The sun shone down through the leaves on the grove, illuminating everything in the light of the early afternoon. Almost silently, a buck munched lazily on the clover in the undergrowth; unaware of his real predicament. The buck, too distracted by his own hunger, failed to notice soft crackle of the bow as the archer pulled the bowstring taut; The deer perked his ears, hearing the swoosh of the air against the feathers all too late. A spray of red came from the creature as the arrow plunged right behind the front shoulder. The animal leaped into the air and then fell down, its legs twitching in its last few moments of life. The archer smiled as he slung his bow on his back and began to descend from his perch.

"You fought valiantly my friend," he spoke as he approached his kill. "But you can't run forever." He reached into his pouch and pulled out a horn. Reaching to his lips, he blew out his call. Waza waza woo.

A few moments later a group of ten people joined the archer in the glade.

"Wow Phineas, another great kill."

"Yeah, perfect shot, perfect angle…"

"And look at the size of the bugger. How do you do it?"

"Some call it luck, some say a lot of practice, some God-given talent. I'm just gonna call it all three." Phineas replied.

"Well no use in standing here admiring, let's get moving. Millie, me, you and Katie are gonna find a big tree limb. Ginger, you and Gretchen prepare for transport. And Phineas retrieve your arrow. Its good luck now, you might need it in the future." Addison commanded.

Phineas smiled and carefully removed his arrow from the deer's vital organs. A quick wipe of a cloth removed the blood and he returned the arrow to his quiver, as the rest of the group dispersed to complete their tasks. It had been four months since he had been forced into the forest, but he wasn't going to focus on that. He was focused on living… surviving till the king and queen returned.

(*)(*)

"Your highness, may I have a word?" the newly appointed Sheriff of Danville asked.

"Yes Stacey, come here." The princess motioned as the few court members left the room. "So Stacey, what is it you have to tell me?"

"Your highness, all of the messengers have returned. Your new laws have been sent throughout the land."

"This is good news."

"But my queen, are you sure it was completely necessary? Your parents are set to return any time now and to turn your brothers into outlaws…"

"Stacey, who is wearing the crown?" Candace asked as she pointed to her head.

"You are."

"That's right; and about my brothers… it serves them right. They have gotten away with everything you could possibly imagine, yet the king and queen never saw anything. Something had to be done to stop them."

"But to outlaw 'fun' through the kingdom?" Stacey half-asked, half-pleaded.

"Yes, for whenever they do return, they will see their 'perfect' children are nothing more than trouble makers and outlaws."

"Only because you made them…" Stacey added out of the side of her mouth.

"Don't ruin this for me Stacey."

((**))((**))

"But Mama, why not…" the Fair Maiden Isabella questioned her mother.

"Because Isa, he is now considered an outlaw."

"But those new laws are unjust and would never be in place if the king and queen were here."

"I know that dear, and I do think fondly of him… he is a good young man, a sturdy fellow, works hard, and could provide for his family, but I'm sorry and I will not let you run away to join him. The instant you are caught with his group, you will be considered an outlaw too, and I just couldn't bear the thought of that." Her mother began to cry, and Isabella quickly joined her side to comfort her. As Vivian began to control her emotions, Isabella began to speak up.

"Mama, I see what you are saying and I can tell that you're only trying to protect me, but there is little you have to worry about. Not only is Phineas there, but many of his followers are some of my best friends."

"What about keeping yourself, you know, being fed, clothed, all of those things?"

"I'm sure that if Phineas and his band have gone for four months and haven't had to come and beg, I think that they're doing ok. I know how to sew so if I need to make my own clothing I can do it, and if I need anything else, I know I can handle myself."

"What about becoming an outlaw?"

"If having fun is considered against the law, then yes, I'm okay with becoming an outlaw. Besides, there is no way I'm going to stay and pay those ridiculous taxes she levied."

"And what about Phineas?" Are you sure he will take you?"

Isabella's face turned serious, staring straight at her mother. "If he was going to propose to me the day he had to run, then I think that he will take me in no matter what."

Vivian bit her bottom lip as she pondered what her daughter had said. Eventually she sighed in defeat.

"Alright Isa, I guess you can leave." Isabella squealed with glee, quickly embracing her mother with a hug. "There is just one problem."

"What is that?" Isabella asked.

"You see Isa, the prince… err I mean, the queen knew that you were a friend of Phineas, so to keep you under control, without arresting you she is forcing your marriage to Sir Guy of Bangalore."

"What? She can't do that!" Isabella yelled.

"Actually she can."

"But can't you do anything?"

"I'm sorry hon, but I can't do anything. I'd be arrested for treason."

"But there has to be something we can do." Isabella whined.

"When I said that I can't do anything, I mean I can't do anything directly. That doesn't mean I can't help you at all." Vivian's mouth curled into a smirk.

"You have a plan don't you?" Isabella asked, returning the smirk.

"Yes, yes I do, but we must hurry. Sir Guy and his band will be here tomorrow."