Chapter 206: New Families.

"I know what you mean. The more I think about it, the more it troubles me."

-AlElizabeth, A New Day On The Downs

Spartina was at silflay. It had been over a day since Bluebell had first suggested that she go back to Darkhaven. During this time, she had helped the owsla set false tracks away from the warren, with the hopes of confusing the enemies; the work had gone smoothly, and everyone felt optimistic once they were finished.

Spartina kept thinking about what Bluebell, and Bigwig, had said, as well as what life in Darkhaven was like. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how there was no way out of this situation. She had to atone for her past mistakes, and protect her new home at any cost.

She soon noticed Bigwig approaching; he remained silent, hoping she would speak first. She knew why he was there, but she too was determined to wait until the other broke the silence.

-"Did you think about it?" the buck finally said.

-"I did. I have decided that I will be going to Darkhaven."

-"You're going to Darkhaven? But why? I swear, Bluebell will regret ever..."

-"I'll admit the joke was in bad taste, but he is right. I am the only one who can infiltrate Darkhaven to save Watership Down. Virtually everyone else is either known to them, or too inexperienced."

-"They will kill you!"

-"No they won't. I know how to defend myself. I'm familiar with all their tricks."

-"They won't take kindly to someone who deserted them."

-"If anything, THEY are the ones who deserted ME, leaving me for dead after I was wounded."

-"But...but..." Bigwig was getting annoyed at how Spartina still insisted, and found counterarguments to everything he said. "Look, I know you want to help us all, but there's no point in you risking your life like this."

-"Maybe, but I don't think we have any choice. It isn't even the first time we would be sending one of us to infiltrate the enemy: you did the same thing when you rescued Primrose and Blackavar from Efrafa."

-"We already have Campion in Darkhaven; what could you do, that he couldn't?"

By this point, several other rabbits had gathered around Bigwig and Spartina. None of them spoke; for now, they just listened to what was being said.

-"There's something none of you know about, a closely kept secret in Darkhaven," Spartina explained. "Most of the other rabbits there don't know about it. Probably not even Woundwort himself; otherwise, he would have already taken advantage of it. The only reason I know about it is that, when I was a kitten, I saw the leader at the time, the Speaker of the Past, hiding it away, and she explained everything to me."

-"Can you tell us this secret?" Bigwig asked.

-"Hidden away in the warren, there is a weapon, unlike any other. It has the power to eliminate the threat with minimal bloodshed. Nobody would die, but everyone would be rendered forever harmless."

-"No offence, but I don't believe it, it all sounds too good to be true. Are you sure that this so-called 'Speaker of the Past' didn't intentionally mislead you?"

-"The Speaker is not the type of rabbit who would have made up something like that; in fact, she was dedicated to always telling the truth, even when it was unpleasant. Also, I saw her bury it, specifically so that it wouldn't be used. I think it's real."

-"Think of all the El-ahrairah stories where he seeks some weird thing that resolves all the problems," Bluebell interjected. "The sense of smell, the comical field, the favour of the Black Rabbit. Why would this be any different?"

-"I can confirm that this is accurate," Dandelion said. "There are a lot of stories that follow this simple structure."

-"This is not an El-ahrairah story, this is real life," Bigwig said. "El-ahrairah encountered many situations unlike anything we ever have."

-"It's possible that you're right, Bigwig, and this supposed weapon isn't real," Spartina said. "But if it IS real, this is an opportunity to put an end to the war before the main fighting even begins. Unless the Chiefs object, or Fiver has an ominous vision, I will leave tomorrow morning. If it doesn't work, then Campion could help me escape."

Bigwig sighed: Spartina had made up her mind, and he wouldn't be able to convince her otherwise. There was, however, something else he wished to mention.

-"I deeply respect you. I think we would have a great future together, if you're willing."

Spartina was left unsure just what Bigwig was saying, it was almost as if he was being deliberately vague.

-"Are you making me a captain?"

-"Uh, that wasn't what I was suggesting, but if you want to be one, you can be."

-"I don't particularly want to. I'm just curious as to what you were REALLY asking."

-"If you want to be my mate."

This provoked gasps from all other nearby rabbits.

-"Bigwig, you always struck me as a sensible rabbit," Hawkbit stammered, "who wouldn't waste his time on love or any such nonsense."

-"Keep it shut!" Bigwig turned back to Spartina. "So, what do you say?"

-"Well..." Spartina took a few steps back, "you're good-looking, you're strong, you have a nice personality, you're a great captain of owsla."

-"Does that mean yes?"

-"You're a nice fellow, Bigwig, but this is sudden. I will have to think about it."

-"Think? What is there to think about? You mate with me or you don't, it's as simple as that."

-"It's not," Hyzenthlay said. "Mating with someone is an important decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. Take all the time you need, Spartina."

-"But...but..." Bigwig struggled to gather his thoughts. "Fine, I'll wait. And I know it will be worth it, for a beautiful doe like Spartina."

-"You sure have a strange definition of "beautiful"," Hawkbit mumbled.

-"What did I just tell you?" Bigwig said threateningly.

-"To keep it shut. Right, I'll be doing that."

Bigwig did not have to wait long for an answer. That evening, at silflay, Spartina approached him and said a single word:

-"Yes."

-"You will be my mate?" he asked, just to confirm he had understood correctly.

-"I have thought it over, and I will."

Bigwig grinned, and was about to tackle the doe, but he abruptly stopped when he heard what came next.

-"BUT."

-"But what?"

-"Only after I return from Darkhaven."

Bigwig sighed: he really should have expected that, but it still left him disappointed.

-"I suppose there's no point in trying to convince you not to go?"

-"I really do think going is the best thing for the future of this warren. If things go wrong, however, I hope I can count on you to rescue me."

-"I'll do anything."

In the afternoon, Pipkin went to meet Fiver and Silverweed at silflay. The previous day, Blueberry had (begrudgingly) agreed to join the junior owsla. The next step would be to get him adopted; hopefully this wouldn't be too complicated.

The two seers were at silflay together, as was often the case; Vilthuril was also present. Pipkin had only just arrived when Silverweed spoke:

-"Are you here because of my powers?" He had likely sensed the small rabbit's intentions.

-"Didn't realize I was that predictable," Pipkin said with a chuckle.

-"Whose heart am I to spy into this time?"

Silverweed's usage of the word "spy" really seemed to indicate that he didn't enjoy this; Pipkin was pleased that it wouldn't be necessary this time.

-"Nobody, this is actually about someone you previously looked at: Blueberry. You said that you saw that he was going to get adopted by someone?"

-"I did. And I know who will be doing it."

-"The thing is, Blueberry has brought up a candidate, and I want to know if it matches the vision. It is Clover."

Silverweed seemed relieved as he heard Pipkin mention Clover.

-"That's one half taken care of," he said.

-"What do you mean?"

-"I saw two rabbits when I looked into his future. Clover is one of them, she is to be his new mother. Has he expressed interest in a specific father?"

-"Not to me. I assume you know who his new father will be?"

-"I do, even if it seems highly improbable."

Silverweed whispered the name in the small rabbit's ear, leaving him shocked.

-"Really? Him? He never struck me as the fatherly type."

-"Me neither."

-"As far as I know, he and Clover haven't even expressed interest in getting together," Fiver added.

-"But everything is safe with Clover, right?" Pipkin asked. "I can go and introduce them?"

-"Yes, please do," Silverweed said.

Clover was at silflay further away; she was soon approached by Pipkin and Blueberry. Fiver, Vilthuril and Silverweed observed the situation unfolding from a distance. After a while, they saw Blueberry and Clover hug.

-"Looks like it worked!" Vilthuril said with a smile.

-"It would seem so," Silverweed said with a sigh.

-"What's wrong?" Fiver asked, seeing how his friend still seemed sad. "Are you still worried about the father?"

-"No, I'm not worried about that. I just wish that the others would see me as more than a mere tool. You are the only rabbit in this warren who spends time with me because of who I am, and not because of my powers."

At first, Fiver struggled to believe that he was Silverweed's only real friend, but after thinking about it for a few moments, he was unable to think of anyone else. He hopped closer to his friend and hugged him.