Shepherd

"But your majesties, I can't fish while pirates and mermaids prowl the seas!" the middle – aged man protested. "Something must be done."

David sat in his throne as he looked the fisherman in the eye. "The royal navy already patrols the harbor, sir."

"We can tell the navy to keep a close eye on the small boats, such as yours, if you would like, sir," Snow added sitting next to David in her own throne. "But I'm afraid that's all we can do."

The man sighed. "Thank you," he bowed and left the room.

David felt Snow's hand in his as the next person entered. He met her beautiful green eyes and smiled softly. Once again, she reminded him that they did this together. Like they did everything together from holding court, to trade agreements, to raising their family.

Still as much as David loved helping the people of the kingdom with Snow and raising their family together, life in the palace was becoming stressful to him again. How many people were going to come in with complaints that often sounded more like whining than anything else? How many other kingdoms were going to complain about the trade agreements? And was that Emma, Neal, and James screaming again?

David shook his head and focused on the next person who came into court. Now wasn't the time to worry about his own issues. It was time to listen to these people.

OOOOOOOOOOO

"How would you like to visit the farm tomorrow?" Snow asked David that night as they entered their suite.

The farm. Images flashed through his mind, and David smiled almost without realizing it. The sheep, which always needed tending and herding. The small cottage, where they would make their own meals and wash their own dishes. Everything there moved at a slower pace.

He nodded and kissed her in response. "How did you know?" he asked when they drew apart.

Snow's green eyes sparkled in mischief. "Perhaps being married to a shepherd is giving me more observation skills." She giggled and caressed his shoulder. "Actually, it was Emma. I know she's only ten, but she is becoming just as observant as you are, Charming. She told me yesterday that you looked a bit worn. So, I watched you, and I decided she was right. Why didn't you tell me you needed a break?"

Charming sighed and stretched himself out on their large bed. "I thought since we'd be going there for the sheep – sheering festival in another couple of months, and there is so much to do here, that it wasn't really necessary."

"I know you're always putting everyone else first, and I love you for it, but you need to tell me these things, Charming." Snow told him firmly. She laid down next to him and he felt her warm body heat next to his. Her sweet scent, which was entirely Snow, filled his nostrils. He pulled her closer, tugging at her clothes.

In return, her hands touched his chest while she unbuttoned his tunic.

OOOOOOOOOOO

The smell of grass filled David's senses. Sheep bleeted as he herded them to the meadow. The wooden shepherd's crook felt natural in his hand. He was a shepherd again, and it was wonderful.

"How do the sheep know where to go, Dad?" Neal, his seven – year old son, asked in fascination.

"They trust me, son," David replied proudly. "Like you and your siblings do."

Neal nodded, but the look he was giving his father implied that it couldn't possibly be that easy.

"And holding this helps herd them," He held up the shepherd's crook and demonstrated.

Neal looked at the stick in amazement. "Is it magic?"

"No, son. No fairy magic or any other magic here," David smiled. "Would you like to try?"

Neal's eyes lit up. "Can I?"

"Of course. Just hold the crook like this and use it to guide the sheep to the meadow right up there." David pointed to the meadow which was only about ten feet away.

Neal picked up the crook, looking every inch like a shepherd, and herded the sheep to the meadow. "Now we just wait, right?"

David nodded and settled down on the grass while the sheep eagerly munched on the fresh grass. "It will take a while before they have their fill. So, we can relax. But keep an eye on them. We don't want any wild animals or thieves to come after the sheep."

Neal nodded and laid down nest to his father.

Thanks for the reviews from the last chapter. Please give me one for this chapter as well.

Here's your responses.

Baratta Jennifer: Well, here it is.

Austenphile: Thank you.

Bloomandgrow: Thanks you (and a special thanks for reviewing this story, again). :)

Guest: Thank you. Here's more.