A/N: This chapter is a bit different from the others. At the end of chapter 36, Sam made the choice to stay with his friends. But what if he had chosen otherwise? This is an alternate universe look at what might have been. Credit goes to Sharks Potter for giving me the idea for this chapter.
*Dialogue in bolded italics are being said in lapine, and are translated for ease of reading.
The Road Not Taken
Sam groaned as light hit his eyes.
"Is he waking up?!"
A voice. It was female, and familiar. Sam squirmed when he heard the voice. He longed to hear it again. He had not heard it in far too long.
A few other voices joined the first.
"He is! I just saw him move!" Female, still familiar, but less so.
"Stand back, give him some air." Male, very familiar.
"No! Get out of my way, I need to see him! Just let me see him, please!" The first voice again.
The voices died down, and something soft caressed Sam's face. The voice whispered softly in his ear. "Please, Sam, wake up. You have to wake up. Please!" How could he refuse such a request? The teen's eyes flickered open.
A face smiled down at him. "Oh Sam, you're awake. Thank God."
Sam smiled weakly. "Hi Mom."
The choice had been obvious. How could Sam abandon his family? He owed his friends at Watership Down everything, and although they would never know it, he repaid them with peace. Pipkin would never be tortured. Silverweed and Fiver would never have their minds invaded. Campion would have it harder this way, but he was strong. And Blackberry would be there for him. There was only one rabbit not accounted for…
The following year and a half passed like a blur. Sam finished the year of school he missed while in his "coma" in only five months, amazing his friends and family. The physical therapy to restore the teen's atrophied muscles took a fraction of the time it should have, allowing him to get back to a relatively normal life.
Well…except for one last thing.
"They're back this way."
Sam followed the farmer silently as the two walked to his barn. The farm had not changed much since he saw it last. The stone fence still had a hole in it, the dog was still lazing about in his house, and there was still a cat stalking around the farmyard. The feline glanced at Sam, examining the newcomer. The teen glared silently back when he was sure the farmer was not looking. I don't care if we never technically met, I'll still take you down if you come in kicking range. As the two walked into the barn, Sam's attention snapped back to the matter at hand.
The farmed stood next to a rabbit hutch as he addressed Sam. "Well, here they are. Now, how did you say you found this place again? And why would you come all the way from America just to buy a rabbit?"
Sam smiled as he knelt down in front of the hutch. "I owe a friend. I want her, the one in the back." The rabbit he pointed at looked back at him curiously.
"I…don't know if I can let that one go," the farmer replied. "She's my son's favorite, and-"
"Three hundred pounds."
"…Sold. Do you have a cage with you?"
Sam undid the latch on the hutch. "It's fine, I'll just take her as is." He reached in and whispered too quietly for the farmer to hear, "Glade, I'm a friend. Stay calm and come with me." Hearing a human speak to her in lapine shocked the rabbit, and Sam took advantage of her freeze and scooped her up. He nodded to the farmer and walked out of the barn.
Making sure no one was watching him, Sam hopped over the stone fence and began carrying Glade towards Watership Down. By this point, Glade had recovered from her initial surprise and was staring up at Sam curiously. "Don't worry, I'm taking you somewhere safe. Somewhere better than a life with humans. Remember the rabbits that Clover left with?" Glade's ears perked up when she heard Clover's name. Sam smiled, "I'm taking you to them. With Clover backing you, I don't think you'll have any trouble getting them to accept you. But if they do, just say Prince Rainbow's Messenger sent you." They made it to the base of the hill, and Sam gently set Glade down on the ground. "Just head to the top of the hill. You'll find their warren in the base of the tree." The doe took a few hops towards the hill before turning back to Sam. "Go," he reassured her, "you'll be happy there. You're welcome."
Sam watched as Glade bolted up the hill, probably ecstatic to see Clover again. A tear slid down his cheek as a smile pulled on his face. "Goodbye Glade." He turned and walked back to his rental car, satisfied, and ready to move on to with his human life.