Chapter Sixteen
Kidnapped
Summer had a, not warm and pleasant but torrential. Never had it been known to rain so hard in Summer and never for so long. The countryside was socked and the bad weather made every animal feel very miserable. None felt this more than Vervain's wide patrol as they hopped through the downpour. They had been ordered to find Hazel and his warren, despite the rain. None of they were happy about it.
"Come on, move," Vervain snarled at Moss and the other bucks that had been chosen from Efrafa's Owsla.
"On our way sir," Moss replied as he hopped along, wishing he was back in his nice dry burrow.
A wet thud behind him caused the Owsla corporal to turn.
One of the patrol rabbits lay on his side in the mud, shivering uncontrollably. Moss hopped over to him to see it was Larch. Larch was a gray furred buck who was tired and old, too old for the Owsla. Moss saw at once that he was terribly ill.
"Captain Vervain," Moss shouted to his officer, "its Larch, he's sick. I don't think he can go on."
"Then leave him," Vervain replied coldheartedly.
"But sir," Moss began to protest.
"I gave you an order Moss, follow it," Vervain snapped then moved away.
"I'm sorry," Moss whispered as he looked down at the other rabbit.
"Go I'm dead anyway," Larch responded. "At last I'll be free of Efrafa."
"That you will," Moss muttered and hopped away.
Unbeknown to the Efrafa corporal he was being watched. Kehaar had watched the whole scene play out as he flew towards Watership down after completing his own scouting patrol.
...
As soon as Kehaar landed on the down he slipped on the wet grass and was sent head over tail-feathers. Picking himself up he headed for the Honeycomb and upon entering, shuck himself all over Hawkbit.
"Nice weather out there," the gull said sarcastically, "All wet."
"Then why don't you stay out there?" Hawkbit muttered as he tried to get the rain out of his fur.
"Hello Kehaar," Hazel said. "What's the news?"
"Erafin patrol all over," The bird replied. "Saw Vervain not far away. Oh he's still one ugly rabbit."
"Oh lovely," Hazel sighed.
"What happens if Woundwort finds us?" Fiver asked even if he did know the answer.
"He'll come down on us with his entire army," Bigwig replied then glanced over to where Hazel's kits were play. "He'll wipe us out."
"Then we have to keep thinking up ways to keep them off our tail," Fiver said matter-of-factly.
"That's not enough," Hazel told his brother. "We need to take direct action. What if we attack Woundwort from the inside? What if we had someone inside Efrafa willing to overthrow him?"
"Such as?" Bigwig asked?"
"Well I don't think Campion likes what Woundwort's done to Efrafa."
"An Owsla captain go against his chief?" Bigwig laughed in disbelief then quickly added, "and that incident with Threarah and me doesn't count."
"Won't you turn against Woundwort if you were Campion?" Fiver asked.
Bigwig thought for a moment then said, "I think I'd have to."
"Then Campion it is," Hazel declared.
...
Campion stood atop the large log outside Efrafa's main entrance, the rain soaking into his fur. He was watching the slaves at silflay and making sure none of them tried to run. Campion felt pity for the slaves. They looked to wretched, huddled in the rain, hardly seeming to care about living anymore.
Campion suck his head in despair at what his warren had become before he slowly hopped inside the report to Woundwort.
"Report," the general demanded as soon as Campion entered the main burrow.
"The marks need more time above ground sir," Campion replied, even if this wasn't really a report.
"They have enough," Woundwort said bluntly.
"General your subjects are weak, starving," Campion continued, trying to make the other see reason. "Some of them are ill. If disease breaks out none of them will survive."
"And if they are too weak to run they'll be no more escapes from Efrafa," Woundwort retorted. "Anything else bothering you Campion?"
"Yes sir. The continual patrols to find Hazel and his warren are destroying the Owsla. They're exhausted and we're losing too many good soldiers to weasels and badgers."
"Then find the alien warren. Bring me Hazel, Fiver and Thlayli to me and it all stops."
"Bur sir," Campion began.
"You have a patrol to lead," Woundwort said, cutting him off. "Dismissed."
With that the general turned away, leaving Campion alone in the entrance burrow.
Campion sighed and just for a split second he really withed he could give his chief a good kick up the backside.
...
Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver, Pipkin and Primrose stood at the underground stream as they got ready to go out and try to find Campion.
Last time they had been here the stream was little more than a trickle. Now it was close to overflowing.
"Look how high the stream's getting," Bigwig said to the others, "must be all the rain."
"All the cold rain," Pipkin added as he dipped a paw into the water.
"At least we'll all be nice and clean by the end of today," Hazel joked.
The others chuckled at this, all except Primrose who stood a little way off, not speaking to anyone.
"You're awfully quiet Primrose," Hazel said coming over. "Is something wrong?"
"Efrafa's out there," the yellow-furred doe replied. "I still have nightmares about it. Woundwort finds me and takes be back forever and ever."
"Not while I'm here," the other rabbit replied than raising his voice he added, "right let's go."
"Humm... some adventures are more fun than others aren't they Hazel," Bigwig muttered to his chief as they swam thought the tunnel to the river outside.
"I've certainly been on a few dryer ones," Hazel agreed.
"Took you long enough to get here," Kehaar said as he landed in the water next to them.
"Kehaar fly on ahead and look out for Efrafan patrols," Hazel ordered before swimming in the direction of the broken stone bridge.
"Sooner or later Campion will come across the old bridge," the golden-brown buck told the others. "We'll meet him there."
At this point Bigwig's head disappeared beneath the water due to the rivers high level. A second later he came up spluttering.
"Well let's hope its sooner rather than later," he growled.
...
Campion and his wide patrol stopped at the old stone bridge to take a moments rest. They had been out on patrol for just under an hour but the rain was enough to make it feel more like three.
"Right," Campion said turning to his patrol, "I know you're all tired but the further of Efrafa depends on us finding Hazel and his outsiders. Let's do it this time."
As soon as the patrol set paw on the bridge Kehaar swooped down at them with a screech, smacking into two of the Efrafa soldiers. Both rabbits when flying off the bridge and into the water. The other two soldiers turned tail and ran.
"Get back here!" Campion roared furiously. "You're Owsla!"
To add to the buck's bad mood Kehaar swooped down again and knocked him off his feet. Campion got to his feet with a snarl and was about to strike out at Kehaar when he heard a voice from across the bridge.
"Hello Campion," it said softly.
Campion looked round and gasped. Standing at the far side of the bridge was Primrose, as beautiful as ever.
"Primrose you've come back," Campion yelled joyfully then ran over to her.
"You look well," was all he managed to say before Bigwig and Hazel jumped on him.
Instantly seeing this was a trap the Efrafa captain began to claw at the two bucks in an attempt to free himself. It was no good, they had him pinned.
"Settle down Campion, we just want to talk," Hazel told him.
"Seems I have no chose," the brown buck panted.
"No you don't," Bigwig informed him bluntly before pushing him quickly into the bushes were Fiver and Pipkin waited.
Campion brushed himself down then turned on the outsider's chief.
"Well?" Campion demanded.
"First I want your word as an officer that you won't run until you've heard us out."
"Don't worry Hazel," Campion replied coldly, "unlike Thlayli's my word means something."
At this he shot a glare at Bigwig. All understood this he mean that he was still upset about Bigwig's activities in Efrafa.
"I'd watch you lip my old son," Bigwig growled.
"You tell him Bigwig," Fiver said.
"Bigwig?" Campion asked in surprise. "I thought your name was Thlayli."
"It is," Bigwig explained. "My name is Thlayli but my friends call me Bigwig. Not that you're a friend."
"Oh Thlayli I'm crushed," Campion said sarcastically. "Really I think I might cry."
"That's enough," Hazel snapped at them both. "We came here to talk not to throw insults at one another."
"Fine," Campion growled then added, "My Owsla will be looking for me, what do you have to say."
"This war between our warrens is hurting both of us. It has to stop." Hazel said firmly.
"It will," came the icy response. "Once you've been destroyed."
"Easier said than done mate," Bigwig snorted.
Campion was about to snap back at Bigwig but before he could Primrose spoke up.
"Woundwort preaches violence and hate," she said calmly. "You don't believe in him Campion, I know you don't."
Campion swallowed and looked at the ground.
"He's my chief," he said at last.
"You've risked your life to stop his cruelty," the yellow-furred doe when on. "You risked your life to save mine."
"Yes and then you left with Hazel," Campion growled and everyone could detect the pain and anger in his voice.
Primrose swallowed hard, trying to keep her own emotions at bay.
"Because life in Efrafa wasn't worth living," she said shakily. "Help us Campion, help Efrafa."
"How?" the other rabbit asked.
"Lead your Owsla against Woundwort," Hazel answered. "Take command. Save your people."
Campion just turned away miserably.
"We'll meet you here at Frith-set. You can give us your answer then," Hazel said, seeing it wouldn't help to push the Efrafan captain.
As the Watership down rabbits began to move off Campion called to Primrose.
"Primrose are you happy where you are now?"
Primrose turned to Campion and smiled. "Yes Campion I am."
...
Vervain was in a foul mood as he and his wide patrol made their way through the torrential rain. Not long ago Campion's wide patrol had come into Efrafa yelling about an attack from a large white bird. Vervain knew it could only be the outsiders blasted gull. Vervain had also been pleased to see that Campion hadn't come back with his patrol. His pleasure disappeared however when Woundwort ordered him to take a patrol out and find Campion. Vervain begrudgingly took a patrol out deciding to take this opportunity to look for the enemy warren instead of for Campion.
Vervain and his patrol had stopped at the river, not far from the old bridge, for a drink. The maroon buck was about to bend down for a drink when something court his eye. Looking up the maroon buck saw Hazel and a small band of outsiders come out of the undergrowth on the far side of the river. Vervain opened his mouth to order his Owsla to get after them when all of a sudden Campion appeared not far from the enemy.
Vervain dug his claws into the soft, wet earth and tried not to howl with rage. Now Campion would see the outsiders and be after them before him. Now Campion would be the one to take the outsiders back to woundwort and steal all the glory. Vervain's anger turned to astonishment when he saw Campion glance towards Hazel's band then make for the bridge. He was letting them go.
"Take cover," Vervain hissed.
The wide patrol ducked down as Campion passed by, failing to notice them.
"Frith's given us the chance for glory," Vervain told his Owsla. "Get the outsiders!"
Quickly they made way towards Hazel and the others, going unnoticed until Kehaar spotted them and alerted the Watership rabbits.
"Ugly Vervain after you. Run like bunnies" the gull shouted.
"Everyone to the cave," Bigwig hissed. "No tracks, stay off the sand."
The five rabbits darted, staying to the grassy bank.
"Over the stones," Hazel told the others as he heard the enemy gaining on them.
In a flash they hopped over the stones, ducked under the willow tree and ran through the tunnel entrance. Moments later Vervain and his patrol arrived and were shocked to find no trace of the outsiders.
"Impossible," Vervain hissed then shouted, "Spread out, find them."
The Efrafans did as they were bid. Searching and sniffing all over but to no avail.
"No good sir," one of them told Vervain. "There's no tracks and the rain's washed away and scent. Should we keep looking sir?"
"No, no," Vervain replied, "let's go question captain Campion. He seemed somewhat friendly towards Hazel's outsiders, don't you think."
Without waiting for an answer the maroon buck turned around and headed back towards Efrafa, the others following.
"I think they're going away," Pipkin told Hazel and the others after a moment.
"Thank you Pipkin, but let's wait a little bit just to be sure," Hazel answered.
"Campion looked so thin and sad," Primrose spoke up. "Things must be bad in Efrafa."
"Primrose what happened back there?" Hazel asked. "You let Campion believe that you and I were together. Why didn't you tell him you loved him?"
"I couldn't Hazel," the doe replied sadly.
"Why not?"
"Because this war isn't just about him and me," she explained. "If Campion joins us it can't be for me. I want him to do it for all those poor rabbits in Efrafa and not just because of his feelings for me. I couldn't tell him, no matter how badly I wanted to."
"I'm sorry," the golden-brown buck said comfortingly then added, "Do you think Campion will really join us?"
Primrose looked down at the ground and sighed, "If Vervain saw him with us he may not have the chance."
...
Campion hopped towards Efrafa thought the rain, Hazel and the other's words running around in his head. He understood what Hazel was saying and part of him agreed with it but how could he turn on his chief? How could he betray woundwort?
As he arrived at Efrafa's main entrance he saw Moss standing there waiting for him.
"We wondered when you'd bet back," Moss said coldly. "The general's waiting for your report."
Campion nodded then followed Moss into the entrance burrow.
"You're overdue Campion," the general said from his ledge. "What kept you?"
"I was touring the perimeter sir...thinking." Campion replied, knowing that something was amiss.
"Tell him what you told me," Woundwort ordered Vervain who was standing at one end of the burrow. He was looking overly smug and had two Efrafan guards with him.
"Captain Campion met with Hazel and a band of outsiders," Vervain began, clearly enjoying things. "There was no fight, no attempt at capture, do you deny it Campion?" At this point he stared straight at Campion.
"No," the other buck replied, holding Vervain's stare.
"No?" Woundwort growled.
"They asked me to betray Efrafa," Campion went on, ignoring Vervain as he told the general that he knew it all along.
"And?" Woundwort demanded.
"And I told them I would," Campion answered simply. "Once I have their trust they'll lead me to their warren and then we'll destroy them all."
Woundwort let out an ugly laugh.
"You're a rabbit after my own heart Campion. We've got them now. We will grind their bones to dust."
"Yes sir," Campion said with a nod then added, "was that all you wanted to see me about?"
"Yes that was all, dismissed," the general replied before heading back to his burrow.
Vervain growled and scraped a claw along the ground, enraged that Campion had gotten out of his trap. Campion noticed this as he hopped away.
"Nice try Vervain," he said icily before continuing outside.
...
Hazel and the others stood in the underground cave waiting for Pipkin to return from look-out duty at the tunnel's entrance. Bigwig and Fiver were playing bob-stones, Primrose was talking quietly to herself and Hazel was simply staring at the cave roof lost in thought.
"Strange that Frith would make something so beautiful then hide it away beneath the world," The golden-brown buck said as he watched water dripping from the stalactites on the cave's ceiling.
"He does it with his creatures too," Primrose replied. "Like Campion. On the outside he's hard and unfeeling but inside he's...he's a bit like you Hazel.
"Frith creates us but we make ourselves who we are," the other rabbit replied then hopped over to the water's edge as Pipkin was returning.
"Anything?" Hazel asked.
"It's nearly Frith-set," the young buck reported, then groaned, "and it's still raining."
"Right we'd best meet with Campion," Hazel told Bigwig and Fiver then ordered Primrose and Pipkin to stay in the cave.
"Wait it could be a trap," Primrose pointed out. "Campion might mean to kill you."
Hazel looked back at her and Pipkin.
"That," he said, "is why you're not coming."
Once outside the tree rabbits met up with Kehaar.
"I try to scout but is not easy seeing," Kehaar informed them. "Could be whole army of Erafins hiding in mist."
"I suppose we'll just have to risk it," Hazel said then told the gull to say close but out of sight.
"Near but far," the bird replied and took off.
"Ready?" Bigwig asked his chief.
"No but let's just get on with it, "came the reply.
...
Campion stood in a small clearing not far from the bridge, waiting for Hazel and the others.
He didn't have to wait long before Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig showed up.
"Well Campion have you thought things over?" Hazel enquired.
"Yes and I've decided that you're right. There's no reason for our warrens to fight. It's time to stop this madness."
"Well said Campion," Bigwig answered with a smile. "It's a new day for all of us."
"It'll be your last," Vervain sneered as he and several of Efrafa's Owsla stepped out of the bushes, surrounding the four rabbits.
"We might fall but you'll die before me Campion," Bigwig snarled with rage.
"I knew nothing of this," the other buck reassured him. "If we fall we fall together."
"Oh I knew it," Vervain gasped, "you are a traitor."
"Don't move until I tell you," Campion murmured to the others.
"Not sure I trust you anymore sport," Bigwig growled.
"We have nothing to lose," Hazel told his friend.
"Well other them our lives," Fiver reminded them both.
"Not helping Fiver," Hazel said irritably.
Fiver was to add something more when Campion shouted out, "Now follow me."
In a flash Campion lunged himself at Vervain and knocked him to the ground. Needing no further encouragement the Watership Down rabbits took off, followed closely behind my Campion.
The four bucks raced along the river bank as fast as their legs would carry them, not daring to stop.
"We need a place to hind," Campion yelled.
"The cave!" Bigwig yelled as he heard the enemy approaching.
"No it's to close. Vervain might find it," Hazel panted.
"Well where then?" Bigwig demanded.
"Follow me I have an idea," Hazel shouted and ran back the way they had come, smacking into the Efrafans and sending most into the river.
Vervain, who had escaped being hurled, picked himself up off the ground only to be deliberately knocked down again by Bigwig.
"Oh sorry but must dash," Bigwig laughed. "There's a big bunch of idiots on our tails so see you later."
"Tyr not to enjoy this too much Bigwig," Hazel told the other rabbit as they ran.
"I'll try but no promise Hazel," the other replied.
...
Primrose was getting worried, Hazel and the others had been gone fat to long.
"What's the matter Primrose?" Pipkin asked when he saw how worried she looked.
"It's Hazel and the others; they should be back by now."
"I'll go look for them," Pipkin offered then hopped over to the edge of the stream.
The stream was overflowing due to so much rain but that didn't stop Pipkin. He had learnt a lot about swimming since the rabbits had found the underground stream and thought could handle the current. As he plunged into the water he found out how wrong he was.
"Primrose help, I can't touch the bottom," he yelled as the current dragged him along.
Primrose dashed to the water's edge and grabbed at Pipkin but she wasn't fast enough and the young buck was swept outside. Primrose dived into the water swam after Pipkin just in time to see him being swept far away by the river. The yellow-furred doe tried to go after him but with the current and the blinding rain it was imposable. All she could do was swim forlornly to show.
...
Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver and Campion had run from Vervain until they had come across a field with an old abandoned tractor. It was the same field that Bigwig and his patrol had come across nearly a season ago.
"Under there," Hazel hissed and ran over to the tractor.
The four rabbits ducked under the tractor just as Vervain's wide patrol arrived.
"Find them," Vervain ordered.
The Efrafans sniffed about a bit told him there was no sign of the outsiders.
"Well then let's get out of here," Vervain said and hopped away.
Bigwig watched them go already sensing something funny was going on.
"We lost them a little too easily don't you think." He said, turning to Campion.
"It was supposed to be harder," the other answered simply.
"What are you playing at?" Hazel demanded, "And what exactly are the rules?"
"Woundwort planed the ambush," the Efrafa captain explained. "You're supposed to think I'm on your side."
"And are you?"Fiver enquired.
"I wouldn't be telling you this if I wasn't," Campion when on. "I'm expected to find your warren and report back to Woundwort. I hate this. I don't know who I am anymore."
Hazel looked at the others and whispered, "Follow me."
Leaving Campion to his misery the golden-brown buck hopped a short distance then turned to the others.
"Is he on our side or not? Is he with us our or is this just another trick?"
"I just don't know anymore," Bigwig confessed and shook his head.
"All this is so un-rabbit like," Fiver said wearily. "Lies are so pointless and confusing."
Hazel was about to speak up again when Primrose's voice was heard on the wind.
"Pipkin, Pipkin where are you? Please answer me," it called distressfully from the direction of the river.
Quickly the rabbits ran as fast as they could towards the sound, Campion following.
"Primrose what's happened?" Hazel asked urgently once the four rabbits finally arrived at the river.
"I was worried about you," the frantic doe blurted out. "You had been gone to long so Pipkin when looking for you. He when into the water but the current was so strong. I tried to save him but I current snatched him away and I don't know where it's taken him." At this she begin to sob.
If he's out there we'll find him," Campion said softly and came over to comfort her.
But Primrose didn't want his comfort and instead turned on him.
"If there was no Efrafa, no Woundwort one of this would have happened! Pipkin wouldn't have been out here." She yelled furiously at the brown-furred buck.
"If there was no Efrafa, no Woundwort you would never have met your precious little Hazel either," Campion snapped back.
Primrose turned away and said nothing.
Hazel shot the other buck a dirty look. He wanted to tell the Efrafan that there was nothing between himself and Primrose but Hazel had promised Primrose that he wouldn't let Campion know.
"I'm sorry," Campion whispered to the doe, regretting his words and knowing that she was right.
At that moment Kehaar landed. He had been flying about for over an hour looking for Hazel and the others. Just when he had decided to give up he had heard Primrose shouting at Campion and had come to investigate.
"What is going on?" he asked Hazel, "Did bad thing happen?"
"Yes Kehaar very bad. Pipkin's missing. We need you to help us find him. Take Primrose and Fiver and search down-river."
"Don't worry Hazel we find Pipkin, you see." Having said this Kehaar waddled away with Pipkin and Fiver, leaving Hazel and Bigwig alone with Campion.
"Why don't we kill him, just to be on the safe side?" Bigwig asked his chief as he glared at Campion.
"I know you don't trust me," Campion said to the other Owsla captain."
"You've got that right," Bigwig growled.
"I'm going back to Efrafa," Campion declared, his attention on Hazel. "I'll tell Woundwort that you saw through my lies. Then I'll work against him from the inside."
"You're mad," Hazel exclaimed. "No one will believe you. Woundwort will kill you."
"I can make them believe if you help."
Slowly Campion turned his head and looked directly at Bigwig.
"It has to look like I fought for the glory of Efrafa. You understand don't you Bigwig.
Bigwig nodded, his admiration for Campion rising as he realized just how far Campion was willing to go to help them.
"I'll take care of it," he replied quietly then added to Hazel, "Go on you'd best catch up with Kehaar and the others."
Hazel nodded. He didn't know what Campion was planning but he understood that nether Bigwig or Campion wanted him, as a non Owsla rabbit to see. I understood that it would be unpleasant for both Campion and Bigwig.
"I'll make it quick Campion," Bigwig promised the other rabbit as soon as Hazel had gone.
"Just get it over with," Campion replied bluntly then cried out in pain as Bigwig's claws racked the length of his back.
...
Hazel stood by the river, staring into the water. He, Fiver, Primrose and Kehaar had, had no luck in finding Pipkin and Hazel was beginning to fear the worst.
"Hazel," a voice said to his left.
Hazel glanced to his side to see that Bigwig had court up with him and the others.
"Campion's gone back to Efrafa," Bigwig informed his chief quietly.
Hazel knew at once that the other buck was feeling terrible about himself.
"Whatever you did back there you did as Campion asked," he told the sickened Owsla captain. "It was Campion's idea not yours. You shouldn't feel bad about it."
"Easier said than done," Bigwig replied in a hoarse voice and looked down at his blood-stained claws.
"You can worry about Campion later," Hazel told him. "Right now it's Pipkin we need to be anxious about."
"Right you are," Bigwig answered then hopped after Hazel as the search began again.
...
Woundwort smiled down from his ledge at the small, soaked and shivering buck that had been brought before him. Only moments ago Vervain had arrived with the young rabbit who had been saved from drowning in the river. Woundwort didn't know much about him but he did know that his name was Pipkin and that he was an outsider.
"You're very lucky that Vervain found you, you know," the general told the small rabbit.
"I won't tee you anything so you might as well kill me," Pipkin relied at bravely as he could.
"Kill you? What kind of stories have you been hearing about me? "Woundwort said in shock, "I'd never do that you're my guest."
Turning to Vervain he ordered for Pipkin to be given a warm, dry burrow and a meal of flayrah from his own privet store. Vervain nodded and let Pipkin away, having a good idea as to what the general was up to.
Once they were gone Moss looked up at Woundwort.
"Sir," he began, "Campion's returned. He's in his burrow."
Woundwort didn't respond and instead made his way to Campion's burrow. Upon entering he saw Campion lying on the floor. He was in bad shape. His body was covered with bleeding claw marks. On his ears, legs and the worst of them on his back and sides.
"Campion/" the general asked the bloody mess on the floor.
"The outsiders didn't believe me sir," Campion crocked and lifted his head. "They were going to kill me. I had to fight my way out."
"I suppose I wouldn't have believed you either.
"But I failed to..."
"It doesn't matter," Woundwort said, cutting him off. "I have a new game to play now, but don't worry Campion we'll make the outsiders bay for this."
With that he left the burrow, leaving Campion to wonder why the general cared about what had been done to him and what this new game he was about to play.
...
Hazel and the others were beginning to loess hope of ever finding Pipkin. They had searched from the down to the old stone bridge and had found no sign of the young buck.
"Maybe we should search the woods," suggested Bigwig.
Hazel was about to say that Pipkin would hardly be in the there when a lone figure appeared atop the stone bridge.
"Over there, let's get a ..." Hazel began.
Before he got another word out he was cut off by the figure who was now identified as Vervain.
"Outsiders," Vervain began and pointed a claw at the moon, "I know you're out there. General Woundwort sends a massage. Bigwig, Hazel and Fiver have to the moon is round to surrender to Efrafa or you'll never see your young friend Pipkin alive again. Remember to the moon is round."
With that he was gone.
A feeling of utter horror when through everyone as Vervain's words hit them. It was only two nights before the moon was round, the enemy had Pipkin and unless Hazel, Bigwig and Fiver gave themselves up they would kill him.
"What," whispered Bigwig, voicing the thoughts of everyone, "do we do now?
Sorry this took so long. (Man I think this chapter took the longest of all) The only thing I've really changed is to not have the rabbits hide in a field of cows. While I was writing this I just kept asking where this random cow field came from. The more I thought about it the less I liked it so I got rid of it and used the tractor field instead.