"Now I've see the blue beginning

And I've seen the blue 'The End'

Set the scene for Seaward Swimming

Dim the stage again"

–Chapter 8 "Seashore" and "Horizon" by Cornelius

Blackberry-rah listened to Fiver intently, his eyes widened as every detail of the encounter was revealed. The seer himself had seemed to become more feverish since returning to the warren. His words tumbled out as the story slowly formed from the tangle of his rambling. There was no doubt in Blackberry-rah's mind that Fiver was telling the truth. The poor rabbit's usually wide eyes looked as if they'd hop out of his skull with worry.

After the story had come out in full, and Blackberry could finally piece together what had happened, he suggested that Fiver go into the warren and have a rest. He had a lot to think over, and the newly acquired flayrah would surely "go missing" if he didn't distribute it soon.

Bigwig and his Owsla were waiting patiently by the Flayrah pile, though it was obvious that they weren't happy waiting for the Chief rabbit.

"Where have you been?" Bigwig cocked his head to the side, his graying face furrowed in confusion, "I'm fighting for my life over here. These kits…" (He indicated to the Owsla behind him) "... keep trying to sneak a couple bites if I don't pay attention."

Blackberry-rah nodded, noting that one of the Owsla members was currently nibbling on a piece of lettuce.

"Anyway, have you figured out a way to give every rabbit their share? I don't think we have nearly enough for everyone," Bigwig continued.

"I have an idea," assured Blackberry-rah. He looked at the pile on the floor. It was sizable, but for a warren this size it would hardly be enough. He entertained the thought of just letting any rabbit walk in and grab some, but quickly dismissed it. Tunnels packed with rabbits would be terrible, and it'd probably disappear by the first few rabbits anyhow. The mothers of kits should be first, then the kits themselves. Or perhaps the Owsla should be fed first. Blackberry-rah looked at the Owsla, noticing their very poor attempts at hiding their chewing. Perhaps not, he thought.

"Get out of here!" Boomed Bigwig. A small crowd of rabbits had begun to form at the entrance to the burrow. Blackberry-rah watched with intrigue as Bigwig argued with the rabbits before they finally turned tail. "I sure hope your idea is a good one; they're only gonna get more rowdy the longer nothing happens."

"I'm aware,"

Over the next hour Blackberry-rah and the Owsla worked out a way to make sure every rabbit got something to eat. Bittersweet was in charge of gathering everyone above ground, while the rest of the Owsla made sure that the tunnels didn't turn into a frenzy.

Bittersweet was surprised by how fast the rabbits on the downs crowded around him. His cries of "back off" and "settle down" were hardly heeded. After a while, however, the big crowd of rabbits disappeared down the warren except for two. Bittersweet called to them, but they remained. They seemed to be two older rabbits talking to each other: Fiver and Speedwell.

"I knew I'm not crazy!" Speedwell declared. He seemed much more pleasant since Fiver told him of the encounter with the dark rabbits, "Could you tell who they were?"

"I could tell who two of them were. One of them had a blind eye-"

"Woundwort?" Speedwell sat up alert.

"Yes!"

"And the second one?"

"I think it was Hazel-rah," Such a familiar name seemed to string when he said it out loud.

"The Hazel-rah? The one who led us all to Watership down in the first place?" Speedwell leaned forward.

"Yes! But-" Fiver found it hard to explain, he hushed his voice despite the fact no one was around (bittersweet was breaking up a tussle underground), "He didn't seem himself. He was vile. I've never seem him act that way before. Speedwell listened to this intently.

"That is strange." he responded, "the same thing happened with my former mate, Caraway. Thistle said she was acting strange. She was so kind from what I remember." Speedwell seemed to drift off for a while just thinking, "...soft too."

"I don't like this business of dead rabbits coming back to life,"

"Neither do I! Maybe they're angry they're back? No. Acorn seemed so friendly."

Fiver only sighed. He really wished that his visions were still with him. He'd give his left paw to understand what was happening to all of them.

"Hazel told me something that I think you should hear too," continued Fiver, "He said that Thistle got himself into a lot of trouble…"
Speedwell's ears lowered and his eyes widened.

"Something about a ritual being complete" Fiver suddenly froze, Speedwell looked concerned.

"I just realized…" Fiver's voice got more menacing, his eyes narrowed, "I was right wasn't I?"

"I don't get what you mean," Speedwell said with a hint of apprehension in his voice.

"That so-called "miracle" that happened to Thistle. That's what's causing all this."

"I don't think we can jump to conclu-" Speedwell began to argue.

"Hazel said the ritual was incomplete. Thistle's death must be what it is, isn't it?"

Speedwell was shrinking: "Surely you're not insisting that I kill Thistle?"

To this, Fiver was stunned. He hadn't given much thought to what "the ritual" meant, "I don't know," He said simply. "Sorry, I got heated. I'm still a little shaken up from that encounter with the rabbits." Fiver touched a paw to his nose, it had stopped bleeding at the very least.

"It's quite alright, Fiver" said Speedwell, but it was clear that what Fiver had said was weighing heavy on his mind. "Shall we head down for some Flayrah?"

Fiver agreed, and they headed down together.

The line for the Flayrah was quite long. Speedwell could sense the subtle ebb of rabbits trying to push to the front. Although the Flayrah was nice, he couldn't get Fiver's words out of his mind. It made his head hurt that searing pain again, like something was crawling in his mind. Maybe something was. He didn't want to think about it for too long.

It must've been days before they finally reached the burrow. There Bigwig was busy shoo-ing off Hawkbit, with Blackberry-rah overseeing the Owsla. Bigwig looked worn out, no doubt from all the Rowdy rabbits that they had just dealt with.

"Get out of here, Hawkbit! There are still rabbits to feed!" Bigwig growled. Hawkbit looked indignant.

"But there's still some left in that burrow! Even after those two.." he looked at Fiver and Speedwell, "get their share!"

"The leftovers are for the owsla and chief. Get out!" With that Bigwig shoved hawkbit down the tunnel, much to his dismay.

Speedwell hopped to the entrance to the burrow, he could see what little flayrah was left stacked in the middle of the burrow. He hoped it wasn't obvious how hungry he was. Bittersweet grabbed a bunch of lettuce and a carrot; and set it down in front of Speedwell, he accepted it graciously and ate it all at once. It was still as fresh as when he was at Nuthanger farm himself.

His belly full, he headed towards the surface. The vibe on the downs was a little more hopeful this time around. The kits were at the very least playing again, and there was a murmur of conversation about. Mainly just how happy they were to finally have some good food.

Blackberry-rah and the Owsla resurfaced again, alive with conversation.

"I say we head back out there again tomorrow. We haven't gotten everything yet," said Bigwig, following behind Blackberry-rah.

"I should think so, but those rabbits in the fog don't seem so friendly," responded Blackberry-rah.

"No matter! My owsla has the finest rabbits in the warren, we can manage them!"

"We shouldn't risk it."
"Oh it's worth the risk. Look around you, Blackberry, the whole warren's spirits are up because of us."

Blackberry-rah looked around thoughtfully, then responded: "I suppose, but you saw what they did to Fiver."

"And it won't happen again, we'll keep together this time around."

"I suppose. I'll ask Fiver if he's willing to join this next excursion."

"So it's confirmed? We head out tomorrow?" Bigwig looked bright.

"Yes." Blackberry-rah said simply.

"Fantastic!" The owsla had overheard this as their was a plenty of excitement between them.

Blackberry-rah decided to tell Fiver about the plans tomorrow. It would be important that they could find their way again. Though he had doubts that Fiver would want to tag along again.

And he was right. Fiver had vehemently refused, citing his scratch across his nose as reason enough.

"What if Speedwell came along this time? He seems to have better luck with those rabbits out in the fog." Blackberry-rah said.

"I don't know. It all just seems so weird." Fiver responded, he licked his paws and then soothed his scratch.

"The Owsla will be bigger and stick together this time. You'll be safe."

"I suppose, but do you need me for guidance? I feel as if I barely helped out last time."

Blackberry-rah was surprised: "Of course! You're our seer, without you where would we be?"

Fiver guessed that was correct. Though he felt hesitant to tell Blackberry-rah that he hadn't had a single vision since the fog had descended. Perhaps he didn't want to worry Blackberry-rah more than he already was.

Fiver then said: "Do you think we should bring Speedwell along?"

"I think it'd be worth the shot. More rabbits to carry more flayrah, and it seems that the Dark rabbits favor him.

Fiver thought back to what Hazel had said. It was clear they had far greater interest in Speedwell than any of the other rabbits. Would bringing him out in the fog lead him into danger? Or was he a sort of safe haven.

"I sure hope so." said Fiver simply. "I'll come along, but if things go south again…"

"They won't; I'm sure of it. We've had our fair share of run-ins with less than pleasant rabbits. These will be no different."

"I suppose that will be alright, then."

With Fiver onboard, Blackberry-rah headed over to Speedwell who was by the kits, watching his own son playing. Speedwell seemed a bit more cheery. He spoke brightly, but it was missing a sort of enthusiasm. It indicated that something was weighing on him. Speedwell gave way more pushback than Fiver, but after several minutes of trying to appeal to him, Speedwell finally agreed on the fact that he'd get double flayrah.

With the matter settled, Blackberry-rah headed under the downs. He couldn't really sleep, but he hoped that the Owsla was getting their well-deserved nap. Surely the fog would dissipate in time.