Chapter V: The dawn of the lost prince

Scene 26

Finally Bambi and Ronno were in the region where Karus had attacked, however there seemed to be signs that someone was living there, until a light sound of footsteps was heard.

I hope it's not him. - Ronno mentioned referring to Karus.

I don't think so - Bambi said while he was listening the sound sound – they are very fine steps, it may be...

Is that you? - Rolla asked departing from a trail near them - Is that really you?

Ronno felt the beating of his heart until she intervened again.

Yes! - Rolla exclaimed seeing Bambi - it's the prince of the forest! Ah, and that frivolous being.

What Ronno felt for Rolla began to become in hate.

Hello, Rolla - Bambi greeted her warmly - we have to ask if in this region is a doe called Netla.

Yes - Rolla nodded enthusiastically - of course.

So good! - Bambi said happily - can you taking us with her?

What? - Rolla was confused by that question - well, follow me, she's by this way.

Rolla led them through paths covered in darkness until a shelter absolutely plunged into the thicket.

Mother - Rolla quietly asked - are you here?

Does your mother know Netla? - Bambi said nervously.

No – Rolla replied some indignantly - my mother is Netla.

Those words disturbed Bambi for a moment, reminding him that his father had told him about his half sister, a daughter of Netla. Bambi was stared in Rolla trying to find some resemblance to him or his father.

What's the matter, Prince? - Rolla intervened intrigued by the look of Bambi.

Nothing - Bambi replied hurry hiding the truth – I'm just trying to remember something, is your mother here?

I think so - Rolla replied calmly – she sleeps a lot more than other deer.

What insolent you are, child! - Netla mentioned yawning.

It's great to have you awake - Rolla said cheerfully – look, I have to present you to Bambi, he is ...

The young prince of the forest! – Netla exclaimed interrupting her daughter – he has the same face as his father.

There's something about that phrase that Bambi cheered and troubled him. Netla had watched closely him, but she stood up and started to look closely at Ronno.

No mother - Rolla intervened thinking his mother mistook the prince with Ronno - he is not ...

Of course he is not the prince – Netla mentioned meanwhile she still watching Ronno - but he reminds me ...

Netla's eyes lit up and she was silent for a long while.

What do you remember? - Rolla intervened curiously.

Tell me dear - Netla said referring to him - what's your name?

Ronno hesitated and then replied nervously trembling.

My, my name is Ronno. - He answered quietly.

What a pretty name! - Netla answered wandering in other stuffs.

Sorry, I never knew my father - Ronno said hectic emphasized how she looked him - and I think you knew him, can you talk me about that?

I do not know if I should - Netla hesitated indecisive - but I must say that you inherited everything of that deer: his fur, his eyes, woe to him, he was quite a legend, it would be impossible for you to be the son of someone other than him.

Can you tell me more than that? - Ronno replied with some disapproval.

I will - Netla agreed as she watched her daughter - Rolla, accompany the prince to another side of the forest, I need to speak privately with Ronno.

Scene 27

Netla sat and waited for Ronno did also to begin to tell the story he longed to hear.

Many yesterdays ago - Netla began to tell his story in this way while Ronno was listening attentively - when I was just starting to become an adult, I was very worried about the fact that I should become a mother and I would have to choose my partner, so the Great Prince was a bit young but he already had spotted a potential does for him, instead of that, I still felt insecure, hoping some miracle and this came from another forest, a deer that was strong but younger than the Great Prince, everybody ignored him except me, I looked and joined him for a long time in which I had a son and two daughters, he told me that once he was a prince of a distant forest, then when he decided to leave me he said that I had to beget a child of the Great Prince and that he would have to get one with a young doe. I did not understand him, but I still obeyed him, after all he was very wise indeed.

Wow, I had no idea - Ronno said uneasily - and what was his name?

Honey - Netla replied condescendingly - the great princes of my time rarely kept their name, but do not say you're still a prince, I doubt it could be pleasant very much to the present ruler.

Scene 28

Netla accompanied Ronno waiting at the exit where Bambi and Rolla were.

And how did it go? - Bambi asked anxiously.

Great, I tell you... - Ronno suddenly silenced.

Ronno looked Netla who seemed to disapprove of what he did.

Well - Ronno stepped politely – it will be another time, we must return; Netla thanks, bye, Rolla.

Ronno walked slowly back to his home, while Bambi said goodbye and ran toward him.

Goodbye prince Bambi - Netla mentioned and then more quietly said - goodbye prince Ronno.

What did you say mom? - Rolla asked excitedly.

Ronno is like a prince too - Netla lied slowly - look at him, I just know he's brave.

Rolla did not understand this and she muttered to himself "brave but he doesn't save"

After a while, Bambi and Ronno arrived back where they used to meet, but Bambi had to break the silence.

What did say Netla? - Bambi said curiously.

Something wonderful about my father. - Ronno said tremulously.

And what was his name? - Asked Bambi looking.

First tell me - Ronno diverted the topic of the question - what is the name of your father?

I do not know - Bambi responded politely - everybody say the Great Prince or the Old Prince.

Why did not he tell you? - Ronno said worried.

I don't know. - Bambi answered without paying much attention.

Bambi didn't want to remember his father, now he was almost sure that the daughter of Netla, Rolla was his half sister.

Why did not anyone know the name of your father? - Ronno said calmly.

Enough, Ronno - Bambi cried angry - do not change the subject and answer once.

I cannot tell you - Ronno answered slowly - I promised Netla.

You're my best friend, we will not tell anyone else - Bambi persuaded him - and only Netla and I will know.

I will tell you but you must believe me. - Ronno sighed saying his secret - My father was a great prince of a distant forest, so I do not know his name.

Wow, I trust in you, then - Bambi stopped to think - you're like a prince!

Shh - Ronno stopped - remember we cannot tell anyone else.

Why not? - Bambi asked nervously.

I do not know - Ronno responded watching around - but it has to be.

Okay - Bambi said puzzled - now see, I'll walk with you to home.

Scene 29

Ronno could not sleep for thinking of what Netla said, he decided to wake up her mother calmly.

Mother, mother, wake up! - Ronno whispered in the ear of his mother.

You're not a little fawn - she said still half asleep - go to sleep.

Sure I am like a fawn - Ronno tried to wake her - you always tell me and you make me smile.

Well, I love you so much - his mother joined - what happens now?

Is it true that my father was a great prince? - Ronno asked with interest.

His mother was frightened; he was not supposed to even know that.

It's true, but - she said quietly - who told you that?

No matter, so - Ronno answered thoughtfully - does that make me a prince?

Itself yes - his mother intervened eloquently - but remember that in this forest there is one more and I do not know what would happen if his father finds out this.

What do you mean? - Ronno said uneasily.

His mother came with him and stroked him as when he was a fawn, she waited for him to calm down and answered.

I could not bear to stay without you - his mother said - you have to sleep.

Scene 30

The next day Ronno woke up early to go to meet Bambi and to talk about this unexpected situation.

Bambi, are you here? - Ronno said looking at his friend.

Oh, yes - Bambi mentionedsurprised - is something wrong?

I must say that I'm worry and I do not know why. - Ronno said quickly.

Worrying? Something? - Bambi answered - but if you've healed and this season is very safe.

It's not that, it's what my mother told me yesterday - Ronno said - you owe not tell anyone else.

Okay, continues. - Bambi replied slowly.

She said that I could not say that I was a prince to anyone else because the Great Prince could upset about it. - Ronno said without taking a breath between words.

I don't think so - Bambi replied calmly - you remember he estimated you.

That may seem but I still feel fear of him. - Ronno spoke.

I still think that he would be unable to want to hurt you. - Bambi refused.

At that moment someone came walking slowly, they could recognize her.

If I were Ronno I would be worried of the Great Prince - Faline said proudly - we all know what he's capable to do.

Faline! - Bambi cried with joy - long time without see you!

I must ask - Ronno said nervous - did you speak to me?

Sure - nodded Faline - it's more than you deserve after offending the memory of Gobo.

Faline please! - Bambi bothered - he did no such thing, just told the truth and nothing more than that, I know that neither you nor Marena likes that, but that's what happened.

How can you defend this? - Faline said offended.

He spoke with wisdom and you should recognize that. - Bambi said calmly.

The only one who should speak with wisdom is the prince of the forest – Faline responded arrogantly - not any deer.

Ronno is also a prince! - Bambi shouted revealing his secret.

Did I hear that right? - Faline shuddered - how can it be possible?

No, not that, is that... - Bambi could not make any lie.

Now I'm sure what you said - Faline responded sharply - I'll tell your father.

Faline started to run for the Great Prince, Bambi was not sure what to do.

Stop! - Bambi exclaimed - you can put Ronno at risk.

I don't care - Faline said angrily - he mocked the tragedy of my brother!

How should I explain you that this was not that? - Bambi said worried.

Nevertheless, no one likes him - continued Faline - I'll do a favor to the forest.

No! - Bambi yelled sadly - Do not tell my dad!

Neither Bambi nor Faline had noticed that the Great Prince was watching them.

What do you don't have to say me? - He asked seriously.

Scene 31

Faline and Bambi keep quiet and nervous about the unexpected presence of his father, he had to give answers.

I must say - Bambi answered ashamed - it's a promise.

I see - the Great Prince said - but for the safety of everyone I have to know.

Faline used the opportunity that she expected for speaking.

Excuse me, Great Prince - Faline said quietly - but I know about it.

Faline, no! - Bambi muttered trying to yell.

Silence Bambi - The Great Prince mentioned with superiority - now tell me Faline, what's this I should know?

I do not know where Bambi got the idea that Ronno is also a prince - Faline explained in detail - I know that his father is not you, in fact I do not even know him.

I appreciate it - The Great Prince said calmly - now, would you leave us alone for a moment?

Instantly Faline left; Bambi knew something bad was coming and he did not know if it would be a problem for him or Ronno.

I'm disappointed - Bambi's father said - I thought I told you were the only prince.

Sure - Bambi nodded his head down - but a son of a great prince is a prince, is not it?

Yes, but his father was nothing - the Great Prince intervened - and therefore no one even remember his name.

You know the truth - Bambi cried angrily - that Ronno descends from that other Great Prince and you still refusing that.

Enough! - The Great Prince shouted bother - and you will not see him more for your own good.

But - Bambi worried - he's my best friend!

I have already spoken - his father said coldly - you must obey.

This hurt Bambi. But what worried him most is that it could still get worse.