Thyme, Brigadier

Gender: male

Species: hare

Appears In: Mariel of Redwall




Thyme - a popular herb used in cooking - is a resident of Salamandastron and Brigadier in the Long Patrol who, along with Clary and Rosie, forms a trio that often guards the regions around Mossflower. He is the second-oldest of the three, has thick furnished whiskers as well as a massive appetite, enjoys joking around even during battle (though he is slightly more serious than his two friends), and is very skilled at using a longbow. He is extremely knowledgeable in the art of war and bargaining, considered to be an expert tracker, possesses immense courage, and is not afraid to put his life in danger so that others may live. While the three hares are returning to Salamandastron they happen across Mariel who is being attacked by Oykamon, defeating the toads and giving her a Long Patrol medal for her bravery before handing her over to Pakatugg who will supposedly lead her to Redwall. Upon discovering a moored Darkqueen at the River Moss they swiftly dismantle her, hiding out in the vessel until Bigfang arrives with the crew. The corsairs are soundly defeated and the hares follow them to the Abbey. Thanks to the trio training the defenders and launching counterattacks as well as diversions, Greypatch is forced to decease the intensity of his assaults. Mellus's pleas to rescue the oarslaves, combined with their own compassion, sends the hares on two missions that result in most of the prisoners being freed but they are aware the last attempt could possibly cost them their lives. With assistance from several creatures, the hare trio battle Greypatch's crew while the remaining slaves are saved and joke around the entire time. Although they are horribly outnumbered they fight valiantly, and out of the original one hundred corsairs only eighteen survive. Clary and Thyme are killed in the gruesome battle (they slay so many rats that they perish underneath them) with Rosie suffering near-fatal injuries. After their bodies are recovered, Clary and Thyme and buried in a special spot outside Redwall.