Faline sometimes wondered, where did her son got his whole energy from. The ,,sometimes" would most often occur late at night, when young Lato did whatever he could not to go to sleep for at least a few more minutes, or early in the morning, when he would do just as much or even more to wake his family up. Lato barely needed any sleep. Much to his mother's and sister's discomfort.
,,Mom! Come on!" the prince pleaded, pulling Faline's ear. She did her best to ignore it. ,,Lila, get up and help me!" the male fawn jumped at his female twin and pushed her at the side. Lila closed her eyes tighter, sadly realizing she is unlikely to get any more silent sleep. Lato was starting to loose his patience ,,Hey, everybody, don't be this way! I'm hungry! I want those pink flowers that grow by the creak! And I'm thirsty! And you need to go with me! You have to!" the complaining was getting more and more disturbing. Faline sighed. Being a mother demands sacrifices.
The fawn jumped up happily, as the doe picked herself up. Noticing her mother moved, Lila followed her example. She knew she couldn't stay in the den alone. After the Howler incident, her parents forbade her and Lato from going anywhere on their own. They had to be under care of at least one adult.
The way seemed far too long for Lato. It was all because Faline and Lila would walk much slower than him. It irritated him, but he just kept on running around them, saying how he loved pink flowers.
,,You mean clover?" Lila asked.
,,I mean pink flowers." her brother replied ,,If clover is pink, then I like it"
,,The one that grows by the river, the white-and-pink clover, is called alsike clover." Lila insisted ,,Trifolium hybridum, to be exact. The Trifolium are a genus of small annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial herbaceous plants. The leaves are trifoliate, rarely 5- or 7-foliate, with stipules adnate to the leaf-stalk, and heads or dense spikes of…" the young doe continued, despite of her brother's lack of interest in the lecture. Their mother didn't know, whether to laugh or cry.
Faline and Bambi taught their children the names of all the plant types that grew in the forest, but Lato would never pay attention to the teachings. There was always something more interesting going on: butterflies flying, squirrels coming down to gather nuts, his rabbit friends playing around. He couldn't ignore all of this. Even if he sometimes memorized a certain name, he was likely to have forgotten it by the end of the day. It made his parents worry. If he couldn't even tell the difference between a daisy and a clover, how could he be able to identify the poisoned plants? How they be sure he wouldn't end up eating something that causes illness? And he never paid attention to what he eats. And there were lots of things he shouldn't eat. If he only seemed to realize this simple truth. His sister, on the other hand, could memorize all plant names having heard them once only. She could already recognize the bird type by merely hearing a part of it's song and tell the time from the position of the sun. She had all the memory and will to learn her brother lacked. On one hand, it was great: her parents knew she would one day be able to live a life on her own. On the other hand: they feared, what kind of life would that be. They hoped, that she would find a mate, who wouldn't be ashamed of having a mate much smarter than himself. Many believed, that females should stay in the shadow of males and are just suited to bring up children. Sadly.
As soon as the mother and children reached the destination are, Lato launched at the clovers. Lila ran after him, reminding him to check if there were no bugs sitting on the flowers or worse. She also insisted that he eats grass, not the blossom sonly. When he drunk, she told him not to drink so hastily, for there's water enough for everybody and that he could accidentally swallow something. He didn't seem to hear her at all.
Lato finished his breakfast fast, and couldn't understand, why does it take so long for the females to finish theirs. They said they wanted to enjoy the meal. But why can't they enjoy it a bit quicker, like him? That's no reasoning. Hmh, what to do while they eat? Suddenly, the prince noticed a group of rabbits on the other side of the creak. Yes, those were friends of his. And they loved clover blossoms too.
,,Jumper!" he called ,,Fluffy, Milly, Topsy! Hi!" he ran to greet his friends, splashing the water in the creak. Fortunately, it wasn't deep. The rabbit crew answered with just as much joy.
,,Lato!" the four siblings called, surrounding him.
,,It's been so long!"
,,How you've been?"
,,Man, you grew so big!" the shouted one through another. And the fawn was glad. So much action. So much happiness. He loved it.
The mother of the four came to greet Lato as well ,,Good morning, young prince." she said ,,Good morning, young princesses." She added, seeing Faline and Lila on the other side of the creek.
,,Good morning, Trudy." Faline replied.
,,Good morning, Mrs. Thumper." Lila added. Trudy was the mate of Bambi's best friend Thumper. They had two sons: Jumper and Fluffy, and two daughters: Milly and Topsy. All of them enjoyed Lato's company very much. Especially Jumper, the eldest and most energetic of the siblings.
,,Mom, can we and Lato play tag?" Jumper asked his mother.
,,No, better hide and seek!" Fluffy opposed his brother.
,,Why don't we seek compromise?" Milly offered.
,,Cool, what kind of game is that?" Jumper wanted to know.
,,Mom, can I play with them? Please!" Lato jumped back to his mother and sister. Faline looked at the sun in the sky.
,,Okay, but only for an hour."
,,Why so short?" the fawn cried. His mother became a little nervous.
,,Lato, have you forgotten? You promised you would go help your father patrol the area." She reminded her son. Lato lowered his ears. He forgot that promise. Obviously.
,,But mom, it's so boring" he pleaded, trying to seem cute and innocent ,,I'd rather play with Jumper and the rest. Can I?" this didn't please Faline one bit.
,,Lato, you made a promise. Your father is going to be disappointed if you don't come to assist him."
,,I'll assist him some other time, I promise, just let me play!" the fawn cried, and the rabbit children came to his side, supporting him with the most puppy eyes they could come up with. It wasn't much help. Faline knew her son had to learn responsibility. He needed it. But still, he was still just a child. But he gave his word. And a word is a word, especially a one of the prince. Definitely.
,,You have one hour" the judgement was passed ,,If I was you, I would use it while I can."
,,Owwww…." The group of pleaders lowered their ears. Yet, a few second later they would chase one another across the field nearby. Children are children. They need to play. Even Lila joined them, although she wasn't as strong, nor as fast as the rabbits. They didn't mind. The more to play with, the better. The group ended up playing both hide and seek and tag in various combinations, without even having to seek compromise. The game continued, until a loud, male voice was heard.
,,Lato!" the voice called. Everybody gasped. The Great Prince of the forest, Bambi himself, has appeared. Oh no. Was it really an hour already? No. It can't be.
,,What do we do now?" asked Fluffy, at the edge of panic.
,,Quickly, to the bushes!" decided Topsy, pushing Lato into the bushes ,,Quickly, before he sees you!"
,,Hey!" Lila protested ,,Lato has to go assist dad on his patrol now!"
,,But it's so boring!" Jumper pointed out ,,I'm sure Lato would stay with us and play!"
,,I would" Lato agreed ,,But dad is gonna be angry."
,,Lato!" Bambi called his son again. This time, louder, thinking he might've not heard it.
,,Come on, Lato" Lila encouraged her brother ,,Your duties are calling you."
,,Literally" agreed Milly.
,,There has to be a way to avoid this." Jumper insisted.
,,Don't you even…"
,,I know!" the eldest rabbit announced, before Lila could give him a lecture ,,You will go and tell your dad we're playing hide and seek, and we still have to find Lato!"
,,Great idea!" Jumper's siblings agree, jumping with joy.
,,This won't do, dad is too smart." Lila opposed. The whole things was starting to irritate her. The fact somebody might promise something and then don't do it, was beyond her understanding. So wrong. So shameful. That's not what they've been thought.
,,LATO!" Bambi's tone was getting strict.
,,Lila" Lato whispered ,,Please give it a try. Pretty please."
,,Oh no, I can't just…"
,,Please. Do it for me. Just once. Please" he insisted, making a sad look on his face. The female fawn sighed. She loved her brother and hated seeing him like this. And unlike her mother, didn't have courage enough to say ,,no".
,,Just this once" she announced and went to face her father. How guilty she was feeling. To cover up for a promise breaker. It hurt her. But he was her brother. She had to support him. But not like this. Oh, how she despised lying. She couldn't stand it. It felt, as if she was the one who broke the rules, not Lato. Oh.
,,Lila, where's Lato?" Bambi asked, as his daughter finally reached him. Okay, Lila, deep breath. You can do it. You can. Now…
,,He… He wanted to… They are playing hide and seek and… " no, don't look into his eyes, it would kill you, no… too late. ,,They… him… ugh… they told him to stay and play, and they told me to tell you they still have to find him" she almost burst unto tears. How could she even think of trying to dare to tell lies to her beloved father,,Dad, I'm sorry, I was trying to convince him, but their influence is stronger, and I'm too weak, I can't even make good excuses, I just…"
,,Shhh…" Bambi nuzzled his crying daughter. Poor thing. ,,Calm down, it's not your fault." He whispered, feeling a sorrow towards Lato and the rabbits. Not only they were misbehaving, they were trying to corrupt Lila. This innocent, delicate being. How could they. He'll have to have a talk with Thumper about the way he raises his kids. And he'll also have to give his own son a good lecture.
,,That Lato" Faline sighed angrily ,,I knew it would end like this"
,,Don't worry" her mate said ,,I thought Lato was ready to learn about his future duties. Seems I was wrong. Shh… Lila, okay, I know you didn't mean to do anything wrong…" meanwhile, the group of four rabbits and one fawn observed the whole scene. And they were more than glad.
,,Gush, she even broke into tears! Man, what a great actress!" Fluffy was excited.
,,I would never think Lila could do that!" Topsy was under great impression of what she's seen.
,,Man, your sister is great!" Jumper pet Lato's shoulder. The fawn smiled, surprise don how well their plan was turning out.
,,Of course she is! She's my sister!" she said proudly.
,,That's right!" jumper agreed ,,I wish my sisters were as good as yours"
,,Hey!" Topsy punched her brother.
,,Sorry!" he whined. Meanwhile, his mother was apologizing to the Great Prince for her children's behavior.
,,Lato's not so innocent wither" Bambi insisted ,,I'm going to talk to him later… now, I still have a great peace of land to check. So, I'll be going" with that, he turned his back on the females and started to slowly leave. Yet, he wouldn't be able to leave right now.
,,Daddy, wait!" Lila ran after him. Bambi turned to her, in surprise. ,,If Lato is not going with you, then maybe I could?" she asked. That her father wasn't expecting.
,,You want to?"
,,Yes." She nodded. Weird.
,,Wouldn't you rather stay here and play?" he wanted to make sure. His daughter waved her head for no.
,,I had fun enough" she explained ,,I'm already a bit tired of those running around. Taking a walk in different. That I would do." She really was sure of it. Strange. So strange. But… when he was her age, he was just as much willing to assist his father. He was overjoyed to do it. To him, it seemed like a great adventure. But again, it was a way of gaining his father's attention. Perhaps if he paid less attention to Lato, he would be more willing to seek any contact with him? No, bad idea. Being neglected feels so miserable. So painful. It's not the way. But… if he takes Lila with… then maybe Lato would be jealous and eventually start walking with him too? Hmh… Oh, nevermind. What matters, is that he wouldn't be going alone.
,,Fine, Lila. Come. We have a long way to go" he smiled to the elder of his two fawns. Lila answered with a weak smile and followed him. So she did distracted his attention from her brother. And he wasn't angry. Nor ad. Good.
,,She did it!" Jumper yelled, overjoyed with the success of the plan ,,She really did it! We can play and play!"
,,Way to go, Lila! Girls rule!" Topsy shouted, kicking Jumper off Lato. Lato himself couldn't believe it. His sister was so brilliant.
,,Okay then! I have to hide for real, and you seek me" he decided ,,And after you've found me, I'm gonna tell you about our new friend Roga!"
,,Yay!" the long eared chorus cried. And so, the game could continue. And so could the patrol.
NOTE: I wasn't sure about the name ,,Trudy", but I don't know if she has any official names or not, and in Polish edition of the book based upon movie (not the actual Bambi by Salten) she was called ,,Trusia". As for the kids: I'm pretty satisfied with the names. What do you think? Oh, and sorry it took so long, I definitely shouldn't work on so many stories. But, since this one is slowly gaining popularity, I'll do my best. Wish me luck.