Chasing a Broken Heart

As Martin stared at the magnificent blade in his paws he felt the old memories stirring once more. All the evil, the bloodshed he had seen, he had caused, the tyrannous vermin the warrior mouse had defeated in past seasons. His lost comrades and friends.

In his mind's eye he saw them all, but one face filled his vision. His beloved. Rose. His missing piece.

A silent tear slid down his face as the pain washed over him, he missed her so much, after several seasons she was still the love of his life. The only one he could ever love. Martin sighed heavily as he remembered their first meeting, when she stole his heart forever.

After escaping from the slave cells of Marshank he had just pulled himself out of the tunnel and there she was. Martin was thunderstruck. He remembered the sweet voice when she first spoke. 'You must be Martin.' He had savoured the sound as he stared into her eyes. They were the most gentle hazel eyes to ever reflect starlight. But it was Rose's quiet smile that enthralled Martin most.

Rose had given him a canteen of mint tea. He took a sip and tried to speak. 'Turn b'rosty nose!' Smiling sadly Martin recalled how she had laughed in response like a summer breeze among bluebells as she said 'I beg your pardon?' Martin cleared his throat and answered rather embarrassed 'Sorry. You must be Rose.'

Then came the final battle. And his poor Rose hit the wall like a ragdoll mercilessly killed by Badrang the Tyrant. Martin clenched his paws tight around the sword hilt at the memory.

I killed him, I killed him with my father's sword that he stole from me. I killed the vermin for what he did to Rose, for taking her from me.

Grinding his teeth Martin stood up his sword glinting in the the light of the setting sun. Some of his followers, some vermin scum from his horde might still be out there somewhere. I should go, I need to find them, send them to the Gates of the Dark Forest. With my own paws, so they can never hurt any creature again.

Hatred burned inside him like a wild fire, they had to suffer, all the evil vermin had to die, in Mossflower and beyond.

Martin's eyes were hard and his voice was cold as he spoke aloud to the approaching darkness.

'At sunrise I will set forth, to rid the land of evil and bring death to those who prey upon the weak without mercy, those who have nothing but greed and anger in their black hearts. Even if I go the the Dark Forest with them.'

With that Martin put the sword down beside his bed and went to sleep, longing for morning light and his quest for bloodshed. He closed his eyes and let the darkness engulf him.

Martin opened his eyes he was surrounded by a grey mist. I must be dreaming. Suddenly a figure began emerging from the fog ahead of him. Martin braced himself, ready for a fight. The figure came closer and Martin recognised the lovely mousemaid standing before him.

'R...Rose....' His voice cracked as he said her name. She nodded 'Yes, Martin, its me. But I can't stay long.' Martin was overwhelmed with a bittersweet joy at seeing his lost love once more. 'W....why are....you here...?' He asked shaking slightly afraid to believe what was happening. ' Martin. You mustn't seek out the creatures that fill the land with violence and pain.'

This surprised him. 'But...but surely as a warrior its my duty, its my duty to Redwall to keep them safe, to ......y....you so other innocents are not taken before their time. Why are you trying to stop me?'

Rose replied ' Martin, your duty is to protect creatures from those who would harm them, not seeking to kill the evil creatures to feed your hatred. If you continue down the path of anger you'll end up like the very vermin you set out to destroy. Please Martin stay in Redwall, your friends need you here.'

Martin knew she was right.

' Alright, I'll stay, I'll lay down my sword and become a mouse of peace leaving my warrior legacy for future generations to uphold. But...I miss you Rose, I live in constant pain without you. I love you, I always have.'

Rose came over to him and gently kissed his cheek. She whispered ' I love you too Martin. I'll be waiting for you, at the Gates of the Dark Forest, there we'll be together forever.'

Martin woke up, tears in his eyes. He looked out of his window, and saw a bright red rose, it had bloomed during the night. But it had come out later than the rest. A Laterose. 

Rose........