Third Person POV

In the meantime, Bambi was hopping further and further into the forest, following the mysterious voice. When he got lost, he heard the voice call out, "I'm here!"

He turned towards the beginning of the meadow and called out, "Wait! I'm coming!"

Soon, Bambi arrived at the snow-covered meadow where all was still. "Hello?" he called. He looked around a bit, and then lowered his head with disappointment as he walked back towards the forest.

"Hello!" the voice called, "I'm here! It's me!"

Bambi turned around again and called, "Mother?"

He slowly walked into the meadow as the voice kept echoing, "I'm here! Hello! I'm here!"

The young fawn slowly made his way around the giant, snow-covered stone he and Faline played upon during the summer, and then stopped at the sound of bushes rustling.

Some crows flew out from some bushes and cawed, "Man! Man!"

Bambi just stayed frozen in his tracks as he saw some black, barking animals coming towards him!

Meanwhile, the Great Prince and Jeanette were investigating Bambi's last whereabouts. "We were right here a few moments ago, sir!" Jeanette said to the big buck.

"MAN! MAN!" cawed the crows, which were now flying above the forest, "MAN! MAN!"

"Oh my God!" Jeanette gasped with fear.

"Bambi!" the Great Prince gasped as he ran off with the girl-turned fox clinging onto his back.

Back in the meadow, the fierce animals kept running for the scared-stiff Bambi just as the Great Prince and Jeanette saw what was going on. "Oh no!" Jeanette gasped, "This is all my fault! I shouldn't have…"

"Jeanette! Be silent and stay low to the ground!" the Great Prince ordered her, "I won't let Man's Dogs eat my son!"

Jeanette jumped off of the Great Prince's back and landed in the soft snow. Then, the big buck looked over at his son and ordered, "RUN, BAMBI!"

Jeanette also looked at Bambi and whisper-yelled, "You heard your father! GO!"

When Bambi did nothing, the Great Prince ran for his son, and then stood protectively in front of him before he fought off the Dogs.

Jeanette just cringed as she watched the big buck ward off the Dogs. As the Dogs ran away whimpering, the big buck got a glimpse of something shiny and ordered his son, "RUN, BAMBI!"

Jeanette ran off into the forest while Bambi just stayed still like a statue, still scared. "BAMBI, LET'S GO!" Jeanette screamed for her fawn friend.

"GO NOW!" The Great Prince roared at his son, headbutting him away.

The two deer met Jeanette, and then all three of them ran into the forest just as the sound of a shotgun exploded in the meadow. Neither one of them stopped until they reached a small clearing.

Great Prince's POV

I was deeply infuriated and disappointed that my son had fallen for one of Man's tricks! He could've been killed by those Dogs! As Bambi and Jeanette caught their breath, I stood my ground for any lurking danger.

"But it was Mother!" Bambi breathed, "I heard her voice!"

I turned to him with a glare and berated him, "It was one of Man's tricks!"

"Sorry!" Bambi whimpered.

"What if we hadn't gotten there in time?" I questioned him, "You could've been… When I tell you to run, you RUN! Even a fox like Jeanette knows when danger is around – even SHE knows there are greater predators than her!"

I looked over at Jeanette, and saw that she was cringing at my outburst. Still, I was very angry with my son as I glared at him, "NEVER freeze like that! EVER!"

"I-I'm sorry!" Bambi said to me with a broken voice.

"Mr. Great Prince," Jeanette said apologetically as she held up her paw, "Part of the fault is mine. I sang a lullaby to Bambi, and then he dreamed about his mother, so I should be responsible."

I could tell that Bambi was getting ready to cry, and Jeanette gave me a sorrowful look. I just sighed at them, "Let's go home."

As we walked back to my den, Jeanette said to me, "Sir, you know I am heavily at fault for not supervising your son while you're away. But must you be so hard on him?"

I looked down at her and said calmly, "Jeanette, you will never have to carry a burden like the forest I will have my son watch over. He must not allow himself to be led astray. Not even by foxes like you."

Jeanette tried to think of the right words to say as she said, "But all he cares about… is-is your love and approval. I-I know he will live up to your expectations someday. He just… needs the opportunity."

I gave that some thought as we approached my den before I finally said to her, "Maybe… maybe so. But no promises. It is time to sleep now."

I let Bambi and Jeanette crawl into my den; Jeanette went inside first, but Bambi stayed out for a bit. He looked at me with sadness and said, "She'll never come back, will she?"

I knew he was talking about Willow, so I sympathetically looked at him and replied, "No."

Then, I turned away and walked into the forest to check on the other animals. As I walked away, I heard Jeanette say to my son, "Come, Bambi. Time to sleep."

I glanced back for a moment and saw my son crawl into the den to join his fox friend.

A rainstorm soon occurred as I traveled over to my rock overlooking the forest; when I reached my rock, I stood on top of it and thought sadly of my beloved Willow, my lecture to my son, and Jeanette's words on how my son needed "the opportunity". I also remembered that I am the Great Prince, and bucks aren't meant to raise deer. So, I sighed as I left my rock and went over to find Friend Owl's tree.

A while later, I arrived at that very tree and softly called, "Friend Owl?"

The owl opened his eyes as I explained, "Winter has come to an end. You should have no trouble finding a new home for Bambi."