11.

Return of the Warrior

Rose could only stare in shock at the marvelous blade sticking out of the wall of the Refuge. She had never seen anything like that sword. She caught her breath, but could only sit on the ground transfixed by the blade that had saved her life. Her heart began beating fast as she stared at the sword. She didn't hear the sounds of the footpaws that came rushing from out of the nearby woods. Almost quicker than her eyes could follow a new creature dashed out in front of her.

It was a mouse in armor. From head to toe he was garbed in plates of shining steel. As he ran up he swung his left arm in an arc and bashed the rim of his shield straight into the facemask of Rassk. The force of the impact caused the fox to stagger backwards a full twenty paces. In the same movement the warrior turned in a circle and claimed the sword from the wall of the Refuge. He took a few steps forward placing himself between Rose and Rassk.

Once more Rose sat transfixed as she stared at her rescuer. He made a very heroic sight. A red cape billowed and snapped in the wind. She couldn't see his face since the visor on his helmet was lowered, but she could see the insignia on his shield. A large stylized,"M." However it was what was on the warrior's right arm that drew her gaze.

"That's my sash!" she whispered to herself. A new feeling flooded through her to overwhelm her shock, pride. "Martin!" she whispered again.

Rose was just about to rise to call out to him when sheets of lightning flashed down.

CRAAAACK!! BOOM!!

Rose threw her paws to her eyes to shield them from the white hot flashes of light. When she opened them her view of the Warrior was obstructed by a wall of fire. The bone dry grasses had caught easily and were sending up huge sheets of flame and smoke. She could only sit where she was on the ground and stare into the flames. Then a new shout echoed through Noonvale.

"Redwaaaaaallll!!"

Turning her head to the north she saw a crew of well build otters engaging the rest of the Silent Slavers. Rose didn't know if she could take anymore shock or surprises that night. As the otters fought the Slavers, Rose looked up and saw arrows flying from the upper reaches of the Refuge. Noonvalers were fighting back too. It seemed the fighting spirit of the Warrior had finally emboldened the Noonvalers to find their courage.

As arrows flew by overhead Rose turned back to the fire raging in the middle of Noonvale. Over the snap of the flames she thought she heard the sounds of metal ringing on metal. A gust of wind then blew a new noise to her ears over the roar of the fire.

"Stand, and face a true warrior vermin. I am Martin, the Warrior of Redwall. Remember that name in the time you have left before my sword sends you to Hellgates."

"It is him," Rose said to herself. "He really did come back."

The flurry of steel ringing on steel increased from behind the wall of flames. More arrows from the Refuge flew through the smoke to find their targets. And still through it all Rose found herself rooted to her spot. She grasped her paws together in nervousness and worry. It was then that she heard the shout from the otter crew fighting the Slavers.

"Hold your fire! That's the last of 'em! Hold your fire!"

Tearing her eyes from the fire she saw the bodies of the Silent Slavers. The otter crew and Refuge Defenders had won. As she watched one of the otters came running towards the Refuge. She heard the rumble of the entrance stone being moved out of the way and saw her brother emerge from the Refuge.

"Sir!" shouted the otter. "We need help sir. The Slavers are all dead, but the slaves themselves and several of our otter crew are in bad shape. Please sir as many as you can, send them behind that big building on the other side of the clearing!"

Brome turned back to the Refuge tunnel. "All beasts to the far side of Council Lodge! Bring any food, drink, and healing herbs with you! Hurry!"

The Noonvalers rushed to assist their rescuers. The kind woodlanders made straight for the injured otters and the slaves which were being freed by two other mice. Finally Rose made her legs work and got up. Taking short steps she began walking to where Brome was talking to some of the newcomers. She couldn't hear what they were talking about but from the look on Brome's face she guessed he had just been told what she already knew. The mouse in armor was none other than Martin the Warrior himself.

Rose began walking to join her brother when a flash of movement caught her attention from the corner of her eye. Through a gap in the flames and smoke the Warrior's sword went spinning upward.

CRAAACK!! BOOM!!

Just as suddenly as it appeared lightning flashed again and struck the spinning sword. Faster than any eye could follow the sword flew back down behind the wall of fire. Rose shook her head to clear her vision of the spots the lightning had caused. When she looked up again she felt something new on her paw. Looking down she saw the small patch of wetness the raindrop had left. As she stared at her paw more and more raindrops began falling. Rose closed her eyes, looked up, smiled, and spread her paws wide. A huge sense of relief flooded though her. Martin's return had broken the dual curses of Rassk's slavers and the drought that had plagued the valley. She stood there letting the rain fall on her until she heard another shout echo in the night.

"Look mates! It's Martin! He's won! C'mon, first one to peg him with a mud ball gets extra breakfast!"

Rose opened her eyes to see one of the new mice rushing forward in the direction of the fire. However the fire had gone out. The rain extinguishing the flames to send up clouds of steam. Emerging from the steam was the armored Warrior. Rose was about to run to hurl herself at Martin when she saw him collapse.

No! Not now! He can't fall like this! Rose's paws went to her mouth and once again her footpaws wouldn't work as she was rooted to her spot as fear took hold of her. The mouse rushing toward Martin however wasn't so immobilized.

"Columbine! Martin's down! Come quickly!"

As the first mouse ran to where Martin lay in the growing mud a female mouse rushed forward to start tending to Martin. "Where is he hurt Gonff?" she asked.

Instead of answering her first mouse only started to burst out laughing. "Hahahahahahahahaha! I don't know how he does it. There's not a scratch on him! I think he's just fallen asleep! Never could stay awake after a battle this one! Hahahahahahaha!"

The female mouse swatted the male mouse as she chided him. "Can't stay awake after a battle my eye you cake thieving rascal! Last time it was because of the terrible wounds that horrible wildcat gave him. This time it's just sheer exhaustion. Thank the fates he's in no real danger."

Relief again flooded through Rose as she again began making her way to where Martin was laying. She put up her hood again to block the rainwater from flowing into her eyes. The creatures tending him were obviously friends of his judging by the way they gently took Martin's armor off him.

Martin fought a wildcat and won? Rose's thought was echoed out loud by her brother who had also knelt next to Martin.

"That he did sir. Nearly killed him too. We were all so worried about him. Is there any place we can get him out of this rain?" By this time Rose had come close to where Martin was surrounded by his friends.

"I know a place," said Rose as she stooped to retrieve the sash that had been tied around Martin's arm. "Pick him up and follow me."

One of the otters gently scooped up Martin as the female mouse removed the last greave from Martin's leg. "Lead on," he said.

Rose nodded and led the otter carrying Martin to the path on the north side of Noonvale that led to her secret glade beside the river. Her paws were trembling every step of the way. Rose didn't know what she would say or do when Martin woke up. She didn't know what he would say or do. Soon she and the otter reached the spot.

"Lay him down there. I will make sure he fully recovers. Please let none disturb us."

The otter set Martin down and gave a slight bow. As he left Rose tied her sash back in its proper place on Martin's arm. A maiden's colors for her champion warrior. Sitting back on her knees Rose looked at the prone form of Martin lying in front of her. He looked exactly like how she remembered. His features were just as strong even if his face looked more mature than how she remembered. Rose couldn't take it anymore. She flung herself on him and held his sleeping form tight. Tears of joy and relief seeped out of her eyes. After seasons of waiting, not knowing where he was or if he was even still alive, she was once again holding the mouse who commanded her heart. As she held him she found the old sense of peace she had known with Martin come flooding back to her. It didn't matter that he was asleep, she once again felt safe and secure in his presence. Rose fell asleep next to Martin that night happier than she had been since their last night together on the cliffs.

The next morning Rose woke up. A dream, she thought. It had to have been a dream. But then she opened her eyes and saw the form of Martin next to her still asleep. It wasn't a dream. A grin bloomed on Rose's face as she closed her eyes again. She laid one arm and her head on Martin's chest and listened quite peacefully to his steady breathing and strong heartbeat. However she knew she still had work to do. She had promised the otter she would take care of him, but she hadn't brought any medical supplies. Rose opened her eyes and sat up as she put up the hood of her travel dress again. She bent over to give Martin a kiss on the cheek before she whispered in his ear.

"Don't worry Martin, I'll be right back."

Rose got up and walked back to Noonvale under the gentle rain that was bringing new life back to the land. Soon she came in sight of the valley and witnesses a surprising sight. The young creatures of Noonvale were rejoicing in the rain and were splattering each other with mud balls. Even more surprising was the adult mouse who was throwing just as much mud as any of the young creatures. Under the slime covering him Rose recognized the mouse as one of the mice who had knelt next to Martin the previous night. Looking around, Rose saw Brome talking to the other newcomers under the porch of Council Lodge. Walking quickly and quietly towards them Rose soon heard their conversation.

"I still can't believe Martin was able to fight a wildcat and win," Brome said.

"We couldn't either," the female mouse was saying. "But he did without any thought of fear."

"That has always been one of Martin's greatest strengths," Rose said as she walked under the porch and lowered her hood.

Brome stood and looked at his sister. "Rose! I'm glad you're here. How is Martin?"

"Resting for now, though I think that unless he rests his eyes today and tonight he might have trouble with his vision. The same goes for his hearing too. All that lightning and thunder couldn't have been good."

"I agree," Brome said. "Take what you need from the medicine supplies." It was then that Brome remembered his manners. "My apologies," he said to the newcomers. "Allow me to introduce my sister Rose." Brome then turned to Rose. "Rose, this is Columbine and Skipper. Both of Redwall Abbey in Mossflower," he said as he indicated the mouse and otter.

Rose smiled at them. "A pleasure to meet you both."

"Likewise," Columbine said with a smile. "And that overgrown mud ball out there is my husband Gonff. Would you like to meet him?"

Rose liked Columbine at once. The pretty mousewife had an easy smile and friendly manner. Rose returned Columbine's smile. "I'd be delighted to meet Martin's new friends."

"Gonff!" Columbine shouted out. "Come over here please!"

"Can't do it m'dear!" Gonff called back. "My forces are on the verge of winning. Can't abandon me new mateys now can I?"

"If you don't come over here right now I won't ever let you steal another pie!"

Gonff dropped the blob of mud he was about to throw and walked over to the Council Lodge porch. Even though he was covered in mud from head to toe he managed to stride towards them with an almost regal air about him.

Rose had to giggle at the sight. Columbine noticed right away. "In case you're wondering, yes my Gonff always acts like that."

"Of course I always act like that milady," Gonff said with a wink at his wife. He stopped in front of Rose and took her paw in his that he had somehow wiped clean of mud. "My lady Rose allow me to introduce myself formally. Gonff the Prince of Mousethieves, Pathfinders, Leaf-puzzle solvers, Crab Dancers, Pie Stealers, and Mud Throwers at your service," he said as he kissed the back of Rose's paw.

"Mud Throwers? When did you get the Mud Throwers title matey?" Skipper asked Gonff.

"Just now," Gonff said in a highly superior sort of way.

Rose knew she was in good company with Martin's new friends. She gave a curtsey as she replied back to Gonff. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Rose."

The twinkle in Gonff's eye sparkled. "Ah so you're the one who stole our Martin's heart."

Rose didn't reply because she just turned her head as she felt her face flame. Fortunately Columbine came to her rescue. "Enough of that you rascal. Martin doesn't even know she's alive."

"I know, which is why I'm so eager to get back to him so I can be there when he wakes up." Rose said eagerly.

"Well just you wait till he wakes up. He'll probably put on his stoic warrior face and be one tough nut to pry open about his sordid past," Gonff said dramatically.

"Could I have a word with you before you go back to tend to Martin, Rose?" Columbine asked while giving her husband an annoyed look.

"Of course," Rose said. "I need to gather some supplies from inside Council Lodge. You'd be welcome to join me."

Together the two mice made their way inside to the Recovery Room where some medical supplies were kept. "I suppose none of you were expecting to find me alive when you arrived here in Noonvale?" Rose asked Columbine.

"You'd be right," Columbine replied. "To tell you the truth we were surprised just to hear about you at all. Martin never talked about you or Noonvale before Emalet found him."

Rose nodded. "I expected that. We were told Martin would never talk to anybeast of Noonvale when he left."

"He didn't either. He just told us that he defended his father's cave from searats until felt his father would never return. Then left for the southlands until he arrived in Mossflower. But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Martin didn't find another maid to be with did he?" Rose asked with some concern in her voice.

Columbine shook her head. "No, he's never looked at any other maid in more than a friendly way. I always wondered about that until he told me about you. But what I wanted to say was that when Emalet found him, it really shook him up. I had to pry to get him to talk about you. He was still carrying around a lot of guilt. I think he still might be too."

"He thinks it's his fault I was hurt at Marshank?"

"Yes, it was the only time I've seen him cry. When he talked about how he felt you family and the rest of Noonvale must hate him. He was adamant that he wouldn't return here to Noonvale."

"What did you say to get him to come back?" Rose asked in a quiet voice.

"Forgive me if I misrepresented you, but I told him a lot of good had come from your sacrifice. That just as he would lay down his life for his friends, so would you. How he wouldn't have come to Mossflower and set us free from the tyranny of Kotir if he had stayed where he was. I also told him it wasn't his fault."

"How did he take it?"

"It seemed like he came to terms with what happened. But just the same it might be a good idea to make sure he is completely over any feelings of guilt before you let him know you're alive."

"Why?"

"Well I'm sure that when you finally tell Martin you're alive I don't think you'd want him to have any lingering feelings of regret would you?"

Rose shook her head. "No, I don't think that would be a good idea. You're very smart for saying all this. Thank you."

Columbine smiled at Rose. "My pleasure. Martin is one of the best mice I've ever known. Gonff, Skipper, myself, and everyone else in Redwall only want to see him happy. But I'll warn you if he digs in it'll be hard to get him to open up to anybeast. Martin can..."

"Be too stubborn for his own good at times?" Rose finished with a smirk.

Columbine's grin grew wider. "You do know Martin don't you?"

"I hope so," Rose said. "But I need to get going. It'll be early evening by the time I get back to him and he might wake up."

"Of course. And don't worry about anyone bothering you. Gonff, Skipper, and your brother have all promised to hold back anybeast so Martin can recover in peace. And I'm sure you'd like to be alone with him for a little while too, yes?" Columbine said with a knowing grin.

"It would be nice," said Rose with her own grin.

After putting her medical supplies in a small carrying case Rose made her way back to the willow glade where Martin was resting. He was still asleep when Rose arrived. As gently as she could she tied a blindfold around his eyes. The heat from the lightning and fire had also singed Martin's fur in some places. She rubbed in some soothing ointment so he could rest easier. After she had tended to him she kneeled by his head and gently began stroking his headfur. She turned to put the ointment jar back in the case when she finally heard Martin stir.

"Hmmm, where am I?" he said as he tried to sit up.

Rose took a deep breath to control herself. More than anything she wanted to tell Martin she was alive and hurl herself into his arms. But she trusted Columbine's advice.

"Lie back and relax," she said as she gently pushed him back down. Your friends are unhurt, Noonvale is once again secure, and you need your rest."

"What happened? Why can't I see?"

"Your eyes took a bad shock with all the lightning that struck around you. Your vision should be fine, but for now your eyes need to rest. Likewise the thunder caused no permanent damage, but I would wager your hearing is none to good right now."

"You would be right. Who are you?"

It's me Martin, it's Rose she thought to herself. It was a strain to hold herself back. "I am the one you first saved by throwing your sword before you to deflect the fox's blade. You saved my life. Thank you."

"You're welcome, but I meant what is your name?"

"Lately the Noonvalers have taken to calling me the Vigil Keeper."

"Vigil Keeper? What were you waiting for?"

"For you, Martin son of Luke." I've always been waiting for you. "It was I that told Brome to send Emalet to find you. Once the threat of Rassk was made clear to us I knew that you would be the only one who could save our valley. You saved us all so long ago, I knew you would again."

Rose looked at the blindfold and saw a wet spot had appeared in the cloth. "I didn't save everyone that summer."

Columbine was wrong, he still feels guilty about me. "What do you mean?"

"Forget it," he said as he rolled over on his side to face away from her.

"Do you speak of all those who died at Marshank, Martin, or just one in particular?" Is it selfish to ask him if he feels guilty about me like this? I don't know but I have to know.

"I regret the loss of all those who have followed me into battle and fallen. None of those good beasts should have had to die. I was the one who led them all, I was the one they were looking to, to protect them, and I was the one who failed them!" The pain in Martin's voice was clear to Rose.

I should have known he would look out for everybeast that's followed him into battle, not just me. How do I tell him he never failed any of us that he doesn't need to hold onto that burden anymore? He always calmed down when I talked kindly to him. Let's hope it still works. Rose took another deep breath and spoke in the kindest tone of voice she had. "Martin, would you die for your friends?"

Martin seemed to stiffen as if in surprise at the question. "Aye. If it meant they would live a peaceful life I would gladly trade my life for that to happen."

"And do you think that those who have fallen around you felt any different?" Martin didn't respond to that, he just lay on his side facing away from Rose. Close, but not close enough. I think I need to try something else. "Columbine told me that she was the first to hear of your time at Marshank."

"When did you talk to Columbine?"

Despite herself Rose couldn't help but laugh a little. What? You think I wouldn't want to meet your new friends? Still a silly warrior. "You've been asleep all day long Warrior. I've had time to meet your new friends. Columbine said that it seemed like you had come to terms with what happened at that place."

Martin finally rolled back onto his back. "I thought I had. But as I came closer and closer to this place the memory of all those I had left came back. The shame I had felt when I abandoned all my friends here came back to me as well on the march from Redwall."

Still stubborn too. "You have nothing to be ashamed of Martin. Nobeast in Noonvale ever thought less of you for leaving as you did. While I'm sure we all would have wanted you to stay with us, it seemed we all knew why you had left."

"I can think of one who wouldn't have wanted to see me. And now he's gone and I can't even apologize to him."

Him? Who's he talking about now? "Who do you speak of?"

"Urran Voh. I'll never be able to say I'm sorry for what happened to…" but Martin's voice trailed off. "He never fully approved of me. I don't know if it was because I was and still am a warrior or because of …" again Martin's voice trailed off before he could finish.

Martin! It's alright to talk about me. You don't have to hide me away in your heart anymore. "Urran Voh was doing as all fathers do Martin. Trying to protect his little girl. He only feared what all parents fear, their children growing up and no longer needing them. True you were everything Urran wasn't and feared, a young, good looking, passionate, decisive, Mouse Warrior who had stolen his daughter's heart. He on the other paw was starting toward his middle seasons, was unsure as to where his children were that summer, was wracked with doubts about Rose and Brome's choices, and as all parents do worried constantly about them. I do think that when you were here he had a grudging respect for you, and as the seasons went on after your departure it developed into a healthy admiration."

"You know an awful lot about that family." Martin half-sat up resting on his forearms.

Because I'm part of that family. Because I'm still alive. "Let's just say the family of Urran Voh and I have been very close over the seasons."

"Regardless, I don't see why Urran Voh would admire the one who sent his daughter to her death."

I can't take it anymore! I have to tell him! "Martin, you didn't send Rose to her…"

But before she could tell him Martin interrupted her and it seemed like his self control finally snapped. "I know!" He sat bolt upright and started screaming. "It wasn't me! It was Badrang, I've told myself that countless times. I almost believed it when Columbine said it back at Redwall. It doesn't change the fact that she would still be alive today if I had asked her to not attack the fortress. I swore to protect her, she died and I failed! I swore to uphold the code of the warrior; I killed Badrang out of hate, I failed! I swore to never desert my friends; I ran from them, I failed! I didn't even have the courage to face her father after her death, and I ran like a coward. All I have ever known of this place is failure and loss!
"Even now I don't think I can bring myself to set paw in that valley. As soon as I'm rested I have a token of my own to leave, then I will return to Redwall and never leave that place again." The blindfold was, by now, soaked with the tears of shame flowing from the closed eyelids.

Rose kneeled next to the sobbing Martin dumbfounded. His outburst had completely shocked her. She had never thought to see Martin like this. She had no idea what to say to him. He can't leave! Not now! Not after all this time! I have to know, it's now or never!

"Did you love her?" Rose held her breath as the question left her lips. It was the question that had run through her mind more than any other. She pressed her paws to her mouth as she waited for his answer.

"She was everything to me. For those two and a half weeks I saw myself in a future without having to carry my sword. I saw us having a family. I had even thought of the perfect place in Noonvale to build our house. I loved her from the moment I saw her."

Rose let out her breath with a shudder. He does love me! "Even now after all this time?"

Martin nodded. "Even now. There has never been any other. She set me free from captivity in Marshank to lock me in chains even more tightly than those ever could have been. I don't know if she even knew."

Rose couldn't help the tears from her eyes. She didn't know what to feel but she had to reassure him somehow. "She knew Martin. She always did."

With those words a change seemed to come over Martin. His face seemed lighter. His breathing became easier. His tears stopped soaking into the blindfold. He looked much more like the young mouse Rose had lost her heart to as he climbed out of an escape tunnel on the far eastern shore. She could tell he had finally let go of his guilt. Then she also realized he had fallen back asleep. Rose dropped next to him again.

"I love you Martin. I always have," she said over and over again with her face buried in his neckfur. Soon sleep also claimed Rose as the gentle rain continued to fall.

The next morning Rose woke up to see the rain had stopped falling. Seeing that Martin was still asleep she looked through the canopy of willow leaves that had protected them from the rain. The sun was just over the horizon causing a rainbow to fill the sky. She got up and stepped quietly to the river bank. This couldn't be a more perfect morning for Martin to wake up and see me.

A grin broke over Rose's face. Turning to face the river she began to sing.

"You will find me in Noonvale on the side of a hill,
When the summer is peaceful and high,
There where streamlets meander the valley is still.
'Neath the blue of a calm cloudless sky,
Look for me at dawning when the earth is asleep.
Till each dewdrop is kissed by the day,
'Neath the rowan and alder a Vigil I'll Keep,
Every moment that you are away
The old earth gently turns as the seasons change slowly.
All the flowers and leaves born to wane.
Hear my song o'er the lea like the wind soft and lowly…"

Rose didn't hear the sounds of Martin getting up until she heard his voice join the last line of her song.

"Oh please come back to Noonvale again."

There he was, standing a short way from her. His eyes burned with the same fire she remembered so well, even if it was tempered by pure shock at seeing her.

Only one word escaped his mouth. "Rose?"

"Martin!" Rose shouted out his name and ran to him, hurling herself into his arms. She started talked very rapidly in her excitement "I knew you would come, I just knew it. Then after everything you said last night, and what your friends have told me you've gone through, I can't believe that you…mmmph!"

Rose couldn't talk anymore since Martin had leaned his head down and kissed her. Rose couldn't remember a time she had felt as happy, exited, or nervous as at that moment. As he continued to kiss her, her nerves left and she was only caught up in the feel of the Warrior next to her. The muscled arms that held her, the broad back where she could feel several new scars under his fur, the scent of smoke that still hung on him from his duel all came rushing to her as they kissed. Her heart skipped several beats and time stood still during that enchanted moment.

Finally it was only the need for air that caused the two to break apart. Still holding her tight to him, Martin started stroking Rose's soft headfur. The long seasons of pain and angst were finally and completely gone from the Warrior. All that mattered was the mousemaid in his arms and the wonderful sense of happiness than now flooded through him.

Rose's voice was again muffled, but this time it was because she had buried her face into the fur at Martin's neck. "Wow! I have dreamed for so long for that kiss to happen."

Martin couldn't help but grin. "How was it?"

Rose looked up at him then. "You were and still are better than any dream my brave Warrior." She then laid her head down on Martin's shoulder again as he still had not let her go. Not that she wanted him to let her go anyway.

"Was that you last night? The Vigil Keeper?" Martin asked. Rose only nodded. "Then how come you didn't tell me then it was you?"

Rose looked up at him with a teasing expression. "And ruin this perfect morning?"

Martin laughed. "You mean to tell me that you knew I would wake with the dawn to your singing, with a perfect rainbow overhead and I would just take you in my arms and kiss you breathless?"

Rose flicked his ear playfully. "Well maybe not the rainbow, but I was pretty sure about the rest. Especially after you confessed your undying love last night." Martin felt his face flame at the memory. Rose laughed at him again. "Even after all this time you're still adorable when you're embarrassed."

Overhead the rain had stopped and the sun was breaking through the treetops causing golden rays of light to shine down on the river. Martin saw where one of the beams was shining. Reaching down he swept Rose off her paws and ran to the river. "Adorable when embarrassed am I? Let's see how embarrassed you'll be when you come home to Noonvale soaking wet!" With a laugh and a leap he jumped into the river carrying a squealing Rose with him.

They were both laughing uproariously when they surfaced. The next gleeful hour was spent splashing each other like Abbey Dibbuns in the pond shallows. Rose dunked Martin one last time before allowing him to help her back onto the bank. They sat down with Martin's back against an old tree trunk and Rose sitting comfortably in his lap, his arms around her waist. The morning sun was shining bright and clear as its rays dried the river water from them.

Rose pawed the scarf tied to Martin's arm. "I see you got my token."

"So it was you who sent it. I thought it was Brome's way of ensuring I came back here."

Rose looked up at Martin with delight in her hazel eyes. "I figured you would need your maidens colors when you would fight your battle. I was so proud to see you wearing this that night."

"Your scarf definitely reminded me of the reason why I'm a warrior. To protect all good beasts I meet. To stand up against bullies who would harm them. And to…mmm!" It was Martin's turn to be cut off mid-sentence as Rose kissed him this time. Rose was grinning when they broke apart. She could tell that she had just caused Martin's head to spin out of control in joy with her affections. "What was that for if I may ask?"

She cocked an eyebrow at him in mock–astonishment. "You need a reason for me to kiss you?"

Martin laughed and ruffled her head fur. "Never."

Rose laughed at the tickling sensation. "If you must know it was mainly because I've dreaming of kissing you for I can't count how many seasons now, and because you ramble a bit when you act the part of the brave Warrior Mouse."

"Is that what I was doing last night? Rambling as I played the brave Mouse Warrior?" Martin had a concerned look to his face as he asked the question.

Rose snuggled closer next to him when she answered. "Yes in a way. Columbine suggested that before I let you know I was still alive I make sure that you were completely healed from your fight and from your guilt. She told me what you had told her when Emalet found you. Gonff warned me it might take a bit of prying to get you to come out of your shell. It seems you've become a bit of tough nut to crack since you've been away. But I knew I could get you to talk. I always could."

Martin hugged her tighter as he responded. "That you could. And thank you so much for that last night. I was finally able to let go of everything, but really only right before I fell back asleep when you said you knew I loved you."

Rose's eyes brimmed with joyful tears at the recollection of that discovery. "You are so very welcome. I must admit, Martin that getting you to confess that was what I was after. I didn't know if what you felt towards me that summer was just because I was the first maid you had ever really met, or because of all the many adventures we had gone through, or if it was true love. I spent the rest of that night holding you and telling you over and over that I loved you too."

Martin smiled at the recollection. "I know. I had a dream all night long of your face saying just that. It was the most peaceful night I had known since that night you slept next to me on the cliffs."

Rose gave Martin another kiss at that. "What a sweet thing to say." The two mice sat in silence for a long while. Rose was on the verge of falling asleep when Martin spoke up again.

"Rose?" Martin waited until she looked up at him.

"Yes?"

For the first time since he had seen her on the riverbank Martin's face was somewhat grave. "How is it that you're alive? While I am somewhere quite beyond overjoyed that it's true, I did see what happened to you at Marshank, and then later Rowanoak, Grumm, and Pallum all said you were…well…"

"Dead?" Rose finished. Martin could only nod.

Rose took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her grin was gone from her face. "I don't remember very much of anything after I jumped on that horrible stoat. I do remember I tried to beat him with my sling, but you remember it was never very large and, well, neither am I. I woke up back here at Noonvale with a blanket draped over me. When I walked out of my room and saw my parents they were quite shocked. They believed Brome when he had told them I was dead. I guess he hadn't learned how to check a pulse properly, or my heart wasn't beating all that fast, or something. Mother could never quite explain it properly.
"Needless to say I was still quite weak. Except for walking out of my room that day it was very hard for me to get around. After he learned a bit more about healing, Brome told me that due to where my head had hit the wall in Marshank, I wouldn't be able to walk properly for a long time. He looked through every book and scroll on healing in Noonvale to find a healing and recovery regimen that would enable me to move properly again. By the time that was settled Rowanoak had come back from Polleekin's tree house without you.
"I so desperately wanted to travel south right then to find you. It was almost unbearable being apart from you. But Mother, Father, and Brome were right. I was in no position to travel anywhere and no one knew where you had gone. It took many long seasons before I was able to walk and run like I had used to. By the time that happened creatures were just starting to flee here because of Rassk. I couldn't leave to find you when there were so many to help.
"After Father died it was too late to leave. I might be one of the few Noonvalers to have ever set foot outside the valley, but only to the Eastern Sea and of course where we had traveled after escaping Marshank. I somehow knew you would never want to return to that dreary place.
"Then when Brome called the meeting to say that we would send for you, I still can't explain it, but I just somehow knew you were alive in Mossflower. So that's where I sent Emalet."

Martin squeezed Rose tighter as she finished her tale. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you Rose. I should have been."

Rose opened her eyes again and looked up at Martin. "You were with me Martin. The whole time. You were always in my heart."

Martin could only hug her close at her kind words. Realizing that her body weight was slowly cutting off the circulation to his legs, Martin stood up pulling Rose with him. "Well that's all in the past. I don't think we should talk about it again."

Rose's smile had returned as she walked paw in paw with Martin back to the tree where he had recovered from his duel. "I agree." She gestured to the few empty medicine bottles that were still on the ground. "Here, let's get this cleaned up and head back to Noonvale. I'm sure all your friends and all of Noonvale for that matter can't wait to see you."

Martin made a fine show of acting like it was the biggest and most dreary chore he had ever done. "Oh I suppose. But do I have to? They're all big and mean, and won't like me."

Rose laughed as she treated him like a naughty Dibbun. "Yes you do young mouse. Now hurry up or you get no dessert after supper."

Shortly thereafter Martin had packed all the healing supplies in a well-organized carrying case. Paw in paw with Rose, the two mice walked the newly damp trail back to Noonvale.

Rose had a question of her own for the Warrior. "Martin, last night you said you were going to leave a token of your own here in Noonvale. What is it?"

"Token? I don't know what you're talking about." Martin said with a grin.

"Martin the Warrior you know full well what I'm talking about. Now out with it. I told you my secret, you owe me one."

"All in due course Laterose," said Martin using her full title.

Rose gave an exasperated sigh. "Ugh! Martin! You know I only use my full name for very formal occasions." Martin only smiled back at her as they hiked back to the secret valley of Noonvale.

A/N; I'm not going to say this is the end of this story but we have come to the end of "The Blossom." The reason being is that I've already written the rest of Rose and Martin's biography's in the remaining part of "A Mask and A Song," and "Winter's Flowers." My purpose for writing this story was to get Rose's biography and her perspective when it was mainly Martin's point of view.

So thank you for reading this. It's been a lot of fun to write this and write about Martin and Rose again. I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it.

Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat