I don't own OUAT or Merlin. I wrote this between edits of Love Blooms Slowly hope you like it. Read and Review please and tell me what you think.

A/N Who do you think Emma should fall for Arthur or Merlin? Let me know thanks~Serria Spell23.

Ch.1- Old Friends

As I walked beside her I watched my mother duck under low-hanging branches on the trees in the enchanted forest. I tapped her shoulder, "We shouldn't have trusted Regina, mom I'm sorry." She looked me with a smile that almost seemed forced.

"I know, Emma it's okay. Let's just focus on getting home to your father and my grandson." I had to hold back tears thinking of Henry in Storybrooke without me. I was his mother he needed me and I needed him. I heard a rustling in the bushes ahead of us; my mother raised her bow and arrow, ready to strike. "Who's there?" she called.

"Snow, is that you?" My mother lowered her weapon and sighed. I gazed at the scene in front of me as a raven haired young stepped into view. My mouth dropped opened. My mind thought of only one name:Merlin. I shook my head, trying to grasp the truth. My mother threw her arms around the man overjoyed.

"Merlin, how many years has it been twenty−eight or twenty–six?" He shrugged hugging her closer. I stood back, allowing them to talk and reminisce still confused as to how she knew this great wizard. I cleared my throat, drawing their attention to me. I tapped the heel of my shoe on the ground, displaying an air of impatience. The wizard turned to face me grinning apologetically. He walked over to me and extended his hand.

"I'm sorry, I'm Merlin. I've been friends with your mother for years before you were born, Emma." I shook his hand as tension left my shoulders. I looked into his deep, ocean-blue eyes, feeling at ease. A moment later another voice echoed off the trees.

"Merlin, what's taking so long? How long can it possibly take to catch a stag?"

I raised my eyebrow and my mother smiled, "Arthur Pendragon, is that you?" she asked over the howl of the wind. He stepped out of the bushes, his stern expression lighting up. Embracing my mother, he kissed her cheek in greeting.

How did she know them? How did she meet them? I tapped my foot again. The other man released my mother and faced me.

"It's good to see you, Snow," he said. "Is this your daughter Emma?" She nodded. Arthur bent to kiss my hand as a sign of respect, and I blushed turning away. I didn't voice that I had felt sparks pulse my hand and the length of my arm when he kissed it. I walked back to my mother's side my hands together the right placed over the left. My mother glanced at me as we continued walking my face still burned with embarrassment.

"So, Snow, Emma, where are you heading?" We both shrugged not knowing how to answer. "Well, you can come with us if you like. The castle's not too far," the young king offered. I met Arthur's blue eyes smiling in thanks then averted my gaze quickly, feeling heat flush my cheeks. A few minutes later I saw the outline of a grand castle on the horizon. My mother and I shared a glance as we walked into the entrance hall. I noticed a woman who appeared to be about my age standing patiently waiting for us to approach.

"Arthur!" She lost her battle with patience and ran into his embrace. He held her close, stroking her dark brown hair tenderly. I turned eyes from the scene in front of me. I couldn't bear to look. My mother touched my shoulder.

"What's the matter, Em?" I sighed, shaking my head my voice felt thick in my throat, thick with tears. She led me to an unused bed chamber down the hall pulling opened the door she ushered me inside. I sat and buried my wet face in a pillow. I took a shaking breath trying to calm down as my mother rubbed my back soothing. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand; this couldn't be happening! Why, why now?

"It's Arthur," I muttered. "When he kissed my hand earlier today I…I…I felt something. Mom, what does that mean?"

My mother shut her eyes, thinking hard. "Well, Emma do you remember when I told the story of how your father and I first met?"

"How could I forget? Dad realized he was in love with you as soon as you slipped his mother's ring on your finger, though he didn't say anything."

My eyes grew wide. I was shocked at what I'd just realized. I cradled my head in my hands, still shaken. Did I love him? I definitely knew I felt an attraction to him. What did I do? My mother noticed my conflicted emotions she pulled me into a hug and stroked my blonde hair.

"Mom, what if it's like with you and Dad? What if I was meant to meet him but what am I saying he's King Arthur he has his Queen. He wouldn't want me." My mother opened her mouth to reply but a knock at the door interrupted her. Merlin walked in and cast a worried gaze in his friend's direction. He knelt by the side of the bed, his fingers running through my blonde waves. I looked up into the wizard's ocean-like orbs. "Thank you," I mouthed. Nodding, he rose and walked towards the door. I stood and followed close by I grabbed Merlin's jacket sleeve and cleared my throat.

Yes, Emma?" he asked, staring at me compassion swam in the depths of his eyes.

"Don't tell Arthur about this, please."He rested a hand on my shoulder smiling gently at me, he leaned forward and pecked my cheek. I froze. The wizard locked eyes with my mother before exiting the room.

"You needn't fear, Emma, I won't breathe a word." I heard Merlin's reply echoing off the stone walls in the hallway. I sighed beginning to pace my heels resounding on the stone floor. What did I do? I smiled faintly, my mind wandering to Arthur. Another knock startled me out of my reverie. The door opened and two figures walked into the room. My mother got to her feet, pulling a young brunette into a hug.

"Morgana!" she exclaimed, "How have you been?" She laughed, her giggle bearing resemblance to a wind chime. Her light green eyes twinkled with amusement. I watched as Morgana glanced quickly at the second figure and beckoned the person closer. My heartbeat raced as I realized it was Arthur- the man I couldn't have. He offered me a polite grin before focusing his attention on his half-sister.

"Morgana, is there any particular reason why you dragged me away from a meeting with my knights to come see Emma and Snow?"

I had to suppress a chuckle as she sported a mock shocked face. Placing her hands on her hips, the sorceress stared at her brother evenly. "What, you don't enjoy spending time with me, Brother."

I caught Arthur's eye, he grimaced I could tell Morgana annoyed him at times. I stepped behind him, resting my hands tentatively on the king's broad shoulders. He turned his head, gazing evenly into my eyes. For the first time since I'd met him, I noticed our eye color matched perfectly. I held tight to him, ignoring how his stare burned me from the inside out. Arthur lifted my chin to his level. I internally reveled in his soft touch.

I silently squealed, feeling the king's lips kiss the skin of my forehead He sighed. Removing my hands from his shoulders, he left the room without another word.

Later that night I sat on the bed in my chambers. I was already in my nightgown. I laid back on the pillows, hoping that sleep would come. I thought of Henry and my father. Closing my weary eyes, I prayed that we'd figure out a way to be reunited with them soon.