[X] A Peace War //OR// A Watership Down Oxymoron

[Lightningstar]

Title: A Peace War //OR// A Watership Down Oxymoron
Chapters: 7
Author: Lightningstar (me!)
Pairing: BigwigxHyzenthlay (maybe more)
Summary: After Hazel-rah's peaceful passing, Bigwig is chosen as Chief Rabbit. With his Owsla at his side, will he stand against the new threat to his peaceful home of Watership Down?
Spoilers: If you haven't read Watership Down, I advise not to read this! It has spoilers for the ending.
Editor: None
Cover: None

Author's Notes: I may or may not continue this story. I just need feedback. I most probably will continue to update, but not very often due to Golden Heather and Blood-Lust. ^^

Chapter #1 - A New Chief

Countless pairs of glittering eyes faced the sky longingly. A large, well-muscled rabbit with a brilliant mane shuffled his position slightly. "Great Lord Frith," he began, "you have called our friend Hazel-rah to join El-hrairah's Owsla, and we hope he will be graciously accepted. We mourn his loss." He lowered his head, and the other rabbits followed.

A long moment of peaceful silence settled over the group as they thought of memories of Hazel. At last, a small rabbit dug his nose into his brother's shoulder. "Bigwig, he's so cold," he stammered.

Bigwig nodded. "His spirit is at peace, Fiver," he assured the other rabbit. "Now go, all of you, and we'll think about a new leader soon." He watched the others resume their daily lives, hopping as cheerfully as they could towards the heart of Watership Down. Only a few remained, standing rigid at the sight of their dead friend's body.

"What shall we do now?" worried a tall, slender buck, his eyes filled with sadness. "We need a new Chief Rabbit. Is there anyone ready for the job?"

"Dandelion, please, do calm down," Bigwig told him. "We'll find another Chief Rabbit in time. If we can't decide upon one ourselves, then Frith may have to point one out to us."

Still, Dandelion was distraught. "How will he do that?" he asked.

Bigwig shook his head. "I don't know. But one way or another, we'll get a new Chief Rabbit." He then turned and retreated for the Honeycomb, the others trailing along behind him.

Campion, the former Owslafa Captain for Efrafa, hopped up to meet them. "Greetings, Bigwig," he said. "I assume Hazel-rah's funeral was sufficient. I'm so sorry I was not there to see it; Blackavar and I were on patrol."

Bigwig smiled. "Of course, my good friend," he replied. "Our Chief's spirit has left this world to join El-hrairah's Owsla." He glanced around at the others. "Go on ahead. I need to speak to Campion."

Blackberry nodded. "Come along, then," he urged the others, hopping off towards the tree that marked the main entrance to the warren.

When at last they were all out of earshot, Bigwig spoke. "We need a new Chief," he reported. "Hazel-rah is gone; he cannot lead us from the skies." He glanced upward gratefully. "It shall be so hard to replace him; no rabbit could have led the warren better than he."

"I've been thinking about that as well," Campion mused. He began lolloping slowly down the hill, Bigwig following. "I've been thinking of a lot of things, lately."

"Like what?" Bigwig was automatically curious.

Campion shrugged. "Like how Watership Down is so different from Efrafa. I remember my days there, as Owslafa Captain. I was loyal to Woundwort, I know… but I truly thought that what he was doing was right. I trusted him to do what was best for the warren- but now that I'm here, Bigwig, I see it all. Woundwort was wrong about Efrafa. No one was happy there; I must admit that at times, I wasn't."

"I'm glad you came here," Bigwig told Campion. "You're Second Captain of Owsla now; and you're doing a great job with it."

"I'm still in shock that you even accepted me, Bigwig," he said. "I can understand Blackavar, Hyzenthlay, and all the other does and bucks, but me and the other Owslafa refugees… why did you let us come here, even when we had followed Woundwort?"

"It was Hazel-rah that accepted you," Bigwig reminded his companion. "And you needn't worry about Woundwort anymore; he is long gone."

The entrance to the warren was just ahead, and Bigwig plunged through it, Campion following behind. As they came closer to the Honeycomb, the sound of rapid chattering reached their ears. It seemed as if the whole warren had gathered there.

"What in Frith's name is going on?" demanded Bigwig as he entered the chamber. The noise slowly died down until it was completely silent.

"We were talking about who our new Chief Rabbit is going to be," Blackberry told him. "And I was thinking, Bigwig- how about a democracy?"

Bigwig was surprised. "What is the meaning of such a word?" he asked in bewilderment.

"I heard it from Kehaar," Blackberry explained. "It means we vote for our new Chief Rabbit."

The other rabbits glanced around and nodded at each other. "Does anyone have any rabbit to nominate?" Blackberry asked them.

"I nominate Blackberry," Bigwig said, raising one paw slightly.

"I second the motion," Campion agreed, also raising his paw.

Blackberry looked stunned. "Me?" he asked in disbelief.

"Blackberry would be an amazing leader!" Pipkin piped up. "He's really smart." He beamed as he raised his own paw.

No one else spoke. At last, Blackberry raised his paw. "I nominate Bigwig."

"Seconded!" Fiver blurted immediately.

"Third," cried Dandelion.

A wave of paws shot up around the Honeycomb. "Then it is decided," Blackberry told the others. "Bigwig is our Chief Rabbit."

A multitude of voices rose from the ground. "Welcome, Chief Bigwig! Welcome, Thlayli-rah!"

Bigwig gazed around in awe. "Thlayli-rah," he murmured, feeling the words slide over his tongue. Then he smiled and opened his mouth wide in a shout. "Thlayli-rah!"

"You must begin your leader duties at once," Campion informed him. "First, Owsla. What will you do with the Owsla?"

My Owsla, Bigwig thought with pride. He glanced around, waiting for silence to come once more. "My first motion as Chief Rabbit is to appoint a new Captain of Owsla," he said confidently, "someone who will aid me in battle and in the making of decisions for our warren."

Most of the rabbits straightened up, trying their best to impress Bigwig. He could easily tell how badly they wanted to be Captain of Owsla, but when he looked at them he saw only all the friends he was likely to choose- Hawkbit, Speedwell, Silver, Campion… he would have chosen them all if he could.

At last, Bigwig spoke. "It would seem likely that I would choose Campion to be Captain of Owsla, since he is indeed Second Captain. But I hope he respects my choice for a different Captain of Owsla." Campion nodded, his eyes shining knowingly as if to say, choose well, Thlayli-rah.

"Blackberry will be the new Captain of Owsla."

Everyone looked around, stunned. Only Campion didn't seem surprised. "A wise choice, Thlayli-rah," he stated.

"Blackberry's the new Captain of Owsla?" Silver demanded, obviously outraged. "Thlayli-rah, why did you choose him when Campion was Second Captain and both Holly and I have had Owsla experience?"

"Are you questioning my judgment?" Bigwig challenged, stepping forward. Silver cowered under his powerful figure.

Blackberry stepped forward defensively. "He has a right to be asking, Thlayli-rah," the other rabbit pointed out. "I myself am curious- why did you choose me to be Captain of Owsla?"

Bigwig nodded. "If you must know," he announced, "I'm strong in battle, but I don't stop to think before I act as often as Blackberry does. He will be my trusted right-paw rabbit, and hopefully make our warren a bigger and better place."

"Then I accept the position with honor," Blackberry said. He looked around. "Everybody clear out; Owsla members meet on the top of the hill." He bounded away, the other rabbits scuttling to their different burrows and sentries.

"Thank Frith that's over with," Bigwig muttered. The Honeycomb was suddenly empty, and he wondered why, even though was Chief Rabbit now, he didn't feel any different. He turned around, looking for the entrance to the Chief's burrow. At last, he spotted it- a small entrance with a shining stone over the arc.

As Bigwig made his way down the long tunnel, he contemplated his leadership. A long time ago, he considered himself too bossy to be leader. But now, now that he was more seasoned… yes, he would make a wise Chief out of himself yet.

The nest that awaited him inside was lush, padded with spongy moss, yet it was unbearably cold. Hazel had slept here once, and his scent still lingered faintly in the air. "Oh, Hazel-rah, why did you have to leave me?" Bigwig murmured, bowing his head.

Have no fear, Thlayli-rah, a far away voice murmured. Bigwig's fur stood up and he listened closer. I'm here, watching. You will lead Watership Down to many great things.

"Yes, Hazel-rah," murmured Bigwig. "I'll try."

[Autumnstorm]

Nice start! That sounded very professional, a lot like the book.

I personally believe that Watership Down is a very difficult book to write fanfics on, but you are doing an excellant job!

[Lightningstar]

Chapter #2 - New Chief, New Threats

As Bigwig emerged from the tangle of passages beneath the tree, he could sense something was astray. He could smell caution on the wind, and sure enough, Silver was racing down the hill towards him. "Thlayli-rah!" he cried, "Blackberry needs you on the hill!"

"What's the problem, Silver?" Bigwig demanded as he raced up the hill.

"Invaders… threats…" Silver huffed between heavy breaths. At last, the two rabbits reached the top of the hill, where the Owsla was spread in a long line, crouched in defense with muscles tensed and fur bristling. Blackberry sat up in the middle of them, facing an unseen enemy.

Bigwig pushed past the line of Owsla and stared at what stood before them. A large tawny-feathered hawk with a broad chest stood in front of Blackberry, his beady black eyes glittering. In a short line behind him were ravens and a couple of kestrels. "Who are you?" Bigwig demanded.

The hawk smirked, ruffling his feathers. "I am Strawk," he squawked. "Who are you?"

"I am Thlayli-rah of Watership Down," replied Bigwig, meeting gazes with the powerful hawk. "This is our land; our warren. What business do you have here?"

"We want your tree and your land," the hawk explained. "Rabbits don't stand a chance against us." He stretched his wings to prove his point. "Give up without a struggle, and you'll be much better off."

Blackberry's ears twitched. "May I ask, Strawk, if we give you our home without a fight, what do we get in return?"

"Your lives," barked Strawk, and the ravens behind him cawed sharply and repeatedly. It took Bigwig a moment to realize that they were laughing. Behind him, Campion shifted, but he held his friend back.

The new Chief Rabbit shook his head. "We will never give up our home," he told the hawk. "We've done that once already." He was referring to the previous home of most of the rabbits; Sandleford Warren. It had been destroyed by humans, and the surviving rabbits had to go on a journey to find their new home.

Strawk let out the same harsh laugh as the ravens. "The forest birds are right," he snickered, "you rabbits are a foolish bunch." He turned his head sharply and thrust his beak towards the biggest kestrel. "Lawlit; the conditions."

The kestrel named Lawlit strutted forward and cleared his throat. "We will give you two days to decide your fate," he announced. "If you should decide to surrender your home, you will be driven out immediately. If you choose to resist, you will most certainly meet a very bloody end." At this, his eyes flashed murderously. "If you cannot decide within the deadline, then we will take your home by force and, if necessary, disposing of you."

Bigwig narrowed his eyes. "Is there any guarantee that you won't kill us if we surrender?"

Lawlit's beak curved into a half-smile. "Aye, you're a very smart rabbit indeed. Well, let's just say that most of you will survive."

"When does our decision time begin?" demanded Blackberry.

"At once," finished Strawk. He glanced around at the ravens and the few kestrels, and then commanded, "fly out!" He himself beat his wings against the air and took flight, spiraling away, his army close behind him.

All was silent. Blackberry and Bigwig were still staring forward in shock, and the whole Owsla loosened their muscles and sat up. "Cripes, Thlayli-rah, what are we going to do?" questioned Dandelion.

Bigwig sighed and turned to face the Owsla. "Go back to the warren," he commanded. "Blackberry and Campion, meet me in my den." The rabbits bounded eagerly down the hill, Bigwig leading them all.

Diving into the Honeycomb, Bigwig went straight for his den. Blackberry and Campion followed him in and the three sat in a triangle, tension forming thickly between them. "Well," Bigwig began, "I'm sure you know what we'll be discussing today."

Campion nodded. "We need to make our decision before those stupid birds kill us all."

"Well, what do we value more; our warren or our lives?" asked Bigwig.

Blackberry frowned and stepped in between the Chief Rabbit and Second Captain of Owsla. "Listen to me," he explained slowly. "We can't be so narrow-minded in this situation. Strawk has given us the decision to keep either our warren or lives, and if we choose to stand against him to keep our warren, no one said that we can't keep our lives as well. We found some way to defeat Woundwort, so we'll find some way to defeat these pests."

Laughing nervously and with a great deal of relief, Bigwig said, "thank Frith I chose you as my Captain of Owsla, Blackberry."

Smiling, Blackberry continued, "so, what do you say? Do we stand against Strawk, or do we give up all we ever worked for to save our tails?"

Bigwig glanced at Campion, then back at Blackberry. "I say we fight," he said. "The rabbits of Watership Down are not cowards."

Campion nodded. "We will never back down to that scum that calls himself a bird!" he vowed.

And so the decision was made. They would stand and fight in a war for peace.