Plot, Who Said Anything About a Plot?

"It was just getting interesting." She said with a hint of petulance.

Cola struggled up. "Lets get these papers filed in the desk and we'll have another go at packing up the encyclopaedia.

Half an hour later the encyclopaedia was all packed up and Cola popped her head out of the door. She saw a passing young buck, whose name she didn't know.

"Bucko!" She called to him. "We've got some boxes here that need shifting." The buck's stride faltered a step then he continued on. Cola frowned and shouted again, "Excuse me buck! We've got some boxes here that need shifting.." She repeated.

The buck stopped and turned his head back at her. "So shift them." He said with contempt and continued on.

Cola was speechless. Lotte had heard the exchange and was not caught in the same manner. "BUCK!" She screamed, "Do you know who you are ignoring here?" She didn't wait for any flippance, "Your Head Doe!"

"I don't take orders from no doe." The buck finished and continued on. He was about to turn right when a large fist came from round the corner and contacted his nose about a re-arrangement. The buck fell back on his arse and waved his head around as if dazed. A large black figure followed the fist around the corner and Cola was suddenly speechless again.

In front of her was the largest most magnificent specimen of coneyhood she'd ever seen - a large black buck with a glossy sheen to his coat and dark eyes with a roguish glint. Atop his head was a large floppy hat and the buck promptly removed it and waved it in a spiral as he took a deep bow towards Cola.

"Felicitations, my dear." He began, "I believe I have the utmost pleasure of addressing the Lady of the Burrow?" He dropped to one knee before Cola and held out his hand as it expecting something.

Cola nodded then managed to get her tongue to work.

"Thank you sir," She said with grace, "I am unused to my position and it seems that some of the younger bucks are unused to my position as well. I thank you for your aid." She realised what the buck was waiting for and she held out her hand. The buck looked straight at her - keeping eye to eye contact as he raised her paw and kissed it gently, just the once, then let go.

Cola felt a trembling in her knees and she was pleased that someone else spoke next. It was the young buck with the recently-dented nose who spoke.

"Is there something you want me to do?" He spoke quietly. The black buck rounded on him.

"Be polite, young buck." He said, fixing the youth with a stare that Paddington would have been proud of. The young buck looked confused. "Try saying 'Ma'am'" He suggested.

"Is there something you want me to do, Ma'am?" He said to Cola, although his eyes flittered back and forth from the black buck to Cola. Cola managed to get a deep breath in.

"Yes, youngster. I have some boxes of books that need moving." She put her head to one side, "What is your name, young sir, so I don't have to call you 'buck' all day?"

"Billy." He said, then amended "Ma'am" when the black buck took a step towards him.

Cola turned, "Lotte, can you see that Billy is kept very busy for the next few hours. I'll take care of our guest." She turned back to the black buck. "And, Sir, we have yet to be introduced. I am Cola, the Head Doe of this warren." She bowed her head at the buck. His eyes sparkled at her and her knees thought about twitching again.

"I am known as Gilchrist, my dear Cola." He said with a smile.

---*---

They were seated outside the east burrow entrance, sipping at cups of dandelion tea in the noonday warmth.

"So," Cola asked, "Where do you come from, Gilchrist, when you're not aiding damsels in distress?"

He tch'd, then with a smile: "I am a resident of nowhere and a citizen of everywhere." He say back, "It's been years since I've called anywhere Home, and so long since I was at the place of my birth that no-one there knows me." He put the cup down. "In fact, where I return there to see my old friend and colleague Herbert I find, first of all that he came to an untimely end and that, secondly, his position has been taken by a doe of such beauty that my heart wavers in her presence."

Cola took a sip of her tea to cover her blush. "You are shameless!" She couldn't help saying.

"Oh yes.." The buck said as he stretched his neck and looked up at the heavens. He lowered his head and fixed her. "That incident earlier with the young buck. "He began. "Do you have much opposition to your appointment?"

Cola thought for a moment.

"It's the first time someone has openly defied a request from me." She started slowly, "But I haven't held the position for long and, I must admit, I have yet to get out and see many of the conies hereabouts." She took one of her favourite deep breaths. "I think its about time I did."

Gilchrist nodded gently then spoke in low tones, "I have, " he hesitated for a moment then continued, "I am not a stranger to the power of command. I have," beat, "in the past, had many , er," beat, "serving underneath me. "He ended up with his eyes at the floor. His voice was barely a whisper. " I would be," beat, "pleased to offer you any aid or assistance."

Cola smiled. She wasn't sure what to think about this black bunny. He was definitely used to command, you could see that in his voice and mannerisms and the way he handled Billy.

"Thank you." She smiled.

Gilchrist smiled and settled back. He took a sip of the tea and then changed the subject matter.

"I must admit, " he said with that sparkle in his eyes., "I have not heard the full story of your ascension to power here. " He spread his hand.

Cola's smile faded. She closed her eyes.

"If it's painful..." Gilchrist said with concern.

Cola shook her head. "It's a long story, that's all."

"And?"

"Its full title is 'Gorden The Rabbit And The Quest For The Golden Carrot'"

"Golden Carrot?" He said, with interest.