Arthur's tricks

A guest asked for a oneshot of Arthur only using the sands of Avalon on Charming and it happens in Storybrooke. Charming then offers to help find Excalibur. When Charming sees Snow that night he tells her he was wrong and that they can trust Arthur.

Earlier that day

Charming couldn't believe he'd been so foolish. Yes, they didn't have their memories of Camelot, but how could he not have seen it? How can they all have missed it? Arthur was no hero. He was no noble king trying to help his people. He was a villain. He was a selfish man who got his kingdom through trickery. Well Charming wasn't going to let him corrupt Storybrooke in the same way, and he certainly wasn't going to let him hurt his daughter. Clutching his sword tightly, Charming stormed up to Arthur at his tent in the makeshift camp the Camelot residents had set up.

"Ah, David!" Arthur greeted him like an old friend with welcoming arms. "How can I help you today?"

"You can start by dropping the act." Charming hissed. "I know." Arthur's face fell. Gwen just looked confused.

"Know what?" She asked. Arthur placed a reassuring hand on his wife's shoulder.

"There's just been a small understanding between the royals of Misthaven and myself." Arthur lied. "One I'm about to clear up now." Arthur approached Charming without any weapons. Charming readied himself for a fight. But he needn't have bothered. Arthur quickly pulled out a vile from his pocket and sprinkled the contents over Charming. He blinked rapidly. He was sure he was here for a reason…but he couldn't remember what.

"David, my friend, is everything clear now?" Arthur asked. Charming smiled. He nodded. Why had he been so angry with his good friend Arthur? It was absurd! Arthur placed his hand on Charming's shoulder. "Well I'm glad you're here, my friend. We need help finding Excalibur to rid us of the Dark One. Can you help us in our quest?" Charming nodded. Of course he could help Arthur!

Later

Snow jumped as the front door opened. Charming had left to confront Arthur that morning and she hasn't seen or heard from him since.

"How did you get on?" She asked, coming over and kissing him. Charming smiled down at her.

"I was wrong." She told him. "It was silly to think Arthur was a villain, Snow. I don't know what came over me. We can trust him. He'll be able to help us help Emma." Snow looked at Charming, confused. They knew Arthur was a villain, there was no denying that. Something wasn't right. Although Snow had a funny feeling now wasn't the best time to address there was clearly something going on with Charming. She suspected heavy foul play from Arthur.

"Ok." Snow said, putting on a smile. "Great news." Charming smiled. It was great news, wasn't it?