Chapter VI: A joyless princedom

Scene 32

In the morning, Bambi had decided to lie with his head down, just in another part of the forest to show his father obedience to his mandate; he was sad and did not know what to do to explain what had happened to his friend, hoping that he could understand. There was Faline close, who approached him surprisingly cheerful.

If you want I can go with you. - Faline suggested amicably.

I'm not in mood to walk. - Bambi said staring at the floor.

Well, we can do other things - Faline improvised - I do not know, maybe enjoy the wind?

Seriously, not - Bambi rebuked bothered - why did you have to tell that to my dad? I begged you no.

Sorry - Faline said - but I love you and I felt it's bad to keep him secret as big to your father.

I just love you but now I have forbidden to see again Ronno. - Bambi cried sorrowfully.

Quiet - Faline said patiently - that will give you more time to spend with me.

Is that what you want? - Bambi stood - Ronno is only my best friend, he didn't replaced you and I thought you would understand how much I care about him too.

I had no idea - Faline sighed - if you want I can visit and explain him what happened, I can even keep him company, I know he does not like being alone.

Then Bambi regained some hopes in Faline.

So please do it - Bambi mentioned seriously - but do not lie or try to divert more of it, I could not forgive that.

Ok - Faline agreed - as you have explained me.

Thus Faline was walking to find Ronno, she felt bad for trying to have revenge on him, but just felt better knowing that she could never lose Bambi despite all the mistakes she made.

Scene 33

Ronno was distressed, where he was always met with Bambi, he did not know whether to worry because he did not come or because probably at sometime could the Great Prince appear to attack him for strange reasons. The sound of running hooves was heard from nowhere and Ronno felt panic for a while, he thought that was the sign that would force him to leave the area of the forest, but it was not.

Faline? - Ronno was surprised - do you know that here is not Bambi?

I know - Faline replied calmly - I come to tell you something.

So talk, the suspense is killing me. - Ronno said uneasily.

Bambi's father forbade him to see you, it's my fault. - Faline answered bowed.

So everything you told me was true - Ronno said wistfully - I suck for everyone.

Forget that, you're not bad - Faline said trying not to aggravate his problem - there must be another reason he said that.

I have fear, Faline - Ronno was shaking - I think it is very true that I am a prince and that is why the Great Prince does not want me in their domains, so he soon could compel me to leave here.

I wish I could do something - Faline reflected - I wish Bambi could come here, so we three would think of something but that is not going to be able to, the best is you get along with your mother.

Are you kidding me? - Ronno asked uncomfortably.

No - Faline said tired - it's just cannot I be amazed at how your mother loves you?, My mother always paid special attention to Gobo, because he was weak and after that the time she spent with him was too much and too much attention; after he died my mother and I hardly talk with each other, she misses her son not her daughter, but the yours loves you and she will protect you, I can assure you.

She is very good - Ronno replied smiling - is not her?

Sure - Faline said ignoring him in part - let's go with her.

Wait, no - Ronno suddenly stopped - if she know what will happen to me she will be very sad.

I'll explain that it's my fault and that I will not enable anything happen to you, okay? - Faline explained confident.

Really will you prevent the Great Prince of the Forest expel me? - Ronno questioned doubtfully.

Of course - Faline said cheerfully - I love Bambi, so if he loses his best friend certainly he will not want to smile and spent time with me.

I think you're still a good friend. - Ronno said tenderly.

But I'm only a friend to you. - Faline responded stating that it could not happen nothing else than friendship.

Ronno smiled forgetting for a moment their concerns and addressing what he thought would serve as a fortress against the world's injustices.

Scene 34

After a while Bambi realized that maybe his father would be looking for Ronno further away, so he decided to look for him and try to convince him not to proceed in such way.

Father - Bambi shouted desperate - where are you? I need to talk to you.

Here I am - The Great Prince said the from afar - have you done what I ordered?

Yes and I will continue doing this, but you must promise me something. - Bambi tried to come to terms with his father.

A prince does not fulfill unenforceable promises. - He answered proudly.

What? - Bambi was bothered while he concerned more - but it is important to listen to me, please do not make him leave here just because his lineage rivals with ours, I thought he was sympathetic to you.

That's right - His father mentioned - I thought he would be a great help to you, I even told him that he could always protect you, but in view of what you're saying you'd better go away, just so I know that you will accomplish what I asked you.

At least promise me you will not hurt him. – Bambi asked.

If it's anything I can promise you is that I will not hurt you - The Great Prince said lifting his ears - if you were hurt I would agree to do whatever as long to ensure you.

The Great Prince began to smell something and ran following the scent, this time Bambi knew he hadn't smelled the danger, his father would become the danger, so Bambi followed him closely without he could notice him, Bambi should have known what would happen.

Scene 35

Faline and Ronno were refugee with his mother, when they heard a intentional beat on a tree, it did not sound like a gunshot nor hoof prints, rather it was large antlers clashing in noise; Ronno was distressed, the time had come.

Ronno out of there! - The Great Prince shouted hitting nearby branches.

Immediately Faline and Ronno's mother came trying to protect Ronno.

Your majesty - Faline intervened - here is not Ronno.

Don't lie - The Grea Prince responded by moving his nose - I can smell him.

Highness, please - Ronno's mother begged - don't remove my child.

There's nothing else to do - The Great Prince said decided - he has to go.

Of course not - Faline said thinking in an explanation - suddenly he meets his father, and that makes him a risk?

The Great Prince did not respond to this question, instead continued yelling at Ronno, out of his shelter.

How can you let your mother and a young doe to solve your problems? - The Great Prince shouted , offending Ronno - you are pathetic.

These words made Ronno angry, not because they did seem vulnerable, but because that stag did not believe his mother and Faline could stop him.

Behold! - Ronno answered limping - but I will not go anywhere without some dignity, after all I'm a prince!

What a contemptuous answer! - The Great Prince suggested, he was still angry - the pride doesn't suit you and you have no chance against me.

I will fight against thee - Ronno coughed accidentally - and although I know I will lost but fighting for what's right.

The Great Prince used to fight with no tricks unlike many of his former rivals, but soon began to abate Ronno who rested firmly on its feet to avoid being collapsed, this effort was useless because with few blows he laid stunned, entirely hurt.

Go away - The Great Prince said - leave while you can walk.

No, sir - Ronno responded with his fur full of dirt - if I have to leave here, you will have to carry my broken body in person.

I regret having to do this - The Great Prince murmured - in fact I had no choice.

The Great Prince tried to ram Ronno entrains but he didn't know that he threw against another deer ready to receive instead the coup, when he realized he could do nothing. All the eyes turned to the unfortunate deer.

Bambi? - Ronno asked surprised and worried.

Why? - The Great Prince said stunned.

Bambi rose completely bewildered and with the half body aching with such a blow.

Father - Bambi answered serene - I had no other choice, he is my friend.

The hinds were silent as they watched what was happening. The Great Prince let out a word inaudible and then spoke as expected.

I made you a promise, Bambi - his father said sadly - and I will perform it, I'm sorry I had to beat you; your friend can stay here and you can see him again.

Do not you forget something? - Bambi said slowly.

Yes, it's hard to admit, but - the Great Prince was silent for a moment - Ronno is "like a prince" too, indeed.

Everyone expected any word else of the Great Prince, but he did not speak , instead just left them and returned to their daily occupations. They met joyfully ignoring all the questions, left behind the problems for the day.