Chapter 6: The Sounds of Battle

Harry walked into the town of Camlann to get some time away from the army. He did not like the stressful atmosphere when walking around the soldiers. The final battle was about to happen. Guinevere, Merlin and Mordred were discussing strategies in the commander's tent. Harry doubted they needed his help. He only knew how to run guerrilla warfare strategies. Hit and run.

"Enjoying your time away from camp?" the deep voice of Merlin asked.

"It's far more relaxing here than around the stressed out soldiers," Harry replied as he continued walking down the street. The town was peaceful. Children ran about playing their games. Women were gossiping or doing housework. Men were working the fields and shops. But five miles away, a terrible battle would take place forever changing the world.

"There were two more reasons why I did not want the battle to take place here," Merlin said out of the blue. This was an unexpected start of a discussion since it had been resolved a year ago. "First is that this is the place I hid Excalibur." Harry cocked an eye up to look at the great wizard who pointed at a fountain up ahead. "Guinevere had requested that I pass Excalibur into your hands, but Excalibur states that you have not met the final condition in which Excalibur will accept you as the wielder."

"I've met all the other conditions?" Harry asked sarcastically.

"Yes you have." Merlin's answer shocked Harry. There was no way Harry Potter could ever be the wielder of the great sword Excalibur!

"Lancelot would be a better owner of Excalibur!" Harry shouted in objection.

"Lancelot was the first man Excalibur choose to be it's wielder, but he has yet to satisfy as many qualifications as you. It may take him another five years before he reaches your stage. You on the other hand, only have one more condition to fulfill. And that brings me to my second reason. There's a house not far from here. Just follow this road and when you hit a fork, head north."

With a crack and a puff of smoke, Merlin was gone. Damn old wizards and their love of cryptic messages... Harry cursed to himself. He decided to follow the road than figure out what the old man was implying. When he reached the house, he found eight children running around outside. They turned to see Harry walk up then quickly ran back into the house. Maybe I got the wrong house... Harry thought, but there were no other houses around the area.

Then the children came out again dragging several women. "Blaz?" One woman asked wide eye in shock. It took Harry a moment to register that the women and children who lived here were the same ones that were trapped with him in the Roman Coliseum two years ago. "It's Blaz!" she cried out in confirmation as they all ran over to hug Harry.

Harry smiled since the people he had been protecting for two years finally were free and safe. Then it hit him. Camlann would not be safe when battle came, but it would take at least a day for Arthur to arrive. So Harry accepted the invitation into the house and decided to share his experiences over the past two years.

When night fell, Harry tucked the children into bed and bid goodbye to the women once more. He was glad they were able to settle down. This time, Harry was not fighting just to remove Arthur from the throne, but to protect the women and children.

Harry walked down the road and found himself back at the fountain where Merlin hid Excalibur. Harry knew plenty of legends surrounding the magnificent sword, but never has there been an accurate description of the sword. "Excalibur was forged by Merlin the Wild and Justus Kael. It is said that only a true protector can wield this magnificent sword," the voice of Mordred spoke in the darkness.

"I don't believe I am worth of such a sword," Harry stated truthfully. In the war against Voldemort, he was unable to protect his friends and family. They had all perished due to his foolishness.

"The sword believes you are worthy," Mordred said as he walked over to Harry's side. "You are called Blaz the Protector, are you not?"

Harry smirked. Blaz was a name he came up with and 'The Protector' was his gladiator title. "That's just a name I came up with. It's not even my real name."

"It is your real name in this time, Blaz. The name 'Blaz' means 'unwaivering protector', a fitting name for the person who fought to protect seven women and eight children. Never fail to believe in yourself, Blaz. Fate and destiny are nothing more than a hoax to make us falter." Mordred walked away leaving the young wizard to think over his situation.

Harry wanted to protect the women and children, but he feared power. Power often corrupts and Harry's strong sense of justice went against the desire for power. However, Harry had seen Arthur fight and he doubted he was powerful enough to face the Legendary King of England.

"Why do you doubt yourself?" an unrecognizable voice asked.

"Why?" Harry asked in response.

"Yes. Why do you doubt yourself?"

"Because I have been here before."

"No you haven't."

"Well, not literally."

"I didn't mean it literally. You are not in the same situation where you failed."

"Yes I am."

"Last time you were proud and felt as if you were invincible, were you not?"

"Yes. If I feel that way again, I will fail."

"But you don't feel that way. You are doubting yourself."

"It's a lot better than feeling proud and arrogant."

"That's true, but doubting yourself does not help you solve your problem."

"Well, problems always exist."

"Running away never helps."

"But I don't have the confidence that I can live up to everyone's expectations!"

"Blaz, in this time you are not Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived. You are Blaz the Protector, a name and title which few people in the world deserve."

"But I am still Harry Potter."

"Cast away Harry Potter for the moment. Become Blaz the Protector and do the only thing you need to do: Protect. Protect the women. Protect the children. Do you not wish for that?"

"Yes I do wish for that but--"

"Then put all your faith into yourself and believe you can protect them. You are Blaz the Protector. Stand proudly to your name and have unwavering faith in your ability to protect. Stand and fight for those who cannot and I shall guide you!"

Harry woke up to the sound of battle. He had not known when he had fallen asleep, but Arthur's forces were already upon him. He donned his light armor and raced out to the field with Uther's sword clipped on his belt and his twin daggers ready in his hands. It was time to end things with Arthur.

Guinevere fought off the another Arthurian solder with Clarent when she saw Lancelot's shadow in the distance. She lunged forwards in a run when a dreadful sword slammed onto the ground before her. It had a golden hilt with two snakes twisted together. The keen silver blade looked like a flame from the two serpents mouth and sparked with lightning. This was Caliburn, the lightning sword Merlin had given Arthur after breaking the sword he pulled from the stone.

Before her stood a man a few inches taller than her with far broader shoulder. He wore a full plate armor of silver and gold like her own. Merlin had crafted both armors with his magic after all. Guinevere was glad she had her helmet mask down to cover her face. It would not do much good if Arthur recognized here here. Then Arthur swung his blade in full force and Guinevere raised Clarent to block, but the force of Arthur's attack knocked her several feet away. She hit the ground and rolled to reduce the damage, but it was painful. Then lightning struck a few inches away from her head.

"Go, my lady!" a new voice cried out. Guinevere saw Mordred charge at Arthur to block Arthur's advance. "I will hold him off!" Guinevere wanted to protest, but Mordred's guard came in to reinforce her escape.

"Thank you," she whispered as she got up from the ground and ran towards Lancelot's position.

"I was looking for you, you bloody traitor!" Arthur cried out as he swung his sword down again.

Mordred blocked with great difficulty and replied, "So we are called traitors for fighting for the well-being of our country?"

Arthur spun and slashed in a circular arc cutting all of Mordred's advance guards in half at the waist. Mordred blocked the blow again, but he heard a chip on his sword. "Anyone who fights against the king's a traitor!"

"Than I rather die a traitor than help you destroy England!" Mordred shouted as he brought his sword up to attack. Then Arthur suddenly disappeared and a blade entered through Mordred's chest from his back.

"Foolish man," Arthur spat as he pulled out Caliburn.

Mordred fell to the ground coughing out blood from his mouth. He knew he was dying, but at least he fought for his ideals. Then an arm pulled his head up and he heard someone shout, "Mordred! You can't die! You must lead England after this war is over!"

Mordred looked up and saw Harry screaming with tears streaming down his face. He smiled. There was someone in this world that would be sad when he died. "Thank you..." Mordred spoke with his last ounce of strength. He died with a smile across his face.