Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't posted much of this fanfic, but... I finished the rough draft!! So, I will try to post the rest of this fanfic more regularly and maybe have more artwork... we'll see. Sorry for typos, but hope you enjoy it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 7

The council only continued for a few minutes more before Smalls closed the meeting.

“I suppose that concludes this council. We all will go back to the work that we can readily return to, but let us also ponder what has been spoken and shared, and if any of you think of something that you believe will help in any of these circumstances, bring it to the next council.” Smalls suggested as he rose from his seat.

Everyone nodded and rose as well, bowing to the prince, before they all went to different parts of the room to converse quietly with one another.

Heather stood and turned, looking around, and noticed that Kyle exited quickly, though he looked like he struggled. She frowned and wondered if she should go after him, try to find out what happened, but her father turned to her and smiled.

“I believe it’s a good start.” Whittle exclaimed, a weary but ready smile on his face. Heather nodded in agreement, adjusting her satchel over her shoulder.

“It is. Just think: True Blue will help so many rabbits!” She said excitedly, though the pain in her heart throbbed at the thought of other rabbits experiencing so much joy while hers was lost somewhere in the flooded waters outside the city.

Whittle placed a hand on her arm. “All will be well, Heather.” He said quietly, his voice slightly husky. Heather thought she saw tears in his eyes. She swallowed and nodded, and they both began to make their way to the door when Emma glided effortlessly between them and the door.

“Heather, Mr. Longtreader, would I be able to introduce you to my family?” She asked with a smile. Heather returned the grin. “Of course, your highness.” Emma rolled her eyes. “Goodness, Heather! That trip must have put some sense into you. Maybe too much!” Heather smirked but said nothing. The auburn doe with white spots led them to the other side of the room where lady Glen, Winslow, Smalls, and the scarred buck stood in conversation.

“Heather, Mr. Longtreader, these are my brothers Winslow and Whitbie.” She introduced. Both prince's smiled and the present Longtreaders bowed.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both. Smalden has told us about what you have done for our people and we want to thank you.” Whitbie expressed. Heather was surprised at all the scars he carried. He was even missing an ear!

“We did what we deemed best, sire.” Whittle answered, smiling at the prince. Lady Glen smiled back at him. “It is good to see you both again. I have not yet seen Sween or Jacket. Are they well?” She asked. Whittle nodded. “Yes, ma’am; both are well.” Whittle and Lady Glen moved aside slightly to continue their conversation and Heather noticed Emma giving her brothers mischievous looks.

“Winslow, Whitbie; I’m sure you both are exhausted from your duties today. Perhaps you ought to go rest?” she asked, a cheeky glint in her eyes. Whit smiled. “It appears my sister has the mannerisms of a doctor and a mother hen! I’m glad I didn’t endure that growing up!” They all laughed.

“Yes, but unfortunate for me who had to go through it since we met!” Heather teased. Emma pretended to look shocked. “But Heather, I had to; who else was going to knock some sense into you?” Heather chuckled. “I am glad your feistiness has survived, Emma dear.” Heather expressed, looking at her with sisterly fondness. Smalls smiled at the group.

“I think many things, great and small, have survived that we are blessed to see again.” He stated, clapping his brothers on their shoulders. They both smiled, but a cloud seemed to fill Winslow's eyes. But the distant sadness lasted a moment, and he chuckled. “Well, if I value my life I better listen to my doctor. She’s spared me once, perhaps no more?” Emma tsk tsk'd him but smiled, hooking her arms through her brothers. “Especially since you are saving lives in the hospitals.” She added. Winslow smiled.

“Well, as the princess has said, I have work tomorrow. Good evening, everyone.” And he exited the room. Whitbie shook his head. “I suppose I better follow his example. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Longtreader.” He said with a smile, bowing quickly to the trio before following Winslow. Emma winked at her best friend and brother and followed after them.

Smalls smiled at Heather and gasped her hand. “I’m sorry we couldn’t meet up earlier, but how was your day?” he asked. Heather smiled back. “It was alright. I heard a few tidbits hear and there of information, but I’m afraid it’s not enough to fully quench my cluelessness.” Smalls chuckled.

“You speak just like a scribe! But I have an idea: what do you say we have a quick dinner, go check on Picket, then we shall present what we both know and help each other out.” She smiled again. “I like that idea.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bear the Flame!

A. R. B.