Karus the Wood Elf
Karus Alvida for my Bambi AU!
Karus is based on the character with same name from original Bambi novel; the fellow deer who was Bambi's friend, like Ronno, until he grew his antlers as they fought over Faline and Bambi won.
Based on Whittaker Chambers' translation of the original novel "Bambi: A Life In the Woods", it is mentioned that he was a friend Bambi "passionately loved"^^
Full Name: Karus Alvida
Aliases: The Wood Elf Prince
Gender: Male
Age: Immortal (20+ in human age)
Species: Wood Elf
Affiliations: United Regions of Forrest; Alfheim, Alvida family
Occupation: Wood Elf Lord’s heir, advisor, Young Prince’s favourite
Family: Lord Ragnar Alvida (father), Lady Ingrid Alvida (mother)
Relationships: Faline (childhood crush), Bambi (childhood friend->love rival/enemy->friend), Ronno (acquaintance->love rival/enemy->political rival)
Likes: Books, Faline, visiting capital with Bambi
Dislikes: Ronno’s arrogance, whoever questioning Bambi’s birthright as the future ruler, being reminded of his betrayal towards Bambi over Faline, unnecessary warfare
Powers/Abilities: Intelligence, archery, swordsmanship, agility, deer transformation
Bambi the Elf Prince AU:
Karus Alvida is a wood elf prince—although a rank lower than Bambi— and the heir of Alvida clan. Known for intelligence and political prowess in young age, he followed his parents during one of the summit meeting with other magical beings’ leaders, encountering Bambi. At first sight, Karus viewed Bambi as vulnerable being and considered he should protect the prince whenever visiting. It didn’t took quite a while for the two to become friends, but Karus couldn’t stand Ronno’s arrogance as both exchange witty yet snarky remarks to one another. According to Friar Owl, Karus was a friend who Bambi “cherished passionately” in their childhood.
It was the winter, when Bambi’s mother Frida was killed by human, Karus’ primary concern was Bambi. Shortly, in funeral, he and his family stood with the elves mourning the late elven Great Princess. Days went by, with the Elven Great Prince’s suggestion, Bambi and Karus studied together in a same palace as Karus’ father Ragnar Alvida being the royal tutor. Due to spending childhood with late mother, Bambi struggled to catch up the lessons as several elves begin to question Bambi’s birthright as their future leader, but Karus remained a loyal friend to him. It was revealed that Karus’ mother was abducted by humans at one point during his childhood and was assaulted by the human queen named “Grimhilde” who was envious of the elven beauty and tried to absorb the power from her, but was stopped as his father Ragnar rescued his wife. Since then, the Alvida family despised humans as Karus’ mother developed a fear of being touched, even by her own husband. Witnessing these for years as Karus aged, he felt that it would be painful to care as he became a cold individual and started to be calculating for the benefits of his clan, beginning to take Bambi’s friendship for granted.
It has gotten worse when Bambi accepted Gobo, the half human-elf foster brother of Faline, as his new friend and Karus’ family began to stop supporting the royal family. Instead, Karus’ father Ragnar concluded that his son and Faline’s marriage could salvage the “pure blood” of two noble elf family, in which, Karus agreed. And at the coming of age ceremony for elves older than Bambi, Karus’ father announced the possible arranged marriage between his son and Faline, as Thumper called Karus “spineless” to get his “powerful daddy” to help setting him up with Faline than bravely asking for her hand. However, unlike Karus, Ronno approached Bambi to challenge him as he announced that while aware of Bambi and Faline’s relationship, he wants to see how strong Bambi is. While these two’s action could be considered as treason, Bambi agreed a duel with them. Karus was first person Bambi battled. But, hearing Flower’s stern advice regarding to what he truly wants, Karus learned too late the reason of his own change was being afraid to go through same pain his father suffered and has made cowardly decision by choosing Faline as “convenient condition” instead of Bambi, the one who genuinely cared for him. When Karus lost, his parents were horrified of the tradition that Bambi must kill him for the act of betrayal. However, Bambi spared his life but not in same reason for Ronno; Bambi was disappointed (and even heartbroken) of the betrayal and needed a time away from Karus to think over.
Months in the Alvida castle, Karus finally talked to his parents of the reason he agreed with father’s initial arrangement planned for him and Faline; because of fear of ended up unloved and hurt in a same away his father went, so he chose no to care. And, as true wooden elf, Karus was willing to take any punishment the Great Prince or Bambi had for him, as he has long lost what he held important. However, the letter from the royal Álvaldur family arrived for Bambi’s coming of age ceremony with Karus appointed as Bambi’s favourite. Some of the Alvida clan members insists he must accept as it means restoring the former political/social power of the family, but Karus was reluctant out of guilt. His mother, Ingrid, noticed his son’s fear and said he needs to see Bambi again and never run away from any possible consequences, for it is not fitting in the name of a clan as believes that her son can be brave. When entering the palace, Karus’ clan realized how fallen their noble name has as they saw another favourite, Ronno, being picked along. When Ragnar asked for explanation, Bambi said it was his own decision to pick both Karus and Ronno, adding that both clans are needed for the benefits of realm. While a bit hurt that Bambi chose him for political purpose, Karus felt he didn’t deserve the same bond they used to have. But, he decided to serve Bambi nonetheless.
In the coming of age ceremony of Bambi, Karus was present with his parents and other elven clans. However, the ceremony was interrupted when the human troops trespassed the border of realm. While Albrénean ordered the troops to fight, Karus assisted Bambi to take citizens in safety. Ragnar begged his son to not to go fight, but Karus decided to join Ronno and Bambi to fight the human troops. He was horrified when the human lord injured Bambi with a firearm, but relieved as it was no fatal injury. Ronno and Karus temporarily teamed up to take down the human soldiers, then witnessed Bambi fired the arrow at the human lord who was about to kill Albrénean; the very first time Bambi’s arrow hit the bullseye. As remaining human soldiers left the battlefield, Karus and Ronno led Albrénean and Bambi away from burning forest.
Karus was later seen with other elves, mourning Gobo and later, assisting Bambi in restoring the United Regions of Forrest from the attack of humans. Over that time, he witnessed his mother Ingrid overcame her fear as she and her husband reconciled into loving pair. Watching Bambi and Faline together, Karus wondered if his heart would heal eventually. Yet, he chose a path to support the two and developed a tolerable friendship with Bambi’s other friends.
Spin-Off “Perri and Annerle” AU:
Taking place after the main events, Karus succeeded his father in gaining the noble title and became Bambi’s advisor. With Bambi as new Great Prince, Karus actively supports and aids him in court affairs more than Ronno, who became a high-ranked warrior of elven army. Despite gaining elven youths’ attention, Karus remained unmarried.
When Perry the fairy’s human friend Annerle came into the realm and encountered Bambi, Karus was seen showing indifference in idea of letting the mortal girl stay in a palace. He was mentioned later by Annerle, who have heard of history of Bambi with his two elven friends, to Ronno in order for her to get Ronno’s good side. Mirro proudly pointed out that Ronno is a perfect model as what the dark elf should be; proud, strong and mighty, downgrading Karus for letting his trivial emotions to break the vow to support Bambi over Faline during their youth. Annerle was informed by her fairy friends Perry and Porro that wasn’t the real case as it was Karus’ fear of emotions dragging him down, leading to fatal mistakes of betraying Bambi by attempt to have an arranged marriage with the very woman who was already courting Bambi. Annerle soundly understood why despite his current status, some of the elves doesn’t approve Karus being an advisor.
It was also shown that Karus occasionally teaches lessons to Bambi and Faline’s children. Watching Annerle’s drawings of her life, realizing it has been centuries since the last time humans trespassed their realm. When Bambi curiously asked Annerle how does her time of humans find love, Karus and Ronno were flummoxed and turned their face away. Although, they were fascinated how human societies nowadays no longer have “conditions” or “limitations” in relationship. Later, when Faline asked Annerle how she thought of elven acquaintances, she analyzed that Karus is trying to redeem the years of betrayal and his brain is helpful in diplomacy, while Ronno is much ambitious and could be dangerous, but can be in great advantages when he uses for the good of the realm and safety of Bambi. When Annerle added that Bambi might be aware of these points, Faline confirmed that he does. The smart human girl concluded that while Bambi wanted to reconnect, he may have also decided to use their potentials for the good of his kingdom, due to some occasions feeling the invisible walls between Bambi and Karus.
At one point, Annerle—believed her boyfriend Lukas to be dead—was in grief and anger as these emotions were effecting her mindset; she wanted to avenge Lukas. When Karus persuades her to reconsider her thought, she angrily yelled at him that he wouldn’t understand the pain of losing someone important because he betrayed Bambi and broke his heart for manipulative and cold purpose, leaving Karus stunned as Annerle left. After the talk with Bambi, Annerle apologized to Karus. But, he forgave her as he wasn’t upset at her as he felt he held no position to retort. However, later when he saw Lukas revealed to be alive and reunites with Annerle during Perry and Porro’s wedding, he knew this was Ronno’s doing and confronted him. Ronno replied he was simply doing the girl a favor as the human girl is important friend to Bambi. Then, the dark elf warned Karus to know his place as he may have been in the court by help of his “royal mummy and daddy”, but he himself worked on his own as the favourite without any clan’s support. Fumed Karus asked what he wants, but Ronno didn’t reply and left; as their rivalry remains hostile, if not, much worse.
