Beth tried not to be hopelessly awkward. Milling about, she narrowly avoided being walked on by hares making their way back and forth from the buffet tables. She struggled to get as far away from the food as she could, as that seemed to be the most likely place for injury. Beth felt like a broken record, as she meekly uttered "beg pardon, "and "excuse me," over and over. At last she managed squeeze away so that she had room to breathe. Her first order of business was to see if she could spy her father. Turning about, she suddenly bumped into the young male squirrel. She immediately took a step back in surprise. Up close he was indeed quite close to her age. He wore a morning suit of dark grey; somehow Beth couldn't picture him in anything else. There was something very familiar about the squirrel, but she couldn't sort out what it was. Hovering over him was a burly looking otter. Peering down at Beth he scowled taking a protective pace towards the squirrel.
"Sorry about that." Beth spoke quickly, a little put off by the otter's presence.
"No harm done." The squirrel smiled, perhaps as pleased as she was to run into another squirrel around the same age.
"Enjoying the party?" It seemed only fitting to Beth to add in some small talk.
"Bit dull for me, but I manage. It isn't the worst event I've attended. "He chuckled lightly, then turned to the otter. "Mr. Streambattle, may I have a moment?"
Begrudgingly the otter agreed and left the two squirrels to converse.
"Don't mind him. It is his job to be bothersome." Motioning with his paw, he invited her to share a seat on one of the benches.
Beth followed, unable to wipe the silly grin off her face. He had the finest manners of any teenager she had ever met. Sitting beside him she watched the group of hares, some laughing or even singing together. "I'm Beth by the way." She said after a moment.
The male never gave his name, just nodded in response to her's. "Lovely to make your acquaintance miss. Have you traveled far to be here?"
Laughing, Beth recalled the hares in the airport. "Before you ask, I'm not American. I'm here with my dad. He's one of the guys working on an archaeological dig in Mossflower, the one where they found Long Patrol soldiers. We're from Toronto… that's in Canada." She added the last part hastily.
"Ah, well, it is nice to have another squirrel to spend time with." He winked at her; it was enough to make Beth melt. Before further conversation could take place, he spied the otter motioning that he had to come with him. Sighing he took Beth's paw and kissed it. For Beth she felt like she was in a movie. "I'll look for you later." He whispered, and then departed to join the stern looking otter.
Beth was in heaven, waving a paw she watched the handsome youth leaving. Her daydreams were cut short by a low chuckling sound.
"Making friends are we young'un."
Beside her stood the elderly hare that had been making jokes during the line up for the candle ceremony. He leaned upon his cane, taking slow steps forward, and then sat himself next to her. "I'm sure your father would be jolly impressed with your choice of companion. But I ought to warn you missie, that laddie buck is quite the young rapscallion. "
"Sorry sir, but I'm not sure follow."
Holding up his cane, the elderly hare pointed towards the departing squirrel. "Don't tell me you don't know about Prince Truffken of Southsward? He's only bally third in line for the crown." The hare spoke as if this was common knowledge.
Beth had indeed heard the name before. Suddenly she realized why the squirrel seemed familiar; she had seen him mentioned on the news and in magazines several times. Blinking in surprise, she instantly regretted so casually speaking with the prince. "He's… He's a prince?"
"Yes indeed m'gel. An' if you'll excuse this old campaigner for saying, I rather think he fancied you." The old creature patted her shoulder, and then slowly got to his foot paws. "Now then miss, don't sit there with yer mouth agape like some big fish whallah. We best be getting to our seats, don't want to be late for scoff wot."
Still dazed with disbelief Beth rose from the bench following the old hare. "I'm not sure where I'm supposed to sit. " She caught sight of a seating chart, and was about to go look at it, when the elderly hare stopped her.
"Your Miss Firdance, aren't you M'gel? I don't see too many hares about with such a name."
Beth nodded, and continued to walk with the hare.
"Then you're seated at my table. Hurry along now, y'father and Jenny ought t'be by in a few ticks wot."
They arrived at the round table, where three hares were already seated. Beth was surprised to see the hare she had escorted earlier. There he was sitting beside two harewives who were conversing between themselves. Each of the ladies wore very feminine uniforms. One in the blue of the female air force auxiliary, complete with neat pencil skirt and cap. The other wore the dress uniform for Long Patrol nurses serving in the field ambulance service.
The other male rose from his seat. "You're looking rather well Brigadier Scutram."
The elderly hare sat down with great effort, huffing behind his heavily waxed whiskers. "Nonsense Tussock, this season fell upon me like a basket of bally bricks. How in the name of vinegar did I end up sharing a table with you? The seasons have be far too kind to you ol' chap. I say, y'making the rest of us blighters look bad."
Smiling the retired air force hare glanced towards the still chatting females. "I didn't have say in the matter chum. It was entirely the arrangement of the ladies."
At this the Brigadier's wife gave a mock frown. "What other arrangements am I expected t'make. Since you moved my dear cousin from the region, I only ever get to see her at such occasions, or the occasional wedding. Speaking of which, when are you going t'get after that grandson o'yours. Bridget tells me he's a Captain now, an' living with that delightful gel from Noonvale. I should think they ought to be at least thinking of marriage."
"Steady on Margret." Brigadier Scutram placed a gentle paw over that of his wife's. "Leave the young'uns to do as they wish m'dear."
Beth found the place-card with her name on it. Seating herself in her place across from the four hares, she shyly looked around the room. Brigadier Scutram was quick to make introductions.
"This delightful young squirrel gel is Miss Beth Firdance. Missie, might I present retired Group Captain Tussock, and his charming wife retired Company Assistant Bridget Tussock. Also, My own delightful wife, Mrs. Scutram."
Beth smiled as each was indicated to her. Group Captain Tussock smiled warmly in return. "Oh, but I've already made the acquaintance of Miss Firdance. " The other hares looked curiously toward him. "This fine young lady escorted me during the candle presentation. Top marks for that young missie."
"Well now, here I thought we had to keep Woodsorrel from stealing away the pretty maids. Seems I was mistaken, 'tis you ole chap we need to watch out for."
Beth was most embarrassed by the manner the hares joked. She was greatly relieved when her father and Jennifer returned. Dan took his seat between the Group Captain and his daughter, while Jennifer was wedged between Beth and the Brigadier. Beth was surprised at how the weasel and elderly hare seemed to know each other quite well. Both the Brigadier and his wife appeared to dote on Jennifer as if she were their own granddaughter.
"Jenny, lovely t'see you again." Mrs. Scutram spoke warmly. "Art was telling me that you've already started writing your new book. I rather hope those letters I sent you will be of use."
The weasel nodded. "Yes and thank you again Mrs. Scutram."
The Brigadier twirled his waxed whiskers. "Aren't you going to tell every-beast what this new book of yours is about wot?"
Jennifer placed her napkin over her lap looking a little embarrassed. "I wouldn't want to bore anybeast."
"Absolute tosh M'lovely. Come on then, give us something to keep us occupied while waiting on the scoff."
Fidgeting with her cloth napkin the weasel began. "Well, I thought I would write a novel about my grandfather's life. He passed away last autumn; I thought the best way to honour his memory was to write a book."
It seemed the Brigadier wasn't about to let her end it there. "Jenny, y'can't very well tell these chaps an'ladies that you're writing a book and not tell them the bally details. Go on tell them the story. Tis a good yarn as I recall."
Mrs. Scutram was heard to whisper to her cousin. "O'course he would say that, he's jolly well in it."
Sighing Jennifer began. "It all really begins with the death of my great uncle. My family has lived fairly close to Salamandastron, since long before weasel types and woodlanders fought on the same side. When the Second World War broke out, my great uncle enlisted as soon as he was able. As with many troops in the region his officers were all hares. He saved the life of his Captain by getting him out of the way of an explosion. My great uncle survived the blast long enough to make it to a hospital. The Captain, who happened to come from a very influential Salamandastron family, visited him. He felt he owed the beast a great debt, so he asked if there was anything he could do for him. My great uncle knew he wasn't going survive his injuries, and only asked one thing. He asked this officer, if he could find a job for his brother, my grandfather. You see, my grandfather was born legally bind. He had very low vision and could only make out lights and shadows and some shapes. At the time it made getting a job very difficult, to make matters worse his father had died young of a mill injury. My grandfather was soon to become the only creature that could support my great-grandmother. My great uncle died from his injuries, but true to his word the Captain found my grandfather a job. He ended up doing maintenance and odd jobs around one of the newly constructed army bases. While working at the base, my grandfather became friends with the then Captain Scutram. Of course Brigadier, then Captain Scutram was required to go with his hares to fight. Having already lost a brother, and many other friends my grandfather was most upset to see him go. Then completely unexpectedly, a letter arrives for him. My grandfather due to his vision and the schooling he received, never learned to read. So there he sat one day at midday meal, with this letter in paw looking absolutely crestfallen. One of the nurses spots him, and decides to talk to him. He tells her everything, and the nurse suggests that she read him the letter, and that she could write a response. This goes on for two or three months, then my grandfather thinks it is time to let his friend know who is writing these letters. Before you know it, she's getting her own personal letters. After the war, of course they get married. My grandfather gets a promotion, and they stay close friends. Later their children stay in close contact, and even the grandchildren stay in touch. That is really how I became involved in studying Salamandastron's history. "
"Well, that is quite a story." Group Captain Tussock remarked.
"I am hoping to record as many stories as I can. Lord Urthbriar has been quite good about allowing me to gain access to the archives and interview retired officers. I should one day like to write about your war experiences."
At this news the hare's expression changed. Beth couldn't help but notice he almost seemed a little pale. He took his time before giving any response. "I'm not sure that is something beasts ought t'be reading about marm."
Jennifer wisely did not press the matter. As if on cue, the serving hares arrived with the salad course. The large bowl placed in front of each creature held a large summer salad, complete with currants and fresh berries and a large helping of raspberry dressing. Beth was surprised any of the hares had any room left after all the food they put away earlier. Amid bites of food Dan opted to introduce some pleasant conversation.
"Ms Balid tells me you were cultural minister Brigadier Scutram."
"Yes, most interesting work. Not as interesting as the work you do of course, but it was quite rewarding to preserve our Mountains culture."
"I don't suppose you have the contact information for the hare currently responsible for Salamandastron's records?"
"Whatever for old scout?"
"Well, we have found some markings on some of the recovered hares, markings that may help us identify them. I was hoping that if I could look through the records, it might be possible to find out who these creatures were."
The Brigadier thought on this a moment while crewing great mouthfuls of salad. "Capital idea, tell you what I can do. I'll put the request in personally. Jenny here can make the arrangements for you scholarly types to look through whatever you need. "
Both Dan and Jennifer exchanged smiles. "Thank you sir, thank you so much." The squirrel was overjoyed.
Before Beth even had a chance to finish her salad another course was brought forward. This one was a mushroom and yellow cheese bake with grilled leeks on the side and a hearty helping of turnip. The serving hare noticed she hadn't even finished her salad.
"Did you want me to leave this for you miss?" he asked politely.
Beth shook her head. "No, thank you." She wondered, judging by the look the server had given her if this was the wrong answer.
"Not much of an appetite this one." Mrs. Tussock remarked loud enough for Beth to hear.
"Easy on the gel Bridget, I'm sure she's just saving room for dessert." The retired Group Captain winked at her. "Isn't that right wot?"
Taking a few bites of the leeks she smiled. "Yes sir."
"Now then miss, what is it you do, when you're not enchanting princes that is?" The Brigadier asked.
Dan looked up from his meal. Then cast a curious look towards Beth.
"I'll explain later." She mumbled to her father. Setting down her fork she responded as politely as she could. "I'm still in high school sir. Although this summer I had the chance to come with my dad and help out at the dig site. I photograph mostly, but it has been interesting work so far."
"And are you enjoying it dear?" Mrs. Scutram added.
"Yes Ma'am I am." Beth answered quickly.
Another course came, this one a bowl of hearty stew made of many root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, turnips. There was also barley and herbs Beth couldn't even name. It tasted as good as it smelled. Although by now Beth was starting to feel most full. After the stew a cabbage and spinach pasty was brought out, dripping with gravy. Following this another salad arrived, this one Beth politely refused as she knew she couldn't possibly finish it. It did look lovely topped with russet apples and chestnuts. There was still desert to contend with, what a dessert it was. Each guest was given a monumental portion of trifle, filled with fresh fruits and dripping with fluffy meadow cream. The young squirrel had to fight to make room for the three bites she gave it.
"I think I might roll out of here." Beth fanned herself with a paw.
"Only a light lunch really." Group Captain Tussock smiled. "Just a few vittles t'keep fur and bone together."
The young squirrel couldn't be sure if he was joking or not. For an older creature he had packed away the masses of food. Even asking for seconds on occasion. She passed a glance towards Jennifer, who had also not been able to keep up with the sheer amount of food. Realizing she wasn't alone Beth felt a little better.