saw Geno and heard what happened. He is not here if that is what you want?"

"That is part of it," he said. "Did he tell you I became herd leader?"

"He did not have to," Bambi answered. "I always knew you wanted to be herd leader so it was no surprise when Geno told me you took over after you did the wise thing and threw Geno out."

"You are not angry at us for chasing Geno out?" Ronno wanted to know.

"No," Bambi said. "It was the wisest thing you could have done. He was more for himself and not the herd. He forgot everything I taught him," said in disgust. "Now how do you like being herd leader?"

Ronno dropped his head. "I do not like it," he said in a low voice. "I am not very good at being leader," he continued with a pause. "I do not understand things like you and Stranger do. I do not think the others in the herd are happy with me. That is why I came to see you."

"You want me to teach you how to be a herd leader?" Bambi asked. "You are a bit old to learn now."

"No," Ronno said. "I want you to come back and be the herd leader."

That stunned them all. Even Faline drew in a breath. Only Bambi was not surprised.

"You want me to come back after what Geno did to me?" Bambi asked his voice rising slightly.

"Yes," Ronno said. "The others also want you to return. They say things were best when you and your father were herd leaders. They want it to be that way again."

"Why should I do that?" Bambi spat out.

"Ronno stood up and looked Bambi straight in the eye. "You need to come back for the good of the herd," he said as a fact.

That answered stunned Bambi. It was the last thing any of them ever expected to hear out of Ronno. If he was forced to come to this conclusion, things had to be bad. Bambi said nothing for a while and then looked up at the sky which was now in full light.

"Stay here for today and I will give you an answer tonight." With that Bambi turned and silently walked back to his bedding area. Ronno walked up to Faline. "Sinno told me about Gurri, Jolo, and Gerta. I am so sorry about that. I always liked Gurri."

"Thank you," Faline said and walked back after Bambi. Ronno then came over to them. I see you have two this time," how is Stena?"

"Fine," he said. "I have been teaching her. She looks to be a pair with Balo."

"I never got to know Balo that well," he said. "His father was a big, strong deer, but not the wisest. He did not deserve to die the way he did. Then again neither does any of us."

"You can stay in the clearing until night," he told Ronno. "It is day and we are going to bed down."

"Thank You," Ronno answered. He watched him go to the edge of the clearing and lie down."

He bedded down next to Claris and the fawns. "Do you think Bambi will go?" Claris asked.

"Yes, he will go," he answered truthfully.

"Why, his home is here," Claris said showing alarm.

"He will go for the good of the herd," he told her "Bambi will always place the herd before himself. Ronno knew that which is why he said it. Bambi also knows if Ronno is forced to admit he is not a good leader, then the herd must be in awful shape. The herd needs him and because of that need, he will go."

"Then what will we do?" Claris asked looking worried.

"We will do our best," he answered and went to sleep.

It was just after dark when all of them gathered in the clearing. Stena and Balo were there. He had told them about what happened. Ronno was there. Soon Bambi walked out with Faline and Gorro on her tail.

Bambi walked up and looked at Ronno right in the eyes and said , "I will come back, but during the middle of summer. The fawn needs to grow more. I also need to teach Balo some more and that will be done by then."

"I understand and accept your decision" Ronno said formally. "Very well I will leave and tell the others. They will be happy. I welcome you back, herd leader," Ronno said with a bow of his head.

Even Stena and Balo did not seem shocked by Bambi's decision. Bambi then turned to Balo. "Come ," he said. "We have much to do and as usual not much time to do it in."

"Bambi lead Balo away and he took Stena into the meadow.

Epilog: Aftermath

They ran into the Man path forest from the open field. There was no sign of Man around, but that didn't stop them from being cautious. Their journey from their forest had only taken a short while. In the dark stillness of a mid-summer's night there was insects, rabbits and other creatures on the move, but nothing as large as them. They wandered into the forest and started looking for the others. From his last visit, he led Bambi and Faline toward the open area he has seen the herd in last time. As they approach, the wind carried their scent into the large clearing. The herd stopped grazing and looked up at them.

"Greetings," Bambi bellowed. "I am looking for Veron and Gena."

"Father" he heard a deep voice call out. "He turned and saw Veron come out of the woods with a doe close behind him. Behind the doe trailed a male fawn. Faline looked at it and almost broke into tears of happiness. Verno walked quickly up to them and first nuzzling his mother's face, he next rubbed his father face in affection. Finally Veron rubbed his forehead.

"I am so happy to see you," he said showing true joy. This is Alana, my mate, and this my fawn. I named him after you, Father, this is little Bambi."

He thought the big deer was going to break down on the spot. Bambi leaned over and rubbed the fawn with his nose. The fawn immediately started to lick Bambi's face. Audible sound of pure joy could be heard from all of them. Bambi looked up directly at Veron. "Thank you my Son," was all he could get out.

"Have you seen, your sister Gena?" Faline asked.

"They are feeding in the next clearing, I will take you to them. They followed the large deer. Now at three years old he was as big as his father's and he could see he was going to grow a big rack. He noted the other deer deferred to them as they walked. Veron was definitely the herd leader here. They passed through some old growth pine trees until they came out into a clearing. Four deer were feeding. He recognized Stabo at once.

"Sister, we have visitors," Veron called out.

Gena looked over and ran over to them. A small female fawn was trailing behind her. So much for listening to his advice. Stabo followed and nuzzled his nose first. "Father," he said and then greeted Bambi and Faline. Stabo had grown. Another year and he would be as big as him. He also noted the rack he was growing. It be large, but not as big as his for another year.

"Father, this is little Claris. Do you think mother will mind?"

He leaned over and the fawn immediately stated to lick his face. He too also almost broke down.

"Your mother would be proud as I am," he said letting his pride show in is voice.

"Where is mother," Stabo asked.

"Your mother along with your younger sister is watching your mother's new fawns and Faline's new fawn. They are still too young to make the journey, but I will bring them in the winter after the Season."

He didn't add, assuming any of us are still alive. He was not going to spoil the reunion.

"Why have you come now?" Veron asked.

"That is a long story," Bambi said. "That is why we are here. Let us lie down some place; this is not going to be easy to tell."

They all lay down in the middle of the opening and Bambi poured out the events of the last year. When he was done, there was not much happiness left.

"So my sisters are dead, my older brother has been chased away, and you are leaving forever," Veron summed up.

"Yes," Bambi said in a low voice. "That is why me and your mother wanted to come to see you once more. When I go back to the old forest, it is unlikely I will ever be able to get back here."

Veron took a deep breath. "I am sorry to hear that, Father, but this is my home. I am herd leader and I must stay. Stabo has been of great help, but the others look to me and I will not let them down."

"I know, my son, and that is why I am so proud of all of you," Bambi said also with obvious pride in his voice. "There is one other thing. I do not think Geno will ever come back, but if he does, you must go get Stranger. Geno is big, powerful, and knows how to fight. It will take all of you to chase him away or defeat him. I do not think he is that foolish, but you can never tell."

"I understand, Father," Veron went on. "If he comes back he will not be welcomed here. Between Stranger, Stabo and me, we will take care of him. I cannot believe what he has done."

"If there are problems and you want help," he said to Stabo, "Your mother and I have moved to the clearing next to the pond."

"Yes, Father," Stabo said. Veron also nodded his head.

He look up at the increasing light. "Too late to go back tonight," he said. "If the herd leader does not mind we will stay here today and go back tonight."

"The herd leader will never mind a visit from any of you," Veron said with a smile.

They all spent the day in the clearing eating and talking to each other. There was little sleep. By the time dark came, it was time to part. Sad as it was, there was no avoiding

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