Chapter 4: The Second

Things were glum the next few days. The death of Delon although not mourned much within the herd was still a shock, especially how he died. Although the herd had spoken its desire to have Stabo continue to be herd leader for now, Stabo was not happy about it, nor was Young Bambi. Inside, the younger Bambi remembered all too well the tales of his Father when he had become herd leader at his age or even younger. To have the herd tell you they do not consider you ready to lead was an unpleasant shock to him and his sense of worth. He walked into the forest alone even leaving Karene alone with her fawn.

He did not know what to make of it either because the herd had also rejected his advice and Bambi's. What did that tell him when the herd they led for so long rejected their advice? All in all it was not a happy time within his family. He continued on and would continue to do so as long as he was able. Inward he knew the herd had chosen stability, going with a leader they knew. They were afraid of change.

Not much else changed as the forest reached high summer. The sun was warm, the rain was short and pleasant and the grass on the meadow continued to grow. There was even some green leaves coming from inside their old forest.

A pleasant side was the fact that he saw three Man families return to the new Man cave. As before they did not hunt and as before they did not bring their killing sticks. They all came together in three Man animals. With them came Man doe and Man fawns and they played in the meadow during the day. They did not have dogs so they were easy to watch. The fawns played together. Twice and over the objections of the others he deliberately walked out into the meadow during daylight. The children all came over to him and the Men and Men doe looked at him, yet took no action. The second time he did noticed one of the Man fawns followed him. He could have easily avoided the young male. He walked into the forest and stopped.

"Father what are you doing," Stelar berated him.

"Watch from a distance," he told her. Helos also came to watch him. He waited in the open for the Man fawn to walk into the forest. The Man fawn did not seem to care about what dangers may lay hidden. He stood there alone and did not move. The small male walked over and into the same clearing. The Man fawn looked up and saw him standing there alone.

"Ook Nonme, a dree," he called back into the meadow.

The young male approached him. He remained still. The Man fawn was of no danger to him. It came within three lengths of his body and then stopped. He slowly walked forward until he was close to the young male and then dropped his head. The fawn reached out with its front hoof and touched his forehead. He then rubbed the male's forehead like he would a young fawn.

"He he he," the young male shouted and started to jump up and down.

Then suddenly something unexpected happened. Tilar ran from his mother's side to be next to him. He looked at the young Man fawn and started to jump around.

"Tilar," Stelar called out, but Tilar was occupied in chasing the young Man fawn around, and then the Man fawn chased Tilar. He kept constant watch to make sure no other Men came close to them. It was enjoyable to watch them both play with each other. Soon the others came over to watch. He saw Bambi and Faline watching from a distance. This was unlike anything any of them had seen before. He let it go on for a while until the young male stopped and sat down on the ground. He then coughed loudly so Tilar stopped and came to him. He then walked up to the Man fawn and pushed him back gently toward his own family. The Man Fawn left the clearing and walked with him until they were close to the edge of the forest. Once the Man fawn saw his own family he ran toward them. The meeting was over. He walked back to the others.

"Father," Stelar called to him. "Why did you get close to the Man fawn? He could have hurt you."

He turned to his daughter and smiled. "No, he had no killing stick and is too small to use one. All he wanted to do was play which any fawn likes to do. I wanted to show that to you. I want you to understand that without their killing stick, Man is not a danger. Man fawns even behave like our own. I always wanted to know what made them act like our own fawns when they are small, and yet will kill us without mercy when they are large. I never understood it."

"Maybe something in the killing sticks, drives them mad," Bambi said. "Without them they look safe enough."

"Maybe you are right, but it is a question I have always had," he said and walked away to start playing with Tilar on his own.

That night they talked over with the others what happened that day. Most of his family wanted nothing to do with Man and he did not blame them. It was still interesting. He liked being around his family at this time of years. He liked playing with the fawn. They come up to him and push at him. Even through it hurt to do so, he would lean over and push back. It was how he learned just how the fawns would behave. There were also serious matters. Some of the senior males came to talk with them about Delon. Many did not think he should have been killed. Stabo explained many times his reason. He supported his son. A deer as strong and as good a fighter as Delon was a danger, especially if he said he use that ability to kill or hurt helpless fawns.

"I do not think you should have killed him unless he came back again and tried to hurt someone," Marco had argued with them. "I remember what Stranger did to Kragus when I was but a fawn and I remember how the herd treated you at the time."

"Marco, I will tell you truthfully. If the herd does not think I can still lead, then I will step aside. I have already offered to do it once. I will do it now," Stabo said. "I did what I thought I had to do to protect the herd and my family."

"My son is correct," he said to Marco. "Just like what we did for Razor, a deer that is interested in only forcing himself on the herd, and does not care who he hurts in the process, should be eliminated before he destroys the herd."

"If you say so, Stranger," Marco replied coolly. "I can only tell you what others think," Marco answered. "No one is saying they want a new leader yet."

"Thank you, Marco," he said and bowed his head slightly in a show of respect. Marco then left them and walked away.

"They want me and they do not want me," Stabo said. "I wish they make up their mind."

He look at the sky starting to lighten overhead. "Let us sleep on it," he suggested."Things look better when you are not tired."

"Good idea," Bambi said getting up with Faline.

"We can do this tonight," Faline said.

Young Bambi, Karene, Stelar, Helos and their fawns all went back to their sleeping places. He followed Bambi and Faline back to their resting place. They slept at one end of the clearing and he slept alone at the other. He had no problems in falling asleep.

He woke up when the greater light was past being overhead. He got up and immediately walked into the forest to empty himself. As he walked back he noted something strange. He saw Bambi standing up at the edge of the clearing with his back toward him. He then saw Faline still lying peacefully on the ground. Usually when one got up they both got up. He walked over the Bambi and as he got close he noticed he was shaking.

"Bambi, are you ill?" he asked him.

"No," he sobbed openly. "I am fine." The big deer then turned around tears pouring down from his large dark eyes. "Stranger, Faline is gone."

He was stunned, 'What!" he said and moved quickly over to her. He reached over and rubbed her forehead like he had done countless times before. Her head was cold to the touch. He felt along her entire body. It was the same, she was cold as a winter stream. He nudged her gently with his nose. She was hard to the touch. She also did not respond to his touch. She was dead.

"Faline," he said and put his head on the ground next to her. "Why her?" he said out loud.

"We lay down at sunrise as normal," Bambi went on. "Nothing seemed wrong. I felt her go to sleep. A while ago I was awaked. I felt cold and it took me a while to understand I was cold because she was cold. I called her name and she did not move. She has never done that. I kissed her. She did not move and her body was cold and stiff. That is when I knew. Stranger, she went in her sleep."

He got up and turned away from her and Bambi. He fought to get himself under control. Other than Claris, Faline was the only doe he ever felt true feelings for. He always thought Bambi was a very fortunate deer to find and have her for a mate. They were a pair since he knew any of them. Now she just lay in front of him.

He felt his own eyes tearing. He never expected this to happen. "This hurts me like watching Claris pass in front of me. I cannot image living in a forest without her."

"I cannot image being without her," Bambi said still sobbing. "I never believed that I would outlive her, nor did I want to."

He looked over at his oldest friend now shaken. "I know how you feel," he said. I am truly sorry for you because I know what you have lost. Is there anything you like me to do?"

"Could you get the others and bring them here?" Bambi asked. "I will stay here and make sure the scavengers stay away for a while. Especially bring my daughter."

"I will go now," he told him and then left.

He first found his daughter and Helos and told them," They were shocked and left at once. He then found young Bambi, Karene, their fawns and told them. Younger Faline was near them. Younger Faline broke down immediately and started to wail but followed her brother. He then went to Stabo's clearing and found them. They both saw him coming. Stabo must have seen it in his face. "Is it Bambi?" he asked.

He looked at Gena now in middle age, but still nice looking. "Gena, your mother passed in her sleep. You need to go to your Father, he needs you."

"No," she said in a whimper and then turned and buried her head in Stabo's side. Stabo let her cry there for a while before speaking up. "Gena, your Father really needs you now."

She turned back to him and nodded and silently left for the place she knew her mother and father liked to bed down. Her fawns followed her. Stabo looked closely at him. His son was thinking the same thing he had been thinking. How much longer before it was his turn?

"Go, my Son. Hurry, I will catch up later. I have to rest for a moment."

He watched his Son scurry after his mate and fawns. He stopped and leaned against a spruce tree. His side ached. He stood there breathing hard for a while before he could move on his own again. He hurried as quickly as possible. By the time he returned the others were all there looking at the still figure before them. Gena and Young Faline were standing next to Bambi rubbing his side. He had never seen the old deer so distraught. He stood in the back and just looked. The forest was now going to be lonelier now with Faline gone, just after it gotten lonelier when Claris had gone. Finally after a while he knew what had to be done. It was time to go and leave this place of death.

"It is time we leave," he said. "I will leave this place and not return like I did not return to the clearing Claris died in.

"Stranger is right," Bambi said looking once more at Faline. "There is nothing more we can do here. I am going to go and be by myself for a while. I will be back," he said and then walked off alone toward the deeper forest.

The rest of them left. He was the last to go and he walked back toward the edge of the forest by the meadow. The three Man families where still there playing together. He spent the rest of the day watching them and wondered if they suffered the same lost as he did.

He spent the next few days alone. He took the time to go walking back into his old forest to see how things were growing back. He walked back through the trees and headed for the remains of the tall oaks near were the Old Owl lived and later when Oswell took up residence. He looked at them and called for Oswell, but no one came out of the tree. He hoped that only meant that had flown away to avoid the fire. All around him the trees stood tall, yet he saw no sign of leaves except from a few trees. He did see lots of smaller plants growing up from the ground. He noted some grasses starting to grow. He walked to the old pond and the clearing Claris, Carie and he had shared with Bambi and Faline in happier days. He also saw the clearing that Balo and Stena had used. It was all burnt, but in the open areas there were green plants beginning to grow back. He drank out of the stream that flowed from the pond down the hill toward the stream that led out of the meadow.

In his travels he saw no animals larger than mice. Some insect were there, but anything larger was gone. He saw many collections of burnt bones from animals not lucky enough to have fled in time. His side hurt from time to time. He rested near the stream near their old view location. It too was burnt bare. He could not hide a fawn there now. The only thing that even looked close to as remembered it was the meadow itself. It was growing grass back.

The next night he ate on the meadow near his former home for the first time since the Man cave had burnt to the ground. He slowly climbed the hill that had met Geno on all those seasons before. His side was hurting like being kicked by the time he got to the top, but he could see the whole forest from here. This was only the second time he had been here since that day. He noticed the trees were not as badly burnt here. Some were even sprouting leaves and looking almost normal. As he walked he noted that things had not changed much here.

"Stranger," he head a familiar voice call.

He looked up and there on a branch was Oswell. He was happy. "You are alive," he called out.

"Yes, but I thought you were dead," the Owl said looking at him.

"I am alive, but most of the others are not," he told him and then spent most of the rest of the night bringing him up to date.

"So other than you and Bambi, the others are dead," Oswell said. "I am sad about that. I have a new mate Orell. Orwell then told him a story about his experience. They had a brood of new owlets in the tree when the fire came. Sorporra stayed with them thinking the fire would not get to them in the hollow of the tree. As it turned out they were not burnt by the fire but Oswell found them all dead in the tree without a mark on them.

"I am sorry," he said.

"There was nothing to be done," Oswell told him. "I hope things work out better for all of us."

""I hope so too," he told him sincerely. "Have you found enough food here for your family with the forest burnt?"

"The mice and other small creatures survived in their underground burrows. If anything it is easier now. It is more open, and it takes the mice longer to find food so more chance for me to find them. My owlets are doing well. I hope to fledge a clutch of four this season. How about you?

"My family is fine, but with Claris dead and me getting old, there will not be any more fawns. My children are having fawns so my family is growing."

"You will train them like the others?" Oswell asked seeming interested.

He did not feel like telling him he doubted he live long enough to do it so he just said. "If I get the chance I will." That was more or less the truth.

"Well I have to go. I have many mice to catch," he said and flew off.

At least that was some happy news in the forest. He was glad to see someone from the old days that was doing well. He walked back to his new home happier than he had been in days.

Chapter 5: Last Class

The early summer was a lonely time for him. Although Bambi came back, he made it clear he did not want company. He could still see he was hurting deeply with Faline's passing, but he was too much of a male to show it to others. He still felt the same way about Claris, but the difference between was, he knew there was nothing he could do about it, so he had to go on with something. All Bambi felt was the loss. Young Bambi was still hurting about the herd's rejection and he was not nearly as open and friendly as before. Stabo was still angry the herd had told him to stay when he wanted to go. He had become cooler. All around him, his family seemed more distant than ever. Only Stelar and Helos ever came to talk to him. He spent most of his time wandering around as much as the increasing pain in his side would let him.

The summer passed with a few more Man families visiting the new Man cave. None of the Men that came had killing sticks and he still took pleasure watching them. Some would even walk in the woods. Of course Man made so much noise when he moved, it was easy to avoid him. Sometimes he let Man deliberately see him, and again nothing happened. The only thing unusual was the small black rock that they carried and would point at things, but nothing came out of it so it could not be a killing stick. He had no idea what it was for.

It was after mid-summer that Stabo and Gena's daughter Kena found him in the forest one day. She seemed to be looking for him.

"Stranger, may I ask you some questions?" she said looking unsure.

"Of course," he said and nuzzled the side of her face. She responded the same way. Although a mature two year old, she was filling out and was going to be a nice beauty like Young Faline did. As of yet she had not shown any interest in any males yet. Being Stabo's daughter, and a member of his family, no male in his right mind would try and force himself on her.

"Stranger, what does it take to become a herd leader?" she asked.

He wondered why she was interested in that. "It takes a special type of deer. A deer that is more interested in what happens to others than what happened to himself. It takes courage, because of the dangers he may face. It takes wisdom to lead the herd when there is danger. It takes strength and skill to prevent others from harming himself or the herd."

"Can you teach that?" Kena asked next.

That question left him cold. He was not sure anymore how to answer it. "I used to think you could teach it to others. You can teach the skill, you can teach what to do when there is trouble, but for a deer to care more about others than himself, that has to be born in you. Some of my family have that ability like your Father, and your bother Koren. Some do not have the ability like my daughter Stena, and Delon"

"Do I have that ability?" she next wanted to know.

"I cannot answer that," he told her truthfully. "The deer has to show it. At one time I thought Balo and Stena had that ability, but later on I learned I did not know them well enough. The deer has to show his care for others by his actions for the herd. It is through a deer's action and not his words that you learn this, even for yourself."

"I wish I knew if I had that ability, but I do not know, and I am afraid to find out," she said.

"Why are you asking me this?" he wanted to know.

"There is a young male in the herd. His name is Juon and he asked me. He told me he was at the gatherings and saw how the herd treated my family. He had heard the stories about my Father, Young Bambi, Old Bambi and you. He wants to learn how to be a leader. He says he feels he has the strength and the head to be a leader, but when we were alone he told me he did not know if he could have done the things you and the others have done. He did not know if he had the courage. He made me promise I would not tell any of the males. To them he tries to show he is strong and unafraid."

"Typical young male," he said. "At that age to show yourself to be strong and fearless is important. It is important when it comes time to find a mate or to show your place in the herd. Many males think that is the way to gain respect. I have found out you gain respect by what you do, not with what you say."

Kena stopped suddenly as if thinking. "Could you tell if either Juon or I can do this? You and Bambi are the wisest deer in the forests. Father says so and so does mother."

"No, only you two could show me that. We can only give you the skills to help you do it. You must use them on your own."

Kena nodded he head and smiled. "Then can I bring Juon to talk to you and Bambi?"

He smiled openly at her. "Of course you can. If you want and if we can find Bambi, I will ask him to come to the clearing with me where I know you like to sleep. Bring Juon there tonight when the lesser light is over head."

She came over and kissed his cheek. If reminded him of how Claris use to do it. "Thank you," she said and ran off her white fluffy tail raised in the wind.

He walked around looking to find Bambi's scent. It took a good part of the day, but he found him in the forest resting alone. He was asleep when he walked into the clearing.

"Stranger," he said wondering why he was there.

"Yes, my old friend. I have had a request for you and me," he told him with a smile.

"I do not feeling like seeing anyone," he said and put his face on the ground again.

"Neither did I, but it beats waiting alone to die," he told him. "How would you and I like to try one more time to teach someone how they can help the herd? Who knows they might even listen to us this time."

"Who?" he asked, "No one came to me."

"Kena has a new friend, another two year old male that says he want to lean, but is not sure if he can do it."

Bambi raised his head up again. "Well that is new. Before they were all so sure they could be herd leaders. "

He lay down about three lengths from the old deer. "Kena and Juon the male do not know and they sound a little afraid to find out."

"That does sound different," Bambi said. "You know they may not like what they find?"

"I do not like what I have found out," he said in a hushed voice "After Stena, Balo, Carie, Stuben and Delon, I am getting a little afraid myself that we do not know what we are doing."

"Then what do you suggest?" Bambi asked as if knowing the answer.

"We find out and they find out just how much all this training is worth. And like I said, it sure is better than waiting to die."

"When do we start?"

"Tonight, when the lesser light is over head," he answered. "Until then, mind if I rest here?"

"I don't mind," he said, "But I am tired."

Later that night they both walked into Kena's clearing when the lesser light was high overhead. There stood his daughter and a larger two year old male. He had a respectable rack on his head. He seemed strong.

"I understand you like to see if you can help with the herd," Bambi said studying the male carefully.

"I like to try and learn," he said. The voice was clam and clear.

"Very well, young male, put your head down and try and push me back," Bambi ordered.

He watched carefully along with Kena. Although old and not nearly at his full strength, Bambi had no problem in pushing Juon around easily. Juon would push ahead like most males making it a test of strength. Bambi shifted his weight and balance and kept getting position on him. After a while he stopped.

"Do you know how I beat you," Bambi said.

"You shifted position on me and then pushed me off balance," Juon said.

"Correct, now let me show you how I did that."

They spent the rest of the night showing Juon how to shift position. Juon took it all in. He seemed eager to learn. They as they were finishing he showed Juon how to walk quietly through the woods. Like anyone else, the first few times Juon made a huge racket. He looked somewhat disappointed he could not walk as quietly as Kena who he had already taught as a yearling.

"It takes time to learn," he told him. "Soon you will walk like a light breeze through the forest. Practice trying to sneak up on other deer. When you can do that, you will be ready. It is getting near light, if you want, we can continue tomorrow."

"Yes, please," he said beaming. "Thank You."

Both Bambi and he walked away. When they were far enough way he asked, "So what do you think?"

"He may learn, we will have to see," Bambi said. "Now let us find someplace near to sleep."

The training continued just about every night for the rest of the summer and into the fall. Again their antlers grew out and started to itch. Again they stripped off the velvet. Bambi's rack was smaller and so was his. Neither of them minded. They had no doe to chase. Juon rack was of nice size. He still seemed to take in everything they told him and Kena kept up her learning. This all continued until near the time of the Season. That night both Stabo and the Younger Bambi visited them in the clearing.

They approached downwind of them and so kept their presence concealed until Kena smelled them.

"It is Father and Young Bambi," she called out.

At that point both large males walked into the clearing. Both were still a head taller than Juon and their racks were larger. Stabo looked at his daughter and her friend and said abruptly. "Will you two excuse us?"

Both of them left in a hurry without a word. The two then approached Bambi and him.

"You have been training them," Stabo said flatly.

"Yes, we have, why is there a problem?" he wanted to know.

""I am concerned," the Younger Bambi said. "You are training an unknown deer. Before it was in the family or someone we at least knew. We know nothing about this Juon."

"He seems a good male," the elder Bambi said. "He could be of help to both of you and in case you have not noticed it, your daughter likes him."

Stabo let out a quick and aggravating snort out of his nose. "My daughter is old enough to like who she pleases. I am just concerned about this Juon. I ask myself what happens if he starts behaving like another Delon?"

"Then you will handle him like another Delon," he told them. "Stabo, Juon is a large male, but he could not begin to fight you or Young Bambi if that is what you are worried about. He will never be your size or strength. We started training him because he came to me questioning whether he could even be a help to you and I found that reassuring. With the others, and even you two, you were all so quick and all so sure that you could learn this and be herd leaders. I found it refreshing that for once someone was not sure of themselves. I am also surprised at this conversation. When did any of you fear anyone we taught?"

"Afraid of Juon, nonsense," his Son spoke clearly. "I am concerned we will have another bad deer in our forest and after what happened to Delon, we do not need this"

"Are you asking us to stop training him?" he wanted to know.

"No, I could never order you two around, I just want to know if you are sure about Juon," he said.

He was about to answer when he heard the clash of antlers follow by a cry of alarm. It came from Kena. The four of them stopped and ran toward the sound with him lagging back as usual.

He made it to a nearby clearing and saw Juon locking antlers with a male a year older. The male thinking he was stronger, made it into a test of strength and tried to force Juon's head onto the ground. Juon shifted his weight and pushed hard with his rear legs. That forced the other deer off balance and he stumbled back breaking the lock on their antlers.

"You fight funny," Juon said mocking the male to get him angry. "It had the desired effect. The older male put his head down and charged with rage. This time Juon met the charge, but instead of bracing his feet, he pulled back quickly. The bigger male being faster and heavier went right by him. As he did, Juon brought his head down and scrapped his antlers across the flank of the male causing painful, but minor cuts. "

"Aieee," he should and almost fell to his knees. Juon waited until the male had gone by him and then charged his rear before the male could recover. Again he hit the male hard, but did not try and gore him as he could have. The male yelled again and ran into the cover of the forest. Juon did not follow.

Juon then went over to Kena standing there. "Did he hurt you?" he said looking deeply into her eyes."

"No, he never touched me," she answered in a soft voice. "He just tried to push me down. I was going to kick him when you came in and he charged you."

"Interesting" he said loudly so both of them heard him and then they saw the others. "Juon, when the male ran past you, you could have dug in your antlers and gutted him. You could have also charge and impaled him in the rear. You did not, why?"

Juon was still breathing deeply. "It was not necessary. He was not here to hurt me; he was here to mate with Kena. I did not have to kill him to stop that, only beat him. Thanks to what you and Bambi taught me, I was able to do that easily. In fact more easily than I ever thought I could."

"That is part of the training," the elder Bambi spoke up. "We train hard so when we have to fight, it becomes easier. You did that well, Juon."

"Very well," Stabo repeated. "Both of you come here."

They both walked up to the herd leader and bowed their heads slightly in respect. Both Stabo and the younger Bambi acknowledged it also showing some respect.

"Juon you fought for my daughter. Do you wish to take her for your mate?" Stabo stood erect trying to look as impressive as possible.

"Yes," said Juon with empathies. "I would if she will have me," he said and looked into her eyes again. They could all see the warmth.

"Daughter, what is your answer to that?" he asked.

"Yes, Father, I would," she said with equal empathies

Stabo took in a deep breath. "Daughter you are not yet ready to go with him but you will be shortly. You will come back to our clearing and discuss this with your mother. Juon, you come to my clearing in two nights when the lesser light rises. She will be ready for you by then. In the meantime find a spot for you two. The rest of you please come with me."

They followed Stabo back and when the herd leader was sure no one could hear them stopped. "Father you are correct," he said. "Juon could have easily killed that deer but did not. That does show some ability and sense. It also shows how stupid the other deer was. Did he think he could force the herd leader's daughter to mate with him and I not take offence? Very well after the season continue to train him. I can find something for my daughter's mate to do."

"Yes," I agree," the younger Bambi said.

Then Stabo looked at the elder Bambi and him. "I just wish I could do something for you two with the season coming on."

"We will both be alright, My Son. I am too old to go chase a doe now."

"No other doe but Faline has ever interested me," Bambi said. "I will also be alright."

They went back to their clearing with Karene and Gena were lying alone. This year's fawn had gone. Kena eagerly told her mother the tale and Gena seemed as happy for her as he was. They stayed around for a while as a family. It was the next day that the doe began to give off scent. Two nights later the scent had become powerful and Young Bambi and Karene had left for their spot. A bit early at dusk, Juon came back looking a bit nervous.

"I have come for Kena," he told them all.

"I am ready," she said. Her scent got suddenly stronger.

Kena kissed her Father, Mother and then Bambi and him and went over to Juon.

"Come with me," he said.

"Take care of my daughter," Stabo said out loud.

"I will," Juon said and vanished into the woods with Kena.

"And another generation begins," he said out loud.

"Let us hope we live long enough to see it," Bambi said and together they left Stabo and Gena alone to go to their place.

Chapter 6: Point of Arrival

The Season passed in comfort. He stayed by himself. Male deer with and without doe at this time are not the best company. He found a clearing away from the sites and more importantly the scents of The Season and lay down. His resting place was near the Man cave and from where he lay he could see the cave which remained quiet during that time. It was on the third night of The Season that he was woken up by a Strange Call

"I am here," someone called out in a voice he did not recognize. It was a strong and booming noise.

He got up and started to walk toward it. The wind was blowing off the meadow so he walked deeper into the forest. He then moved quietly until he was down wind of the call. Only then did he go to the location with the wind in his face. At he started to get close he saw movement to his right. He knew that form immediately.

"Bambi," he called out just loud enough to be herd.

The large male came over to him looking puzzled as he was. "I do not know the voice," he told him.

"Nor do I," he said. "Let us get closer."

As they approached the wind was bringing the scent to them. The male was large, had a powerful scent. There was also another scent. A doe in season. This doe's scent was familiar."

"Carie," he said out loud. "What does she want?"

They both moved and as they did the scents got stronger. He finally walked into the clearing and there stood two deer. One was Carie. There was no mistaking her outline. The other was a large male deer. In fact the largest deer he had ever seen. He was bigger than he or Bambi. He was bigger than the vision he had seen of the Old Prince. His rack was massive.

"I see you have found a new male," he called out to his former mate. "Care to introduce us?"

Both of them walked into the meadow together. The male came toward him head up high showing he had no fear of them.

"I am Duno," the voice boomed. "I am here to challenge for the herd leadership."

"I take it my former mate is now your mate," he said breathing in the air.

"Yes, Stranger, for you are too weak and too old to have a mate like her," he said glaring at him with contempt.

"You are right about that," he said. "Age catches up with all of us. It is what happens when you are not killed by Man or by some bear and eaten."

"I am afraid of no Man and no Bear," he said bellowing out his power.

"Then you, Duno, are a fool, because no matter how big and strong you are, one killing stick or one hungry bear can killed you faster than you can raise that tale. However, I see you do not believe that. Take it from one who is much older than you."

"Spare me your words, for you are old and weak, I am going kill you two right after I kill your son Stabo and Young Bambi, then I will kill Balo, and his son Delon."

"The last two will not be necessary," he said meekly. "Balo and Delon are both gone."

"Then it makes my task even easier," he said.

"Stranger, may I speak with you," Bambi asked.

"Excuse me for a moment," he said.

"Do not try and run away, I can easily catch you," Duno told them.

"Right now a new born fawn can catch me," he told him. "Nothing special about that."

He followed Bambi into the woods a short way. Bambi turned and looked worried. "You know he may be strong enough to beat Stabo and Young Bambi," he told him.

"I know," he admitted. "That is why I am not going to let them fight."

"Oh, and how can you prevent that," Bambi said.

"By killing him first, however this might also get us both killed at the same time," he admitted. "Are you ready for that?"

Bambi looked at the big deer for a moment as if thinking and then nodded his head. "Yes," he said. "It was going to happen soon anyway."

"Get ready to follow my lead then," he said.

They both walked back into the meadow.

"You came back," he said loudly as if surprised.

"I have never run from a deer like you," he said. "I knew a deer like you some time ago. His name was Razor. He was big and powerful like you. He also thought he could rule through force and fear. It did not work for him and it will not work for you."

"We shall see," the large male bellowed again. "Carie also told me you killed Razor, who was my father."

That got his attention. He turned slowly to face the large deer and looked him over carefully. "Sorry, I do not see him in you. You also do not smell like him, but I have no cause to doubt your word. You certainly act like him."

That took the big male back," You will not say that or I will. . . "

"Kill me!" he interrupted. "I thought you were going to do that anyway. Doesn't matter, however I am curious about something. Why did you not take over your Father's forest?"

The large deer looked strangely at him. He could tell Duno was wondering why he was not afraid or begging for his life. That what a smaller deer would do. Neither Duno nor Carie understood it is hard to threaten anyone with death who was already half dead to begin with. "Carie told me there were more deer here and the forest was bigger. This was the bigger herd."

"Ahh," he said and turned his back on Duno and walked over to Carie. "Let me ask, did she tell you to kill me last?"

"How did. . . .," Duno started to say and went silent. It was then he realized what Carie's plan was.

Without turning back to face Duno he went on with a smile. "You see my large, poor, diluted, male; that was because she wanted me to suffer the most. That is why she did not tell you to take over Felon's herd even through it be much easier. You see your mate here is not interested in the other forest because I am not there. By killing my family before me, Carie gets back at me for throwing her and her son out of my old forest and then not objecting when my Son Stabo threw them out here. Is not that so, my former mate?"

"You clever conceited deer," she called out. "I hope Duno guts you slowly."

"Duno is not going to gut anyone, but then you were always too stupid to think for yourself. What you were good at is getting other stupid deer like your son and this large idiot behind me to do your bidding."

"You cannot say that about me you worthless….." Duno yelled and charged his unprotected rear.

"No. . ." Carie started to say, but it was too late. He kicked out with both legs as hard as the large male approached. He felt his two hoofs impact Duno's forehead knocking him senseless. He also heard a loud pop from inside and immediately was covered with waves of pain. His front legs collapsed and he fell to the ground. Bambi immediately charge Duno and knocked him off balance and on to the ground. The stunned deer did not move and Bambi started to pound his side hard with his front hoofs.

"I will kill you myself," Carie shouted and charged him on the ground. She hit him in the head. It stunned him and Carie reared up and pounded him on his left side. He felt everything break loose on that side. The pain was more than anything he ever felt. She then raised her hoofs again. As he did he put all his strength onto his rear legs and pushed up as she was coming down. It drove his head and his antlers deep into her chest

"AHHHHHHH," was all she said before she pulled off of him. Instantly he was covered in blood, her blood. She backed away and started to run. She bounded three times before she fell over and lay still. He fell on the ground. He felt something coming up his throat. He coughed up a large pool of blood. He knew what that meant. He sunk on the ground blood coming out of his mouth in a stream.

He tried to breath, but found it almost impossible. His vision all went blurry. In his ears he heard Bambi still pounding Duno on the side. He heard the big male's bones cracking. That deer would never get up, and now neither would he. He looked back and after being sure Duno was dead, Bambi came over and looking at the increasing flow of blood coming from his mouth.

"Stranger," he called out. "Are you alright?"

"I want you to get my son and daughter and bring them here," he told him in a weak voice. He then coughed up more blood. "Do it now please."

"Let me get some of the leaves," he said.

"The leaves will not help this time," he told him and he knew it was the truth. "Now please do what I ask."

The big deer looked at him in horror and the bounded into the trees. He knew it take time to find them with The Season. More time than he had. He did not want others around him when he died. He felt himself bleeding out on the inside, His lungs felt like they were filling up. His vision was already getting cloudy. A cold stiffness was already in his leg and sides. He looked around the small clearing with two dead deer and soon to be three.

"So this is the place," he said to himself. "I always wondered when and how it would happen."

The numbness soon traveled up his side. At least it did not hurt anymore. He also felt very sleepy like he had after he was injured and the bear dragged him to safety. He was only sorry he could not say goodbye to his large friend, but he could not move any longer. He put his head down on the ground and closed his now almost useless eyes. In front of him he could see white cloudy land again. It was cloudy again. Then in the distance a shape took form. A white dot formed. The dot got larger and larger until he realized it was the back of a doe: a nice looking young doe that smiled openly at him. She turned and smiled at him. He suddenly realized who she was.

"Mother?" he called out.

"Tilar, my son" she said in a smooth voice and came toward him. She reached over and kissed him on the forehead.

Then he felt nothing.

# # # #

Bambi came back with not only Stabo and Stelar, but the others too. He only hoped he was in time. Stranger looked very hurt, yet he did not seem concerned by it. They finally came into the clearing. There was Duno lying on his side. Eyes open and blood still dripping out of his mouth. He saw Carie still lying where she fell. A large train of blood led his eyes back to where Stranger lay still. He was still covered in Carie's blood.

"Stranger," they are here," he told him.

The old deer did not move. He leaned over and smelled and touched the face. Then he knew. His eyes began watering; a large lump was in his throat. It had finally happened after all the seasons. He stood upright and faced the others.

"Stranger is gone," he said barely getting the words out. "My friend is gone."

He felt himself losing control. He did not want to show that to the others. He turned quickly and walked away as he heard shouts from many of the others as they went up to look at the body. He walked to an old oak near where the remains of the brute Duno lay. He leaned against the tree and let his emotions out just like when he had first seen that Faline had gone before him. Now he was alone. His mate and two greatest friends had gone on before him. He heard the others wailing behind him mostly in disbelief. There would never be another deer like Stranger. Yes his friend was reckless, too daring, sometime conceited, and stubborn, but never did he ever turned his back on the herd. He simply could not believe he had gone before him.

Soon he heard and smelled other deer approaching. Cries of astonishment, even horror at what lay in the clearing. Other deer were genuinely saddened that the great deer had finally gone. It had been this way when his father died. Many did not believe. From time to time he saw the other deer stop and look closely at Stranger. It took him a while but he finally got his emotions under control. He looked back into the clearing. No one seemed to care about Carie and Duno. That was fine with him. He just hoped he would not run in to either one in the Great Herd. They were not worth their places there. If he did see any of them there he just might just pound their sides again. He stood there watching still not believing the deer that had survived so much was finally gone.

After a while when all the crying, moaning, and voices stopped, and the visitors had left, he felt the touch of soft fur on his body. It was his daughter Gena, large tears still flowing from her eyes.

"Come, Father, there is nothing more we can do here."

"He turned and kissed his eldest daughter "Yes, child, you are right," he said and walked back to the others. Now he only wanted to leave this place and never come back. He did not want to see the scavengers do their work on his friend and the others.

As he walked near Stranger's body he stopped and leaned over as to whisper in his ear.

"I hope the price was worth it, my friend" he said. "He then looked up and out across the still burnt meadow. "Take care of him, Father," he said in a low voice. "He was worth it."