Deep in the woods of a distant realm, there lay a vault. The Vault of the Dark One. The gold circle had been untouched since Belle, Neal, the Professor, and Clara used it to resurrect Rumplestiltskin a few years previous. And since then, no one would dare approach it. Not even the creatures in the woods. A loud click reverberated throughout the woods, and the centre plate moved slightly, creating a slight dip. From around the outside, a thick black substance oozed out from the sides, merging in the centre. After a few moments, the substance began to grow, forming the shape of a woman. Finally, the substance evaporated, leaving a blonde woman in its place. She was clad in an old grey dress, a light green cloak providing her with some form of warmth. Her loose blonde curls hung limply over her shoulders. Emma raised her head and took in her surroundings. She knew instinctively that this wasn't Storybrooke or anywhere in the land without magic. She surmised that it had to be the Enchanted Forest. It was the only place she could think of where she would've been transported.

"Where am I?" Emma stepped forward, trying to look for something that seemed familiar. If only to tell her where she was. A shrill whistle caused her to jump. "Who's there?" she asked, turning around to see Rumplestiltskin standing behind her. He stared at her with that self-satisfied smirk his other persona liked to wear. "You're supposed to be in Storybrooke. You were in a coma."

Rumplestiltskin nodded. "Yes, I am. Or rather, he is."

"What are you?"

"I'm many things," he shrugged, instantly appearing behind her. "I'm the voice in your head. The Dark One's powers inside you. Inside all the Dark Ones," he moved, standing in front of her. "Rumplestiltskin is but one of many. Perhaps I can be another. How about Gorgon the Invincible?" he asked before he turned himself into a giant fire-breathing boar. However, mere seconds later, he returned to his familiar form. "Yes, probably, easier this way. Now, are you ready to begin?"

Emma frowned, looking at the man, her head tilted. "Begin what?"

"Well, learning to be the Dark One, of course," Rumplestiltskin replied like it was apparent. "Think of me as your guide. But only until you've learned to embrace your powers."

"I will never embrace the darkness." Emma insisted.

Rumplestiltskin waved the comment off. "Ah, they all say that. Everyone who steps from this well enjoys the taste too much. The only way to stop is to be stopped. This is the fate of all Dark Ones." Emma turned away and started to walk in the opposite direction to Rumplestiltskin. "You can't just walk away from it."

Emma spun back to face him. "I'm in the Enchanted Forest now, which means Merlin can't be far from here, and the Apprentice told me he can destroy the darkness, so I'm going to find him."

"Merlin?" Rumplestiltskin scoffed. "Oh, you're much better off with me."

"No," Emma replied. "I'll never be like all of you! I'll never hurt the people I love. The people who love me."

With a final glare at Rumplestiltskin, Emma stalked off in the opposite direction of him. Hopefully, she'd find a village or somewhere to set up camp soon. The sooner she could find Merlin, the sooner this would be over.

Hook kicked open the door to the pawn shop as he stormed into the shop, the others hurrying in behind him. He walked into the backroom where the Apprentice was laid, being attended to by Blue and Belle.

"Apprentice, that monstrosity took Emma," Hook said. "Where did they go?"

"She is now where all darkness is born. In your realm," the Apprentice said.

"Then take us there."

The Apprentice sighed. "I am too weak now, but this will help." They watched as he conjured a green wand with what looked like a brown ball on the end of it. "It is a gift from the Sorcerer, from Merlin. On the day I became his apprentice. In it is all the light magic."

Mary Margaret stepped forward. "It can take us to our daughter?"

The Apprentice shook his head as best he could. "Not on its own. To cross realms, it must be wielded as it was forged - with both sides of the coin. Light...and the dark," he said, closing his eyes, his grip loosening on the wand, causing it to fall to the floor.

They watched as it clattered onto the ground, rolling towards them. Regina crouched down and picked it up. "I guess that's my cue."

She raised the wand and waved it overhead. Regina frowned as nothing happened. She took a deep breath and tried again, but nothing happened.

"Enough!" Hook said, stepping forward. "You're going to embarrass yourself and waste our time."

Regina turned to glare at him. "Watch it. I know what I'm doing."

"That's not enough," Hook snapped. "You heard the man. It needs darkness. You've gone soft."

Regina saw red and stepped closer to him, eyes ablaze. "You want to see soft? Why don't I use that hook to show you your intestines?"

Hook smirked. "Oh, you've got the fire, love, but not the blackness. Not anymore. How's this for irony? You've done too much good. No, we need someone wicked."

Regina glared at Hook. "No." It was out of the question. "No, no. Not my sister. That witch is more than wicked. She's deranged."

"We don't need that wand," the Professor said. "Or Zelena. We have the TARDIS."

"What are we waiting for?" Hook demanded. "Let's get inside and find Emma."

David put his hands up. "No. We won't help Emma like this. We need to get some rest and meet at Granny's tomorrow morning."

They all nodded their agreement before they went their separate ways.

The leaves crunched underneath her feet as she finally reached the dirt road. Emma hoped she was going in the right direction for Camelot, but if not, she did not doubt that her family would come to find her soon. She saw a peddler in the distance and hurried after him.

"Hey!" she called, watching as he turned to face her. She hurried to catch up to him. "I need directions to Camelot. Do you know the way?"

The Peddler looked up at her and down before nodding. "Of course, it will only cost you two pieces of silver."

"I, uh, don't have any silver."

The Peddler smirked. "Three pieces now."

"I'm in a hurry."

"Make that four pieces."

"Just tell me!" Emma yelled. Her eyes widened as she watched the man lift from the ground like someone was choking him.

"What are you doing?" he spat.

"I'm not doing anything," Emma insisted.

"Of course you are."

Emma looked over the Peddler's shoulder at Rumplestiltskin, whose hand was raised, gripping at nothing. "Stop!" she yelled, noticing the Peddler was starting to turn blue.

"It's not me doing this, dearie," Rumplestiltskin commented with a smirk. "It's you."

Emma looked down at her hand, gripping the air in the same way that he had been. Then, realising what she was doing, she dropped her hand, watching as the Peddler fell back down to the ground, spluttering. He quickly stood up and ran in the opposite direction, leaving his cart behind.

Rumplestiltskin appeared behind her, his voice oily in her ear. "So, did you enjoy it? Your first taste of darkness?"

Emma glared at him before she set off in the direction that the Peddler had been walking from.

Mother Superior walked into the backroom of Mr Gold's shop, frowning when she saw Belle knelt beside where Mr Gold now lay. After clearing the Apprentice from the building, Mr Gold had been moved from the TARDIS to the bed in the backroom.

"Belle, you should go and help them with Emma," Mother Superior suggested with a soft smile, watching how Belle ran a hand across Mr Gold's forehead and cheek. "You're resourceful. They could use you, even if they don't know it yet."

Belle shook her head. "If he goes, I want to be here with him."

"I'll be here with him," the Professor said as he entered the backroom. "He'll be safe with me."

"You're not going?" Belle asked.

"Not this time."

Mother Superior pulled out her wand. She held her left hand out and used her wand to create a jar which contained a single rose suspended in mid-air, glowing slightly. "This rose is now linked to your beast, Belle," she smiled. "As long as it still has petals, he lives. Now go."

No matter how fast or far she walked, Emma was always aware of the presence of Rumplestiltskin behind her. She had no idea how to get rid of him. Her primary instinct had been to ignore him. However, it was hard when he kept giggling every few minutes.

"Leave me alone. I don't need you," Emma repeated for what felt like the umpteenth time.

Rumplestiltskin snickered and indicated a tree just a few feet ahead of them. "That maple tree ahead … We've passed it three times already. You're going around in circles, dearie. Now, I can help you if you let me."

"I'm not using dark magic," Emma insisted.

"I didn't say I was going to use magic," Rumplestiltskin shrugged. "If you want to find Merlin, just ask. And find him you shall."

Emma sighed as she came to a stop. "Fine. How do I find Merlin?"

Rumplestiltskin smiled. "I'm glad you asked. There's a magical force that can lead you wherever you need to be. Now, I can show you where to find it. If you'll allow me, that is."

"I'm listening."

Rumplestiltskin moved so that he stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders. "Excellent. Imagine a mirrored lake. A tall tree with low-hanging branches that loom over it. Above it is a beautiful blue sky. Now picture it in your mind's eye. Picture it clearly."

"Okay. I'm picturing …" Emma took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She'd always found that helpful when trying to visualise something. When she opened them, Emma found she was in an area exactly like Rumplestiltskin had described. "What the …" she began, wondering what had happened. Then it dawned on her. "I said don't use magic!"

"I didn't, dearie," Rumplestiltskin smirked. "You did. Congratulations on your first magical transportation."

Emma glared at the imp. "You tricked me."

"Of course I did!" he laughed. "I'm a Dark One."

"Go away."

Rumplestiltskin smirked. "Ugh, I don't think you want that. Look." Emma looked in the direction that he was pointing. She noticed the floating blue creature just ahead of them. It was almost transparent, like nothing more than blue smoke. "The will-o-wisp," he explained. "If you want to find Merlin, better catch it."

Emma ran as best as she could over the uneven ground as she chased after the magical creature. She'd been tracking it for what had felt like hours. She reached out a hand, eager to grasp it. However, her fingers merely grazed it, as it got taken by a woman in a blue dress and black cloak.

"Hey! I need that! Stop!"

Emma watched as the woman was flung back by an unseen force. She hurried over to her, eager to help. But instead, she was shocked when the woman jumped up and readied her bow and arrow.

"Back off, lassie," the woman said in a thick lilting Scottish accent, holding her bow steady. "My aim is true. Don't test me."

Emma held her hands up. "I wasn't trying to hurt you."

The woman snorted, tossing her red hair over her shoulders. "So that was just a wee magical love tap? Oh, I've met my share of witches. I know one when I see one, witch."

"No, I'm not a witch," Emma insisted. "I was just cursed with dark magic."

"And the difference is?"

"I want to be rid of it," Emma explained. "The will-o-wisp is the only way."

"You want to be rid of it?"

"Desperately."

The woman nodded. "Aye, I know what that's like. It's a terrible fate to be cursed. Just be glad you're not a bear." She noted Emma's confusion and shook her head slightly before explaining. "Well, never mind. Look, I wish I could help you, but I need the wisp too, for my Kingdom, for my family. So, I'm afraid you're going to have to fight me for it," she said, dropping her bow before raising her fists.

Emma snorted. "What?"

"I'm willing to fight fair if you are," she replied. "No magic."

"I like her spunk," Rumplestiltskin piped up from behind Emma. "Break her neck!"

Emma rolled her eyes at the man before looking at her would-be opponent. "I'm not going to fight you."

"You're not?"

"Why not?" Rumplestiltskin asked with a frown.

Emma sighed. "Magic or no, that's giving in to the darkness, and I won't do it," she sighed. "Go on, take it and get on your way. It's yours."

The woman studied Emma closely. "Don't be trying to sucker punch me."

Emma nodded. "I'm not going to. Just go."

"Thank you. I'm Merida," she said, introducing herself as she lowered her fists.

"Emma."

Merida smiled sympathetically. "You're in dire straits, aren't you, Emma?"

Emma tilted her head, giving her a wry smile. "You could say that."

"Well, it wouldn't be fair to leave you," Merida said decisively. "I can help."

"I don't think so."

Merida smirked knowingly, sensing that Emma was used to doing things alone. "Well, maybe I can. You don't know much about the wisp, eh? They're born in a magical place. The Hill of Stones. They answer your question when you bring them back home. It's about a day's trek from here. So if we go together, I can get my help from the wisp, and then maybe I can give it to you, and you can get yours."

Emma smiled at Merida before waving a hand, indicating that she should lead on. It seemed she'd found a friend here, and maybe she wouldn't need Merlin's help.

Emma stumbled over a root as she struggled to keep up with Merida. She thought she walked fast, but clearly, Merida was in a whole other league.

Emma stopped and leant against a tree. "You ever of 'slow and steady wins the race'?"

Merida glanced over her shoulder at her and laughed. "I don't have time for slow."

"What exactly is your hurry?" Emma asked. "Why do you need the wisp?"

Merida sighed as she came to a stop and turned to face Emma. "My brothers. The united clans of my country kidnapped them. Just three wee innocent boys. Savages. Because of me. My father is – was – the King," she explained. "And when he passed, the other clans no longer approved of me being Queen. In my land, people … Well, men don't think a woman can lead."

"Oh, not just in your land."

"But I'm gonna show them," Merida began as she started walking again. "I need the wisp to take me to my brothers, and when it does, I will save them no matter the cost. If it's war the clans want, it's war they'll get," she added as she looked over at Emma. However, she ignored where she was going and tripped over a rock.

Emma hurried over to her and helped her up. "You won't do your brothers any good passed out from exhaustion. When's the last time you slept?" she asked.

Merida stared at her for a few moments before shaking her head. "Fine. We can make camp. But just until first light."

Night had fallen quickly. The temperature had dropped, leaving a cool breeze and a refreshing atmosphere to fall asleep in. Yet Emma couldn't fall asleep. She just lay unmoving, staring up at the night sky filled with stars.

"Can't sleep?"

Emma jumped as the voice startled her out of her reflections. She turned onto her side and looked at Rumplestiltskin, staring at her, making her feel unnerved to the highest degree.

"Worry not. Dark Ones don't need sleep," Rumplestiltskin continued. "That's why I spun straw. Passes the time. You need a hobby. Something that'll take your mind off everything terrible that you're going to do. Do you like knitting?"

"In case you haven't noticed," Emma replied stiffly. "I am doing good here. I'm helping Merida. And then, when she's done with the wisp, it will be my turn."

Rumplestiltskin rolled his eyes and giggled at Emma's naivete. "The wisp isn't a toy that you can share. She can't just give it to you. The person who whispers to it becomes its owner. Forever."

Emma frowned in confusion. "So, if I let her use it, I can never use it?"

Rumplestiltskin nodded. "Not while her heart beats."

"You want me to take it for myself?"

Rumplestiltskin shook his head. "I want you to start behaving like the Dark One."

Emma's eyes widened as realisation hit. "You knew that this would happen. That's why you lead me here. You wanted me to betray Merida."

From her spot on the other side of the camp, Merida stared into the forest's depths as she listened to Emma. She knew she shouldn't have trusted the other woman. Nevertheless, she knew what she had to do. Merida studied the sky above. It wouldn't be long until dawn. Then she'd make her move.

Before the first light broke over the land, Emma had gotten up before Merida to scavenge for food. And once she did, she came back to their makeshift campsite. But, when she arrived, something didn't feel right. She looked at the blankets covering Merida and approached them. Crouching beside them, she pulled the blanket off, revealing that Merida had vanished while Emma was out scavenging for food and had placed rocks and sticks under the blanket. "No, no, no, no!"

Rumplestiltskin giggled gleefully behind her. "Oh yes."

Emma whirled around to face him. "Where is she?"

"She's doing what you should be doing," Rumplestiltskin pointed out. "Taking care of herself first. If she gets to the Hill of Stones and whispers into that wisp, it's all over for you, dearie," he added. "Unless you kill her."

"I'm not killing anyone," Emma insisted, her eyes ablaze.

"You don't mean that."

Emma sighed, ignoring him. "What does the Hill of Stones look like?"

Rumplestiltskin smiled. "You're not thinking of magicking there, are you?"

"Tell me."

"I thought you didn't want to use 'Dark One magic'?"

Emma glared at him. "What does it look like?"

Rumplestiltskin gave a faux sigh, almost as if he was reluctant to tell her, despite feeling the exact opposite. "Well, if you insist..."

Merida reached the small clearing and looked at the circle of stones surrounding her. She knelt beside a rock in the centre, gripped her bow tightly and opened her small bag. The blue light shone out from the bag as she leaned in closer, whispering to the wisp.

"No!" Emma yelled as she ran into the clearing, watching as the wisp flew out of Merida's bag. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Merida closed her bag and stood up, aiming her bow straight at Emma. "Aye, that I do," she said, watching as Emma walked around her in a circle. "Stop. I don't know what kind of witch you are. Or what strange voices are in your wee head, but I heard everything."

"What's she saying?" Rumplestiltskin asked. "The accent's a bit much, no?"

"You don't know what you heard, but I can explain.

"I don't need your lies," Merida scoffed. "I need this wisp, and I need my brothers, so turn around and go."

Rumplestiltskin leaned forward and whispered in Emma's ear. "She's daring you."

"Now get out of here," Merida insisted, still readying her bow.

"Kill her," Rumplestiltskin said gleefully.

"Don't test me, witch!" Merida threatened.

"What are you waiting for, Dark One?" Rumplestiltskin asked. "You know what you have to do. Now go ahead and rip her heart out."

Emma looked between the two people. She wanted to stay good, didn't want to give into anything. But at the same time, Rumplestiltskin's words were deeply seductive, the desire to crush a heart starting a low thrum deep inside her.

It was morning in Storybrooke, and the TARDIS was parked outside Granny's as everyone entered the blue box. Regina, Henry, Mary Margaret, David, Robin, Roland, Hook and Belle saw the Doctor standing at the console. Once the last person entered, the Doctor clicked his fingers, and the doors shut with a loud thud.

"Is this everyone?" the Doctor asked.

Before anyone could answer the question, Hook pushed forward and glared over at the Doctor. "Are you sure this thing will take us to Emma?" he asked.

"The TARDIS is a technological marvel," the Doctor retorted. "She is certainly not a thing." He took a breath and walked around the console, stopping at the telepathic circuits. "She'll do fine. Now, Henry, I hear you are quite adept at steering ships."

Henry stepped over to the console. "Only the small ones in the dinghy."

"How would you like the chance to fly one?"

Henry's face lit up. "Really?" he asked. "What do I do?"

"Come over here and place your hands inside," the Doctor said, taking Henry to the side of the panel and guiding the young boy's hands inside.

Henry looked over at the Doctor. "Now what?"

"Ask yourself where your mother is now. Emma Swan," the Doctor told him. "Focus on Emma Swan. Let it be the only thing you ask yourself."

Henry nodded, and he closed his eyes. Then, the TARDIS engines started, and the lights flashed around everyone.

The Doctor looked at Hook. "The TARDIS thinks she's somewhere," he said. "That's a start, isn't it?"

Emma stared at Merida, noticing her hands were going whiter, and she grew tenser as she held the bow firmly, the arrow ready to fly. She knew it wouldn't be long before Merida either dropped the bow or fired it.

"Now's the time," Rumplestiltskin said. "You want the wisp? Well, there's only one way. Now do it."

Emma turned to glare at him. "I'm not going to kill her," she whispered.

"You got that right," Merida scoffed as she fired the arrow. Emma watched as it flew towards her, and she raised her hand and caught it just as it was about to hit her heart. Then, staring in shock at what had happened, Merida backed away and hid behind a towering stone behind her.

"Go on. Use your anger. Use your power," Rumplestiltskin said.

"I can talk to her."

Merida stared at Emma. "You're a crazy woman. I don't want to talk," she said, firing another arrow at Emma. But Emma caught it again. Merida continued to move around the stones, firing arrows at Emma, but Emma caught each one before it could pierce her body.

"You need to find Merlin, Dark One. You need that wisp."

"Please, don't." Emma pleaded.

"Kill her," Rumplestiltskin taunted. "What are you waiting for? Kill her."

"Stop!" Emma yelled. She watched as Merida was pulled towards her by an unseen magical force. Her magic. Once she was face to face with the red-haired woman, Emma plunged her hand into Merida's chest and pulled her heart out of her chest. She stared down at the beating heart in her hand.

Rumplestiltskin clapped and giggled gleefully. "Excellent. Now, crush it."

Merida hunched over as the pain in her chest grew, Emma's hand squeezing the heart tighter. But before she could do anything else, she heard the ancient wheezing of the TARDIS engines behind her. They got louder before it stopped, and Hook was the first one out.

"Swan! Don't!" Hook exclaimed as he ran over to her, followed by Mary Margaret, David, Regina, Robin and Henry.

Emma looked at them. "What?" she breathed. She couldn't believe that they were there.

Hook smiled softly as he approached her. "Has anything ever stopped me before?"

Emma shook her head, looking back down at the heart in her hand. "You don't know what's happening. This is the only way to find Merlin. He's the only one who can stop the darkness."

Rumplestiltskin nodded his approval. "Quite right. Crush it."

"The only way to protect all of you," Emma added.

Regina stepped forward slightly. "But to stop the darkness, you're going to let it consume you."

Emma looked at her. "You don't know that."

"We're not going to take the chance," Mary Margaret commented as she rushed forward, but Hook reached out an arm to stop her.

"No, wait. You can't do that. This has to be her choice."

Emma looked down at the heart beating in her hands. Its beating seemed to magnify tenfold.

"Don't listen to them. They don't understand what's at stake," Rumplestiltskin said.

Emma looked up from the heart and over at the small group. "You don't understand what's at stake. The darkness will destroy all of you if I don't find Merlin." Emma squeezed the heart tighter, watching as Merida's face reddened and eyes watered as the pain grew.

"Emma, please. No," Hook pleaded.

Emma looked over at him. "The Dark One destroys everyone near it. Look at Gold. I can't do that to my family. And to you."

"She has to die." Rumplestiltskin insisted.

"She has to die," Emma repeated, almost robotically.

Hook shook his head. "Listen to your words. It's not you speaking, Emma. We can find another way together. Look at us," he indicated to the people behind him. "Heroes and villains. Together for you. Because of you. And if we can overcome it, if we can overcome our demons. Then so can you."

Emma stared at Hook and noticed the raw emotion in his eyes. She looked over at Merida, who was hunched over and whimpering slightly. She glanced over at the apparition of Rumplestiltskin, who was leaning forward, eager to see her crush the heart. She glanced over at her parents, her son, and her friends, all of whom were looking at her, silently encouraging her to listen to her light side. After a few moments, she raised her hand slightly and shoved the heart back into Merida's chest. Merida let out a loud gasp and breathed heavily as the pain dissipated. Emma then moved forward and allowed Hook to pull her against his chest. She wrapped her arms around him and breathed in his scent.

Emma turned her head slightly and looked over at Merida. Then, breaking out of Hook's hold, she went over to her. "You okay?" she asked.

Merida gave her a sideways glance. "Oh, for someone who just now had their heart outside their chest, grand."

"Thank you for, well, sort of understanding."

Merida shook her head. "No, thank you."

"For what?" Emma frowned in confusion. "I nearly killed you."

"I'm well aware," Merida nodded. "Thank you for showing me the darkness in you, reminding me that I've got darkness in me too. I was on my way to kill the people who took my brothers, but maybe I'll show them mercy," she said decisively. "Mercy that can heal my divided land. But someone's going to get a good punch to the gut for putting me through this," she smiled slightly. "Then mercy."

Emma gave Merida a small smile. Merida watched the wisp, and as she watched it whiz off to the east, Merida gave Emma a last look before she ran after it. Once Merida was on her way, Emma turned around and walked to the small group. She hugged her son tightly before she turned to face her parents.

"Mum, dad, this is too dangerous. You shouldn't have come here," Emma said.

"We had to," David said.

"You're our daughter," Mary Margaret added.

Hook smiled as she turned back to face him. "Well, you don't look like a crocodile."

"I guess I lucked out," Emma shrugged.

"Here, we think you should have this." Mary Margaret said as she held out the dagger.

"Take it," David said. "You'll be able to control yourself."

Emma reached out to take it, but she caught sight of Rumplestiltskin over her father's shoulder. She then shook her head. "No."

"Emma, think about it," Hook said, stepping forward. "If it falls into the wrong hands, what it could do. What you could do."

Emma took the dagger off of her mother. "The fight to control my darkness has just begun. It's too much power. Someone needs to watch me," she turned around and held out the dagger in Regina's direction.

"Are you serious?" Regina asked.

Emma nodded. "I saved you. Now save me," Emma watched as Regina took the dagger. "And if you can't save me, do what no one else will willingly do. You're the only one who will get past their feelings and do what is necessary. Destroy me."

"It won't come to that," Henry said, confidence shining in every word.

Emma smiled. "I know, kid," Emma said, before the Doctor, Belle and Roland exited the TARDIS. She couldn't help but smile as she saw everyone. Then she caught the gaze of Mary Margaret.

"There's no shortage of people who want to help you," Mary Margaret said as she held out her arms so that Belle could pass Neal back to her.

Emma continued to smile as she looked at the assembled group. She was reasonably confident that with their help, there would be no trouble saving her from the darkness. However, their appearance had raised several questions – including the rose under the dome that Belle was holding. She was about to query it when the sound of horses' hooves made them turn around.

They watched as a small group of five riders rode towards them. Four wore bright red tunics, while the one up front wore chain-mail and a deep red cloak, a shield with a roaring dragon at his side. They stopped in front of them, and the one that was their leader dismounted his horse and walked toward them.

Emma stepped forward and looked at the man. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

The man bowed in their direction before straightening up. "I'm King Arthur of Camelot. We've come to find you."

Hook frowned. "Find us?"

One of the knights snorted in amusement and leaned down so that he could speak to Arthur. "My Lord, they think their arrival is a surprise."

"You were expecting us?" Mary Margaret asked.

Arthur nodded at them. "It was Merlin. He prophesied your coming here a long time ago. Just like he prophesied many things."

"Merlin?" Emma asked. "Where is he? We were told that he's been missing."

"For years, yes," Arthur replied. "But not for much longer. Because according to his prophecy, you're destined to reunite him with us," he said as he climbed back up onto his horse. "Now then, if you'll all follow me."

"Where?" Emma asked.

"Why, Camelot, of course," Arthur replied with a smile.