Mended Wood

## Great Wood

The **M****ended Wood** is a renewed version of the Great Wood, prophesied to come forth by King Jupiter as a result of the Mending. It came about after the War for All Natalia, which culminated in Smalden Joveson slaying Morbin Blackhawk and the breaking of the Stone Sword of Flint, came to a close.

## History

### *The Green Ember*/*The Last Archer*

As revealed by Wilfred Longtreader, Jupiter spoke of the coming of the Mended Wood just prior to being murdered by Morbin Blackhawk. After the King fell and the Great Wood was burned, members of the Cause sought to fulfill Jupiter's vision. This was most notably seen at Cloud Mountain, where a community dedicated to this ideal was established. A song, "The Mended Wood", was composed regarding its coming, with the stanza "the mended wood" often being repeated separately by rabbits. After Heather helped the wounded Jo Shanks, he felt that if a Longtreader could be a friend, then maybe the Mended Wood really could come about.

### *Ember Falls*

Lord Ramnor and Heather conversed about how many healers would be needed and how many soldiers would not come back. While this saddened her, Heather expressed hope for the Mended Wood.

Heather encouraged Elska to think of happy things, such as the coming Mended Wood, when they would all be free. Heather told Bleston that while things were bad, it would not be so in the Mended Wood.

Melody shouted a line from Heather's story at Morbin Blackhawk. After killing her, Morbin said that he did not wish to hear of the Mended Wood.

Before the Battle of Rockback Valley, Heather wondered whether the Mended Wood would become an empty legend or whether it would draw closer, knowing that the day ahead would be a turning point. Immediately prior to the battle, Helmer shouted to fight for the Mended Wood.

Lord Rake told Emma that, while he had hoped to see Smalls on the throne in the Mended Wood and Emma a princess, he was sorry that could not happen, but he was still going to fight with the Mended Wood in his mind.

Seeing the tenth window in Lighthall, which depicted Smalls reigning over the Mended Wood, caused Heather to weep.

Emma told the soldiers of Halfwind Citadel and Cloud Mountain that Smalls had worked for the Mended Wood all his life, and that she planned to do the same. She then instructed them to bear the flame, for the sake of the Mended Wood.

Heather tells Emma that if Emma dies, the hope of the Mended Wood is gone.

### *Ember Rising*/*The Archer's Cup*

The Mended Wood is spoken of many times, as a symbol of hope in rabbits. Heather speaks of it to her mother, and to the inhabitants of the Seventh District. The Mended Wood is in Picket's mind as he fights.

Emma tells Captain Truff that she is not his enemy, as she is here to talk about the aim that they share, the liberation of rabbitkind in the Mended Wood. Grenda talks about how divided they are, and Jo comforts her by saying that it would not be so in the Mended Wood. Slimmo said that if the Mended Wood came tomorrow, his family would not move to First Warren but stay by Black Lake. Jo told Lokson that he hoped to see Lokson with Amber in the Mended Wood.

### *Ember's End*

The rabbits held the Mended Wood in their minds as they fought, and spoke of it to each other to keep up hope. After Smalls killed Morbin with Flint's sword, and the sword broke, the Mending began.

**Heather Longtreader**: May it be so, in this Mended Wood.

—*Ember's End*, pg. 406-407

The rabbits then had a Mended Wood. Smalls was king, with Heather his queen, and there was peace and no more war. The Pilgrim brought True Blue, which had wonderful healing powers and, they discovered, could even create eternal life. The rabbits of Natalia were once again free, and were all very happy.