Bigwig hopped along the down, looking for Fiver. He eventually found him huddled in a shelter of rocks.
"What are you playing at Fiver?" Bigwig asked. "It's getting dark and the Weasel's on his way!"
"And it's probably my fault he's coming." Said Fiver miserably.
"What? What do you mean?" Biwig was puzzled.
"I overheard Nettle and Vilthuril talking." Said Fiver. "They're right."
"Right about what?" Asked Bigwig.
"My Visions!" Exclaimed Fiver. "What if I'm not seeing the future! What if I'm just making things happen?!"
"Don't be silly, come out of there!" Bigwig chidded.
"What if I caused Sandalfords destruction, and Hazel was shot by the farmer because of me!" Fiver whimpered. "And you nearly choked to death in a wire!"
"None of that was your fault." Bigwig said.
"Does it really matter?" Fiver asked. "If I'm cursed, then I have to stay away, I can't hurt anyone if I'm out here alone."
A cry from Kehear caught their attention, as the gull landed down next to Bigwig. "I see a vessel, he close and plenty mean!"
"Fiver come on!" Bigwig ordered. "We don't have much time!"
"You go." Said Fiver. "They need you more than me."
Bigwig signed and turned to Kehear. "Stay with him." He said as he hurried away. "I'll be back when I can."
Kehear stayed behind and saw how miserable Fiver looked. "I no leave you, Fiver." He said comfortingly.
Later that Night.
Hawkbit, Silver and Thethuthinnang stood outside the burrow, and saw Bigwig coming back by himself."
"You didn't find Fiver?" Asked Hawkbit.
"I actually did." Bigwig said. "Get everyone in position, we won't have a second chance if the Weasel gets past our defenses."
And they all entered the main run, together.
Meanwhile,
Hazel and Hyzenthlay rested on the bank, as the sounds of Owls brought them back to their senses.
"We better get moving." Said Hazel. "The Owls are hunting."
They climbed up the bank and took shelter in a hollow tree trunk. After a moment of silence, Hyzenthlay spoke.
"You came into the water after me." She said, "Even though you weren't sure we'd make it."
"I guess I did." Hazel said. "I just… You didn't hear all those things I said, Did you?"
"Uh… Faintly…" Hyzenthlay said, contemplating.
There was a pause for one moment, Both Rabbits unsure what to say next.
"So…" Hazel finally spoke. "I suppose we're almost to Redstone by now."
"Just over this hill, I think." Hyzenthlay replied.
"You… never told me." Said Hazel. "How did Vervain capture you? And… What happened to Primrose?"
Hyzenthlay looked at Hazel and sighed.
"I suppose… We'd better start at the beginning." And she told her story.
Flashback.
"It was only three Seasons ago, When Primrose and I were young, We had wandered a bit too far from home… and found ourselves caught by Vervain and his troops, they took us back to Efrafa and we were marked by the Council.
We spent our first season together, shuffled through the Marks, deprived of our liberties, made to dig and expand the warren of Efrafa, under the eye of the General…
Soon, the Warren started to become overcrowded, forcing the Does to stop producing litters. We brought our concerns to the General, but he dismissed them.
Eventually, Primrose had enough, she began formulating plans for us, to escape Efrafa and bring as many other Does as we could…
Flashback Paused.
Hyzenthlay stopped for a moment.
"And what happened?" Hazel asked.
Flashback resumes.
Primrose decided to start a Riot, in the Hind Quarter Mark, She and I and a few others, started to sing in the presence of our Captain, and when he tried to silence us, Primrose attacked and ripped his ear off, as he screamed we tried to bolt it!
We thought we had a chance, But then… Charlock and the Owslafa captured us, they took us to the Council, and… I wanted to take the blame, But Primrose confessed instantly…!"
Flashback ends.
"And then?" Asked Hazel.
Hyzenthlay began to sob. "They sentenced her to death… It was barely Evan Frith down when they took her to the Iron Tree and…" Hyzenthlay broke off as she cried, Hazel was aghast by the story and slowly huddled close to her in his attempt to comfort her.
Meanwhile,
Back on the down, The Weasel finally arrived, eying the entrance burrow, he smacked his lips. "It's time to feed long ears." He sneered. "It's time!"
He then made his way inside, searching everywhere for the Rabbits, he was so distracted by his own Bloodlust, that he didn't watch where he was going and went "plop" straight down a pit! Above him, Bigwig, Silver, Hawkbit, Bluebell and Strawberry darted out from all sides and began to kick dirt onto him, This infuriated the Weasel, he climbed out and hissed at Bigwig, Hawkbit and Silver.
"Back!" Cried Bigwig. "Get back!" and they ran off, with the Weasel giving chase, Bluebell and Strawberry retreated back down the way they came.
Bigwig and the others hurried down the run, hopping over the Hedgehogs who lay hidden and curled up, the minute the Weasel came, he suddenly landed on them, and lept back up in pain! His fur prickled with spikes.
Bigwig, Hawkbit and Silver stood facing the Weasel, joined by Dandelion, Blackavar, Buckthorn, Speedwell and Acorn as they ganged up on the Weasel, Bluebell, Strawberry, Holly and Blackberry jumped out from different sides to corner him too, forcing the Weasel to beat a hasty retreat!
As he zipped out of the Burrow, Bigwig, Bluebell and Hawkbit raced up to see him off.
"Go find an easier pray Belly crawler!" Called Bigwig. "There's none here!"
"Ah I'll wait out here till you come!" Said the Weasel. "Sooner or later, you'll have to come out."
"Wait all you want!" Bigwig replied. "We've plenty of food."
"And you won't find other creatures here." Added Hawkbit. "Everyones cleared out till you're gone!"
"Stay here and you starve, my old son!" Bigwig finished boldly.
The Weasel let out a nasty growl, before it slipped away down the hill.
To Be Continued.
Well, that's out of the way, I told you I'd get this done.
I'd like to thank Gotham317 for brainstorming Primrose's fate with me. A Lot of this story came from her and her Original take on Watership Down, Including how she adapted the Character.
Anyway, I hope you can expect the next chapter to come in the Future, Possibly after I'm done with the next Chapter of Mabel's Adventure or another story, Be sure to give them a read, along with a Review, Fave and Follow.
Stay Tuned for now. :)