Cenred continues to make life difficult...today for example yet another letter arrived from Mercia wanting to know exactly how we would deal with the situation. Apparently King Bayard is of the opinion that because Cenred invaded Camelot we're entirely responsible for cleaning up the mess. They've got patrols on their borders of course, but they're not going any further than that, at least not at present, and the letter warned that if measures needed to be taken Bayard would hold Camelot personally responsible and demand payment from us! That's the last thing we need, not that the kingdom is running particularly low on money, it's the principle of the thing, the people certainly won't want to foot the bill for too much.

And Bayard's only the tip of the iceberg! I'm surrounded by correspondence and I was only away for a night! Week long hunting trips are definitely not in my future.

Ugh! I've had enough writing. Early morning training tomorrow is at the very least, something to look forward to. Thank God for the knights.

After yesterday's fun at the tavern I was in no state to be on a council meeting, at least that was my claim. Gaius, however, was of quite a different opinion and I suppose it wouldn't do to let down Lord Godwin just because I had a bit too much mead.

But I'll tell you who was useless today - or at least more useless than usual - Merlin. Good God, give that man a bit of cider and he's under the table! Gwaine and I had to carry him back to his room! And he hasn't shown up for his duties all day. Gaius mentioned something about him suffering his comeuppance, before he gave me a disgusting tasting potion and sent me on my way.

It'll be amusing to see my manservant tomorrow I can tell you that.

Lord Godwin, the Council and I discussed the consolidation of our resources with Cenred (the kingdom) being so unstable at present. Father did have a point when he mentioned that Lord Godwin's (and some day Elena's) lands were strategic. They'll certainly provide a place to keep a force in case one of the factions in Cenred decide to try something.

I wonder...should I be writing this? Can Morgana read it, I sure as Hell hope not. Perhaps I should try some sort of test? How, I'm not sure...aside from a few days ago there's been no word on either her or Morgause, hasn't been for months. And if she can see this, well...she can just not respond.

I should give up on this book all together. It's magic after all...

And it's not good, at the borders at least everything is in complete turmoil, with no army, bandits have all but taken over and holding villagers to ransom.

Now, I - or rather than Council and I have to figure out excatly what to do. Without a ruler there's no-one to negogiate with, and it's hardly Camelot polcy to negogiate with bandits anyway. On the other hand is it going to war if there's no one group to declare war on? These bandits certainly aren't working together, although I suppose it's possible if we attempted to invade they'd band together, which is something I think we all want to avoid.

It's these sorts of decisions I find impossible. Father, of course, always seemed to know what he was doing...but I don't have that kind of confidence. At the moment, the bandits have no interest in Camelot, so invading would only be provoking them.

On the other hand, the sheer bastardery of Cenred aside the people of his kingdom shouldn't pay for his mistakes.

So...to invade...or not...

I just don't want to make the wrong decision.

It's brilliant! Especially with the nee knights, yes, even Gwaine, show off that he is.

And I do believe I spied Guinevere watching and I'm always at my best when she is. I didn't get a chance to speak to her however, which was more than a little unfortunate.

As per the treaty with Caerleon we'll be sending some spies into Cenred to see what's going on. Aside from scattered reports on turmoil going on we don't know much. Hopefully, the spy mission will be successful and by this time next week we'll have more information.

And then, we'll hopefully know what to do...or rather I'll know what to do. Everyone seems to look to me now a days...it makes life difficult and tense.

So, it better be good news...

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.