Mornstein doesn't wake up as early as he normally does the next morning. He slept through most of the morning, mostly mumbling Meriwether and Socrates' names. When he finally woke up, it was because he heard Meriwether moan. Mornstein sat up and yawned, stretching as well.

"Alois should be in Meriwether's room with him. Is he not in there at the moment or, is Meriwether just being reluctant?" Mornstein asked himself as he stood up and popped his back and neck.

His fur was a mess, but he didn't bother to try and tame its unruliness at the moment. He walked towards the door, scratching behind his left ear. Mornstein pushed the door open and yawned again. Three smaller hedgehogs pummeled him, almost knocking him to the ground. Mornstein gave a small laugh.

"Morning boys," He said with a smile.

The oldest of three giggles softly.

"Good morning father!" The youngest said in excitement.

The middle child of the three smiled brightly.

"Momma said you came back to the castle late last night father," the youngest said, looking up at Mornstein with curiosity.

"That's right Sirius," Mornstein answered.

"Why?" The middle child of the three asked.

"Because I had to save Meriwether from drowning, Casimir," Mornstein answered again, in a little lower tone.

"He almost drowned!" The oldest exclaimed.

"That's right Zander. He's fine now. I was just about to go check on him," Mornstein told them, with a small smile.

Zander released a joyful gasp.

"Can we see him too father?" Zander asked eagerly.

"I suppose you can," Mornstein agreed with a childish smirk.

"Yay!" The boys shouted in unison.

Mornstein laughed and started to walk towards Meriwether's door. He knocked lightly on the door.

"Meriwether?" Mornstein called his brother's name and waited patiently for a response.

Meriwether groaned, but he doesn't answer.

"Uncle Meriwether?" Sirius called his name as well.

Mornstein opened the door slowly.

"Meriwether? You alright?" Mornstein asked, walking slowly towards the bed.

Meriwether shifted slightly, his ears folded down. He moaned tiredly and curled up. Mornstein got closer and closer to the bed, his voice soft and sweet.

"Meriwether? Do you need me to go get Alois?" Mornstein sat down on the bed next to his brother.

Meriwether's voice was quiet.

"No, I'm alright..." he sighed.

"Uncle Meriwether?" Casimir walked towards the bed, his brothers following him.

Meriwether's ears twitched, causing the boys to stop. Meriwether shifted and looked at the three young princes of Meridia and blinked slowly. He yawned and smiled lightly.

"Hello boys," Meriwether said, happy to see the boys.

All three of them ran towards the bed, giggling and smiling.

"How ya feeling Uncle Meriwether?" Sirius asked him, curiosity filling his eyes.

"I'm alright Sirius," Meriwether said, putting his hand on Sirius' head and ruffling his fur.

"Did all the water drain out of your lungs?" Mornstein questioned, hoping the answer will be yes.

"I think we got most of the water out of my lungs, but I'm not for certain," Meriwether answered, looking up at his older brother.

Mornstein sighed.

'Great. So that means, there may still possibly be water in his lungs...isn't that just dandy?' Mornstein thought to himself, his brow starting to crease.

Meriwether coughed, the sound of watery mucus in his lungs.

'Good grief, that sounds like a complete hell. I can't let in though. Like father said, keep your head held high.' Mornstein looked at his children.

"Can you three give a moment please? I promise, you can come right back in when I'm done talking to your uncle," Mornstein asked politely.

Zander nodded and walked out of the room, shooing his brothers away as well. Meriwether looked up at Mornstein.

"Why did you have them leave?" He asked, puzzled.

Mornstein sighed.

"How long has it been, since father left?" Mornstein answered with another question.

Meriwether sat up.

"Almost fourteen years. Why ya ask?" Meriwether tilted his head.

Mornstein was a lot closer to Socrates than anyone else in his family when he was a kid, other than his mother, Lady Elizabeth. Mornstein sighed and stood up, walking to the window in Meriwether's room.

"I'm starting to lose hope in him coming back Meriwether. I just, don't feel like he's coming back to us anytime soon. If he's still alive that is." Mornstein said, rubbing his eyes real quick.

"Come on Mornstein, don't lose your faith in father. He'll come back. I'm sure of it." Meriwether tried to assure his older brother.

"How do you know Meriwether...? I've been waiting, fourteen long years for him, and he hasn't come back." Mornstein said shakily as his eyes begin to fill with tears.

Meriwether had seen his brother get emotional, but he knew Mornstein's emotions went haywire if his father was involved. He got up off the bed and walked towards Mornstein. Mornstein breathed in and let out a heavy sigh.

'Come on Mornstein don't get emotional. Keep your head...held...high...' Mornstein tried to get himself to calm down, even though his bottom lip was starting to quiver.

He bit his bottom lip to try and stop it, but his emotions got out of hand and he just bursted. Meriwether stopped dead in his tracks and watched his brother, the person he looked up to for so long, having an emotional breakdown. Mornstein collapsed to his knees and buried his face into his hands.

'No! This is not how a king is supposed to be!' Mornstein yelled at himself on the inside, but not on the out.

Meriwether walked closer to Mornstein slowly.

"M-Mornstein?" Meriwether stuttered, slowly reaching his hand out.

Mornstein didn't look at him. He sinks lower and lower to the ground with each slowly passing second.

'Where are you father? You promised me you would come back! Why aren't you here! Please, please come back!' Mornstein begged mentally for his father to return.

Meriwether put his hand on Mornstein's shoulder, his ears bending back. Mornstein dragged Meriwether down and hugged him tightly, showing no signs of letting go. Meriwether looked at him with a blank, but confused expression. He wrapped his arms around Mornstein's shaking body. Mornstein buried his face into Meriwether's shoulder and sobbed, his face becoming red. They heard one of the boys knock on the door.

"Daddy?" Casimir's small, innocent voice called.

Meriwether looked up at the door, and then back at Mornstein. Mornstein didn't respond to his son and continued to bawl. His eyes were red and puffy from all the crying.

'How am I supposed to get him to stop? He loves father very much, and he really wants him to come back. I do too, but I'm not as emotionally bonded with him as much as Mornstein is. He's known father longer than I have...' Meriwether sighed and stroked his brother's black and blue colored fur.

Mornstein eventually stopped crying, his eyes still red. He touched the necklace, and sighed. His voice was low and quiet.

"Please come back soon..."