A/N: I wrote this chapter because of the comment from AlyaAeryn, who asked about the validity of the duel. I hope this is satisfactory for now (I address it later, too). And ty, so much, your comment really made my day!
~An Understanding~
Snow didn't bother looking up from her place on the bed. She knew those footprints.
She closed her eyes, hand tightening around Emma's still fingers.
"Snow…" David stood at the door to Emma's room. He knew he would find her here.
He nodded to the guard, who stepped out and closed the door behind him.
David wasn't sure what to do. He had hoped Snow would realize this was much more than just a duel. More than a father testing the potential courtier of his daughter. It was mostly a way to take his mind off of the more stressful things in their life. The rest was gravy on top. Two birds, one duel.
Now, it was too late. The battle had been fought, and he stood here feeling stuck and uncertain. He had to make it up to her, somehow.
"What can I do, Snow?"
"You can tell me why."
He breathed out, a long breath. He'd already tried to explain it. She didn't understand. How could he help her to understand?
"It wasn't about Hook. It was about everything. So much has happened. I needed to do something. I suspect, so did he."
"That doesn't explain why you had to duel him." She said softly.
"The duel was just a means to an end. To use my muscles and mind. It was a way for me to cope with everything, to heal."
"Just another thing that separates the sexes, I suppose."
"I couldn't say."
Snow knew she probably overreacted. She knew her husband had much anger in him, and nowhere to aim it. He couldn't attack Baelfire, a mere puppet, who carried no real fault as difficult as it was to comprehend. He couldn't attack the fates, who were nowhere in sight. She supposed the Captain was the best chance for him to expel his anger out with a shred of real reason: Emma's future happiness was at stake.