something that did not live long. She was afraid if you saw it; you walk away from her and never talk to her again."

He was stunned into silence and motionless. He felt almost the same as when he had been hit by Man. Now he understood. He stood there catching his breath. Having a doe that cannot breed was one thing. Being a doe that produced deformed fawns meant that doe was shunned by the males and all others around them. They were outcasts and usually did not live long.

No one spoke a word. He had no words and neither did Bambi or Faline. He stood there thinking. What would he do now? What could he say now? He almost wished he had been hit again by Man. At least the pain would not last for long. He had to do something. He had to say something. He searched his thoughts and then searched what he felt. It was his feelings that gave him an answer. He walked over the Claris her head still low to the ground and sobbing uncontrollably now.

"Claris, look at me," he said in a low, but firm voice.

Claris didn't raise her head, but only went on sobbing. He waited and then repeated this time in a firmer voice.

"Claris! look at me."

She stopped sobbing and slowly raiser her head to look at him. Those green sparkling eyes were now like cold dead flames. She was waiting for him to say something.

"I wished you would have told me this before," he said calmly. "At least I would have understood why you did what you did. I would not have sent you away. I would not have shunned you. I would not have been with you in the Season again, but I would not have cast you out. I felt for you then and I feel for you now. That I cannot have another fawn with you hurts me, deeply, but we had two healthy fawns and both of them have again produced fine children. Our son Stabo and Bambi and Faline's daughter Gena have a fine male fawn Koren. He is healthy and strong. Stena and Balo have a nice doe fawn Delene. Stabo's daughter Claris, is growing into beautiful young doe that I suspect a lot of males will be after. I am sure Balo will make a fine herd leader one day. You and I made two good children and they are now having children and these children will have children. We will go on now matter what happens to any of us. I still feel for you and I still want you, but you are right, I will go elsewhere to have my children."

Claris looked back at him. The tears stopped. He could see she was happy he would not send her away, but she was sad he find another doe to take her place during the Season.

"Is that all?" she asked hesitantly.

"No, I want you now to come with me," he told her. He turned and faced Bambi and Faline.

"I saw Veron before I came over. He is a fine herd leader and he has a new doe fawn he named after you, Faline. She is very cute. Veron is teaching young Bambi how to be exactly like you."

He could see smiles come from the two of them again. At least there was some good news to this mess.

"Thank you," they said together.

He next spoke directly to Bambi, "I ask permission of the herd leader to stay in your forest for a while at least until my injuries heal fully."

"My friend, you stay as long as you want," Bambi said with half a grin "There is a small thicket under those pine trees that no one uses."

"Thank you," he said. "He walked off past Ate and Claris. Clair followed behind him as he went over to the thicket. As he stood there Gorro came back with a branch full of leaves. He dropped them on the ground next to him.

"Thank you, Gorro," he said. I will eat them in a short time."

He picked the leaves up and carried them into the thicket. It had leaves from last year and soft grass. It would do for now. Claris came and lay down beside him. She did not snuggle in closely like she normally did but just lay touching his side. For now that would also have to do.

"Stranger," she said looking at him. "I have to know something also."

"What is it," he said.

"Did you mean what you said about still feeling for me?" She looked afraid at what he might say.

He turned his head leaned over and nuzzled her long soft nose and licked her face. She did likewise. Some things were best left without words.

"You are still going to find another doe in the Season?" she asked gently.

"Claris I will not lie to you," he said firmly again. "I understand you may not have any more fawns, but I can and I want more than two. Yes, when the time comes I will find myself a doe to be with, but I will not feel for that doe the way I feel for you."

"I understand, Stranger," Claris said with a hint of a grin on her face. "I think I may have a way for both of us to be happy."

"How is that?" he wanted to know.

"You will have to see," she said and lay closer to him.