Safe.

That’s all Mrs. Elizabeth Brisby, widow of Jonathan Brisby, wanted her and her children to be. And yet, life on the farm guaranteed only so much in the way of permanent safety, especially for field mice such as themselves. It had taken a great, perilous journey across the land, through thorns and caverns, to convince the rats to aid in the effort to move their home in the cinder block to safety, to avoid the Fitzgibbons’ plow… all while ensuring the health of her dearest Timmy due to his battle with pneumonia – something which the young mouseling had since recovered from in spades, thank goodness.

And after great sacrifice, courage, bravery… and a fair amount of fear in Mrs. Brisby’s heart at every turn and great height she’d taken… they were safe. They were still on the farmland they called home, but were now far, far away from the plow – and from that vile cat, Dragon.

She had done what her husband lost his life to try and achieve.

Was it worth it?

…Yes. In the end, she believed it was.

Justin, former Captain of the Guard, now leader of the Rats, had led his people away from N.I.M.H. to the safety of Thorn Valley. He’d offered an invitation for Mrs. Brisby and her family to visit whenever they’d like, but… not now. Someday, perhaps, when her children were older… but right now, the poor, motherly mouse just wanted to rest. The pendant she’d been given by Nicodemus had taken a toll once its powers had enveloped her and gave her the strength to pull her home out of the sinkhole.

She’d already lost her husband. She refused to lose her children, too.

On the brighter side of things, her currently grounded state gave poor Auntie Shrew time to have a break from watching her children. Martin, the boldest of them, was still rather mischievous and brash, though was now starting to realize just how many responsibilities he now had, not just as the oldest of his siblings, Teresa, Timmy and Cynthia, but as the ‘man of the house’. His mother, of course, would be there to guide him every step of the way, knowing he would follow well in his father’s footsteps.

There was also Jeremy, the clumsy yet well-meaningly anxious crow who had now found his ‘Miss Right’ for his stringbound love nest – sure enough, she was indeed like him in every single way. He had become something of an honorary ‘uncle’ to her children, even if they still (playfully) called him a turkey.

Today, however, after tending to her family and handling her regular responsibilities – and ensuring her children followed their own respective chores – Mrs. Brisby decided to take a small nap. Martin, being the proud boy he was, assured his mother that he’d keep the others in check… even as his siblings (barring Timmy, who dutifully listened) snickered behind his back… at least, until it was mentioned that if they misbehaved, then he’d call Auntie Shrew himself.

That got them focused.

The maternal mouse sank into the comfort of her bed; the warmth of her blanket, the softness of her pillow… this, after everything she’d been through… felt right.

…

At least, until a knock at the door caught her ear. Her eyes wearily peeked open towards the source of the noise, a soft, curious mumble leaving her lips.

“Mom? Uh… there’s… there’s someone who wants to see you!” came Martin’s voice. “They say they’re from Thorn Valley!”

Oh, Thorn Valley…

…Thorn Valley?

In an instant, Mrs. Brisby shot up in her bed, eyes wide and attentive. “O-Oh! Goodness, why – I-I’ll be right there, dear!”

She hurriedly fetched her tattered red cape and skittered out of the bedroom.

Was it Justin coming to visit her? Today? Now? Of all mice? But… he had so many responsibilities!

Once she padded past her children and up to the front door, she opened it to reveal…

…Oh.

This wasn’t Justin.

Mrs. Brisby wasn’t someone who easily suspected others, but… the fact that she couldn’t recognize this visitor upon first glance made her a touch wary. She kept the door at a safe angle so that she could shut it upon first notice, but her voice remained amicable.

“Y-Yes? Can I help you?”