Gildaen: The Heroic Adventures of a Most Unusual Rabbit by Buchwald Emilie

Author:Buchwald, Emilie [Buchwald, Emilie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9780940719132
Publisher: The Gryphon Press
Published: 1993-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

CROOKJAW

IN THE DOORWAY OF THE LITTLE HUT, HICKORY sat eating a meager noonday meal. The day was bright with spring sunshine. New grass in the clearing around the hut was a vigorous and vivid green. Everywhere spring had come in real strength after the dreary last weeks, when winter had held on with a stubborn grip. With a woodsman’s eye he had noted the return of the brightly hued birds who had been wintering far to the south. Now the forest was noisy with their songs. Around the trunks of the ancient oaks the first violets clustered, yet none of these sights and sounds could gladden him. He thought about his friends: Were they safe? Had they been able to find Fara’s kinsmen? Two days had gone by since he had said farewell to them by the side of the road.

He heard a swishing in the grass, and then Gildaen was there, sitting at his feet. He jumped up in his surprise and pleasure. “Gildaen!” he said.

“Sit down again, Hickory, please do sit down. When you stand up like that, you are so tall that I cannot talk to you without straining my neck!”

Hickory did as Gildaen bade him. “I never thought my heart would be gladdened by the sight of a rabbit I was not hunting,” he said, smiling his broad smile at Gildaen.

“For my part,” Gildaen replied, “I never thought I would willingly come and sit before a hunter!”

“Gildaen, are the others safe and well?” he asked.

“Quite well, thank you. Evonna sent me with news. First, I should tell you that she has disguised me as a cat. Yes, a cat!” he said, seeing Hickory’s astonishment. “I know that sounds unsuitable, but the part has been easier to play than I would have guessed. She changed me back to my own shape so that I might reach you as quickly as possible, but she says that when I reach the palace grounds, I shall become a cat again, and I hope she is right! There are too many other cats about for me to be safe as myself.”

“I cannot get used to this form changing, Gildaen. I think I would have trouble being anyone but myself,” said Hickory.

“At this moment, Hickory, your own face would land you in the dungeons—or worse!—should it be seen in the palace. Nothing has changed since you were banished except that the Lord of the Bower controls your young master more and more.”

Hickory slapped his knee. “That bird of carrion! He still hangs on the king like a shadow, then.”

“Far worse. Listen to what I have to tell you before you speak, Hickory. There is no time to be lost.”

Gildaen recounted the story he had heard from Mignon at the council of cats. Hickory’s mouth settled in a hard line, but he did not interrupt. Gildaen explained to him the manner in which they had kept Grimald from carrying out his plan the previous day.

“The young king slept almost the entire day yesterday. He was confused and somewhat dull when he awoke.

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