Archery vs. Sword fighting

Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time.

"All right, Emma. Do you see that patch of moss on the tree next to the fence?" Mom asked her.

"Yes," said Emma.

"That's your target. Now raise your bow in the correct position. That's right, sweetheart. You know, I think you're going to hit it this time," Mom said cheerfully. "Keep an eye on your arrow. And – "

Emma let the arrow fly.

It landed about two feet away from her target. As usual.

"Well, keep trying, sweetheart," Mom said. "I know you will hit it soon. Here's another arrow."

Emma positioned the next arrow to her bow, feeling the smooth wood beneath her fingers. She attempted to line it up with her target. Of course, she didn't hit it that time, either.

Emma groaned. "Mom, I don't think archery is my forte."

Mom smiled and shook her head. "You are getting better, Emma. It's like anything. It takes practice." Watch me for a moment." She picked up her own bow and fitted an arrow to it. She watched the target for what seemed like have a second, and let the arrow go.

Of course, Mom's arrow landed right in the center of the target. Like always.

Emma shook her head. A year ago, when Mom decided she was old enough for her own bow, she had been excited. She had watched Mom practice archery for years, eager for the time where she could join in the fun. As sweet as she was, Mom was also deadly with a bow and arrow, and she used it to protect everyone. Emma had looked forward to doing the same thing.

But it now it was obvious that Emma wasn't going to be the amazing archer that Mom was. "Do you think I could try sword fighting with Dad instead?" Emma asked as Mom picked up all the used arrows. Dad was just as amazing with a sword as Mom was with a bow. Perhaps Emma could help them protect the kingdom with a different weapon.

Mom smiled and shook her head, her long dark curls bouncing a little. "I know you're having trouble with archery, but it's actually easier than welding a sword. It might be something you can try eventually, but you should master archery first."

She handed Emma another arrow. "Try again. Stop thinking so negatively, sweetheart. If you believe you can do it, then you will do it."

Emma threw the arrow down on the grass. "Mom, I've tried the 'believe in myself' theory already. Are you listening to me at all? I'm not the great archer you are, and I don't think I'm going to be. I want to try sword – fighting." With that she ran out of the garden.

Running through the palace, Emma had no idea where she was going. She just knew she needed to get away. Away from Mom. She couldn't see anything around her and could barely feel the floor under her feet.

Eventually, Emma slammed into a wall that chuckled, sounding remarkably like her father. "Dad?" she asked, looking up.

Dad's blue eyes stared down at her shining with love and sparkling with laughter. "Hello, Emma. Where are you going so fast?"

Emma sighed, and stared at his white silk shirt. "I don't know. I just needed to get away from Mom."

"I see," said Dad, wrapping his strong arms around her, making her feel loved. "Did you have a fight with her?"

"Yes. She keeps insisting that I practice archery. I've been practicing for over a year now, Dad! I'm never going to be as good as she is. I don't even think I'll be as good as an average person," said Emma, looking up at him again.

"Emma, you know you need to keep – "

"– Practicing," she finished, backing away from him and adopting her "attack position." She squared her shoulders directly under her feet and put her hands on her hips. "I've heard this from Mom already. It's not working, Dad. But she won't listen. I'd like to try sword fighting, instead. Will you help me?"

Dad sighed. "Emma, I don't want to get in between you and your mother's argument. But I think she just wants something the two of you do together. Just like Neal and I look after the sheep together."

OOOOOOOOOO

Emma thought about that, and the next day, she brought out one of the books her mother had given to her. It was about the constellations. It was a magnificent book full of careful illustrations, star charts, and stories. "Mom, would you like to read this together?" she asked, as her mother finished the correspondence for the day.

Mom's green eyes lit up and her smile covered her face. They both sat together on the large chair with the green cushions. Emma felt affection radiate from her mother as they took turns reading.

After finishing the story of Pegasus, Emma smiled and said, "Now can I learn sword fighting from Dad?"

Thank you for the reviews for the last chapter. Please consider giving some review for this one as well. Here's some responses.

Baratta Jennifer: You're welcome.

Austenphile: Yes, the last chapter was sweet, especially if you remember how David thought he had to deny his shepherd heritage in the beginning of "Charming Who?"

Bloomandgrow: Yes, well, that's Snowing. I'm glad you like the father - son bonding, too. It's a dynamic I don't usually focus on.