"You are not a young me." He smiled, nodding. Intriguing. "I looked more like this." And he changed, rippling and flowing into his youthful form.

"Not useless, really, but... unable to stop him, as yet. But a wizard can be subtle, slow, and careful. A wizard can plan, and move with the misdirection of a snake. And a wizard can remember to never let his opponent see what he is thinking."

Merlin chuckled.