Chapter 5:
"Brome me ol' lad. Great to see ya. Wot Wot." The hare named Ballaw told the young chieftain.
"It's great to see you guys as well." Brome welcomed the actors.
"No Rose. We haven't seen or heard from him." Rowanoak told the mousemaid before she could ask.
"I know. He traveled south and you guys didn't get that far." Rose sighed.
"Burr. Don't ee worry miz Roser. Oi be sure Mathen's fine." Grumm told her.
"Isn't Aryah coming?" Kastern asked.
"She was right behind me." Pallum told them.
"Sorry I'm late." Aryah said joining the group. "Keyla met up with some peaceful travelers who need a place to rest. I was just showing them to the guest lodge."
"Really? When can we meet them?" Rose asked.
"At the feast. Personally, I'm going to keep an eye on one during the story."
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A few hours later,
The Honeysuckle crew had rested up and prepared for the feast. When they got down to the Main Lodge, they had a welcome committee.
The Rosehip Players weren't the only visitors. Practically everybeast who fought in the Battle were there. Mainly to see how exaggerated the story will be this year. Rose was singing the song she sung to drive off the bees. When the Redwallers came in, the Hall went silent.
"Martin?" Pallum asked.
"We didn't dare hope you'd return." Rose added as she went up and hugged him.
Gonff raised an eyebrow at the hug.
"You'll hear the story later." Martin said as he returned Rose's hug.
"Martin? You're actually here?" Brome asked going up to the warrior.
"Hello Brome." Martin told the young chieftain.
"Where have you been? We've missed you."
"Around."
"I can't wait to hear of your adventures since Marshank."
"All in good time. But I believe we should get on with the feast. There are two hares to feed and Gonff is not a light eater."
"I heard that Mate." Gonff yelled at Martin as he was talking to Dinny and Grumm.
The Honeysuckle's crew, with the exception of Martin, stared in awe at the amount of food given. Martin had already seen it.
"This food just might rival Redwall's." Trimp said after eating a bite of cherrycake.
"It's that good at Redwall?" Beau asked with his mouth full.
"Shoulden talk wiff y'mouff full." Gonff said with his own mouth full.
"Déjà vu." Martin whispered to Dinny remembering his welcome feast at Brockhall. "Of course it is Beau. We have some of the best cooks in Mossflower." Martin told the older hare.
"Where's that?" Rose said overhearing the travelers.
"It's south from here. I thought it was Wildcat territory." Boldred told her.
"Aye. It was." Gonff told her. "But my best mate here defeated the wildcat queen and liberated Mossflower with no trouble at all."
Martin raised an eyebrow.
"Ok. Maybe he had a scratch or two." Gonff corrected himself.
Martin continued staring.
"Alright! We nearly lost him! But he DID take that cat down. Happy?" He gave in before asking Martin.
"Yes."
"You took down a wildcat?" Pallum asked.
"A mad one at that." Gonff continued. "No beast had ever defeated our Martin."
"Pallum. I believe it is your turn to tell the story" Aryah announced.
"Right." The hedgehog acknowledged.
Everybeast gathered around to hear the story of the Battle of Marshank. Pallum had heard the different sides from creatures who where there.
Martin quickly found out what was meant by "slightly exaggerated." Apparently, he, Felldoh, and Brome had to fight through Badrang's guards and the corsairs to escape and meet up with Rose and Grumm. Then he had to battle Queen Amballa for freedom after slaving to do hard labor. After that, he had to face killer bees, a real Mirdrop, cannibal lizards, fight the Warden, the Gawtrybe, and territorial shrews. The rest of the story was accurate. Well, except for the scene when Martin and Rose were sharing a VERY passionate kiss before the battle.
It was a good thing everybeast there, minus the Honeysuckle crew (Martin being the exception), knew the story had been exaggerated. Gonff, not knowing the extent of the exaggeration, looked over to his friend who was next to him. He was a little surprised to see Martin looked ready to bang his head against the nearest wall. In fact, Martin had gotten up and went outside to find a wall so he would get any attention. Gonff followed him out.
"You ok mate?" Gonff asked him
"That has got to be the most exaggerated story I've ever heard." Martin told him. "We escaped through a tunnel; I had to save a spoiled brat to gain freedom from Amballa after spending 24 hours looking after the babies; The bees were ordinary bees who were calmed down by Rose's voice; the Mirdrop was a doll with rabbits controlling the voice; The Warden saved us from the lizards; I didn't have to actually fight the shrews; and Rose and I never shared a kiss THAT passionate. The most was her giving me a small peck on the cheek. That was IT."
"But the rest was true?" Gonff asked.
"Pretty much. Including the vow I made NEVER to speak of this place ever again."
"Wow. So, you've been thinking that Rose was dead all these seasons?"
Martin nodded.
"No wonder you go into your depression moments. I would too."
Martin smiled at his friend's understanding.
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When they got into the Main Lodge, they noticed that everyone was telling the Honeysuckle crew the truth of the story. They visibly calmed down.
"Where were you two?" Rose asked when she saw Martin and Gonff.
"I just had to tell Gonff the truth." Martin explained. "I believe I was volunteered by Gonff earlier to do a demonstration in sword control?" Martin turned to Brome's mother
Flashback
"You should see Martin with his sword." Gonff bragged.
"I'm sure she doesn't." Martin argued.
"Actually, most of the creatures who fought at Marshank brag about how good you were. I would, and I'm sure many of the others would like to see how much better you've gotten." Aryah told the warrior.
"Then it's settled. Martin will do his demonstration after the story." Gonff said.
End Flashback
She nodded and the Redwallers got the set ready.
Martin did the same routine he did for the NORT otters. The reaction was even the same. All of Noonvale was ecstatic to see a true warrior after so many seasons. The children picked up sticks and attempted to mimic him. Martin sheathed his sword and sat down next to Rose.
"This is why I don't like performing. They make such a big deal of it." He told her.
"But that was amazing." She argued.
"It was only an exercise to relieve to boredom of training. I never should have performed it for Redwall. Gonff tries to get me to do it every time we meet new friends."
"I'd be doing it too." Pallum said joining the two mice.
"Well. I hope he enjoyed this one. Because when we get back to Redwall, I've decided to hang up this sword." Martin announced to Rose and Pallum.
"Really?" Pallum and Rose asked.
Martin nodded.
"What is Redwall like?" Rose asked.
TBC.
