It's rather tricky to determine what the characters were like when they were younger when you have nothing to go on. Not even any age indication whatsoever. Still, Vervain looks older than Champion so I'm going to assume he is.

Strength & Tricks

Vervain was born as the only buck in a nest of three kittens. It was the first and only litter his mother ever had which is very unusual for a rabbit. As such his mother cherished all three of them and more often than not had called them a blessing from Frith. She would often tell him and his sisters, Nashia and Phyla, tales as grand as any storyteller out there. Her name was Thyme and she was well respected by all rabbits in Efrafa for she was wise and strong and co-Chief of the warren. His father, Basil, was Chief and doted on her and their kittens. Everything had been simple back then. Vervain spend his days as any kitten in a secure warren would, playing with his sisters and other kittens, annoying the older rabbits and listening to stories. And though the storyteller spun a good tale, it was Thyme's words of wisdom that had enthralled the three of them.

On a certain day, when Vervain was a little older, almost out of kittenhood, he was playing in front of the outcropped rock with Campion who was still much younger than him. Well, playing wasn't the word, rather he was listening to Campion going on and on about being in the Owsla when he grew up. The brown kit often came to him to talk or play.

"The other kittens don't want to play Owsla with me." He'd complain then.

"They're does." Vervain replied. Nashia would glare at him then because, as she says, what does that have to do with anything? At that time they were the only two bucks around. Well, there was Moss but he was even younger than Campion and his mother had made it quite clear that he was not to play outside yet. Especially not the rough kind of games Campion wanted to play. And for all Nashia's complaints none of the does showed any interest in playing Owsla.

"I know! But I want to play! Please, Vervain?" Vervain never told Campion he had no interest in being or playing Owsla either. Campion looked up to him so Vervain felt he couldn't disappoint him. Usually he coaxed the kit into talking about it until he was too tired or it was too late for any actual playing. It worked for the most part.

That time however Campion could not be persuaded to simply talk all the way through. He insisted that Vervain help him practise a battle move he'd seen his father do earlier (and that he'd been explaining in great detail just now). Vervain felt dread creep up on him. Campion's father was the Captain of the Owsla and besides his own father the toughest rabbit Vervain knew. Yet Vervain couldn't refuse because both their fathers were watching them from the outcropped rock where they had been enjoying a little peace and talk. At Campion's rather loud and enthusiastic request however, their attention turned on their sons.

"So, I'll try it on you and then you tell me if it was okay!" It didn't help that Campion was apparently under the impression that Vervain knew how to do this move. He didn't. He didn't know any Owsla moves whatsoever nor did he want to. Vervain suppressed a sigh and nodded, "Go ahead then." After all, how bad could it be? Campion was just a little kitten.

Vervain learned then and there that Campion should not be underestimated. One moment Vervain had given the go-ahead and the next he was lying flat on his back, a triumphant Campion on top of him.

"So? How did I do?" He asked eagerly. Vervain blinked. He didn't even know what had happened, let alone whether it was what was supposed to happen. He glanced up at the rock, hoping to find some clue as to what the right answer was. Campion's father was beaming with pride. "Very good." He answered as he made to get up. Campion jumped off him and hopped around happily. "Really?!" Vervain nodded, glad that was over with.

"Okay your turn!" Vervain stared blankly at Campion. "My turn?"

"Yeah, now you try it on me!"

"I can't try a move like that on you. You're too young."

Campion looked disappointed but, much to Vervain's relief, he didn't ask again. His relief didn't last long.

"Come on Vervain, it'll be fine. My son is tough, he can take it!" Vervain froze. He looked back at the rock and saw his father regarding him with an unreadable expression. Did he want this too? Still, he could hardly refuse now. If Campion's own father was okay with it then no excuse would work. Not any that allowed him to save face, at least. Well, fine then, he'd do it. If Campion could do it, there was no reason he couldn't.

There were reasons a plenty. For starters, he had no idea what he was supposed to do. Well, nothing for it. He'd just knock Campion on his back and be done with it. He noticed his sisters had stopped their game. Nashia was watching him with great interest and a little bit of jealousy. You're free to take my place any time, sister.

He took a deep breath to steady himself and tensed his muscles. With one big leap he jumped at Campion, intend on using his superior weight to knock him over. Campion took one little step to the side and Vervain flew right past him, landing face first on the ground.

"Are you okay?" Campion asked worried. He hopped over and offered his paw to help him up. Vervain slapped it away and scrambled up.

"Isn't that going a bit too easy on the kit, brother?" Nashia called out from the sidelines. He could hear she was trying to hide her amusement. Vervain didn't care for Owsla but still the comment stung. Though it was nothing compared to what his father said next.

"Well done, Campion." There was a pause. "Nice try, Vervain." He added. Nice try. Vervain didn't dare look up at his father, afraid to see the disappointment in his eyes. Without another word, he hopped off, ignoring Campion and his sisters as they called out to him. He had never before felt so humiliated in his life.

He hadn't been in his burrows for long when his mother and sisters joined him. As he'd expected Nashia and Phyla had told her what had happened. Vervain didn't dare look her in the eye, afraid she too would be disappointed in him like his father.

"Vervain." Thyme settled down next to him and softly started grooming him. "Don't be upset."

"Father is upset, isn't he?" Vervain asked. "Because a kitten like Campion is better at Owsla moves than me." He added bitterly. It was ridiculous. He didn't even care but just the thought that his father, who had always doted on him, could be so disappointed in him was too painful. Thyme didn't reply, she simply kept grooming him. Slowly, Vervain felt himself relax.

"Thanks." He mumbled to Nashia. Having calmed down he realized she'd only been trying to help him with her comment. She simply nodded in return and Vervain appreciated the simplicity of the exchange. Phyla gave him a small smile which he returned in kind. His heart felt lighter again but still there was a doubt nagging at him. His father hadn't come so did that mean he didn't want to see his son? Because he wasn't any good at fighting?

"Listen, Vervain, and you too, Nashia, Phyla." When Thyme spoke her voice was soft but firm. As always it immediately caught her children's attention. "Rabbits are not expected to be strong fighters. The Lord Frith gave us many other gifts to survive. Did El-ahrairah not use his tricks to win instead of brute force? Tricks are a rabbit way."

"So, the Owsla is un-rabbit-like?" Vervain asked confused yet glad. She was right, El-ahrairah wasn't a fighter either so there was no reason why he should be.

Nashia looked indignant at his suggestion. "Of course not!"

"No, of course not." Thyme repeated softly, giving Nashia a reassuring look. Nashia settled down again and their mother carried on. "I never said it was. What I mean is that different rabbits have different qualities. Some are good at fighting, like the rabbits in the Owsla, and some are good at tricks." She looked at Vervain and then added with a smile, "like me."

"One way is not better than the other and both are needed to survive. Rabbits do not live alone. They need each other. If you are a rabbit gifted with strength, you need to use that strength for your warren. If you are gifted with tricks then you need to use them to help your warren as well." She paused then, her eyes clouding over and for a moment she seemed lost in a far-off memory. Then, in a much lower voice, she continued, "A smart rabbit chooses his companions wisely." She focused all her attention on Vervain now. "If you lack strength then seek one who has it."

Vervain never forgot those words.

I might regret calling his father Basil. I keep thinking about Fawlty Towers. Imagine that, Efrafan Towers! *snickers*

Anyway, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!