And Merlin answered, ‘You will send your brother to them tomorrow with a great many men-at-arms. And when he sees that they have got far away from the river and the sea, and have come to the middle of the plain, then he must keep his troops so near them that he forces them to halt and make camp. And when the Saxons have encamped, then your brother and his men should draw back. Next morning, when they want to go on, he should hem them in so tightly that they cannot ride forth. Then there will be none among them so bold that he wouldn’t wish to be back where he came from. Your brother should keep them there for two days. And on the third day, with your own army, as soon as it is daylight, you will see a red dragon moving in the air, and it will run from the sky to the earth. When you see the embodiment of your own name, you can safely begin to fight, for the victory will belong to your men."

At that meeting there were only Pendragon and Uther, and when they heard it they were struck with wonder, and they were very glad.

Then Merlin said, “I will go away now. Trust what I have told you, and be worthy men and good knights.”

So they went their ways. Uther got his equipment and his men-at-arms ready to march between the river and the Saxon army.

Merlin took Uther aside and told him, “Strive to prove your worth, for you need not fear death in this battle.”

Vulgate Merlin