Origins Of The Bellmaker: Chapter 7 - The Ultimate Decision

Noonvale was known as a haven of peace and plenty to those who lived there and the few visitors who stumbled across it in their travels. Those who did visit were either sworn to secrecy about the location or became a resident of the small village after experiencing the marvelous foods and drinks. Mainly the residents were mice, but there were several moles and hedgehogs mixed in.

An old mouse, bent with age and silver-furred, walked slowly with a willow cane toward a hill with a gravestone on it. The stone was worn with seasons, but those who'd heard the legends knew the name on the stone.

The mouse sighed with relief and sadness as he sat on a stump in the early-morning sunshine. "I've lost count of how many seasons it's been since you were last here... As I'm sure you might know, I'm the Patriarch now, and have been for longer than I care to remember. I only wish things had turned out differently, and there's one question I would love to have answered. Why didn't he come back?"

Slowly the sounds of Noonvale faded and the world seemed to stand still as the old mouse began daydreaming. The forms of two mice came into his vision, and long seasons of age lifted as the first mouse, a male, spoke. "Hello again my friend. We have a message for you... Actually, she does."

The old mouse frowned. "Not until you tell me why you never came back, Martin."

Martin sighed. "I did tell you, but I'll tell you again since it seems you've forgotten. I don't like admitting it, but I didn't return with you because I didn't want any evil finding Noonvale. That, and I was afraid of your father. I swore to protect Rose, and I failed. I couldn't face him or your mother, so I never came back with the others."

The female stepped forward, smiling at the old mouse. "My brother Brome... I wish I had been able to live with everyone after the battle of Marshank, but I'm also very proud of who you've become."

Brome wiped a tear from his eyes. "Rose... I've missed you so much."

Rose slowly nodded. "I know, and I have missed you too, but you have a job as Patriarch to do now. Listen carefully."

Brome nodded, his full attention focused on his sister as she spoke. "From the far south come two mice, one a liberated slave taken from here many seasons ago, and her rescuer, a giant mouse from farther south than anyone has ever traveled before."

Brome nodded, taking in the information. "When will they arrive?"

Rose looked south as she answered. "In three weeks' time. They will winter here before leaving in the spring."

Martin came forward now. "Get ready Brome, because their time here will test everyone's patience, including your own. Go now and begin preparations."

Rose and Martin vanished and Brome came out of his trance, blinking rapidly. Groaning with his efforts to stand, Brome slowly made his way to the main village, ringing an old rusty bell to gain everyone's attention. "Everyone! Listen to me please!"

The residents crowded around their Patriarch as he began his announcement, knowing he occasionally received visions from his long-gone sister. "I have been informed that we will be receiving visitors in three weeks' time! We need to get all the huts ready and decorations hung! I need this place tidy, and let's not argue okay? That means you and your brood too, Rosemary."

The mouse in question, an exceedingly beautiful female with long hair and almond eyes, frowned. "There's no need to single me out, Patriarch. I'm not all bad."

Brome crossed his arms. "Yeah, the females whose marriages you've ruined would say otherwise. I've asked you to help us once, I won't do it again. Now, let's get ready!"

The residents left from their spots around the main fountain to help get ready for their guests. In Salamandastron, Joseph and Celaena were almost done packing up some sacks of food and casks of water.

There was a hefty knock on their door and Celaena opened it. "Yes?"

It was Lord Rawnblade. "Good morning Celaena. How are you and Joseph today?"

The female mouse gave the badger a bow. "We're well, almost ready to set sail for my homeland."

Lord Rawnblade nodded. "I feel that this may be the last time I see you for a while, so I wish you both steady breezes to guide you on your way."

Joseph came over and shook the badger lord's mighty paw. "Thank you for your kindness and hospitality. Problem is, we don't know where we're going other than to the north. Any suggestions?"

Rawnblade thought for a second, then nodded. "Follow me."

He led them to the secret chamber located near the top of the extinct volcano that formed the mountain of Salamandastron. Gathering his strength, the badger grunted and snarled as he slowly inched the rock aside. Joseph and Celaena were stunned by not only Rawnblade's strength but also the entrance of the secret room.

Once it was wide enough for the mice to enter, Rawnblade lit a torch and gave it to Joseph. "In the entire history of this mountain, maybe five creatures who aren't badgers have ever entered this room. You have my permission this once to enter, and only to find out where you must travel for your journey. Go now."

Rawnblade moved aside, and Joseph led Celaena inside, lighting the lanterns along the way once the passage was closed. They entered a small chamber and Joseph lit those lanterns as well, extinguishing his torch. "Okay, now what?"

Celaena approached him with a jar of a sweet-smelling powder. "This smells pretty strong. Maybe put some on the lantern fires?"

Joseph took a pawful and put some of the powder into the lanterns, then he sat down with Celaena beside him. "Now we wait."

The sweet aroma filled the room and took the two mice on a trip they would not remember much of the next day. In fact, the next thing they knew, Springbrooke was wiping a cloth on their faces. "Come on, there we go."

Joseph groaned. "Spring? What happened?"

The hare chuckled. "You two were out for a full day. Lord Rawnblade had to drag you out of his secret chamber himself."

Celaena stirred and yawned. "Are we there yet?"

Joseph smiled ruefully. "We never left. In fact, we lost a full day thanks to that powder. We need to get moving."

The two mice were escorted to their boat, floating at anchor close to shore and fully provisioned. Climbing aboard, Joseph and Celaena set sail with the well-wishes of the hares ringing in their ears along with Sergeant Willoughby's apology.

Sailing a short way out to sea, Joseph turned the boat north and lashed the tiller with some ropes. "Alright, we're on our way."

Celaena smiled as she looked around at the clear blue sky. "So this is what it's like to be a fisher-mouse? Sailing the open waters as free as the wind?"

Joseph chuckled. "Not in my experience. Stay focused for searats up there, too. The last thing we need is to meet them out here."

Three weeks later, with temperatures dropping and no sign of searats, Celaena had Joseph hide the boat in a small cove near where she had been told Noonvale would be. After the boat was hidden and anchored the two mice began trekking eastward, eventually finding a broad stream and following it.

Late evening found them cresting a hill overlooking a small village. Celaena sounded like she was in a dream. "We made it, Joseph. Welcome to my home of Noonvale!"

They began walking toward the village with Joseph's booming baritone voice calling out to the residents. "Halloo the village! Any room for weary travelers?"

Everything stopped as they took in the sight of the two mice, especially Joseph. Patriarch Brome slowly made his way out to them. "Welcome to Noonvale, travelers. I am Brome, the Patriarch here. Who might you be?"

Celaena bowed. "I am Celaena. Many seasons ago, forty-one to be precise, I was taken by searats, but have returned to winter here."

Brome touched her face, shock and relief running through him. "Celaena... I never thought I would see you again... That day was awful for me and everyone here, but now you're home! My how you've grown too! You'll have to share your adventures with us. Who might this be?"

Joseph gave a small bow. "I am Joseph The Bellmaker, joining Celaena in wintering here."

Brome shook his paw. "Welcome to Noonvale, Joseph. Big mouse aren't you?"

Joseph chuckled. "I'll tell you about it sometime."

As they talked, Rosemary was looking hard at Joseph. 'So she thinks he'll stay with her? Just you wait. You're old and barren, and I'm in my prime. He's mine, Celaena.'

The following week saw the beginning of the winter season, and their bell was sounding poor. So Joseph took measurements, went to the fire pit, and began making a new bell, fulfilling the task given by Brother Bartholomew. Celaena stared adoringly at him, but she was facing increased competition from Rosemary. Her group of friends would distract Celaena while Rosemary wormed her way closer to Joseph.

He would accommodate her of course, because he wasn't one to outright ignore somebeast. Brome came to Joseph's hut as the new bell was cooling in the mold, and made it known that Celaena was losing her confidence. Joseph frowned. "How come? That's not like her."

Brome sighed. "It's Rosemary. She's got it in her mind that you want her because she's younger and supposedly better looking."

Joseph chuckled. "Really. So what do you plan to do about this, Patriarch?"

Brome shook his head. "I'm not sure, Bellmaker. Rosemary has ruined so many relationships that nothing I do works. It may be up to you."

Suddenly there was some shouting outside, followed by the sounds of fighting. Joseph and Brome came outside to find Rosemary's friends in a circle with Rosemary herself wailing on Celaena. "He's mine, do you hear me?! MINE! He hates you! You're old! Joseph wants me!"

Joseph ran over and bulled his way into the circle, scattering bodies like ninepins. Celaena got up and ran away, crying loudly. Joseph started after her. "Celaena, wait!"

Rosemary stopped him. "Let her go. I'm better for you anyway."

Joseph stalked off, flicking his tail angrily very close to Rosemary and muttering darkly to himself. The next two weeks saw no sign of Celaena, and Joseph looked for her from dawn to dusk but kept running into either Rosemary or one of her friends.

Rosemary always gave him the same speech. "You're exactly who I'm looking for. Big, strong, and handsome. Be with me."

Joseph always said no and would return to looking for his missing partner. A month before spring arrived, Brome came to Joseph. "No sign of her still. I'm sorry Joseph, but we can't keep looking. The snow is getting too deep outside of Noonvale. Hopefully she'll return on her own."

Joseph sighed. "I hope so… I had something important to ask her."

Outside, the villagers were toiling away trying to clear out some snow, when a female mouse arrived, wearing powder blue clothes. Brome was called, so he and Joseph came to the mouse. Joseph frowned. "I know that stature..."

He pulled back the cloak hood to reveal hazel eyes with dark circles around them. Joseph hugged her tightly. "Celaena! Where have you been? I was worried sick about you!"

Celaena sniffled as she replied. "After Rosemary and her friends attacked me, I became depressed and hid in what turned out to be my parents' hut. It had plenty of food and also my mother's wardrobe, so I didn't starve or run out of clothing, but I need to know something, Joseph."

Joseph held her paws. "Anything you want."

Celaena glared at Rosemary, who was standing nearby, before removing her cloak despite the cold. Her auburn hair flowed to her shoulders, and her figure was on full display in her mother's clothing, which was modest but accentuating. "Me, or Rosemary?"

Celaena had no confidence in herself after being attacked, and this desperation move would settle things once and for all. Rosemary scoffed. "I've already told you, Celaena! He wants me! He doesn't want some old and barren female! Right, Joseph?"

Celaena turned to run, but heard Joseph's voice. "Stop."

She froze, and Joseph walked in front of her, lifting her head so they locked eyes. "Here's my answer."

The waves of relief and happiness that washed over Celaena when Joseph kissed her were indescribable. When they parted, Joseph locked eyes with Celaena again. "Not only do I want you, I want to ask you something."

Despite the snow and in front of every resident of Noonvale, Joseph knelt on one knee and took the female mouse's paws. "Will you marry me, Celaena?"

She gasped. "Here? In Noonvale?"

The tall mouse nodded and waited for her to answer. Celaena thought back in her mind to when her first love was killed in front of her, and how she thought she'd never find love again. But now here was Joseph, asking for her paw in marriage after saving her life and ensuring her freedom by fighting off her former slave master.

Brome broke the silence by walking up to them. "I wouldn't keep him waiting, Celaena. That snow has to be cold."

Ignoring Rosemary's protests and screaming, Celaena stood Joseph back up, kissed his paws, and then kissed him again before laying her head on Joseph's chest. "Yes Joseph, I will more than willingly marry you."