Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT.


The king sighs as he leans against the balcony railing, gazing out to the patch of land that's used for training. Emma and the pirate are currently clashing swords in the clearing and David notes that some of the soldiers have stopped to watch.

As he observes, the king reluctantly admits to myself that the pirate is good, very good, but that most likely has to do with three centuries of practice. David notices that his daughter's own combat skills are better and he wonders if maybe Hook taught her during her time on his ship. A frown forms on the man's face at the thought. Shaking his head, David continues to watch and soon the match comes to a close, Emma knocking Hook down and placing her boot on his chest. The king expects the pirate to be annoyed, but Hook just smirks, pride plain in his expression as Emma helps him up.

David scowls as Hook places a chaste kiss on the princess's lips and the king can practically hear the gossip coming from the onlookers.

"Must you spy on them?" his wife calls from the doorway before he feels her wrap her arms around his waist, her chin resting on his shoulder.

"Not saying," he mutters. "Just….observing."

"Right." She hums. "He seems to be a fine man. Though, he knows he needs to prove himself."

David nods as he watches the couple walk back into the castle hand in hand. Emma and Hook have done little to hide their relationship since they'd revealed everything the day prior. The king wants to begrudge the pirate, but he sees nothing but genuine love and devotion in Hook's eyes whenever he gazes at Emma. And Emma returns the sentiment. But still, David is wary of the captain.

"I need to go and see the ship," he announces to Mary-Margaret. "I think it's time we picked up Neal and locked him away in our own dungeon." The anger that simmers within him at the thought of what the prince had done to Emma lingers in the king's blood. He hadn't been fond of the idea of an arranged marriage for Emma, but Neal's behavior was beyond anything he'd imagined.

"Yes, and we need to figure out what to do about the marriage." Mary-Margaret sighs. "Gold has black magic, which makes him extremely dangerous and deadly, if Hook's side of things is to be believed." The king nods, recalling the utter grief in Hook's voice when he spoke of his late lover. It was the type of grief that couldn't be fabricated and David found himself moved by the pirate's tale.

"I'll see if Hook will take me to his ship today." David makes his way out of their chambers, rolling his eyes as his wife tells him not to be too hard on the pirate captain.

The king runs into the couple in the Great Hall, Hook murmuring something in Emma's ear, causing her to chuckle.

"Hook," David calls. The pirate gazes at him, raising an eyebrow. "I was wondering if you could show me your ship." He ignores the wary glance Emma shoots him. Hook, seeming to realize that it's not really optional, nods.

"Aye, Your Majesty, of course."

"I also wish to take some of the royal guard along as I want to bring the prince here and secure him down in the dungeons."

Emma, always the brave one, keeps her expression stoic. However, the king can see the fear in his daughter's eyes and it breaks his heart. He wishes for nothing more than to tear Neal from limb to limb. He sees Hook give the princess's hand a reassuring squeeze, murmuring soothing words in her ear.

Stepping away, Hook approaches the king, pursing his lips. "I will take you to the ship. Though, I should warn you, my crew normally doesn't take kindly to royalty."

The king fights the urge to remind Hook of his place. He realizes that the pirate is telling him as a way to be careful while on the ship. Instead, David nods before going to fetch a few members of the royal guard.

This should be interesting.


The pirate and king opt to walk, not wanting to overly announce themselves to the villagers. The king wears simpler, but still royal clothing. Three guards follow behind them, keeping a safe distance.

"So," Hook starts, trying to figure out what to say. "You were a shepard once?"

David eyes the pirate warily. "A long time ago. How much has Emma told you?"

Hook shrugs. "Not a lot, just the basics. Though, it appears she inherited her mother's fierceness."

The king chuckles. "That she did."

"How did you rise in the ranks then?" the pirate raises an eyebrow, curious.

Pursing his lips, David thinks. What harm could it be to tell the pirate the story?

So, he tells his and Mary Margaret's tale. Surprisingly, Hook stays quiet for most of it, only speaking to ask the occasional question. By the time the king finishes, they've reached the edge of the village.

"So, deception, danger, magic…." Hook trails off, smirking. "Sounds familiar."

David snorts, snaking his head. "It must run in the family."

"Aye," Hook mutters. "I won't lie, I wonder if we would've met some other way if our ships hadn't crossed paths." Looking at the king, the pirate sighs. "While I do mostly regret how we met, I wouldn't change a thing. And I think if you were to ask Emma, she'd feel the same."

They're almost at the docks and David's lips twitch. "I do have to thank you for helping her with the curse."

Hook shrugs "I suppose it just took an outsider to see what was going on."

"Yes, but you actually went out of your way to lift the curse," David urges.

"It's like I told Emma, I don't like seeing a lady being taken advantage of."

David huffs, eyeing the pirate. He's definitely realizing that the man in front of him doesn't fit the mold of a pirate. Well, as far as he can tell at the moment.

They reach a ship with white sails, and David snickers.

"Of course you disguised the ship," the king mutters.

Ignoring the statement, Hook looks to him. "As hard as it might be, you'll need to follow my lead here."

David nods as they make their way up the gang plank. As soon as Hook steps foot on deck, a crew member calls his name.

"Captain!" A man with a red hat toddles toward them, eyes glowing. "You're back!"

"Aye." Gesturing to David, he says, "I wanted to show His Majesty the ship."

"The king?" The man gives the royal a once over.

"Emma's father," Hook hints.

"Oh, uh, well, it's a pleasure to meet you." The man gives a brief bow before retuning this attention to the captain. "So, when will we depart?"

David notes the annoyance that flashes across Hook's face. "When I say we will, Smee. I do not plan on leaving anytime soon. I suggest you and the men find something to do in the meantime." Smee opens his mouth, but Hook cuts him off. "Something that doesn't include pillaging and plundering." Smee just nods before scurrying off.

Wiping his hand across his face, Hook chuckles. "He's my first mate, but he definitely isn't the brightest of the lot." Shaking his head, he asks, "So, where do you want to go first?"

"The brig."

"Aye, of course," the pirate intones solemnly, leading the king below deck.

The brig is dark and small, but David can just about make out the figure against the wall. Hook grabs a lantern, shining a light on Neal.

The man blinks, his eyes flicking around before landing on David. "Oh, Your Majesty, thank gods, you've come!"

David sneers. "I'm not here to help you."

His remark causes a dark expression to fall over the prince's face. "So, they got to you."

"No one 'got to me'," the king says. "I know my daughter wouldn't lie about something like this. Needless to say, the queen and I approve of her decision to break off the engagement."

"And what will you do with me?" Neal sounds almost bored by the whole turn of events.

"You will rot away in our dungeon. And the queen and I will contact your father shortly."

The prince just laughs, the sound maniacal and almost echoing in the hold. "Oh, I'm sure he already knows. He makes it his business to know things. And based on our last run in with him, he seems to approve of my tactics to get your daughter to obey." Turning to Hook, he's says, "Since history appears to be repeating itself, I'm certain your and the princess's love story will end the same way yours and my mother's did."

The mere thought of Emma dead fills David with anguish and has him seeing red. Before he even thinks, the king's hand is at Neal's throat, pinning the man to the side of ship.

"That's treasonous! I can and will most likely have you hanged for such talk." David bares his teeth, his grip tightening around the prince's neck.

To his surprise, Hook pulls him back, jostling him out of his rage. "As much as I agree with you, Your Majesty, he isn't worth it."

The king nods, pursing his lips. Sighing, he gestures to the royal guards who came down with them, and indicates for them to take the prince away. Hook unlocks the manacles around Neal's wrists before throwing him to the soldiers.

"You're coming with us, you piece of shit," one of the guards mutters. Due to Neal's lack of nutrition, he doesn't possess the ability to fight back and the guards drag him away with ease.

The two men stand in silence for a moment, both of them needing to calm themselves. Hook, of course, is the one to break the silence.

"So….why don't I show you the rest of the ship?"

David is admittedly impressed by the Jolly Roger as Hook gives him a tour. The other pirates are wary of the king, but one look from the captain and they're back to minding their business. As the two men walk around the vessel, Hook's care and devotion for his ship is clear in the way he speaks of her.

"She's gotten me through the impossible, mate," the pirate declares, placing a hand on the railing, caressing the wood. "Don't know where I'd be without her."

"Sounds like my daughter might be given a run for her money," the king teases, raising an eyebrow.

Hook shakes his head, chuckling. "Don't worry, Your Majesty. As much as I love the Jolly, Emma will always come first for me."

"Would you give up your ship for Emma?"

The pirate doesn't even hesitate as he says, "Aye. If I had to choose, I'd pick Emma."

David gazes at the man, only seeing genuine affection in his eyes. Clearing his throat, Hook smirks, grinning. "Let's go to the Captain's quarters."

The king follows suit and enters the room. His eyes scan the room, taking in everything. He's quite impressed by the space. Though, he's not pleased to see Emma's belongings mixed in with Hook's, making it clear that she'd been staying in the room. He refrains from commenting, however.

"Emma and I discussed traveling the world and realms together," Hook says quietly. "And we both know that when she sets her mind to something, she's unlikely to change it."

"She's stubborn like her mother," David mutters fondly. "But we just got her back."

"I know." Hook glances at him. "She told me of her proposed idea, though I'm assuming she framed it differently to you."

"That you two would be ambassadors to the kingdom? Yes, she did." David cocks his head, thinking it over again. He sees the benefit of it, having a pirate as an ally. But, he's not sure if the other kingdoms would consider it.

"If you want me to help, I will. Anything to get Emma out of this marriage." Hook's tone is determined, his jaw set. "It might take a bit of convincing for my crew, but they will follow orders as expected."

David stares at the pirate and can see why he's so feared and respected. His voice broker's no argument and if anyone chooses to go against him, they will not longer work on the Jolly Roger.

"The queen and I will mull it over and figure out the logistics."

"Of course." Hook gestures to the desk where two pints sit. "How about a spot of rum before we go?"

The king chuckles, but shakes his head. "Unfortunately, I must decline since I need to be sober for the remainder of the day."

The pirate snickers. "Lightweight, are you? Don't worry, we'll remedy that."

"Careful, Hook, we haven't even gotten to that kind of trust, yet."

"I can see where Emma inherited her prickly side."

"You kidnapped her, she had every right to be "prickly,"" the king points out.

Hook shrugs. "Fair enough."

David looks around the room once more, his lips twitching. He's sure he'll be back.

"It's time for me to go. Will you come back with me?"

"Aye, of course. You need a bodyguard anyway. I don't think the queen or the princess would be pleased to find out you walked home alone."

He snorts. "I don't know if you noticed, but we Nolan's can take care of ourselves."

"Of course." The pirate rolls his eyes. "But, it wouldn't hurt to remain in Her Majesty's good graces."

"Always scheming, aren't you?"

"Wouldn't be a pirate if I didn't."

A laugh escapes the royal as he grins. As much as he hates to admit it, he could see him liking, hell, even becoming friends with Hook at some point. Doesn't mean David will make it easy, though. He already severely misjudged one match for Emma.

He has no intention of repeating that mistake.