... enjoy!! Blessings, A. R. -----------‐---------------------------------------------‐- Laurel woke just as the sun began to rise. She found herself still in Patrick’s room and the buck was asleep, his arms wrapped around her neck. She smiled and carefully moved his arms, leveling up on her elbow to look around. The room seemed so small, but so did Pat. Laurel couldn’t understand how such a despicable place like Akolan could be the home for so many innocent, sweet rabbits like Patrick. It made her long for the Mended Wood even more.      Adjusting the blanket over his small frame, Laurel scooted off the bed and tiptoed out of the room. She first peaked inside her mothers room before heading to the kitchen. Her mom’s side of the bed was empty. Entering the kitchen, Laurel found her mother pouring some tea. Fern smiled when she saw her daughter and withdrew another mug.      “Morning,” she whispered as she handed the hot mug to her. Laurel smiled.      “Morning. Did you have a good night?” She asked as she sipped the beverage. Her mom nodded slowly, her thoughts elsewhere.      “I think I did. You?” Laurel smiled.      “I think so. Patrick didn’t kick me off the bed, so that was good.” Fern chuckled.      “He is such a sweet thing.” Her mother mused. Laurel nodded, her heart dipping at the possibility of Patrick being moved. She tried to bury her feelings. Dylan said it was possible; it might not even happen, it could’ve been gossip, or…      “When do you think you’ll leave?” Fern asked, interrupting Laurel’s thoughts. She shrugged, taking another swig of her tea.      “Probably in the next hour or so… I want to be able to play with Pat. He was telling me that none of the other kits will play with him anymore.” Laurel explained, a frown touching her features. Fern grew somber.      “That’s horrible. But I’m glad that you are willing to play with him; he needs some sort of normal, even in abnormal places.” Laurel nodded, but she felt a slight tremble in her arms.      Just then a very loud yawn announced the entrance of the young buck. Laurel turned and smiled as Pat ran into the kitchen and hugged Fern then her.      “Mawning!” He yawned again, a bright smile on his still sleepy face. Laurel grinned and managed to kiss the top of his head before he scrambled to his chair where Fern set down a plate of breakfast. It was a pitiful meal, a slice of bread, and baked potato slices that made a sort of chip. But Pat never complained, nor did Laurel. She learned long ago to never grumble about things. They could easily be taken from them, so they had to be grateful for what they did have.      As Laurel thought of this, she wondered what her mom would say when she found out that she joined the Resistance. Well, if she found out. In either case, would her mom use the same excuse? Be grateful you are alive? But how could you truly be alive when your every move was watched and scrutinized, and you were being targeted by cruel rabbits and malicious prey lords? If you’re alive, shouldn’t you use your life to fight for what you believe in, what you long for? For the Mended Wood?      “Laurel, will you play with me?” A voice asked, breaking into her thoughts. Laurel smiled and nodded, following the small buck to the corner of the living room where a few pitiful looking toys sat waiting to be played with. As Laurel picked up a small model sword, she glanced at her mother.      Fern was cleaning up in the kitchen and stole some glances towards the duo with a smile on her face. Laurel couldn’t stop the ache in her heart. Her mom was the same. But would she still be the Fern Evergreen she knew if she lost Patrick, or found that she lost her daughter to the Cause?        Laurel approached master Browns villa with a sigh. A new day full of new tasks as well as new challenges. What would master Brown assign to her today? And would she focus? If not, she knew what she would have coming.      As she entered through the back door and into the servants quarters, Laurel was surprised to hear absolutely nothing. That worried her. As long as master Brown was rattling off orders or complaints, everything was normal. But she heard nothing. Nothing but her own nervous breathing. Laurel crept into the kitchen and was relieved to see Delta sitting at the table, scribbling on some paper.      “Delta? What happened?” Laurel asked, her voice low and quiet. The elderly doe looked up and made eye contact. Her expression was worried.      “Master Brown has received some news. He is in a meeting right now with captain Vitton. We aren’t sure if it’s good news or bad news, so we aren’t taking any risks.” Delta explained in a whisper, crossing the room to hand her a list. She offered Laurel a smile before returning to her task. Laurel scanned the list as she headed towards the closet, determining what she would do first. She scowled.      Wash down courtyard by hand. Again.      Laurel sighed and grabbed a bucket and some rags, hoping she would finish this task in no time. As she headed down the hall towards the well, she overheard more servants whispering. It was Helen.      “Who knows what this could mean? Brown never is present in meetings in regard to the outside. There must be trouble!” Laurel continued down the hall a little faster, not wanting to get sidetracked. But what Helen said was true.      Who knew what it could mean?        Laurel started to scrub the courtyard floor a few minutes later. Compared to yesterday however, she felt happier. She almost felt like humming, which she knew was forbidden. But still…      Laurel looked around and, ensuring she was alone, began to hum the tune her mother had sung the day before. She had no sooner begun to hum when a door inside slammed open and shouting erupted. Laurel froze, the tune in her heart and mind completely forgotten. She trembled as she looked up towards the house, hearing approaching footsteps. The back door slammed open and a voice cursed.      “Its worthless, Brown! You know it just as well as I do!” He shouted, stalking into the courtyard.      Vitton.      He glanced at her and his eyebrow arched in surprise. Laurel felt her blood turn cold and she looked down, getting back to work. Vitton huffed slightly to himself and headed towards the gate. However he stopped beside Laurel and, giving her a sneering grin, punted the bucket of water all over her. She barely stifled a shriek as the cold water drenched her. Vitton walked away, laughing and muttering to himself as Laurel tried to understand what just happened.      Master Brown hobbled out the door, glaring at the gate Vitton had only just disappeared through. He spotted Laurel and growled, shaking his head.      “The point is to wash the courtyard, not yourself.” He stated in a flat tone, but his expression looked weary. Laurel managed to whisper a “yes sir" before reaching for the empty bucket to go fill it up again. But as she passed the old buck, he spoke in a gravelly tone.      “You might as well grab a dry apron while you’re at it.”