey pond, cooling his footpaws in the crystal clear water. A young squirrelmaid, just past Dibbun-hood, sat beside him, brush-tail waiving slightly in the wind. "Erema, why do you think of this Abbey?" Rilvet asked. "'Tis a fine place to grow old, Father Abbot. Why do you ask?" the squirrel maid, Erema, asked. "'The young tell no lies.' I need to listen to the young more often than I do, Erema. Tell me, young one, have you noticed any changes in the wood?"

Erema shook her head, "Can't say that I have, Father, but the birds quiet sooner in the day than when I was a Dibbun." The Abbot shook his head in disbelief. "Erema, why is it you speak of getting old here as if you had lived many seasons when you have only just passed out of Dibbun-hood?"

Erema shrugged, "The same reason as the wind blows and the sun shines, 'tis only my nature." "Such an odd nature for a maid so young," Abbot Rilvet mumbled, "Oh, right, Erema, will you run to the kitchens and see if Friar Hebert needs any help with the feast?" Erema nodded and rose, "Father Abbot, didn't you say something about needing to see Mother Enna?"

Rilvet looked blankly at the squirrel and nodded in submission, "Again a young squirrel maid bests her Abbot! Tell me Emma, is it a hobby of squirrels to befuddle the Abbot?" Erema smiled at her Abbot's use of her nickname, "Father Abbot, squirrels don't try to confuse mice and otters, 'tis just a skill!"

Before what Erema had just said could sink in to the Abbot's head, she was gone, scampering away toward the Abbey. Rilvet shook his head at the retreating form of the little squirrel. She was right about how confusing squirrels were. I think the most confusing squirrel I've ever met is a certain female who doesn't look old enough to be considered a young lady! Rilvet thought with a sigh.

He stood, and put his arms in the air and swayed slightly. "My, my, Rilvet. I thought you had gotten over trying to become a tree years ago!" a deep voice said behind him. The mouse's arms dropped and he turned to look into the eyes of the badger mother of Redwall, Enna. "Enna, nice of you to join me," Rilvet said casually.

Enna nodded curtly, "Rilvet, you know that I dearly enjoy our talks, but that confounded mousebabe, Ferild, got into the pot of cooling blackcurrant jam, and one, he can't get out, and two, that jam is for eating!" Rilvet's eyes widened in horror, "Attend to that, Enna. Our talk can wait!"

Enna nodded her thanks and barrelled back you the Abbey.

Erema ambled into the kitchens, breathing hard after her sprint away from the Abbey pond. "Friar? Need any help with anything?" Erema asked. Friar Hebert looked up from a pot of blackcurrant jam. "Erema, thank the seasons you're here!" Erema cocked her head, "Why Friar? What's wrong?" "Ferild fell in th' jam," was the Friar's blunt response.

Erema groaned, Ferild was wild, and it was very common of him to fall into pots of jam, tubs of trifle, mounds of cakes, pretty much everything sweet must be kept well out of any Dibbun's reach. A voice attracted their attention, "Um, mista fwia'? I dinnent fall in to dis here pot o' jammers, Rosie pusheded me!"

Hebert snorted, "Rose Churchmouse? Ferild, now I know you are dreaming!" Ferild yelped, "Not Rose Churchiemouser! Rosie! Rosie da speerit!" Erema looked at the pot as if it were insane, "Ferild, do you mean the Honourable Rosemary? The legendary ha—"

Hebert cut Erema off he was laughing so hard. "Friar Hebert! What is so funny?" Erema asked slightly hurt. "Sorry, Erema, 'tis just young Ferild is referring to Rosie, the supposed guardian spirit of the Dibbuns!" Hebert said, tears streaming down his face.

"She no stupposd! She be weel! I seed her wif me own free eyesers!" Ferild screeched, "She cameded up be'ind me and wend SHABOOMPH!" A metallic thud came from inside the pot, slightly muffled by the blackcurrant jam. Friar Hebert sighed and said, "Erema, please find Mother Enna and bring her in here!" Erema opened her mouth to protest when Enna barged into the kitchen, "No need, Erema, I'm here!" The young squirrel stood aside as the badger reached in to the pot, extracting a pawful of blackcurrant jam and a small mouse with huge ears.

Ferild glared up at Enna, "Muvver! I was 'aving fun in there!" Enna returned the glare, "Ferild, you may have been having fun, but that jam is for eating! It's straight you the bath with you young sir!" Ferild's eyes widened in horror, "No Muvver! Anyfing but dat!" Enna bore the young mouse away, his protests ringing through the Abbey.

"So, Erema, you didn't just come in here to chat, what do you want, child?" Hebert asked. "Father Abbot Rilvet told me to come here to see if you needed any help with anything," Erema replied. Hebert shook his head, "Nay, child, you've already come by and asked that about five times today. No I'll come tell you if I need help. Now you go and play with that otter friend of yours, what's her name? Oh yes, Trulyn, go play with Trulyn."

Erema bobbed a curtsey and scurried out of the kitchen and into Great Hall. Taking a running leap, Erema sprang up to a curtain rod and bounced gracefully across and down a rope. She started swinging herself to and fro until she reached and an appropriate height and speed before she let go and flew out the open window. Extending her paws she soared over the orchard and started heading down. Fighting to keep her elevation she reached to nearside of the Abbey Pond. Shooting over it, Erema found herself falling like a stone.

Curling herself into a ball she hurtled toward the water and with a mighty SPLOOSH she hit the water. Gurgling, she fought to gain control over her sinking body but it felt somebeast was dragging her down by her tail. Her tail? Thinking quickly, Erema twisted down so her mouth was level with her tail, and bit. A strangled yelp resulted with Erema hurtling up trough the water and shooting like a cannon up, up, up and right into Abbot Rilvet's already sodden lap.

"Sorry Father!" Erema exclaimed blinking water from her eyes. Rilvet shook his head as Erema scrambled off him, she seemed so quiet and rule abiding. An otter maid appeared out of the pond, her golden-brown fur sodden and glinting in the sun. Trulyn Sleekfur was her name. Trulyn crept up behind Erema, shooting glances at the Abbot, daring him to warn the squirrel.

Rilvet would normally warn Erema, but the Sleekfur family did not belong to the Abbey of Redwall so he was powerless over Trulyn. Trulyn tapped Erema's shoulder and ducked down as Erema turned. Trulyn did the same thing about four more times before Erema figured out what was going on. Trulyn tapped Erema again, Erema's head turned and Trulyn slipped in front of her. Erema's head whipped around, catching Trulyn in a gripping glare.

Trulyn threw up her paws saying, "Ye caught me, matey!" Erema tossed her head, "I suspect 'twas you who grabbed my tail under there?" She gestured toward the pond. Trulyn nodded sagely, "Aye, matey, that I did. Ye were so funny ter watch thrashin' 'round in the water. Ye 'ave some sharp teeth in that 'ead o' yores, matey!"

Erema grinned, "Can I see your paw, Trulyn?" The ottermaid held up her injured paw for the squirrelmaid to inspect. Erema inhaled sharply, two deep bloody gashes marred both sides of her friend's paw. "Trulyn, you should go see Sister Olivia in the Infirmary, the bite is deep!"

Trulyn shook her head stubbornly, "Matey, I'm fine. Me paw'll survive a few more seasons afore it needs 'elp from the likes o' Sister 'Livia." Abbot Rilvet, who couldn't help but over hear what the otter was saying, strode over to the duo. "Trulyn Sleekfur, may I see your paw?" Trulyn bobbed a very wobbly curtsey and held out her paw.

Rilvet's eyebrows shot up, "Erema, did you do this?" Erema bowed her head in shame. "Trulyn, you really should make sure this isn't infected!" Rilvet exclaimed. "Aye, Father, if ye be thinkin' so I'll get me confounded paw checked," Trulyn sighed regretfully. "True, why so sad?" Erema asked. "'Tis me second visit to the confounded Infirmary this summer!" Trulyn explained, "'Tis a crime in the Sleekfur family to be treated in any Sick Bay more'n once a season!"

Rilvet sighed; the Sleekfur's were all the same, full of a stubborn pride. He sent Erema up to Sister Olivia with Trulyn so Erema could explain what had happened, and so Trulyn could act like she was escorting Erema up, not vice versa so her pride wouldn't be damaged that badly if one of her kin saw her. The Abbot walked to the orchard where a group of mole Dibbuns were fighting over who would climb up the plum tree to get a ripe plum.

"Burr, oi doant loik trees!" a small molemaid named Alura yelped as she was pushed forward. "Alura, you'm doant 'ave a choice!" a burly male mole snapped. Alura glared at the male. "Burr, oi never asked oo, Gubdum!" Alura shrieked. Rilvet stepped between the fighting Dibbuns. Turning to Gubdum, Rilvet bent down as spoke gently, "Gubdum, what is going on?" "Zurr, Alura b'aint listenin' to oi! Oi want 'er to cloimb yon tree, but she won't!" Gubdum whined.

"Zurr!" Alura called, "Oi doant wanna cloimb yon tree! Oi doant loik heights, oi be just a likkle mole choild!" "Alura, child, calm down, I won't make you climb any trees!" Rilvet exclaimed. "In fact you shouldn't even be climbing trees!" Scooping Alura up, the Abbot marched to the Abbey.

Marching into the Abbey, Rilvet ran into the newest Sister of Redwall, Sister Blossom. "Sister Blossom!" Rilvet sighed in relief. "There are a group of Dibbuns in the orchard, will you collect them and bring them to the dormitories?" Blossom curtsied with a murmured, "Yes, Father Abbot." "Blossom," Rilvet said, catching to pretty mouse's paw. "You are a Sister of Redwall, there is no need to keep acting like a frightened maid who is trying to get on your Abbot's good side.

Blossom nodded and rushed out the door. Rilvet sighed; Blossom had always been quiet, even as a Dibbun. Now that she was a Sister, she was nearly always on her toes, frightened to even talk to him. Poor Blossom, Rilvet thought, She just needs to find a friend!

Shaking his head, he set Alura down on a stair and muttered, "Alura, go to your dormitory, please." The molemaid rubbed her velvety head on the Abbot's paw and scurried up the stairs. Rilvet sighed and headed to the Infirmary.

"Erema! I don't need ter see Sister Olivia!" Trulyn yelped as soon as they were out of earshot or the Abbot. She pulled her friend the opposite direction of the Abbey. "Trulyn!" Erema snarled, "Abbot Rilvet said you need to go to see Sister Olivia, and I plan to get you up there, and I don't care if I have to drag you up their by your stubborn ears!" With each word, the squirrelmaid yanked the otter's paw very hard, making Trulyn trip the way she was trying to get away from.

Seeing Erema wasn't going to give up, Trulyn resignedly followed the squirrel up to the infirmary. Sister Olivia was a very plump little mouse, who was a formidable as she was funny, and was not happy to see Trulyn. "Miss Sleekfur, I thought you told me I wouldn't see you again for a season!" she yelped shrilly. "Sorry, Sister," Trulyn mumbled sadly, "somebeast bit me!"

As Olivia's eyebrows rose, Erema ducked her head in shame, her bushy tail covering her eyes. Sister Olivia sighed as walked to her cabinet. Pulling out a small bottle of dried herbs she put a very small kettle on a stand over a candle, within seconds the water was boiling. Pouring the water over a few sweet smelling leaves, the small mouse pressed the leaves and water into a bandage and pushed roughly onto Trulyn's injured paw.

Clenching her paw, Trulyn grinned down at the mouse nurse. "Thanks, marm! I won't forget this! Yore herbs work magic again!" Olivia glared at the young otter, "Enough with your flattery, Trulyn Sleekfur!" She shooed the ottermaid out of the Infirmary, but held Erema back. "Young Erema, you do know I need an assistant, do you not?"

Erema nodded, was the Sister going to tell her that her dream had come true?

"And you know that I've had a lot of beast wanting to help me?" Again Erema nodded. "Well, my mind's made up, if you'll come here after dinner, I'll announce it." Erema smiled at Olivia, "Yes, Sister, I'll be there!"

Erema scampered out of the Infirmary, a wide grin plastered across her face. Poor child, Sister Olivia thought, She'll be heartbroken when I tell her whom I chose! Shrugging, Olivia puttered around the Infirmary, organizing the herbs and tonics in alphabetical order.

Mother Enna scrubbed Ferild until he was literally glowing. "Muvver, why does you always scub me be'ind da h'ears?" Ferild whined. "Because scrubbing your ears is good for you!" Enna said. The dormitory door opened and a little molemaid trundled in. "Hello, Muvver!" Alura said cheerfully.

"Alura, who in the season's name told you to come here in time for bath time?" Enna asked. "Father Abbot, marm!" Alura explained, "'e sent Sister Bwossum to get ee others frumm ee ourrchard." "Hum, Dibbuns in the orchard?" Enna pondered, "And when is Blossom supposed to get here?" "Um, I'm here, Mother Enna," Blossom's quiet voice could barely be heard over the chatter of the Dibbuns.

An ottermaid poked her head around a table leg at Enna and called, "Marm, my rudder's stuck h'under the table leg!" Enna sighed as the golden-brown ottermaid struggled, "Waterlily Sleekfur, can you stay out of trouble for one minute?" "Hurr hurr, apurrently not, marm, hurr hurr," Gubdum said. "Marm!" Alura spoke up. "Oi'll surpently help Wadderlily get yon rudder oot frumm yon toible legger!"

Enna nodded at the molemaid, "Thank you, Alura, you are a great help." Alura blushed and hurried over to the table where Waterlily was stranded. "Marm, oi cudd use summ help getting this gurt toible legger oop!" Enna sighed again and strode over to the table and with Alura pushing up as hard as she could, lifted the table off the small otter's rudder. "Many thanks to ye marm!" Waterlily said cheerfully to Enna. "And ye too, Alura, becha five candied chestnuts Mother Enna needed all yore 'elp!"

"Oi durrly loik chesknutters!" Alura sighed, "carndeed uns most of all! 'Tis enuff to wairm a likkle moler's 'eart!" Everyone in the room started laughing at the molemaid's very dramatic antics. "''Tis eunff to wairm a likkle moler's 'eart!' burr hurr hurr! You'm moik roight gudd jokers, Alura, hurr hurr!" Gubdum said between burst of laughter. "Oi doant unnersaoind what ever'beast's larffin' at!" Alura said defensively, "'tis a fact o' loif oi loik carndeed chesknutters!"

"Really, everybeast should be ashamed of themselves!" Blossom commented dryly. "You are laughing at a poor molemaid you doesn't understand what is so funny, as a matter of fact, I don't understand what's so funny!" "An' if Sista Bwossom donnet fink 'tis funny, nobeastie should fink 'tis funny!" A tiny mousemaid named Finkel squeaked.

The twin bells tolled dinner and between them, Enna and Blossom herded the flock of Dibbuns down to the Great Hall. Abbot Rilvet sat at the head of the table, with and empty seat at his right paw for Mother Enna and Foremole Fendell at his left paw. Next to Foremole, Skipper of Otters sat next to Adelyn and Luther Sleekfur. Trulyn was sitting with Erema at the other end of the hall.

Chatter filled the hall, everybeast was talking about the feast, the Abbey and what ever else came to mind.

"Yum! Fantastic salad, Friar Hebert!"

"Thank you, Sister Sage, try some of this blackcurrant jam, little Ferild helped make it!"

"Did he really? Ferild, this jam's superb!"

"Thanks, Bruvver Monty! Did you make dis likkle h'apple, blueberry crumbly stuff wiv honey-sickle topping?"

"Harve annuther carndeed checknutter, Erema! Them's be gurtly gudd for the 'ealth!"

"Alura, I've already had sixteen! I need to share with other beasts!"

"Hi! Finkel, that's yore last beaker of dandelion fizz! You've already had three too many and if you have anymore you'll explode!"

"Den I esspode! I wanna more of da dannyline fizzy!"

Rilvet stood, smiling at his Redwallers. He could tell everybeast couldn't be happier, eating and chatting. He hated having to tell them this. He cleared his throat loudly, and the chatter ceased instantly. "Redwallers! We have had eighteen seasons of peace here at Redwall, but that may not last for long, I have just got a message from the Badger Lord of the mountain fortress Salamandastron that a band of wildcats that call themselves the Death Shadows are coming this way!"

A stunned silence filled the hall, Wildcats! One of the Sisters let out a strangled sob. "Now, now, Sister Dahlia, don't worry! No beast has ever taken over our Abbey before, so why should they now?" Sister Dahlia sobbed, "S-s-sorry, F-F-F-F-F-F-F-F-F-Father, it-it-it-it's just I-I-I-I-I th-thought w-we'd al-al-alwa-always b-be s-s-s-s-s-s-safe h-h-he-her-here a-at R-R-R-Red-Red-Redwall!"

Dahlia buried her head in Sister Olivia's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably. Olivia could be heard murmuring, "There, now, Dahlia, it's alright, these Death Shadows won't hurt you, in fact, we'll be the ones doing the hurting!" At Olivia's pronouncement Dahlia just starting even harder. Olivia was loosing her patience with the hysterical Sister. "Dahlia! Get a hold of your self! You are a Sister of Redwall Abbey! Start acting like one! Even the Dibbuns are dry-eyed!" Olivia snapped very loudly.

Dahlia stopped crying. The only sound that could be heard was Dahlia's occasional sniffles and a pounding at the door!

Yay! 3,087 words! Oh, I would like to thank my two reviewers mepb and clara200.

Clara: Erm, how did I keep them in character? I created these characters!!

Mepb: I'm glad you liked it!

If you people would send in names you think would work for my story I would be most greatful, right now I need Brother/Sister names and Otter names!

Well please tell me what you think and review! (hint, hint, nudge, nudge!)

The Weaving Wheel