Hi yet again, two updates in an hour, now that I am impressed with, please R&R aiming to have this fanfic finished by Christmas now, hope you enjoy! see you at the end of the chapter x

During the course of the day, Forrest and Lyla spent some time with Robin, talking to him eagerly about his time away, though neither Olivia nor Robin mentioned any of their discussion prior to his other children seeing him. The engagement of Lyla at first was hidden; as thought best by her and Rodolfo, knowing that if they went ahead with there plan it would not give Prince Andrew anytime to sort an alternative route in getting his way, something they did not plan to let happen. However as the plans for Olivia, Forrest and Lyla's ball were underway, everyone was rushed off their feet, and though the Prince and Princesses knew of the ball, they were not yet aware it was in their honour. During the afternoon, Olivia was visited by the dressmaker's as Clucky had explained, though she came in with them, watching as they made the usual measurements and then began to look at fabrics and colours for the evening ball. Olivia chose a beautiful shade of midnight blue, on a fabric of satin, the dress was to be supported underneath by layers of net, allowing it to flow outwards and giving a pretty gown. The bodice of the dress was of a more cerulean blue, with the off the shoulder straps being the same midnight blue as the skirt of the dress. It was to be made in a matter of days and after choosing a floral style arrangement for her small hairpiece, she was finally allowed to relax as they set off on making the royal gown. Once alone, Clucky showed Olivia a range of shoes, all in different styles, some strapped, some full and in suede though naturally she went for a small heeled shoe, with this straps across it in a shimmering colour that would match the style of her dress.

Finally as she was given sometime to herself, Olivia went out into the gardens, though her moment of solace and peace was short-lived as a voice she dreaded to hear came from behind her. 'Well all alone are we? You should really have an escort Princess I do believe it to be in your best interests.'

'I have no intentions of being followed by someone when it is entirely unnecessary,' she replied somewhat irritably as Andrew came to her side watching her every move.

'I am certain that upon considering it, you may be able to take some persuasion on change upon the marriage…'

'What do I have to say to make you understand that the only marriage taking place, is the one you have in your fantasy, not in reality, because it will never come to blossom how you believe, so it would be wise for you to give up and reconsider your choices.' Prince Andrew chuckled lightly as he watched her, Olivia becoming infuriated when her salvation came in the form of Skippy, the white rabbit she longed to see emerging from around the corner of the castle, and seeing her, he was quick to approach her. 'Olivia, I was hoping I would find you,' he said, Olivia smiling weakly at him in hope he would notice her wish to get away from the arrogant Prince beside her. 'Just who are you to address the royal Princess in such a manner,' Prince Andrew asked testily, Skippy raising an eyebrow, unaware of who was talking to him like that and now reading Olivia's expression in realisation. 'Skippy is a dear friend of mine, and you have no right to question the way in which he is permitted to speak to me,' Olivia stated the tone in her voice cold as she turned back to Skippy and smiled, 'I was hoping to see you today,' she replied gently, Skippy watching her before deciding on a way of getting her out of the situation. 'I was wondering if you're not too busy, whether you'd like to accompany me on a horse ride,' he suggested, Olivia's face lighting up at the idea.

'Of course,' she agreed walking now with Skippy away from Andrew who called after her irritably though she chose for now not to answer, and as they rounded the corner, they both set off at a run laughing as they did so and making a quick departure from the castle and on their ride out.

Once out for a few hours, Skippy thought it was best the Princess return, not wanting to keep her out for too long, though it was as they rode together at a slow walk, he asked her a question he'd been waiting to ask all day. 'Olivia…there is to be a ball this week is there not?'

'Yes,' she confirmed smiling at him

'Well, if you would be as gracious as to accept, would you allow me to be your date for the evening?' Upon this request, Olivia brought her horse to a stop and smiled at Skippy, 'I'd be delighted to accept, there is no one else I would rather spend the evening with,' she said happily.

'Wonderful, though something else has been on my mind Olivia…what are this Prince's intentions?' This was a question; Olivia prayed he wouldn't ask, though she had no intention of lying to him, so she then made the difficult explanation of how Prince Andrew wanted to marry her. 'No, he can't marry you,' Skippy exclaimed horrified by the idea before steadying himself. 'I mean…do you love him?'

'No,' she answered honestly Skippy seeming to relax a little though he wanted to ask her more on the matter however he felt it best not on that particular part of the topic. 'Is that why I did not see you on that occasion last week?' he asked, Olivia nodding sadly

'I couldn't bring myself to face anyone really, it affected in such a way I could not contain it,' she admitted. However it was then Skippy brought his own horse to a stop and dismounted, taking Olivia in his arms and holding her close to him, 'I'll never allow you to get hurt,' he promised, Olivia looking at him, certain she could have cried at this point.

As she got into the entrance of the castle she took her horse to the stable, Skippy coming with her so they could spend a few more minutes together before he had to leave. 'So I will see you on the night of the ball?'

'Yes, and before I hope,' she answered Skippy promising her that when she turned from putting her stallion away, Skippy stood right in front of her, both blushing at this sudden closeness, both being caught up in the moment when Lyla came quickly into the stables. 'Olivia, thank goodness you're here, there's problems within the castle,' she said with worry spread across her face, Skippy and Olivia exchanging glances as he put a hand on her shoulder, Olivia asking what was going on. 'Forrest is arguing with Prince Andrew, and things are not going well to say the least, everyone's there, Forrest, Mother, Father, Uncle Richard, Clucky, Little John and Rodolfo,'

'You're joking,' Olivia replied unnerved and incredulous by the information her sister had just given her.

'I wish I was…' Lyla sighed wishing Olivia would come in

'What are they arguing over?'

'You…' Lyla answered simply, this being all Olivia needed before going inside, quickly followed by both Skippy and Lyla, though she turned back to Skippy with a serious expression. 'I'll be okay, I'll see you soon though, as promised,' she said, trying to keep her voice steady, Skippy uncertain but after she assured her she had all her family there and she would be fine, he gave in, only asking if she needed him she would get in contact. After making this final promise she went inside, Lyla and she talking quickly as they walked to the throne room over what needed to now be said. 'This cannot continue,' Olivia decided. 'It ends here.'

Meanwhile down the corridor in the throne room, Forrest was having a heated conversation with Prince Andrew, determined he was not about to get the better of them 'It is wrong for you to expect Olivia to marry you; she should be able to marry who she chooses.'

'She is a Princess and therefore is required to marry a Prince,' Andrew remarked with a low growl at the back of his throat, Forrest not allowing himself to be intimidated by the young tiger Prince. 'But mother did not have to marry a Prince; she married our father Robin Hood, so why should different rules apply where Olivia is concerned?'

'Actually, I'm afraid it is different my dear, I am not my Uncle's daughter, I am his niece, and my status at the time was Maid Marian, something which is still used to this day, I was never under the status of Princess. My status to Queen only came to pass because my Uncles passed the crown down to myself and Robin,' she explained, Forrest lost for words, though he wished his mother had not said these words, he knew that Prince Andrew would be only too aware of this himself. 'So it would seem I have the right to decide…'

'No I have that right alone,' Olivia said entering the room with a determined expression on her face, 'you cannot force me to marry you and you shall not do so either.'

'You seem quite confident of this considering you are incorrect,' Prince Andrew said smoothly approaching her and reaching to take her hand though she held back. 'You have no say over who I marry,' she repeated,

'You forget Princess I gave you an offer I know you cannot refuse…'

'Correct you said as long as the Princess of Nottingham marries before the time to depart for London arises you shall make it that we do not have to journey to London.'

'Yes…so tell me do you accept my offer?'

'I do,' she breathed with a grin, Forrest looking at her incredulously when Lyla stood forward,

'Were you aware I was a Princess of this kingdom?' she asked Prince Andrew, the tiger looking at her with a confused expression, 'naturally, I am aware of it,' he answered.

'Then it is settled,' Olivia said with a smile, Rodolfo now understanding what they were doing and coming to join the two Princesses. 'I believe that a proposal has already taken place leading for Lyla to accept,' Olivia smiled as Lyla took off her gloves she wore to reveal the beautiful engagement ring, Rodolfo placing his arms around her waist to show what they meant.'

'But…this, this is impossible, this is not what was agreed,' Andrew said angrily, not masking the bitterness in his voice as Olivia and her family now smiled, 'oh I believe it is, you made that promise in front of many people, and so naturally, our journey to London is no longer valid, you said as long as a Princess of Nottingham marries, you did not state to a Prince…so as much as I am grateful to you for helping us out with that small difficulty, your time here is now no longer required I'm sure…though if you wish to stay for the ball it is certainly not out-ruled.'

'That will not be necessary,' he said through gritted teeth approaching Olivia and sighing in defeat, 'it would seem you are very intelligent my dear, and I'm sure the moment you get married, you will have found the one who matches you…even if it is not royalty…certain rules seem to manage being overlooked,' he said when Robin cut in,

'I do not think there is any need for you to be so vindictive towards Olivia, your presence here has clearly been the cause of trouble from the start and I do not see any reason for it to continue,' he said seriously, Andrew's sly smile returning briefly, 'it would seem you are a very close family, and I am certain that you are an unbreakable bond, something you seem to have proven already, I shall be making my leave in the morning,' he said before finally leaving the throne room.

'That was very close, it only narrowly succeeded, though I believe in any case congratulations are in order,' Uncle Richard said smiling widely at the engaged couple. 'Our little sister the first to be engaged, such an interesting turn,' Forrest said grinning, 'I was certain either way it would be Olivia to be engaged first.'

'My time will come…though when I am not sure…' she said softly, for the first time seeing that life in royalty would always have it's ups and downs but the family and friends she had made it worth every second.

The evening of the ball soon arrived and Olivia looked in the mirror as the ribbons laced up the back of the bodice were tied for her. 'Do you think tonight will be a wonderful evening as I hope it to be?' she asked Clucky smiling as she finished tying the ribbons, 'I have no doubt that it will be dear, however for now I must leave, I know that Marian will want a hand with the back of her dress I am sure, my goodness being a lady in waiting to both mother and daughter is a remarkable achievement,' she grinned leaving the room and giving Olivia a few moments alone. Sitting down she put a silver pendant and after sorting the hair piece she then placed on the small crown she only wore for special occasions. The royal jewels glittering from it just as much as they had done on the day she was born, thinking back to the royal goldsmith who had crafted the Prince and Princesses crowns she then went on to finish getting ready, butterflies surfacing at the thought of seeing Skippy in only an hour or so. It had been decided the ball would be a celebration of Lyla's engagement to Rodolfo, instead of a farewell ball, something which she preferred by a long stretch.

The time to go down and meet the guests seemed to arrive all to quickly, and seen as they would be making there entry at different times, Olivia waited in anticipation for the ball to begin, when it came for the time she was to walk down the sweeping stairs and be greeted by those she knew so well. Normally this was an easy task…but tonight she would be going with Skippy…despite their friendship being so for many years, she still was nervous and this night she knew could potentially show a different side to their relationship which would in effect change their future, to create their own blissful ending to the evening.

I hope you enjoyed both updates, I will be updating again very soon, hope to read your reviews, thankyou again to acting-singing-bella, for your continuous reviews, thankyou so much and I hope to see you giving some of my other fanfics a read :) thankyou xx