A competition between two legendary archers. A queen and a former outlaw.

Sherwood – Earlier the same day

For Regina, it had been the perfect morning with her family. Earlier, they'd arrived on the edge of the forest, taking the shorter, less hilly two-mile walk via the long leafy glade towards Sherwood Lake. Hope and Faith, still too young to walk any distance, happily sharing shoulder-rides with their parents and their big brother, Roland and Margot having already charged on ahead, the redhead with her bow and quiver on her back.

The former Evil Queen was delighted when Henry latched her arm in his to walk together, chatting about everything and nothing. Every time he went back to Harvard, she missed him more, despite having more children than she'd ever imagined. And now, her little prince was a man! A tall young man, who towered above her. But her sadness at the lost past was replaced by the comfort of his large arm as it looped around her shoulders, pulling her against him. "I've missed this, mum." He whispered.

The sun came out to greet them as they eventually reached the lake, setting themselves down on a bank not far from the large timber frame of the Earl of Locksley Inn. The forest pub which, despite being built with magic only two years ago, had now become the local landmark and centre of the forest community, as its creator had intended. Roland had already met and spoken to Alan-a-Dale, and a little fishing boat was now ready and waiting for them by the jetty. Roland had proudly announced to all was going to teach Emma how to fish, just how his dad had taught him!

Having already agreed to have a light supper later, Regina used her magic to bring down all the picnic pieces from the house, producing blankets, cushions, plates, and a large picnic basket on the grassy bank, as they watched their family play. She and Robin knelt with the smaller girls, pulling out toys as they stumbled happily on the grass. Henry challenged Honour to a sword fight, their parents watching happily, warning Henry to be careful with his little sister. As Emma pulled on the oars, rowing the little boat further out towards the centre of the lake, from the bank Robin yelled instructions on where the fish were most likely to be found.

Realising someone seemed to be missing, he yelled: "Roland, did you see where Margot went?"

"By the pool! Aunty Maria's over there and I just saw them go inside!" The boy yelled back.

"Maria?" Said the brunette, looking around. "I didn't even know she was back?"

"Me neither. I thought she and Charlie were in Boston for a couple more weeks? I'll pop over and check on them shortly. It's too nice to leave here just now." With that, he lowered himself onto the mats, closing his eyes and enjoying the warm of the midday sun.

~oOo~

The next hour passed blissfully enough, punctuated by the occasional scream as Emma managed to land a couple of decent size fish, the first time holding one up proudly and yelling to her spouses, in delight, "Look! I've never caught a real fish before!" She sounded like an excited pre-teen showing off.

"Well done, Emma, looks like a Cisco you've got there?" Robin yelled back from the bank. "We'll make a fisherman of you in no time!"

Regina already spotted several people walking down from the lawns toward them. "Uh oh! Looks like word's got around that we're here..."

As the visitors grew closer, seeing who they were, Roland started, despite Emma's protests, rowing the little boat back to the bank. Although they hadn't wanted to be disturbed, Regina grinned in delight when she saw just who was going to be disturbing their rare family afternoon.

"Hooey! Is that my very aged relic of a brother, I see before me?" yelled Maria, as she stepped closer to Robin, her brother standing up to finally envelop her in a hug.

"Hello, baby sis of mine, I've missed you! Been raiding Charlie's bank account to buy new clothes then?"

Regina noticed how the young veterinary surgeon now appeared to be dressed much smarter than when she last saw her. Wearing her beautiful ash blonde hair down, her familiar muddy boots and Timberlands were now replaced by a sheer, clearly very expensive, dark blue silk summer dress, which hung on her lithe frame perfectly, and a light white straw hat. She looked like a supermodel stepping off the catwalk. "My, someone's dressed to impress? You look wonderful today, Maria." Regina complimented, making the younger woman blush. Joining her was Maria's young, bronzed fiancé, accompanied by his sister, Rosie. "Something special planned?"

"Regina, flattery will always get you everywhere!" she pulled the brunette into her arms for a hug, kissing her cheek. "You're looking rather lovely yourself, as usual. The dress? Well, I'm having dinner with the future in-laws tonight, so I thought I'd better scrub up and get rid of the horse smell! Don't want anyone mistaking me for my brother now, do I?" That received a squeeze in the ribs from Robin, making her screech with laughter.

"Now, now, siblings, stop with the ritual abuse!" said Charlie, Merlin's son, chuckling as he greeted them. He shook Robin's hand before kissing Regina's cheek and giving her a light hug. "Hello, you two. Lovely to see you both." Regina pinked slightly. Though not her type, Charles Sage was not only a musically gifted, intelligent young man, but he was also ridiculously handsome, and she was reminded of the pictures Henry showed her of Michaelangelo's David in Florence. She remembered how even Emma had admitted how attractive she found him, as it seemed, did most of the town's women. "We arrived first thing this morning. We're finalizing the wedding, and wanted to come up and see you guys, papa, and my sisters. Perhaps you could join us a little later? You are going to be family, after all."

Regina invited them to sit and join them for their picnic, as Roland and Emma re-joined them from the lake, each holding two brace of decent-sized fish. The welcomes and hugs began all over again, until, when she got to Rosalind, Emma hesitated, feeling awkward.

"Rosie, look…once again, I'm sorry about…well, you know?"

"It's okay. It's forgotten, and we're good. I told Killian all about it, and well, he's fine about it too. I left him at the hospital. How's your dad, by the way?"

"My dad? Sorry, I don't understand. What about my dad?"

Rosie realized she may have spoken too soon. "Killian rushed him to the hospital first thing this morning. I think he was already in with the doctor when I went there. Sorry, I just thought you knew?" "Sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you. I'm sure everything's okay. It was hours ago, after all."

Regina couldn't fail to notice Emma's worried look. Rushed in? She and her father were far too alike; too stupidly stubborn to admit when something was wrong. Unlike Snow, who always wore her emotions on her sleeve, David was always a closed book to his own emotions, preferring to focus on others. Plus, over the years she realized what a daddy's girl Emma had become. Even closer when his daughter was going through her breakdown. "Emma, if you want to go over there, just go! Check he's okay? We'll be fine..."

"Er…yeah, I will. Sorry guys, it's lovely to see you all but…if you'll excuse me?" Before even waiting for an answer, the blonde disapparated in front of them.

"You know, it's really irritating!" Maria spoke first as the mist cleared. "I'm the only one out of all of us who can't do that!"

The Nolan Farm

Within minutes of teleporting herself to the hospital, Emma established that her father had already left, and disapparated once again, only to apparate outside her parent's farmhouse. About to open the rarely locked front door, she hesitated as she heard raised voices inside:

"Of course I'm angry. You should have told me!" Bellowed her mother.

"I've already told you, several times, I needed to know what it was, first!" Her father yelled back.

"I could have helped. Jesus, David! Testicular cancer? You should have talked to me first - I have a right to know! If I thought I had anything like that, you would've been the first to know! Always! How could you not tell me? I'm your wife!"

Emma was shocked. "Dad? Testicular cancer? She felt her legs weaken. He's dying?

"I needed to find out for myself first! Snow, if I die, you die. You know that! I needed the facts. Anyway, I go in for an operation over the weekend."

"Don't you think I-" but Snow stopped when they heard something, a noise, from the other side of the front door. It couldn't be Neal, as he was playing at Pip's house? She walked over and opened it, only to find Emma hunched up on the ground, her back resting against the wall. "Emma? What on earth are you doing down there? I thought you were-" then she noticed her daughter's red eyes. "Emma, what's wrong?"

As she looked inside the room, Emma saw her father sitting on the couch, slowly starting to stand, with some difficulty. "Someone told me dad was rushed into hospital this morning?" She got up too, nervously walking in. "So, I just came over from Sherwood, and…and I just heard what you said. Dad…is it true?" her last words almost whispered.

David stood awkwardly, the dull ache in his groin still there, the drugs not going to take effect for a few days at least. "Well I'm not sure what you heard Emma, but…yes, I go into hospital Saturday morning, the earliest they can fit me in for the operation."

"Dad, I'm so sorry…" the blonde pushed forward into her father's arms. He flinched, stooping with all the pain. However, her weeping made him straighten, hissing in discomfort. Bringing his arms around her and cupping the back of her head, he held her close.

"Hey, hey! Emma, it's all right! It's going to be okay. Whale says I'll be out the same day."

"But, but dad, it's serious! I don't wanna lose you!"

"Emma, what do you think you heard us say?" asked Snow, realizing she may have misheard.

"You said cancer. That means chemo, and that's horrible! I had a friend once, who, who…" she could barely finish the sentence.

"Emma, listen. I'm not going through chemo because I DON'T have cancer! I thought I had, but it seems I have something else instead. It's not terminal, but can be treated with drugs and painkillers, which I've only just started taking."

"So why are you going into hospital? You said an operation?"

"It seems some of the pain's due to a hernia. It's like a little hole in my stomach wall, and my intestines are trying to push their way out. Whale's going to repair it. It's a small operation, but needs to be done quickly…"

"Hernia? So…no cancer? Then why was mum shouting at you?"

Snow scowled at him. "Because he didn't tell me, Emma! I was annoyed with him for keeping it from me, as usual! I knew something was wrong, but he still said it was nothing, till he came home this afternoon. I admit, I may have overreacted." As she spoke, David pulled her into their hug with his free arm, holding the three of them together. "He keeps things bottled up, like someone else I know! I'm sorry I frightened you."

Emma nodded, knowing full well she was a bit too much like him. But she stayed resting her head against his chest, enjoying the increasingly rare cuddle.

"Well, if you're okay, I'd best get back. I came straight over here from Sherwood because Killian's wife told me she'd seen you in the hospital. Sorry, I overreacted, but listen dad, if mum needs to take care of Neal, I'll come and take you to the hospital? I'd like to stay there while you're under if that's okay?

David was tempted to tell her not to trouble herself, as usual, but moments like this, with both his precious girls in his arms, were rare. "Yeah, I'd like that."

Later...

Emma returned to Sherwood, telling her family the alarm was over, before they all finally trooped into the forest pub, where there was a larger gathering than expected, partly due to the Dunbroch visitors decamping there to celebrate the recovery of their young queen from possible death.

After some awkward introductions, particularly when they remembered her last encounter with the feisty young Queen Merida, in Camelot, Emma had grown more than irritated when the fiercely competitive young queen had, within minutes of meeting him, blatantly goaded Robin into an archery competition in front of their friends. It was the blatant insistence that she could beat him, or 'best him', that really got under Emma's skin. So much so that, using her telepathic link with him, and despite Regina's reluctance, she nudged him to accept the challenge, with the offer of a decent night, whether he won or lost.

Robin seemed to be the least bothered by the challenge and a contest anyway, but the inducement of an evening with his Saviour wife as a willing submissive between their sheets, was something he would never refuse. So the contest was on.

As a number of the men trooped off to set up the various targets outside, Merida moved over the windows, to discuss tactics with her family, while Robin got drinks for the children seated nearby. As she watched them, a familiar figure came up alongside.

"How are you doing, Emma?"

"Neal? I'm surprised to find you're here, not still stuck like a limpet next to your girlfriend. I heard you've hardly left her side since you got back?" The moment she said it, Emma regretted her words. God, she sounds like a dumped ex! And unfortunately for her, Henry's father always used to call her out on her shit.

"Where did that come from? Jeezus, I only came to talk to you about Henry! Still, if you can't be civil…" He started walking away.

"I'm sorry, Neal! Look, I've just got a few things on my mind. Ignore me. Dad's not too well, and...well, yeah, just forget it. What about Henry?"

"I'm going back to Boston with him on Monday. He's going to drop me and I'm gonna be buying a bike. I'm selling the flat, and looking for something bigger, so Henry and the family can use it too when they're in town."

"Good. That flat's in one of the dodgiest parts of the city! I'd feel better knowing he was staying somewhere safe. But bigger? Are you thinking of moving there permanently? Or moving someone else in with you?" she looked over to Merida.

"Well, she needs to be in DunBroch soon. But who knows? Besides, the family's getting bigger, after all. My papa could use it sometimes…"

"I have heard things. I gather Ariel's expecting?"

"I forgot how quickly news travels around here! Yeah, it's true. I'm going to be getting a little sister. And Storybrooke's going to be getting its third poly marriage!"

"She's marrying Gold and Belle? Hell, I didn't see that one coming!"

"Me neither. But they all seem to be in love, Em! I thought you'd understand, being in your position! And, besides, he aint the Dark One anymore and he ain't changing back, even if he wanted to. He's a completely different person now."

"I saw. How he dresses, acts, hell, he's even been smiling these days! It's spooky! Anyway, never mind that. Why is your new girlfriend acting weird around Robin? Where's all this 'besting him' shit coming from?"

"Oh that? Merida ridiculously competitive. Mulan was the one who taught her how to fight and wield a sword. But it still annoys her that she was never able to beat her when they trained. Mulan told her that she'd experienced the same problem when Robin when he taught her archery. That he always won. She just wants to prove something to herself, I guess. That she can take on anybody? She hates showing weakness or being second best. Like someone else I know?"

"I don't go around trying to humiliate someone in front of their own family, Neal!"

~oOo~

Half an hour later, and hearing about the impromptu contest between two archery legends, quite a large audience had now assembled on the edge of the forest lawn close to the inn, to witness it.

Four targets were set, at different distances from the contestants. They ranged from the nearest, 100 yards away; a second thatched target, suspended from a tree branch and set 200 yards away; a third, what appeared to be larger disk, set at 300 yards; and finally, a fourth and largest target, in the far distance at 500 yards. Most people could barely distinguish the different colours at that distance, let alone hit it with an arrow! Emma did a quick conversion on her phone app.

"Shit Gina! Five hundred yards is over a quarter of a mile!" She whispered.

Alan-a-Dale, ever the over-theatrical stage performer, stood before them, to face the crowd.

"Your majesties! Your royal highnesses! My lords, ladies, and gentlemen! Her Majesty, Queen Merida of DunBroch, has challenged our illustrious leader, Lord Robin of Sherwood, to a contest of archers. Five targets have been set up, as you can see. The closest arrow to the centre will win that target. Three attempts are allowed for each target, and the most target wins will be declared the winner!" The way he said it, waving his hands around like a stage ham, drew a few titters from the audience, including some of the usually stone-serious-faced Dunbroch visitors. "Contestants, are you both ready?"

Robin and Merida nodded, before he turned to the queen. "Ladies first?"

Merida walked to the chalk line, wholly focused on the first target. Pulling an arrow from the quiver, it took a matter of moments for her to notch the arrow, focus, pull on her bow and confidently release. A light swish of the air, as it covered the 100 yards distance, the arrow tip ploughed comfortably into the yellow centre of the thatched board.

"Bullseye! Ten points!" yelled Alan, as Merida, not looking behind her, grinned to herself in quiet satisfaction. The first target was always the shortest, the easiest and she never doubted the arrow's flight.

However, within seconds a second arrow plunged into the board, several inches to the left of the first, in the red zone. That made her smile even more. "Bad luck, Hood!" She turned to face him "I'm surprised you weren't a-" she suddenly stopped, realizing he was still holding his bow. And more importantly, an arrow!

"Begging your pardon, my lady, but I have yet to take my shot!" Said the archer, turning back to see king back to who had launched the second arrow. "Margot? What on earth are you doing?"

His almost eight-year-old redhead, standing at the edge of the crowd, with the bow still in her hand, looking sheepish, and started to blush when she realised everyone was looking at her. "Sorry daddy! I couldn't help it. That's the target I use with Will!"

That made a good deal of the crowd roar with laughter at her mischief, making her blush even more. "I'm sorry daddy!"

A tall woman stepped beside her, draping an arm around her shoulder. "Never ye mind, hinny! That were a awfy guid shot for one so young!" Eleanor smiled down. "Dinna ye worry! Now, who would be teachin' ye so early?" The moment the words left her mouth, they heard a slight swishing noise, looking over to see a third arrow had hit the target. Bang dead centre, splitting Merida's arrow in half!

"Daddy taught me!" Margot said, proudly, earning a smirk and a wink from Regina, who was standing nearby.

As the Dowager Queen and the audience chuckled, Merida had a wry look on her face. It was normally her that split other peoples' arrows, not the other way around! She had a fight on her hands!

"Bullseye – ten points!" yelled Will.

They moved towards the second target, at twice the distance. A little more concentration required. "Ladies and gentlemen, could we have a little hush now please?" Alan assumed a slightly more formal tone, seeing some of the audience getting closer to the competitors. He'd seen cheating and badgering many times during past events. "I also have to warn you all, that any attempts to cough, shout or blatantly disrupt this competition, or the players, will be dealt with harshly, and the offender removed!" He said, theatrically. "The competitor so affected will be required to retake their shot! Thank you!" He puffed out his chest, earning an 'oooooh!' from some of the crowd, and a proud wink from his husband, Malcolm, who stood close by.

Though Robin and Merida took a little longer to release their shots, the second targets were a repeat of the first, Robin's arrow burrowing itself into the back of Merida's, both dead centre.

"Ye know Robin, I've only a limited number of arrows with me! Never havin' expected to be here, I'd like to save a few from bein' turned to matchwood, if ye'd be so kind? So you can go first next!"

"As you wish, your Majesty!" He merely gave her a small smile. As she looked at him more closely, she noticed how relaxed he seemed. Like he wasn't concerned whether he won or lost. To someone like Merida, who'd had to prove herself to others all her life, it was incomprehensible!

"An' call me Merida! Ye dinna seem too bothered if ye win or lose? Are ye no concerned about yer reputation, man? Or are ye just good at fakin' it?"

He shrugged, the smile never leaving his face. "Well…there's no life at stake here, is there? No monsters to kill, nobody to rescue. I'm very different then, I assure you."

"Hmm. Well...Ye got a bonny daughter there. A fine archer too, given her age?"

"I have..." he looked back at her with pride. "That's my Margot. She's wonderful, and I've got three more 'bonny' daughters just like her. But she's my little archer! My son Roland used to love it, but he's a teenager and has discovered girls, would you believe? A far more important interest right now, it would seem. Still, I know Margot completely hero-worships you. She's been watching a film about you, called 'Brave'."

"A film? Neal told me last night what 'films' are, but one about me?"

"You've a lot to experience in this land. I hope you have some time to stay with us?"

As they chatted, the two contest judges, one of them Merida's brother, walked nearer to the third target, but warily kept to the very edge of the field, for safety's sake. The target, at some 300 yards from the archers, was larger and set on a sturdy wooden stand. Emma had already pulled her phone out to google something, showing the results to her wife as Regina drew on her magic to produce her binoculars in her hand. The blonde whispered again, "You know, 300 yards is more than three times the furthest distance they use in the Olympics?"

"This might take all three arrows..." Robin announced, lining up his first. He appeared to be pointing into the distant sky when he released it. However, as it flew smoothly into the distance, it appeared to be going too high, before gravity gradually pulled it gently back down, landing smack in the centre of the roundel!

A member of the Merry Men appeared from the nearby trees, to check the target, before waving his hands, signalling Alan to confirm the result.

"Bullseye – ten points!"

Robin allowed himself a smirk. "Hmm, lucky that - I thought the wind might catch it!" He stepped back. "I'll tell you what, I'll hold off taking my other two shots, in case you get even closer to the centre than that?"

Now Merida took her position. Unknown to anyone else, this was about the maximum distance she'd had released an arrow competitively. She took a lot longer than usual, finally releasing her arrow, to watch it soar, eventually curl down, before embedding itself into the left side, a good two feet from Robin's.

"Black zone - four points!"

The crowd began to gasp, a round of applause breaking out for the astonishingly skilled pair.

"That was an excellent first shot, Merida..." Robin congratulated her. "...and you still have two more goes. Distance archery is so different to normal, don't you think? Whoever taught you, taught you well."

For a moment, Merida wondered whether he was patronising her, as he'd just got a bullseye himself and was, for the moment, still in ahead. But the voice and the way he was looking at her showed nothing but sincerity.

"My fatha! Everyone else thought I should be lookin' for a husband and learnin' gurly things. But no him! He thought his princess should be able to fight a bear an' lead an army! No waste time at home."

"My first wife, Marian, was taught much the same. She was better with a sword than me. I still miss her; god rest her soul."

"I read about her in the fables. Was she Margot's mother?"

"No, we only had my boy, Roland, before she died. Margot's mother is…well, it doesn't matter now."

"I heard ye died? That Zeus himself sent you back? And now ye've two more wives?"

As they talked animatedly, all the competitive element seemed to disappear from Merida, as she relaxed, now enjoying the conversation while they waited for the judges to move even further away. As they prepared for the fourth and final target, Regina noticed how the pair in front of them seemed to be not only engaged in some sort of conversation, but laughing, enjoying themselves. She couldn't help feeling a little jealous, although she knew how Robin was with people.

Merida took her second shot, her arrow taking a good five seconds to reach its target. Unfortunately, it missed, wide by several feet, driving itself into the long grass to the left. She hissed to herself in annoyance, preparing for her third and final shot at that distance. If she messed up this time, Robin would go ahead, and she wasn't even sure she'd be able to reach the final target, let along hit it!

Robin stepped closer. "Milady, if I may be so bold? I think your shot was picked up by a slight breeze coming from that glade to the right? Perhaps aiming a little more to the right and a couple degrees up, might compensate?"

If anyone, other than her father, had ever given her advice on how to launch an arrow, Merida would have torn them off a strip sharpish! However, this softly spoken, family man, seemed to be genuinely wanting to help? To help her beat him?

So not responding, she took aim again, making the little adjustments he suggested. Some seconds later, the arrow managed to embed itself into the distant roundel, in the red second zone, barely visible from the audience. Some moments and distant signalling later, Alan yelled:

"Red zone – seven points!"

"Ye've gone ahead! Well done…" She muttered. But Merida HATED losing even one round!

"Thank you, milady. But there's still time for you to draw ahead and win." He encouraged, as they prepared to fire at the fourth and last roundel, a distance of some five hundred yards.

Most of the audience could barely see it, let alone hit it! Merida had never even fired an arrow that far!

Now recognizing she was probably standing beside the best archer she'd ever witnessed, Merida's cockiness had gone, replaced with a sneaking admiration for the humble, bearded man. "Robin, I'd like it if you went first, please?" He nodded, stepping up to the shooting area. Maybe I can learn something?

Unlike the previous targets, this time, as he prepared, Robin stood ramrod straight, staring at the skyline. His head weaved slightly to left and right, at he seemed to be studying the sky for a good half a minute, before reaching behind for an arrow. One that looked different to the others! Longer. Thicker. This time he changed his stance, dropping onto his right knee and bending his left, turning his body to the side. Merida watched, fascinated. It was a good minute gone, before the first arrow released, and Robin didn't aim it anywhere near the target, but seemingly into the sky? The audience watched, transfixed, as it curved gently upwards, levelling, curving to the right before the wind appeared to gently pull it back as it homed in on the target.

The arrow's flight took a good eight seconds! Merida's eagle-eyesight saw what almost all the others couldn't, the arrow finally reaching and ploughing into the target! To Robin's right, Tuck, holding a pair of binoculars, yelled "HIT!"

The resulting gasps, cheers and applause erupting from the audience, as Emma whispered in her wife's ear, "How the bloody hell did he do that? It's a quarter of a mile away!"

Regina shook her head. "I have no idea," as the crowd whooped.

Even Merida clapped, astonished. "I canna believe it! No way did ye hit it from here! How the hell?"

Robin merely smiled back as Alan finally Will confirmed the result. "Blue Zone – five points!"

He used his final two arrows, taking even longer than before to see if he could improve on it, and the result of his final shot was announced:

"Red zone – seven points!"

As Merida took his place, all the bluster now gone. "There's no bloody way I'm gonna hit that! I've never even shot an arrow that far!"

Robin stepped in front of her, speaking in a low voice so they couldn't be overheard. "Don't give up. Would you allow me to help you with a bit of advice? After all, as you acknowledged, I don't mind if I lose."

Further back, the audience looked on at the pair of them, As Robin seemed to be talking through something with her. The queen appeared to be kneeling in front of him, and he pointed into the sky, making curving movements with his arms. Finally, he crouched down, onto his knees, settling himself immediately behind her, pressing himself into her back, making two of Merida's brothers gasp and Neal frown. Robin's wives shared a look as his arms came around her to take the queen's bow in his left. It definitely looked a little too intimate!

"What on earth's he doing?" asked Regina, with Emma looking on, suspiciously.

"Teaching her!" said Mulan, appearing standing close by. "He's teaching her how to shoot long-distance. It's completely different to normal, as you need to use a much heavier arrow. Stance is completely different, and he's showing her how to judge wind speed and direction at a distance; how to stabilise before you release. It's very difficult!"

"And he can't do it without cuddling her?" Said the still uncomfortable brunette.

"Relax, Gina. it's not like he's looking for a third wife!" Emma whispered, putting an arm around her back.

A minute later, Merida's arrow left on its long journey. A miss, but a close miss. Robin gave her more advice, again pointing at the sky, before she stabilized and fired again. Another miss. But the third and final arrow finally found its mark! Merida whooped with excitement and turned to hug him. Alan announced the final result

"Blue zone – five points! Robin wins!" The local crowd roared.

"I dinna care! I just managed to hit the fuckin' thing!" Merida now shrugged, pleased with her effort.

"You certainly did and well done! If that was your first time on that sort of distance, you did extraordinarily well! I'm sure if you'd had more practice, you may well have beaten me!" He gave her his own round of applause, as Emma, Regina and the children came forward to join them, Regina quickly looping her arm possessively through her husband's.

And Neal appeared at Merida's side, knowing how much she hated the idea of losing anything. "You okay?"

"Aye. Aye, I am. I was bested today. But...like Mulan wi' the sword, I was bested by the best! So I can learn." She looked across at the victor, who quietly nodded. "Where the hell did ye learn to shoot so far? Why would you need to do that?"

He lifted Regina's hand, kissing it. "Breaking into castles or forts. If they had a large royal guard, it caused a distraction, sending them the wrong way. Add a lit flare to the arrow, and it works wonders. Takes a bit of practice, that's all."

Will Scarlett came alongside. "Yeah, I remember you also used that way to shaft that Duke of Bisconne, didn't you? The one who-" he stopped himself, regretting he might have opened up old memories, looking to gauge Robin's reaction.

"The one who murdered my mother and father? Yeah. The most comforting shot of my life."

"I remember. I never saw a man skewered by an arrow fired half a mile away before!" Will recalled.

Afternoon turned to evening, and a party atmosphere developed outside and inside the inn. Most of Storybrooke seemed to be there, as the Lucas family arrived, followed by the Briars and, most surprisingly for Emma, the Golds?

Neal had already tipped her off about Ariel, so she wasted no time heading straight for the mermaid, who walked in arm-in-arm with Belle, Rumple having gone to the bar to fetch drinks.

"Hello, you two - I hear congratulations are in order?" She nodded towards Neal, as the source. "Don't worry, I won't say anything if you don't want me to?"

"No…it's fine," said Belle. "Rumple's about to make an announcement anyway, and we've nothing to hide. Yes, I'm in love with our new fiancée, and I'm happy!" she turned to give Ariel a small, chaste kiss on the cheek.

"Good for you," she looked over to Regina and Robin, now deep in conversation with the Sage family. "Having found love in the arms of two people myself, I can thoroughly recommend it! What with the six of us, Phil, Rory, and Mulan, we've almost got a soccer team. Or football, as Roland keeps reminding me!" She looked down at Ariel's currently still-flat stomach. "Your little one won't be short of new friends at school, either. There's a bunch of people here expecting, too"

~oOo~

And so, a little while later, Rumple, with Belle and Ariel standing on either side, proudly announced they were to be wed in two weeks' time, at a little ceremony in the harbour (Ariel quietly hoping her parents would overcome their pride, to attend), and that a larger celebration would be held at the Earl of Locksley in the evening to which all well-wishers were invited, earning a large cheer from the crowd around the bar.

More cheers rang out later, when Ruby told everyone publicly that the rumours were true, and that she and Dorothy were expecting their second child in some six months' time. Mulan, looking over to her husband as he nodded, joining her from the bar, followed her by confirming that their beautiful wife was also pregnant. Each new announcement earning more cheers and toasts from the others.

Most of the DunBroch party seemed happy too, apart from Hamish and Harris, who remained sitting quietly in a corner of the bar, nursing their pints, occasionally earning an angry scowl from their mother. The Dowager Queen looked back as a tall, broad-chested man kissed Mulan on the cheek, linking arms before stepping up to her. "Your Majesty?" He gave a slight bow. "I'm Philip, Mulan's husband..." Mulan was quietly delighted when the man who insulted her in the station looked up, nervously. Shit, what if she told him what I said? Thought Duncan. "I'm sorry I wasn't here to welcome you in person but…welcome to our little town, anyway. I hear Merida's almost fully recovered?"

She stood, offering her hand, which Philip took, bowing to press the tip of his nose against it. "Aah, it's nice ta see the auld courtesies, but there's nae need. Just call me Eleanor. Ye're Prince Philip, right? I met yer parents once. Fine people, Agatha an' John! Shame they're no longer wi' us. Mulan tells me ye're the Mayor?"

"I am. And she told me you visited our sheriff's office?" He looked down at the sullen men, frowning.

"I did. I'm sorry some of ma' boys have bigger beer bellies than brains! I hope the young deputy's eye is feelin' a little better?"

Philip looked back at her, confused, having only been told about the men being arrested for drunkenness. She's said nothing about anyone being hit? "Sorry – the deputy's eye?"

Mulan squeezed his arm. "All dealt with, Philip. Don't go all mayor-y on us now! Julie just got an elbow in the eye, by accident." She wasn't going to tell him what one of the men had called her later, knowing he'd probably react badly. She gave Eleanor a look, advising her to just go along with it.

"Yer wife here did a first-class job o' getting them silly sods back in line! Ye know she once taught ma Merida how tae use a sword?"

~oOo~

As the evening drew to a close and everyone went back to their homes, after paying the babysitters, Robin walked back into their suite at the inn, yawning loudly.

He could hear his wives next door in the en-suite bathroom. Why do they always seem to get washed and dressed for bed together? He pondered. Nonetheless, the results were usually more than worth it. He tapped gently on the door. "Are you decent?"

"If we were 'decent' you wouldn't have married us!" Sarked Emma from inside. "Come in…"

He stepped inside to see the familiar site of Emma and Regina, standing side-by-side at the vanity basins in front of the large mirror, in just bras and knickers, as they washed and cleansed their faces. It was a sight that always brought a smile to his face.

"You okay?" asked Regina.

"I was just going to take a quick shower; anyone fancy joining me?"

"I thought you'd want to have a shower…after?"

"After, milady?"

"After your…reward…for winning the archery contest!" The blonde gave him a devilish, sultry look, that she knew always had an effect. "But, I guess if you're too tired?" she pouted, feigning injured pride.

"You know what? It seems I don't feel tired anymore! But I'm still sweaty from the evening, so give me a couple of minutes to freshen up and I'll…happily accept my prize?"

"You, Mr. Locksley, are a complete and utter slut!" said Regina, tittering as he yelled in shock at the first burst of cold from the shower head.

She grinned, knowing it was going to be another long night!

~oOo