Me and my eldest son were getting ready for a evening patrol with Bigwig and a few other Owsla bucks that were assigned to do the evening patrol. Just as we were about to go downhill, Strawberry hurried her way towards us. She was telling us to stop for some reason, that I don't why she's doing this.
Bigwig!
Some of the bucks chuckled over that Bigwig was about to receive a nuzzle from his mate. He lightly scorned them, just seconds as she came to us in a pace. "Strawberry, we're about to go on an evening patrol!"
"I know Bigwig." she was panting for breath. She than turned towards me. "Kevin, you're needed back here."
"Is it Thethuthinnang or the rest of kids?" I asked.
"Kevin and his eldest son are about to go on their evening patrol. They already know, but would they be able to wait until they return?" Bigwig asked.
Strawberry's ears dropped and her head lowered. "Oh brambles..."
"What's wrong Auntie Strawberry?" my son asked her.
"Oh, I really shouldn't say this in front of you, but the rest of your siblings already know."
"Know what?" I asked her.
"It's... it's Holly." she answered. "He's becoming gravely ill and he needs you both to see him."
My heart started to shake, as my feet began to tremble. However, I stood myself tall. Only to realize his time was near... even months after he has gone through sickness, recovery, and than another sickness. My worst fear has come to fruition... he's near death.
"Dad... is Grandpa Holly sick again?" my son asked me.
I took some breaths, as Bigwig's paw was on my shoulder. With a nod, I turned back to my son. "Your grandfather is ill and... he wants us to see him." I held back the tears, so I didn't want my son to see me crying. "Bigwig, we have-"
He shook his head. "There's no need to explain, brother. You two are excused from this evening's patrol. We'll follow up with you later."
"Thank you, Captain." I thanked Bigwig, as he and the others are now going downhill to go on their patrol. "Can we see him?" Strawberry nodded her head and we than followed back to the warren to meet with the one, whom I called "father".
As we entered back inside our warren, we passed through the Honeycomb, as most of the rabbits were nearly winding down for the evening. After our final turn through the tunnels and find his burrow, a few rabbits were just outside of his burrow paying their respects. For the final time...
"Dad... do we have to go in there?" my son was nervous of seeing his grandfather frail.
"I know it's very uncomfortable to see your grandfather like this, but it's very important you go see him... as if it-" I spoke, until Thethuthinnang and Hyzenthlay came towards us. Fiver was with them.
"James, you should go see your grandfather. Your brother and sister are in there with him." Thethuthinnang instructed him.
Breathing heavily, he nodded his head and listened to his mother. However, he was frightened to see his grandfather failing on his health. I basically tapped him on the shoulder with assurance that I would be in there soon. Just as soon he entered the burrow, me, Fiver, and the does were left alone.
"Is he getting any better?" I asked.
Fiver shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry, brother. The sickness he had came back to him."
"We tried to give him herbs to fight his sickness, but he's losing the fight." Hyzenthlay informed me.
"So he's dying?" I feared.
Hyzenthlay looked down in sadness. "He's wanting to see you, before The Black Rabbit comes for him."
"What about you? You're his mate?" I figured that she would be beside him in the final moments.
"We already shared our moments together. Just last night and he wanted you to be with him in the final hours. We had our time together and he made me smile again. And of course, you have brought him back to us, during the siege."
"But that was by miracle. It wasn't something that I have done by power, like Fiver. It was just a divine miracle moment." I told her.
"Nevertheless... if it wasn't for you... I would have been lost without him." she commended me. "However, also... you two have journeyed through lot together and you two are very close. We both came to an agreement that you should be by his side."
Tears were starting to form, but I held back... not yet. I didn't want them to come out just yet. "What are you going to do?"
Hyzenthlay and Thethuthinnang looked at each other. "We'll be looking after the children in the evening... we'll probably be in the Honeycomb."
I nodded my head. "Alright... if possible, Bluebell could be able to help with you two. The stories would help distract them for the time being."
"It has already been set for plan." Thethuthinnang spoke. "Now you should go see him... we'll be alright." She than nuzzled me, as I did back.
With more numbing feeling than I ever felt. I knew it would be the last time I would be able to see my adopted father. Fiver's paw were on my shoulder to give me strength and advise me to cherish those final moments. After readjustment and composure, I head my way to Holly's burrow. When I came at his entrance... what I saw was a beautiful sight. My kids and my adopted brothers and sisters were there with them. I wasn't sure what he spoke to them. Afterwards, they cautiously played with him, as he joined in their easily paced fray. I chuckled to see them tackling on Holly. He even let out a laugh for a few minutes, until he started coughing again. It was than that moment that the children stopped and asked if he's alright. He assured them that he's alright, and yet the children knew they wanted to be easy on the ailing rabbit. Captain Holly than looked up and saw me by the entrance. I smiled back, as I waved. It was than that the children had to leave him. He gave them their final talk, before they began to say goodnight to him. One by one, they gave him nuzzle and sweetly words to show their love for their father/grandfather. It was than James was the last to say goodnight. My son froze, until he began to shake that I slowly entered the burrow. It was than he buried his face upon his grandfather's fur and cried.
"James..." I tried to comfort him, as Holly patted on his back and assuring him that everything will be fine. I than gently patted my son on the shoulder, as he than left himself back up and took some breaths. I had to escort him out of the burrow.
"Everything will be fine... you'll see. Don't worry. You'll see me again soon. Alright?" Holly assured his grandson.
James nodded his head, as he was still in tears. Thethuthinnang than came and took him aside, so he could be cleaned up without his siblings seeing him crying.
I than watched them, until they were out of sight. Now it was just me and Captain Holly. I was becoming more afraid than ever of seeing my father passing away again.
"He knows my time has come." Captain Holly spoke to me. I lowered my head in shame. "It's not your fault... at a age as he is... he should know when a rabbit's time has come."
I looked back to Holly. He was lying on his bed. With grass and even I had to give him my spare pillows and blankets to keep him comfortable, when he first began becoming sick. I hopped towards him and lie next to him.
"I know something like this was to come... but I felt like it's too soon." I spoke.
He smiled. "We had our time together... ever since we first met back in Sandleford."
"One little sneeze to get myself caught." I joked.
He chuckled. "Apparently yes... however I didn't regret taking you in. Despite of the objections."
"I'm over that. However, what is more important is that you accepted me into the warren. Even at the time when-" he looked back at me, as I was about to bring up about Fiver's vision of Sandleford being destroyed. "But I'm thankful for being so forgiving to me... about me being human."
"... 'some humans do understand that all living things suffer-'"
"'... that all living things deserve respect.'" I finished.
"You have taught everyone here that not all humans are evil. Even a chief rabbit admits also." I than placed my paw upon his, as tears fell. "Kevin... what is it?"
"I just needed more time!" I lightly sobbed. "Every comes and goes too quickly... even the good times. I just... I don't want to go."
"You know every living thing has a time: to be born, live, and than we die. You know better like everyone else know." he spoke softly. "We had cherish the moments that we had together."
"I know... I have seen death too early on, but... I never really get to see too much my time growing to see my parents grow old... except you." I rubbed my eyes. "Are you willing... just to wait a little longer?"
He nodded. "Until Frith rises... and there's something important I must tell you."
"Yes, Dad?"
"I made arrangements with Thlayli... I want you to become Captain of the Owsla, alongside with him." he said.
"Captain Holly?! I can't! I can't fill the void! You're more experience Captain than anyone. I can't replace you!" I kindly reject.
"It must happen. Even if you're human, you have wits that could aid with Bigwig to guide the Owsla. And he agrees." He than placed his paw on my shoulder. "I need to fill my position... my son."
My heart weighs heavily now, that I would be promoting to Captain. Shaken, but have to make this succession happen. "Alright... I'll do it... sir."
Captain Holly let out a relief and patted on me. "Thank you... Kevin. I know you'll be a great captain. However, it's more important to be a good rabbit than just being a soldier." I gave him a hug and he gasped. He than patted on my shoulder.
"I have never forgotten... I remember what you told Campion when we got marked. And you being by my side! You never left me!" I cried. "Now... I feel like-"
"Don't talk foolish now..." he told me. "I'll always be with you... in spirit. And of course, we'll see each other again, when your eyes are closed."
"What else did you had to tell me?" I asked.
"The Black Rabbit came to me... I was being asked to join Hazel-rah to be apart of the Owsla." he told me.
"Really?! You must be honored greatly!" I exclaimed.
He nodded. "I am. Nevertheless... I'm looking forward to seeing my family again at Frith's Meadow."
"I'll sure miss you though." I tried to admit that I'm happy to see him pass on and seeing his family again in the afterlife.
Captain Holly nuzzled me gently and slowly. "I know you will. Just as everyone else will. However, it's important for you to carry on... like how our ancestors deal with passing." I nodded. "For tonight... we'll cherish tonight as it was our last."
"And everyone else?" I asked.
"I had my final moments with them, nights before. For tonight... I want you to spend my final night with me... if-"
"Thank you, Dad." I thanked him for waiting for me. "I want to be here with you..."
For hours, we spend the night together to talk about the memories we shared... our first encounter, our first meeting... reuniting with him at Watership Down... our journey to Efrafa and escape... our special raid at the farm's kitchen... the battle for our warren... the wedding of myself and Thethuthinnang... our times together with our children... the coast... and finally... the night terrors and fears I faced, he was always there to comfort me. The hours passed from midnight to the nearly dawn.
"Kevin... my time is near... and we must be tired." Captain Holly became more weakly and tired. "How about a song?"
I didn't want the night to end soon. However, I know a song that a father and son could relate. I was back in my human form and pulled out my phone. The song I pulled up was from Zac Brown Band... My Old Man.
"Captain Holly... Dad... this song is for you... being my old man." I than I had to clarify because of "man". "My father." He nodded and knew what I meant.
He was a giant
And I was just a kid
I was always trying
To do everything he did
I can still remember every lesson he taught me
Growing up learning how to be
Like my old man
He was a lion
We were our father's pride
But I was defiant
When he made me walk the line
He knew how to lift me up
And when to let me fall
Looking back, he always had a plan
My old man
My old man
Feel the callous on his hands
And dusty overalls
My old man
Now I finally understand
I have a lot to learn
From my old man
Now I'm a giant
Got a son of my own
He's always trying
To go everywhere I go
Do the best I can to raise him up the right way
Hoping that he someday wants to be
Like his old man
I curled next to him, as I rested my head upon his side. His arm was wrapped around me, as I began to cry. I didn't want to finish, but he encourage me to finish.
My old man
I know one day we'll meet again
As he's looking down
My old man
I hope he's proud of who I am
I'm trying to fill the boots of my old man
My old man
His breathing than became very heavily... his time was now for him to pass on.
"Dad! Please don't me!" I cried and begged.
"I love you. I will never leave you... thousand times... we had a wonderful night, right?" Captain Holly comforted me.
I nodded. "Yes... I'm just not ready to lose another father. I'll terribly miss you!"
"Don't miss me, son... rejoice and cherish the moments we shared and journeyed. We'll meet again... until than... I'll look down at you."
"Okay... okay..." I clanged onto his arm, close to my heart.
"Now good sleep. Tomorrow is another day." he advised me. I was becoming tired too that my eyes began to close. The last I ever heard him say was... "Goodnight... and goodbye... Ma Rooliti (my son)." he said softly weak, but still warmly.
"Goodnight and goodbye Dad... I love you!" I replied back... as I cried in my sleep, as I was feeling what was left of his softness and warmness of him. I than fell asleep, only to know in my sleep that his strength... his warmness... and his softness... gave away, as I than heard his last breath... "I'm proud of you... Kevin Marcus..."
It was just about the time Frith was rising. When the sun rose... a rabbit passes on. Captain Holly had died in his sleep. His bravery... kindness... and his fatherly affection... as well as a good rabbit that made him... was gone. He passed onto to join Hazel in The Black Rabbit's Owsla and of course reuniting with his family at Frith's Meadow. Thethuthinnang and Hyzenthlay came in that morning to find me with him. When I heard them come in, I held onto Holly... I didn't wanted to let him go.
It wasn't until Thethuthinnang came to me and slowly attempts to pull me away, in effort for myself to not over grief myself. I began to bawl terribly that he's gone. She attempts to comfort me, as I looked back to see Holly's lifeless body still, but at least covered with a blanket I gave him. In spite of being chilled to bone, his body was given what is left of feeling warm from a blanket. Hyzenthlay came over to his body and nuzzled him for the last time, with a whisper she spoke. With tears falling from her eyes, as she than closed them. I couldn't help, but approach to her and offer my condolences. She turned and nuzzled back at me and I gave her hug to, as we cried together.
"Thank you..." she said.
In the late morning, we all gathered at the Honeycomb... made the announcement, as others fell into grief. It was perhaps the most unbearable passing of someone I truly held dear to anyone... greater than Hazel's death. It was decided that Hyzenthlay and myself would carry his body to a secluded burrow, like Hazel's, to bury him there. After I wrapped and covered him, we carried his body to secluded burrow... not too far from Hazel's resting place. Everyone got to say a few words about Captain Holly... starting from his fellow Owsla officer and from Sandleford, Bigwig... and than Blackberry, Hyzenthlay, Bluebell, Clover, Fiver... even Campion came to pay respects also. And finally myself. When I was able to speak, I was prepared for a eulogy. However, due to the fact that I already said it to him, before his health was decline... it was fitting that... I didn't say. I couldn't say it, because with my experiences with Holly, I already knew what to describe him.
Just before we left the burrow, I unwrapped for a final moment to see Holly's face for the last time. Despite of his scars, he's in peace. His eyes were closed. No wound that had him bled, it was just a simple sleep that he passed on. I gently rubbed his face and petted his head. And before I covered him completely, I gave him a kiss on his head and whispered, as I placed the eulogy onto his chest.
"Thank you... Dad and I love you. Now go be with your family again, and be reunited with them." Seconds later, I covered his face.
Following after the burrow is sealed, we bowed our heads and said these words once again... My heart has joined the thousand... for my friend stopped running today. Everyone dispersed, with the exception of myself and Hyzenthlay. We stayed together for hours and stayed silent. Without a word, or acknowledging anyone else present. Except we gazed at Holly's burial site.
It wouldn't until a few short weeks later that I decided to carry on and live my life. Even a few points of time, I been seeing Hyzenthlay... and of course, that I would tell and accept her choice... she refuse to find another buck to be mated. It was fitting because Holly was her true mate, since they first met at Efrafa. We both carried on with our lives and raised our families, until we passed on. With her first of course, before my time came.
By the time I passed on, I was humbled that I was going to see my adopted father, captain, and my best friend. At Frith's Meadow... at the shore.