A gentle breeze blew through the tops of the trees, causing the last few leaves to flutter to the ground. 2 small birds glided through the air back to their nest as darkness drew in. the stars shone and the full moon lit up the bare trees. Winter in Mossflower woods had arrived. The nights were drawing in and getting colder. The woods were silent and still, only the branches and blades of grass swayed in the wind. A drop of water splashed on a crisp brown elm leaf, followed by a few more, and then more drops. The light shower turned into heavier rain.
The crackle of burning embers indicated to a young mouse that more wood was needed on the fire. He stood up and moved to the pile that lay in one corner of the Great Hall. An older mouse repositioned his glasses on the bridge of his nose as he watched the little mouse place another log on the fire. He then gazed around the room, noting who was present. He eyes rested on the stone arched doorway of the grand room, noticing the shadows slowly move across, he got to his feet.
"Our guest has arrived." He announced. All eyes suddenly turned to the entrance and everyone watched as an elderly hare, followed by a younger hare, tottered forward, using a crooked oak wood stick as a support to help him walk. "It's good to see you again old friend." The mouse said as he walked over, greeting the hare with a hug.
"Do I smell tucker in here, wot? I say give an old hare vittles, or he'll starve to death!" the old hare's voice was hoarse, but everyone could still hear what he said. Chuckles went round the room at the hare's remark. The mouse looked at a young squirrelmaid and gestured for her to fetch some food. From the kitchens. She stood and disappeared through a doorway the opposite end. The mouse looked back at their guest.
"No matter what the situation, you always think of food don't you, Riggum Tavey?" he smiled.
"I say, Marrino, give a chap a chair, before my old legs fall off! Wot." Riggum Tavey ordered, waving his stick around a little and nearly falling off balance. If Marrino and the young hare had not been standing near, Riggum would be on the floor, but most likely laughing. At his immediately stick waving, those seated stood up offering their seat for their guest.
"Please have my chair, it's very comfy." One mouse called.
"Here Riggum Tavey, this one's by the fire" called a stout male squirrel.
"Putten yourzelf daown 'ere mizzur Tavey. Et's a noice chair. Ohh ar." A mole stood up, slightly pushing his chair towards Riggum.
Marrino's hands went up in the air, forcing silence in the Great Hall. "Mr Tavey has his special chair. Tannon, would you be a good fellow and fetch it for your grandfather?"
"Right oh sah! Anything you say sah!" the young hair performed a smart salute and galloped off into the kitchens. Marrino led Riggum, slowly, over to the roaring fire where Tannon was patiently waiting with a high backed chair. The two of them helped the old creature to sit down and then stood back as a tray of food was brought out and laid on a small table by the chair.
"Thank you me gel." Riggum said, taking the young squirrelmaid's paw and kissing it softly. "You've saved an old soldier's belly from starvation." The squirrelmaid smiled, curtsied and sat down at her place next to her mother. One paw covered up her cheek, but everyone know that she was embarrassed by Riggum's gesture.
Riggum looked at the tray and picked up a beaker. He held it up to his nose and sniffed. "Elderflower and Pear Cordial. My favourite, wot!" He took a swig of it and smiled. "Jolly good sah, I commend you."
Marrino returned the smile. "We always make sure there's a barrelful when we know you're coming to visit." The two friends laughed along with others who knew the hare well.
A small group of the abbeybabes, known as dibbuns, had gathered around Riggum's feet. Each little pair of eyes gazed up at Riggum as he ate and drank.
"Are you gonna tell uz a storwee?" One of them finally asked after a bit of nudging from his friends.
Riggum looked at the mousebabe from over the rim of the beaker. He replaced it on the tray and carefully bent forward, picking up the babe and placing him on his lap. "I guess I could tell you chaps and chapesses a story." The dibbuns squealed with excitement, then quickly settled down waiting for Riggum to begin. Others had moved closer, some sitting on the floor, others perched on their chairs and stools. All eyes were on Riggum Tavey, the elderly hare.
"I can tell you a true story of what happened within these jolly walls, many, many seasons before I was born. It's a story of creatures, just like yourselves, and others. It's both a happy and a sad story. But just remember this… not everyone you know is of good heart." Riggum took a bite of his mushroom and leek pasty and another swig of his cordial. The mousebabe in his lap quickly began picking up the tiny crumbs fallen in Riggum's fur, and popped them into his mouth. Riggum looked around him. "Are you all sitting comfortably?" His question was greeted by a response of 'yes' from all around the room. "Then I shall begin."