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

Chapter 5: Freedom and Love

As General Woundwort leaped his front paws up to attack, I couldn't help myself but launch forward, "Keres!" Bigwig shouted after me. General Woundwort was pushed down and I gave him a good scratch before he managed to push me off.  

He stared at me with a blank expression. He leaped forward to attack, but then was taken by some giant bird. Lowering my ears, I ran back towards Bigwig. I looked around as all the bucks of General Woundwort started panicking. All of a sudden a large bird started flying around. "Oh Frith.."  I mumbled.
 
 "The scoundrel came back!" Bigwig cheered as General Woundwort was lying on the ground. "Kehaar!" Hazel said happily. What in the Frith was going on?! I thought glancing around. The only rabbits who weren't yelling in fear was our group.

"Quick! Everyone follow me!" Hazel ordered and we started running, only to be blocked by an Efrafan.

"Go go!" The bird shouted to us removing the Efrafan. We continued running, I was by Bigwig. "What is going on?!" I shouted to him scared the rabbit that could get easily taken away was me since I was just about the size of Fiver.

"I'll explain everything, I promise." He assured and ran faster with the group. "Rabbit of Inle, just take me now" I cursed under my breath before speeding up.                                                                                                                                               
In the front they were talking about something, but I couldn't hear it. "Head for the bridge!" Hazel shouted to everyone. When we reached there I went to the far side on the hill. I wanted to be alone for a moment, think about everything that has happened to me.

First, I hear of Clover seeing a rabbit, I save Bigwig from a cat at the farm, I get trapped in a hutch, escape the hutch, get kidnapped by Efrafans with Clover, loose all sense of courage in there, somehow escape and now I'm sitting here under the stars again?! 

It was a lot to comprehend. "You all right?" A voice said startling me. I looked over and saw it was Bigwig. I shook my head. "I'm not, it's a lot for me to think about. Like I used to be running under the stars, free to to roam where I wanted when I wanted. Then, I felt like I could be ripped to shreds by a fox if I moved a muscle in Efrafa." I explained

"I don't think we could compare to your old life, but I can promise a better life. And probably a much safer one." he said with a light chuckle. I smiled, I sat down and looked up at the moon. 

"Thank you, Bigwig." I said not glancing away. 

"For what?"

"For everything.." I spoke laying down. I closed my eyes. "Goodnight." I said before dozing off.

Bigwig's POV

I was shocked by what Keres said, and I felt that same stupid feeling again. By the time I managed to find my voice, Keres had already laid down to sleep. I just decided to lay down as well. 

Sleeping under the stars did feel different, but no elil could try and come so close to the humans. It was safe. However, I debated it being from Keres' presence or the fact I knew it was safe.
 
{__}_Time skip {__}

Keres' POV

I woke up early, the sky only started to turn a lighter shade as the stars slowly disappeared. I could hear a soft breathing, looking over, I saw Bigwig. Which startled me, I heard Hazel calling for Bigwig. 

"Hey, get up sleepy-head." I said with a small chuckle, I got up and left the area going over to where everyone seemed to be gathered by. That great bird still was here on top of the hill. 

'Someone seriously has to explain that..' I thought to myself.

Reaching over to the does and Clover I sat down and started to chat with them, eventually Clover got up and went to where Hazel, Bigwig, and the bird were. Me and the other does continued to chat.

"How is it like being free?" I asked them, almost instantly they all said words which mostly sounded like 'Amazing' 'Beautiful' and other things along those lines.

I let out a small laugh, "I don't think we could have gotten luckier."  Looking around, I saw most of the rabbits looking happy.

All of a sudden the bird flew up, made a circle and flew right over us does. Out of instinct, I managed to claw a bit of the bird's tail feather. 

Everyone started to gather around, they were waiting for Hazel's order since the bird had left.

And then Hazel started to speak, "My name is Hazel."

"And I am Chief Rabbit of your new home. I know it will take time to earn your trust, and hopefully your friendship. But it is a privilege for me to do so... And to serve each and every one of you, both old and new."

 "You have fought so hard to earn your freedom. But now you must fight to keep it. Because the battle for liberty is one which has no end... And, if we fall fighting, if we stop running."

"Then at least we knew what is was like to run."

"I stand here, not asking you to follow me.. But to follow each other, lets help raise each other to our strongest selves."

"Let's go home.."

And with that, we all made our way back to the warren. It had taken many days but each and every one of us knew it would it would be worth it.


Long weekend = Chapters can be made quicker now!