Rose felt heavy, like a stone being dropped through water. Through the pressure in her head she could hear voices - low and gruff and soft and warm. One moment they were far away, the next they were yelling down her ear.

The sound got too intense for her and she opened her eyes, blinking against the bright light that greeted her. She took a deep breath in and felt the weight of water wash off her as she took control back over her body.

"Mizz Roser!"

"Rose! You're home now sweetheart, don't be afraid." A paw on her shoulder locked her in place. Rose looked around and saw a mole and an old looking mouse.

She stared at them, not understanding. She tried to think but the pressure in her head came back and she blacked out again, slipping back underwater.

Some point after, but she didn't know how long after, she woke again. This time she realised the mouse wasn't old, but worry and pain had bleached her fur from a warm brown to grey. The more she looked at the mouse, the more she recognised her.

"Mother?" She asked softly. Her throat felt like someone had knifed it and poured vinegar down it.

"I'm here, Rose. Stay still. You've hurt your head, but you're back home now. Everyone's been so worried about you, dear. Brome'll be back any time now with your father - they went out fishing together." As Rose listened to her mother chatter through her relief she felt that something was off. She knew Brome was her brother, but she kept getting his face muddled up in her memory with squirrels and shrews.

"What happened to me?" She asked quietly. Her throat hurt less now - like someone had put a cool healing paste on the wound. Aryah paused.

"You... Hit your head on a wall."

Rose looked down, thinking through the pressure that was building up aroumd her again. She thought she could see a light through the murky waters that drowned her memories, but as she reached for it the pressure became too much. Rose sank back into a sleep, spiralling down through the water.

Next time she woke up, her little brother was looking down at her. She knew it was Brome because she remembered how wise he had become when they last met.

When he saw her eyes open he jumped and exclaimed. "Rose! Mother said you'd been awake and I'd hoped to speak to you."

Rose laughed quietly, feeling stronger now. "Brome. I feel much better for seeing your cheeky face."

He laughed at her, tears glistening in his eyes. He held her paw tightly. "And I to see you awake. But you must listen to me, Rose. I have something very important to tell you before mother or father get here."

Rose fought through the pressure that was starting to build up again and concentrated on her brother. He seemed older, stronger. He'd seen death and war and had suffered. He looked older than she felt.

"Tell me."

"They're trying to keep you here, in Noonvale." A door opened, making Brome jump. "Bother."

Strange, Rose thought. Why would staying in Noonvale be bad? She had no desire to leave her home.

"Rose, you're awake!" Urran Voh dropped the flask he was carrying and ran to his daughter. "My heart has been broken every day since that mouse took you away from me. I knew I could not trust you with any other man - you are too precious."

Rose froze. "That mouse?"

"Martin. The one who nearly got you killed -"

"Urran Voh, I thought we promised to keep this from her!"

"She needs to know the truth. Otherwise she'd try to go and look for him."

Rose stared at her brother as their parents bickered. Brome shook his head sadly.

"Where is he?" Her question came out in a choked whisper and neither of her parents heard. Brome looked down at the floor, unwilling to answer.

"Where is he?" She tried again, shouting. She had propped herself up on her bed and her head was suffering under the pressure but she needed to know.

Her parents looked at her in shock. "Rose, don't shout indoors!"

"Where is he?" She repeated. She was staring at her father, sure that he would answer her honestly.

"We don't know."

"He's not here?" Disappointment rattled through her, making her lose the fight against the water. She sank back down onto the bed as her mother fussed around her, fluffling pillows and mumbling to herself.

"He left you, Rose. And vowed to never come back here. Doesn't that give you your answer? He's gone from your life and it's best that you forget him." Her father stood up and walked to the doorway, picking up the flask.

"He said he'd travel south." Brome said quickly. Their mother shot him a warning glance. "He thought you were dead-"

"We all did, dear. But none of us abandoned you." Urran Voh interrupted, resting his head against the doorframe. He looked tired. "Let's talk no more of this. Come, Brome. Leave your mother to tend to her."

Brome was reluctant to leave so Uran Voh crossed the room again in three strides, grabbed his son's paw and dragged him towards the door. As he was pulled away, Brome called back at Rose.

"He thought you were dead, Rose!"

The two mice were left in an awkward silence for a moment. "Let me warm you some soup. Grumm made it himself, just for you." Aryah shuffled off nervously, aware of her daughter's accusing eyes.

All Rose could think as she sat herself back up again was that her parents were obviously trying to keep her away from Martin. Her father had never liked him - that she knew for certain. Urran Voh was a peaceful creature and could not comprehend the need for warriors. Perhaps, she thought, if he'd seen Marshank he'd think differently. It had certainly changed her outlook on how peace was to be obtained.

"How long have I been sleeping?" Rose asked when her mother returned. Seemingly relieved at the change of subject, Aryah sat down next to her daughter and held the bowl of soup for her.

"Over half a season, on and off. Luckily we managed to get some soup down you each time you woke up, otherwise you'd have starved to death!" She laughed nervously, keeping an eye on Rose. She was looking into space.

"Thank you, mother." She said eventually. "Can I sleep now? My head's hurting-"

"Yes, of course. Lie down carefully now." Aryah shot up, taking the bowl and easing Rose back down onto the bed in the same movement. "I'll be back to check on you after dinner, dear."

"Thank you." Rose mumbled, pretending to be falling back to sleep. As she heard her mother tiptoeing away she felt wide awake. Ever since her father had mentioned Martin she'd become more and more alert, her mind clearing completely as plans formed in her head. She could not let him go on thinking she was dead, no matter what her parents wanted. Brome was right. Staying in Noonvale was bad.

Despite her busy mind, sleep started to overtake her. It wasn't the drowning sensation of the countless times before - this was a natural, easy, soft slumber which healed her body and gave her a fresh start in the morning. Her dreams were filled with jumbled memories, all of them fighting towards one key moment.

When she finally awoke, one image stayed burned in her eyes. A dusty mouse climbing out of a tunnel at her feet, rubbing sand from his eyes as he spluttered up at her.