Chapter III: The mess after the limpness

Scene 14

The next day Ronno felt better but his leg still lame, and apparently it will remain for life.

Hello Ronno. - Faline said startling to him.

Hello - Ronno answered distractedly - what do you want?

Look - Faline mentioned patiently - you may not forgive me for what I said a while, but I want you to meet someone else.

I thank you but no. - Ronno commented kindly.

What do you mean? - Faline asked surprised.

I think for now the only one I need to know is Bambi. - Ronno answered calmly.

What did you say? - Faline asked again.

Well - Ronno intervened - he's a very good friend and he has never done anything that could hurt me.

I worry about how you admire him - Faline rebuked him - and certainly if you think he actually has hurt you, just look at your leg, and by the way, what about your ear?

Both wounds are my fault - Ronno said - but the ear itself was over nothing.

Seriously - Faline was concerned - what happened?

Listen - Ronno paused - back when I was younger than Bambi now is; Karus was my best friend and one day we both get angry to say who has the best abilities; in that fight my ear got stuck with a branch and when Karus hit me, this made tear it. It makes me look awful.

I had no idea - Faline reacted - but still you could do away from Bambi.

I'll see what I can do - Ronno sighed - but I won't.

Ronno went away limping. Karus appeared in the brush.

Oh Faline - Karus exclaimed - who you have to put away is Bambi, not Ronno.

Of course. - Faline answered nodding.

Scene 15

Bambi was heading where he usually does that.

Bambi - Faline greet - how have you been?

Oh - Bambi answered without pay attention - hello Faline.

Would you like go with me to the clearing? - Faline asked cheerfully.

I'm sorry - Bambi commented - here I'm waiting Ronno.

Let's go - Faline persisted - just today, this won't bother him.

But you not even like me. - Bambi replied a bit annoying.

Of course - Faline mentioned quickly - I like you, so I want you to come with me.

Okay - Bambi yielded - but make it quick.

They advanced into the clearing Faline meanwhile she turn his head to Karus who was hidden in the bushes, that was the signal. Ronno approached there without noticing Karus.

Bambi - Ronno exclaimed looking for him - where are you?

So he did not have the courage to tell you in your face. - Karus mentioned without looking his eyes.

Tell me what? - Ronno was surprised.

You might not believe me - Karus continued explaining - but he said he cannot be the friend of a limp deer, after all he's the prince of the forest, imagine what they would think if they saw him playing with a disabled stag.

That's not true! - Ronno yelled angrily.

Really? - Karus smiled - Then look.

Karus showed Ronno how Bambi and Faline were having fun in the clearing.

No way! - Ronno exclaimed sadly.

Ronno fled as fast as he could, trying to not cry. Karus went in the opposite direction, smiling wickedly. After that, Bambi and Faline returned to their course.

Bambi, see - Faline continued talking - I told you, he will not come.

I don't think so - Bambi commented denying it - just maybe, he was late.

Well - Faline said unsurely - remember that he blamed you because his leg.

Of course not. - Bambi replied.

You might not have heard - Faline answered - as he said it he tried to eat at the ground while he was stumbling.

Nevertheless, I will wait. - Bambi answered with conviction.

As you wish - Faline began to march - see you.

Ronno never come because he was gone, Faline then ran toward where Karus were.

It worked! - Faline exclaimed running to see the one had helped her.

Of course it worked - Karus answered loudly - now where's my reward?

Follow me. - Faline mentioned slowly.

I have a better idea - Karus blocked his way - you follow me.

What are you doing? - Faline was frightened - Help!

Gobo was grazing near the clearing and reacted quickly when he heard the screams, so he ran to his sister; Marena followed him going unnoticed.

What are you doing Karus? - Gobo asked worried.

Wow, it's your small brother, Faline! - Karus said sarcastically - I tremble in fear.

You asked for it. - Gobo replied angrily.

Gobo charged Karus, but it was futile and Karus tried to hurt him seriously with his hooves.

Karus! - Faline shouted with courage - Let him go and I'll follow you, after all, it's my fault for trying to destroy the Bambi and Ronno's friendship.

Okay. – Karus mentioned suddenly slowing his attack.

Karus struck Gobo until he was unconscious and then took Faline with him. Marena came out of hiding.

Oh, Gobo - Marena was stunned - I must do something.

Scene 16

Marena went where Bambi, but he seemed sad.

Bambi? - Marena asked quietly.

Do you want something? - Bambi answered without waiting for such visit.

I have much to say and so little time - Marena continued - the important thing now is that you have to save Faline from Karus.

I'll do - Bambi replied proudly - the old Ronno had wanted me to save a friend.

About that too... - Marena was interrupted.

I must rescue her. - Bambi exclaimed remembering the good times.

Bambi ran looking for Faline.

Now I have to find Gobo again. - Marena told to herself.

Marena sought where before she had left Gobo, but he was gone, instead Gobo had looking for Ronno; when he finally arrived he tried to be quiet.

Ronno - Gobo mentioned tremulously - are you there?

Shh, yes, here - Ronno's mother stopped him - but he do not want to talk now.

It's an emergency - Gobo cried out for help - my sister is in danger.

You have to seek help elsewhere - Ronno's mother ordered - I cannot risk my child.

All right, mother - Ronno got up - I know you do not want I get hurt but if I do nothing I may lose another friend.

Beware. - His mother recommended him.

I'll be careful. - Ronno replied as he stretched his legs.

Ronno followed Gobo, trying to ignore the pain that still in his leg.

Scene 17

Faline and Karus had turned to certain forest region she didn't know.

I understand - Faline stammered - you've changed your mind and now you want me, but, you had to make me leave my home?

You'll see why - Karus commented immutably - Now still here; if you try to escape or something I'll know and this will not be good.

Karus went to eat; meanwhile a doe few weeks older than Faline approached her.

You shouldn't be here - Rolla said - you're very young.

Are you talking to me? - Faline was surprised.

Yes- Rolla continued talking - you should return to your home before he knows it.

But you're young too - Faline claimed - and you're in this region.

Maybe - Rolla said confidently - but I'm accompanying my mother and you are with a degenerate stag.

You're right - Faline reconsidered - but I cannot do anything about it, I've been bad with my friends.

An old acquaintance was materialized in front of Faline.

But you are forgiven - Bambi intervened - now run, I'll take care of Karus.

Thank you - Faline answered overjoyed - really.

Faline ran and Karus noticed that, so he attempted to recapture her, but Bambi blocked his way.

What are you doing? - Karus asked disconcertingly - She made you suffer and you defend her for a stupid reason?

It will not be stupid. - Bambi commented.

As you wish - Karus mentioned sarcastically - your highness.

In that moment Bambi and Karus began to confront each other, but Karus soon was to winning because his experience and he was about to kill Bambi.

Now, who will defend the defender? - Karus exclaimed elated.

Ronno jumped at time and knocked Karus.

Always is the one you less expect, Karus - Ronno reacted - Bambi run!

But, he... - Bambi stammered.

Run! - Ronno ordered yelling.

Karus got up and fought against Ronno again; unable to recover energy, Karus surrendered, but with a treacherous trick he buried his horns in the Ronno's wounded leg; Ronno uttered a pain cry, which was heard far away. Rolla intervened.

He will not rise - Rolla clinched - but you have to leave here.

I cannot walk. - Ronno complained.

I'll assist you. - Rolla said helping with the wound of Ronno.

Thank you very much. - Ronno answered.

It's nothing - Rolla commented smiling - you were very brave; many who have been injured by man rarely show their courage again.

Do you really think that? - Ronno was surprised.

Absolutely. - Rolla mentioned.

Rolla and Ronno went together where Bambi and Faline were.

Again, thanks Ronno - Faline exclaimed ashamed - I should not have lied to Bambi.

What do you mean? - Bambi was confused.

Ronno never blamed you for anything; and Ronno - Faline was looking at Bambi and then at Ronno - Bambi never said he did not want to be your friend.

Bambi, so - Ronno asked shyly - are we still being friends?

No, not anymore. - Bambi said seriously.

All were silent and Ronno shuddered.

But - Ronno questioned shocked - why not?

Because now we are best friends. - Bambi replied happily.

Ronno let out a smile and then Bambi. Everything was fine for the first time in a long time, when suddenly in the distance was heard a shot, and then a pitiful scream.

Scene 18

Everyone was paralyzed; they soon became to hear a familiar voice approaching them.

Help! Help! - Marena shouted as he ran - Gobo has been shot and he still suffering!

Where did that happen? - Bambi asked worried.

In the yellow grass clearing - Marena pointed the place - Gobo said that nothing would happen.

Poor Gobo - Faline muttered - someone should do something.

The phrase "poor Gobo" resonated in the Bambi's mind few moments; finally he realized what his father meant with such exclamation. After that he started running stealthy to see if he could do something for Gobo.

I'm going too - Ronno said trying to walk properly - he needs help.

Of course not - Rolla rebuked him - you should wait until your leg recovers, you are much weakened yet.

It was true, his wound bled very little, but its depth would prevent him from running; Faline stopped sobbing.

So, please help him, Bambi! - Faline began to cry - I don't want to lose my brother.

Bambi was finally able to run to Gobo, trying to perceive possible warning signs, he didn't found anything, but when he arrived he could see there was not much that could be done.

Bambi - Gobo asked to fully clouded view – is that you?

Yes - Bambi replied trying to help him - can you walk into the woods?

I don't think so , this is my end - Gobo answered with a melancholy tone - I just want to see Marena and Faline, and tell them how much ignorant I was to think that man wouldn't kill me.

Gobo began to spit blood and his chest was bleeding because the shot he received.

Gobo, please don't die - Bambi answered sadly - what would I tell your mother and your sister?

Sorry, there are things that are not under our control. - Gobo mentioned closing his eyes.

When he said that, he fell dead. Bambi ran away because the men probably soon go to collect the Gobo's cadaver; he had to deliver bad news to his friends.