Yes she does.

After last night's absolutely woeful 'discussion' (if it could be called that) with Father, just seeing her this morning made me feel better and that was before we talked!

Although sadly not even Guinevere could convince Father to return to the land of the living, at least I can't imagine she could. I would hardly want to expose her to him in his mood. In all honesty after everythiing's that happened I'm sure she'd be glad if he never recovered.

Still...I wish...

Especially with yet another Council tomorrow. On live stock again, I suppose that means I should read up on cattle numbers again.

I don't know I live with the excitement sometimes...

Just when I thought it was safe...

I briefly considered hiding in the library, it seems to work for Merlin after all. But Monmouth caught me before I could.

We're back on the grain again, I understand that the situation changes quickly, but can't it be presented in some sort of way that doesn't take half the day?

On the upside I suppose, we do get the most delicious lunch for our troubles. One of the servers were none other than Guinevere. Which I suppose if I'm honest made it all worth it.

Well, the first part the meeting at least, the second part...well, I would have needed to actually speak to her.

Maybe if I stop complaining that might happen tomorrow?

I've been informed that common tradition dictates that a feast be thrown to mark King Tewdrig's arrival.

We just had a feast... now I have to help with another one? Did Guinevere keep notes? I hope so.

I've sent Gwaine and Elyan out for a mission to the borders of Cenred to see what's going on. They're the fastest on horseback of all the knights, except for me of course, but seeing as I can't leave...

I've also had Leon resume his position on the council, which I'm sure he isn't thanking me for, but it's good to have a friendly face. Although Merlin's attempted to keep me company during the meetings. I have the feeling though, he may be prefecting the ability to sleep on his feet. After all, servants are meant to keep their heads down. Sadly I can't say the same.

So yes, first thing to do tomorrow...find Guinevere!

Hopefully with such thoughts bouncing around my head I'll have sweet dreams, rather than boring ones where Monmouth's talking my ear off...Fingers crossed.

Even though the man is dead. Unbelievable.

Basically the problem is his kingdom. Cenred had no children - at least not any acknowledged children and no family it would seem, because in the months he's been dead no-one there seems to be trying to take the crown. It's not much of a kingdom if you ask me, which is probably the reason for that, but King Tewdrig is of the opinion that having a kingless kingdom is a liability and possibly a dangerous one.

Caerleon happens to be seperated from Cenred by Camelot, so he must be extremely worried. But as one of the councillor's mentioned a raid through our norther borders that could also encompass Caerleon (which is only a small kingdom) is more than possible.

So all this is bouncing around in my head and I have no idea what I''m supposed to do exactly. I suppose Cenred should be annexed, but Camelot is still recovering from Morgause and her army and not surprisingly Camelot's own army is less than enthusiastic about marching off and leaving family behind, especially since we don't have much of an idea of what's going on in Cenred.

I'm thinking spies might be useful...to report on the situation. Gwaine in particular would probably be suited to such a task. I need to track him down tomorrow - I'm sure he's in the tavern but I'm worn out.

Which is really quite sad.

Yes, today I got a chance to practice for the little tournament that'll be part of the Beltane Celebrations. Jousting! Which I'm quite sure Gwaine's never done because I bested him thoroughly.

I enjoyed myself!

I ran into Guinevere right after, I thought perhaps she might have seen the jousting. But no. She's been very busy helping bring together the actual feast bit in the Feast of Beltane.

Unfortunately after that pleasant time, I had to go back to yet another round of council meetings, honestly, no wonder Father was always so short tempered... These things just drain the joy right from your life.

I may be exaggerating a bit, I guess.

On my way back, I wandered into that multiverse thing and met that interesting fellow Mr Hornblower. He always has good advice so I decided to talk to him a bit about all this council stuff.

The more ears the better if you ask me. I have no idea how Father managed to do it mostly alone, I'm exhausted by it all, I need sleep!

My knights and Guinevere! And in a way, Morgana... If only because of the very strange happenings that have been going on and I don't just mean turning into Merlin.

Speaking of whom, I haven't seen him too much, after being stuck in his body I've been well not so eager to see him. Plus the Feast of Beltane celebrations have been taking up a lot my time.

And if that's not enough, at today's Council Lord Elgon brougt up the fact that with Cenred dead his kingdom is basically leaderless, at least according to reports. This could be a very big problem, even if their army was decimated. Cenred is a very big kingdom, I'm sure they could come up with some sort of mecenary group.

Plus, despite all the treaties, many of the older rulers could be sizing us up as well, we'll have to send out envoys to make it clear that we're still a strong kingdom.

Which...I have to convince myself of, while I'm at it.

Right now I just want to get through Beltane.