OH MY GAWT I GOT TWO MORE REVIEWS THAT MAKES IT SIX! I love you people! I have a challenge. If I can get four more reviews (from different people, please don't review four times. It's okay if you already reviewed before this, you can review again.) before Sunday I'll update TWICE PER DAY FOR A WHOLE WEEK! YAY! Once again, thank you for the people who reviewed. And for Eulaliaaaa: thanks for the suggestion, I will do my best. By the way Furmingbia's past will be revealed as we go along the story, but not in this chapter.

Here is le story!

My Rose of Old Redwall

Chapter 4: Eulaliaaaa!

The sun was rising slowly, casting rays of liquid gold upon the awakening world. Bluebirds and skylarks sang as they flew from their nests in search of worms and bugs to eat. Baby birds cheeped and pleaded for food while the three creatures awoke.

The light-brown furred mousemaid watched a sparrow fly off to Redwall with her message. Closing her blue eyes briefly, she stood up and gestured to the two shrews. Sattipetra jumped up and followed her as quickly as she can while fumbling with her haversack. The young shrew had taken a sister-like relationship with the slightly older mousemaid. Furmingbia smiled and helped her, then moved along to gently shake awake a dozing Spiketail, Sattipetra's twin.

"Get up, afore the sun runs off and leaves us in the dark." Sattipetra teased as Spiketail rose with a mutter.

Furmingbia smiled and restrained the two young shrews from chasing each other. "Come on now, both of you, afore the sun really runs away!"

Spiketail was grumpy in the mornings. "I suppose we have to eat breakfast while marching."

Furmingbia shook her head in mock-sternness. "Jolly well wrong, old chap. Ain't eating breakfast at all, wot, wot." She studied the reaction and gave the dark-gray furred shrew a grin. "I was joking! We can have a nibble of raspberry jelly and cheese pastry. Then we will set out at midday and hope to reach the abbey in time for lunch!"

That did the trick, and at midday the group packed and disappeared once more into the dense forest of Mossflower.

"Permission to sing a song, marm!"

"Permission granted, Spiketail. Keep in mind the next time you call me marm we'll leave you here looking like a pincushion, understand?"

"Yes mar- Furmingbia!"

Furmingbia smiled. "Just call me Mingby. Everyone does. Well, you singing the song or not?"

Spiketail answered by breaking into a lively tune:

"Oh when I was small I ran away

Away, away, away!

And in the river I did stay

Stay, stay, oh stay!

Then a big nasty fish came swimming by

Came swimming by, came swimming by,

And ate me without even a 'bye'

Ate me without even a 'bye'

So in the fish's tummy I was,

In the fish's tummy I was!

'Til he went and spat me out, 'cause

He went and spat me out, 'cause

'Cause I banged his heart,

I tore him apart,

I ate his liver,

And made him shiver

When I shook and rattled his lungs!

Then by the weeds I hung

The big ol' nasty fish!

And now his wish,

Is to not eat me,

But toooo beeeee freeeeeeee!"

Spiketail ended with a double clap. Furmingbia quickly clamped a paw over his mouth and dove into a bush, pulling Sattipetra along with her. An arrow flew by, humming viciously. Furmingbia began moving in the undergrowth, darting here and there as more arrows came by.

"A group of a score rats. We should stay down. Wait here. When I nod at you, run as if the devil himself is chasing you until you get to Redwall."

Sattipetra frowned, "We're leaving with you."

Furmingbia shook her head. "listen, mates, I've got at least a season more than you under my belt. I know Mossflower woods better than my own right paw, so don't worry, I've gotten out of tighter corners before. Also if you make it to the abbey you can ask for help. Don't argue, just do it. Alright?"

She looked at the in the eye and they nodded. Spiketail bit his lip in silent rebellion as Furmingbia moved skillfully towards the leader of the rats.

With an amazing leap she sprang forth and caught the leader in the stomach with her two paws, grabbing him, she yelled. "One more move and this one is as dead as a doornail!"

The vermin leader quickly waved at the rats to stop fighting. Furmingbia nodded at the shrews. They took off as fast as their legs would carry them towards Redwall. Moving back slowly, Furmingbia stiffened herself for an attack as the leader of the rats glared at her silently.

Martin plopped down next to Gonff. "Whew, I think those Dibbuns have an infinity amount of energy. Look at them dance!" he complained.

Gonff smiled. "Huh, look at them? You're just as bad, matey!"

Martin mock-glared at him. "So you're offending the Champion of Redwall, eh? Naughty mouse, Straight to bed with no supper for you!"

The Dibbuns have gathered around to see, and they chortled at the Champion of Redwall sending the Prince of Mousethieves to bed with no supper.

Before Gonff could reply, however, a series of hard knocking at the doors of the abbey surprised them.

"Open up! It's the Guosim! Vermin attack! Open up!"

Before anyone could move a muscle, Bella jumped up and unbolted the door as two young shrews fell face forward in the dirt path.

Marin ran over, concern stamped on his face. "What is it?"

Sattipetra gasped. "One score vermin… Furmingbia is holding them off… That way!" She pointed with a feeble paw before collapsing on top of her unconscious brother. Abbess Germaine ran over with concern. "Poor things! They must have ran at least two miles in a hurry. I think their friend is still back there, fighting vermin. We need to do something!"

Martin was already running off towards the direction Sattipetra pointed to. Gonff thrust a gadder into his belt and ran off, following his friend while dragging along Dinny the mole.

Furmingbia knew the leader would try to attack her while she was scouting the land. She was right. The leading rat struggled free and the vermin jumped to attack the maid, held back by her sudden and ferocious defense.

"Eulaliaaaa!" She yelled, the war cry obviously disturbing the rats as she battered one after another. Wounded in a dozen places, Furmingbia got ready for her final attack.

Martin picked up the war cry and ran towards it. He rushed into the scene to find a score of vermin carcasses and a mousemaid wiping her sword before putting it away.

The she looked up at the dumfounded warrior and said, much to Martin's surprise, "Hello."

Gonff rushed in and yelled. "Show me the slimy blighter and I'll…" His voice trailed off as he saw the dead vermin, pouting, "Aw Martin, you've gone and killed all of them!"

Martin shook his head. "Not me, they were already dead when I came. She did it."

The mousemaid grinned at their faces and held out a paw. "I'm Furmingbia."

Martin held forth his left paw and shook Furmingbia's hand. "I'm Martin the warrior of Redwall. This rascal is Gonff the Prince of Mousethieves. Your friends are at our abbey."

Gonff added, "You probably want to come to go before Martin talks your ear off." Gonff barely dodged a swipe from Martin.

Furmingbia smiled. "I'll be a fool to not accept."

"Well, then, matey, let's go to Redwall."