HITHIL is standing on the Abbey grounds facing LAURELINA, behind whom a few beasts of her age are crowded, both glaring at each other.

HITHIL
So, you ready, bushtail?

LAURELINA
(crosses her arms challengingly)
Bushtail y�self, you big buffoon! (pauses) No.

HTHIL
Coward.

LAURELINA
(smirks) As I recall, you were t�one kicked outta Salamandastron. I heard they accept nearly everyone. How much talent did that take?

HITHIL
(starts forward) Don�t you�

He is blocked by a crowd of Redwallers surging down the lawns, the ABBESS at its front. The ABBESS stands between the pair, looking back and forth.

ABBESS
Hithil, step down. You�ve been here long enough to know that Redwall is a peaceful place, and you, Laurelina, know that only too well. Why are we fighting?

LAURELINA
WHAT IS THIS FEELING
SO SUDDEN AND NEW?

HITHIL
I FELT THE MOMENT
I LAID EYES ON YOU

LAURELINA
MY PULSE IS RUSHING

HITHIL
MY HEAD IS REELING

LAURELINA
MY FACE IS FLUSHING

LAURELINA and HITHIL
WHAT IS THIS FEELING?
FERVID AS A FLAME
DOES IT HAVE A NAME?
YES

LOATHING
UNADULTERATED LOATHING

LAURELINA
FOR YOUR FACE

HITHIL
YOUR VOICE

LAURELINA
YOUR CLOTHING

LAURELINA and HITHIL
LET�S JUST SAY�I LOATHE IT ALL!

LAURELINA
EVERY LITTLE TRAIT, HOWEVER SMALL
MAKES MY VERY FLESH BEGIN TO CRAWL
WITH SIMPLE UTTER LOATHING

HITHIL
THERE�S A STRANGE EXHILARATION
IN SUCH TOTAL DETESTATION

LAURELINA and HITHIL
IT�S SO PURE SO STRONG!
THOUGH I DO ADMIT IT CAME ON FAST
STILL I DO BELIEVE THAT IT CAN LAST
AND I WILL BE LOATHING
LOATHING YOU
MY WHOLE LIFE LONG!

REDWALLERS
LAURELINA YOU ARE JUST TOO GOOD!
HOW DO YOU STAND HIM?
I DON�T THINK I COULD
HE�S SO VICIOUS, HE�S SO SPITEFUL
WE DON�T MEAN TO SHOW A BIAS
BUT LAURELINA YOU�RE SO RIGHTFUL!

LAURELINA
(grins) Well, one can only try...

REDWALLERS
POOR LAURELINA FORCED TO RESIDE
WITH SOMEONE SO DISGUSTINGIFIED
WE JUST WANT TO TELL YOU
WE�RE ALL ON YOUR SIDE!
WE SHARE YOUR