"So what did you want to talk to me about?" Bambi's large brown eyes met his father's knowledgeable ones. The Great Prince was silent, walking ahead slightly. He let out a breath and then used his large antlers to clear a branch from a small secret passage, much like the one he'd took Bambi to the day he told him about his mother.
"It isn't easy, being a prince." He said, his voice stern but calm as the two stepped into a brightly lit clearing. They didn't stop though, and continued walking through the woods at a steady pace. "It is time you start thinking about your future, you're not a kid anymore, and adulthood will hit you hard."
"What do you mean?"
They stopped, The Great Prince nodded toward a large patch of grass. Cautiously Bambi stepped over to it, and gasped in fright when he saw a dead doe. The smaller stag stepped back and bumped into his fathers chest, turning around as he gulped. The elder had a pained expression, remorse clear in his chocolate orbs.
"She was shot, and I was not fast enough to save her. I am getting older, son. And though I've lived longer than any other animal in this forest, even I am not immortal."
Bambi looked back toward the innocent looking tuft of grass, glad that no one could see the dark secret that lay behind it.
"That is why I had you, your mother and I knew that I wouldn't be able to protect the forest forever, and so we chose to make sure the future was certain."
"You want me to take your place, a-as the main protector of the forest?" Bambi piped up, his father looked down at him, and gave a slow nod. The older stag turned away from the scene and started walking again, Bambi was quick to follow as he did not want to stay in that place any longer.
"As you know, I met your mother when my antlers had just started to show. But you met Faline when you two were only a few years old, you two started early. That's a good thing, it'll make choosing her as your mate for life all that much easier."
Bambi blushed and looked towards his hooves, his stomach clenched and a strange feeling overtook him. "But, dad... What if..." The young prince took a deep breath, working up the courage to speak his mind. "What I don't want Faline to be my forever mate? I- I mean she's nice and she's my friend, but my feelings toward her haven't changed since the day we hooked up. I... And I don't think hers have either."
His father looked down on him, their eyes meeting. "Then who?"
Bambi gulped. "I... I don't know." He didn't, he really, truly, didn't. Sure he wished he had intense feelings for his childhood friend turned girlfriend, but he just didn't! She had been his crush for a while when they were kids, but now she almost felt more like his SISTER. It was weird, it made his stomach twist and his cheeks feel weak. Bambi looked down at the green grass of the forest floor, emerald eyes crossed his mind. He let out a breath, who's eyes had he just thought of? That was strange.
"That is most disappointing, but I will not tell you to chose a doe with whom you're not infatuated." His voice was still calm, a hint of confusion sure, but he certainly wasn't judging the young buck. "But you must chose before The Rut. As you know, that is when all stags will spar for one whole night to win the doe of their dreams."
Bambi clenched his eyes shut, making a face. "Yeah dad, I know." He breathed out of clenched teeth, then smiled and looked up at his father. "You've told me about The Rut at least three times this year. I think I'm prepared haha." He got a very strict look from the older, which made the smile drop from his features.
"It is a serious tradition, my son. You must be prepared both mentally and physically, you will be fighting many other stags and bucks for Faline's hoof in marriage..." He paused, then swallowed. "Or, whichever doe you chose, that is. Though Faline would be better, since you've known her for long enough. You must be in love with the doe you chose to marry, Bambi, or else she may become unfaithful and the future of the forest will be on shaky ground."
This time Bambi was the one to give a slow, somber nod. Silence passed between the two for a few minutes as the took long strides back toward their shared den. Finally, his father spoke again. "The Rut is in two weeks, if not Faline, then find your doe soon. Fall in love with her, she would fall in love with you, and then be prepared to fight for her."
...
"The forest is depending on you, son." And with that, The Great Prince entered the small burrow. He laid down and locked eyes with his offspring. "I know the topic is uncomfortable, and the situation is hard. You may go now, have fun with your friends."
Bambi let a small smile touch his lips again, nodding. "Okay, thanks dad." He bounded off without another word, leaving the Great Prince to sigh and shake his head.