At sundown, the Efrafans forcibly led Hyzenthlay underneath a pylon for her execution, where the pylon itself made strange electric sounds. Bigwig had to come along as Orchis had a plan to make sure the new captain was either loyal to Efrafa or be killed out of his spite for him. Arriving at the center of the pylon, Bigwig noticed a grave nearby embedded in a small clutche of flowers; beautiful white snowdrops. He would have asked whom were buried here, but Sainfoin seemed to notice what he was thinking.

"If a traitor dies, we bury their bodies here as a reminder to all who betray Efrafa," he explained. "The doe buried here is Snowdrop, the only female member of the Council and Mallow's sister. At least… she was until she betrayed Efrafa by forming an alliance with Hyzenthlay and Primrose to plot an escape. I don't know why these flowers kept growing here, we tried tearing them apart but they kept on growing."

Silently, Bigwig gravely nodded, then glared at Sainfoin as he forcibly shoved Hyzenthlay to the ground, right at the feet of a smirking Orchis.

To add a touch of cruelty to the hopeless situation, Orchis made the demand of his plan, "Thlayli, you want to earn my trust... you will be the one who ends her."

I hear the sweetest sound
Blowing from the north

A slight gasp escaped from Bigwig's lips, but he kept his emotions under control. He approached the battered doe, unsure of what to do in this situation, as she gazed up at him sorrowfully.

It says, "Don't panic now"
What's mine is yours

Meanwhile in the pit back in Efrafa, the imprisoned does silently listened to the mournful ballad sung by Thethuthinnang. This alerted Chervil, who came running to the entrance.

I hope 10,000 times
You tell me the truth

"I'm ordering you to stop!" demanded Chervil, angrily.

Ignoring him, Thethuthinnang continued to sing her melody.

"Hraka!" Lily growled, glaring defiantly at the baffled Chervil for using such language. The other does in the Deep Burrow turned their heads toward her, surprised by her defiance.

Cause now there's much to do
I trust in you

"Do you have any last requests?" asked Orchis, scratching his ear with his foot.

Remembering Lily's plan, Hyzenthlay hesitated, doubtful this could work but what else could she do? "I do have a request... I'd like to speak to Nettle."

I feel the whole Earth shake
Brought to my knees
Although 10,000 strong, I shall be free

As Thethuthinnang's voice echoed through the tunnels and burrows, it caught the attention of General Woundwort, who leapt out of his quarters and bellowed, "GUAARRD! Find out where that singing is coming from and put an end to it!"

Outside, Nettle had been brought in by another guard as part of Hyzenthlay's final request to speak to the doe.

"Please, would you give us some space?" Hyzenthlay asked.

Reluctantly, Orchis moved back a bit to let the does talk. However, he had no idea of what the rebel doe had in mind for Nettle's treachery.

"Go to the west side of the warren as fast as you can!" Hyzenthlay whispered to Nettle, once they were alone for a brief moment. "They're breaking free, all of them! Go!"

Taking the bait, Nettle nodded and left to relay this information to the guards, shocking them. As soon as the treacherous doe had left, Orchis added one last cruel suggestion for the execution.

"Thlayli, deal with this quickly," he ordered, "Sainfoin, if he hesitates... kill him, too."

Horrified, Bigwig stared at the sadistic buck.

The guard who brought Nettle outside whispered in Orchis' ear of the allaeged escape attempt on the west side of the warren. Though frowning that he couldn't stay to enjoy the show, Orchis gave command to the guards and he stayed behind briefly to sneer coldly, "Thlayli, just in case you refuse, I'll be sure to take care of sweet, sweet Lily for you." He gave off a wicked chuckle, before he scampered back to the warren.

I hear the sweetest sound
Blowing from the north
It's says, "Don't panic now"
What's mine is yours

The lion buck's eyes never left Orchis when he realized what his words meant; Orchis knew he would hesitate to kill Hyzenthlay so he can claim Lily as his own mate. It angered him to imagine Lily in that bastard's grasp for all eternity. But if he let Hyzenthlay live, he might get Lily back. His emotions swirling like the storm inside his very core.

Back in Efrafa, Woundwort waited impatiently for the singing to be silenced until Orchis came rushing forward.

"Sir, sir!" he called. "There's a mass escape attempt in progress on the west side of the warren. I'm rounding up as many guards as I can!"

Woundwort fumed in silence, deciding he shall join the guards in their preparation to recapture the slaves and punish them by his own accord.

Back outside beneath the pylon, Hyzenthlay was pushed to the ground by a reluctant Bigwig. But the battered doe calmly accepted her awaiting death as she whispered assurance to the lion buck, brokenly, "It's fine... Lily told me to trick Nettle... so the does can escape once the guards left. Tell Holly I'll be with him... when he closes his eyes."

Bigwig's eyebrows furrowed, conflicted over what he should do. He grew surprised by Lily's plan to escape. It never occurred to him that Nettle was the spy all along, who betrayed their earlier escape attempt to the enemy. He also remembered Holly's plea to save Hyzenthlay, he loved her, just as much as Bigwig loved Lily with all his heart. If Lily escaped, the Efrafans would catch her and kill her. If Hyzenthlay died, Holly will be heartbroken and he might never forgive him for what he had done. Sainfoin and another guard stood by, watching and waiting for the execution to happen or else attack the new captain.

Bigwig's ears pricked up at an enchanting voice singing in the wind, as if the voice was trying to encourage him to make the right choice as multiple female voices joined in, harmonizing beautifully with the leader, urging him to embrace and accept who he is; Bigwig, a Captain of Owsla of Watership Down, a born fighter, not a cunning trickster, his friends are Hazel and Fiver, he treats Pipkin like his own son, he survived the snare in Cowslip's warren, he is not a murderer like the Efrafans, he fell in love with Lily who accepted him for who he is, and the does need a miracle to be free rabbits forever.

I hope 10,000 times
You tell me the truth
Cause now there's much to do
I trust in you
I shall be free
I shall be free

As Thethuthinnang finished the end of her song, the does began to chant in a powerful yet emotional choir, "We shall be free... we shall be free... we shall be free!" This overpowered the helpless Chervil's attempts to silence them as he found himself cornered by the slaves.

"I'm ordering you, stop right now!" he commanded, but no doe budged nor flinched as they continued their chat. "I'm ordering you!"

"WE SHALL BE FREE!" the does chanted at last.

"We shall be free," proclaimed Clover.

"And you can tell Woundwort that he can piss off!" added Lily, standing between her comrades and the stupefied Chervil for using bad words.


As a storm brewed closer to the pylon where the rabbits remained, Bigwig had withdrawn from Hyzenthlay and kindly helped her back on her feet, much to the surprise of the guards. Finally embracing and accepting himself for who he is, he refused to execute Hyzenthlay.

"You know, Hyzenthlay," the lion buck told her, "some rabbits are subtle and cunning... some are good at tricks... but I'm not one of them. Look at my face, look at how rough and worn it is! Look at my scars. I'm not a saboteur or a storyteller - I'm Bigwig! I'm a fighter! And by Frith, I'll be damned if I leave this world doing anything else!"

Fed up with this nonsense, Sainfoin decided to keep true to Orchis' order to kill Thlayli for refusing to obey orders, he came rushing over to shove Hyzenthlay aside, chiding, "I don't know what you think you're doing, Thlayli, but it ends now!" And then, he cuffed him right in the face, the impact knocked the lion buck to the ground.

However, it proved to be a big mistake when Bigwig's eyes shot open, blazing with fury. As he stood back up, he growled, "In the last two days, I have had it with your guff, you and this Owsla's, OVER AND OVER AGAIN!" At those words, Bigwig repeated that same cuff right back at Sainfoin, then kicked him with his back legs, sending Sainfoin flying back at the foot of the pylon, startling the other guard. Rushing forward, Bigwig began beating the hell out of Sainfoin multiple times, yelling, "AND IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE DOES!" Catching hold of Sainfoin's neck, Bigwig threw him to the side as he laughed triumphantly, "Oh, how I've longed for this!"

The guard stared at the fallen Sainfoin in disbelief at the lion buck's strength and physical combat. Just as Sainfoin got up, both he and the guard gawked at Bigwig, who stood his ground and snarled, ready for another round. They made a wise choice to flee like cowards.

Bigwig chortled at their decision, whilst Hyzenthlay approached him. "Do you have any fight left in you?" he asked, and his answer was met by a smile from her.


Returning to the burrows of Efrafa, Bigwig and Hyzenthlay rushed through the empty tunnels, having no problems of being caught by any guards, all whom had deserted the warren to head for the west side of warren and prevent the supposed break out.

"The tunnels are empty," said Hyzenthlay. "They've taken the bait!"

"Quickly, before they realize what is happening" Bigwig shouted, leading the way as he knew whom to go rescue first as he came closer to a familiar prison where it held a familiar torn black rabbit prisoner.

"Stop, stop!" ordered Marjoram, as he and Moneywort blocked their path. "What are you doing down here?"

"So, here's the deal," Bigwig threatened, smirking. "I'll only kill whichever one of you I catch first!"

Marjoram and Moneywort exchanged frightened looks, until they ran off in the same direction as they gave off a yelp, and leaving the prison cell unguarded. Bigwig and Hyzenthlay pushed the bolder to the side, where they found a puzzled Blackavar tiredly standing up. He was shocked and confused by this sudden visit from the new officer.

"You must be the one they call Thlayli," the torn rabbit said.

Gently approaching the dark-furred buck, Bigwig explained, "You can call me Bigwig. I've got one question for you; can you fight?"

This question surprised Blackavar, not entirely expecting this to happen, but when he caught a glimpse of Hyzenthlay urging him to come out, he realized at once the lion buck was a friend so he answered boldly with newfound determination and hope, "I got claws and teeth, haven't I?"

"I like you already." Bigwig smiled.

After freeing Blackavar from his cell, the trio of rabbits rushed for the pit where Chervil had called for backup from Thunder and Avens to punish the does for rebelling against him.

"Now, we're going to see to it personally that every single one of you is punished!" Chervil announced, until a sudden movement from behind him prevented the guards from carrying out the punishment.

Clover, Lily, Primrose and the does gasped when they saw Chervil forcibly yanked back into the shadows, then Avens and later Thunder. Grunts and cries of anguish erupted from the top entrance, making the does wonder what on earth is going on. The shadows' movements were completely hard to tell what is happening, but the next second later, the dead body of Chervil lay exposed to their sight. The squeals of Thunder and Avens told that both officers had fled the coup once they realized they were outnumbered by three intruders, with only a few battered scars and bruises left for them to tell the tale.

At the top of the entrance, there stood Bigwig as he inquired amusingly, "You fancy coming out for a stroll?"

Lily and Clover were so thrilled to see Bigwig had arrived on time to save their lives, even Primrose and the does cheered the second they noticed Hyzenthlay, alive and well, standing beside Bigwig and Blackavar. Hannah pumped a victory paw in the air, pleased that their plan was working. She climbed up on Lily's back for a ride to get out. One by one, the does were escorted out of the pit and hurried through the tunnels to reach the exit, with Bigwig and Lily guiding their way out.

But at the same time, Vervain hopped along through the same tunnel that led to the guards' quarters, still fuming over his newfound punishment. "I know you're hiding something, Thlayli," he muttered, "It's only a matter of time before you slip up. And when you do, I'll-" He hadn't been paying attention to where he was going and fell down a different tunnel, landing face-to-face with a surprised Bigwig and Lily. Vervain stared at them in confusion before he spotted the large number of does behind them, it dawned on him what their intentions were.

"Escape! Call out the Owsla! ESCAPE!" Vervain bellowed, but he was kicked in the stomach by Bigwig. Growling, he was about to charge at the runaway rabbit couple, when a stampede of does trampled him. Blackavar took the pleasure of giving the ugly rabbit a massive kick in the face before he ran off.

"Don't stop for anything!" hollered Bigwig.

The does obeyed his command, not needing to be told twice as they trailed after him as they shot out of the tunnel and reached the exit, emerging from the chimney stack and over the broken tracks to reach the field. A thunderstorm had broken out in the sky and rain began pouring down on the escapees. Their fur soaked to the brim, but neither of them cared. This was their chance of escape and there was no turning back now.

But then, Hyzenthlay paused when a familiar voice called out her name. Turning around, there stood a remorseful Nettle. At the same time, Nelthilta halted when she heard her sister's voice.

"Hyzenthlay!" The doe apologized, tearfully. "They said they'd hurt the does if I didn't... I never gave them any names. I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Nelthilta. I didn't want you to get hurt."

Without saying a word, Hyzenthlay coldly frowned upon her with disappointment and betrayal. She trusted that doe all those seasons and this is how she repaid her; by betraying their escape plans and responsible for her almost execution. Just like that, Hyzenthlay left her behind as she joins the other escaping rabbits. Nelthilta wanted to speak, but no words were needed to disown her as she glared in disgust at her former sister before she left.

"I'm sorry," cried Nettle, but no one looked back nor showed compassion toward her as she was left alone.


The Efrafan soldiers, led and commanded by Woundwort, charged out into the fields as they made their way to the western side of the warren. No one was bothered by the rain or the storm, their main priority was to recapture the escaped does. Once they arrived, there was no sign of the does. As they waited, it took less than a moment for the General to realize it had been a ploy to mislead them.

"Everyone back to your Marks, now!" Woundwort ordered. "We've been tricked."

"But… But Nettle told us-" Orchis protested, certain of what he had been told.

"GENERAL!" The voice of Avens caught the soldiers' attention as he arrived on the scene, panting heavily. "Sir, the new officer! He's gone!"

"What, Thlayli?" Woundwort questioned, raising his eyebrow.

"Yes, sir! He's killed Chervil, injured Thunder, and taken a crowd of does with him, along with Blackavar!"

Campion gaped at Avens, unsure of this was true or not. Orchis scowled, quietly wishing he had been at the pylon to kill Thlayli himself. General Woundwort's red eye blazed in a furious rage. He should have realized that Vervain's suspicions was correct all along. Thlayli must have planned this whole ordeal to aid the slaves' escape. He swiped his paw in the air, claws extended.

"Embleer Frith…" he murmured in pure shock, before bellowing out, "I'll blind him… I'LL BLIND HIM!"


As the storm brewed harder, Hazel and his friends waited patiently and worriedly for Bigwig, Lily and the others. Neither of them knew whether they might have been captured or killed. There wasn't a word from Hannah ever since Hazel had sent her to sneak inside Efrafa to find out what happened. The lightning flash revealed the shadow of a buck, frightening Hazel's group. They didn't know who it was lurking under the bridge. When another flash of lightning came, a shadowy figure emerged from the bridge. The rabbits froze, waiting to see if he was friend or foe. Another lightning flash revealed Bigwig, much to their surprise and relief.

"Bigwig!" Fiver shouted, pleased. "Hazel, it's Bigwig, and he's with the others!"

Lily and Clover came not long after, joined by the refugee does and Blackavar.

"Hazel!" Clover rejoiced, rushing forward to share a loving reunion with her mate as Hazel affectionately embraced her.

"Oh, Clover! Is it really you?" he asked.

"I'm not going to let you out of my sight from now on."

Silver gave the lion maned buck a friendly pat on the back, praising, "You did it, Bigwig!"

Bigwig shook his head. "No, we did it." He smiled affectionately at Lily, who was busy embracing Fiver, Hawkbit, Dandelion, Bluebell, Silver, and finally Hazel, as she was so glad to see her friends. If not for her plan, they would never have made it out in one piece.

The reunion will have to wait as the rabbits knew they had to get out of there, and quickly. Bigwig led Hazel and the others to find the does huddling together under the bridge, curiously staring at these newcomers.

"These Efrafans are fast, big, and know how to cover ground," Bigwig informed his leader. "If they catch up with us-"

Suddenly, Bigwig screeched to a halt. Hazel didn't understand why, until he saw the reason why his friend had stopped. Everyone gasped, finding a huge army of angry Efrafan soldiers standing in front of them. Another group of soldiers blocked their exit from behind. They were surrounded on all sides by the Efrafans.

"There they are!" shouted Vervain, at the front of the Owsla with Campion at his side. "I was right! Thlayli is a traitor, and that outsider doe is working with him!"

"I know..." Campion admitted, though he would have liked Thlayli if he hadn't been a spy, he grew furious at being tricked. "You were right."

The crowd of soldiers began to part sides, allowing General Woundwort to come out of the aisle and in the presence of the refugees and outsiders. The prisoners gasped and whimpered in fear, believing all hope is lost and their time has come to an end.

"I trusted you, Thlayli." Woundwort eerily approached Bigwig as he looks down upon him, being noticeably larger than the lion buck, "but you… you betrayed me and humiliated my Owsla! I'm going to keep my promise and take great pleasure in killing you."

"Leave him alone!" Lily shouted, bravely placing herself between the giant buck and her beloved mate, confessing, "I'm the one who organized the escape and falsely informed your spy of the alleged breakout. If you want to fight someone, fight me."

"Lily, no!" warned Bigwig, a bit of a plea in his voice.

General Woundwort chuckled, humorously cruel, "Now, why would a hutch rabbit like yourself put up a fight? You know you will only lose." Then he noticed that look in Bigwig's eyes, a familiar look he had seen before when Hyzenthlay expressed her concern for her fellow does, but this emotion was entirely different. It was the love between a buck and a doe. This seemed to make it all the more interesting for Woundwort to make these traitors suffer. "Ahh, so that's how it is? Love... a dreadful bond. And yet... so easily severed."

"You crack-brained slave driver!" Bigwig snarled, ready for a fight even if it killed him. "Frith sees you, Woundwort! You're not fit to be called a rabbit! May Frith blast you and your foul Owsla to hell!"

At those words, a dazzling claw of lightning streaked down across the sky and a white figure soared over their heads. General Woundwort reared up on his hind legs and roared as he attempted to deliver a killing blow on Bigwig, whom Lily tried to shield but the lion buck shielded her instead, ready to duel the monster.

All of a sudden, the white figure swooped down from the sky as a familiar bird's cry knocked Woundwort to the ground with incredible force. Everyone froze, wondering who or what creature as it happened so sudden and quick. The Efrafans muttered what had just happened, when the white figure had returned for another round. It was Kehaar, though badly maimed and injured, he was still a flier as he let out a heroic squawk coming to the escapees' rescue. With a battle cry, Kehaar made another mad dive toward a stupefied Woundwort, striking him across the face and sending him tumbling backwards.

"The scoundrel came back!" relieved Bigwig.

"Kehaar!" Hazel cheered, joyfully.

"Good old Kehaar!" Hannah proclaimed.

Kehaar circled around back and attacked the Efrafans in a striking fashion, diving down and picking them off one by one. He picked them off with his small talons, as the Efrafans cried out or started to scatter for cover. He struck at Sainfoin, then he caught a screaming Orchis by the hide, and then knocked down Vervain when he tried to retreat. The gull came at Ragwort and Groundsel like a raging bird of prey while the large rabbits dove for cover.

In the chaos, Hazel knew this was their chance to make a run for it to the river where Blackberry waited. "Quick, everyone! Follow me!" he commanded.

The refugees tried to run, but their path was blocked by Campion, who happened to be the only buck not afraid of Kehaar. Luckily, Kehaar swooped down and struck at Campion by the face, sending him flying and colliding into Bartsia.

The Watership rabbits immediately led the ailing prisoners away from the panicking Efrafans and from the bridge, although Thethuthinnang was pounced on by Marjoram. Dandelion hurried back to tackle him. Once he was out, Dandelion helped Thethuthinnang to rejoin the others.

"To the river, everyone!" Hazel shouted. "Kehaar won't hold them off for long!"

The large group of escapees tore across the field, following the path that lead through a wood and to the broken bridge where Blackberry and their boat waited. Lily could slightly hear Woundwort's shouts of rage as he ordered his Owsla to pursue the fugitives. The Watership rabbits and the prisoners ran faster than they had ever run before, knowing fully well that the enemy were in hot pursuit.

When the group made it out of the wood, the broken bridge came in sight and two Efrafan soldiers standing on the bridge tried to stop them, until Kehaar dove in for an attack, driving them off and terrifying the soldiers. This gave the Watership rabbits and the Efrafan prisoners enough time to make it to the slope and to the river where Blackberry instantly began biting at the rope that secured the boat to the shore, allowing everyone to board the boat and thankfully there was plenty of room for everybody who wanted to get out of Efrafa.

Just then, Woundwort and his Owsla arrived at the broken bridge. Seeing no chance of escape was made and believing the fugitives only came to the bridge for cover, the General sneered triumphantly, "We've got them trapped. Surround them!"

"Kill them!" Vervain shouted.

"Any time, Blackberry!" Hazel urged, whilst the doe continued biting her way through the rope.

Thinking of delaying the Efrafans from charging, Hazel and Bigwig decided to confront the enemy from under the bridge. The Efrafans slowly approached the duo, ready to attack at any second now.

"I'm sorry it has to end this way," Campion said to the lion maned buck regretfully, he did form a liking for him but he was an Owsla captain loyal to his Chief no matter what, although Orchis, Sainfoin and Vervain gawked at him for his choice of words for a brief second.

"I was just thinking the same," Bigwig admitted, as he also formed a begrudging respect for Campion, but he understood that he was the enemy and there was no chance of taking him back to the high hills.

"That bird can't save you now!" Woundwort chuckled, positioning himself for a pounce on the outsiders.

"But I can, General!" A familiar voice rung out in a battle cry as she flew herself at Woundwort's back, biting and slashing at his fur. The General howled in pain as he struggled to grab at whoever attacked him. His Owsla tried to help by prying off the doe who flew at him. It was Nettle, courageously trying to fight off the Owsla with all of her strength.

"Nettle, what are you doing?!" Hyzenthlay gasped, as she and other does watched speechless over their former friend's selfless act.

Before anyone could help her, Woundwort delivered a powerful blow to Nettle's head and then sunk his teeth into her neck. Nettle screamed in anguish as blood squirted out of her throat, and then her squealing was silenced forever when the General flung her body toward a tree, the impact broke her neck and she succumbed to her wounds. Hazel and Bigwig reacted, horrified. Even Campion was aghast at the General's bloody act of murder.

"NETTLE!" Nelthilta screamed, wanting to jump out and see if her sister is still alive, but she was held back by Hyzenthlay.

"There's nothing you can do!" she told her, sadly.

Finally, Blackberry bit through the last of the rope and the boat started to drift away from the shore. "Hazel! Bigwig!" she called.

The two rabbits raced along the shore, avoided being captured by the Owsla. Leaping gracefully through the air to land safely in the boat. Just before anyone can breathe a sigh of relief, they heard the roar of Woundwort, who had raced out on the broken bridge and leapt after them, thunder and lightning crashed in the process of his actions like he was a demon rabbit sent from hell to kill the fugitives. He landed in the water with a huge splash. Although, he managed to swim back to the surface and grabbed the edge of the boat, forcing the nose to tip dangerously and causing Bigwig to slide towards him. The snarling Woundwort tried to climb him, but he came face-to-face with big rabbit feet.

"We're all full up, Woundwort!" yelled Bigwig. "Get your own boat!" And with that, he gave a mighty kick in the General's face, the blow sending the giant rabbit falling backwards into the water.

Enraged, Woundwort coughed and splashed as he struggled to swim his way back to shore. His Owsla tried to help him up, but he harshly rejected their assistance. Throwing his head back, General Woundwort screamed and swore revenge at the disappearing boat filled with fugitives, whilst the lightening and thunder exploded in agreement with his promise.

"I'll find you, outsiders!" he bellowed. "The world isn't a big enough place to hide! I'll hunt you till Frith falls from the sky, outsiders! Do you hear me?! DO YOU HEAR ME?! I WILL FIND YOUR WARREN AND DESTROY IT, AND LEAVE NO TRACE OF IT ON THIS EARTH!"

Listening to the General's promise, the rabbits quivered nervously, but none of that matter right now as they were finally free from the cruelty of Efrafa and General Woundwort… at least for now.

"Well, that came off rather well," Bigwig panted, taking some deep breaths.

"Like falling down a hole," added Hawkbit.

Giving a sigh of relief, Vilthuril turned to her secret love, Fiver, speaking softly, "I knew you'd come to get us out. But we were afraid to believe in it."

"You don't have to be afraid anymore," Fiver assured her, placing his paw on hers. "You're free... everyone is free."

Although it came with a price when Nettle sacrificed herself to allow them to escape, an act that truly redeemed herself. Nelthilta sat at the bottom of the boat, grieving in silence. To show their respect and honor the death of a fallen rabbit, everyone quoted their prayer.

"My heart has joined the Thousand, for my friend stopped running today," they muttered in a chorus.

As Lily watched the last of the broken bridge disappear and thinking of poor Nettle and the General's vow, she felt a paw touch her own. Looking up, she found Bigwig giving her a tender smile.

"How are you feeling?" he inquired, worried.

"I'm fine... just shaken up by Nettle's death..." Lily admitted, her ears drooping. "I hope that never happens to us, if Woundwort ever found us."

"He will never find our home." Bigwig pressed his nose against hers to rub it affectionately, then whispered soothingly, "What's more important is that we're together again."

"Yes... together forever..." Lily agreed, before giving him a quick peck on his lips and then nuzzled against his maned neck.

A solemn Kehaar flew on up ahead, guiding the rabbits' boat to sail further on down the river toward a human town where no enemies will follow them, and for the group to debate on how to get home. His injuries often made them stop to rest on the boat. Whatever happened to him and why he never showed up yesterday, they will find out as soon as they deck for land at the human village.