Grimble faction

*You are right here in your story. Don't skip ahead.*
Massie Burnson, *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, p. 32
**WARNING: SPOILERS FOR *PRINCE LANDER & THE DRAGON WAR* ARE AHEAD; CAUTION IS ADVISED.**

## Association information

### Involved in

• Betrayal of Vanguard
• Battle of Steadfast
• Battle of Barren Point
• Dragon War

## Book information

### Appears

*The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*
*Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

The **G****rimble faction** was a rebel/breakoff group from Whitson Mariner's Trekkers. Its members followed the Grimble family, particularly Grimble Halfdragon, in fighting against the rightful royal family of rabbitkind. They were often called 'oathbreakers', 'Grimble's faction' or 'Grimbles'.

## History

### Origins

Lord Grimble, father of Grimble Halfdragon, had apparently hoped that he would be appointed as successor to King Gerrard after Gerrard's only son suffered a premature death. To Grimble's frustration and anger, Gerrard instead conferred the kingship upon Lord Whit's son Whitson Mariner. Embittered and unwilling to make peace with this development, Grimble made a point of opposing Whitson at every turn, in spite of the young king's efforts to mend the rift.

### *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*

After leaving Halfway Harbor, *Burnley* was sent ahead, because as a result of Captain Grimble's scouting the river for the previous few months, he knew the way best. The rabbits of *Vanguard* and *Steadfast* could not see well in the fog, and did not quite trust Grimble to hail if there was danger. They were proved correct when*Vanguard* hits a rock. The ship is wrecked, and they presume this was deliberate, as *Burnley* sails away. Furthermore, Hamp discovers that Queen Lillie is gone. Whitson later discovers that Commander Tagg was murdered, along with many others.

**King Whitson**: Because he knows us. He knows we are survivors. He knew we would be decimated by the wreck, gutted by the queen's abduction, and easy prey for the dragons to dominate. He planned to leave us on this island and sail on.

—*The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, pg. 85

King Whitson later learns that Lord Grimble has allied with dragons. Grimble had planned to use Whitson and his rabbits, the ones who were not members of his faction, as currency with the dragons. Whitson theorizes that he planned to force Lillie to marry his son, to make their line more legitimate. Whitson's rabbits, however, were determined to fight the Grimbles, and after rescuing Lillie, prepared to battle them.

**Whitson Mariner**: I don't have to. They already have.

—*The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, pg. 158

The bucks of *Steadfast* prepared to battle those of *Desolation*. When they reach *Desolation*, Whitson sees that Grimble has taken the Ruling Stone. The Battle of *Steadfast* occurs, but in the end, those of *Steadfast* are the victors. Some of them seem ashamed when Mother Saramack confronts them, and Queen Lillie is not sure what of. The dragons kill Lord Grimble and those with him after learning that Lord Grimble had failed to secure Whitson and his rabbits, leaving only one of that band alive. The rabbits under Captain Grimble, however, remain alive.

### *Prince Lander & the Dragon War*

Following the events of *The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner*, the Grimble faction was ruled by Grimble Halfdragon after the death of his father. The dragons gave them Grimble Island, which they turn into a home, building a small town there. They often partner with the dragons to defend the island from Whitson's loyalists.

Some of Whitson's bucks turn traitor and become Grimble's spies, but King Whitson discovers and arrests them. Lander recalls how his grandfather, Lord Grant, had died fighting Grimble's oathbreakers.

A messenger arrives, telling Prince Lander that the Grimbles are giving half their little ones to the dragons. Prince Lander and Captain Walters attempt a rescue, joined by Nickel and Winnie Drekker and five other rabbits. They succeed, rescuing not only the littlest rabbits but Hollie Grimble as well. Grimble's soldiers, having realized that the snow soldiers are a trick, follow Lander's band. But they all escape Grimble Island in a boat, and Grimble's bargain is undone.

After Prince Lander returns, the royal family discusses their odds against the dragons and Grimbles. Prince Lander muses that they might use the rescue of the children as an excuse to make a final attack. Prince Lander suggests unburying Flint's sword, imagining digging it up and trying it out on Grimble's faction. But Whitson tells Lander about the nightmare he had about Flint's sword, saying that at the end he is worse than any oathbreaker or monster he's ever faced.

Prince Lander insists that he does not have a side, he has a way, the right way. Winnie acknowledges this, saying that he may be right, but that the Grimbles do not agree with him.

Grimble invites King Whitson to what he calls a 'peace summit'. Prince Lander, expecting trickery, invites Nickel Drekker to counteract it. Nickel predicts that Grimble will send a strike force to the camp, to make them eager to seek peace. Sure enough, that evening Grimble's soldiers show up. Prince Lander sees Captain Forne leading the oathbreakers in the attack. Forne nearly kills Prince Lander, and before the death he knows is coming, sees that the Grimbles have been reinforced. He knows that his side is going to lose. King Whitson then shows up, shooting arrows into the oathbreakers, one of which kills Captain Forne. King Whitson, fighting like the legendary warrior he was, drove back the oathbreakers until they ran away. Some of the loyalist soldiers taunted the oathbreakers as they left. King Whitson told Prince Lander to secure the area, as he needed to make sure they were not attacking anywhere else.

The peace summit takes place, with Grimble turning into half dragon and killing Whitson Mariner. Whitson, Lander, and Hollie escape Barren Point Island in their boat, but are pursued by dragons. The Battle of Barren Point then begins. After the dragons begin to slaughter Lander's soldiers, rabbits appear on Grimble Island. Lander is hopeful a moment, before he realizes that they are Grimble's soldiers. They crossed the River Fay in countless boats. However, Fleck Blackstar and many others arrive on *Steadfast* and overcome the dragons and oathbreakers. The oathbreakers, boats destroyed, swam the icy river to get to the safety of Grimble Island.

While preparing to attack the dragons, Fleck Blackstar inquires of the whereabouts of the Grimbles. Captain Walters told that the rabbits with the dragons on the mountain seem separated and bewildered. He said that the oathbreakers' camp is nearly deserted, and it seems that they have fled toward the dragon stronghold.

During the Battle of Dragon Mountain, King Lander wields Flint's sword, killing dragons as they come. He thinks about all the evil things the dragons had done, while still planning to offer peace, forgiveness, and reunion to the wayward Grimbles.

## Members

* Grimble (leader; formerly)
* Grimble Halfdragon (leader; formerly)
* Hollie Grimble (formerly; defected)
* Arben
* Danker
* Forne
* Grenjo (formerly; deceased)
* Orban
* Salno
* Tarn (formerly; deceased)
* Usher