Queen's Diary: Crown Tournament

Dear Diary,

Today was Crown, the tournament that determines Our Heirs. It is always an exciting event whether you are on the thrones or not, but when you are, are you ever on edge! I can’t speak for any other Queens, but I feel for each consort as the fighting takes place. I know what it’s like to watch your man fight to put you on the throne. I don’t know what’s worse, to actually do the fighting or watching! But either way, the day is not dull.

Crown is always special but this one had an extra amount of meaning for me. We had the privilege of knighting a very dear friend of Ours, Tarkatai. To give someone something like this after they have waited for over 27 years cannot be expressed. It brought tears to my eyes to see the look on his face when We placed him on vigil without his prior knowledge and then to conduct the ceremony in Mongolian for him added that much more. I feel it’s those little extras that add to this game of ours and make it more fun for everyone involved.

The day passed in a blur as they always seem to do, no matter how much you try to slow it down. But I so enjoyed walking around talking to as many folks as I could once the Tournament was over. It doesn’t feel appropriate to do so before the Heirs have been declared as that is part of my duty, to see the fighting through until the end. Everyone fought so well, all the consorts should be proud.

I loved how the hall was decorated. All the banners depicting the Line of the North really added to the significance of what was happening this day. With the additional Kingdom banners hanging, the hall looked quite festive. The extra effort put forth by the Baron and Baroness of Ramshaven is to be congratulated.

All in all, it was a wonderful day and the songs sung during feast topped the festivities off very nicely. I admire people who can sing (since I cannot carry a tune!) and congratulate those who came up to sing a song for all those present, for that surely takes courage and a steady voice.

During court, I mentioned that We are a family, the Ealdormerian family and I truly meant that. We may not be as large or wide spread as other Kingdoms but that means we can get to know each other and be close, like a small community. We look out for each other, laugh or cry with each other. We miss our friends when real life takes them away for a time and rejoice when they are able to come back. I personally find more enjoyment and fulfillment as an Ealdormerian than I believe I would as a member of any other Kingdom.

Until Feast of the Hare...