| Subject: The Lord (or Lady) of the Spoon: the Fellowship of the Spoon: Part 2 |
Author:
Marie Blue-eyes
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 01:54:15 08/18/06 Fri
Name: Marie Blue-eyes
Dorm: DD
Writing:
Tumble crept into the tree-house quietly, wincing as she stepped on a squeaky board. The hogbabe had come here, hoping to find answers, after Tangle’s mysterious disappearance.
She jumped in fright as a voice wafted from the dark corner where Trillium sat. “Very sneaky, Tumble.” The hedgehog maid blushed deeply as she recognized the badger’s voice. “Don‘t worry, come in. Tangle‘s long gone. She won‘t be returning anytime soon, methinks.” Trillium beckoned Tumbletail over with a claw and handed over the parchment scroll. “Here. Tangle said to give this to you.”
“What is it?”
“Just read. You‘ll find out.”
Uncurling the parchment, Tumble read the scroll’s words with a mixture of joyous surprise and rueful sorrow. The letter came in two parts: one for all of DAB and one for Tumble specifically.
My dear DAB members,
I hope this finds you well. I know my leaving came suddenly and will cause some unrest, and for that I am sorry. But I believe I may leave you in capable paws. Tumbletail Spikedog is your new ringleader. Obey her as you have me, and she will serve you well; of that I have no doubt.
Tumbletail,
Well, what is there for me to say? I think you will be a great leader, if given the chance, and I have put my faith in you. Listen to those with more experience than you, but be open to new ideas, never neglecting old standards. With patience and endurance, a beast can accomplish much, but if you also have the loyalty of those around you, there is no real limit to the possibilities. I leave you my spoon as a token of your new leadership: bear it well.
Signed,
Tangle Tumblehog, former Ringleader of DAB
Trillium watched intently as Tumbletail read the letter and fingered the spoon that was next to it. When Tumble finally spoke, it was with a shaky voice. “I can‘t believe she chose me. I haven‘t been here as long as… well, almost everyone! I mean, there were plenty of others that should‘ve been in line ahead of me… why did she choose me?”
“Because of your spirit.” Trillium leaned forward and gazed piercingly at the hogbabe. “Her words, ‘the loyalty of those around you.’ That is why she chose you. Look around you. Think. The majority of those Dibbuns out there would be willing to follow you, if nothing else because Tangle put her faith in you. I think you remind Tangle of how she was when she was younger.” Tumbletail stared at the spoon in her paws, awestruck. Trillium tracked her companion’s gaze, her brow knitted.
“Thank you.” Tumble looked up from the spoon to look at Trillium. “Your words have lifted me up. I do not deserve this honor Tangle bestowed upon me, but I will do my best in her stead.”
“Good. That attitude will serve you well. Now, if you‘ll excuse me.” The badger rose with a grunt and strode to the door. “I have business to attend to.” Without another word, she hopped neatly down to the ground below and strode off into the sunset on a quest of her own, leaving a bewildered and awestruck little hogmaid behind her.
~-~-~
That night, Tumbletail called an emergency meeting of the DAB. There, she announced Tangle’s decision and let the others read the parchment, at least the part to all of DAB. Though some, particularly the older members, were disgruntled that they had been usurped by a younger member, most were happy with the decision. Marie and Star declared it Tumbletail Day and decided to stay up all night in celebration. Of course, being Dibbuns, they fell asleep before midnight and were carted away, snoring, by the elders to their beds.
Tumble made her way to the tree-house, where she spent a sleepless night, too hyped-up by the events of the day to rest. Meanwhile, Trillium searched for answers of her own, sneaking around in the nighttime darkness, reading forgotten texts, and interviewing strange creatures.
~-~-~
Tumbletail was awaken rather rudely in the early morning by rustling of papers and a creaking of wood. After it finally registered in the tired Dibbun’s brain, she sat bolt upright, clenching the wooden spoon she had set near the table. “Who‘s there?!”
“Keep your spikes on, it‘s just me.” Trillium strode out of the shadows, speaking gruffly, and plopped down on a stool, releasing a weary sigh. “I‘ve been out all night, researching, but I‘ve found what I needed.” She turned her sharp gaze on the spoon that Tumble was still holding, though not so threateningly. Suddenly, she shot out a paw. “May I see that?”
“Um… sure.” Tumbletail handed over the wooden implement, wary of her companion’s odd behavior. Maybe ol’ grumpy-stripe’s had a little too much Spaz juice today…
Trillium fingered the spoon, regardless of her companion’s thoughts, interest shining clearly in her bright eyes. She murmured something to herself and felt along the bottom edge of the handle. Suddenly, she sighed and leaned back, offering the spoon back to its rightful owner. “Turn it over. Look at the bottom of the handle. What do you see?”
Obliging, Tumbletail turned the spoon over and peered closely at the handle. “Nothing. I don‘t see anything.” Trilli sighed in apparent relief, but she sat up as Tumble went on. “Wait… no, I do see something.” She rubbed the handle, wiping off dirt and grime. “There‘s some writing. I can‘t read it.”
Trillium’s face went slightly pale and she stood, looking out the window. After a pause she spoke, her voice quivering slightly. “You wouldn‘t be able to, it‘s written in the old language. It says ‘one spoon to rule them all, one spoon to find them. One spoon to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.’” Tumble peered closer at the implement, her curiosity growing. “It‘s from an ancient prophecy, one that could spell destruction for all Dibbun-hood.” The newly-named Ringleader looked up in surprise and shock as the badger continued.
“Long ago, in the days of Arven, your predecessor, the elders of Redwall began a great war on DAB. Ma Mellus was a new badger mother, and fired up for fighting Dibbun rebellion. She grew very powerful in her fight, so much so that she was afraid of losing it. So she bound part of her power to this. This spoon is the weapon she used to spank Dibbuns for being naughty and fighting adult tyranny. It became part of her image, and half of her power was therefore bound to it. However, a venerable old Dibbun with a really long name that I can’t remember a long time ago stole it from her and hid it away forever.
For a time afterwards, Mellus was stopped from carrying on with the war. However, she soon continued, albeit at half-power, with her war on Dibbuns. So it has continued until this day. But recently, with the advances us DABers have been making in the War, she has gotten restless, wanting to find her old spoon again. So she sent out her Elders, the head of which is the Abbot, to find it.
However, she was unsuccessful. The spoon fell into the Abbey pond, until it was found by a squirrel: J-Squiggle, as she is usually known. Perhaps you‘ve heard of her?”
Tumble had glanced up in surprise at the mention of the name. “Yes! Tangle used to talk about her.”
“Aye. And it was from her that she gained the spoon. The point is, Mellus found Jess and now she has an idea where it is. They‘re coming.” A cold breeze fluttered the thin nightshirt Tumbletail wore, making her shiver. “The Elders. They know it‘s here. You must go.” The badger bustled about the room, stuffing Tumble’s belongings into a leather bag.
The hedgehog herself was gathering personal items and changing into proper clothing. “Where must I go?”
“Away from DAB HQ. They‘ll come here first, but if they can‘t find you, there‘s a chance they‘ll move on and follow you. Head to the orchard. I‘ll meet you there; I‘ve got more business to attend to.”
“Alright.” Tumbletail adjusted the strap of the bag about her shoulder and stood in the doorway, preparing to leave.
Trillium gazed at her fondly and smiled, thinking of how she looked just like Tangle had the previous night. “May you prosper, my friend.”
“Aye, long life and long Dibbun-hood. Until we meet again.” Without further ado, the two parted, Trillium heading off towards Great Hall, and Tumbletail towards the Abbey orchards.
~-~-~
As Trillium strode past her, Marie stifled a giggle of delight and signaled to her companions-in-crime, Star and Thorntail. The three Dibbuns, who had been hiding in the bushes around the foot of the tree, stole across the Abbey lawns after Tumbletail, hoping to catch her. The hedgehog had only gone a few paces when she was tackled from behind by a very hyper Marie. “Tumby! Gotcha, m’lassie.”
The mouse was clinging onto her hog-friend’s back, and Star dived at Tumbletail’s footpaws. Together, they brought the newly named leader down to the grass, where the three rolled about, squealing in delight. After a few minutes, they sat up, all three’s headfur and clothes ruffled. Meanwhile, Thorntail watched on, stifling her laughter with a paw.
Tumbletail wriggled her snout in annoyance and brushed off her traveling cloak, made up of an old bed sheet. “Marie, Star, Thorn, what are you three doing here?”
“Why following ye, a‘course, O great Ringleader.” Marie dodged a swipe from her friend, and grew serious. “Nah, honestly, Tumble, we‘re comin‘ wid ye. We ‘eard, Star an’ ah, wot ol‘ Trilli was tellin’ ye, an‘ we‘re comin‘ wid ye. Ye cannae seriously think ye‘d be able tae set out on a Quest widout taken us‘n‘s along, can ye, y‘ol‘ cabbage ‘ead?”
Star grinned as she added her piece. “Yeah, without us, who would be the comic relief?” The squirrel-babe cocked her head and blinked comically, causing Tumbletail to shake with silent laughter.
“And I just came along for the fun of it.” Thorntail, the fox maid, smiled.
“Alright, I can see I‘m not going to leave you two behind, though if you call me cabbage head one more time I might just hit you with my spoon.” The hogbabe held her spoon menacingly in Marie’s direction, then broke down and gave a hearty laugh. “T‘be honest, I‘ll be glad of the company. C‘mon, let‘s get going. We don‘t have all day… actually, we do.”
With that, the three friends set off, joking and jostling each other in high good humor. However, back at the tree-house, not all was well. A cloaked elder was searching through the wooden building, searching earnestly for… the Spoon. After his diligent search, he clambered down awkwardly from the makeshift room and stood menacingly on the ground below the tree. The wind seemed to kick up, and a cloud blew in front of the sun, casting a shadow on the Abbey. The cloaked Elder’s breath came in a wheezing gasp, and he coughed once before starting off in the direction of the orchard, following the Dibbuns, called to the Spoon as all Elders were.
~-~-~
The trio of Dibbuns made good progress, soon passing the Abbey Pond on the way to the orchards. However, their troubles began there. The four Dibbuns had decided to stop on the banks of the pond for a picnic. They were lounging about, munching on candied chestnuts, when a otter Dibbun burst in upon them. Tumbletail jumped to her feet and prepared to whack the intruder with the spoon.
However, he held his paws up in defense. “Nay, do not hurt me, Tumbletail! I‘m a Dibbun, same as yew. Look, I‘m a member of DAB. You have to move. The elders are right on your trail!”
Marie scrambled to her feet, her fur standing in all directions, and growled fiercely at the intruder. “And who might ye be, laddie?”
The otter placed a paw on the handle of his wooden sword and turned his intent gaze on the harvest mouse. “My name is my own, but people in these parts call me Walker.”
Marie scoffed incredulously and turned to Tumble. “Huh, ‘Walker.’ So mysterious. Tumble, ah say we get a move on. The present company’s makin’ me nervous.”
Tumble rubbed her chin thoughtfully and gazed at the otterbabe. “Hmm…”
“Hmm? Hmm?! How‘s ‘hmm’ going to help anything?! We cannae trust ‘im, an‘ that‘s the end o‘ it.”
“It‘s not like you to jump to conclusions about beast like that, Marie.” Thorntail peered closely at her mouse-friend, who was glaring at the otter, who, in turn, was staring coolly at the hot-headed Dibbun.
“I dunno, mah instinks are warnin‘ me offa this‘n.”
“Well, we don‘t really have a choice but to trust him.” Tumbletail turned to the stranger and offered a paw. “Tumbletail, though you seem to already know that. You say the Elders are on our tail? How far are they?”
If the stranger was at all pleased by being accepted as trustworthy, he didn’t show it. “Not far. We‘d best go.”
“Alright, c‘mon.” The hedgehog started off after the otter, who led them on a route leading closer to the shadow of the Abbey wall. Star, Thorntail, and Marie followed, the last casting wary glances at Walker’s back and muttering to herself occasionally.
Not long after the four Dibbuns left the pond, three cloaked Elders arrived and searched the area thoroughly, noting the remnants of the picnic that had been so hastily left. Using their amazing tracking skills (AKA following the food crumb trail), the three set off after the Dibbuns. Soon they were joined by four other Elders, with similar attire, and together they chased after the Dibbuns and, more importantly, the Spoon.
~-~-~
“We‘ll rest here.” The Dibbuns sank thankfully to the ground in the shade of an apple tree. They were on the edge of the orchards, having traveled for ever and ever (thirty minutes). Walker was standing guard, facing the land behind them, watching carefully for signs of the Elders following. He spoke over his shoulder to the others. “Wait here. I‘ll be back soon. I‘m going to scout.” The strange otter strode off along the edge of the trees.
Marie and Star began to dig into Tumble’s bag, searching for food. “Say, Tumbly, ol‘ cabbage-he… ah mean mate, did‘n‘ ye bring any scoff?”
“Aye, there‘s naught but crumbs in here.”
Tumbletail glanced at her companions, sympathy on her face. “We ate it all at the pond, and what we didn‘t eat got left behind when we had to leave. Sorry. Trust me, I‘m hungry, too. But we‘ll just have to stick it out.” She turned back to her silent watch, so that she could not see Marie and Star. (Thorntail was snoozing.)
The little mouse-babe had been gazing curiously at the apples in the tree above them, and, after a few minutes of hunger, decided to get some. Scrambling to the base of the tree, she began to climb slowly up it, but soon landed on the ground, moaning and holding her stomach.
“Ooh… mah pore stomach. Ah cannae stan‘ heights. Star, ol‘ buddy, ol‘ pal, ah donnae s‘pose ye‘d climb up there an‘ get me a few o‘ those apples…” Marie put on her most adorable puppy-dog face, which she did surprisingly well.
Star sighed and rolled her eyes, then stood and dusted herself off. “Fine, but you owe me one.” Marie smiled innocently.
Ignoring her mouse-friend, Star lit up into the tree quickly, being a squirrel, and stood on the highest branch. She plucked a couple juicy, ripe, sweet apples and dropped them down to Marie, who was waiting to catch them. The squirrel began to make her way down, but by accident she placed a paw wrong and sent a branch down on top of Tumbletail’s head. “Whoopsie!”
Tumbletail glanced up and saw with horror that Star was in the tree. “Star! Get down from there! We‘re hiding from the Elders, not trying to get their attention!!”
Star blushed and scrambled the rest of the way down in a hurry, her breath coming shorter. Thorntail sat up suddenly, grumbling, awakened from her nap by the raised voices. She happened to glance across the lawns, and saw to her horror that the Elders were coming. “Oh no! They‘re coming! Run!”
The four scampered further into the trees in an effort to escape the rapidly approaching Elders, but they stood little chance. The Elders were gaining on them. Marie kept throwing glances over her shoulder, and when she saw that the Elders were right on their tails, she turned and skidded to a stop, crouching in the Elders’ path.
The other three halted quickly and yelled to the mouse to hurry her on. “Marie, c‘mon, we‘ve gotta keep running!”
“Yes, the Elders can‘t get the Spoon.”
“They‘re too close! We have to stan‘ an‘ fight, mates!” The hedgehog, fox, and squirrel hesitated for only a moment before they stepped up beside their mouse-friend, each bearing a stick for a weapon.
The Elders swooped down upon them and encircled them, their wheezing breath sending shivers up and down the Dibbuns’ spines. Suddenly, they attacked in a pincer movement. The Dibbuns were forced back to back as they struck out with their makeshift weapons, giving a few of the Elders bruises to remember them by; but despite their efforts, they were losing badly, being outnumbered and outmatched.
Suddenly, one of them grabbed Tumbletail, screaming and kicking, and hauled her apart from the others. Marie and Thorntail surged forward to help, but they were forced back by the other Elders. Star, meanwhile, was cornered by another Elder and sent back to back with Marie and Thorn. The Elder who had separated Tumbletail held her down on the ground with his strong paws, and forced her to gulp down some sort of potion. The hogbabe struggled and tried to resist, but she was fighting a losing battle against a stronger enemy. As she began to grow weak from her struggling, she heard a welcome sound--the sound of a Dibbun battlecry.
“DAB! DAB! DAB!” Bulrush leapt in among the Elders, attacking them from behind with his wooden sword and belaboring them severely. Caught off-guard, the Elders whirled to respond when they were attacked by Marie and Thorntail, who had caught onto the mysterious otter’s plan quickly.
As the Elders were driven off, Star rushed over to Tumbletail and knelt beside her, a worried look on her face. “Tumble? Can you hear me?”
The hedgehog was moaning and mumbling something, but the squirrelbabe could not understand. As Marie chased the last Elder out of sight, Bulrush and Thorntail joined Star at their friend’s side, and the otter bent over her.
“Calm down now. What is it, Tumbletail?”
“Nettle… broth…” Bulrush stiffened and glanced at Star, who was staring at her spiky friend in horror.
“Lass.” Star glanced up. “Do you know where I could find some sweet pears?” The squirrel nodded dumbly, shocked at her Dibbun-friend’s plight. “Find some, bring it back. It may be the only thing to help her.”
The young squirrel maiden took off, leaping into the trees and whiffling to the best of her ability, searching for the spot where she knew she had stolen some pears last season. With a sigh of relief, she sighted the tree and headed over, but she was halted before the got there by the appearance of another squirrel.
The other squirrel, about the same age as Star, blinked her green eyes once or twice before speaking. “Hello.”
“Hi.”
“Do I know you?”
“I‘m Star, leader of Mad Menaces, and I need some pears for a friend of mine. Would you help me?” Star knew she was taking a chance by trusting this stranger, but something about the way she acted told the squirrelbabe that this stranger was a friend.
“Of course. I was just headed to do that very thing. I know about your Quest, and I am a friend. Trillium sent me.” Without further speech, the two squirrelmaidens gathered two pawfuls of pears between them and headed back to the others at top-speed.
When they arrived, Walker started in surprise at the mysterious squirrel’s appearance. “Kuunvarjo!”
“Bulrush, what are you doing here?” The squirrel and the otter exchanged a brief glance, before returning to business. “We brought pears. How is she doing?”
The otter spoke as he administered the pears. “Not well, mate. She needs the help of Laurelina. Can you take her?” Kuunvarjo nodded and helped a groaning Tumbletail to her footpaws. She took off into the forest, supporting the stumbling hedgehog easily.
An epic flight took place, as the Elders drew near to the squirrel and the hogbabe, sensing that their prey was heading for a spot of safety where they could not reach. All nine of the Elders chased after their quarry, drawing very close. But Kuunvarjo was quick, strong, and young, though the extra weight of her sick charge slowed her down a bit. One of the Elders dove at Kuunvarjo, his paws searching for a hold. The squirrel turned and chomped down on his furry paw, then scurried forward. Another Elder came at her from her left side, yelling and shouting. The nimble squirrel dodged the obvious attack and cast a worried glance at the Dibbun in her care. Tumbletail was growing pale and weak, groaning pitifully as the nasty potion was stirred up in her stomach by the chase.
Kuunvarjo looked up hopefully… yes! They were almost there! Dibbundell, the ancient hold of Dibbuns, lay directly ahead. Picking up the pace, Kuun hurried her friend forward, eager to be back in the safety of her home. Dibbundell was a gigantic oak tree, with spreading limbs. Fallen green leaves created a soft, gentle floor for the Dibbun’s paws as she sped across the ground.
Behind her, the Elders gave a cry and rushed forward, determined not to lose their quarry. At the base of the great tree, Kuunvarjo paused and turned back to face her pursuers. The Elders halted a few feet away, caught off-guard and wary by the squirrel’s actions. One pointed a graying paw at her warningly and said in a screeching, halting voice. “The hedgehog… she is ours.”
The squirrel positioned herself in front of Tumbletail, her fur bristling, and spat on the ground. “If you want her, come and claim her!”
The Elders growled and charged forward, but were forced to a sudden stop when they were suddenly pelted by dozens of tiny, hard apples.
“DAB!! DAB!! DAB!!”
Squirrels appeared from all directions in the branches of the great, spreading oak, hurling their weapons at the intruders, raising the warcry of Dibbuns in Redwall. The Elders were forced to turn and run with all haste, scurrying back to the Abbey to regroup. Meanwhile, Kuunvarjo scrambled up into the branches and returned a moment later with more squirrels to help carry the hedgehog into the safety of Dibbundell.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 