"Sackfirth, is everything alright?"

The hare blinked as if dazed a moment. The voice of his wife seemed distant. Clearing his throat his kept his eyes on the road. "'course m'dear." He replied quickly.

Claria didn't seem convinced. "I only ask, because you passed the turn off for the Woodsorrel's fifteen minutes back." There was no hint of annoyance or mocking in the statement. Only concern, it was so unlike her husband to make such a mistake.

Huffing he turned off to the shoulder of the road. He was about to turn the car around when Claria stopped him.

"Sackfirth, something is the matter. What is it that troubles you? Is it the matter with that construction nonsense?" She patted her husband's paw fondly. "I'll call the Woodsorrels, we can always play bridge another night. "

"Oh don't do that Claria. We never miss a blinking card night. I jolly won't make it a habit of piping out on our friends now."

"Nonsense m'dear. Won't be any harm at all. Truth be told I wasn't really in the mood for a game this evening. I only went along out of a feeling of obligation. "She waved a paw and took out her mobile phone from her purse. Pressing a paw to her lips she dialed the number and waited for the other end to pick up. "Agnes, its Claria." She began making her voice sound hoarse. "Sorry to say we won't be able to make it to bridge this evening. Yes, I was rather looking forward to it too. Seem I've come down with one of these dashed summer colds. Wouldn't want you or Bertie to catch it wot… Yes of course, I'll pass your kind regards to Sackfirth. Perhaps we'll have tea next Saturday." Exchanging a few more pleasantries she hung up the phone.

Her husband just watched in silent amazement, his typically calm and polite wife was never one for lying. As if reading his mind Claria wiggled her ears smiling. "Well it wasn't really lying m'dear. It was only a small fib. Now then, why not show me what all this fuss has been about."

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The site was empty; the others had gone home for the evening. The construction crews too had ceased work. Peace once again fell over the ridge, the sun slowly nestling down for a rest before rising anew. For the harewife the site didn't hold the same wonder and majesty that it did for her scholarly husband. Most of the equipment had been packed up. Crews from the university would be by in the morning to help remove the remaining structures. Even the caravan that served as home base would be trucked away by week's end. This was a sad sight for Lockben. He had seen many wrap ups before, where there was a beginning there had to be an end. In this particular dig it was a bitter sweet occasion. While they had been able to uncover a number of artifacts all of which would be further studied, there was the looming barrier just beyond. This was progress, the desire for something more, something better, something grander. The hare blamed no beast for what was happening. It was the nature of things. One generation passes a new must take its place, and they must pick and choose what they remember, and what they leave behind.

Strolling around the upturned mounds of earth, he didn't bother to explain to Claria the significance of each paw step. Each was content in simply being there. Claria might not hold the same understanding, but she knew the significance from her husband's love of what he did. Taking her paw he showed her the rock monument.

"I suppose if anything had to be uncovered last, I'm rather pleased it was this."

Squeezing her husband's paw lightly she asked. "Is this stone really that important?" asked.

She had expected one of her husband's tangents on Mossflower history. Instead all he said was. "We're here aren't we?"

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The ridge lay empty, only the stone and upturned earth showed anybeast had ever been there. The buildings grew higher and higher.

It was time for Dan and Beth to leave. September was only a few weeks away, Dan had to his role of professor, and Beth had another semester of high school waiting. While there was the promise of being reunited with wife and mother, it was still an unhappy time. With suitcases packed the squirrels spent the last night sharing space with Wally's family. May and Wally organized a small goodbye party for the pair. Bulfie brought his two small children, who got along famously with the young Brookbacks. Even Dr. Lockben and his wife made an appearance. Claria bringing a large meadow cream trifle, insisting that she couldn't attend a garden party without bringing something.

Over helpings of hearty food, and foaming pints of October ale they reminisced about the season. Wally held up his ale high saying. "Seems only fit we toast to the beasts that brought us all together."

Paws pounding on the picnic table there was words of agreement. Ales, punches, and lemon waters were held high in toast to the season and all who brought the band together.

Dan wiped foam from his whiskers, smacking his lips. "It was one heck of a summer." He shook his head recalling all the trials and tribulations.

Dr. Lockben rifled in his pockets a moment. "Before you lot dash back to Toronto, thought y'might like t'see this wot." He passed Dan the paper. "Mossflower heritage committee has agreed to fund a restoration of the monument. We might not have been able to do anything about where they put the Olympic village, but that rock you uncovered missy, she'll shine again."

The plans outlined the funding that would be put in place to preserve the stone, and see to it that it was accessible to the public to view. An artist was being commissioned to recreate the axe-pike and flag that were missing. These would be recast in bronze and follow close historic records of what had originally been there. In addition a small interpretation centre would be set up highlighting information about the historical significance of the ridge. With some twisting on Dr. Lockben's part even the Olympic commission would be coughing up some money to fund this imitative.

"We didn't win the battle, but we won the war." Bulfie said with a winked.

A/N … and that my friends is where I'm leaving it. I was going to do an epilogue, but I think Bulfie's last line really sums everything up. A big thank you to everyone who has read this story, commented, or added it to your favourites. It really means a lot to me. I wasn't sure how a modern fic would be taken, and I'm so pleased to see that the response has been very positive.

Not sure if I will do another modern fic. I will consider it, if the interest is out there, and I can come up with a story line.

Again thank you to all of you.