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?


Chapter Two


We had been walking for ages. The back of my neck was covered in sweat. Thankfully, the sun was setting now, so I wouldn't have to give in and admit how uncomfortable I was. I walked behind Arthur, keeping a large gap between the two of us. Since our complaints about working together, neither of us had said a word.

On both of our backs were bags full of the items we were smuggling. Inside mine was: one bracelet with rat shaped charms, one copper dagger, an obsidian amulet and eleven small bottles of dark red liquid (I didn't want to know what it was exactly.) In Arthur's bag was: a wood flute, a tiny lapis lazuli stone, five platinum throwing knives and a swatch of mouse fur.

This was by far the weirdest combination of items I'd ever smuggled. Usually I was smuggling weapons or food, but now it seemed the items in our possession were going to a witch or wizard. Which was extra dangerous, because magic was outlawed in all of Albion's kingdoms.

The kingdom we were delivering too was the furthest away, entitled Traenol. I hadn't heard much about this kingdom, usually I delivered to the smaller kingdoms around Albion. I only knew it was under the ruling of House Du Lac.

Arthur seemed to know where he was going so I just let him lead. Neither of us wanted to work with each other, so I figured the sooner this was over the better. I hadn't wanted to win before, but now I definitely didn't. To smuggle something into Camelot with Arthur would be my own personal hell.

The sky was on fire now, as the sun got lower. I couldn't help but stare up at it's beauty.

I was so busy watching the sky, that I walked straight into something rock hard and fell backwards onto the ground.

"Are you an idiot?" I heard Arthur ask.

I sat up, rubbing at my head, and glared at him.

"Why did you stop walking?" I asked, it was my fault I walked into him, but I wasn't going to admit that, was I?

"Why did you walk into me? I can't believe I got partnered with you." He complained.

"Yeah, because I'm so glad to be working with you."

"At least I won't get us killed!" He shouted at me.

"Why did you stop walking?" I sighed, resigning to ignore his comments.

"Because there's a giant gaping hole in the floor." Arthur said, rolling his eyes.

"Oh." I said peeking around him and clambering to my feet.

In front of us was a huge chasm. I couldn't bring myself to look down at the bottom. Arthur shook his head at me and began walking left.

"Where are you going?" I called after him.

He stopped, sighed, and turned back to look at me.

"I'm going around the giant hole, so I don't fall down it and die." He said, like he was talking to a child.

He turned back and continued walking. I was tempted to tell him. I really should have told him. But this was much more fun.

I carefully made my way to the right, to the streak of land going across the gap, like a natural made bridge. Obviously Arthur hadn't seen it. I kept my eyes on him, making sure he didn't look back as I crossed it, not bothering to think about how high I was or how deep the gap in the land was.

Finally on the other side, I ran forward until I was parallel to Arthur. He rubbed the sweat off his neck as he continued stomping further away from the bridge.

"So, where are you going again?" I asked, raising my voice so he could still hear me.

"I'm going to find a way across, you idiot." He said, turning to glare at me.

I smirked and watched the realisation spread across his face, followed quickly by a blush.

"How did you..." He started.

"How did I, what?" I asked, trying to look innocent.

He seemed to want to shout at me. I could see it in his eyes, he wanted to throw me into the gaping hole because I'd humiliated him. But without me, he wouldn't find the bridge, so he had to be nice.

"How did you get across?" He asked, finally stopping walking.

I grinned.


"How about here?" I asked.

"No, not enough space for a fire." Arthur answered.

I glared at the back of his head as I followed him, hoping that he could feel the anger in my eyes. He put down everything I said, everywhere I suggested had some problem. Right now, I didn't care where we stopped, I just needed sleep.

It had been dark for a long time and at this rate, the sun would rise before we even had a camp. I stumbled slightly over a log, my legs heavy with fatigue.

"How about there?" I asked, pointing to a clearing on the left.

He briefly glanced over his shoulders at my hand, and followed my finger to the clearing. He scanned it quickly and silently. If he didn't like this one, I'd go and make camp by myself. He was far too finicky.

"Yeah it's about right." He finally said.

I sighed with happiness. I stepped forward and started building a ring of rocks for our campfire. Arthur walked off deeper into the forest to find some logs.

Once I had the fire lit, I could barely keep my eyes open. In my peripheral vision I noticed Arthur watching me, but my head felt too heavy to turn and look at him. I continued watching the flames, pretending I couldn't feel his eyes on me.

"Go to sleep, Merlin." He ordered after a while, his voice rising only a little above the crackling fire.

"I'm fine." I said.

"Stop being stubborn, you being tired won't help. Just go to sleep, I'll keep watch for a bit."

I could've argued, but frankly I didn't really have the energy. I moved so I was lay on my side, facing the flames, and before I knew it, I was asleep.

What felt like minutes (but was probably hours) later, I woke up to the sound of voices. I was tempted to just roll over and ignore them, but warning signals were going off in my head. I sat up, the fire had gone out and the sky was lightening. I couldn't see Arthur anywhere in the clearing. A bolt of anger ran through me.

He was gone. He had left me.

The voices were louder now, coming from the east. I jumped to my feet, feeling the blood rush from my head, and ran behind the nearest tree. I had no idea which way Arthur could've gone, I didn't care either. If he was going to run off and leave me in danger, I didn't want to work with him. Forget winning the chance to smuggle into the most dangerous Kingdom in all of Albion.

I waited, thankful I was thin enough to hide behind a tree.

The voices were right behind me now. They settled and started talking about making a camp for the day, I counted five different voices, at least.

Once I was sure I could move without being caught, I ran as quietly as possible away from the voices. Hoping I'd recognise where I was soon.