Once again you can't depend on Merlin for anything.

No, no, I suppose I should be kinder to him, he is working rather hard, what with having to assist me in the tournament and then do all the cleaning and of course wearing that ridiculous hat. I shouldn't make him wear it, but really, it's hilarious. I need some entertainment when I'm trapped at the nightly celebratory feasts.

I suppose on the plus side, the kings and their best knights are enjoying themselves, even the two I've all ready fought and defeated.

There is an upside to all this, as I'm participating in the tournament (of course), the rest of the Council have been taking care of most of the boring negoiations. Of course I'm probably going to have to make an appearance once the tournament is over, but hopefully the other rulers will be thoroughly convinced that even if I'm not willing to declare myself regent, I'm still a force to be reckoned with.

Is basically...every chance I get for the next three days, the honoured 'guests' will be starting to arrive tomorrow, which probably means every chance I get won't be very much. Especially with Father still not much better, Gaius was hoping that a change in the weather might precipitate some change in his condition, but no luck there. So, I will have to take on all those meet and greet duties as well. There's not even Mor-

Merlin has taken to fussing over me, which is just bizarre, although it wouldn't be the first time, he seems absolutely convinced that he's supposed to be looking out for me. It's actually rather funny (and all right...maybe a bit touching) because God knows he can barely lift a sword. Still, I suppose it's the thought that counts.

All the same, I notice he hasn't bought my nightly fruit bowl in, is that too much to ask really? I have to tell him every second day it seems.

Which I best do now, maybe one day he'll learn.

So last night I had the most disturbing nightmare...it took me a while to realise that it was in fact a dream, though I would have thought that Father in a jester's hat and Guinevere planning to challenge me to a duel would have made it obvious.

But no, in fact, I didn't notice for what seemed like hours. So embarrassing.

It's not surprising I would dream of the tournament, it begins in just one week and I've hardly had any time to train. I have to get onto that first thing tomorrow, which means I should probably go to bed now.

I just pray I won't have to suffer through yet another dream...

And that means I have to endeavour to visit every major harvesting area in the kingdom to take stock of the situation and give the farmers encouragement.

Only problem is, I only just learnt about this today and there's the tournament to train for as well, acceptances have started coming in, a few of the older members of the council seemed rather surprised, obviously I'm facing a lack of confidence from my own advisors! Or Father's advisors rather.

Speaking of Father, since his nocturnal adventures last week he's been completely still, as in, he hasn't moved from his bed at all. If this continues he's in danger of developing a wasting disease or worse.

Not that I can see how it could get much worse...aside from...death.

I don't even want to think about it.

God I need some sleep...

Gaius found Father wandering the halls of the castle tonight. This is the first time he's been out of his room in months and sadly it was not an indication that he is feeling better. In fact he was all but raving, and God only knows how many servants he ran into before Gaius got to him. I mean, yes, everyone knows that Father is...not in a very good place at the moment, but actually seeing it? That's another thing altogether.

So now I have to worry not only about the leaders of other kingdoms and what they think, but what people of Camelot think as well. At this rate when Father recovers no-one will trust him to be able to rule once more.

Speaking of the other kingdoms...the invitations have been sent, hopefully everyone will agree to show up, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do if they don't.

And I also have Guinevere's birthday to think of, the only bright spot in otherwise dreary and disheartening week.

I could use some annoying by Merlin right now...where is he? He hasn't even turned down my bed covers yet! Lazy, incredibly lazy.

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.

For legitmaing my position as temporary ruler here in Camelot. I sort of forgot about it in all the turmoil that happened afterwards, but April had a very good idea indeed. A tournament. No doubt Merlin would think it's ridiculous, but tournaments display the best warriors in a kingdom and those warriors earn respect... So I'm thinking we need one, because I'm more than capable of winning it.

Of course, the Council will cause trouble I'm sure, since a ruler - even a temporary one - is hardly supposed to be risking life and limb in a tournament. I think I'll be able to get around that, Father did after all.

There's a bit of an issue with a few of the kingdoms though...ones that haven't been invited to tournaments due to, well, complete and utter disregard for the Knight's Code. Father would be appalled if he knew what I was thinking of doing.

But the point is...he doesn't and I'm running out of options. Inviting back disgraced knights is a small price to pay when the alternative is an invasion and war.

Right...?

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!

Ah, a day very well spent indeed.

Although, I could do without Gwaine taking me down! He using dirty tactics, I mean tripping? That's just...that's certainly not in the Knight's Code. And we were training by knight's rules, a tournament is coming up soon. And it's not a melee.

Right, there's going to be more training tomorrow so I'll be off now, I've got to be sharp and ready for anything. Not that I'm not usually, but just to ensure I'll be even more at the top of my game!

At least that's what everyone seems to be doing...I suppose I can't blame them, even I'm distracted by the upcoming event, Camelot's Great Tournament.

It's held once a decade and for the first time I'm old enough to compete. The current champion is my father. And not to put too fine a point on it, I feel rather...inspired to go up against him. He hasn't even apologised to Guinevere, not that I should be surprised, Father has never apologised to a servant ever.

But anyway, the Great Tournament - I ran into a another knight today and I immediately inquired if he would be competing. But the multiverse was up to its tricks, seeing as he had no idea what I was even talking about.

And something occurred to me today...they failed to capture Dragoon, but honestly? The guards are getting better.

So...I'm having some good luck...