36: Chapter 36. Approaching Thunder

Scripted by John Ruths and Newell Fisher

The quotation at the start of the chapter is from a british music hall song, probably 19th Century in origin.

This is a fairly short chapter but one in which a lot happens. This is the first of the three "thunder" chapters, in which the weather and the escape from Efrafa parallel one another.

Right in the beginning, Bigwig is woken up for duty by Avens.  A reminder of the structure in Efrafa and that the rabbits in the Owsla tend to follow this structure.

We learn, at least in moments of stress, that Bigwig talks in his sleep and mentioned Fiver by name. It is a tense moment but no more comes of it and the conversation between him and Avens quickly takes another tone.  The weather seems a more up to the moment topic.

Unless the weather has actually turned bad, there's no sense in trying to deviate from Efrafan ways. Thundery weather is approaching but Chervil thinks it'll be some time before it breaks.  When Bigwig is together with both Avens and Chervil, Avens makes a somewhat backhanded comment about Bigwig having to be woken up.   Bigwig is then questioned about Hyzenthlay being in his burrow during the previous evening.

During this conversation we also learn the Lapine word for a doe: Marli, as Hyzenthlay is described as the "Marli tharn", a term Adams translates, in this context, as meaning "forlorn maiden".

Once he's outside, Bigwig immediately takes to looking at the terrain, routes to take, how to get Blackavar out, and he wonders if he is in a place where Kehaar can observe him.  Bigwig certainly has a presence of mind!  As it turns out, Kehaar is already on station and was ready to see Bigwig at the earliest possibility. Thick as thieves, they work their way towards one another.  This is like two Soldiers that know what to do and just immediately go about it as if it were rehearsed.

Bigwig and Kehaar have an effective exchange.  Bigwig can now relay instructions of their still developing plan and all of these modifications are Bigwig's.

He tells Kehaar that they will escape at silflay that evening. Bigwig will lead the does to the archway on the Iron Road, where he wants to meet up with the WD rabbits.

He also gives Kehaar clear instructions about attacking the sentries as soon as he sees Bigwig go back underground. This, we know, will be to rescue Blackavar.

Soon, Chervil heads their way and Kehaar flies away.  Bigwig must once again play his espionage role.  He tells Chervil that, no, he's not afraid of birds like this and then cuffs Chervil as a part of his answer why.  An amazing thing for a rabbit to do to his Owsla Captain but this is Bigwig that we are talking about.

Chervil makes it clear that this little incident with the white bird will be reported and he leaves Bigwig and Avens to handle the Mark.

Bigwig is able to get over to Hyzenthlay and Thethuthinnang and provides updates, following up his instruction to Kehaar about attacking the sentries with one to them to run as soon as they see him bring Blackavar out, as the sentries will be running for cover.

He shows them the distant railway arch and reassures them of his ability to deal with Captain Campion, should they meet him.

The Mark go back inside and Blackavar is also taken underground.  Bigwig gets around the warren and once again shows his presence of mind by asking Chervil if it's okay to visit another Mark.

He listens to officers of the Left Flank Mark and sees that, in this area, this group shares a larger single burrow.  He departs after hearing some stories, goes back to his burrow, and rests until it's time to silflay again.

Bigwig sees Hyzenthlay and Thethuthinnang go above ground, sees Blackavar, and also observes Kehaar flying. Everything is in place.

And then, just as he's ready to start the escape, he hears a voice behind him. It is General Woundwort, who wants a word with him.