I just want to give up on Council Meetings.

( Season 4 spoilers! )

I guess all I can do is prepare myself.

This has been the best day I've had since Guinevere's birthday (for obvious reasons) and it's all thanks to training. There's nothing like getting your aggression out on your fellow knights or the practice dummy.

Unfortunately for me, Council Meetings are back in session tomorrow, honestly, is having more than a one day break too much to ask? It's enough to make me wish I was a horse again.

Actually, no, it's not. That was a dumb thing to write. The last thing I need is any kind of sorcery.

Unfortunately for the Council Meetings are beginning early tomorrow morning so now I have to sleep unless I want to sleep through them, which frankly I wouldn't mind doing, but Monmouth would never stand for it.

He's an ogre, really.

A few days ago Guinevere and I were actually able to catch a few moments together. And even though she spent some of those precious moments pointing the possible dangers of my tournament idea (possible dangers for less talented knights rather), I'd give anything to be able to have that happen on a regular basis.

But since then I've been tied up so much by the council and petioneers that I've barely had time to breathe. I'm so tired I could sleep right now, except Merlin is still bustling around in here making all kinds of noise.

Speaking of Guinevere, I've been advised by Elyan that her birthday is only five days away, so now I really need to do something for her, something more than a lavander tree...bush thing.

Of course, I haven't got a clue on what that could be and I don't have anyone I can ask, I mean, what exactly could Merlin or Gaius suggest to me?

Perhaps I should cut my losses and ask Monmouth, although if I was going to do that I really should have asked more than a week out.

And Merlin's finally stopped banging around and my pillow calls.

Perhaps something will come to me in a dream...

Right, so the last time I wrote in this book I got a rather disturbing message back...I think I might be safe now though.

Besides, I need to write some things in here about the tournament plans. Monmouth didn't seem to think too much of it, but a surprise number of the council seemed to think it wasn't such a bad idea.

I've never actually arranged a tournament however, they've always just happened, so of course, as it turns out, a king has to do a lot. So it looks like I'll be holding a lot more council meetings...unbelievable.

I better be able to compete in the tournament by the end of all this, instead of dead from boredom.

One can only hope.

Not that I'm surprised my little plan paid off, Monmouth could talk the ears off a statue. In fact he almost talked the ears off me.

Yes, unfortunately, when it comes to this sort of strategy one has to put themselves in the cross fire as well.

But the delegates eventually backed down on some of their more ridiculous demands, although they did put up quite a fight. I can respect that.

Monmouth looked rather disappointed yesterday when some five hours into his speech about the history of island kingdoms and mainland kingdoms was interrupted, but I'm sure he'll get over it.

I just wish I could tell Father about this...not that I didn't try, but he was even less responsive than usual this evening when I went to see him.

I just would have liked to hear

Needless to say all parties deserve a feast tomorrow night. I might even drink Gwaine under the table after all this...

After what seems like years - even days is too much if you ask me - the delegates from Mora have finally put their reasoning for asking Camelot for so many concessions in the new treaty.

Lady Helen's death.

It took me a good minute to remember who they were talking about. I mean, that was over four years ago now, if they had such a big problem with it I'd have thought they'd have raised a stink a lot earlier.

But no...obviously this is a direct reflection on my abilities or Mora's preception of them. They think because I've never negoiated outright on treaties before I'm easy pickings or something.

Well, they've made a big mistake there. If they think they can walk all over me...

I'm setting Monmouth loose on them for today's meeting, if they're not begging to keep the treaty unchanged (and it's a very fair treaty) by the end of today I might just give them one of two concessions out of shock!

Yeah, I can't see that happening...

Not that we don't get almost a hundred scrolls every day (and if Monmouth had his way he'd read every single one out loud during meetings), but this one...

I don't even know what to say, or think.

It is from my Uncle.

My Uncle!

This is the first I've ever heard of him! I never even considered....

Obviously the news was a bit overwhelming, I barely had a chance to digest in fact, when all of sudden Morgana was there. Not...Morgana as she is now (God knows what that is), but when she was a little girl, just beginning to learn how to duel. How did it all go wrong?

After all that I could have done without a sudden trip to that Nexus thing. Although I did get rather good advice, so I suppose I shouldn't complain.

Still! An Uncle, out of nowhere! Gaius and Monmouth have authenticated the seal and assured me the man really does exist (although apparently they decided never to mention this to me!), so there's no reason not to accept his request.

I've never actually invited anyone to Camelot officially before, it's...nerve-wracking. I hope I didn't make too many spelling errors on my reply...

In amongst all his bathering, because he's declared the next two days free and clear of meetings! I suppose technically I should be able to decide these things, but the rest of the council seemed to be under the impression that endless discussion was needed and...I can hardly go against them all can I? They're my council, I should follow their council then, right?

But! Not for the next two days! I'm thinking tomorrow I'll take the knights on a big hunt, the weather is just right for it and it's just the sort of thing to boost morale.

As for the day after that? Well, who knows, I'm sure after the hunt we'll all end up at the tavern and Gwaine will challenge everyone to a drinking contest and no doubt we'll all end up under the table.

But isn't that what days off are all about?

I feel like a squire giving a reprieve!

Yes, I finally got away from him after some three hours with precious little information. He went through about fifty books and half a dozen scrolls and a lot of mumbling and murmuring.

As far as I managed to figure out, Camelot's tournaments have always been hosted by someone in the Royal Family, except for that time Morgana did, but then she's my sister and even if she wasn't she lived in the castle most of her life. So all things considered I think I can just pick anyone who's has a long association with the palace.

Of course this is never easy...if I pick someone on the Coucil...well, I need a reson why I picked them and not someone else and they'll probably be all sorts of infighting that I can really do without.

Part of me wants to pick Guinevere! I think she would do a fine job, although she's never really cared all that much for tournaments. And it would put the nobles up in arms.

Still, tempting...very tempting.

Failing that, I could always select Merlin and be done with it. For the entertainment factor if nothing else.

Hmmm...possibilities.

With the arrangements of the touranment that is. For one thing who's going to host it? Someone has to, but God knows who. I certainly can't (if I'm going to participate and I will). I don't have Father or Morgana to assist. I don't know who's next in the line of...tournament hosting duties. The only one who can tell me that is...Monmouth.

It was a fun few days of avoiding him I suppose.

God I hope it's not him! We'll never actualy get a chance to compete if that's the case!

Maybe...hopefully, I can just nominate someone myself.

I think I'll pick Gaius, he can be a man of few words when necessary...

This better work out!

Which would explain why I've had so much trouble finding her these past few days, despite Merlin giving me her schedule (with Morgana...gone she doesn't really have an offical post in the castle, which makes it hard to know where she'll pop up next). Today I finally had success, I thought we could have some strawberries together - especially after what I went through to get hold of them.

However, I found her on the verge of collaspe! I hope it's nothing serious, she said it wasn't bad enough to get Gaius involved, but I'm not sure...I'm thinking of sending him a message to go and see her tomorrow morning.

Gaius has been coming to my rescue a lot lately, I certainly haven't had to put up with Monmouth so much. It's a wonder he hasn't recieved any honours...not that I can actually think of any appropriate to give him. And of course, in order to find out if there are ones I'd have to...

Ask Monmouth.

I think I'll avoid that for a while.

Tomorrow is intensive training with the knights! I'm looking forward to it - as I'm sure they are. I have a good feelin about this.

As lon as Guinevere gets well soon...

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?

Training today was a breath of fresh air! Although, Sir Winston's arm might be bruised for quite a while.

Of course, after that I had the displeasure of once again entering the Council Chambers, once again we've only just finished up, although we had a break a few hours ago, where I had some...interesting encounters. Seems the Nexus was in fine form today.

It certainly proved more interesting than the meeting, where my advisors were mostly speaking because they've had experience with negoating with Caerleon whereas I haven't. But I'm sure my moment is coming soon and I'm not sure I'm ready for it, I'm not exactly that sort of person...

But I can say one thing, I won't be asking Monmouth for advice, I want to get some fresh air tomorrow!

My ears are killing me...that Emissary can talk!

I'm dreading tomorrow, because I'm quite sure he and Monmouth are going to engage in a talking match...

We may be in the council room for DAYS if that's the case.

I'm considering setting something up with Merlin and the Knights, some sort of...escape plan. Maybe they can come in and claim there's been some sort of disturbance? Apart from anything else I haven't trained in two days now! I don't want to get rusty.

I didn't even get to see Guinevere today except from a distance, it's cruel to do this to a man.

I'm sending a message to Gwaine, if anyone knows how to get out of difficult situations, he will.

I hope...

An offical emmissary from Deira is arriving tomorrow to discuss the current treaty between our kingdoms.

Obviously I haven't been able to leave the council hall, or Monmouth's watchful eye for that matter. He's practically buried me in documents about King Tewdrig, I'm not exaggerating, there must be thousands of pieces of parchment... It's ridiculous!

The Council is of the opinion though that the success of this treaty rests on my ability to conduct the proceedings. I'd always imagined the Council being more power hungry than this, but no.

It was hard enough getting through Beltane and that was, for the most part, for fun! I have no idea how I'm supposed to manage this. If I fail, the treaty could be in jepordary and the security of Camelot itself.

No pressure or anything.

And I didn't even get to see Guinevere today...

Well, the feast last night was quite the success. Although I think I enjoyed the mead far too much...how else can you explain me seeing Morgana - the old Morgana, before Morgause did...whatever it is she did to her and a Guinevere who was in the middle of her wedding celebrations, our wedding celebrations.

I wonder what my Guinevere would say if I brought that up.

Anyway, I woke up this morning, well noon actually, I had a pounding headaching. Not surprising I suppose...but very bad luck for me, I have to make the closing speech for the Beltane festivities!

Fortunately Gaius prepared a draught for me to take at lunch and I'm confident I can give the speech in a few hours - at midnight.

Although, it's going to be a very short speech, I really have no idea what to say...still! Hopefully I'm not going to have to endure hearing Monmouth's comment on that, maybe he just won't notice.

Miracles happen sometimes.

Well, in a display of idiocy that Merlin would no doubt be proud of, I went to Monmouth today and asked him about Beltanes past.

I have only JUST escaped from his clutches (and then the procession of people I ran into afterward, why are people up so late?).

I wish Morgana was here...the old Morgana, she would have been able to tell me what an idiot I was being before I got myself in that situation.

Plus she would have been able to arrange the feast, rather than Guinevere, who after all that hard work can't even attend as an honoured guest.

I hope after all this I actually manage to enjoy this festival after everything.

The Feast of Beltane seemed so far away only a few days ago, but now it's just around the corner and I haven't prepared even half of the things I need.

For example, the speeches, I have to make a number of them, to the townspeople on the opening day of the festival, at the feast and on the last day. Do I even have that many words to say about Beltane?

I may have to ask Monmouth for assistance, but really? That might be the last thing I ever do, the man is known to speak for days, DAYS.

But there's no-one else I can ask...except perhaps...

Gaius! He'll remember speeches my father made in years past, it's my only hope.

I can't ask him right now of course, but first thing tomorrow morning, definately.

Monmouth was in fine form today...it went two hours over! There has to be a way to shut the man up, I mean one tries to be polite, but he just ignores it and keeps on going. And you can't exactly call the guards in to escort him away.

It'd be a rather amusing thought I must say...

But what wasn't amusing, I didn't see Guinevere all day, which makes a bad day even worse.

I'll defenitely need to seek her out tomorrow morning...I'd seek her out now, but seeing as it's almost midnight it'd be rather rude.

I'm going to have a lot of trouble getting to sleep.

Coming up with new ways to bore people. During today's council meeting he spent a good thirty or forty minutes speaking in a completely indescipherable language.

I will readily admitting hating lessons, but I paid attention to them enough to know I did not miss learning an entire language. But then everyone else seems to know what he was going on about, so maybe I have...and it's not really something one can ask, can they?

Tomorrow will be better, or at least more active, the patrols are starting again, just in case Cenred is planning any attacks, because he's been awfully quiet as of late. Frankly I'm getting the feeling he's planning something partiularly nasty. It's considered too dangerous to send spies to his kingdom though, so that's all I've got, a feeling.

I hope I'l be able to see Guinevere before heading off tomorrow, we'll be leaving early, I think she does something with the laundry around that time. Even a wave would make my day inmeasurably better.

Although with my luck I might see Morgana instead, who's been completely snippy with me since I lost to Father in the tournament. Really, she's taking it worse than I did!

I have to wonder about her sometimes...