Grimble Halfdragon

*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.**

## Grimble Halfdragon

Captain Grimble intimidates Jimmi Docker, as depicted by Zach Franzen in The Wreck and Rise of Whitson Mariner.

## Association information

### Also known as

Captain Duke (by Jimmi Docker)
Lord Grimble (by the Trekkers)
Grimble Underking (by Namoz Dragonking)

### Affiliations

*Vanguard* (formerly)
*Desolation*(formerly)

## Book information

### Appears

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

### Mentioned

*Ember Falls*

**G****rimble Halfdragon** was the son of Lord Grimble and the leader of the Grimble faction.

## Biography

### *The Black Star of Kingston*

A rabbit of few words, Grimble received his captaincy as part of an effort by King Whitson Mariner to make peace with his father Lord Grimble. After *Lillie* and *Natalia* were built, he was named skipper of *Vanguard.* Fleck Blackstar later observed him in whispered conference with his father aboard ship.

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

Grimble survived the Battle of Ayman Lake, and was appointed captain of the new vessel *Burnley* after King Whitson reclaimed *Vanguard* as his flagship.

Aboard the *Vanguard*, King Whitson Mariner welcomes his lords and captains into his cabin for a toast. Whitson engages in a heated exchange with Lord Grimble and Captain Grimble, prompting Queen Lillie to quell the rising storm by calling for a toast. Lord and Captain Grimble toast for "a new kingdom", which so riles Whitson that Lillie is forced to take him out of the room before his temper can further elevate.

Eventually, all the rabbits take their leave of their rulers, with Lord and Captain Grimble returning to *Burnley* to continue their journey.

Under Captain Grimble's command, *Burnley* failed to warn *Vanguard* of a rock that wrecked the vessel, and disappeared failing to answer hails. It is later revealed that the Grimbles have betrayed their king by leading him into a wreck on a mysterious island inhabited by dragons, with whom the Grimbles had allied.

Grimble and his crew sailed down the southern branch of the river to the south of a long island in the river in order to meet up with the dragons at the other end of the island. Unbeknownst to Grimble, Whitson Mariner was making his own way to that point in *Steadfast* via the northern branch of the river in order to ambush *Desolation* (to which Whitson had renamed *Burnley* by this time).

By the time Grimble reached the other end of the island, Mariner had caught up with him with his skeleton crew and much smaller vessel. Grimble ordered his crew to chase *Steadfast*. Whitson and his crew appeared to be hastily attempting to get away from *Desolation*, and Whitson seemed especially frustrated. Grimble, pleased to see his enemy so ruffled, charged ahead, only to be surprised when Whitson's crew suddenly turned *Steadfast* sharply to port, so that the two ships collided head-on.

Grimble, frustrated at this ploy, angrily ordered his crew to board *Steadfast*, but when they did so, they found no one on deck and a couple of blastpowder barrels in the middle of the deck. Terrified of what they thought would be a most devastating explosion, Grimble's crew began to jump ship in a panic. However, Grimble paused, and he overturned the barrels with his sword to find that they were empty.

Greatly angered that he had been tricked by Whitson, Grimble ordered his crew, now reduced in number, to stay on the deck of the *Steadfast*. Whitson and his crew then suddenly emerged from below deck, and the now-even forces met in fierce combat.

Whitson and Grimble found each other in the fray, and thus began a duel to the death. Grimble, who was the better swordsman, soon found himself the master of the duel. Grimble declared to Whitson that he was defeated. He sent Whitson sprawling to the deck by parrying his strike and then forcing him suddenly forward. Grimble then reminded Whitson once again how his cause was hopeless.

But Whitson arose, and his crew surrounded Grimble--they had defeated the crew of *Desolation*. Jimmi Docker then stepped forward to deal the final blow against Grimble with his oar, thus knocking him out cold. Whitson took advantage of this condition to reclaim the Whitson Stone. It was subsequently learned that Grimble's father and several of their followers were slaughtered by the dragons as punishment for their failure to deliver Whitson's followers as promised.

### *Prince Lander and the Dragon War*

King Whitson attempts to make a treaty with Lord Grimble. Prince Grant expresses doubt that Grimble will keep his word. King Whitson proceeds to apprehend two of Grimble's spies, Lord Arben and Captain Danker. He finds that the traitors know Grimble is not keeping faith. King Whitson tells Captain Walters that, while he did want a treaty with Grimble, he'd never thought it likely.

Grimble was planning to kill half the younglings in his faction, to renew his alliance with the dragons. Prince Lander foiled this plan, rescuing the little ones and Grimble's eldest child, who had been thrown in there with them.

Brindle Cove comments that King Whitson had been wise to Grimble's schemes ever since Lillie was taken.

Prince Lander insults the Frustrated Band of Hot Youngbloods, saying that they are traitors, 'like Grimble himself', and that they might as well be allied with the dragons.

Grimble invites King Whitson to a peace summit (Whitson says that while he says peace what he actually means is surrender), and the royal family talks it over, all agreeing that Grimble could not be trusted. Prince Lander suggests that they invite Nickel Drekker to counter Grimble's tricks, and Nickel correctly predicts that Grimble will send a strike force to make them eager to seek peace.

When King Whitson and Prince Lander arrive at Barren Point for the peace summit, they see that Grimble has Hollie captured. When Grimble landed on the island, he pulled Hollie out of the boat. She fell down, and Whitson stepped forward, his hands in fists. Grimble drew his sword, telling Whitson to stay on his own side and let Grimble see to what was his. Whitson inquired if that meant letting him kill his own daughter, and inquired what Grimble had become. Grimble said that he hoped to become more than either of them ever imagined. Whitson told Grimble that he could come back to the Trekkers, that they would still welcome him back, but Grimble insisted that the dragons were unstoppable, and that Whitson should instead join Grimble, as Grimble invites him to live on and on. Whitson declines this offer, saying that he would never live the way Grimble does. Grimble inquires whether Whitson thinks his army will last after he dies, telling Whitson he knows about Whitson's condition. Whitson only laughs, saying that his army will probably be stronger, as Lander is a better commander than he is, and half the army wants Lander king right then. Grimble asks if this means that Whitson has offered himself because he doesn't think it will weaken his side. Whitson continues to be calm, saying that if Grimble kills him the army will be so outraged that they will continue to fight Grimble and the dragons for decades.

Grimble says that Namoz has a solution to their 'little squabbles over who is rightful king of rabbitkind', but Whitson says that they have no squabble. He pulls out the Ruling Stone, saying that he is king, Grimble is traitor, and the dragons are their enemies. He tells Grimble it is not that complicated. Grimble says that Whitson is struggling with reality, saying that the reality is that Grimble is strong, cunning, the most powerful rabbit in all Natalia, and will crush Whitson. Whitson is undeterred, saying that Grimble is only Namoz's slave, and that eventually Namoz will kill Grimble. Grimble is convinced that he will not die, and will instead rule all rabbits under Namoz, and will live forever. Whitson called this nonsense, saying that Whitson was going to die, and Grimble was too. Grimble insisted that Whitson was wrong, that Grimble was going to live forever, and Whitson could too.

Namoz then emerged from under the water. Grimble bowed to Namoz and kissed the rock in front of Namoz. Namoz instructed Grimble to rise and help the dragon sorcerer and priestess. The two dragons took two covered, simmering cauldrons from under their robes, and Grimble cleared off a rock for the mot put it on. Hollie was being dragged toward the cauldron, and Whitson said that they must not harm Hollie, or he would have to intervene. Grimble grinned and spat, saying that Whitson had interfered enough. The dragon sliced Hollie's arm and shook it over the cauldron. As soon as the dragon let go, Hollie ran right past her father and into Whitson's arms instead. Whitson expressed how appalled he was at this, inviting Grimble to turn away from the dragons' horrible ways once more. Grimble ignored him, however, and received a cup of the potion from the dragon priestess. Whitson cried for him not to drink it, but Grimble only glanced haughtily at Whitson before drinking the whole thing.

Grimble began to breathe harder, until he fell to his knees, clutching his chest. Lander winced, thinking that Grimble would die trying to live forever. Grimble's expression became one of panic, screaming that it burned, and scratching at his chest, ripping his shirt and cutting himself. Grimble lunged at Namoz and clutched Namoz's arm, but Namoz knocked him away. Grimble fell down, writhing and screaming. Lander stepped closer, saying that they had to help Grimble. Namoz calls them weak for helping their enemy. Whitson laughs grimly, saying Namoz's potion of eternal life was killing his minion. Grimble stopped writhing and lay still, and Whitson mourned the death of the last son of a family that had once been noble.

Namoz continues to insult Whitson, eventually saying that what Whitson didn't understand was that it was he who was dead and not Grimble. Under the black shroud, Grimble twitched. Grimble slowly rose, and they saw that Grimble had become a hybrid between rabbit and dragon. He seemed pleased with this transformation, but the dragon sorcerer said that he wasn't fully dragon because Hollie was still alive. A dragon took out a crossbow to kill Hollie, but Whitson prevented this, saying Hollie was under his protection. Whitson, Lander, and Hollie ran to the boat to escape, but Grimble, having taken the crossbow from the dragon, shot at Hollie. Whitson dove sideways and blocked the shot, which would have killed Hollie, but killed Whitson instead. While Lander and Hollie were making their escape, Namoz took Grimble and left too, not bothering to stay for the Battle of Barren Point.

When King Lander began to tell the army of his new strategy, saying it was different from Whitson's but he hoped it honored the same values, some asked if he would surrender or follow Grimble's path. As soon as there was silence, Lander said that he would never surrender to Namoz the Destroyer or Grimble Halfdragon. He raised his sword in the air, saying they would attack. A scout told Lander that they had not seen Grimble.

During the Battle of Dragon Mountain, when Namoz showed up, Grimble was right behind him. However, Lander did not hate him, even knowing that Grimble's crossbow bolt had killed Lander's father. Right then, he pitied Grimble, who would lose everything serving Namoz.

After the battle, Massie wakes Lander from his faint. Massie said that he had looked for Lander, but he had been pursuing Grimble. He reports that no one could catch Grimble, as he is now faster than anyone Massie has seen.

## Physical appearance

Captain Grimble was a tall and rather stocky buck with pale fur and a scruffy beard at his chin. He wore a fine tunic, belt, and trousers suitable for a captain, and he carried a sword.

After he changed into half dragon, his ears were long and fur covered but their insides were scaled, he had claws, and a long, powerful tail. He had a long neck and legs, and had scales on his back and the outside of his arms, while still having fur on his belly. He was described as 'hideous'.

## Personality and traits

Captain Grimble was known for being proud and self-centered, caring only for his and his father's benefit. He disliked King Whitson Mariner and often publicly defied him. He also had a fiery temper.

## Skills and abilities

Captain Grimble was known for being extremely skilled in sword-fighting, even being able to beat King Whitson Mariner in the art. He was also a good sailor.

## Family tree

 - The Grimble Family -

Note: Broken lines indicate relation through affinity or adoption or distant relation; unbroken lines indicate relation by blood.
## Relationships

### Lord Grimble

Captain Grimble followed his father and aided him in his schemes. He was responsible for the wreck of *Vanguard*, and, like his father, he too hated Whitson Mariner. Captain Grimble succeeded his father as lord of the Grimble faction.

### Whitson Mariner

Grimble's father resented Whitson for getting the throne instead of him, and Grimble grew to hate him too. Whitson made Grimble a captain in the hopes to keep peace, but Grimble participated in a plot to kidnap Queen Lillie and wreck Whitson. Grimble somehow took the Ruling Stone. He battled Whitson for the throne, telling Whitson to give up, as he could never defeat Grimble. Whitson tried many times to invite Grimble to come back, saying he would still be welcomed, but each time Grimble declined. He offered Whitson power, a chance to join the dragons and rule under them, but Whitson declined, saying he would never kill his loved ones for that. Grimble attempted to kill his own daughter, but Whitson protected Hollie, and Grimble's actions eventually resulted in Whitson's death.

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