Two as One: Epilogue

Five seasons have passed since Stelumos's reign and fall at Redwall. Even now, we still tend to remember that final battle, for what it meant, and for what we lost. It was bloody and gruesome but with the help of the Salamandastron hares, the Night Flyers, along with our own leaders, we were victorious…though not without a cost. I still remember coming back to the abbey and seeing Ebonia and CrimsonRay standing beside that mound of dirt where beneath their aunt lay. I never thought that they would recover.

Once the victory over Redwall had been proclaimed, the hares and Night Flyers ventured back to Salamandastron to finish the battle there. Mirage told us days later that once they reached the mountains, both Mount Bat Pit and Salamandastron joined together. With the combined efforts of all their warriors, they were able to drive the vermin away from their land. Their leader was killed during the escape, by Eon no less. I must say that bat is truly resourceful for being deaf.

A season after the battle ended, Abbot Welkum decided that he would step down from his position. We were greatly saddened by this turn of events but good news came of it as well. Kenyo decided to take charge as Abbot in his place…handing the title of warrior over to Crim. Of course, they decided that they'd let Kenyo teach Crim a couple more seasons until he felt strong enough to take the former warrior's place. In fact, his orientation is today. It's amusing for this spring has been entitled "Summer of the Warrior's Reign." It's quite fitting if I might add.

Ebonia was named Lady Warrior of the Abbey and given the duty to help the younger warriors train in the area of stealth. Of course, some of the adults are worried since the dibbuns are hard enough to find as it is. With their kind of luck, the little ones will end up giving a few creatures heart attacks from their "sneak antics." I can only hope I won't be one of those creatures sent to an early grave.

Oh dear, there tolls the Matthias and Methuselah bells. Today is a proud day for us all. Not only is Crim being named warrior but our dear little Sprypaw is getting married! Can you believe that? He's had his eye on SkyBreeze since the first day she came here. Granted, PeriNickel isn't too happy but now that Sprypaw is an official Salamandastron hare again, he can't complain too much.

In fact, the wedding is about to start very soon. I'd better get down there and help my father before he comes and drags me out of this room. He always said I spent too much time with my nose in a scroll. I guess he was right!

Malya. Recorder of Redwall Abbey in Mossflower country.

Malya put down the quill pen and rubbed her eyes as bright sunlight filtered through the room. She had been Abbey recorder for a season and a half and was quite happy with how everything was turning out. Though she hadn't been part of the battle, she at least had been able to help defeat the vermin that Falamia had sent to add with Stelumos's troops. Had they reached the Abbey, it would have been disastrous.

Now, however, was not the time to worry about that. This was supposed to be a joyous day and she was ready to share it with the world, especially her friends. It seemed that all of them had gained special titles. She was quite pleased to sit inside and be the writer while Ebonia and Crim were the warriors. They could make the history and she would record it.

The otter's gown swished around her legs as she headed for the Abbey door. She looked around the room fondly; smiling as she saw the small bit of parchment that Crim had received sown on with the rest of the history. In fact, she had done it herself not but a season ago. It had taken her a long time to record all that had happened during that frightful season when they had lost everything important to them. But…it was done and tucked away with the rest of history.

"Malya! What are you dashed well doing in here mate? It's a beautiful day isn't it, wot!"

The ottermaiden chuckled as Sprypaw walked towards her, a fancy tunic and breeches decorating his frame. He had grown up quite a bit in the last five seasons, as had she. The hare gave her a wide smile and clapped her on the shoulder, almost sending her flying forward.

"Oof! Spry, easy there, mate. Heh, I was just makin' a new recordin' that's all."

Sprypaw gave a snort and threw his arm around Malya, his face creasing into a wide smile. "Bah me gel…you should be spending your jolly time outside with the rest of us. You're going to bally well waste away your young years writing like this."

Malya chuckled softly and nudged Sprypaw with her tail. Her face was beaming with the rays of sunshine that were gleaming through the stained glass windows. "Hey, someone has ta keep a record on what's happening, mate. One day, your children will be able to look back and see what a hero their father was."

Sprypaw laughed heartily and wrapped his arm around Malya, hugging her tightly.

"Oh ho me gel, you certainly know how to make a dashed hare feel loved, wot! Now come on, we don't want to jolly well miss Crim's orientation. Have you seen him?"

Malya brushed off her habit with a paw and lifted her eyebrow at her friend. She could tell he was nervous about getting married, but at least he was trying to hold it in.

"How would I know, mate, I've been in here the whole time."

Sprypaw glanced down and chuckled softly. "How could I dashed forget with all that dust on your bloomin' face-ow! That hurt!"

Malya smirked as she let her tail drop to the side again, watching as the hare rubbed his bottom ruefully. "It was supposed to. Heh, now come on! I'll race you!"

Giving Sprypaw a shove, she darted down the steps of the Abbey. A few of the older beasts looked over at them and she could see them rolling their eyes. They were still young but they were soon going to be adults themselves. Some just thought they were still so immature. Frankly, Malya didn't care what they thought. This was a joyous day….not everyone had to act like themselves.

The warm summer breeze flew through the trees, causing the scent of the newly opened flowers to filter over the grounds. Creatures filed out of the Abbey, all of them in good humor as they made their way towards the pond where tables were set up with food and drink. Two creatures, however, weren't currently in attendance.

CrimsonRay stood silently beside the grave of his aunt, his paws folded in front of him. Ever since the battle, he had grown quieter and much more independent. It wasn't a bad thing since it allowed him to focus on becoming a warrior, but it was apparent that the young, innocent spirit inside of him had died away, instead replaced by the calm soul of a warrior. His eyes gleamed faintly as he whispered a silent prayer under his breath, his paws holding a single white rose.

Even though five seasons had passed, he still hurt on the inside. His aunt hadn't deserved this. Then again, neither had Katal and Weave…and in Ebonia's case, Bemal. All of them had been good creatures and met horrible fates. Yet, in retrospect, Valena had seemed quite happy to be reunited with her late family. Crim only wished that he could bring himself to understand that.

The soft sound of paw steps caught his attention, causing the squirrel to glance over his shoulder. Ebonia walked up to him and placed a paw on his shoulder, her striped eyes locking with his. She had grown so much over the last five seasons. She was taller, stronger, yet quieter just like him. Soft blue clothing flowed off of her body with a green embroidery for the wedding. In her paw were two roses, both of a soft red. The squirrel maiden nuzzled her brother softly and looked at the graves.

"It's hard to believe that so much time has passed. It still feels like yesterday that we were fighting to free the Abbey."

Crim gave a small nod of his head and wrapped his arm around his sister, pulling her close for a hug. Ebonia took his comfort and settled her head on his shoulder, ears folded back. It was just as hard for her to forget.

"I know, Ebonia…but at least it's over. And with the new warriors that we're training, we'll make certain that this doesn't happen again."

The squirrel maiden hugged her brother tightly then turned her eyes to the tombstones. A soft white paw brushed back the headfur from her eyes as she knelt down. One rose she placed on Valena's grave, and the other upon Bemal's. She rubbed a paw along the tombstone, sighing as she traced her finger across the name. So many years the vixen had been like a mother to her…and now she was gone.

Crim knelt down and placed his own rose on Valena's grave, a tiny smile forming on his lips as he looked at all the flowers that had been given already. He glanced over at a marker that symbolized Weave where flowers from the long patrol littered the tiny rock. The hare had been taken back to Salamandastron after the battle to be buried next to her family. Fleetfoot hardly spoke of her anymore.

The young squirrel looked at Ebonia and gave her paw a squeeze before starting to stand.

"They'll rest peacefully now, Ebonia. I know…the pain will stay with us for a long time, but so will they. Like Valena said, she and our parents will watch over us and I'm sure Bemal will do the same."

He helped the maiden to her paws and gave a sad smile. Ebonia looked up at him sadly but she nodded her head in understanding. It was going to hurt for a long time as he said but over the seasons, they'd recover, hopefully. Crim patted her shoulder, his mouth opening to speak. However, he caught sight of another figure standing close by, causing him to blink in surprise.

"Fleetfoot?"

The black hare gave a small salute to both of them. His fur was still as black as ever but there were some gray hairs mixed in with it. His mustache twitched over his lips slightly as he walked towards the graves. A tunic decorated in medals adorned his chest, the silver and gold pieces flashing in the light of the sun. In his paw, a rose dangled, the petals the soft color of red.

"It's jolly good to see the both of you here, wot."

Crim and Ebonia both smiled softly and reached out, giving their friend a small pat on the back. Fleetfoot grinned a little then glanced over the graves. "I decided to be here with all of you for the orientation and wedding, wot. It'll be interesting to see SkyBreeze with a mate."

Crim chuckled softly and glanced off towards the pond where the others were standing, waiting for the warriors to reveal themselves.

"It'll be just as strange to see Sprypaw with a mate as well. I assume they'll both be traveling back to Salamandastron then aye?"

Fleetfoot gave a nod of his head and looked down at Weave's grave marker. His face looked almost vacant of emotion as he spoke softly. "Aye…but you two are jolly well welcome to come along as well."

Crim lifted his eyes towards the Abbey, watching as the sun glistened across the red sandstone walls. A feeling of peace passed through him and he heaved a deep sigh, tail flicking back and forth. Slowly, he wrapped his arm around Ebonia and smiled.

"Thank you for the offer, Fleetfoot…but Ebonia and I are needed here. We'll come to visit of course but we have our duties as well."

Fleetfoot nodded his head, a sad smile touching his lips. Very slowly, he placed a paw on each of their shoulders and gazed into their eyes, his old, wise ones glinting. "Then so it shall be…You two have bally grown up so much over the years. When I first saw you, wot…I thought it insane that two young squirrels were leading an army. Now I can see why I was wrong. You'll make this jolly Abbey proud me laddie and lass. You'll make it proud indeed." The hare's tender smile and truth filled voice caused a prideful grin to touch both squirrels' lips. Crim hugged Ebonia's shoulders again then patted Fleetfoot's paw.

"I thank you…Now…I think it's time that we go and join the others. They'll be ready to start soon."

Fleetfoot sighed and gave a small wave of his paw as he moved closer to the graves.

"You go on bucko…I need a moment alone." Without arguing, Crim and Ebonia turned as one and headed towards the pond. They both knew why Fleetfoot needed the moment. Like them, he was still trying to recover. The aged hare knelt down at Weave's grave and ran a paw over the tombstone, clearing away some of the fallen leaves. He sighed deeply and put the rose to his lips.

"From this world unto the next, my heart will always remain true. From now until the end of time, my love will beat anew. Farewell to you, my dearest and most trusted friend. I'll await the day when life's complete and my last breath will end."

With that, Fleetfoot gently dropped the rose onto the pile, listening as his voice echoed around the walls. It was an old prayer that his father had spoken over his wife's grave. Now Fleetfoot was doing the same. He placed his paw on the tombstone then got to his paws, a warm breeze floating through his fur. Without a second glance, he walked towards the festivities…never to look back.

"I wonder where they could have gotten off to."

Renla looked over her shoulder as Kenyo spoke, her arms wrapped around two dibbuns that were trying to attack a plate of meadow cream for the scones. The badger had spent half of the morning trying to get the little terrors dressed and ready for all that was happening that day. Unfortunately, being the main caretaker, all of the dibbuns were trying to find some way to annoy her.

"Sit still you little scamp! Arg…Holly take your paw out of that strawberry fizz or you're going to be in big trouble miss…Julis! Stop pulling on your sisters ears!" The ranting went on and on until Renla managed to clear the dibbuns away from the table, her eyes a little beady. Breathing out a sigh, she glanced back at the mouse warrior and shook her head. "I don't know. I saw both of them up early this morning. They're probably catching up with some of the other warriors…"

Kenyo gently nudged a dibbun away from the table as he nodded his head, tail flicking from side to side. He looked older and wearier since the great battle but there was still a spark of life gleaming in his eyes. Nothing could destroy the warrior inside of him.

"Well I hope they hurry. The dibbuns are going to keep trying to tear everything apart until…ahhh there they are. Crim! Ebonia!"

The mouse waved his paw in the air, signaling the two over towards the largest table bedecked with scones, pasties, nut bread, cheeses of all varieties, and various other things. Crim gave a wide smile, ushering his sister forward as he came up behind her, tail flicking.

"Sorry, we just needed some time to talk. Fleetfoot's here."

Renla nodded her head and motioned towards the entrance of the Abbey with a paw.

"So are some of the other hares. They wanted to come and see their little SkyBreeze married I guess."

Ebonia smirked at her brother and gave his paw a sympathetic pat. "Aww, and here we thought that they were all here for you."

Crim sent her a mock scowl then winced as Renla let her heavy paw fall on his shoulder. "I still can't believe how much you've grown Crim…well, both of you. To think that you'll be protecting the Abbey from now on is a great honor and a great joy."

Ebonia chuckled softly as Crim blushed, his paws tucked in his tunic. The black squirrel maiden leaned back, arms crossed. "I say we lock the dibbuns away and get the other warriors ready…knowing Crim, he'll bring down the Abbey the first day he tries to protect it." Ebonia grinned then laughed as Crim grabbed her around the neck, rubbing his paw frantically through her headfur.

"Oh very funny, Ebonia. What about you? You've turned the dibbuns into absolute terrors with all your tracking skills. None of us can sleep at night!"

Ebonia struggled in her brother's arms and gave him a smack on the arm as he snickered at his comment. Renla rolled her eyes and pulled the two apart, almost lifting them high enough so that their footpaws barely reached the ground.

"I take that back…you two haven't grown up a bit." Chuckling, she dropped the pair and looked up as the former Abbot Welkum stepped out of the Abbey, accompanied by Sprypaw, Malya, SkyBreeze and several other creatures. The hare maiden had her arm wrapped around Sprypaw's, her head resting on her shoulder as her soft blue gown blew in the warm summer breeze.

Welkum motioned to the pair to stand by their fellow hares, Ballard welcoming them with open arms. From the shadows, Fleetfoot quietly walked over to join them, his paws folded behind him in a military fashion. The aged otter smiled at the group then stepped lightly over towards where the two squirrel warriors were, both quickly bringing themselves to attention.

Kenyo stood proudly beside them, the sword of Martin dangling over his shoulder. He pulled the mighty blade out of the scabbard and handed it over to Welkum. He took it in his paws easily and looked over the two, speaking softly.

"This is an honor that you both deserve…I am glad that you've both decided to stay and protect this Abbey. You both are true warriors."

Crim smiled and sent a wink to his sister. Above them, several bats of all shapes and sizes sat in the trees, on the wall tops or just watched from the ground. Mirage, CloudDancer, and WebWinger were amongst them, watching quietly as the ceremony began. Higher in the air, Kestra flew down towards SkyBreeze and Sprypaw, a ribbon dangling in her talons. Eon had the other end though the bat was performing so many whoops and whirls that Kestra was almost afraid that he'd get himself wrapped up in it.

Welkum looked up at the pair and waved his paw, motioning for them to wait for a moment. They still had to take care of the two warriors. The otter cleared his throat loudly, causing a hush to fall over the many beasts that had gathered. SilverStreak, Jenkins and Skipper stood off to the side with their paws on Malya's shoulders. Tellio and his mother, forever clinging to him watched from one of the tables. Log-a-Log, his wife, and son Lezlo stood with their small garrison of shrews, some grinning and pointing at the gathered beasts. Even McLear was there, the great hawk nestled to one side of the Abbey with his wings folded around his body.

Welkum cleared his throat one more time then spoke loudly so that all could hear, his voice ringing along the walls.

"Five seasons ago, a great tragedy befell this Abbey. A menace made his presence known and took something very dear from us. Everything appeared lost and many of us wondered if we would ever see freedom again. The time and experience tried our mentality…our faith and our trust in friends." The otter turned towards Crim and Ebonia, the sword held in his paws. "Five seasons ago, four young creatures took it upon themselves to do something about her terrible fall. They joined together along with friends from Salamandastron, Mount Bat Pit, and even within our own Mossflower woods. They knew that they had to do something to help us…and help us they did.

"Through their friendship, their skills and their love for the Abbey they were able to vanquish this land of the terror that had tortured us, stolen our lives and our faiths. Two, however…stood out amongst the group. Two devoted their lives to the cause and led everyone to victory…though not without a cost." Welkum looked at every single creature as he said this, some lowering their eyes while others whispered soft prayers. The old otter waited for a long moment then held his paws out to the two in front of him.

"CrimsonRay and Ebonia were those two creatures. Despite the differences between them and their young age, they took what they had learned from their elders and put it to heart. They fought with not only their paws, but with their hearts and their minds. They showed us that a warrior doesn't just come from the strong and the powerful…but it comes from those that have a purpose…those who apply themselves to something so great that they will do anything to see it through.

"It is with great honor then, that I bestow the title of Abbey Warrior to CrimsonRay. From now on, he will carry the blade of our founder through the rest of his days, watching over us and guiding us as we have done for him for so many years." Welkum smiled and held out his paws, the sword of Martin extended between the two. Crim stood slowly and took the magnificent blade in his paws, watching as the metal gleamed softly in the sunlight.

Beside him, Ebonia smiled with pride, her striped eyes glittering. It was at that moment then Welkum turned to her and held out a paw, helping her back to her paws.

"It is also with great honor, that I bestow the title of Lady Warrior upon Ebonia. May she forever help lead us through our days, teaching us that the light of truth can shine upon us even through our darkest days. May her wisdom guide us and may she be there for her brother…and he there for her."

Ebonia stood beside Crim quietly, her paws folded in front of her. Even through all that had happened, the Abbey still wanted to give her a second chance to live the good life that she had never had the chance to live before. Welkum turned towards the gathered crowd and held out his paws, motioning to the two.

"I give you our warriors." The moment the last word left his lips, a great cheer went up. Paws stretched towards the heavens as the creatures cried out, filling both squirrels with such pride that it almost brought tears to their eyes. Crim looked at Ebonia and she up at him, a large smile creased on his face. Grabbing her paw, he lifted it into the air, their two paws joined as one. They truly were one now.

The cheering continued even as the groups parted to leave SkyBreeze and Sprypaw standing by themselves, preparing to be wed. The two hares held onto one another's paws, smiling as widely as Crim and Ebonia. Kestra and Eon flew over their heads and dropped the ribbon, allowing it to encircle the two soon to be newly weds. Soon the Abbey creatures would be cheering for them as well.

Welkum made his way towards the pair, directing the Abbey creatures so that they could participate in the ceremony. It was a good day…a day that they would all remember and would be recorded in history.

Together Crim and Ebonia shared a silent look and turned to take part in the celebration. Even as they stood there, listening as Welkum started the ceremony, their paws remained clasped together. They were one family now…two very different creatures under one title, within one Abbey and holding one feeling of hope for the future. They had fought together for a purpose and sought a better life for the Abbey. Now that they were together, they could live in peace. Now that they were together…they understood what the poem meant.

All will appear hidden

Until the battle's won

Until the ray and ebony

Become two as one.

The End