The Great Gonff Fanfiction Contest: "Every Rose Has Its Thorns"

[Gwen A. Mouse]

A few months ago, I found a funny picture on deviantart.

an awkward situation

[close]

It brought a story to mind almost instantly, so I happily started writing- only to abandon the effort soon after. However, this contest has encouraged me to take up my pen once more and sally forth into the realm of imagination. Enjoy!

{[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}

"Well the morning sun is rising
And the mist swirls o'er the loam
And soon I'll be surprising
My own dear one at home.

Well she asked when I'd be returning
And I said I could not tell her
And she waits with a heart full of yearning
For the return of her sweet feller.

Well I marched off tall and proudly
And kissed my love goodbye
And she sang me off right loudly
While I told her not to cry.

Well now I'm on my way home
And I'll sit in my old chair
And never more will I roam
For nowhere else can e'er compare."

Martin woke to Gonff's quiet singing and the smell of cooking flatcakes. The smoke from their fire mingled with the early morning mist that still hung over the forest, wreathing everything in a thin white mantle. It was a peaceful scene, the stillness broken only by sleepy bird calls and the sounds of Gonff preparing breakfast.

The warrior sat up suddenly, whiskers twitching. Gonff winked at him. "Good morning, matey. D'you want some breakfast? It's almost ready."

Martin glowered. "What are you doing? You know better than to light fires in unknown territory."

Gonff shrugged. "The mist will cover it. Besides, we're running low on prepared food. We'll need to cook sooner or later."

Martin stood, stretching, and stifled a yawn. "Well, there's not much we can do about it by this point. Are you done with the fire?"

The tubby thief nodded confirmation, juggling a flatcake. "Owow! These are hot!"

The warrior chuckled at his friend's antics, and Gonff gave him a frosty glare. "If you can't make yourself useful, then you can go hungry. Warriors, huh. The only thing they find amusing is the pain of other beasts."

Gonff had to duck as a pinecone flew past his ear. He stuck out his tongue at Martin, who held another pinecone ready with a grin. "Thieves. They aren't happy unless they're stealing something."

Suddenly Gonff broke into a smile. "Exactly. And I happen to be a Prince in that line, mate. Have you checked your pack lately?"

Martin shook his head slowly. "If stealing from sleeping creatures is what makes you a Prince, then you'd best give up your crown and ask yourself if you've noticed anything missing."

"You were still asleep when I got up. I know you didn't-"

Martin merely smiled knowingly, and Gonff trailed off uncertainly. The thief quickly turned to check his pack. When Martin lobbed another pinecone at his friend, it knocked off Gonff's hat. The tubby mouse whirled around. "You old barrel-bellied liar. You were just trying to distract me!"

"It worked, didn't it? And I already know what you took. Hand over my sling."

Smiling, Gonff returned the rough sling. "I didn't think you'd ever notice, mate."

"I wouldn't have, but you left it hanging on your belt, you bold rascal. Come on- we should get moving. Why don't you put out the fire and pack up breakfast? I'll take care of our bedrolls and packs."

Gonff complied, muttering under his breath. "All right, bossywhiskers."

Martin, distracted by the various tasks involved in breaking camp, did not notice when another beast approached. He was kneeling to tie a bedroll together when the tip of a dagger appeared at his throat. Slight pressure was applied to the knifepoint, and Martin slowly raised his head. Standing in front of him was a mousemaid. "What's all this? Trespassers, at least. Perhaps even marauders?"

Gonff turned at the sound of her voice, then took a cautious step forward, paws spread. "Actually, we're just travelers. So maybe you could take that bodkin out of my friend's fur."

The maid didn't even look at him. "I don't think you're in a position to make demands. By the way, there is an archer hidden to your left with an arrow on the string. If I give him the signal, he will let it fly. Right where you are standing, in fact. I've never known him to miss... especially not such a substantial target as yourself."

The tubby thief patted his girth ruefully and halted. "I guess you were right, matey. You said I'd regret pinching all those pies off the windowsills."

Martin managed a thin smile. "What about the pasties, turnovers, slices, cakes-"

The mousemaid scowled. "Quiet! Tell me your names and your business in our lands."

Gonff smiled winningly and shrugged. "How are we supposed to tell you our names if you want us to be quiet?"

The maid's eyes narrowed. "Enough. What are your names, and what business have you here?"

Martin shot Gonff a warning look before replying. "I am called Martin the Warrior, son of Luke the Warrior. Our business is our own. We are merely passing through, anyway. We are not trespassing; these lands do not belong to anybeast."

"You are mistaken. This land belongs to my father. And if you are a warrior, then who is your companion? A healer? A trader?"

Gonff chuckled. "A jack-of-all-trades, if you will. I am Gonff, the Prince of Mousethieves."

"There is no room in our clan for thieves. But you, warrior, would be welcomed if you pledged your sword to my father."

Martin locked eyes with the mousemaid. "I do not pledge my sword to anybeast, especially those who seek to ambush peaceful travelers instead of even challenging them honorably."

The maid's eyes flashed angrily, and she withdrew her dagger. "My clan is an honorable one. Anyone who says differently has made a grave mistake. I, Laterose, daughter of Urran Voh, challenge Martin the Warrior, son of Luke the Warrior, for the offense of trespassing on my father's lands, and for insult offered to my clan. It will be fought with blades, to first blood. The victor shall claim the loser as captive."

Martin stood and drew his sword. "I accept."

{[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}

To be continued...

[Jukka the Sling]

Whoa! Cool story so far! So, I'm assuming Rose has amnesia from the encounter with Badrang, which is why she doesn't remember Martin?

(By the way, I've seen that pic on dA as well. It's by Saphamia, right? I don't even have an account on dA, but I love Saphamia's art. )

[Darkenmal]

I really enjoyed this. The banter seemed right out of a Redwall novel, and the twist was intriguing enough to leave me wanting more. Excellent job!

[The Skarzs]

Not BJ's style, but still very enjoyable; I like it.
I'm more curious as to why Martin doesn't remember Rose; was it because he suppressed his memories so well that they are all but nonexistent? Has his life of a warrior who hides his thoughts hardened his mind into not caring for what happened in the past? Or did his fight with Tsarmina really do a number on him?
I know Gonff has no idea about Rose, so he would be no help in the memory jog. But was Rose never told of Martin again? I hope to see if my questions will be answered in the next chapter, and await with bated breath.

[Gwen A. Mouse]

Thanks, everyone!

Ah, so, let me clear up the thing with Martin and Rose. My apologies; really I should have explained it at the beginning. In this story, Martin and Rose have never met before. Also, this Rose is rather different from the one in Martin the Warrior.

@Jukka: Yep, it's Saphamia's. She has a lot of really cool art. *wistful sigh*

[The Skarzs]

Aahhhhhh. . . Thanks for the explanation.

[Captain Tammo]

I like the AU concept of this one, it gives a whole new spin on the Martin-Rose sub-genre. Also, nice title, did you get that from Poison?

[Gwen A. Mouse]

No prob, Skarz.

Poison? Oh, the band. Uh, nope. Actually, I was just looking for a cooler title than its original, "Wild Rose".

[Gonff the Mousethief]

Wow! That was VERY good!! Really enjoyed Gonff's antics!

[rachel25]

I enjoyed reading this, can't wait for more!

[Gwen A. Mouse]

Thanks! Sorry it took so long, but here is the next installment.

{[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}

Rose drew her own sword, a saber, and shifted into a fighting stance. She nodded at Martin and, before Gonff could voice a protest, the two mice sprang towards each other. They traded a few strokes, each gauging the other's skill, then backed off and circled warily.

Suddenly Martin darted in and slashed at his opponent's swordpaw- only to be forced into a skip backwards to avoid Laterose's dagger. She waited, always moving, until Martin was facing the sun. Though it was still hazy, the sun was getting brighter, and the mist was burning off quickly. Martin had to shield his eyes with one paw, which left an opening for Laterose. She was fast.

But not faster than Martin's blade.

His swordpoint clashed against her own blade, gleaming brightly, then angled and slid down towards her paw. The maid twisted her blade and stepped back, her breathing beginning to grow heavier. Martin kept advancing, moving to Laterose's side. He darted little strikes at her, forcing her out of her advantageous position. Then, when the sun was nearly behind him, he finally made his move.

The tip of his blade sliced across and up- neatly opening a small cut on his opponent's shoulder. With that, the warrior stepped back and set the point of his blade into the ground. With a little gasp of surprise and pain, Laterose looked to her shoulder. Beneath her fur, small beads of blood were welling up. Biting back angry words, the maid sheathed her weapons with jerky movements.

"You have won, warrior," she ground out.

Turning, she waved a paw above her head. A young mouse archer appeared from the forest's shadows and stepped into the little clearing, looking uncertain. "Are you all right, Rose?"

She nodded. "It is nothing. Now listen, Brome. Tell Father what has happened- I engaged a trespasser in a duel, and by the agreed terms, I am now his captive." Stepping closer, she caught him in a swift hug and whispered, "Tell Mother not to worry."

Brome blinked in surprise, then nodded reluctantly and set off in a northerly direction, glancing back in concern. Rose sighed and sat on a nearby stone, unbuckling her sword belt. Martin, who had put up his own weapon by this time, approached with a coil of thin rope.

"So, was that your brother?"

Rose glared at him and let the belt fall. "That's none of your business, warrior."

The mouse merely nodded and began tying her paws- tightly, but not cruelly. "Gonff, stop standing around staring and do something useful, will you?"

Martin's friend grinned and saluted comically. "Whatever you say, O Mighty Winner of Duels." He collected his pack, and after securing the bedroll to it, did the same for Martin's. "Which way are we going, mate?"

Martin tied the rope's loose end to his pack and hoisted it onto his shoulders. "Well, Rose? Lead us to the edge of your father's lands."

Rose, her paws tied at the other end of the rope, stood. "My name is Laterose," she snapped.

"All right then. Laterose."

"And what happens after I lead you there, son of Luke?"

Without looking back, Martin replied, "That depends on you. Which way?"

She glared at him for a moment, then made a grudging reply. "Southeast."

They set off at a brisk pace, with Rose weaving through the trees a little ahead of Martin. She refused to look at him, and what few attempts Gonff had made at conversing with her failed completely. When they stopped briefly at midday to eat and rest, Martin secured Rose's rope to a low branch.

Then he took an apple, a hunk of cheese, and a roll out his pack and offered them to her. When this was met with a glare, he set the food down next to her. "You refused breakfast, too- are you trying to starve yourself? No matter what you think of me, Laterose, you need to keep your strength up."

With the tiniest of nods, Rose took the food and began eating. Martin took another lunch out of his pack for himself, then sat next to Gonff, who was already enjoying his own meal. "Out of curiosity, mate, why didn't you let her go? It's not like you to hold a goodbeast prisoner."

"First of all, she would have almost certainly held me prisoner had our positions been reversed. Second, we needed a guide and she wasn't going to comply otherwise. Third, maybe it will teach her a lesson. She's very proud, in case you haven't noticed." Gonff still looked skeptical, and Martin treated him to a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

After their frugal meal, the small party continued southwest until nightfall. Gonff skipped ahead, laughing. "Come on, it's time for supper and bed. Tonight you'll see why I'm a Prince of Thieves, 'cos I'll have stolen off to sleep! Haha-"

The plump, cheery mouse's laughter was cut off suddenly as he tripped over a tree root... and disappeared!

{[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}     {[(+)]}

To be continued...

[rachel25]

WHAT! WHAT! YOU CAN'T STOP THERE! MUST READ MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gonff the Mousethief]

Very good once more!!!

[The Skarzs]

WHAT! WHAT! YOU CAN'T STOP THERE! MUST READ MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heh, heh, heh. . .

Very good! Can't wait for more.

[Jukka the Sling]

Awesome update!