The Smuggler's Secret

A/N [show-me-your-tardis]

Plot – AU: In which two enemy smugglers are forced to work together. Can they put their differences aside to complete the job, or will their hatred for each other bubble over?

The title may seem weird now, but all will be revealed ;)

This is an AU and it is written from Smuggler!Merlin's perspective, I don't normally like first person in fics, so let me know what you think.

Chapter One

I walked into the cave, and realised instantly, this was going to be different. All of the smugglers were gathered inside. It was the first time I'd seen everyone in this team, if that was even the right word.

There were about twenty people sat there, some were in groups, others were sat alone.

And then I saw him. I sighed through my teeth at the mere sight of his arrogant face. He stroked a hand through his blond hair and laughed loudly with the person next to him. I moved around the edge of the cave, trying to blend into the darkness, and sat as far away from his as possible.

I wondered silently why we'd all been called here. This task was going to be bigger, more planned, than the other's I'd been on. The thought of it filled me with dread, but also sparked excitement inside me. If it was bigger there was more chance of getting caught, I'm not sure why this simultaneously frightened and exhilarated me.

It's all part of the smuggler business, I guess.

Poppy walked in then, her brown hair twisted over one shoulder. Her eyes scanned the room until they met mine. With a small smile she walked forward, owning the room, and sat next to me. I looked up and watched Arthur watch her. Anger burned in my veins, could he be any more obvious?

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't because I was jealous Arthur liked Poppy. A lot of the guys in the cave watched her whenever she appeared, but she chose to sit next to me. What annoyed me about Arthur is just the sheer arrogance of his stare.

She seemed to not notice him as she brushed non-existent dirt off her pants.

"Hiya Merlin." She said.

"Hey Poppy. Long time." I replied, looking away from her and towards the ground.

"Yeah. Been over in Camelot." She said.

Her words had the intended effect, my head snapped up, as did others around her.

"Camelot?" I hissed.

"Smuggling a witch out."

"You could have been killed!" I exclaimed a little too loudly. A few people, including that prat Arthur, smirked at my cowardice.

"Me? Killed? Never." She winked.

I didn't get chance to ask for more details before Eldian, the leader of our "team", walked in. He walked with his usual limp, his dark eyes looked fully black in the dimly lit cave. As usual, I tried to keep my eyes off his scar but they were irresistibly drawn to it. The jagged scar curved along his eye socket and down towards his chin, like a backwards question mark.

Rumour has it he got it from a battle with one of Camelot's knights. Others say it was a dragon attack.

Neither of which I believe, he probably did it to himself, to induce fear in others.

"You're wondering why you're all here." He said.

A murmur ran through the cave. Eldian raised one eyebrow and the cave fell into silence once more.

"It's because I've got a challenge for you all. In two months, they'll be an important delivery to Camelot."

I felt my heart jump into my throat.

"I need two people to do it, and two people alone." Eldian's black eyes pierced the crowd, "I need the best. So as such, I've decided to make this a little more interesting."

Eldian paused, we all waited. Then distantly the sound of footsteps came through the cave and Baldwin appeared. I gasped. Others around the cave voiced their anger at his appearance, including Poppy. Baldwin was the leader of our rival smuggling gang. He was Eldian's brother, but it was widely known they didn't get along. Baldwin's team were animals, they'd kill anything to get their job done.

"SILENCE!" Eldian shouted, everyone shut up, "As I was saying. Baldwin's team, and mine, are both in the running for this job. So we've made a deal, the first team of two, from either group, to complete my challenge gets the job."

He paused, before continuing, "I bet you're wondering what's in it for you. Let's just say, this package is for an important member of Camelot's court. If you succeed in delivering the package to Camelot, you'll have so much fame and gold, you won't know what to do with it."

At his final words, cheers ran through the crowd, but all that ran through me was a shudder. Something about Eldian's final words made me uncomfortable. It didn't matter though, I knew I wouldn't win, and to be honest, I'm not sure I'd want to. To smuggle something into Camelot, was a death wish.

There wasn't enough room in our cave for Baldwin's team, so instead we were all gathered in a field. The long grass was high on my waist, and waved gently in the breeze.

"So you all know why you're here." Eldian said, his voice rising.

"The task is to smuggle various items into the kingdom you're assigned to. You may think it sounds easy, but remember there are only two of you. You don't have the safety in numbers. Also not only are you working in two's, you'll be working against other smugglers." Baldwin finished.

Poppy snorted slightly, it was typical of her to not be scared of other smugglers. But I was the smallest. Not in height, but in muscle, I had barely any. I relied on other things besides brute force, but if confronted with other smugglers, I'd hit the ground easily.

"Plus. For extra fun, we'll be picking your teams."

"What!" Arthur shouted.

Eldian narrowed his eyes at him, "Problem?"

"No." Arthur replied quickly.

"So to summarise," Eldian's eyes finally moved away from Arthur's, "There is no way to forfeit this task. You will be partnered with someone you don't know. You will have to smuggle whatever we say, to wherever we say. The fastest and most complete team wins the chance to smuggle into Camelot. Understood?"

Everyone nodded.

Baldwin and Eldian nodded to each other. Then they started listing off names, forming partners. Poppy was partnered up with a small man called Luka. She frowned at me before walking over to him. I smirked back at her.

Finally Eldian, looked over at me, he seemed to size me up, "Merlin."

Then he scanned the few remaining people, before saying, "Arthur."

We both shouted at the same time, "What!"

"Merlin. Arthur." Eldian repeated tersely, his voice as hard as rock.

Arthur raised his hand.

Eldian sighed and glared at him, "Yes?"

Arthur's hand slackened until it was pointing at me, "Why do I have to work with him?"

A few of Arthur's pals snorted.

"That was my question." I replied.

Poppy laughed loudly to show her support, despite the fact that my comment wasn't remotely funny.

"Because." Eldian said, his eyes pierced into each of us, "I. Said. So."

His voice was furious, it froze my beating heart. Eyes wide, I walked quickly over to Arthur and stood a yard away from him. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw him fold his arms in anger.