"The Mousemaid From The Sea"

"The Mousemaid From the Sea"

Something not-Vivziepop related, wow, lol, but I've been getting back into the Redwall series, and Mariel is absolutely iconic, so I decided to try drawing her and her trusty Gullwhacker ^^

This week’s Redwall Cookbook meal: Stones inna Swamp! Bean soup with oat and parsley dumplings.

Something went wrong with the dumplings - it made fewer than the recipe said. I think if I were making it again I’d add an egg or something to help them hold together as well. Other than that, swapped out some veggies to use what I had in the fridge but otherwise stuck pretty close to the recipe! Served with some red cabbage sauerkraut.

Shogg: Don't accidentally kill someone Triss: I'm not an idiot, Shogg, I know how to do it on purpose

It's freezing where I am right now, which got me thinking--a while back there was chatter about Martin, being from the North, having a particularly thick and fluffy winter coat. As someone with thick and fluffy hair, I am very aware of how dry winters can get. Static inevitably happens. So not just the best bedhead, but also inevitably fluffy and staticky. Accidentally shocking himself while cleaning his sword. Less-accidentally zapping Gonff when passing him a scarf. Just. Staticky Martin.

It is -20 (F) where I am and also have enormously fluffy hair, and so I am right there with you. I spent 10-15 minutes trying to wrestle it this morning before I gave into a hat. 

I am CERTAIN that this is a huge problem for fluffy Redwallers, especially the northerners. Little balls of fur napping together when one of them yelps and the other is all apologies. Squirrel tales become electric weapons. It is also confirmed that Martin is young, and so having fluffy, staticky hair would be the CUTEST (no wonder all the baddies underestimate him). 

Dann: You enjoy silently judging everyone, don't you? Song: When have I ever judged someone silently.

Thoughts after reading Martin the Warrior for the second time ♥️

- I haven’t read many books that can transport you into a “too beautiful to be true” setting like Noonvale. Anne of Green Gables is the only equivalent. I don’t know how he does it because the descriptions are so cliché or basic, yet somehow you FEEL the peace and love and perfection…

- Felldoh. Oh my heart, Felldoh. He breaks me every time 😭 I want so much more for him, yet somehow he feels destined to his story. He’s such a great guy, really, when he isn’t consumed with justice and protection. I love him in juxtaposition to Martin. Both are warriors, both hate Badrang and intend to free the world from him, yet Martin has a larger nature that allows him to let go briefly, while Felldoh is obsessed. Even if Felldoh went with Martin & Rose to Noonvale he’d still be obsessed. I love Brome’s wise words about paths of vengeance, but also Felldoh’s & Martin’s wisdom in insisting we can’t just ignore evil and run from it but destroy it or not only will it hurt others as it hurt us, it will spread like a cancer.

- Martin, by the way, is something else. I don’t know why I love him so much but he’s amazing. Really. Such a fascinating, admirable character. I see why he’s the guardian of Redwall.

- I love the talk about bravery between Felldoh & Brome, about how not everyone can kill, and it’s good to be innocent, and being a healer is just as important and brave.

- Also…. poor little Juniper who gave his life… 💔 And I love Ballaw. He’s not as amusing as most hares but he’s good and noble and his words about stages and curtains fit things so WELL. And I have to mention Keyla, who’s absolutely amazing himself!!

- The last few pages are terribly beautiful. I still don’t understand why SHE had to die… really. I know the plot demands it in a way, but… why? She can’t really be… she’s too vibrant to just cease. But oh, Martin, my heart hurts for you so much. And his words about memories… ♥️

- There’s things and parts in the Redwall books that are silly and cliché and poorly written, and remind me he wrote these for kids. Then there’s some supremely awful and beautiful bits that remind me why I adore these books and why Martin is my favourite of them all…

- and the Treehouse TV show is so good for this book ♥️

*edited 23.1.24