Who Are You? | Bigwig x OC | A Watership Down Fanfic

Chapter 4: Is It Over Yet?

We were all down in the tunnels. I was dong my best by digging at the soil. It was tough, ice would have been easier to dig through than this dirt. But we continued on. The does behind me made sure the tunnel was easy to get through. 

"Here, let me take over, sister" Hyzenthlay came up behind me. I moved aside and we continued to dig the tunnel together.

The dirt finally gave away and we were able to jump out. Bigwig was there. I let out a sigh as the air was cooler than the hot and stuffy tunnel.

"How long have you been digging?" Bigwig asked.

"All afternoon." Nettle responded.

"What now? What's the plan? We need to move before were spotted." She continued.

"Curse him, flying weasel. Where is he?"

We waited for what seemed like 10 seconds and then Bigwig continued.

"We just have to run for it. Follow me."

We all started running after Bigwig. But then a large group of Efrafans showed up in front of us.

"No!" One of the does said.

"Thlayli, what's going on here?"

"There was a collapse in one of the tunnels due to the dry weather. I moved these does out here in case there was another."

"On whose authority?" 

"No one's authority, I heard cries for help and I acted."

"Wake up, Thlayli! You've been tricked!"  They finished. I lowered my head starting to accept that our fate was death in this stupid warren.

"Take these does down to the deep burrows!" The buck ordered.

Hyzenthlay ran forward to attack the buck but was pinned down by a buck.

"I will be watching you, Thlayli, and Frith help you, when Captain Orchis hears of this." The buck said giving Bigwig a threatening glare.

With that all the bucks circled us and lead us away, sometimes giving an unnecessary shove.

{__}_Time skip {__}

I laid down under the hot sun, the only one who seemed to not be affected by it was Clover. Going over to Hyzenthlay, they started talking about stuff I didn't bother to try and hear.

"Listen to me all of you!" Hyzenthlay spoke up. All of us lifted our heads to listen.

"My stay of execution ends today. Before they take me I want you to promise me one thing.. Stop fighting. They will always win." I was surprised by that, it would have been the last thing I'd expect Hyzenthlay to say.

"But ,sister, we must keep-"

"You all keep hoping for the winds to stop blowing, when instead you should learn to steel yourself against them." She interrupted

"Don't give up yet. There's still hope."

"Hey, you, Hyzenthlay." A buck spoke as soon as Clover finished the sentence.

"Captain Orchis wishes to see you." 

"There you go again with your hope, Clover. In Efrafa, hope is your enemy." Hyzenthlay said

"Don't worry Clover, we can get through this." I said to Clover. 

"Now, it has come to my attention that some of you have been singing.. Anyone caught doing this will face severe punishment." The buck warned

I saw my world turn black for a few moments. When I was able to open my eyes. I  saw Nettle and Clover standing over me. "What will become of us without Hyzenthlay? Without her to lead us, were done for." A doe said coming over.

Clover gave me one last glance before walking over to the large buck that supervised us. 

"I need to see the General."

"No." He responded simply.

"I am the hutch rabbit with the ear of General Woundwort." She spoke. The guard then let her through.

"What do we do about Hyzenthlay? They'll kill her before Frith-down. If she dies, we don't just loose a sister, we loose any chance of ever getting out of this place." The doe next to be explained.

"I'll think of something.."

It was at this point that every doe was laying down, it was when I decided to step up for them all. In hopes of being heard. I used all of my stiff muscles

"I hope 10,000 times. You tell me the truth." I began to sing loudly, Clover looked up at me. 

I stood up straight using every stiff muscle in my body, holding my eyes shut, I was going to loose myself into song and it would be worth it.. No matter the price. 

( This bit is just the song so you can skip it. )

"Cause' now there's much to do."
"I trust in you."

"I shall be free."

"I feel the whole Earth shake."
"Brought to my knees."
"Although 10,000 strong."

"I shall be free."
"I shall be free."
"I shall be free."

"I hear the sweetest sound."
"Blowin' from the north."
"It says 'Don't panic now'"
"What's mine is yours."

I paused for a moment.

"I hear the sweetest sound."
"Blowin' from the north."
"It says 'Don't panic now'"
"What's mine is yours." I continued. 

"I hope 10,000 times. You tell me the truth."

"Cause' now there's much to do."

"I trust in you."

(Alright you're good)

The does stood up chanting 'We shall be free'

"I shall be free." I sung and finally opened my eyes.

"I'm ordering you."

The chanting got louder as I sung my last phrases of the song.

"Stop this now!" He was cornered and seemed to be scared.

We all stopped and Clover gave us all a quick glance. "We shall be free." She said raising her head.

This was our time, our time to rise and fight. I was made for this, for survival, for finding strength in the hardest times, and making use of everything around us. 

Another guard came in the other's place. I guess our time wasn't as close as we thought..

"I'm going to see to it that every single one of you is punished." The guard looked behind them and suddenly there were sounds of fighting.

The guard's body was hung over the ledge. I lifted my head a bit.

Bigwig appeared and looked at us all, giving me the longest glance. "Fancy coming out for a stroll?"

A smile appeared on my face and we all managed to climb out. We ran, even though I felt like if I continued for longer I would pass out or worse, die.. But I managed and continued.
When we reached the road I laid down. One of the does helped me up. 

We all turned to go back. but we were surrounded by Efrafans.

General Woundwort came forward. "So, we finally meet, Thlayli."

"They told me you weren't a fighter, but I know a fighter when I see one."

"I'm going to take great pleasure in killing you."

That sentence filled my little body with rage. How I would love to rip out those ears and shove them down his throat. Lowering my stance, it showed that I was ready for a fight. And by Frith I was going to knock them down.