Chapter 39: Preparation

Breakfast the next morning was almost cheerful. News of Merlin's spell had spread around the school like wildfire. People were talking enthusiastically and there were smiles and looks of hope on the faces of many people around the Great Hall.

Harry felt the glow as well, with King Arthur on their side as well and finally having their hands on a weapon that could actually kill Voldemort, he had good reason to feel some confidence.

Merlin arrived down half an hour after breakfast started. He was followed by Arthur, who was now dressed in Muggle clothing without his sword.

Merlin looked haggard and tired, while Arthur looked wary. A rousing round of applause burst through the Hall as the two entered. Though no one but their little group was aware of who Arthur was, everyone knew that it was the quiet Emrys who had produced the spell which was protecting them.

Some of the older wizards had questioned how someone so young had so much power, but Snape had shut down all questions to Harry's surprise.

Merlin led Arthur over to their table and the two sat down and filled their plates. "You look tired." Hermione said to Merlin, passing him the juice.

Merlin scrubbed his fingers through his hair. "That spell took more out of me than I thought, still it's worth it for some planning time."

"Since when do you plan anything?" Arthur muttered into his breakfast. The young king looked around the room. "Where are the warriors?" He asked. "If we are going to war then we need strong fighters."

Everyone around the table winced. Hermione spoke up, obviously trying to keep her voice even and only just managing. "This is it, these are all our fighters. We usually get a few more every day, but with Emrys's spell keeping people out I suppose we won't have anyone else for a while."

Arthur looked incredulous. "Women, children and a few old men, and from what you've told me they have powerful sorcerers on their side."

Merlin signed. "Yes, we're outnumbered and probably out powered, but we only have to kill one person and that person is Voldemort."

Harry could feel the eyes and ears of everyone in the room on them. They were the centre of this bit of hope.

Mad-Eye Moody stumped over. "That's not going to be easy young Emrys, even for someone of your apparent skill."

Merlin raised an eyebrow, fork paused between his plate and mouth. "I'm not going to do anything." The silence in the room was deafening.

"What do you mean?" Someone sitting at the Ravenclaw table asked.

Merlin shrugged. "Harry has to be the one to kill Voldemort, not me." He looked around at their startled faces. "Look we have the weapon to kill Voldemort all you need is a bit of practice."

"What?" Arthur asked. "A bit of practice and you expect him to be able to fight with a sword well." Arthur looked Harry over, in the face of the broad shouldered young man Harry felt weedy and thin. "Have you ever even used a sword?"

Ginny piped up at this. "He killed a basilisk with a sword in his second year." There were murmurs of appreciation at this.

Arthur didn't look impressed, but he flicked a look at Merlin for confirmation. Harry winced, given his defeat of the basilisk had been more luck than skill. But how hard could it be. "I'll try my best." He offered.

By the look on Arthur's face he wasn't convinced.

Merlin sighed. "Look Arthur will teach you the basics of using a sword. You've got about three days, the spell should last that long, so long as Voldemort doesn't do something clever."

Arthur's glare could have frozen a dragon in its tracks. "Three days to teach him how to use a sword." One callused hand lifted up to point directly in Harry's face.

Harry glared back at him. "I'll do it." He snapped.

Arthur, however, was ignoring him focused instead on Merlin. The sorcerer looked like he could care less what they did so long as they left him alone. "Think of it as a challenge. If you can teach me to use a sword you can teach Harry." The dark haired youth pointed out before going back to his breakfast.

Arthur's eyes narrowed and flicked over to Harry. Clearly he knew he was being manipulated, but there was something else in Arthur's eyes. It didn't take Harry long to recognise the look. Distrust, deep ingrained distrust. It was the same look Uncle Vernon had levelled at him when odd things had happened.

Clearly Arthur was not going to trust them at all.

Immediately after breakfast Merlin and Arthur went looking for practice swords. They weren't hard to find, as Hogwarts was full to the brim with suits of armour each with their own sword.

Arthur was picky, removing swords, testing them carefully and replacing them. He seemed to be determinedly ignoring the moving pictures, shifting staircases and anything even slightly magic related.

Merlin kept quiet, when Arthur was ready to talk he would.

Finally, after they had passed through several empty hallways and examined several swords, Arthur rounded on Merlin. "You had better have some good explanations ready Merlin."

Under the frosty gaze of his friend and king Merlin shivered. "Explanations about what?"

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "About what is going on?"

Merlin shrugged and tried, "an evil sorcerer is trying to kill us all."

The sword in Arthur's hand came up in a single smooth movement, the sharp blade pressing against Merlin's throat.

Merlin swallowed and gave up the joking. "You've been dead for a long time. We didn't make it to the Isle of the Blessed in time." Arthur was silent and the sword didn't shift so Merlin continued. "After you…died…I sent you out onto the lake, I'd already hunted down Morgana so the danger to Camelot was dealt with, but everything wobbled a bit without you there."

Arthur lowered the sword and uncertainty flicked in his eyes. "Guinevere?"

Merlin had been expecting that question so he smiled as gently as he could. "She ruled Camelot well after you, she lived a long, relatively happy life."

"Relatively?" Arthur's tone darkened again.

Grimacing Merlin added. "She missed you."

Arthur shook his head and turned away, picking up the next sword and examining it minutely. Merlin stayed quiet again, he recognised the look on Arthur's face, he was hurt and trying to deal with it without letting Merlin know.

"And she allowed magic?"

Merlin shrugged. "She started the process, but it took a long time for the peace to develop."

When Arthur didn't reply Merlin just continued talking, explaining the development of the Ministry of Magic and the secrecy act. Arthur didn't comment, but Merlin could see that the king was taking everything in.

"These people, can they be trusted?" Arthur finally demanded.

Merlin sighed. "Yes, things have changed a lot. The wizards here are good, I mean there are some bad ones, but mostly they are just normal people. Good normal people."

"We'll see." Was all Arthur gave in reply.

When Arthur had finally selected two swords which met his silent criteria they headed for the lawns.

Normally Arthur wouldn't bat an eyelid at the large number of people watching him, he was used to being observed during practice, however the knowledge that all of these people were sorcerers made the King flinch slightly. Arthur's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, but he pressed forward.

The only good thing that had come from being Uther's son was an ingrained belief that keen fighting skills would be enough to defeat any sorcerer.

Merlin touched Arthur's elbow lightly, the King turned to look at him. "What is it?"

Merlin swung the sword he was carrying out to point towards Harry. "Hold out the sword." He nodded at the weapon in Arthur's hand.

Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly, but he did as he was asked. Merlin studied the swords for a moment, letting his magic bubble up inside him. "Let steel cut no flesh." He muttered, effectively blunting the swords and preventing Arthur and Harry from hurting each other too badly.

Merlin nodded at Arthur who immediately started to examine the sword with approval. As Merlin passed Harry's sword to him he was sure he heard the King mutter, "Useful," to himself before turning towards Harry.

Merlin gave Harry an encouraging wink before heading over to join the crowd on the lawn.

Arthur whirled his sword absently around his wrist. It was a movement that Merlin was familiar with, it was flashy, but it also allowed Arthur to gauge his opponent. Given that Harry went pale and gripped his sword with both hands, Merlin didn't think that Arthur's opinion of Harry had gone any higher.

Arthur swung his sword in an exaggerated, slow arc towards Harry's right shoulder. Harry swung his sword a little wildly but managed to catch Arthur's sword before it clipped him over the head. Merlin smiled faintly at the exalted look on Harry's face which lasted a single moment before Arthur's sword continued on its path and slammed both swords into Harry's shoulder.

There were a series of loud gasps from the watching crowd. Merlin had been on the receiving end of Arthur's sword arm enough times to know that deflecting a blow like that was not as easy as it seemed.

Merlin stretched out on his back and closed his eyes. The sounds of the swords clashing again and again soothed him to sleep.

By the time Merlin awoke most of the crowd had dispersed and Harry was lying stretched out on the ground nearby, sword by his side looking like he was wishing the ground would swallow him up.

Arthur was leaning against a nearby tree and he looked oddly smug. Merlin suspected that the lesson hadn't gone very well for Harry.

Merlin sat up, feeling considerably better. "I'd go up to see Madame Pomfrey, Harry. You're going to be very sore." He suggested.

Harry grunted, but didn't open his eyes.

Several of the more central members of the order of the Phoenix came over and formed a circle around their little group. Out of the corner of his eye Merlin noticed Arthur grip his sword hilt and straighten from his previously casual pose.

Moody swivelled his magical eye around to focus on Arthur, while the other looked at Merlin. "As confident as you seem in this plan Emrys, there is a lot more to go over."

Merlin looked around the serious faces, Arthur snorted softly in the background. Merlin ignored him and answered Moody. "All you need to do is keep the Death Eaters and the rest of Voldemort's people off Harry's back long enough for him to get to Voldemort.

"Someone needs to back Harry up." Molly Weasley insisted.

Arthur snorted. "How long have you been fighting this war now, and you still don't have a battle plan."

"Things keep changing, it isn't a simple battle." Lupin explained.

Arthur didn't look convinced. "It's simple, those who can fight take the flanks. If this Voldemort is a warrior worth anything he will be on the front line where we will be." Merlin blinked as he realised the 'we' encompassed Arthur, Harry and himself. He repressed a grimace, that would be a whole world of fun.

The conversation devolved from there because every suggestion the Order offered up was shut down with terrifying battle logic from Arthur. Merlin didn't think they realised just how good Arthur was at this.

By the time the sun was starting to set the Order had finally given up on questioning Arthur's plan of attack and they had gotten down to deciding when.

"How long is your spell going to last?" Moody snapped, the old Auror had reached the end of his temper.

Merlin closed his eyes and felt the magic. "So long as they keep not attacking it should last another two days. If they attack, it will be less."

"So we have two days to finish preparing." Arthur picked up his sword and pointed it at Harry. "Come on then. We have work to do."