Chapter 8: Parings

Following the gathering, life in the Man path forest became almost normal. With Balo, Stena, Delon and Young Faline leaving for the deep forest and Carie and his son Stuben leaving for the forest over the hill, quiet finally descended on them. The two herds joined peacefully and Stabo and the younger Bambi spread them further out as not to over graze the grasses near them. Things went well. The new herd accepted Stabo as leader and seemed to have no problems with the younger Bambi taking over one day. As for the four of them, they settled into a much easier life, which was good. His side improved, but it still hurt when he tried to run or eat a lot. He knew it would never fully heal.

The four of them found an open clearing near where they fought with Razor and decided to call it their home. It was well shaded and near heavy brush. A stream ran nearby and around them were enough grasses and eatable leaves as they did not go hungry. The other deer treated them respectfully. He spent his time helping Bambi with Galin and Galene. Both Charlene and Koren kept nearby. The younger Bambi and Karene showed up to learn more. He did not take part in anymore mock combat because his side hurt too much, but he could still show them things so he still felt somewhat useful. However he was still sad. His son and daughter were gone, likely forever. What bothered him the most was they never saw a sign of Stelar. He could only think she had not survived the fire as did maybe ten more deer and fawns who were missing.

Summer passed into to fall and again their antlers grew out. Bambi's rack was still large despite his age, and his rack, while smaller than before, was still of good size. The younger Bambi grew a rack that was as big as anyone else in the forest and may have been a little larger than Stabo's. He had just started to feel his antlers itch when one morning he was awaken by distant noise.

"Wham…..Wham…Wham," he heard echo through the forest. It came from deep in the forest. The noise woke them all.

"Killing sticks but far away," he told them. "It is still a little early for Man to come for us."

"What are they doing?" Faline asked.

"It is near the time for Man to hunt the larger animals like bear. Maybe they are after them. One thing for sure, unless they get a lot closer I am not going to see what is happening."

That night after sunset they met Stabo, Gena, Koren and Galene in a clearing the often ate in. "You heard the killing sticks?" Koren asked.

"Yes, but they are far away," he told them.

Soon afterwards Galin and Charlene and Bambi and Karene came into the clearing. Galin walked up to them. "I walked deeper into the woods last night and after the rising of the greater light, I heard the sounds of the killing sticks."

"We all did," the elder Bambi told him.

"Did you also hear the noise like someone pounding on something? It was a noise that sounded like things hitting each other. I never heard anything like it. It was far away, but I could hear it."

"That noise sounds like the noise Man makes when he comes to his Man cave to get ready to hunt us. It is not from the old Man cave, it is gone. Stabo, do you know if Man built another Man cave nearby?"

"Not that I know of, Father," Stabo said.

"What do you suppose all the noise means?" Koren asked.

He could think of only one thing. "It might mean man is building another Man cave there. If so it means Man will hunt more in this forest when The Season comes."

"That would be bad for us," the younger Bambi said. "Is there some way we can know?"

"Only by looking for ourselves," he told them. "I can no longer do that with my injuries. I cannot walk for that far without resting too much, nor can I run if I have too."

"We can," Koren said. "We can go there and look and come back and tell you."

"Yes we can," the younger Bambi added. "You have taught us how to approach Man. We can do it at night so Man will not see us."

"That is dangerous," Stabo added. "If you are seen, you are likely to die."

"All part of being a herd leader," Koren said with a grin. "We can leave tonight."

"What about us," Karene said.

"A smaller group is less likely to be seen than a large group," he told them, "The fewer that go with them the, the better for all."

"So we have to stay here and wait to see if you come back?" Karene said not looking pleased.

"That is part of being the mate to the herd leader," Claris said coldly. "Something I know about."

He watched Faline smile and nod her head. Yes it was worse for those that stayed behind. They had to worry about what would happen if those who went did not come back. The only thing the ones that went had to care about was staying alive."

"If you wish to go, I will not stop you," Stabo said.

"Just be careful both of you," Gena said with a plea.

"Of course we will," Koren said. "Right now I have a good reason to come back," he said with a smile and then kissed Galene on the side of the face.

"Just remember what we taught you and do not take any unnecessary chances," he reminded them.

Both Koren and the younger Bambi left that night. As they disappeared into the darkness he looked and swallowed hard. "I hope they remember," he said out loud.

"You told them what would happen if they did not," Bambi said. "They had to do this some time."

"I was wondering if I should have gone with then," Galin, said quietly.

"No," Bambi said. "You are not ready for this and the bigger the group the harder to stay hidden. Come, let me show both of you some tricks on approaching Man. Stranger can you help."

"I might as well," he said. "I feel useless here."

The training continued that night and for four more before the two of them returned. He was starting to get worried when while they were feeding both Koren and the younger Bambi walked quietly into the clearing. They approached with the wind in their faces like he taught them. He did not notice them until they were almost in the clearing. Both looked healthy and seem no worse for their experience. Both Karene and Galene both ran to them and greeted them not like friends but as mates. It was heartening to see they really did care for each other.

Things went well," he said.

"We are safe," Koren said. "At least for now, but there is much to tell."

"We have not eaten much the last few days and I am hungry. Can we talk after we eat?" the younger Bambi asked.

"Of course," Stabo said. "We will all go over to my clearing and have a long talk after we eat and drink."

After they ate, they all went to the larger clearing and lay down. Even Kena, Gena yearning child was there. Gena fawn Kela from this year lay at her mother's side and promptly went to sleep.

Koren stood up and started. "The best place to start is our trip. We walked for a full night before we heard the banging noises again in the morning. We moved toward the noise carefully and then stopped as soon as it was full light. We found the Man Cave that night. It is as big as the one that burnt down outside of our forest. We saw no Men with killing sticks there, it was all dark. It did not look like it was done so it seemed to us they were just making it."

The younger Bambi stood up. "Near this Man Cave the Man path leaves the forest and runs into the open field that goes as far as we could see. There were many Man animals there that left after the setting of the greater light. At no time did we see any of the Men in the forest. No Man we saw was using killing sticks or hunting."

"That means Man will hunt in that part of the forest when The Season comes," he said. "Please go on."

"We left just before the rising of the greater light just as we saw the Man animal return with their glowing eyes. We went deep in the forest and kept the wind in our faces. We picked up no scent of Man for that day."

"After resting for the day we then looked around the forest for any sign of deer," the younger Bambi continued. "We found some, but not many. The first deer we found was my mother."

"She is alright?" Stabo asked.

"Yes, she had found a new male and had a small doe fawn with her. She also told us that she had seen both Balo and Stena. They are now living there. Balo is trying to form a herd, but so far not many deer are joining. My mother had not seen any sign of Delon or my sister. We spent a day with my mother and then came back. We did not go looking for Balo and the others."

"That was a wise move," Bambi said nodding his head. "You have answered our questions. It does not explain the killing sticks we heard, but they were far away. I think you to have done well."

"I agree," he said. "Thank you both for that. You are now starting to see just what a herd leader has to do at times."

Both Koren and the younger Bambi beamed in appreciation and were immediately kissed by their perspective mates. Everyone smiled looking at the next couples.

"Does that mean Man will not hunt here?" Stabo asked.

"I think so," he answered. "Only you cannot be sure with Man. We will have to wait until The Season to see where Man puts up his other caves. That is where most of the killing sticks are put."

"So if Man does not put up his caves where he usually has before, he might not hunt here?" Stabo asked.

"You are right," he answered. "Man MAY not hunt here. Only time will tell." He yawned widely. "We have all done well this night. Now it is time to rest."

"Let us all stay here," Faline suggested, "and be together as a family."

The all agreed and soon slept close together. It was pleasing to have so many scents fill his nose. He went to sleep pleased that at least some of the ones he taught seem to learn. The rest would take care of itself."

Fall moved on and there was no more Man activity around the old forest and this forest. The herd continued to be healthy. Galin and Galene were making good progress in their lessons. Soon after their journey he noted both Galene, Charlene and Karene started sleeping every night with their males. That was a sure sign the pairing would be formal.

It was three nights after Koren and the younger Bambi returned that he heard the call just before morning. It was a loud call coming from across the old meadow where the stream flowed from his forest to Bambi's old forest. It was strong, direct and said only one word…."Stranger".

He recognized the call at once. It was from Stuben. He was talking to Stabo, when they heard it.

"What does he want," Stabo said with distain.

"Me," he replied simply. "I will leave at once."

"You are going to meet him," Stabo said looking at him as if he was crazy. "You know he just might be calling you to kill you."

He turned and looked at his oldest son and nodded. "That is possible, still he is my son, and I am responsible for him. I would come if you called. If he wants to kill me, we he won't be doing much more than what Man had already begun. Besides, even though I am weak, I am far from dead. If this is how I get to the Great Herd, as Bambi's father told me about, then that is what happens."

"Father, it is almost daylight," Stabo said.

"I will circle around inside the burnt out trees, but I will go and I will go alone," he ordered him. "You will tell the others that I will go alone. I will return in one or two nights. If I do not come back, you do not go looking for me. Goodbye, my son," he said and rubbed his forehead.

He left and crossed the short distance past the spring and the remains of the Man cave. He walked into the trees. The air was quiet around him. There was no scent of Man or anything else except burnt wood. There were some small animals underfoot like mice and screws. He was glad he saw the first shoots of new grass beginning to grow. Life would come back here; it would just take longer than any of them were alive. He had to rest several times on his trip and it was late morning and full daylight as he slowly walked around that part of the forest. He walked below where the bear's den was but decided he would not disturb him. At this time of year he might not be alone. By the time he reached what remained of their old viewing location he was tired. His side hurt, and his legs felt weak. He had gone as far as he could. He turned and let out a bleat as loud as he could.

Afterwards he lay down in the dust and ash and waited. It was not long before a familiar scent came upon him. It was only one scent. That surprised him

Soon he heard the steps of another deer, a big deer. It walked quietly. He was glad his son remembered something he taught him. He lay still facing what used to be the Man cave and waited. The figure came up and stopped behind him.

"Where is your mother?" he asked not turning around.

"She is not here, she has gone her own way," the familiar voice told him.

"I see," he said looking at the lighted sky. "If you are here to talk, then come lie down next to me. You are much too big to be hidden in this bare forest when standing. If you want to do anything else, then go ahead and do it. You will be accomplishing little."

His son came up and lay down beside him about half a length away. He was also looking at the remains of the Man cave.

"I never understood how beautiful this place could be until I see it like this," he said in a calm voice.

"That is often true; we never truly understand how much we care for something until it is taken away. Now, my son, why have you called me?"

"First off, to say I am sorry I treated you like that, but I could not see how I could allow anyone to insult my mother. I understand she wants me to be herd leader here, but I thought it was only because I was the best deer to follow you, and I still think that other than Balo, I am I am the best deer."

"In this condition, the forest will not need a herd leader until well after you and I are gone." He sat there thinking. His son did not sound as angry and sure of himself as before. What had happened?

"What has brought on this new wisdom, my son?" he asked.

"My mother's behaviors when we went over the hill. She immediately started to argue with young Claris and Felon. It was then I saw what she wanted. She did not want me to be herd leader because I was the best deer there. She wanted it so others would come to her and treat her well. I am convinced of that now. After she argued with Young Claris she took up with some large male and got him to challenge Felon for the herd leadership. He was beaten soundly. Young Claris got so mad at mother they got into a real fight. Young Claris kicked her, hard. Then mother told me to kill both of them. I would not do it so she got angry with me and started yelling at me. That is when I left and I have not gone back. Felon and Young Claris can be herd leaders there for all I care. The only person I am still mad at is Stabo. He threw us out of his forest before we had done anything to him."

"He was trying to prevent problems before they arose," he told his son. "I did not disagree with him. So what has happened to your mother?"

"After we fought she walked deeper into that forest and where she went I do not know. I do know she still hates you, Balo, Stena, Delon, and Stabo. She will be back to bother you if she gets a chance."

"That does not surprise me at all," he told him. "Now I need to know what you want."

"I want to go someplace and start again. I still will not live where Stabo and Young Bambi are herd leaders. I still do not want to be near Balo, Stena and Delon."

His son was starting to learn, but he still had much to learn. "My daughter, her son and mate have gone deep into the Man path forest and will try and start their own herd. Like you they did not accept Stabo and Young Bambi as their leaders. Like you, they were also correct about not being welcomed any place in the Man path forest."

"Yes, Father, that is why I have decided to go to Bambi's Old forest. No one knows me there except Delene and Gorro. I know better now than to argue with Gorro, so I will just go there and maybe try and find some young doe to mate with and have my own family."

The made a good deal of sense. It was the best place he could go. "I am sure as long as you don't try and become herd leader, Gorro will not bother you. I also think that is your best choice. You have made a wise, but dangerous decision."

"You mean the dangers of the trip, yes Father I remember your stories about the dogs," Stuben said. "I will take the chance because I have nothing here to live for. If I am not welcomed there, then I will go someplace else. Your son may become a wonderer like his Father was at my age."

"Yes, but your Father finally found a place," he reminded him. "Your Father finally found friends. From that comes the rest. I wish you luck, My Son."

"You and Claris can visit me if you like," he added.

"No, not with my injuries, I could never survive the trip. I am also far too old. No, Stuben, when you go, do not expect to see me again. In another one or two seasons, I will be gone anyway. I have taught what you need to know to help Gorro. If you use it wisely, you can be a great help to him."

"Thank you, Father. I am sorry we will not see other again."

"So am I, my Son," then he turned and faced his child.

"When you go, stay near the stream. Travel only at night and empty yourself in the stream. That will throw predators off your trail. The grass will be plentiful, but tasteless. The stream will empty into a large lake. Follow the lake to the hill with the falling water. Gorro will be near there."

Stuben nodded his head, "Anything else, Father?"

Yes," he said empathically. "Be a deer I can be proud to call my Son."

He then turned away, put his head down and closed his eyes. There was more of his family leaving that he would never see again. He was getting too old. No more was said.

That night after the greater light had set, they stood up, ate what they could fine, and then he embraced his Son and watched him disappear through the space between the hill the small stream ran through. He waited until his Son was out of sight and then turned and sadly started back to the Man path forest.

Chapter 9: Loss and Gain

He returned to the Man Path forest just after morning. He walked over and lay in a small clearing near where he could look out over the meadow. Although still colorless, he could catch a slight greening of the ground. Grass was beginning to grow, life was returning to his forest. As he lay there he smelled several nearby familiar scents. He looked over and saw the others of his family walking toward him.

"Come," he told them. "I think I have any interesting story to tell you."

After telling them about his encounter with his Son he could see a mixture of frowns and smiles from the others. Some were pleased Stuben had left for good. Others like Bambi were not happy where he was going.

"I know some of you are not happy he went to the old forest, but without his mother to mess things up, he should be fine. If he does do anything stupid, Gorro is capable of putting him in his place."

"I wish he would have gone someplace else," Bambi said angrily.

"Just where could he go?" he asked. "He certainly cannot come here: not in the deep wood, not over the hill in Felon's forest, or in the distant forest over our hill. He had no place else to go and he knew it. I think he will behave, and if he does he can be of great help to Gorro."

"I am happy he finally learned from his mistakes," Claris said.

"We hope," Bambi sneered.

'Yes, we hope," he added, "Because that is all we can do."

Summer ended and brought the fall which brought on the itching antlers. He scraped off the velvet. He knew his antlers were not as large as before. He did not care; he was hardly going to chase a doe in his condition.

As soon as all their antlers were fully out the scent from the other doe began. Gena, Charlene, Karene and Galene were all putting out heavy scents. Only Faline and Claris put out none. As soon as that happened, he suggested to all the males they take their mates and get away from each other. He knew that many males around so many breeding does would only cause trouble even in the closest families. After The Season, things would be alright again he told them. Unlike back in his forest, all the new fawns and some of the yearlings gathered in a group while their parent gave into the urges of The season. Soon even Bambi and Faline left leaving them alone. This was the first time he had been alone with Claris during The Season since he came back from Bambi's forest with Carie. They stood at the edge of the Man path forest and watched the lesser light rise overhead. They said nothing, but just took pleasure in being with each other after the events of this year. They ate some grass and then went to sleep by a small stream.

He was jolted awake the next morning by a familiar scent. It was the musty odor of a breeding doe, but it was not a strong scent. He was looking around thinking one of the does had returned early, yet he saw no other deer. It was then he realized the scent was coming from Claris. He looked at her and she looked back embarrassed.

"Claris," he said taking in a large whiff of air.

""Yes it is me," she said hesitantly. "This is the first time I have felt this since my fawn was born dead."

She got up and started to walk away. "I am sorry," she said.

"Do not be," he said. "I rather like it; if I could only do anything about it."

"Claris looked at him and took in a large whiff of air. "I think you can," she said in that smooth voice of hers. "Come with me."

She led him away from the open clearing into the woods where she stopped and then looked back at him with a smile. She spread her four legs and hunched her back as an invitation. More by instinct that anything else he mounted her and much to their surprise he found he was not that old yet.

But it sure hurt later.

The Season passed with it urges and soon afterwards the males returned with their now mated doe. All were smile and happiness as after his first season with Claris. They had all come back to their group for a day before they heard it in the distance.

"Pham…..Pham echoed repeatedly off toward where the new Man cave was built. At least man had not rebuilt the one that had been destroyed in the fire. He wondered if Man thought all the deer had run away to other forests after the fire. There were also Man sounds of killings still from the forest over the hill where the bear lived and the forest from where Galin and Galene lived. He could see all the noise from that forest troubling both Galin and Galene.

"Next year, you will be able to help them," he told Galin.

"If anything is left alive after Man is done," he said.

"Not even Man can kill all the deer," he said. "There will always be some to look after. That is one of the bad parts of being herd leader. You can never save all the deer, just most of them."

"Right now I am saving no one except myself," Galin said with gloom. He then walked away toward Charlene.

"He and Bambi walked to the edge of the Man path forest and looked out over their meadow. There was not a sign of Man. There were no small man caves Man used when he chased deer. He could nor smell or hear anything of Man's presence.

"Do you think Man will leave us alone?" he asked Bambi.

"Perhaps," he said as not believing it. "After the fire in my forest, Man did not come back the next season."

He heard Stabo's familiar walk behind him. The now large and well built deer had as big a rack as he ever did. He looked out over the meadow. "I do not think Man will hunt here this season. He does seem to be hunting everyplace else."

"We must still watch carefully," he said. "The Man animals can get here quickly with many Men."

"Bambi nodded. "We watch and wait," he said sternly.

"As you said, Father, we can also hope," Stabo added.

No Men came. No killing sticks sounded near to them. He heard many killing sticks deeper in the forest which worried him for that is where Balo and Stena went. Balo should be smart enough to avoid Man. Every night the younger Bambi and Karene went into the forest to look, but they did not go far. Koren and Galene looked along the edge of the Man path forest. Each time they came back and told them they saw, heard, or smelled nothing of Man. Soon the noise of the killing sticks stopped and he knew they were safe until next Season.

His antlers were itching again meaning they were ready to fall out. The air chilled, the clouds appeared over head and the cold rain of fall started to come down on them. It was near morning after they ate that he heard the younger Bambi calling out. It sounded like trouble so they all moved quickly. The call came from an area in the forest near the clearing where they had met before their battle with Razor. They all moved to the clearing, as they did he picked up another scent. It was a doe. She was lying on the ground on her side, looking beaten. She had been injured; he could see bleeding from her side. As he got closer he could see a deep wound in her flank. She had been hit by a killing stick.

"Stranger, please look at her?" Young Bambi asked sounding frightened. "Karene and I found her laying here a short while ago. Her name is Gracene and she was one of the doe that went with Balo and Stena."

He walked up and looked at the wound in her side. He could smell the wound. It already smelled of sickness. He felt her forehead and it was burning. The breathing was strained and rattling. This doe would not live much longer.

"What happened," he asked the doe.

"Man came," she gasped. "Many Men came with dogs, large dogs," then she stopped to catch her breath. "Balo saw them and told us to run toward the forest and not run into the open space. We were all running together. We tried to run with the wind in our faces, but the air was filled with Man scent so Balo told us to run the other way. I remember the wind was at our tails and then suddenly there were the noises of killing sticks all around us. I was near a tree and I saw the tree near me go to pieces. I also felt something hit my side. I fell down and got up quickly. I turned to look for the others." She then stop and gasped for air before falling asleep.

He looked her over again. She might wake up, but she would not get up from here. He looked at Young Bambi and he was standing looking at him with a mixture of fright and worry.

"Did she tell you what she saw?" he asked.

Young Bambi nodded and then hesitated. Finally he spoke in a broken voice. "She said she saw several deer on the ground. Many of the deer were bleeding from wounds. She could not tell who they were, but she saw no one else from the deer that went with Balo on her way back here."

"Stena," was all Claris could say.

"My mother and sister," young Bambi echoed.

His heart sank. He looked at Stabo who was shaking. He muttered, "Sister," and turned his head. He felt something burning in his throat. He looked back at the doe that was now starting to shake as death overcame her.

"We can do nothing more here," he told them. "She will be gone soon."

Young Bambi looked desperate. "Look, I can go into the deep forest and look for them. Man is gone so there will be little danger."

"No!" Bambi said loudly. "All that will do is to get other deer killed. If they could come back here, they would. If they are not here by now, then they will not be coming."

"But my sister and mother," Young Bambi pleaded.

"My Son, Veron, your father," Bambi said his voice beginning to crack. "My daughters Gurri and Gerta; they are all gone. If you go after them one of two things will happen. Your will either die, or find something you will wish you had not found. They are gone and nothing we will do will change that."

"Bambi is right," he said in a low voice. "My daughter, Stena, is gone. Nothing will change that. The best thing we can do is live."

Bambi, Faline, Claris and he turned away from the other and walked into the woods. Two Sons was all he had now and one of them he would never see again. It was getting too much to bear. They went back to their clearing and he spent the following day awake remembering that little doe fawn that asked so many questions and found a male that asked so few.

The air turned cold. He knew soon the snow would fall. The grass had not grown back on the meadow where it would be a source of food for the herd this winter. There was nothing in the old forest to eat. They have to live off the food here. He thought they had enough. It was cold enough that he decided he try and see his friend the bear once more before winter came and the unknown consequences of surviving that. As usual he went alone, although Stabo wanted to go, Gena kept him back. He did not mind. Although he felt his family had accepted the bear, they never felt comfortable around a creature that could tear them in half in a moment.

It took a while for him to get there. His injury still did not allow him to walk a great distance. He stopped many times before he arrived outside the den. He bleeped once and sure enough the large black mass of fur came out of the den. He started to approach and then stopped. There was something wrong. The bear was not moving normally. He favored his right side and seemed to limp on three legs. As he approaches he could see claw marks in the skin. Bear had been in a fight and it looked like he lost.

"Are you alright, my Friend," he said as he approached.

The voice was more labored. "I have fought with my son over the female I breed two seasons ago. He is now stronger than me and beat me and chased me away. At least he did not kill me when he had the chance."

So it had finally happened as the bear had thought it would. A new bear had taken his place. "Did your son chase you out of the forest?"

"No," the bear told him. All he was interested in was the female. He did not care if I stayed in the forest as long as I did not try and breed the female. After they had breed, he paid no attention to me. He has his territory and I have mine. At least for now he does not care."

"I am sorry," he said simply.

"Do not be, it is the way of all things as you like to say" the bear went on."You and I are old. Right now the only thing left to see is which of us will get to that Great Herd of yours first. I have eaten enough and I should easily make it through the winter. You seem to be getting around better."

"A fawn could out run me," he told the bear."No I am feeling old not just inside my body, but inside my head. I still do not know what the Old Stag meant when he told me I had more to do. The only thing I know is that the longer I live the more of my family I say goodbye to."

He lay down on his legs and told the bear all about what had happened since the fire. He was interested and sadden at his news."I remember Stena," he said as if he recalled her face. "She never liked me, but I could tell she was the most like you despite the fact she was a female."

"I remember how she used to almost order Balo around to a point before he get mad and stamp his hoof. I still find it hard to believe we will not see each other again."

"You mean until the Great Herd," the bear added.

"I am not so sure about that either," he said. "When it happened, the Old Stag was a real to me as you are here. Now I do not know. It all seems dark to me. I start to wonder what I am doing again. I feel the great emptiness inside me and I have to ask myself, just why I am still here."

"I feel that will answer itself in time," the bear told him.

"I also feel if I could change places with Stena, I would," he said.

"That would do none of us any good," the bear told him. "Your time will come soon as will my time. There is no sense rushing it."

He was about to answer the bear when the bear suddenly got up and looked down the hill to the meadow. He got up and turned to face the meadow and saw a lone doe walk onto the meadow out of the remains of the forest near the stream that flows to Bambi's old forest. He looked at her for moment and then realized who it was.

"Stelar," he gasped. He turned to look at the bear. "Forgive me, but I have to go."

"I understand," the bear said with a grin. "I will see you in the spring."

He moved down the hill as quickly as his side would let him. He moved around the trees. By the time he got down there she had walked past him. He bleated and she turned and looked at him coming out of the forest. She ran over to him and reached up and kissed him on the side of his face.

"Father," she called out and almost jumped on him.

"You are alive," he blurted out and kissed her like a small fawn. She leaned again him. He almost did not mind the pain that shot through his side.

"Careful, daughter," he said. "I was injured during the fire and that side now is very weak. It is hard for me to move."

"I am sorry, Father," she said moving away.

"It does not matter, where have you been?" he wanted to know.

"When the fire burned the forest, I thought you were all dead and so I went to live in Bambi's old forest. I remember you telling us how to get there. I met Gorro and Delene and they let me stay with them. I was going to stay there when I saw Stuben. He explained what happened and that you were alive. I know he is not welcome here, but I was wondering if I would be welcomed here."

"Of course you are. You never did anything. It was your mother. Even your brother learned that, but too late to allow him to stay here," he said and then added. "Now follow me."

He led her across the burnt meadow past the remains of the Man cave and into the forest. Only then did he call out as loud as he could. A short while later Stabo and Young Bambi came racing out thinking there was something wrong. They stopped dead when they saw Stelar. They looked for a second as if not believing it then ran to embrace her as did the others when they arrive. Stelar told her story.

"How is Gorro," Bambi asked.

"He is find and in control of the herd. He is allowing Stuben to stay as long as he behaves. So far he has. Delene has a young male fawn Balere who they say looks just like you Bambi. They were not hurt by Man. Gorro took the herd deep in the forest. Only a few of the foolish were lost. Stuben took up with a doe and when I left all was fine."

"You went to our old forest and back by yourself," Faline asked.

"They was no one else who could come with me." she said. "I had to come alone, or stay there. I rather come here."

She then looked at Stabo. "I know my brother and mother are not welcome here, but could I stay here?" she asked meekly

"Sister, you never did anything like your brother and mother did. You are welcome to stay here," he answered with a smile.

"Good, I wanted to tell Stena about Delene," but I do not see her."

"Everyone looked shocked He dropped his head. "I never told her," he said to the others. He raised his head and looked into her daughters brown eyes. "Stena, Balo, Delon, and Young Faline, started a herd deeper in the forest. Man came and now they are all gone."

"No," she cried and buried her head in his side. He could feel her tears wetting his fur. His own eyes were running with the memory of his daughter.

He had lost one and got another back. It was not fair, but it have to do.

Chapter 10: The Reason

The first snowfall was heavy coving what little grass had started to grow back on the meadow. The herd spread out in the Man Path forest in order to find food. Galin, Charlene, Koren and Galene all went deeper into the woods and were not seen much afterwards. Stabo, Gena, Young Bambi and Karene went into the woods on the other side of the Man path where there were fewer deer. Bambi, Faline, Claris, Stelar, and him stayed nearby which was good because with the cold he found his side hurt even worse. The first snow while heavy did not stay on the ground for long. The second snow was lighter, but it was colder and the snow remained. It took them usually all night to find enough food to fill their stomachs. He struggled, the others his age seem to have an easier time, but it was Stelar that seem to thrive.

In a way he envied his daughter. She was filling out and would soon be a two year old. She was petty enough to have found a male last Season, but did not. That would change and he just hoped she find a good male. Having a good mate was one of the great joys of life, having a bad one was one of the worse things in life.

Right after the second snowfall melted, Galin came over to them. He seemed concerned about something.

"I like to talk to all of you, along with Stabo and Young Bambi tonight." he told them.

"Is something wrong?" Claris asked.

"No, but we are going to change our plans," Galin said. "I will speak more about this tonight."

"We will be there," he said.

With that Galin left in a hurry letting them all wonder to themselves what was going on. They did not have long to wait. Right after the setting of the greater light, they heard Galin call out to them. They all proceeded as quickly as he could move over to the large clearing. There Galin, Charlene, Koren and Galene lay in the clearing waiting for them. Stabo, Gena, the younger Bambi and Karene had arrived before them.

"Thank you for coming," Galin said. "In the past we said we would wait until the summer before going back to our forest. We now think that was a mistake. If we wait that long, I do not think there will be enough time to form a herd and get the ready for the hunts. For this reason, we are all going to leave tomorrow night and travel before our fawns grow so large as to hinder the movement of Charlene and Galene from traveling. It is winter; no Men are around so now would be the perfect time."

"It is also colder and you may have snow fall on you," Stabo said showing concern. "That would make you too easy to track."

"Father I have looked the last two nights and have seen nothing on the open space between the forests," Koren told them." There should be nothing to slow us. The weather looks clear. I agree, we either go now or wait until next summer and I agree that may be too late."

He thought about it for a moment. He saw the wisdom in the move. If they went now, they would be there in the spring when the fawns were born. It would give Galin time to form a herd. There was a risk.

"The weather can change; things can happen in an instant. You should have gone after the first snow fall. We are also getting into the coldest part of the season. It is a risk. If it works, what you say is true; you will be in a good position to form a herd. If it does not work, you could all end up dead."

"We can all end up dead tomorrow," Koren said. "I have known that since you trained me. We have discussed it among ourselves and decided this is what we are going to do."

Looking at them closely he realized they had made up their minds to go. More of his family he would never see again. It was then he noticed someone was missing from their group.

"Do what you think you have to do," he told them. "I was looking around for Stelar, have you seen her."

"She was talking to some male in the yearling herd just after the second snow, Bambi told him. "I have not seen her since."

'Nor have I," he said. Then he turned back to the subject. "If you want to go, go. Go fast, take a direct route. If possible follow the stream from our old forest. Empty yourselves in the stream and eat the grass along the side of the stream. That will help hide you from predators. "

"I am sorry to see you all go. I like you and your sister," Young Bambi said to Galin. "I will also miss Koren who has been like a brother to me, and Charlene, who is my sister. I wish you all good luck."

"I have also grown to like you," Stabo said. "I will miss greatly my son and daughter, but we must all follow our own path. Do what you can to make your forest better. I hope to see you all again before I pass on."

"That will not happen for a while," Koren told his father and rubbed his head. The he rubbed his mother's head. Charlene did likewise.

"Take care of yourselves," Gena told them with misty eyes. "I will miss all of you."

They spent the rest of the night and the day talking over the past and remember those who have gone before them. He knew he would not see any of them again. He was too weak to travel there now and if they came in two seasons, he knew he would not be here to greet them. When night fell they all went to the old forest and watched them disappear down the stream leading to the past his old clearing. He then turned and slowly walked back to the Man path forest and lay close to Claris that night. There were tears in many eyes.

It was several days later that he heard Stabo call out to them all. He wondered what it was now. He went to Stabo's clearing and there stood Stelar with a strange deer. He was a yearling male the same age as her.

"Stabo looked up. "I wanted you to hear this. I do not whether to be angry or glad for my sister."

By now Young Bambi had come with Karene and the eight of them lay in the clearing while Stelar and the male stood.

"Where have you been?" he asked poignantly

"I took a long walk," she said. "I went deep into the forest looking for Balo, Stena, and the others."

""That was foolish," he said loudly. "In fact it was stupid. You want to end up like your sister?"

"Perhaps," she said, "But I made a choice of my own. Besides what you taught me protected me."

"You should have discussed this with your father," Claris blurted out also showing her anger. "

"Well I did it": she said also letting her voice rise. "I do not argue with you when you and your bear friend spend time together, or you go off looking for something."

"I have been doing this a long time," he told her. "Not all the time successfully as I am sure you noticed. I have already lost one daughter there; I do not want to lose a second."

"Well you did not lose me and I was able to find out some things. Most are bad, but some good things I learned too."

"I assume this will also explain your friend, here?" he asked looking at the male who looked timid and confused.

"My friend's name is Helos, and he is from the deep forest. He lost his mother at the same time Stena and Balo were killed. I found where they died, Father. It was not pretty, but I do not think they suffered."

"How do you know that?" Bambi asked.

"Because I found where Man killed them," she said plainly. "Man drove them into a clearing with the wind at their tails. Man was in front and the deer could not smell them. They killed several deer. The pools of blood even though they were old, stained the ground heavily. They were very large. I remember Bambi what you said when Gurri, Jolo and Gerta were killed. It was the same."

That silenced everyone. She seemed sure of what she was saying, but how could she be he wondered? "You know a lot for someone who was not there."

"No, but I talked to those who were there and lived. That is the good news. You see Delon, Young Faline and Alana all survived."

That brought them all to their feet. "Are you sure?" Young Bambi called out."

"Yes, because I talked to all three of them. When man went to chase them Balo and Stena led the herd. He sent Delon and Young Faline to the back to make sure no was left behind. When Man used his killing sticks, they were far enough away where they were not hit. They all ran in another direction and got away. I met them and Helos along with many other deer. Helos' mother was also killed. There is a large herd there, they had no leader. Balo was trying to get them to listen to him when Man came. Balo tried to lead them away, but Man was ready for him."

"Why did not Delon and Young Faline return?" Stabo asked.

Stelar answered quickly and without hesitation. "Because they did not think they were welcomed back here. Besides, the members of that herd started listening to Delon. A couple of the older males did not like that and tried to push Delon aside, but with what you taught him, he beat them. Now they are looking to Delon as herd leader."

All he could do was shake his head. He was not happy his daughter went off on her own, but she had found out what they needed to know. She had come through and brought back a young male.

"Very well Helos, what do you want?" he asked.

Helos spoke clearly and did not seem afraid, but still a bit unsure of himself. "I saw what Balo did with the herd. I then saw how easily Delon beat the other two males who were making the others in the forest follow them. Delon, Faline and Stelar all told me it was because of what you taught them that they could do that. I asked Stelar if you could train me the same way."

That was interesting. "You want us to train you?" he asked. "Why should we do that?"

"So I can be of help to my herd," he said calmly. "I need to know so I can help."

He looked at Bambi and shrugged asking him silently what he thought. Bambi spoke up. "You know that this training is difficult. It is at times dangerous. What we teach you can allow you to be of help to the herd. It can also cause you to end up dead like Balo and Stena. Have you considered that?"

He could see the young male had not considered it and looked a bit taken back. Finally after a few moments he spoke up. "Since I am going end up dead in any case, I like to learn so I can stay alive as long as I can."

That made perfect sense to him. This male was not stupid, but was he strong enough? That he could only know in time.

"Very well Helos, we must talk about this among ourselves in private. I like you to leave us for a while," he said.

"Of course," Helos said and left, Stelar started to follow him.

"Not you, young doe," he said loudly.

Stelar froze in place while Helos left the clearing. When he was convinced he was far enough away he spoke up letting his anger show. He walked over to his daughter and looking her into her black eyes. "What you did, Stelar, was stupid. You could have been killed easily. You have not been fully trained."

Stelar did not back down. "Yes I could have, just like Balo and Stena who you did fully train. Father the training helps, Father, I can see that, but it does not work all the time as I am sure you know. I did what I thought was right. I have not changed my mind. I leaned enough to travel to Bambi's old forest and return. I have learned enough to travel past the Man Cave. Do I know everything, no, but I know enough or I would not be here." She then stopped talking and glared back at him.

Claris spoke up. "She is stubborn, at times reckless, and perhaps too fearless for her own good. In short, Stelar, you are your Father's daughter."

He could hear the other trying not to laugh out loud. He had to suppress a laugh himself. She was like him. "Very well," he said, "We cannot undo what was done. The next question is do we train Helos?"

"He seems to want to learn for the right reason," Bambi said. "He did come all the way here with Stelar. I say we try and teach him and see what happens."

"I agree," Stabo said. "He could be of use to either us or Delon."

"Yes, but with my injuries, I cannot longer teach him to fight," he told the others. "I shall have to depend on the rest of you to do that."

"I can help there, Father," Stabo spoke up.

"I think I can help there also," Young Bambi said.

"And I am not yet dead," Bambi said. "Stranger we can teach him that."

"Then I will teach him what I know about Man," he said. "I just hope I have enough time to do it."

He then looked back at his young daughter. "Very well, daughter, and we will continue your training also. Now go get that young male of yours."

"Father he is not my male," she said.

"Oh, you have been sleeping with him," he said. Stelar looked at him shocked. "My body may not be working, but my nose does," he told her.

"Stelar looked slightly embarrassed. "Do not be ashamed," he told her "You are old enough to decide who you spend time with. You could have done a lot worse."

With that Stelar took off to find Helos leaving him standing there. She was nice to look at. He watched her go and noticed for the first time realized just how lovely his daughter looked from behind. He could see why some young male would be interested in her. He then turned and faced the others. "Then it is agreed we start the training tomorrow night. I will start him out with Man and walking carefully. Bambi will tell him about how to be a good herd leader. I think the fight training we will start in the spring."

The rest of them nodded. It looked like it was going to be an interesting winter after all. He looked at Bambi, Faline and Claris lying close together. "So it begins again," he told them and then added silently "For the last time."

At least he felt happy that Stena son and Veron's daughter had survived even if they had not. It also made him wonder how he managed to live this long. Was he better than the others, or just luckier? In the long run it did not really matter. He was here and they were not and while it grieved him the loss of so much of his family, enough remain to carry on. Perhaps that was the real reason he was here. Maybe the bear was right all along.

It was late evening the next night. He, Helos and Stelar stood alone in the remains of the meadow now almost a bare piece of ground. In front of them were the remains of the Man cave now as dead as the deer the Men inside had used their killing sticks on. The air was chilly and his side hurt, but he could still move and still talk.

"Very well, Helos, this will be your first lesson. Come with me. Stelar you stay here,' he ordered.

He took the young male into the center of the meadow and had him look around. He wanted him to see what had happened.

"This is all a result of Man," he told him. "Man comes, Man kills, and then Man goes away leaving only death and destruction behind. This place used to be a beautiful forest with lots of deer and other animals; now it has almost nothing. The only good thing is that it will grow back. Man can destroy a forest, but he cannot stop it from growing back. New life always comes from the old and even if the old life has passed, the new life will remain. That is the true lesson of the forest."

Helos look around for a moment. "So any children I have will remain, after I am gone."

"That is correct. That is why we teach them and when the time comes, you will teach your children what you learn now. In this way what we know all carries on."

"I think I understand," Helos said looking a bit confused.

"You will," he said, and now for your first lesson. I want you to face where the Man cave had been.

Helos did exactly what he was told and faced the burnt out remains of a past long gone.

"Now what do you feel?. . . . .

THE END

For Now