Chapter Eight

Unexpected Thousand

Ivy led Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver and the others to a few rough burrows. They had no Honeycomb here nor any connecting burrows.

“Am, thank you,” Hazel said politely as he tried to settle comfortably onto the uneven, hard and cold ground. The only good thing about this burrow, he observed, was that it was out of the snow and wind.

Fiver, Strawberry and Holly joined him and the burrow became quite cramped, but at least there was body heat.

“What do you think of this warren then?” Strawberry asked.

“I’ll tell you what I think, they certainly aren’t very disciplined or organised, they should have covered up those rabbits tracks and their burrows are awfully uncomfortable,” Holly complained.

“Well I’d rather be here than in those scraps, it’s safety in numbers and they might have some flayrah lying about,” Hazel said hopefully.

Then the rabbits sank into an exhausted sleep.

Fiver woke first in the morning, he cautiously hopped out of the dark tunnel and was blinded by the light and brightness of the early morning sun shining on snow.  He saw a few silflaying rabbits so he went over to join them.

“Hello I’m Fiver we arrived here yesterday, what’s your name?” Fiver said to a chocolate brown doe.

“I’m Brunnea, where do you come from?”

“I come from a big warren far away; we came on a journey to find some new members for our warren,” Fiver said.

Ivy hopped over to Brunnea and nudged her playfully, then she noticed Fiver. “Oh hello Fiver, I see you’ve met my sister Brunnea, we are very glad to have you here you know.  We haven’t had visitors for a while.” She waited patiently for Fiver to answer.

“I’m glad to be here Ivy,” Fiver laughed nervously. He felt uncomfortable that something about this doe made him self - conscious.

“I suppose you’ll be interested to see the chief rabbit then? He’s in the burrow opposite the river, just up that way,” Ivy said pointing up ahead.

“I’ll tell Hazel as soon as he wakes.” Fiver nodded.

“Is he your chief then?” Brunnea questioned.

“Yes and my older brother,” Fiver replied.

“So what’s your position in the warren? Are you in the owsla perhaps?” Ivy asked with interest.

“Yes I’m in the owsla, though everyone had to be at the beginning since there was so few of us, but mainly I’m Watership Down’s mystic.”

“A mystic? Really? How does that work? And what do you mean, there were so few of you at the beginning? Do you mean to say that you were the first rabbits at the warren? And why is it called Watership Down?” Brunnea asked her eyes lit up with excitement.

“Let Fiver breath Brunnea! I’m sure he’ll get a chance to tell everyone the whole tale at the meeting this afternoon. What do you say Fiver, will you speak at the meeting?” Ivy turned her head to face Fiver again.

“I’m not the rabbit for stories, but I’m sure Dandelion will want to tell it, he’s the best story teller I’ve ever heard,” Fiver said confidently.

“Well, until then do feel free to join us, won’t you?” Ivy asked politely while pawing away the snow, searching for a flash of green.

“I should like that very much Ivy, thank you,” Fiver said warmly, flashing a smile. She returned the smile and the three rabbits continued their search for food.

Blackberry was supervising the warren’s kittens as they tumbled around in the snow, laughing and playing, it had taken her a while to convince Campion that she was up to it.

She sighed and lay down on the little grass that remained under the protection of the large beech branches. For once, life was quiet and normal, as it should be for any rabbit and Blackberry savoured it. She closed her eyes and imagined her kittens running around her as well and it was a happy thought.

“Ok Snowdrop, Gillia, Mallow? Time to go in,” Blackberry said firmly after realizing how cold it was.

The kits finished their game of tail tag and followed Blackberry down into the warmth and friendliness of Watership Down warren.

There was a big game of Bobstones happening in the Honeycomb. The finalists seemed to be Pipkin and Campion.

“Bobstone guess is…… one,” Pipkin said hesitantly.

Campion lifted his paws to reveal two small black pebbles which he passed to Pipkin and then turned round while Pipkin hid them under his paws. He was smiling coyly and his ears were strained back least he hear a rustle of stones.

“The score is one to Campion,” Captain Broom announced.

“Bobstone guess?” Pipkin asked slyly.

Campion slowly pulled himself around and attempted to stare Pipkin down. He leaned over Pipkin’s paws and twitched his whiskers. “I’m thinking…. one.”

Pipkin pulled a face and kicked the pebble away, saying enviously, “What’s your secret Campion?”

“It’s all in the talent young Pipkin.” Campion smirked.

“Or in the luck.” Blackberry smiled back sweetly.

“Hey you’re supposed to be on my side!” Campion joked. Nevertheless he went over and asked her what the weather would be like for evening silflay.

Suddenly a sharp voice rang down the tunnel, startling all the relaxed rabbits.

“Campion-rah! Hurry, there is a weasel on the Down!”

It was Clover, she skidded into the great chamber and looked around frantically.

“Captain Broom, get the owsla!” Campion ordered with his heart already in his mouth. He didn’t have to look around to figure out that other fighters were scarce and his order fell helplessly away.

“My old boy, they’re gone.”

“O…..k now we are in trouble,” Campion said, face focused in concentration. “Is it coming in this direction?”

“Yes and fast!”

“Blackberry, Clover and Primrose go with the kittens into the cavern tunnel and stay there, if the weasel gets by all of us bring the roof down!” Campion said hurriedly.

The does hesitantly followed his orders. Blackberry wouldn’t leave. Campion pleaded and begged but she stood her ground and saw the argument through.

“Listen, the Honeycomb is perfectly safe,” she countered.

“Blackberry it’s not, the weasel could easily slip through in here if it gets by us. Please,” Campion said desperately. She didn’t move but her eyes were hesitant.

Campion slowly turned round and saw Captain Broom and Blackavar waiting for his order.

“Right let’s do this.” He swallowed and crept to the entrance. He knew weasels had more weapons than their deadly sharp teeth and their dagger like claws. They had been known to dance, in their own way and hypnotise rabbits to stillness. As they got closer Campion explained this to his companions in frantic whispers. “Also be careful for its quick movements, they are as fast as hares when twisting and turning.” It wasn’t long before the full scent reached them and it seemed to burn terror into each of them.

“It’s time to surrender now rabbitsss,” the weasel purred, flexing its claws.

Campion gasped as the weasel lurched forwards, claws outstretched, ready to strike.