Here's chapter 3! Thanks to everybody who reviewed- I love you all!!!! No dedications or anything this time, just the story. Enjoy!

A warm, gentle breeze drifted all over Watership Down. The sun was going to set soon and most of the rabbits had gone underground but there was still a group of them, mostly kittens, nestled in the grass. They were listening to an old black buck, now graying, tell a story. After such a busy day with the raid, Ashwood couldn't wait to take this opportunity to relax.

Shadow, the storyteller, had been telling stories since Ashwood was a kitten. And today he was enthralling the kittens with "The Story of the Trial of Elahriarah" which happened to be a favorite of Ashwood's. It was being told very well; Shadow had always been enthusiastic and really got into the stories. In fact, he was probably the best storyteller the warren had ever heard since Dandelion stopped running.

Ashwood took a seat between Moonflower and one of her kitten friends and listened to the story. He had come in at a good part. Yona the hedgehog was dancing and singing "O Slug-a-Moon", which brought ripples of laughter from every listener. Just then, Ashwood spotted Inlethlay bounding over the rise of the down. A certain urgency in the way he moved told him it was important.

When the silver furred officer reached Ashwood, he said, keeping his voice low as not to disturb the story, "Ashrah, there's another rabbit here to see you. He says he's an ambassador from Efrafa. I think there might be something wrong."

"I'll go see him right away then," Ashwood replied eagerly. He couldn't remember the last time the Efrafan ambassador came, even in his father's time. And he wouldn't just come- he would be sent.

His officer led him over the grassy rise of the down where he found a rabbit waiting for him. A dull sandy colored young buck, the Efrafan ambassador didn't look like what Ashwood expected. He had been expecting and older and more handsome rabbit; something a warren would want to show for itself. But he did have manners.

"Good evening," the ambassador began, lowering his head respectively. "My name is Sandune and, as you probably already know, I am the ambassador from Efrafa." Black eyes sorrowful, he said, "I heard about Hazelrah. I'm sorry. His death is a most unfortunate event even for us Efrafans. You must be Ashwoodrah, the new Chief Rabbit?"

"I am, and thank you for your sympathy." Ashwood was trying his best to sound formal, but it proved to be a harder task than he thought. He just wasn't used to this sort of professional speaking with more experienced rabbits. Sandune had to be no more than half a year older than himself and he was talking like he had done his job for a lifetime! Wanting to make a good impression, he continued, "Would you like to come into the warren? We can continue our business in a comfortable burrow. Or we can stay above ground, if you wish. The weather is quite pleasant."

Sandune, preferring to be above ground, was lead back over the rise and to the large tree that grew near the burrow entrances. He made himself comfortable between the gnarled roots and when Ashwood and Inlethlay had done the same, he began, "I'm afraid that I don't bring great news, but it's not necessarily bad either." At the confused expressions of the other two, he continued, "You see, one of the officers in an the Efrafan Owsla patrol has had an odd experience with an officer of a Belt warren patrol."

"What happened?" Ashwood asked in interest. "None of my patrols have reported anything strange going on around the Belt warren."

"Well actually……..," Inlethlay said carefully. "We have been noticing a few things. We just haven't reported it yet because we weren't sure. They are part of the alliance so why would we suspect them of anything? Captain Rosebarb told us to try to find out more first."

Sandune asked him, "When is your next patrol going out?"

"This evening, fu Inle. We're going to check out their night activity"

"Good. I'll see if I can send a few of our Owsla to meet yours if that's all right with your captain."

"I'm sure there will be no problem with that," Ashwood said. "But I'm curious. What sort of activity is going on? This should have been reported."

"On our last patrol two days ago," began Sandune, "one of the officers spotted a Belt rabbit within our grounds. He told the outsider politely that our patrols had that area covered and to go back to his patrol squadron. But the Belt fellow was very rude and said that he would do what he wanted because he was equal to any Efrafan. According to the agreement we all made as the alliance, he wasn't supposed to be there. But despite our officer's efforts, he couldn't make the Belt rabbit leave. I guess the outsider got angry and attacked him, even though he was only half the officer's size. Poor thing. He didn't stand a chance. In self defense, the officer killed him. Let's just say the Belt Warren's Captain of Owsla wasn't too thrilled to hear the news. The officer will attend his trial in a few days and their Council will punish him as they see fit."

Ashwood was troubled to hear Sandune's story. It was odd in itself for any rabbit to wander out that far from his warren alone. That was just plain dangerous and a good way to get yourself killed by elil. Too bad he was killed, he thought. If they had taken him prisoner, he could have been questioned. They obviously have a problem with the Efrafans and what if they have one with us that we don't know about?

"We saw some peculiar activity going on yesterday," began Inlethlay slowly.

Ashwood glanced at him as if to ask, "What else haven't you told me?"

Nervously, Inlethlay continued, "It seemed that every buck in the Belt warren, even civilians, were above ground in front of their main burrow. They were all out in the open where any elil could see them but we couldn't figure out what they were doing. It just seemed unnatural to us."

"That is rather odd. And we haven't heard from the Belt warren in what seems like ages," Ashwood replied. "But all of this doesn't mean that they're up to any trouble."

"Yes, but don't you think we should try to find out a little more? We can't be too careful," Sandune said.

"But remember," Ashwood argued further, "they are of our own blood. The Belt warren is both Watership and Efrafan. I refuse to suspect rabbits that could be my cousins or brothers of any trouble."

"But Ashrah, what if…….." Inlethlay sounded worried. "let's at least find out a bit more. Just because they're family doesn't mean anything." Sandune nodded in agreement.

Ashwood was still slightly suprised and didn't know what to do. "I need some time to think, " he said, heaving a sigh with a hint of frustration. "Next time, officer, I want this sort of thing reported. Don't make this mistake again."

"Yes sir," Inlethlay replied meekly.

"If you need time to think, you'd better think quick, with all do respect," Sandune said. "Your next patrol is tonight."

Oh that's right, Ashwood thought to himself. I'll have to see what Rosebarb has to say about the whole thing. "Thank you, Sandune, Your information is helpful to us. But on to other things. How is Efrafa holding up?"

Ashwood, Inlethlay and Sandune stayed under the tree for a while making small talk and exchanging the usual warren gossip.

----------MEANWHILE-----------

"I'd like to speak with the Head of Council, please," Rosebarb requested from a young buck on sentry duty outside of the Council Burrow. Felzin was with her, if reluctant to be. He was nervous because the Council held him and high respects and violating that seemed to be his worst nightmare. In fact, Rosebarb had never seen him this troubled; he fidgeted and kept twitching his ears this way and that. Maybe it was a bad idea to convince him to help me, she thought with a little guilt.

"One moment please," the sentry replied and he left them in the run. Coming out a minute later, he said, "I'm sorry, but the Head says he has no time for you right now, Captain."

No time for me? "Did he say when was good time to come back?"

"No Captain. He didn't say anything, but I'm sure later would be fine."

Rosebarb was aggravated now. The Head always gave an alternative time. What could he be that's so important that he couldn't even tell me when to come back? Or maybe he just doesn't want to see me. "May I ask what he's doing?" Well too bad! He will!

The sentry thought for a moment and then said, reluctance filling his voice, "He's very busy, I'm sure, but…….. He didn't seem to be doing anything when I went in. Or at least no one was there with him…….."

"Move aside, please," Rosebarb demanded and , not even waiting for the poor sentry to move, she barged past him and entered the Council Burrow. Felzin followed, murmuring apologies to the sentry who cowered against the wall of the entrance.

The Captain stormed into the burrow, fur bristling in anger. She was going to yell, Felzin could tell. But the sight that met him in the burrow convinced him that she would every right to. The Head and three of his chief advisors were playing bob-stones in the middle of the burrow and they seemed to be having a good time too.

"What the-!? You can't take a few minutes to speak to me because you're too busy playing a kittens' game with your friends!? I don't believe it!" Rosebarb ranted. No one had ever seen her this angry, but the Head just sneered at her.

"Well you better start believing," he replied in his old voice that sounded like creaking wood. "I have better things to do than listen to a stubborn doe. Now leave!"

"Oh no, I'm not leaving!" Rosebarb yelled. Felzin just turned around and left the burrow. This was getting way too out of hand. He wouldn't be suprised if they leapt at eachother's throats at any minute.

Rosebarb continued, "I have a bone to pick with you and I want some answers!"

The Head laughed, which sounded more like gagging. "You do? You're not worth my time, Rosebarb. Does these days, like you, are much too bold for their own good."

"You wouldn't be saying that if the Chief Rabbit were here. You wouldn't be saying that if anyone else were here." Why did you have leave Felzin? Why?

"You're right. I wouldn't. But that doesn't make me feel any different," the Head replied in a matter of fact sort of way. "Okay! So you've seen through me. I don't think does are capable of anything but bearing kittens. You could never live up to your grandfather- no doe could. Being Captain of Owsla is a buck's job, Rosebarb. When will you realize this?"

Anger welled up in Rosebarb's chest and she struggled to suppress the urge to attack the Head. He was old, she could take him easily. But instead, she growled, "I'm not resigning. Not for you or anyone. Just to show you, I'll be the best Captain of Owsla this warren has ever seen!" Turning her back on him, Rosebarb left the burrow, followed by laughter from the Head and his stupid advisors. They won't be laughing when I'm done! I'll show them! I'll show him!"

-----------AT SUNSET-----------

"You've been very hospitable, but I must get back to Efrafa." Sandune got up from where he lay among the tree roots. "I hope you'll think about what we discussed earlier."

"Yes I will. And thank you for the warning," Ashwood replied. "Hopefully nothing is wrong." Turning to Inlethlay, he continued, "Please escort the ambassador to the end of our patrol border and make sure he gets there safely."

Last good-bye's were made and Sandune left Watership Down, escorted by Inlethlay. Nightfall was rapidly approaching and the patrol would be leaving in a few hours. Ashwood had a lot of thinking to do and he still had to speak with Rosebarb. Not to mention he was tired and there was a lot to do around the warren. I'll just let the patrol go and get more information. Like Sandune said, you can never be too careful.

I know there was a lot of dialouge in this chapter, but hopefully it wasn't boring. Please review!