A/N: So I haven’t written anything in a long while because I haven’t been inspired by anything. But I recently read the book Bambi by Felix Salten, which the Disney movie is based off of. (It’s actually a pretty good book). I was inspired to write a different version of the scene where Bambi and Faline meet again after the long winter. And…here it is. Read, review, and enjoy!

It was a peaceful spring day; the young doe munched the fresh grass contentedly. The birds called to each other above her head, but she paid them no mind. Living in the forest, one got used to the sound, until it was hardly noticeable. The deer heard the snapping of a twig not far off, and quickly turned her head toward the sound. A large form was coming her way, and she looked more closely at it. She saw a princely set of antlers, and…no…it couldn’t be him… Yes, the antlers belonged to Bambi, the young fawn she had been friends with a few seasons ago. Faline was surprised at how much bigger and statelier he looked now that he was full-grown. She went back to her meal and pretended not to notice his approach.

Bambi walked over to greet his old friend; it was at that moment that Faline turned her head so that their faces were quite close for a moment. He drew back, startled, but Faline merely smiled slyly.

“Oh hello, Bambi! I didn’t hear you coming.”

“You didn’t?” he asked, puzzled.

Faline smiled again and said, “How have you been? I haven’t seen you in the forest for a long time.”

Bambi merely shrugged. “It’s been a hard winter…for all of us.”

Faline nodded and sighed sadly, remembering the terrible losses they had all suffered at the hands of Man. After a minute of silent reflection, she remembered her task. Her eyes brightened, and she drew closer to Bambi.

“I thought you had forgotten about your old friends, Bambi.”

“Oh no. I couldn’t forget you…I mean, we were friends for…It’s been…”

Faline giggled and nuzzled him slightly. “I missed you, too.”

Bambi smiled and noticed how beautiful she looked standing among the fresh flowers. “You always seem to know what to say, Faline.”

The sound of two young deer playing nearby reached their ears. Bambi glanced at them. “It seems so long ago, doesn’t it? So much has changed.” He paused. “We’ve changed. Do you think we were happier then, Faline?”

She was silent for a moment. “Yes, I think so. We didn’t know a lot of things then. But childhood…innocence…can’t last forever. We have to grow up.”

“But maybe…we learned too soon? We were so young, Faline. To learn about death at that age...”

Faline nuzzled him for a moment. “Bambi, I know it hurt very much to lose your mother. It…it wasn’t right, what happened to you.” She paused, and Bambi could see that she was genuinely upset for him. To see gay little Faline upset for his sake both broke his heart and made him love her even more. He noticed that, even with the sadness in her eyes, she was still beautiful. She went on, “But we have to go on with life. It is too fragile and lovely to go to waste. That’s what we all want and need…the chance to live. And we must remember, Bambi, that spring will always come. No matter how terrible our fortune, or how deep our sorrow…spring will always return.”

Bambi smiled. “Thank you, Faline.”

“For what?”

He nuzzled her gently. “For reminding me of that simple truth. I…I love you, dear Faline. Will you come with me?”

She sighed contentedly. “Yes, Bambi.”

They started to walk into the woods, when Bambi turned around. “And, dear Faline, know that I will always love you. Even if I am not with you.”

She smiled coyly. “Oh Bambi, I always knew that.”

And together they walked, side by side, into the heart of the forest.