Chapter 18

"No Hazel, I still don't understand," Sam said in annoyance, "why the hell aren't you letting me come with?"

"I told you Sam," Hazel said, trying to placate the teen, "I would prefer it if you were here. I don't want to leave the warren without supervision, and Bigwig and Fiver insist on coming along."

"So doesn't it make more sense for you to tell one of them to stay here? Don't you think you might want the human along when you're traveling cross-country? I mean, what if you get lost? Or have to go through a town or something? What then?"

"Sam, Kehaar's going to be leading us the entire way," Hazel responded, his voice getting harder as he grew tired of Sam's arguing. "He's feeling homesick and he's going back to the big water, his home. He obviously knows how to get there. Getting lost won't be a problem."

Sam tried a different tactic. "Fine then, but why can't you leave Holly in charge? It's not like he isn't used to being in command of rabbits."

"Holly isn't chief material. I don't deny he's brilliant in the owsla, but he doesn't have the right mindset to be chief."

"Oh and I'm a better choice to be in charge?"

"Frankly, yes." Sam hesitated at the certainty in Hazel's voice. "Maybe you don't realize it Sam, but you would make a very good leader. I'm leaving you here so I won't have to worry while we're gone."

Sam opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Feeling defeated, he said, "Fine then Hazel, I'll stay. But I'm not going to lie, I think this is a bad decision. One of your few."

"But as your chief, it is my decision, and you're going to follow it!" Hazel told him.

I would have thought that being Prince Rainbow's Messenger would have put me at a higher rank than a chief. But as quickly as the thought entered Sam's head, he pushed it away. He wouldn't do that to his friend. He nodded. "Alright Hazel, if you insist, I'll keep things running around here while you're gone."

Hazel nodded. "Good. Now in case we don't make it back in time, don't forget that we're supposed to meet Campion at the full moon." That would be in about a week.

"Yeah, I remember. I'll be there. Listen Hazel, just…be careful, alright? Stay away from towns, and keep in mind what I told Hickory and Marigold the other day about crossing roads."

"We will Sam. Take care."

"Yeah," Sam replied with worry obvious in his voice, "you too."

Hazel nodded and turned to the rest of the rabbits accompanying Kehaar to the ocean. The group consisted of Hazel, Fiver, Bigwig, Hawkbit, Dandelion, and Pipkin, who insisted he was well enough to travel despite Sam's urging otherwise. Sam sat at the top of the hill and watched them until they were out of sight.

"Don't worry so much Sam," Glade said as she joined him, "it's going to be fine. I'm sure that between the two of us, we can handle anything that'll come up."

Sam sighed, still not taking his eyes off the direction his friends went. "It isn't us that I'm worried about. I just don't feel good about this. I mean, if I was there I could guide them through any towns or cities they come across, they wouldn't have to worry about crossing roads, hell, I could probably even steal a map and get us back if they got lost."

Glade nudged him, trying to snap him out of it. "Sam, they're going to be fine. Hazel is there to deal with any problems they have, Fiver can warn them if anything seriously bad is coming, and they have the owsla to deal with any elil they might run across. They'll be fine."

Sam smiled a bit. "I hope so. Thanks Glade."

"Anytime. So, what now?"

Sam shrugged. "Um, nothing I guess. We don't really have anything to do. Campion somehow got the Efrafans to search for us in a different direction, so they're out of our hair for a while. Hickory and Marigold left just two days ago, so we probably won't see them again for a while. Looks like a day of relaxa-"

"Sam! There you are!"

Sam and Glade looked as Clover approached them quickly. "I was looking for you, and good, Glade's here too. I think I saw Hickory and Marigold heading this way."

They looked at each other in confusion. "Already?" Sam asked. "Why so soon? Do you think something happened?"

"I don't know," Glade responded, "let's go see."

By the time Sam and Glade gathered everyone left at the warren, Hickory and Marigold were almost to the top of the hill.

"Hello Sunflower," Hickory said cheerfully, "and how are you doing today?"

"Uh, good. I should be asking you that question. Is everything alright? You don't usually make it back here so soon."

Marigold turned to Hickory and nodded. "We're ready," she said simply.

Sam blinked, not understanding. "Ready for what?"

"We're ready to leave Cowslip's warren. We're going to leave tomorrow. We were hoping you would be able to help us get the others to Redstone. Hey wait, where's Hazel? And Hawkbit and Dandelion?"

Sam didn't respond. He was still in shock at their announcement. "Tomorrow? You want to leave tomorrow?"

Hickory nodded. "Yes, we think it's time. Where is everyone?"

Glade answered for Sam, sensing that he was still trying to recover from the surprise. "They left with Kehaar earlier today to go to the big water. Hazel left Sunflower in charge."

"Oh that's fine," Hickory said nonchalantly, "will you help us Sunflower?"

Sam shook his head to clear it. "Uh, yeah. Of course we will, but it would probably be better if we could wait for the others do get back. Can you wait a little while longer?"

Hickory and Marigold exchanged a glance before Hickory responded. "I don't think we have much more time to wait. We didn't say anything because we didn't want to worry you, but Cowslip has been getting increasingly suspicious of us. He caught us coming back last time and pressed us to tell him where we were. I think he knows we're going to leave, but if we do it soon enough, he won't have any time to make a plan to stop us. The sooner we're out of there, the better."

The Watership rabbits looked at Sam, curious to see how he would take the news. He shook his head in defeat and answered. "Alright, I guess we have no choice. Some of us will be there in the morning to make sure Cowslip doesn't try anything to stop you."

"Oh thank you Sunflower," Marigold said, "we knew we could count on you."

Hickory added, "But we should hurry back and tell the others. We'll see you tomorrow. Thank you for everything!" They the two turned back the way they had come and began to run back to Cowslip's warren, leaving the Watership Down rabbits all facing Sam.

"Um…" He wasn't sure what to say to the expectant faces. Luckily, Glade was there to help.

"How are you going to do this Sam? What's the plan?"

Sam considered before responding. "Alright, tomorrow I'll go to Cowslip's warren and get them started. I'll lead them straight to Redstone and help them set up." He turned to Holly and Blackberry and sheepishly continued, "I was also hoping you two would be willing to spend a couple of days there? Just to make sure they're really getting the hang of living outside and that they have sentries and everything."

Blackberry nodded, "That sounds like a good idea Sam. We'll come back when we think they have everything set up, sound good?"

Sam nodded. "That's great, thanks you two. Alright, does anyone have anything else?"

"A-Actually, I do," Strawberry said hesitantly. Sam motioned for him to speak. "I want to come with you. To Cowslip's warren I mean."

"Are you sure Strawberry?" Sam asked. "You don't have to do it."

"I know but...I think if I came with, it would help the others feel more at ease. I know all of the rabbits that are leaving, and seeing an old friend can only reinforce their decision."

Sam nodded with a smile. "Alright Strawberry, that sounds good, thanks. I think we have our plan. Tomorrow, we finally break them out!"

Early the next morning, Sam and Strawberry set out. They followed the route to Cowslip's warren in silence, mentally preparing themselves for the ordeal that lay ahead. As they neared the warren, Strawberry's confident walk began to falter.

"Are you alright?" Sam asked, noticing his friend's distress.

Oh course I'm alright," he asserted, "why wouldn't I be alright?"

"Strawberry, if you want to wait here, that's fine. I can go on and get them, and then you can join us later."

He shook his head vigorously. "No Sam, I need to do this. I need to face my past. I did bad things when I was there, I ignored so much suffering. I'm not going to miss my chance for redemption."

Sam smiled encouragingly. "Alright Strawberry. You lead the way, I'm right behind you."

Strawberry nodded and took point with Sam falling in behind. They passed through the lightest bushes they could find, still being mindful of any snares that could be around. They emerged through the bushes, they startled the rabbits that were out on silflay. However, the rabbits' shock disappeared when they realized who it was.

"Strawberry! Sunflower!" Hickory exclaimed as he pushed to the front of the quickly growing crowd of rabbits. "Everyone leaving is here. Now let's go before-"

"Now what do we have here?" Many of the rabbits cowered at the familiar sound of Cowslip's voice. He exited the warren followed by Silverweed. "Why are we all gathering out here when it's so much nicer in the warren? Oh," he said, finally noticing Strawberry and Sam, "it's the traitor and the troublemaker. To what do we owe this encounter?" Sam peeked around Strawberry at the so called chief of the warren. His fur, which was almost as immaculate as a pet rabbit the last time Sam had seen him, was dirty and unkempt. And his eyes had a faraway stare, like he was looking straight through them.

"We're here to free them, Cowslip," Strawberry said confidently. "They're done living this mockery of a life. You, who calls me a traitor, have sacrificed your subjects and ignored their pain, just to save your own skin. You are not fit to lead anyone, so we're taking them away from this evil place to form their own warren."

"N-no, you can't!" The distant look in his eyes was suddenly gone, replaced with anger.

"Yes we can," Marigold countered, coming up to stand next to her mate, "and there's nothing you can do to stop us. Come on everyone, let's leave this madrabbit to his snares."

"Strawberry," Sam said, turning to his friend, "Lead them to the place. I've got something to settle with Cowslip."

"Are you sure Sunflower?" he replied. "Are you going to be alright?"

"I'll be fine. Go on."

Strawberry nodded and, with the help of Marigold and Hickory, lead the rabbits toward their new home. Sam waited until they were out of sight before he turned to Cowslip and Silverweed: the only two who hadn't left.

"What do you two plan to do now?" he asked. "It would be foolish to stay here. If the snares don't get you, eventually the farmer will get annoyed that he's no longer catching anything and deal with you in a more…direct method. You should leave this place." He stared at Silverweed with his last statement, willing the mystic to come with him back to Watership Down.

"No," Cowslip said, "you're wrong. I cannot be caught by these snares. They only catch others, never me! The farmer will never get me; I'm too smart, too clever."

"I could never leave my chief," Silverweed said in a monotone voice. As soon as Cowslip wasn't looking, he gave Sam a quick smile to ensure that he was still on his side.

Sam gave a small nod in return. "Fine then!" he yelled at Cowslip, "Stay and die for all I care!" I'll be back for you tonight, he thought, trying to project his thoughts to Silverweed. It must have worked, because Silverweed gave another nod, and then turned to go back into the warren. Sam turned and began to run after Strawberry and the others, catching them quickly.

"Sa-Sunflower!" Strawberry exclaimed in relief, almost forgetting to use the right name, "you're alright!"

Sam laughed. "Well of course I am, why wouldn't I be? It's good to see you're doing well. How are they handling it so far?"

"Pretty well. Hickory and Marigold have been teaching them as much as they could while they were still there, so at least they're better prepared than I was expecting. Certainly more so than I was."

Sam nodded. "Ah, that's good." The group walked a bit further before Sam chuckled and spoke again. "So Strawberry, how'd it feel to tell off Cowslip like that?"

Strawberry smiled. "It was fantastic! I was practicing that all night, and it sure felt good."

"I would imagine. The hard part is done; now let's get them to Redstone."

"Wait," Strawberry said, "I don't remember seeing Silverweed anywhere."

Sam shrugged. "He decided to stay back in the warren for some reason. I'm going back tonight to get him. I hope he has a good explanation."

It was midday by the time they got to Redstone. All things considered, the newly freed rabbits fared well during the trip. If anything, they were overly cautious to compensate for their lack of experience. They were lucky and avoided any elil, making it to the warren with no problems. While Hickory and Marigold showed the rabbits around their new home, Sam and Strawberry discussed the rest of their plan.

"Alright," Sam said, "I think they're going to be fine here. You stay here and help them get settled, and I'll-"

Sam suddenly cut off what he was about to say. An odd feeling had just entered his head, like he was being watched. He had felt it only two places before: Cowslip's warren, and Efrafa. In those two places the feeling was pervasive, but here, it was definitely coming from a specific place. Sam ignored Strawberry's confused questioning if he was alright and tried to pinpoint the source of the feeling. He whipped his head around just in time to see two white rabbit ears shoot into the bushes.

Crap. "Strawberry, I have to go," Sam said suddenly.

"What? Go where?"

Sam ignored him. "Just stay here and help them with anything if they need it. If I'm not back by sundown, go get Holly and Glade and send them to Cowslip's warren. Then you and Blackberry come back here."

"Hold on Sam, wha-"

"Just do it!" Sam yelled as the darted off to where he saw the figure retreat. By the time Sam got there, whoever was there was already gone. Sam sniffed the area, trying learn which way the rabbit went. The scent that hit his nose was the last one he wanted to smell: Cowslip. He must have followed them all the way to Redstone. As Sam began the run back to Cowslip's warren, hoping to beat him there, his mind was divided between being impressed, and being angry. He was a bit impressed that Cowslip managed to follow them all the way to Redstone without making himself known. It couldn't have been easy, considering his size. In equal portion, Sam also felt anger towards himself for not noticing that they had a follower. Sam shook his head to clear the thoughts as he ran on.

He returned to Cowslip's warren in half the time it had taken him to get to Redstone. The warren was vacant. "Cowslip, where are you?" he called out in frustration.

"Sam?"

Sam turned and saw Silverweed exit the warren. "What are you doing back here? You said you weren't coming until tonight."

Sam shook his head in annoyance. "Cowslip followed us. I'm sure he's going to come back here; I must have beaten him back." He sighed.

"So that's where he went to! I didn't even realize he would be following you. His presence just suddenly disappeared. He'll be along soon though," Silverweed assured. "He has nowhere else to go." Sam nodded. "So, how are the others enjoying freedom? Are they adapting well?"

"They seem to be," Sam said. "I left pretty quickly when I saw Cowslip, but they seemed very happy."

While they waited for the large rabbit to return, Sam decided to ask the question that had plagued him during the entire walk to Redstone.

"Silverweed, why didn't you come with us? I already told you that you would have a home at Watership Down. Why stay here?"

The small mystic hung his head. "You don't understand Sam, there's something strange going on here. Something bad. I felt it when I was undoing the damage to everyone's minds."

"Ah hah!"

Sam and Silverweed spun their heads around in alarm as Cowslip arrogantly emerged from the bushes. "I knew it! I knew there was a traitor destroying my subjects' beliefs, and it was you, Silverweed."

"I don't know what you're talking about Cowslip," Silverweed said in his monotone voice. "This outsider charged in here demanding to see you. I respectfully told him you were out, but he was quite insistent."

Cowslip snarled. "After everything I've done for you: gave you a home, protected you from the shining wires, encouraged you to hone your mystic skills, this is how you repay me? You betray me, then lie to my face about it? I'm appalled. I heard everything you said. By the way," his gaze shifted to Sam, "Sam is quite an odd name for a rabbit, especially when I thought your name was Sunflower. Care to shed some light on that?"

"I wouldn't worry about it," Sam said. "I'm more concerned about you. You followed us. Why?"

"Those are my rabbits," Cowslip said angrily, "you stole them from me!"

"They don't belong to anyone but themselves," Sam retorted. "So now what Cowslip? What are you going to do now that you know where they are?"

"Oh, I don't know," Cowslip peacefully, "maybe nothing. More rabbits will come here eventually, so why should I do anything to them?" He gave a grimace of pain, which turned into a hateful glare. "Or maybe, I might drop by this warren I've been hearing so much about. What was it called again? Ah yes, Efrafa. I hear they don't take kindly to outside warrens, I wonder what they would have to say about Redstone."

"Why are you doing this Cowslip?" Silverweed said suddenly. "This isn't like you at all, what's wrong with you?"

In a kind voice, Cowslip said, "Silverweed, what are you talking about?" Then his face hardened. "There's nothing at all wrong with me!"

"I can't let you go to Efrafa, Cowslip," Sam said. "My friends and I will keep a watch on you until Hazel gets back, then he can decide what to do with you."

Cowslip's face suddenly had tinges of fear. "No, you won't hold me captive, not in my own warren."

"Yes," Sam said as he approached, "we will."

"Get away from me," Cowslip said as he slowly backed away from Sam. "I said…get away!" he yelled in a voice that was suddenly much deeper and rougher. Sam watched in shock as tendrils of darkness began to emanate from Cowslip's pupils until both of his eyes were completely black. He gave a spine-tingling yell of anger before charging at the pair.

Sam barely had time to shove Silverweed out of the way before Cowslip slammed into him, sending the two rolling. Both were trying to pin the other. As they struggled on the ground, Sam noticed they were near a tree, and with a massive kick, sent Cowslip flying into it. He knocked the air out of the large white rabbit. Cowslip slumped to the ground, trying to catch his breath. Sam quickly jumped and pinned him to the ground. "That's enough Cowslip," he said in annoyance, "you can't beat me, so just stop this stupidity."

"Never boy," he said, "I will never give in to you. Never!"

Sam hesitated, he knew he was in a tough spot. It was obvious that Cowslip wasn't going to back down and go with Sam's plan, and he couldn't risk the large rabbit going to Woundwort. It seemed like there was only one option…

"Don't make me kill you Cowslip," Sam said with a hint of desperation in his voice. "Just come along quietly and we can figure something out. It doesn't have to be like this."

Suddenly, Cowslip's face turned from one of anger to one of pleading. "Please," he said, his blue eyes beginning to show through the black, "save me." But in an instant it was gone, and Cowslip's face was again filled with rage.

Sam shook his head, confused. "What the…"

"Do it Sam," Silverweed said sadly. Sam looked over and saw that the small mystic had tears in his eyes. "Kill him."

"I…" Sam looked down at the thrashing figure underneath him. He stared into the eyes and found no intelligence, only rage. There would be no snapping him out of it. "Damn it," he muttered before suddenly lunging forward. He bit hard into Cowslip's throat, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth. Resisting the urge to vomit, he held on until Cowslip ceased struggling and lay still. Sam let go of his throat, and looked to see a content smile on his face.

Sam shakily removed himself from the lifeless body, spitting out blood as he did. Not being able to take it any longer, Sam quickly shifted back to his human form and ran behind the nearest tree and vomited. He came back around the tree to see Silverweed staring at the body of Cowslip with tears running down his face.

"Silverweed," Sam said slowly, "what the hell is going on here? What just happened?"

"It's a long story Sam."

Sam smiled walked over to Silverweed, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Tell me on the way to Watership Down. There's no way you're staying here." Silverweed nodded his agreement and the two began to walk, Sam turning to his rabbit form once again.

"It all started when I was going through everyone's minds, trying to get them to leave. I figured there was no reason not to see if I couldn't try and convince Cowslip to leave as well, so one day I touched his mind." Silverweed paused.

"What happened?"

He shuddered. "There was already something there. I hadn't noticed it earlier because I never had any reason to go into Cowslip's mind. There was something…attacking him. Or trying to anyway. I could only observe for fear of drawing attention to myself, but all around Cowslip's mind, there was…a cloud of anger and hatred. It seemed as though it was trying to invade his mind, but Cowslip wouldn't let it. I don't know how long he had been fighting that thing, but I could tell that he was losing. Looking back, it makes sense. I was born in that warren, the last kitten that was born. My parents were taken by the snares, so Cowslip raised me. I remember he used to be kinder; he used to grieve with the loss of each rabbit that was taken. But then he started to change. As the seasons went by, he cared less and less about the deaths, and almost seemed to revel in them. Time went by, and he became the cruel being you know today."

Sam shook his head slowly, trying to process all that he had heard. "But what happened at the end? He told me to…to save him."

Silverweed lowered his head. "What you said made him panic. You threatened him with his greatest fear: being captured. He lost his concentration and that thing made it into his mind. The instant when whatever was attacking him took control, I was able to see into his mind. Into the real him. Cowslip never wanted to hurt anyone, he would rather have died. That's why he begged you to save him from whatever had taken his body, he knew he couldn't fight it anymore. He was so strong, so good hearted." Silverweed cried harder.

Sam moved closer and wrapped him in a hug. "I'm sorry Silverweed. I'm sorry for what I had to do."

"Don't be," he said with a sniffle, "like he said, you saved him. You showed him a mercy that many others would not have been able to."

Sam looked at the ground. There were plenty of others that would have killed him. I just happened to be the one there. "Come on," he said out loud, "let's get to the warren."

Silverweed nodded. "Sam, there's one thing I forgot to mention. When Cowslip…died…whatever took him over didn't die with him."

"So you're saying…"

Silverweed nodded. "Yes. It escaped, and it's still out there."

Sam and Silverweed crested the top of the hill, surprising everyone. They hadn't expected to see Silverweed and Sam coming from the direction of Cowslip's warren instead of Redstone. Sam waved away all questions, saying that he would answer tomorrow. He asked Primrose to find Silverweed an empty burrow, and sent Holly and Blackberry to Redstone, making sure they told Strawberry that he was alright.

Sam sat on the hill in his human form, facing the direction he had come. The direction where Cowslip's body lay. He heard someone approach from behind and didn't even move his gaze as Glade lay down beside him. "What's wrong Sam?" she asked with worry in her voice. "What happened there?"

Sam closed his eyes at the painful memory. "I killed someone today."

Glade hid her shock at his confession and asked him for the whole story. He told her everything Silverweed had said.

"Sam, I'm so sorry," she said, nuzzling his face where tears had begun to flow again. "It was hard, but you did a good thing. Wherever Cowslip is now, I know he's thanking you."

Sam shook his head. "I had hoped it wouldn't hurt this much. I was sure I would be pushed into killing eventually, but I hoped it would be easier. That maybe, because they weren't humans, I would be able to distance myself from anyone I fought." He gave a harsh laugh. "So much for that idea."

"Oh Sam…" Glade said comfortingly.

She moved closer and nuzzled his chest. He turned and threw his arms around her, crying into her shoulder.

A/N: This was an interesting chapter to write, let me know what you thought :)