Chapter One.
The sun cast a warm glow over the small clearing, where Bambi and the prince sat by the stream, their antlers reflecting the dappled light. The sound of gentle lapping of the water against the shore was soothing, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers. Bambi's tiny antlers twitched with excitement as he gazed at the reflection in the stream. Suddenly, Mena emerged from the underbrush, her eyes scanning the clearing before settling on the pair. "Mena!" the two male deer exclaimed in surprise. Bambi's almost-mother approached his highness the boy she nearly adopted with a smile.
" I never said thank you Bambi, for saving my life," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "Your bravery is truly remarkable."
Bambi's ears perked up, and he nodded shyly.
"You're welcome," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I had to come and see how you're doing," she said. "You've grown so much."
Bambi's eyes dropped, and he stared at the stream, his thoughts drifting back to the snowy clearing where his mother had been killed. He took a deep breath before speaking, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Mother... she said something to me... they were the exact same words you said when you were trapped in the snare," Bambi said, his voice trembling. Mena's eyes widened in shock, and she leaned in closer. "What did she say?" she whispered.
Bambi's voice cracked as he repeated his mother's words: "Faster, faster, Bambi, don't look back, keep running, keep running!"
Mena's eyes filled with tears as she reached out to nuzzle Bambi's forehead. "Oh, Bambi... I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"So that's why you turned back."
Bambi's ears folded back in distress as he felt a pang of guilt and sadness. He had never imagined that his mother's words would have such a profound impact on Mena. Mena's grip on his antlers tightened, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Please don't die, Bambi," she begged, her voice cracking with desperation. "I couldn't bear it if anything happened to you."
"I have to tell you something," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "When I thought you were dead... I was planning to starve myself to death. Bambi's heart went out to his friend, and he nuzzled her gently, trying to comfort her.
"I'll try my very hardest to survive," he promised. The prince nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with determination.
"And I'll do my best to protect him," he assured Mena. As they sat there in silence, surrounded by the serenity of nature, Bambi knew that he had found a true friend in Mena – one who would stand by him through thick and thin.