Watership Down - Blueberry's Tale, Chapter 17

By Skipai (c) 2009-Present

Chapter 17 - Prisoner of Efrafa

Authors Note: This is a clean fanfiction story written in the Watership Down universe. There are some scenes of natural violence, ie. predators hunting prey. Watership Down is copyrighted to Richard Adams. All world, references etc is copyrighted to Richard Adams.

This story was written during Nanowrimo 2005 and comprises of twenty chapters, however for the time being I'm only uploading the first chapter to see whether or not there is any interest for a clean fanfiction story posted on here by readers and of course this will be quite different to my usual written works on here.

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The journey back to Efrafa was a very quiet affair, the whole patrol could sense the anger that was welling up from within Woundwort that most had subconsciously backed away from their leader as the outskirts of Efrafa approached. Nothing was said as they made their way past the first line of sentries before stopping in an empty field.

Blueberry came to a stop and began to rest with the others as he saw Woundwort talk again with Campion, Chervil and Vervain. Shrugging slightly, he went back to having something to eat, the cool wet grass was good to his dry throat. Arrowroot was doing the same next to him as the patrol was quiet.

Eventually Woundwort coughed as he stood up onto his hind legs and began to speak. "I want nothing of this spoken of to anyone else in the warren. You will keep this from becoming well known fact as long as you can. Campion here will be sorting out which patrols will be heading out to search for those rabbits and find out if they have a warren or not. We will get our rabbits back, mark my words on that."

Blueberry nodded his head as he saw Campion look at him before noticing that while Woundwort was talking that a few rabbits had moved behind him and now that he had two moved alongside him. Woundwort nodded back. "And that now turns to you, Blueberry."

Blueberry blinked as he looked back at Woundwort. "I don't follow you sir?" He tried to move but felt two paws pressing onto his sides as Woundwort hopped over towards him. "You don't follow? Well, let me explain it to you then. Your two friends were part of the lot that escaped from this warren. What do you know about it?"

"I don't know anything about it at all sir." Blueberry replied back as he saw Woundwort come within one or two hops in front of him and sat down. "Oh? Is that so. Are you trying to tell me that you were so blind as to not know what your friends were planning while you were in the same burrow as them?" Woundwort frowned as he turned his head back towards Vervain. "And I was informed that during the chase you paused for a moment as though you were helping them." He moved his gaze back again towards Blueberry.

Blueberry gave a quick look at the smug look of Vervain before turning his view back again to the frowning look of Woundwort as he replied back. "Sir, I did not know what was going on at all. I am surprised as you are with this whole thing. I paused because I was trained to do so when approaching a hedge by my last warren captain of owsla, that's all."

Woundwort nodded his head. "Well, that explains it then." He turned to Vervain and frowned. "He was just being cautious, that's all." He hopped back and turned around when he reached where he was before. "However, I have known Vervain longer than you so I am putting you until his capable paws for the time being." He turned his head around to face Vervain. "You have until Fu-Inle comes again to see if he is lying or not." He turned to the other three. "You will guard him for the time being. Take him away."

Blueberry resigned himself as he felt the other rabbits pushing him towards the warren with Vervain in front, looking rather important as Blueberry gave a frown in his general direction. Slowly he felt himself slip down under the ground as he followed Vervain to another part of the warren where he came to a stop. Looking about he blinked. "I don't know about this part...?"

Vervain smiled. "Oh you wouldn't know about this part of the warren, only those that have been really naughty get to be in here, you see you're now under owslafa control and these are their prison burrows. Get inside." Vervain nudged his own head to the side and Blueberry moved forwards a bit before looking into the small burrow. Pausing he looked at Vervain before slipping inside as he sat down.

Blueberry saw Vervain look into the burrow for a moment with that smug grin on his face. "Right, shall we begin." He slowly came in with another rabbit that Blueberry didn't know as Vervain sat down. "Tell me what you know about Bigwig's plan on escaping and where have they gone to?"

Frowning, Blueberry replied back. "I don't know, if you were listening up above when I told the General what I had said, you would know that." Blueberry moved just in time as the other rabbit had took a wing at him with his paw and felt the sharp claws rake through the side of his head, leaving a mark. Vervain frowned. "You lie, now let's start again shall we?"

It was much later that Vervain frowned as he turned to leave the burrow. "Right, time for us to have a rest. He's not to leave this burrow at all, understood." He saw the two rabbits outside nod as both Vervain and the buck with him left, leaving Blueberry frowning at the back of the burrow.

Settling down onto the floow of the burrow, Blueberry wondered how long it was that he had been down here answering the same questions over and over again to Vervain who just couldn't grasp what he was saying. Ignoring the pain from the various cuts on his body, Blueberry slowly closed his eyes and took whatever rest that he had.

Blueberry was woken up again by a kick in the nose as Vervain was sitting there looking smug again. "Right, I hope that you're going to be a lot more co-operative this time around. Where has Hawk and Carbi gone to?"

Taking a deep breath, Blueberry let it out slowly as he replied back. "I told you everything that I had to tell you, there isn't anything else that I can tell you." He paused and looked at Vervain. "That's unless you want me to lie so that you can get back in favour again."

Vervain lashed out as he growled. "How dare you. I was born an Efrafan and you weren't. Your friends have run off with that traitor Bigwig and you're left behind. I don't trust you at all. I should have you killed right this instance."

There was a cough from behind as Vervain turned around to see Campion sitting there. "That's enough Vervain, I believe he's saying the truth." Vervain spluttered. "But it isn't time yet, I have more time to get things out of him." Campion shook his head back. "Woundwort has grown impatient of your lack of skills." Campion ignored Vervain as he looked at Blueberry. "Come, the council wishes to see you, there you face whatever judgement they see fit to give you."

Blueberry got up and winced from the pain that he had from the night before as he slipped past Vervain who turned to follow but Campion shook his head at him. "No, you're not wanted, go back to your normal duties Vervain." Blueberry saw the look of disgust coming from him but didn't respond to it, instead he turned his head back to Campion again as they carried on walking along the run.

After a time, Blueberry broke the silence. "So what do you think?" He turned his head to face Campion. "Do you think that I have done wrong here?" He moved his head back again as Campion replied back. "That isn't for me to decide but for the General." He paused for a moment and shook his head. "I haven't a clue if you did wrong or not, don't think I want to know either. Not that I will admit that though." He remained quiet again and Blueberry didn't press the issue.

Eventually Blueberry and Campion arrived at the large burrow where the council resided and looked inside as he felt Campion pushing him in. Looking about he could see that Woundwort was lying there in the middle again, several scratch marks were just in front of him as the big buck kept flexing his claws. "Well." Woundwort said in a low voice. "I take it that you still say that you are innocent, even after what Vervain and his officers did to you." He gave Blueberry a long look and shook his head.

Blueberry didn't respond and Campion gave a frown. "Well, come on, answer?" He ordered as he pushed Blueberry to the side with his front paws. Blueberry blinked and nodded his head. "I said what I told you before sir. I knew nothing about what was going on at all." He paused for a moment in thought. "How could I when me and Hawk split up on duties. They would've had enough time to plan things while I was away on duty."

One of the older rabbits to the right of Woundwort nodded his head. "Be as it may, you still delayed in going through the hedge, why?" Blueberry could see that all of the council was looking at him as he gave his reply. "Sir." Blueberry said calmly. "At my old waren under the guideance of my owsla training with Captain Sando, Captain Bracken I was always told that you had to check that no elil was hiding inside the hedge or that man hadn't left a snare. I didn't hesitate on purpose but it was something automatic response on seeing the hedge. I did slow down on all the hedges but..."

Woundwort spoke now. "But what?"

Blueberry blinked back. "But I suppose the last one before we reached the river, sir was the one that Vervain was looking at me." He looked down to the floor and slowly raised his head back up again. "I don't feel any anger sir, he made a mistake. I would rather just move on. I would've thought the same if I didn't know all of the facts."

Blueberry blinked as there was silence for a moment as Woundwort got up. "Very well, we will come to a decision soon, you wait here." Without saying another word he and the rest of the council left the burrow leaving Blueberry with Campion and a few other rabbits that were there guarding the place.

Lying down on the floor, Blueberry began to think on what was happening again with his two friends, there was a lot of questions in his head as to where they went, the only thing he could see was Hawk and Carbi looking over the edge of what they were on as they moved out of sight. He tensed up as he gave sigh, then looked about quickly but no one said anything about it and he relaxed again.

It was a short while and Blueberry nearly fell asleep but was nudged by Campion as he noticed then that the rabbits were coming back down the run and got up to his sitting position again. Woundwort came out slowly and made his way back to his seat followed by the rest of the council who sat down at either end.

Blueberry blinked as he listened to what Woundwort had to say. "We have come to a decision on this matter." He began while looking at Blueberry at all times. "That we find you in need of more training in our ways, therefore we do not believe that you are involved in this conspiracy to escape from this warren." Blueberry relaxed as Woundwort carried on. "However, if it is found out that you have lied to us and that you were involved it is the decision of this council that you will be put to death, immediately."

Blueberry nodded his head but he heard another rabbit alongside of Woundwort speak up. "And we have decide that you cannot leave Efrafa, there will be no wide patrols for you until this matter is dealt with, the warren found or that we find all the rabbits that did escape."

Blueberry nodded his head again as Woundwort spoke. "Campion, please take him back to his duties. Make sure that he has someone with him at all times from now on, then you will come back here with your patrol, we have decided on where you should send your patrol next."

Campion nodded his head and nudged Blueberry so that he turned and started to head out. Blueberry felt relieved as he headed back down the runs again and spoke. "You know, Vervain isn't going to like this, I don't want anymore hassle from him." He frowned. "I don't think I want to meet him right now either."

Campion replied back. "Don't worry, he's on patrol with me, he shouldn't be around for a day or two." He paused for a moment in thought before adding. "I do hope you weren't involved in this matter though. We've lost a lot of good officers already, we can't afford to lose anymore, especially those who would be a traitor."

"I understand." Blueberry said as they approached Captain Avens. "He's been found not guilty on the charges." Campion said as he allowed Blueberry to settle down next to him. "However, the council informs that he is not to be left alone and that another officer should be with him at all times. He's not to leave the warren or go past the sentry line for any reason. You understand?"

Captain Avens nodded his head. "Is there any news on when I be getting another captain to help, what after Chervil being killed and all?" He saw Campion shaking his head on the matter and sighed. "Well, could you inform them that we do need another captain here as soon as possible, we're beginning to get overstretched what with all the good officers being taken ill or being killed on those patrols of yours?" He paused as he looked at Campion. "Don't tell me, you're taking a few of my officers on another patrol again, aren't you?"

Campion nodded his head as he replied. "Don't worry, I am only taking Vervain from this mark. You're only losing one this time around. Speaking of which, where is Vervain, he's needed by the council?"

Captain Avens replied back. "He's in his burrow." He saw Campion nod his head and turned to go, leaving Blueberry with Avens. "So, Blueberry, you're to report as normal on the next silflay which is at Fu-Inle, understood?"

Blueberry nodded his head. "Yes sir. May I enquire who will be with me from now on?" He looked about as he looked back at Captain Avens. "And is it possible for us to go to him before captain Campion returns through here?"

Captain Avens thought for a moment and nodded his head. "Yes, I think that would be wise considering the circumstances." He turned around. "Well, follow me, we may as well put you back with Arrowroot again, he should be in his burrow."

They both found Arrowroot dozing in his burrow as Captain Avens coughed and stamped at the ground with his back leg twice. Seeing Arrowroot wake up he coughed again. "Ah, good, you're awake. You have a new burrow companion. You're under orders to go wherever he goes. Council orders, understand the orders?"

Arrowroot nodded with a yawn. "Yes sir." He closed his eyes again and dozed back off. Captain Avens smiled. "He has the right idea, you will be up for most of the night so try and get some rest as well. Now if you excuse me." He turned and hopped off. "I have someone waiting for me in my burrow." Captain Avens disappeared down the run as Blueberry ventured into the burrow, being careful as to not disturb the other rabbit.

It was a long while before Blueberry could settle down to doze off, each time he tried to find a comfortable position he was reminded from the bruises he got from Vervain, who always kept sneering at him whenever he closed his eyes. Nonetheless, Blueberry did drift off when his thoughts moved back to his friends again.

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Arrowroot woke Blueberry up as he nudged him a few times with his paw. "Come on, wake up. It's time for heading up for duty." Blueberry slowly opened his eyes and yawned. Lifting up his head, Blueberry nodded. "Okay, I am up." Blueberry moved his paws to rub out any sleep that had formed over in the corner of his eye.

Both rabbits moved out of the burrow together as they made their way down the run in the general direction of where most rabbits were slowly starting to wake up again so that they could go up to silflay.

They found Captain Avens looking rather worried as they approached him. He smiled and nodded. "Ah good, could you go up and get into position please. You're on the entry of the mark again." Arrowroot nodded his head before asking. "Is there anything wrong sir?"

Captain Avens shook his head back. "No, nothing much wrong at all, this is just becoming more troublesome that's all what with losing good quality officers on these patrols." He gave a frown at Blueberry. "This escape that happened has made a few in the mark have become a lot bolder these days. It's only a matter of time before someone else tries it and with losing officers..." He stopped and coughed. "Anyways, just make sure you're on the look out for anything suspicious, the council doesn't want anymore incidents."

Blueberry and Arrowroot made their way back up to the top again as they both took their position at the side of the opening and sat down. There were a few other rabbits up and about as Blueberry looked about. "Where's Cnicus? Shouldn't he be up by now?"

Arrowroot sighed as he replied back with a quiet voice. "Cnicus didn't make it back on the last patrol, it was reported that a weasel got him." He looked back up again and frowned. "It seems our luck has gone downhill ever since that traitorous Bigwig left." Arrowroot flicked an ear and frowned. "We talk later." He looked at the first rabbit to come up to silflay as both rabbits began to take notice on who has come up.

Blueberry saw Tacca come out of the run and he sneered at Blueberry. "Hello sir, heard you had a bit of trouble." He sniggered and hopped off, leaving Blueberry to frown in Tacca's direction. After all of the rabbits had come up, Arrowroot turned his head to face Blueberry. "Ignore him, he's just enjoying the fact that you got beaten up."

Blueberry muttered under his breath. "The little whelp won't know what hit him if he doesn't back off." He could feel his claws digging into the dirt but then relaxed with a sigh. "Don't worry, I won't start anything but I think I'll keep an eye on Tacca, something about him that I don't like."

Arrowroot turned his head towards where Tacca was talking to a few others and nodded his head. "Want to split them up?" Blueberry shook his head. "No, there be no point to it. It would only set Tacca off again."

Captain Avens hopped over and looked where the two others were looking. "So what's wrong?" He asked as he sat down. Blueberry sighed. "It's Tacca, gave a snide comment to me and now he's talking to that group about something." Captain Avens frowned. "Oh is that so, well they can break it up." Without saying another word he headed off towards them, Blueberry meanwhile had a smug look on his face as he saw Tacca getting told off by Captain Avens.