Chapter TEN - Reflections

When Dandelion had finished, Blackberry turned to Vernal.

"You said that your doe's name was Anisthimi too, didn't you? Was she named after the hutch rabbit in the story?"

"Yes," answered Vernal. "Of course in most warrens it's rather unusual for rabbits to be named after such folk heroes unless they're high-born, but as you know we generally didn't take the old tales as seriously as other places, and so there seemed no reason to worry about it. She is - or was, I don't know - very fond of that name, though, and whenever she spoke about it her eyes would shine with pride at such a connection with El-ahrairah. Actually, we used to joke about it sometimes, and she'd scold me for not looking after Rabscuttle properly and so on."

Hyzenthlay spoke up.

"Well," she said. "yours is certainly an extraordinary tale, Vernal, and I don't doubt that you are sincere in what you say. But we really must get back to poor Blackavar. It's been quite a while now since he died, and we've hardly got anywhere. Every time we turn our attention to him, something seems to crop up that can't be put off. I'm starting to wonder whether we'll ever find out the solution to this mystery."

"Oh, I'm sure you will," said Vernal. "I hope so, anyway - from what I understand, Blackavar was a rabbit considerably out of the ordinary. I've heard all about his exploits in Efrafa, you know."

Vernal's voice was soft and steady, but that was deceptive: Fiver, watching his eyes with rapt attention, was all too aware of the deep emotions playing deep within the other rabbit's being - the intense attachment he felt to Anisthimi mingling with a barely suppressed despair at the thought that he might never see his mate again. There was something else there, too, but it was hidden far beneath the other feelings, and even Fiver could not grasp more than the faintest shadow of its true meaning. He turned away, and spoke quietly to Hazel, beyond the others' hearing. His brother spoke briefly to him in return, then turned to address the whole hall once again.

"All right," he said. "This is the way of it: we've all had a bit of an exciting time over the last couple of days, I know. And I don't expect you all to forget what's happened, but it's past and gone now, and we really must turn our full attentions to Blackavar. After all, whatever killed him may come for us in time; it may be dangerous to do nothing. Fiver here has had an idea that may help. I'd rather not explain it now, as it may not come off, but I can assure you that I shan't be taking any unnecessary risks. That's all I have to say for now."

A few minutes later, Hazel and Hyzenthlay squatted in the empty Honeycomb with a small group of other rabbits, including Fiver and Vernal. Fiver seemed restless, and his agitation was having an effect on Vernal in particular. Hazel spoke sharply to his brother to calm him down, but he was concerned that something was seriously wrong. Nevertheless, he swallowed his growing unease, and spoke in general terms to Vernal about what would be expected of him as a member of the Watership warren. Vernal listened with equanimity for the most part, until Holly suggested that he should join the Owsla on a trip to where Blackavar was buried the following day, in order to check that the place had not been disturbed.

Vernal objected almost before Holly had finished speaking.

"Oh no," he gasped, wide-eyed. "I couldn't possibly do that. It would be... it would be wrong of me, I'm sure."

Holly was bemused. "But why on earth should it be wrong?"

"W-well," Vernal stuttered, "because I don't really know the terrain around here. In-in any case, this would be a terribly important journey, and I don't have roots here. It would be a dangerous distraction for you to have to look out for me."

"None of us were born on Watership Down," pointed out Silver. "And nor was Blackavar, come to that. I don't see the problem. A new face with us might mean a new idea or two as well, and any Owsla worth its salt is glad of those. Do come with us, old chap - a bit of fresh air would do you a world of good."

Vernal could not be persuaded, however, and sat stock-still on the earthy floor as the others exchanged looks of confusion and surprise. It was clear that nothing short of the threat of force would succeed in changing Vernal's mind, and Hazel had no intention of going that far. He could see that the meeting was going nowhere, so after some brief planning for the morrow and a little derisory small talk, he allowed the rabbits to go their separate ways, Vernal with Strawberry to show him the way. Hazel himself went to reassure Léaozen that she had not been forgotten, and promised that his own attention would now be fully directed towards her dead mate.

***

It was a good while later, and Hazel and Hyzenthlay were lying close to each other in their burrow. For a long while neither spoke, each enjoying the smell and feel and sound of their mate, and giving thanks to Lord Frith that fate had brought them together. Occasionally Hyzenthlay would gently lick at the wound Stitchwort had inflicted on Hazel's ear, and he would purr softly at her touch.

After a time - there was no way of telling how long - Hyzenthlay murmured to her companion:

"What did Fiver say to you, when you were talking alone in the Honeycomb? There was more to it than you let on, wasn't there?"

"Yes," said Hazel at once. "Fiver told me that when he looked into Vernal's eyes while he was speaking, he could sense something strange there; something very deep and profoundly unsettling. He couldn't find the words to tell me any more than that, though; he said he would talk it over with Vilthuril this evening. I wonder if it's got anything to do with Vernal's reluctance to go with the Owsla tomorrow."

There was quiet for a few moments, broken only by the sound of Hyzenthlay's breathing and pulse. Both had quickened slightly. Then she spoke again, in the softest of whispers.

"Perhaps it's that Vernal sees a little of his own situation in Blackavar's," she breathed. "Look at it this way: both rabbits were found lying cold and still underground, yet with not a mark upon them. Perhaps Vernal is frightened that the Black Rabbit may come for him as he must have done for Blackavar. Yet there is a difference: Vernal is alive, and Blackavar is dead. So what does Vernal have that Blackavar did not?"

Hazel replied, "I don't know. But I'm sure Fiver wouldn't have told me what he did about Vernal's eyes unless he was certain. I can only hope that this isn't all some great trick being played by another warren who mean to attack us. I pray to Frith that isn't the case, because that would mean Strawberry really was a traitor, as Stitchwort claimed - and if I'm wrong about him and he is disloyal, then I have no future here: even if any attack were repelled, I would be forced out, or even torn to pieces, for supporting someone like that."

"I'm sure Strawberry isn't a spy, Hazel," said Hyzenthlay soothingly, but she could sense her buck's anxiety, so she went on, "I think that we need to send the Owsla expedition out at dawn tomorrow - we've wasted enough time, and at this time of year the weather can still be very cold. The last thing we want is for a sudden snowfall to block things up completely."

Hazel agreed with this eminently sensible assessment, proud as always of the mate he knew he could rely on completely, a mate whose courage and steadfastness had been such a help to Hazel's own rabbits long ago. Bigwig had once confided in him that without Hyzenthlay's calm reassurance, he would certainly have lost his nerve in the oppressive terror that surrounded him while spying in Woundwort's Efrafa - and what would have become of Watership then?

He knew only too well, of course. Bigwig would have been defeated - perhaps not without sending several Efrafans to a meeting with the Black Rabbit, but Woundwort would consider that a small price. Defeated, however, but not killed - Woundwort was no fool, and would have realised that Bigwig presented an excellent chance to discover the whereabouts of the Watership warren. So he would have been handed over to Vervain and the Owslafa with the expectation that he could be made to talk.

They would have been disappointed, however. Vervain had prided himself on his ability in extracting information from his prisoners, but Bigwig's loyalty and courage were such that Hazel knew he would have refused to betray his friends up to the very moment of his death. Vervain would have had to turn his attentions to those rabbits who were known to have consorted with Thlayli, and first among those would have been Hyzenthlay. He wondered how Vervain might...

Hazel shuddered, and hastily blocked off his line of thinking. All that mattered now was that the fight had been won, Woundwort was no more, and both Bigwig and Hyzenthlay were safe and happy. El-ahrairah had been on their side, and against all the odds the warren had been saved from what appeared to be certain death. To dwell on what might have been would do him no good, especially with the mystery of Blackavar's death becoming more and more intractable and frustrating by the hour. Hazel contented himself with looking forward to hearing from the next morning's Owsla expedition, and settled down once more beside Hyzenthlay.