User blog:MarshallMJR/A tale of Two Friends

A tale of Two Friends
“Yurr hurr hurr… Fiddle moi dee, ifn oi ain’t as round as a bumbleebee…” an elderly mole sung in mole dialect as he trundled towards Cavern hole. Suddenly, he was surrounded by dibbuns (the term given to Abbey babes). One dibbun, a serious faced squirrel asked, “You gonna tell us a tory? We likkle ones like a tory.” The old mole smiled. “Aroight you liddle dibbuns, oi’ll tell e a story. Would e loike a noice gurt story?” “I think a story would be very nice”, said a middle aged Hedgehog walking down the steps. This Hedgehog, unlike any other, had no quills. “Woi, favfer abbot, it do moi ole heart good to see e! Oi’m wondering ifn youm would loike to listen to moi story? Hurr Hurr! An e gurtest part be youm in it! All youm dibbuns be gathering around, for oi’ll be telling e the story of Thimble the Hedgehog, and ‘is journey to Redwall.

From Slavery to Peace
It was a settlement of Hedgehogs that lived in the south-eastern mountains. The mountains were unusual, in the aspect that they were completely flat on top. It had been countless seasons since the first hedgehogs had settled, and since then, hedgehogs had plowed the land, growing the fruits of their labour. This is where Thimble had been born, a young and healthy hoglet, but with no quills. His father, Tubrengo, nearly fell off into the spring at the center of the town when he heard the news. He was a farmer by trade, but he was a big Hedgehog, nevertheless. When he ran into his home, he found his wife making lunch, and his first son sleeping, snuggled up in a linen blanket. A tear formed in his eye, as he knew what his child would face, but he smiled wide, and lay down next to him. “Hello little one. Do you know why we named you Thimble? We named you Thimble because your mama had a Thimble on when you were born, and it fell on your head afterwards! I still love you my little son.” Thimble’s eyes had opened and he gave a little smile. Then he fell back asleep. “Ah, isn’t he the cutest, dear?” said Tubrengo’s wife, Mayzy. “Oh yes he is! One day, he’ll learn the tricks of the trade from his old man!” Tubrengo went back outside to his plow. Yes, this is the life, he thought. Tubrengo had a strange feeling sweep over him, and he looked at the mountains east side. He thought he saw a figure walking along another mountain, but it quickly disappeared. “Huh. Interesting… I coulda swore I saw somebeast over there…” he mumbled. He would later, however, find out exactly what he saw that night.

Fifty various Hedgehogs sat around a fire, cooking food and drinking ales. Little Thimble was wide awake and soaking all the partying in. Tubrengo stood up. “I think a toast is in order. I think we should toast my little son, Thimble for good health, and a prosperous future in our village!” No one could disagree with what Tubrengo said, so toasts went around for the quill-less Hedgehog. All of a sudden, everyone went silent. A tall, wide shape had appeared out-side of the fires light. The beast had an extremely long tail. Or so it looked. When the beast stepped into the fire light, it turned out it was a badger with a chain around his neck. Tubrengo went to help the young animal as he fell down from exhaustion. “Great seasons, you’re a mighty one. Are you okay?” The Badger groaned, and lapsed into un-consciousness. “Quickly now, get him into my hut. Mayzy will have a look and see what she can do for him. Then we will wait for him to come to, and see what he says. Go now!” There was no leader to the settlement, but every beast respected Tubrengo as a wise and strong beast. They hasted to do what he had asked, and when they had finished, they went back home. Tubrengo picked up Thimble, and raced back to his house, after he had seen everyone home. When he got into his house, he found his wife trying to take the chain off the badger’s neck on the kitchen table. “Here, my beauty. I’ll take care of this.” He held onto the chain and pulled as hard as he could. With a snap, the chain broke. It wasn’t because the chain was weak; it was because Tubrengo was the strongest Hedgehog there was ever to walk. Tubrengo saw that the badger was holding onto the chain. “Ah… I see that you are a warrior born, young badger. I can tell by how you hold onto the chain that you have become accustomed to it, and you shall use it as a tool, both for peace and for war, before your seasons are up”. He picked up the badger and brought him into his living room, and placed him on a pillow. “There now, have a good sleep. I’m sure now you are having visions of those who came before you, and maybe even what you will face. Good night.” With that, Tubrengo fell asleep as well. He had a very restful sleep. The badger however did not.

“Arrrgggg… G’morning house, and how’re you today? Ah, Mister Badger, I see you’re awake. Would you mind telling ol’me how you got here?” The badger answered, “Of course. My name is Chainstripe, but you can call me Chain, and I do not know where I am from. I was born into captivity, and it was horrible. Every day, whips and lashings, floggings and beatings. If I hadn’t been of strong blood, I wouldn’t have lived. All of us slaves were chained up by the neck. If you were getting dragged, you had to keep walking. Our captor was a Wolverine, nearly as big as my father. He wasn’t a warrior,  my father, he was a ship builder. A mighty creature. You still wouldn’t want to cross him if he was angry. He would make ships for any creature that needed them, as long as they would be used for good. My father once made a ship for the badger ruler of Salamandastron. Great ship it was. Twice as big as any vermin ship and three times as fast. He really knew how to do what he loved. Well, anyhow one day, my dad goes into the Mossflower woods, and he goes with his wife, my mom, as well. They get cornered by some vermin and my dad starts fighting them with every ounce of his energy. He was eventually beaten down, unconscious. My mom had started fighting too, but she was pregnant with me, and she too was beaten down. When my dad awoke he was starring face to face with a Wolverine. Great big brute of a bully. He wasn’t very much older than I am now, maybe ten seasons, not of great age, but still cruel. When I was born, he left me alone for a while, but after a while, he started picking on me, and only me. I had been beaten half dead when my father decided it was time for me to leave. He broke my chain where his and mine connected and started to wreak havoc. I don’t know if he ever made it out alive. He was out-numbered by about five score to one, so I must assume the worst. But I will go back for that wolverine if it’s the last thing I do…” Tubrengo looked sympathetically at the young badger. “There now, just take it easy and relax. How’s about you meet my son? You’re a bitty bit older than him, but I’m sure you’ll grow up being good friends.” Tubrengo went and got Thimble from his cradle. “This is Thimble!” Chainstripe took Thimble from Tubrengo’s arm’s and almost broke down into tears. “Awww… Isn’t this little fella adorable… But why doesn’t he have spikes? Waaaahhh… A spike less Hedgehog…” “Oh there now, there now,” Tubrengo said, “My little Thimble is going to lead many. I have a feeling. I also have a good feeling that eventually, you are going to leave here, and so is my Thimble. I don’t know why, but he will go with you. It burdens my heart, but I know he’ll do many great things…”

And silence broke over the two, and it remained that way, just the two creatures staring. Tubrengo was studying Chain; A muscular male badger, still youthful, and just slightly taller than the beastly hedgehog himself. Tubrengo thought to himself, “This is a fine feller indeed… I suppose his fate lies in the mountain of the fire lizard.” Tubrengo was just about to ask Chain if he knew about Salamandastron when his wife came in. “Breakfast is ready my dears. Come in and help yourself, I’ve made something extra special for breakfast too. I hope you’ll enjoy!” Tubrengo decided to hold his thoughts, but said, “Well, come on now, best not keep my wife waiting. Maybe after breakfast I can show you around the village eh? Nice change in scenery?” The young badger was delighted. “I’d love to! Thank you very much for the hospitality.” “It’s no problem at all! Alright, let’s have some food!”

Mayzy had made one of the best Breakfasts’ that Tubrengo had ever had: Otter Hot root soup. Chain enjoyed it too, regardless of the spicyness, it was the greatest meal he could remember having. Then, Tubrengo and Chain went out on a tour of the village. Tubrengo explained, “Our village is relatively peaceful. That’s why we don’t have any sort of centralized military base of operations. However, that doesn’t stop any of us from having our own weapons. For that reason, I’ll trust to the fact that you won’t use that chain of yours to whip anyone.” Chain was slightly abashed. “After being treated to the whip and cane for the longer time, I would never dream of it. You have my word.” Tubrengo chuckled, “I expected just at much little warrior. Come now, follow me. There is one more thing I’d like to show you. It’s our lookout tower at the very top of the mountain.

Tubrengo hadn’t slowed down to wait for Chain, rather he waited for him at the top next to the wooden tower. “Tut tut, you’ll have to start training, eh? Well, don’t worry, you have lots of time. However, I invite you up to the top of the watch tower. Go ahead, take a look around. Take in all of your surroundings.” Chain looked around. All he felt he could see was just green hills and white-grey mountains and stones. “Haven’t noticed it yet?” Tubrengo asked. “I didn’t think you would. It took my seasons upon seasons to finally see it. If you look closely to the North-West, you’ll see a great ravine or a gorge if you want. It stretches on for as long as the eye can see. I’ve often wondered what was on the other side. However, I’ve never found a need to go that way. However, I’ve done some reading, and I think you will be going that way, won’t you? You’ll be going to Salamandastron, correct?”

Chain was stunned. “H-h-how did you… know that I… I had a dream last night. After I collapsed of exhaustion I suppose… I-I-I saw… Other Badgers and my parents… The other badgers were all great and mighty looking, and I felt their raw power, but I also felt the peace and calm that radiated off of them. And then I saw the mountain… Fire spewing from the top… And Hares… Hare’s in battle formations, and hares in battle. I felt the mountain calling me.” Tubrengo nodded. “That’s what I thought my friend. You are destined to become a Badger lord of Salamandastron!”

Chain looked completely flabbergasted at the prospect of told his own dream by a hedgehog that seemed just as ordinary as any other. Tubrengo chuckled, “Well, if you fancy eatin’ flies, just keep your mouth open. Well, come on now. Time to get you acquainted with our town’s folk, and I’ll find you a few jobs to keep you busy, eh? Either way you’ll need to get prepared for your long journey out.” Chain regained his composure. He seemed to feel more relaxed then he had ever felt. “Well, where do we start Tubrengo? I’ve met almost everyone, and I’m sure I’ll have loads of opportunities to meet everyone and get to know them well. Alright, let’s go!”

With that, the two started off back to the village, but there was a difference in Chain: He was walking with a newfound spring in his step, and he felt very relaxed and happy. He almost felt at home… He would continue to work hard on the farm for a long time, plowing the fields, picking the fruits in the orchards, fishing in the stream, and playing with Thimble. He very much enjoyed playing with the little Hedgehog. It was interesting. He had never known anything to be so small and cute, and he immediately formed a friendship that would last the tests of time with the little quil-less Hoglet.