by force his former doe and his children. He was beaten by Bambi and told to leave. We heard that he was still angry and threaten not just the herd, but our families as well. This we could not allow. Both Bambi and I traveled deep in the forest and found Delon. We had an argument with him. It because obvious that because of his mother and father being rejected by this herd, and then getting killed by Man, Delon blamed all of us and he hated all of us. His behavior became so bad that Stelar and Helos left the forest. Then his own mate Faline left. That is when he came here to get her back and fought with her brother Bambi. We all thought he had left for good, but we found he was still planning on returning and taking revenge on both this herd and his family. When we got to Delon, we found he was putting together some large males and had talked them to come back here and try to do what Razor tired to do here. He was going to do this despite all the teaching given to him by both the elder Bambi and my Father. We could not allow that either. There was a fight and Delon and one of his males were killed by us. The threat is now over. The other two males ran away. I am sorry this has happened, but I wanted to tell you all about it."

There was a lump in his throat. Another of his family had gone bad. At least Stuben had realized his mistake and left in peace, He could not believe that Stena's son could have done this, yet he had no reason to doubt Stabo. He also did not believe that Delon would ever think what he was planning would work. He really did not learn anything Bambi and he taught him. He turned and saw Young Faline turn away and walk into the forest alone with her two fawns.

After a period of silence Elkar," one of the males from the deeper forest spoke up. "What Stabo has said is true. Delon had become someone that would not listen to anyone. All had to be his way, or he hurt the deer. I am sorry he is dead, but I think it was for the best."

"I do not think so," Relno spoke up. "With Razor we knew he had hurt and killed those in his herd, and then tried to do the same here, Delon did not do that. He said he would do that, but saying something and doing something are not the same. Delon should not have been killed unless he came back here to harm others."

He saw Stabo look stunned at the comment. "And was I suppose to wait until he hurts one of my family or my fawns. No, he made it plain to me and Bambi he was going to hurt us anyway he could."

"That sounds familiar," Bambi said.

"Too familiar and too painful," he said in a low voice. Both of them remembering what happened when he chased Kregus onto the meadow to be killed.

"All I am saying is that Delon did not deserve to die," Relno said.

Marco then walked forward and spoke loudly. "I remember Delon as a fawn. I watched him grow up with Stuben, and Delene. I watched Stranger and Bambi train him and the others. I also heard the arguments they made about being herd leader. Delon was a fine fawn and young male, but something went wrong, just like with Bambi's son Geno and Stranger's son Stuben. There is no fault here. What it shows us is that some can learn the ways of being a good herd leader and some cannot. Delon could not, but that did not mean we had to kill him."

He saw Bambi's ears flick forward showing his interest before speaking up. "You are correct; my son Geno did go bad and forgot all I tried to teach him. However Geno did not try to hurt anyone except me and Stranger by sending Krono to our forest. He never tried to hurt anyone in the forest. This is why Stanger and I did not try to kill Geno, but instead chased him away. Delon did threaten the herd and our families. Geno was wise enough to leave, Delon did not."

He then spoke up. "I always tried to teach my family the herd was the most important things. The leader and his family and friends are here to help the herd, not the other way around. When the herd is attacked, it is the duty of the herd leader to defend the herd, even if it costs his life. Bambi's son Veron knew that and he died doing it. Gurri and Jolo knew that and they died doing it. Balo and my daughter Stena knew that and they died doing it for their herd. Delon did not learn that and was ready hurt or kill to get his way. Delon was son of my daughter. His death hurts me as much as my own daughter Stena. Still no one is above the herd. This is why Balo, Stena, Delon, my mate Carie and my son Stuben were sent away when they proved they did not learn this and instead care more for themselves." With the exception of Delon, the others left and went in peace. Delon did not and wanted to hurt us. This, my friends we can never allow," he stopped for a moment to clear the lump in this throat. "I think Stabo and the younger Bambi did the right thing. Not because Stabo is my son, but because Stabo protected the herd as any good herd leader will do."

After he spoke there was silence. He turned away so they would not see his eyes cloud over. He wished Claris was with him then, but she was not. Old Bambi came over and nuzzled him on his back.

Bambi turned quickly and called out loudly,"That was well said, by a herd leader that has also paid the price to do the right thing many times."

Stabo then stood up as straight as possible and turned to face as much of the herd as he could. "Very well I understand that some of you feel I have done the wrong thing. Let me say that this was my decision alone. Veron's son Bambi helped me, but I decided what had to be done as herd leader. If you wish to have a new herd leader, I will step aside now. I recommend you give the herd leadership to Verson's son Bambi. He had proven he cares for the herd and he has proven he is ready to lead. Many of you know I never wanted to be herd leader, but after Veron was killed, someone had to do it until others were ready. Now Bambi is ready. I ask you all to accept him as your new herd leader."

There were sounds of shock from the other deer. His son had done that perfectly. He knew he was going to turn the herd over to Young Bambi this fall. This was the perfect way to do this. He turned back to the herd and watched.

He noted Marco, Relnor and two or three of the other larger males stepped aside and were talking in private. There were other mutterings from the herd. What was the problem? There were other small groups of deer in discussion. Even the doe and the yearlings were talking. This was not anything he had seen before. It was almost like they disagreed with Stabo. This went on for some time with the groups talking to each other. Finally Relnor walked out from the groups of males and went to the center of the group.

"If I may speak," Relnor called out.

"Relnor may speak," Stabo said looking at the others still in discussion.

"Stabo, we do not want you to step aside as herd leader," he said flatly. "It is not that we do not think Young Bambi can lead, it is that we still think he is too young to do so. We need an older deer that has more experience to be leader. There are many things happening we do not understand. We need someone who can lead us to safety when Man comes back during The Season. In two or three more seasons, perhaps Young Bambi will be ready, but not now."

That was a surprise. Many of them knew Veron was no older than Young Bambi when he brought the herd to this forest. He looked at Young Bambi. He was as shocked as Balo was when the herd rejected him. At least there was a reason for Balo, there was no reason to reject Young Bambi.

"My friends," he called out. "I have trained this Bambi. His father Veron trained him. The elder Bambi has trained him. This Bambi is ready to lead as did his father. I would not tell you this if I did not believe it was true. Young Bambi is ready to lead."

"I must agree with Stranger," the elder Bambi spoke up. "Yes I have trained him; yes I have watched him grow up. He is as ready as his Father was when he took leadership of the herd here."

There were more discussions within the herd. More conversations were held. More groups moving around. Finally Marco came forward.

"We hear the words of The Stranger, Bambi and Stabo. We still think that the younger Bambi needs to have more experience to lead us. For this reason we ask Stabo to remain as heard leader and for the young Bambi to help him for now."

Stabo looked bewildered at the response. Stabo wanted to give it up. Young Bambi looked angry as if rejected. He walked over to Stabo and motioned Young Bambi to join them.

"I did not expect this to happen, but the herd has made a choice. Stabo you must remain as herd leader. The others ask it of you. Bambi, the herd asks you to wait, but they did not reject you."

"What do you mean," the young male spat out. "They just told me they did not want me. Now I know how Balo felt."

"No," the older Bambi said to him like he was his own fawn. "The herd told you they did not think you were ready to lead, not that they did not want you. You will be herd leader in time, but not now."

"I almost feel like walking off into the deep woods like Balo did," the Younger Bambi said shaking his head.

That made him angry even if Young Bambi was not serious. "Then you would be no better than Balo. I have always told you the herd will tell you when you are ready. The herd told you that you are not ready now. The herd also rejected our advice. Accept it and learn more. You will be herd leader here some day."

"If you say so," Young Bambi said.

"No," he told him. "You must say so and you must say so now so the others will

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