My thanks again to Frostivy for another review! I am going to tie in with episodes from the first series soon but will be in Emma's point of view so some parts of the episodes she would not have seen.

Also, a big thank you to all the people adding this story to their favourites! I must be doing something right!

Just a quick warning any clothing used will be a collection from the 6th to the 14th century's.

Also there is Babsta Fanfic Facebook Page!

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or any right to it. I merely like to expand and explore on it.


The Meeting

To say that Emma was less than amused was the understatement of the 6th Century. Although pleased she did not have to relieve herself out of a window and she was clean after a cold bath. She did have problem was with her appearance, not that she was vain, but her shins and feet were basically purple with various cuts and grazes and it hurt to walk. Emma was not bothered about that, however, the left side of her face looked like a tie-dye T-shirt with a crude but healing cut above her eyebrow. The fact she was meant to meet a King whilst looking like she had gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson did not improve her mood.

Her hair was a knotted mess even after soaking it and borrowing Merlin's comb, she knew it needed cutting but Emma did not trust anyone with scissors near her head. It had grown to beneath her shoulders and the colour was itself an annoyance, Emma did not know if it was blonde or brown and trying to explain it to others was a nightmare.

Sighing, Emma tried combing it again. Her eyes began to water; Emma's scalp was already scratched to high heaven. Giving up she settled to force it into a braid, and tied it off with a piece of string left on Gaius' work area.

Emma's hair troubles were not the only reason for her bad mood that morning. Merlin had insisted on getting her some clothing, which he accomplished without a hitch, the question of clean underwear was however, not without its problems, but was acquired when Merlin had to embarrassingly ask Gwen for help.

Emma was clean, wearing a makeshift pair of knickers and a tied cloth for her breasts in an attempt of support. The dress which she was wearing comprised of two layers after the underwear. First was the chemise it was nothing special white and made of wool. The next layer comprised of the type of dress called a kirtle, which Emma kept calling the kettle dress much to Merlin's amusement. The kirtle dress was, to put it simply, an A-line gown with long sleeves and without the use of the chemise could have shown an ample cleavage. However, modesty was a wise decision in this time as well as protecting her dignity.

The gown was pale green and paired with some leather boots as that was the only thing they could get to fit Emma's size seven feet. The dress was long enough to cover the boots but as a result Emma had already tripped over it twice just by walking across the room.

Removing herself from in front of the mirror Merlin acquired for her, she sighed.

"Nervous?"

Merlin was sat on a stool waiting for her, Gaius was already with the King relaying all the information Emma had supplied.

"Merlin. I look like an idiot."

He got up and looked at her. Emma faced him.

"Your eye doesn't look that bad. I told you we could have put makeup on it."

"I was on about the clothes Merlin. But thanks really boost my confidence." Trying to tame her fringe Emma started to twist it. "And I told you, if I don't know what's in it, I'm not going to use it. I don't want lead poisoning as well."

She did a twirl and nearly sent herself flying and quickly came to the resolution to burn the death trap of a dress as soon as possible.

"Let's get this over with."

Storming off and trying to not to trip, Emma opened the door to the corridor and had to signal Merlin to lead the way. At the end of the corridor was a spiralling staircase, which was made increasingly difficult to navigate with the dress of death. Finally, reaching the bottom of the dizzying staircase the tall tower of Gaius' opened to the stoned floor courtyard of the legendary castle of Camelot.

Emma was aware that her mouth was open and that Merlin was smiling at her, once again amused. Around them were knights with their chain mail, talking and walking to their destination as well as women, some busy with chores whilst others were dressed in fine silks walking with richly dressed men. They all stared at her as she walked slowly admiring the surprisingly beautiful castle, ignoring the growing redness of her face, Emma held her head high.

The courtyard floor was a grey stone brick, not the pool of mud she which so readily believed this age was filled with. The towering buildings which enclosed the space consisted of white brick, were adorned with carved creatures on its side, others with statues of knights and graceful women carrying shields. Emma was also amazed that the castle had stained glass gothic windows with grey slated pointed roofs, expecting wooden shutters and unsheltered openings.

"We best get going."

Merlin had walked a little in front watching her reaction.

"Sure." Although Emma acknowledged what the young man had said, she moved slowly still in awe. Quickly looking behind her, she saw a pair of knights guarding a large gate just past the main feature of the courtyard, an old weathered bronze statue of a knight astride a bronze horse. Looking back in the direction she was going so as not to trip over she found herself looking at a small but impressive set of white stairs, the staircase to the court of Camelot.

Seeing that Merlin was now the other side of the courtyard and nearing the stairs, Emma tried and other rush to him without landing on her face, the stairs themselves were tricky especially when the dress hit the step before her foot did resulting in her stepping on it. Upon reaching the top and releasing a growl of frustration, Emma grabbed near to the hem and lifted it so it dropped just above her ankles.

"Just screw dignity!"

"You're not doing that in front of the King are you?"

"I'll do whatever's necessary to make sure I don't look like an idiot."

"You're holding up your dress!"

"I told you I wanted a pair of trousers!"

Emma and Merlin continued their bickering, walking down corridors with rich wooden flooring and tapestries and up grand staircases. Soon they were both stood outside a giant set of oak doors, Emma dropped her hem as the two Knights who were on guard glared at her in shock.

Merlin turned to her.

"You ready? Just remember I'll be there with Gaius."

Emma nodded as the doors were opened for them. Behind the grand ancient doors was a large, high veiled room. The floors were of a dark wood and the one wall was lined with high gothic windows. The far wall held depictions of nine ladies in robes, probably of saints or ladies of justice. The ceiling was arched making the room seem even grander, the bottom of the walls were wood panelling whereas the walls above them were elaborate patterns of greens, gold's and whites.

But the main focus of the room was the raised platform holding an impressive throne with red velvet upholstery; however, the owner of it was not upon it but standing before it. On either side of the Grand Royal throne sat two wooden thrones carved with intricate designs, both of which housed their masters. In the wooden throne on the right sat a young woman with jet black raven braided hair, smooth white skin and red lips. She sat in a white dress embroidered with gold thread and geometric patterns accessorised with a necklace of gold.

To the wooden throne on the left sat a young man with golden hair, wearing a red shirt and brown breaches, Emma recognised him as he glared at her by the door, the knight whose sword she took, the knight who tried to hold her back was THE Prince Arthur.

Balls.

Emma gulped as she started a slow pace through the packed throne room, knights and courtiers stood in rows, staring at Emma as she passed. The occupant of the middle throne was stood, commanding respect with his presence; he wore dark clothing and a sword, sheathed by his side. He wore a silver pendant with a matching circlet, he was King Uther, the master of this interview.

Keeping her head held high as Merlin lead her to the King, Emma kept her steps small as a precaution against falling flat on her face and tried to keep her face from turning red because of the unwanted stares.

Merlin halted and bowed to the King, Emma quickly followed and bowed as well, only to realise a few seconds later that she should have curtsied and started to mentally curse herself. Gaius stepped forward, grabbing Emma's attention, he bowed as Uther began to speak.

"I have been told the information you have given Gaius. We are expected to believe you come from the year 2013"

Emma kept her chin up. Gaius gave a small smile with Merlin standing beside him.

"Yes, Sir."

"If this is true, then tell us how you got here."

She took a breath, well aware that this man probably thought she was crazy.

"Well Sir, I was in the garden reading, well the garden has a back gate which leads on to where we keep the rubbish. Well I started to fall asleep as it was quite warm and the next thing I remember was pain and the words 'You will suffice'. Then I was being dragged through this strange tunnel, I don't know where it came from but he wouldn't let me go I tried kicking and clawing and the next thing I know my head is being cracked open on your floor."

"And you have never seen this Sorcerer before?"

"No Sir, in my time magic is make-believe or a trick and illusions."

Uther's nostrils started to flare.

"Is what this girl said true Gaius?"

Emma had to stop her lip from curling in frustration; she had told him what had happened and yet he has to get validation, hadn't the fact she had struggled for her life been enough?

"I believe it is, Sire. Emma here is still trying to adjust to the situation she is in and has been most helpful with our inquiries. Her wounds also correspond with her story."

Gaius watched the King to judge his emotion.

"Did the sorcerer say anything else to you?

"No Sir, Only what was said when I got here."

Uther sat in his throne, weighing up what he had been told.

"Why would a sorcerer bring a girl from the future?"

Emma's bad mood began to grow, was she meant to be psychic? And what was this guy's deal with women?

She wished this man would also learn some manners, she wasn't a girl, she was a young woman of twenty years old. Then more questions about our present day, about weapons and military, magic and folklore, politics and foreign relations. Emma explained some of what she knew, her feet and head aching. When they brought her clothes out as evidence she could have punched him.

"Do women in your time insist on dressing like men?"

Emma was pretty sure her eyebrow just twitched, she began to glare.

"I believe, Sir, if you look on the label inside it will clearly say women's."

He didn't seem impressed by this answer.

She could hear the whispers of the people behind her, watching. Uther appeared to be lost in thought and Emma wanted to sit down badly, she was even considering just sitting on the floor.

"In your time where do you live?"

Emma jumped for it was not Uther who had asked that but the young woman beside him.

"Morgana!"

Uther was the interrogator and didn't like the fact that Morgana had questions of her own.

"I live in the city of Lichfield." Emma sighed. "Or did anyway."

"As in the city in the Kingdom of Mercia?"

"The Kingdom of Mercia hasn't existed for over a thousand years, ever since the-"

Emma stopped herself, how much had she changed with her presence, with the little that she told them. Would there even be a home for her to return to?

"Ever since, what?" Uther had given his demand; however, Emma did not have an answer. She looked to Gaius for help. If she denied him, would she be tortured? Killed? Burnt Alive?

She hadn't realised that she was biting her lip. Gaius started to speak as Uther's head began to grow red.

"There is the possibility Sire, that their may be consequences to the information that has be supplied."

Uther looked annoyed but seemed to accept the answer from the old physician. Emma sighed in relief.

"Gaius, have you gathered any information about the sorcerer?"

"Nothing about the sorcerer, Sire. But about the cloak he was wearing."

"I saw nothing special about this cloak, Gaius."

"It is meant to be perceived that way; I believe it was one of the mythical cloaks from the sect of Umbra."

Uther took a breath, Emma stood there, not knowing what to do. She couldn't just try and sneak away but she didn't know the Umbra guys, Emma just got chosen because of seriously bad luck.

"I have never heard of this Sect before."

"To my knowledge they were forced into hiding many years ago. They used magic to try to understand and control time, their cloaks were said to have hidden portals within their sleeves."

Emma almost made a noise of disbelief, but managed to keep quiet. So the guy who had kidnapped her supposedly had portal sleeves, if that was the case, why didn't he just portal himself away when she attacked him?

"And their motives for bringing the girl?"

Emma looked to and mouthed the words 'What are they on about' Merlin shook his head. He didn't know either, when Emma turned her head back; Arthur made a silent warning to both of them.

"I do not know."

"And these Sorcerers are threatening my kingdom."

Uther turned to Arthur.

"I am placing the girl in your care until I decide what to do with her."

"Yes Father."

Oh this wasn't good.


Sorry about any grammar and spelling mistakes.

Also sorry about the wait! It was mainly down to research!

References:

For the clothing I used:[link] /

For the exterior of the castle I used pictures from [link] .com

Many thanks for reading!

(Edit: This has been Beta Read, spelling and grammatical mistakes should be at a minimum.)