Title: Her Shepherd King
Fandom: Once Upon A Time
Author: Apache Firecat
Characters: David/Mary Margaret, Ruby, Drizella
Rating: G/K
Summary: Mary Margaret takes a night off and encounters something unexpected.
Word Count: 1,218
Written For: Fan FlashWorks 392: Forgive and Forget
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: All characters within belong to their rightful owners, not the author, and are used without permission.









She didn't often come to this place, but every once in a while, she needed to unwind. Every once in a while, she needed to forget who she was as a mother, a wife, and a leader, to let those burdens slip from her shoulders and to just be the wild child she had become having to grow up on the run and steal or hunt every meal she'd eaten. They had been dangerous times, but in a way, she had never felt freer.

There wasn't a single one of her men, her Dwarves or others, who would have refused to come with her, but tonight, she had only one ally in tow, her dearest and oldest friend. Mary Margaret and Ruby stepped into the bar with perfect sync and headed right for their table. Mary Margaret shrugged when she saw two other women already playing pool.

"We can just grab another table," Ruby commented.

"Sure." Mary Margaret smiled, but although the two stepped toward a free table, one of the other women playing at their table made a remark underneath her breath. "Excuse me?" Mary Margaret asked, turning back around, as Ruby's eyes changed colors and she emitted a soft, warning growl.

"I said," the girl the two recognized as being one of Cinderella's sisters smirked, "isn't it the Queen S thinking she had can pay us lowlifes a visit."

"I'm sorry. Have we met?"

"No. Didn't need to meet you to hear about you." She looked snidely upon Mary Margaret. "The whole town remembers what a tramp you were messing around with a married man before the curse lifted."

Mary Margaret lifted her head and evenly, steadily, met Drizella's condescending gaze. "Yes, David was married -- to me. We just didn't remember."

"Oh, she didn't remember!" Drizella hooted, her voice carrying over the bar. Mary Margaret reached out, grabbing Ruby's arm and stopping her just before she could attack. "And now we're all supposed to bow down to the little Princess and her Shepherd King! That's right!" she exclaimed at the look on Mary Margaret's face. "You didn't think we'd know that, did you? Your King is nothing more than a Shepherd!"

To the whole bar's surprise, prompting some to whisper a little louder behind their mugs, Mary Margaret announced, "Yes, he's a Shepherd, and I'm glad he is. A Shepherd never forgets about a single sheep in the family."

"So, we're just supposed to forgive and forget?"

"I haven't done anything to you -- "

"We were brought to this land because of you! We were cursed because of you!"

Mary Margaret began to turn. "Let's just ignore her and play our game, Ruby," she started to say, but her friend broke free from her grasp, charged, and slapped Drizella. The slap echoed in the quieted tavern.

"David never forgets about a single, lost sheep, but we wolves don't forget sheep either, especially other wolves who hide in sheep's clothing!" She growled, fangs bared, until Mary Margaret pulled her away. Even as she went with her friend, she snapped at the air again, making Drizella snap.

"See? That's exactly why they shouldn't bring animals in here!"

It was Mary Margaret's turn to whip back around, but before she could speak, she heard a resounding thunking of glasses and mugs being slammed down onto tables. She smirked at the girl, who was already beginning to back up toward her sister.

"Uh huh!" Anastasia spoke for the first time that night, shaking her head and wagging her finger at her sister. "Don't start a whole bunch of mess and come to me for rescue."

"You clearly did forget something," Mary Margaret stated with an unmistakable air of defiance and superiority despite the polite words she chose. "You forgot about the other people. My David, my Charming, your King rather you like it or not, never forgets the other people. It doesn't matter if they're humans, Sorcerers, Dwarves, Imps, or beasts," she said as many burly men and women edged toward them, making Drizella try, failingly, to shrink away. "They are all under his charge and protection. You wanted the limelight, sister. Now deal with it."

With that, Mary Margaret walked away, pulling Ruby with her. "Maybe we should have invited Belle," she commented as the fight began behind them.

"Why? So Rumpelstiltskin could get in on the act?"

"No." Mary Margaret shook her head. "But I'm sure she'd love to hear that she was right. Some battles can be won more effectively with words than fists or swords."

"You've always known that," Ruby pointed out as Mary Margaret stacked the balls.

She lifted the rack, picked up the stick, and began to concentrate on her aim. Ruby signaled for their usual drinks just as Mary Margaret hit the first ball, knocking five more into pockets. "Just like I've always known how to beat your butt. They might not want to serve us," she commented to her friend as she took aim again.

"You're probably going to have the balls sent home by the time they do," Ruby observed with a teasing grin.

Mary Margaret shrugged. "So? I suddenly feel the desire to play a long time tonight instead of just a few rounds. If," she added, raising her voice above the cacophony of other citizens currently punching, slapping, and -- it seemed from the sounds of things -- even biting Cinderella's ugly stepsisters, "we can be served."

"Of course, you can, Your Majesty, and it's on the house tonight."

Mary Margaret stood and accepted the drinks with a gracious smile. "Thank you, Gordon."

The pudgy barkeep beamed and nodded his head before walking away. It was only when Mary Margaret handed Ruby her drink that she saw the way her friend was watching the barkeep. "Really?" Mary Margaret asked. "Him? Red, I know it's been a long time -- "

"No, it's not that." Ruby shook her head while taking her mug of whiskey. "I could've sworn I just saw a tail on him!" She sniffed. The tavern smelled like a barn. There were all kinds of animal scents, but there was a distinctly piggy smell coming from nearest to them and leading to where the barkeep had moved on, blatantly ignoring the ruckus taking up most of the tavern, and was working on serving other customers.

Mary Margaret rolled her eyes and began to stack the balls again. "Are you going to play or stand there all night?" Dropping her voice to a whisper, she added, "I thought you preferred Weremice anyway."

Ruby laughed and accepted the pool stick her best friend was offering her. "I do," she admitted. Shrugging, she went on to say, "I'm just surprised, is all."

"It takes all kinds," Mary Margaret replied as Ruby sat her drink down and began to take her aim. "That's exactly why my Charming is the best man to lead us and why a shepherd boy makes for the best King. He forgets no one."

Ruby smiled. "You've never heard me argue against him once," she reminded the proud Queen and wife. Standing, she picked up a nearby leather cloth and rubbed the tip of the pool stick. "You found a prize in that one." She struck the ball.

"I know," Mary Margaret said and sat, beaming, as the fight continued behind them.




The End