On the way to Redwall Abbey

[Ragnar Lodbrock]

Feeling someone lift him up, William slowly came to his senses. He sat up as the stranger; at least to him, helped him to a sitting position. Shaking his head slightly, he wasn't sure exactly what happened, and why he was sitting on the ground. Speaking up he said, "Why am I on the floor?"

Feeling and hearing his stomach gurgle, he laughed and said "Oh.... I guess that's why. This thing has happened to me before. I really do need to eat, even when I'm traveling. That's something I'm going to have to work on."

[carabadgermum]

Heads had turned all around the hall when the big badger went down and Saol jumped up from her seat and rushed over to make sure that the newcomer was alright. "Burr Hurr you'm be hurted, zurr?" she asked him as he came around. "Oi bee, Abbess Saol. You'm cum an' 'ave a seat at ee table an we'll bring ee sumat noice to eat, Burr aye." She stopped a passing hedgehogmaid and asked her to get a large portion of food for their guest.

Gemma grinned as she remembered William's famous appetite. She helped him to his foot paws as best she could since she was still holding his paw and warned the Abbess, "Watch out for this one Marm. He can put away scoff like a hare. Especially now as . . ." she turned to William "how long has it been since you had a good meal?"

Lois stepped a pace back. She was feeling embarrassed again at the feeling this creature had evoked in her earlier. There was obviously something between him and this other female, Gemma.

[Wolfie]

After making sure that William was going to be alright, Osiah went over and put a comforting paw on her shoulder when he noticed her discomfort. What's the matter, Sissy?

[carabadgermum]

Lois was startled by the touch of her brother's paw. "I . . . Er, nothing. I just need to check on Damson and Diggory," she said quickly. "Excuse me," she said to the other beasts and hurried out of the hall towards the dibbuns dormitory.

[Wolfie]

Osiah tilted his head curiously and shrugged. He'd ask her again later and make her tell him what was wrong. He knew something was up and didn't like his sister being upset. He looked around the hall and eventually watched Gemma curiously.

[Ragnar Lodbrock]

William laughed again as everyone was trying to help him up, and chuckling he said "Enough, I'm a big lad, I know how to stand up." Then as the abbess spoke to him, he regained his composure and said, "I'll be alright my lady, though I will take up your offer for a meal."

Then giving a cheeky grin to Gemma he said, "Ah don't listen to her, it's only been five days since I've had some food." So he walked over to an open spot at the table and sat down. He then said to Saol, "My lady abbess, I originally came here for another reason. I would like to offer my sword to the protection of this great hall."

[carabadgermum]

"You'm cum at ee roight toim, zurr. Oi'll accept ee offer if'n ee will eat an' get ee strength oop. hurr hurr." Saol said the last bit with a laugh "Wot bees yur name, zurr? An' yurz mizz?" She addressed the second question to Gemma.

Gemma primped a bit in the presence of a great creature like the Abbess who did exude the power of her position even though her age was a bit of a shock. She looked around before she answered the molemaid's question waiting for William to speak to her first. She had seen the other male badger out of the corner of her eye and now got a good look at him. He was very young but cute in his own way, looking at her curiously. She smiled at him.

[Wolfie]

Osiah blushed lightly and smiled back shyly. He wasn't used to being around female badgers except his sister, so he wasn't sure of what to say or do.

[Ragnar Lodbrock]

"Aye, I will get my strength up. I have been remiss, my name is William Brock. Tis a pleasure to meet you."

Picking up some of the food that was put infront of him he began to put it back. Then turing to the beast next to him he said, "This is great food. My compliments to the chef."

[carabadgermum]

Gemma turned back to the little molemaid and addressed her politely, "I'm Gemma, Ma'am, Gemma Stripesong. I came here to meet up with my theater troupe and I'm afraid I've gotten here ahead of them."

"Oi, remember you'm, burr aye," the abbess interrupted her. "Oi 'eard you'm zing sum gurt zongs las tiome ee was 'ere at ee h'abbey." Saol was clearly excited that the strolling players who had come to entertain when she was but a dibbun would be here once again. "Oi 'ope ee rest ov ee troupe will bee 'ere in toime for ee mid winter feast?"

"I hope so too." Gemma said with a half worried smile but she cheered up again right away. "If you say the word feast loud enough I'm sure Florian will here and come running."

The Abbess clapped her digging claws together and grinned. "Oi do loike ee 'are beast that sings ee bath toime song!"

[Ragnar Lodbrock]

Filling up another plate of food, William began to feel his strength comming back. He was in such a happy mood after having a meal. He wanted to sing a song, one from when he was a child. It was a song all badgers should know, hoping Gemma, Lois, and Osiah would join in... William started off by saying, "Gather round dibbuns and everyone, I have a tale to tell ye all. Gemma, Lois, I bet ye lasses know this song as well, and the badger who lifted me up, I didn't get your name. I'd like for all of ye to join me."

He then proceeded to start singing, with his booming bass voice.

To the Badger's ancient realm,
Proud Ungatt's armies came;
To sap our freedom and overwhelm
Our martial forces in shame.
"It shall not be" brave Brocktree cried!
"It shall not be" his chiefs relied!
By the name our fathers gave her,
Our steel shall drink the crimson stream,
We'll all her dearest right redeem,
Our own broadswords shall save her.
With hopes of triumph flush'd,
The squadrons hurried o'er
The sand, and heaving rush'd
Like wild waves to the shore.
"They come, they come" was the gallant cry,
"They come, they come" was the loud reply.
O strength thou gracious giver,
By love and freedoms stainless faith,
We'll dare the darkest night of death,
We'll drive them back forever.

All o'er the waving broom,
In chivalry and grace,
Shone Ungatt's radiant spear and plume
By Salamandastron's rocky base.
And stretching far beneath the view,
Proud Brocktree, thy banners flew.
When like a torrent rushing,
O God! from right and left the flame,
Of Badger swords like lightning came,
Great Ungatt's hordes crushing.

High praise, ye gallant band,
Who in the face of day,
With daring hearts and fearless hands
Have cast your chains away.
The foemen fell on ev'ry side,
In crimson hues the Forth was dyed.
Bedew'd with blood the heather,
While cries triumphant shook the air,
Thus shall we do, shall we dare,
Wherever Badgers gather.

It was a song about victory, and William sensed that there were going to be perilous times comming, because of the Abbess' words to him "You'm cum at ee roight toim, zurr". He assumed the beasts of the abbey would like some reassurance, and to let the dibbuns hear of the story of Lord Brocktree, the greatest Badger Lord there ever was.

(I took an old Scottish song, since William talks with a sort of Scottish accent, and modifyed it a bit. I thought it fit perfectly with the recapturing of Salamandastron by Lord Brocktree and the death of Ungatt Trunn. And yes... all of the songs except the first one I sang on here were Scottish songs. I love em.)

[carabadgermum]

((I love the songs you've brought in I only wish I knew the tunes that go along with them.))

Gemma knew it alright. It was one of her father's favorites. She sang out lustily, falling naturally into the alto harmony. There were some songs that she had sung the harmony part so often that she didn't really remember the melody. Singing in harmony was a gift for Gemma. She could find a part to go along with almost anything.
As she sang she walked among the tables smiling at them patting a dibbun on the head here, cuffing a grown creature playfully on the shoulder there. She knew how to work an audience. It came from performing almost all her life.
As the song ended she turned to look at William and clapped along with the rest of them.

Lois was at the top of the stairs when the song began. She knew it also and thought about returning to sing along even though there wasn't much to be said for her singing voice. But then she heard Gemma's voice blend so perfectly with Williams as they rose up together to the place where she stood on the landing and knew she would feel out of place if she stayed. She continued on her way up to the dibbuns dormitory.

[Ragnar Lodbrock]

"I hope ye all enjoyed that. I haven't sang that song in a very long time. There'll be plenty of more singing for ya, I just need to think of some first." He gave a hearty laugh, holding his belly with his paw. Then picking up a slice of blackberry and apple cake, he gobbled it up and washed it down with some strawberry fizz. The feast was truely delicious, though he wished Lois had joined in with the singing... Perhaps she was busy with some other things.

He found it amazing, he had only just met everyone here with the exception of Gemma and yet it was as though everyone was like a family member. Turning back to Abbess Saol, he said. "Ma'am, I have eaten my fill. If ye make feasts like this often, I shall never feel my strength weakened again."

He really wanted to get to the point however, considering that perhaps there would not be much time later to get things prepared. However the setting was not appropriate for a discussion that William had in mind. There were still dibbuns running around, and they need not hear what must be said. So waiting for a better opportunity, William smiled a cheeky smile at Gemma and said "Ack aye, ye sang that song very well lass. I hope that it was enjoyable for ye."

[Wolfie]

Osiah nodded frantically in agreement and had a slightly dreamy look in his eyes. That was amazing, Miss Gemma. I wish I could sing like that. Could you teach me?

[carabadgermum]

Gemma returned William's cheeky smile with one of her own, followed by a wink. Then she turned to the younger badger at the sound of his voice. "Of course I'll teach you, love." Gemma called everyone 'love' but Osiah could have no way of knowing this. "Watch out though. If you turn out to be any good I'll dibbun-nap you and force you to join my troupe."