Chp 15

On the day that Merola had taken the dibbuns out for berry-picking, Primrose and a group of others had gone with. The berries they were out harvesting, blackberries to be precise, were late, and the abbeybeasts wanted to get as many of them as possible before the frost came.

Pansy was there too, and was wasting no time is scuttling up trees and shaking the branches overhead so that the golden leaves would shower those below. The dibbuns squealed with glee while Merola barked threats of spankings once they reached the abbey.

Bluebell was there as well, and, like always, was trying to make things happen between Primrose and Dren, who had been dragged along with a sour look on his face.

"If you don't like Dren," Pansy asked her sister in an undertone when they managed to step away from the crowd a bit, "then why don't you tell Bluebell to stop trying to get the two of you together?"

"Don't you think I've thought of that?" Primrose said, carefully plucking blackberries from their thorny vines.

"Then why haven't you? What's the hold-up?"

"...I actually am kind've interested in Dren again."

Pansy blinked. "You mean you like him again?"

"I do not like him," Primrose snapped. "I just recently discovered something about Dren that made me curious and want to learn more about it."

"And what was that? If his muscles are as big as they look or if its all just fur-?"

"No," the ferretmaid hissed. "He told me once that he once lived in a horde."

The squirrelmaid's eyes widened. "Whoa, really?"

"Yes, and suffice it to say, my interest is piqued, and I wouldn't mind getting a little bit close to him so I can learn more about it."

Pansy scratched her head. "I can understand Petunia wanting to know that kind of stuff, even I would like to hear a few grisly tales, but I never figured you for the type who'd be wantin' to know about the life of a horde member."

"What? You think the only thing I think about are flowers and pretty jewelry and acting?"

"No. I also think you think about good-looking males flexing their muscles whenever they see you coming-eeee!"

The squirrelmaid took off as her sister lunged at her. Pansy scuttled up the nearest tree and Primrose lost sight of her in the boughs.

"No nonsense there, you two!" Merola called from her flock of dibbuns.

"Yes, gotta set a good example for little ones, eh?" said Marek, who had also come along on this little expedition.

Primrose smiled at the mouse. He was so incredibly handsome, he was. Marek was one of those beasts who seemed to grow more striking with every glance you gave them. Tall, broad-shouldered, muscular and smooth dark brown fur, he cut a remarkable figure.

The ferretmaid had seen quite a few females blush and giggle in his presence, and she could not blame them (not much, anyway). Marek also had a surprisingly small waist, a feature that always drew Primrose's gaze. She hoped that Bluebell would overcome her shyness and get together with Marek, they looked like they would make such a cute couple; Bluebell was also one of those types who became more beautiful every time you saw them. Her eyes were such an ethereal blue...

If they had children, Primrose thought, they should get their mother's eyes, their father's fur, and depending what gender they were, their parents' perfect builds.

She didn't have much time to fantasize about the romance that she thought was happening, for a sudden addition of new voices entered her ears.

Primrose looked around, but didn't see anybeast. Nothing but forest... and yet there was no denying that there were voices in the distance.

The ferretmaid glanced back at the group; they were further away and so therefore wouldn't have heard it. She wondered for a moment about investigating by herself. Of course Primrose knew that it was very foolish to wander away from a large group on your own in an unknown area, but it couldn't be attackers; they would've made certain to make no noise as they crept up.

And so, throwing caution to the wind (and promising herself she'd run straight back if things didn't seem right), the ferretmaid struck out, careful not to be seen or heard by her friends or by the strangers.

She actually didn't have to walk very far before she peered around a tree and found out who the voices belonged to; two young otters, a male and a female, approximately around Primrose's age.

The female she recognized; it was Spring, a nice-looking maid with a quiet disposition who lived at the abbey. That was all Primrose knew about her, for the two of them had barely spoken to each other, although they did pass one another quite a few times in the halls.

As for the male, Primrose had never seen him before, nor did he look like the type who would ever really visit an abbey. His long limbs and torso were covered in bright blue, intricate tattoos, with golden earrings and a bright red bandanna tied around his head. He wore only a short barkcloth kilt held up by a belt with several pouches on them.

Primrose supposed that in his own wild sort of way, he was rather handsome. Though there was no denying that his smile was just a bit too oily for her tastes.

"I like this," the male otter was saying, holding up a seashell necklace. "This'll get me a pretty penny."

"How much more do you need?" Spring inquired, her paws folded anxiously in front of her. "I've already stolen quite a lot already."

Primrose blinked. Stolen?

The male otter's smile became even more oily. "Just a bit more, love. Trust me, we're almost there. As soon as I pay off these debts and we have enough saved up, we can go away together and never have to come back. It'll be wonderful, I promise."

His face inched closer towards Springs', and Primrose turned away, not wanting to see the upcoming kiss.

After awhile, she heard the male voice's, "I've got to go now. I'll see you later" and then a receding set of footsteps.

Primrose was in quite a shock, naturally, and hardly knew what to think, say or do, but like many heroines before her in such a situation, she managed to take this time to step on a conveniently nearby twig, snapping it half.

Drat!

"Who's there?"

The ferretmaid considered running for it, but Spring had already come around the tree, locking gazes with Primrose.

After the inevitable moment of shocked silence, the ottermaid murmured, "How much did you hear?"

"...You've been stealing from the abbey? How could you do that?"

Spring let out a sigh, her head dropping as her paws rose. "Please, don't tell anybeast, please? They wouldn't understand..."

"Understand what?" Primrose hissed. "How you can just steal stuff from your own abbey members and give it away to some... who was that otter?"

Spring looked at the ferret with a sad smile. "The love of my life, that's who."

Primrose blinked.

"Yes, I know," the ottermaid said. "You think I'm a fool, don't you? I have no family, I belong to no holt, the abbey is the only home I've got. ...But I've never felt like this before... I've never felt so deeply connected to somebeast before in my life. He makes me feel so... special..."

As much as she hated to admit it, Primrose knew exactly what Spring was talking about.

"I know that stealing like this is wrong, but you must understand, he has to pay off some payments he owes towards some beasts that live in the towns."

"What kind of payments?"

"Oh... there was an incident where he stole something when he was younger. He never had a proper upbringing and developed quite a reputation for himself. That's why he's not allowed inside Redwall. But he's trying to turn himself around, he really is. I've been able to help him with that. He's really a wonderful creature. He says and does some of the most sweetest, kindest things I've ever seen or heard. And..."

Spring trailed off, looking back at Primrose with eyes that slowly began to water. "You're not going to tell, are you? Please, Primrose, I know its wrong and that its silly, what I'm doing, but... what else can I do? I love him!"

And so Primrose kept her silence. Nobeast ever knew she had slipped away and had a "chat" with Spring on that day. Merola had been too busy with the dibbuns, Pansy was either playing with the little ones or jumping up into trees, Marek had his attention focused on Bluebell, who was helping with the dibbuns, and Dren barely looked up from berry-picking.

The ferretmaid wasn't sure why she agreed not to say anything as the creatures around her had their things stolen from them. They surely deserved better, especially since they had been so kind to her and the troupe...

...but every time she thought about going to Merola or to the abbot, the memory of Spring's pleading, crying eyes would come flooding back into her mind, and the ferret wouldn't be able to do it.

Maybe it was because Primrose knew what it was like, being in love. Or at least infatuated. That was definately one area that she was well learned in. Once she had thrown herself at Rogak in front of a stunned audience, but thanks to some quick thinking they managed to make it look like it was all part of the act.

Then there was Dakar. Definately Primrose's biggest mistake; she blushed with shame every time she thought about it. And she would always be thankful that Lily had forgiven her for it, and had ended up marrying Dakar anyway.

So maybe that was why Primrose couldn't bring herself to say anything. She knew what it was like being in love... with the wrong beast.

But now, after a few minutes alone with a surprisingly shrewd Skipper, Primrose found herself unloading everything to him.

"You said that the male had blue tattoos?" the otter chieftain asked.

"Yes. And earrings and a bandanna."

"Duckweed."

"Who?"

"Duckweed. A rogue otter. Used to be apart of my crew, but he just couldn't get out of the habit of stealin' things. Had him banned from the abbey and from the holt seasons ago."

"He... oh. Oh."

Skipper nodded grimly. "Yes, 'oh'. If I know Duckweed, he hasn't told Spring one word of truth."

"And he's been... just using her?"

"'Fraid so, by the looks of it."

The otter chieftain then turned on his heel and walked towards the door.

Primrose stood up. "What are you going to do?"

"Let's just I have a hunch about something." He paused in the doorway. "Do you want to come out or stay in here for the time being? I don't think you'd have to wait too long, if my hunch is right. I mean, you're still the prime suspect."

The ferret's brow furrowed. "But I just told you-!"

"But you asked me not to tell anybeast. So that means in their eyes you're still the prime suspect."

Primrose thought, and said, "I'll wait here."

Things were very tense up in Great Hall.

Except for Merola, Vanna, Acorn, and a few Brothers and Sisters who took the dibbuns outside to play, nobeast had moved from the room.

Pansy was seated on one of the chests where the Troupe had set up their stage. Surrounding her were the rest of her troupe members: Spike, who couldn't stop fiddling with his quill; Rogak, whose tail was beating against the floor; the Juggling Moles, few of whom were absent-mindedly tossing balls to one another; the clown mice, all with glum, anxious expressions on their normally cheerful faces; the Dancing Squirrels, who were either sitting or leaning against various props; and Ferdinand, who kept pacing back and forth, back and forth.

The Redwallers were no less agitated. Many of them tried to look busy, tidying up or polishing something. Grikkle the vole was seated with Oakwen, both with bored, sulky looks on their faces. Dren also was looking sulky, though not as much as usual. In spite of himself, the male ferret was actually feeling curious about who the real thief was - and he was also surprised nobeast had accused him of being the thief. Then again, Primrose's suspicious actions already took away a lot of the heat.

Bluebell at first stood next to Dren, but a feeling of restlessness overcame her and she began walking from corner to corner, trying to see if there was anything for her to do. Suddenly a muscular arm coiled itself around her waist, another muscular arm wrapping itself across her chest.

"It's alright," Marek's voice sounded in her ear, "I'm sure the real thief will be caught soon. You have nothing to worry about." He kissed her cheek lightly before snuggling his nose into her neckfur.

After what seemed like an eternity, Skipper Torren came back up from the cellar. All eyes went straight to the otter, even before he began issuing orders.

"Father Abbot, if you'll permit me, I have somewhere that I need to be right now. Its very urgent and it cannot wait."

"Now hold on a minute!" said Marek, marching over as he released Bluebell from his hold. "What's this urgent mission of yours' that's more important than what's going on in our abbey?"

"My urgent mission has everything to do with what is happening in our abbey, Marek," the otter chieftain replied patiently. He turned to his crew, "Line up along the walls and wait there for my return. I hope to be back-"

"I'm going to," Marek interrupted. "I'd like to see just what you're up to! There's too many secrets around here."

"I agree!" old Grikkle said, waving his cane. "What're you on about, Skipper? Why're you leaving the abbey?"

"I'm afraid I can't say, but I have a hunch."

"Is that all you're going to say?" Marek demanded.

"We're wasting time," said Skipper. "If you want to come, Marek, then come. I won't try to stop you."

"Then I'm going as well," said Rogak, stepping forward.

Skipper nodded. "Alright fine, you may as well. But no more!" he added quickly. "Small groups travel faster, and speed is of the essence!"

"Skipper, are you sure you can't tell us what-"

"I have a hunch, Father Abbot. That's all I can say."

"What about my sister?" Pansy cried.

"She's down in one of the storerooms, you can go and see her if you-"

But Pansy gone in a shot.

Skipper, Rogak, and Marek all strode out across the abbey lawns, Skipper armed with a sling and a long coil of rope slung over his shoulder while Marek carried a staff. Rogak relied only on his fists and rudder.

The otters lined the walltops, and several Redwallers and the Roaming Whimsical Troupe watched the departure from the abbey'd door. Skipper saw out of the tail of his eye the group that was watching over the dibbuns; Spring the ottermaid was with them.

"So where are we going?" Marek asked as the three malebeasts headed out the main gates and out onto the wide dirt road.

"A certain tavern."

"A tavern? What're we going there for?"

"I got a hunch."

"Oh, and just what hunch is that, Skipper Bigbelly?"

The otter chieftain shot the mouse a look before saying, "I know we're all a little wound up right now, so I'll let that one slide."

Within an hour's walk, Skipper, Rogak and Marek arrived at what could only be the tavern Skipper had in mind. A number of vermin were gathered outside it, gambling or huddled in muttering groups.

The three woodlanders' appearance received special interest from the crowds. Some of the vermin looked wary, while others looked fiendishly delighted.

"Weeeell, fellas, lookit wot's headed our way!"

"Arr, three gennelbeasts, eh? Ain't they pretty?"

"Excuse me," a vixen purred as she leered at Rogak. "Would you care for something to put a smile on that handsome face of yours'?"

Rogak wrinkled his brow at her and replied, "No."

The vixen's friends snickered and elbowed her as the three woodlanders walked into the tavern ("Like yew even had a chance!").

Rogak squinted his eyes upon entering the building. Borish laughter and clouds of smoke filled the room. The otter could barely make out the rats, stoats, and foxes sitting at tables as they downed tankards of ale or threw knives at an empty space in the wall. Some of them even had a few pipes lit, and they gazed shrewdly at the three newcomers.

At one of the tables sat a group of creatures that was different than the others; this table had an otter sitting at it. One with blue tattoos and a red bandanna. A rather good-looking vixen, wearing a seashell necklace, was perched on his lap.

The group looked to be peering at an assortment of trinkets, such as sandals, kerchiefs, necklaces, combs, and various other objects.

"All stolen from the abbey itself," the otter boasted.

"Hell's teeth! 'Ow do yew do it, mate?" a weasel with brown teeth grinned.

"Oh, I have my ways," the otter said smugly, taking a draft of beer.

"Duckweed, darlin'," the vixen cooed, trailing a claw along the otter's jaw. "Won't you just give us a little hint?"

"Sorry, no can do, me pretty," the otter, Duckweed, replied, grinning up at her.

"Yer heartless," the vixen said, getting up and waving a dismissive paw.

"Oy, mates," said a rat with an eyepatch, gesturing at the newcomers.

Duckweed turned around, a relaxed, cocky smile on his face-

KWA-BAM!

-and found his dazed head resting on the table amongst the stolen goods.

The surrounding vermin leapt to their feet. Rogak and Marek readied themselves for a fight, only the vermin didn't move in, but rather scurried away as far as they could.

As for Skipper, he seized Duckweed by the scruff of his neck and hoisted him out of his chair.

"Aarrggg, let me go, you crazy-!"

Skipper slammed the other otter down onto the floor, uncoiling the rope from his shoulder and tying Duckweed up.

Rogak leapt into action, shouting, "Nobeast move! We're from Redwall and we're here to take back our stuff! You don't wanna get brained, stay put!"

The vermin remained seated. Most were wide-eyed, though some were passed out from too much ale.

"Where's there a sack for us to carry this all in?" Marek demanded, gesturing at the stolen items.

One of the vermin, a rat with several earrings, pointed at a sack under the table. Marek passed his staff to Rogak and began gathering up the items while Skipper finished tying up Duckweed.

"Augh, hell gates, mate-" the tattooed otter whined before his scruff was once again seized by Skipper.

"I'm not your mate, thief. Now you're comin' with us, so get to your feet. C'mon!"

Duckweed's ankles and rudder had been tied so that he couldn't run or attack with his tail, but he could walk, albeit awkwardly.

"Hey, that necklace belongs to somebeast at Redwall Abbey," Marek said to the vixen, who made no argument about giving it up. She seemed more disheartened by the sight of Duckweed, who had previously been gloating of his conquests of thievery to his mates, and was now stumbling towards the tavern's door.

Every eye was on the tattooed otter as he made his unglorious way out. There were even more stares once they reached outside, and even a few snide remarks and jeers. The four creatures had to walk pretty far before the verminous laughter faded away into the distance.

Duckweed's face was beet-red beneath his fur, both from humiliation and rage. Skipper strode just behind him, his face grim and foreboding. Marek had passed the sackful of goods to Rogak; both walked slightly behind Skipper.

"Think you're pretty clever, eh?" Skipper said. "Tricking an innocent maid into doing your dirty work for you? Shame on ye, Duckweed. You almost make me feel ashamed to call myself an otter!"

Marek personally thought Skipper could have left out 'almost'.

"Just give me a minute and I'll think of a suitable punishment for you."

"You can't punish me!" Duckweed said at last. "You're not my leader anymore, and we're not at the abbey-"

"No, but what you did involves the abbey, an' its my job to protect it! And punish those who try to harm it!"

The younger otter fell silent again, but after awhile he grumbled aloud, "Damn Spring, couldn't even-"

WHACK!

Skipper struck the back of Duckweed's skull.

WHACK!

Rogak did the same.

THUD!

Marek brought his staff straight into the tattooed otter's midriff, bringing him to his knees. It felt good hitting an otter.

Skipper stood over Duckweed, his chest heaving with anger.

"Easy there, mate," Rogak cautioned; he was angry himself, but still didn't want anything seriously violent to happen.

Skipper, after much shaking and breathing, managed to calm himself and said, "I think that's enough, because I can't stand being around you much longer. Don't you ever pull a stunt like this again, do you hear me?"

Duckweed remained huddled up on the ground, trying to regain his breath.

The otter chieftain snorted. "I'll take that as a yes. C'mon, mates."

And with that, Skipper stepped over Duckweed and headed down the path, followed by Rogak. Marek, however, landed a light kick on the tattooed otter's rump when his companions weren't looking before taking off after them.

The evening sky was a deep red when Skipper, Rogak and Marek returned to Redwall Abbey with the stolen possesions in tow. The items were returned to each of their respective owners, and apologies were passed around between abbeydweller and Troupe member.

"Did you really fight loads and loads o' vermin, mista Rogak?" a curious mousebabe asked.

The handsome otter grinned, loading his arms up with dibbuns. "Oho, mates, do I have a story for you."

"Back safe and sound," Marek said to Bluebell, expecting her to throw herself into his arms and praise him for being the hero that he was.

He was sorely disappointed when she didn't.

"I'm so glad everybeast has their things back and that it wasn't Primrose who took them," the pretty mousemaid said. "I wonder though, who was the thief, anyway?"

"Oh, Skip explained that to us on our way back," Marek said as he encircled his arm around Bluebell's waist. "Come along to the orchard and I'll tell you the whole story."

He led her off before she had a chance to object. Dren watched the two mice leave, his eyes narrowing.

Vanna burst into the storeroom where Primrose, Pansy and Merola were sitting.

"The thief's been caught! The real thief's been caught!"

Primrose's jaw dropped. But Pansy squealed with delighted relievement and hugged her sister while Merola barked with joy.

"Ooh, I knew you weren't the thief, Prim, I just knew you were!"

"Who was it? Who was the thief, Vanna?" Merola wanted to know.

"Wouldn't you know, it was that ottermaid, Spring. Now-"

But Vanna got no further as Primrose pushed past her and out the door.

The ferretmaid arrived at Cavern Hole just after Abbot Grove finished saying something to Spring, who stood before him.

Primrose saw Spring's eyes, wide and full of shock, disbelief, and tears.

The otter's paws then flew to her eyes as she ran out up the stairs towards Great Hall, wailing like a dying beast.

"What-? What did you say to her?" cried the ferretmaid, hurrying over towards the abbot.

Skipper was also in the room, his expression grim. "He just told Spring that she's got to leave the abbey."

Primrose stared at the otter before turning to the abbot.

"I am sorry, my child, but given the circumstances-"

Primrose didn't wait to hear another word. She went after Spring.

Just as Primrose reached the Great Hall, at first she thought it was empty.

Then she saw the ottermaid stepping down from a stepladder next to the tapestry, holding the sword of Martin the Warrior.

Spring took the hilt in one paw and the blade in the other, and brought it to her neck.

"Spring, NO!"

The ferretmaid tackled the otter, taking a hold of both paws and pushing the blade down. Spring struggled wildly, screaming shrilly, "Let me go! Let me go, you stupid fool!"

Primrose held on doggedly, trying to wrest the sword from the other maid. "Spring, don't! STOP!"

The otter flailed about, kicking backwards at the ferret. "Let me go! Let me die, LET ME DIE, I HAVE NOTHING TO LIVE FOR!"

Several startled animals came hurrying into the Great Hall just as the bloodied sword fell from Spring's paw.

Primrose sat huddled on the floor, clinging to Spring's limp body, unaware that a crowd had gathered around them.

"...Why did you stop me?"

Spring spoke with a small voice.

"I know how it feels..."

"No you don't! You probably think I got what I deserved, after I tried to pin the blame on you."

Primrose placed her paw over the ottermaid's bleeding one; Spring had held onto the blade so hard she cut herself.

"I know what its like to be... in love with the wrong one."

Spring gave a shuddering sob. "Duckweed... he... he was with another female... Skipper told me... he never cared about me... he was just using me..."

Primrose finally looked up to see with some surprise the gathering of beasts around them. Several of them looked teary-eyed, even Grikkle the vole. The rest looked sad... save for Dren. However, he had lost his surly expression. His face was now strangely blank.

The ferret's eyes finally landed on Abbot Grove.

"Father Abbot," Primrose began. "I... I... could you... could you please let Spring stay here?"

Grove blinked, and she thought his eyes looked a little red.

"I think that she should be allowed to stay here," the ferret went on, her paws beginning to tremble. "I mean, she has no family, no holt, this is the only she's got. I mean, yes, she did steal, but... couldn't you..." She turned to the other abbeybeasts. "Couldn't you all just forgive her?"

A moment of silence passed.

Then Skipper Torren stepped forward. "If Primrose, who is without a doubt the one that Spring has offended the most, can forgive her... then I see no reason why I can't either."

The ferretmaid smiled up at Skipper, who in this moment never looked so beautiful.

"Aye," said a voice.

All eyes turned with great surprise to Grikkle the vole, who hobbled forward and said, "Aye, I could forgive her."

"So could I!" said Vanna loudly.

Pansy nodded. "And I. I mean, if Grikkle can..."

A ripple of laughter coursed through the crowds, releasing some of the tension.

Sister Serena also came forward and kneeled down next to Spring. "Yes, I can forgive you too."

The other Brothers and Sisters who had things stolen from them also nodded, smiling at the ottermaid.

"Well, Father Abbot?" Merola said. "It seems like everybeast is willing to give Spring a second chance. We're waiting on your word."

Abbot Grove smiled. "I believe its already been spoken." Then, after a moment, he hastily added, "Er, I wasn't talking about when I said she had to leave, I meant-"

"We know what you meant," Merola said.

Another, bigger round of laughter erupted, and soon everybeast was crowding around Spring, hugging her and wishing her a welcome back. Spring never cried so much in her entire life.

A/N: I should probably admit, I was inspired to do this storyline by another series, but I think I managed to make it different enough, I hope.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this, and God bless. :)