Board Thread:Show-Related Questions and Answers/@comment-25974054-20151019182506/@comment-5679696-20151019195333

It actually makes perfect sense. For people who were left behind, the 28 years didn't happen. They were frozen in time. For them, it was only five years taking place since the flashbacks untill the present day arc.

FLASHBACKS 3 year gap Dark Curse is cast (28 year gap) Emma breaks the curse 2 year gap PRESENT DAY

Then, if we assume people from Camelot have no knowledge of the 28 years having passed by, it's only 5 years (2 plus 3)