Some Try, Brisbys Do

The Council

Justin, Mr. Ages, Kristy and Elizabeth stepped into the lantern, going through the water. Mr. Ages turned to Justin remember what he was doing in the first place.

"Oh yes. Why did you send for me?"

"It's Jenner", Justin answered. "He's at it again."

"Not Jenner", Kristy sighed. "Whatever happened to him? He used to respect Nicodemus."

"He's before the Council now", he added. "This time he's attacking Nicodemus openly."

"And the Plan, no doubt", Mr. Ages nodded.

"Nothing will come of it", Justin reassured. "It'll pass."

"I hope so", Kristy sighed.

Mr. Ages shook his head and looked at Justin.

"Beware, boy, he's dangerous", he said. "Jenner will be the undoing of the Rats of NIMH."

Kristy silently gasped as she looked at Justin. She knew Jenner was dangerous. She hoped with all her heart he wouldn't do anything to hurt Justin. The lantern reached the floor. They stepped out after the water drained.

"I'm sorry to come at such a bad time", Elizabeth said her head lowering. "I suppose..."

"No, sweet lady", Justin sweetly answered as he gently lifted up her chin. "You are welcome here. We tend to take ourselves a bit too seriously."

Kristy glared in jealousy as she watched Elizabeth smile at Justin like a young schoolgirl. Justin took Elizabeth's hand and helped her out of the lantern. What was going on? If he was trying to be chivalrous, he was doing too well of a job. He kept his eyes on Elizabeth and smiled as they walked.

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They walked to the council chamber. Apparently, there was an argument because everyone could hear voices yelling from outside the door.

"The Plan is nothing but folly!" Jenner said. "A doddering old fool's fantasy! Nicodemus would have us destroy this colony only to lead us to starvation in some wilderness!"

"Good old Jenner", Justin sarcastically said.

"Wait, listen", Mr. Ages said pressing his ear against the door.

They listened as the rats argued back and forth. Jenner started waging ideas to stay in the rose bush and continue to steal from humans. When the council pointed out they'd be discovered sooner or later, Jenner came up with the idea... to destroy humans?

"What is he talking about?" Kristy asked.

"We won't know unless we find out", Justin said pulling Mr. Ages away from the door and stepping inside.

They stepped inside to see Jenner trying to appeal to the council.

"Hear me! The Thorn Valley Plan is the aspiration of idiots and dreamers! We..."

Jenner turned to see Justin and chuckled.

"We were just talking about you", he said.

"That's refreshing, Jenner", Justin said. "Usually you're screaming about us."

Kristy, along with the council laughed. Jenner rolled his eyes until he spotted Elizabeth.

"Who is that?" he asked. "You know the rules, there are no visitors allowed here!"

"May I present Mrs. Jonathan Brisby", Justin smiled revealing her to the council.

"She's my sister-in-law", Kristy mentioned.

"She's not one of us", Jenner said. "What's the meaning of this?"

The council started grumbling ignoring Elizabeth, wanting to get back to business. Elizabeth frowned worried until Mr. Ages spoke up.

"Wait, wait! She has been to see the Great Owl! He has told her that we could move the Brisby home to safety."

"Her home was Jonathan's home", Justin said.

"It's my home too", Kristy said. "I live there too."

"We have urgent problems of our own", Sullivan, Jenner's right-hand man said. "Let the lower creatures fend for themselves!"

Another argument broke out between the council. Elizabeth looked around scared that the rats would refuse to help. They were her last hope. Jenner approached Sullivan and began whispering. No one could tell what they were saying, but they knew it couldn't be good. Jenner turned and approached Elizabeth, meeting her eye level on one knee.

"Mrs. Brisby, thousand pardons, my dear!" he said. "Forgive the ill temper of my colleague. It would be an honor to assist Jonathan's widow in any way. We are but your humble servants."

"Th-thank you", Elizabeth stuttered.

The council smiled as they came to an agreement to help her. Mr. Ages looked at Jenner suspicious of his sudden change in attitude.

"He's up to something", he said. "Take Mrs. Brisby to the library. We'll approach Nicodemus when the meeting's over."