Watership down 2 - a new threat

Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Meeting the Conway Family

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the landscape, Hazel and his group stumbled upon a peaceful-looking homestead nestled in a small valley. The house was a modest but well-kept structure surrounded by tall trees, flowering bushes, and a vegetable garden. A faint smell of earth and herbs filled the air, suggesting it was well-loved and tended to.

Hazel and Bigwig exchanged glances, silently agreeing to investigate. After their recent encounters with danger, they were wary of every new place they found, yet something about this house seemed unusually inviting. Moving cautiously, they approached the edge of the garden, alert for any sign of humans or other animals.

"Hello?" Hazel called softly, his voice barely more than a whisper, unsure of whether to expect a welcome or a warning.

From around the side of the house, a young rabbit poked his head out. His fur was a deep gray, with a mischievous glint in his eyes that suggested he was no stranger to trouble. He was soon joined by another rabbit, slightly larger, with a similar coloring but a quieter, watchful demeanor.

"Well, look who wandered into the garden!" said the smaller one, grinning. "The name's Nitro, and this here is Augustus. Who are you folks?"

"We're just travelers, passing through," Hazel replied. "I'm Hazel, and these are my friends, Bigwig, Fiver, and the rest of our group. We're searching for a new place to call home."

"Hmm, a new home, huh?" Augustus mused, his voice carrying a hint of caution. "It's tough out there. We know a thing or two about making it work, even when times get rough."

At that moment, an older rabbit appeared at the doorway of the house. Her gentle face was marked with a touch of weariness, and her eyes held a quiet strength. She seemed both surprised and pleased to see visitors.

"Boys, who do we have here?" she asked in a warm voice.

"Mum, this is Hazel and his crew," Nitro said, bounding over to her side. "They're looking for a new home."

The rabbit introduced herself as Maren, the matriarch of the family. As she welcomed them, the group learned a bit about her story. Maren's mate, Dwight, had disappeared years ago, leaving her to raise their sons alone. Despite the challenges, she had cultivated a strong and supportive home for Nitro and Augustus, teaching them to be resourceful and resilient.

Maren invited them inside the cozy little burrow beneath the roots of an old oak tree nearby, where they sat and shared stories over some of the fresh vegetables Nitro and Augustus had gathered. The warmth and familiarity of the Conway home brought a feeling of comfort to Hazel's group, who hadn't felt this at ease since the journey began.

"What about you all?" Maren asked, her gaze soft and curious. "Where do you come from?"

Hazel shared their journey, from the tragedy at Sandleford to the search for a new warren. They spoke of their vision to find a place where they could live in peace, away from the threats they had faced so far. Maren listened thoughtfully, her sons' expressions changing from amusement to a respectful understanding of the weight the travelers carried.

"Sounds like you're looking for a lot more than just a patch of land," Augustus noted, his voice quiet but steady. "Maybe a fresh start... and maybe even some allies."

"Exactly," Bigwig agreed, giving Augustus an appreciative nod. "It's been one trial after another, and meeting someone who gets that... well, it means a lot."

"Stay here tonight," Maren offered warmly. "There's always room in our little home for good folks like yourselves. Rest, eat, and we'll talk more in the morning about what lies ahead."

The group gratefully accepted her offer, feeling an unusual but welcome sense of safety in the Conway family's company. That night, as they settled down in the cozy burrow, Hazel realized just how much they had needed this moment of peace. The future remained uncertain, but with friends like the Conways, perhaps they weren't as alone as they had feared.

As dawn approached, Nitro and Augustus quietly discussed their next move, wondering if they, too, might join Hazel's quest for a new warren.