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Captain Docken was the husband of Lady Thripple and father of Hope and Mopple. He was formerly a member of the Hedgehog Host, a group of miners.
History[]
Urchin of the Riding Stars[]
Docken doesn’t appear, but it’s later stated that he, together with the group of hedgehogs calling themselves the Hedgehog Host, was sent away to do mining and quarrying when Husk was in power.
Urchin and the Heartstone[]
Docken is introduced as Thripple’s husband and Hope’s father that works in the Tower. It’s said that he and Gorsen are going to be promoted into the Circle soon. He takes over guard duty when King Crispin and the Circle hold a meeting after the arrival of Lord Treeth and other Whitewings animals. Later, Docken allows Hope to explore Sepia’s singing cave with Sepia, Needle and Fingal. When Hope gets back to the Tower after falling into the water in Sepia’s cave, he is seen telling his father about his adventures.
During the Hedgehog Rebellion, Docken fights for King Crispin. He is wounded in the fight, but not seriously. Crispin praises Docken for fighting against his own comrades to save his life, and Docken assures him that most of the Hedgehog Host are still loyal to him. Crispin announces that Docken is going to be accepted into the Circle after Urchin’s return.
The Heir of Mistmantle[]
Docken is sent to search the Chamber of Candles together with Urchin and Juniper after Princess Catkin is kidnapped, but they don’t find any trace of her or Linty. Later, Docken warns Yarrow, Hobb and Quill not to stand under the queen’s windows; they refuse to comply just out of spite and are drenched in bathwater that’s poured from the window.
During the mudslide, Docken is guiding the animals to safety and helps to pull Urchin and Juniper to safety when they are almost dragged down into the mud. Later, he helps to haul Needle out of the pit where Husk had died. Docken stands an honorary watch for Captain Lugg after his death, and he is present when Urchin and Needle are admitted into the Circle.
Urchin and the Raven War[]
Docken is made a Captain, however, he doesn’t believe himself to be suitable for the task, and views himself as a temporary stand-in until the king finds someone better. When swans arrive to Mistmantle, Docken and Arran direct animals to bring them food and water. He fights against the ravens in the Raven War, defending the Tower with a band of hedgehogs, and participates in many battles at Crispin’s side. At the end, Docken is present when Queen Larch arrives with the reinforcements from Whitewings.
Urchin and the Rage Tide[]
Docken organizes the evacuation of the Tower in preparation for the coming Rage Tide, and Crispin assigns Mossberry to help with the works, hoping that it would calm Mossberry down. However, Mossberry only views being forced to do the common work as a purposeful humiliation by Docken. Later, Docken is working on stacking sandbags to hold back water together with king Crispin.
When Ruffle tries to get into the Tower to see Mossberry, who had been imprisoned there, Docken stops her. When Mossberry escapes and tries to set the Tower on fire, Docken is among the animals who try to stop him, along with Crispin, Padra, Urchin and Juniper, and he praises Juniper when the squirrel knocks the flints out of Mossberry’s paws with a pebble.
Docken, along with other Captains, is present when Corr returns to Mistmantle and when Urchin is made Captain.
Personality and Traits[]
Docken is described as being perpetually untidy in appearance, with his quills sticking out at odd angles despite his wife's best efforts. However, he was loyal and responsible without question, and a devoted husband and father. Docken initially was uncomfortable with the idea of being a captain, feeling as though he were merely a stand-in for the position until a better candidate came along.