Author's note: this is as far forward in time as I will go. You will notice that I now end this story, which of course means that I shall soon return to 'Life of a Father'. Though, it may still take longer than normal, as I have a non-fanfic stuck in my head, dying to scratch its way out.
He knew he was dying. He wasn't that sad, though he wished he could have a bit more time. He had known his time was coming when his hairs turned to white, and one by one, fell from his head. He had known it was coming when each of his teeth fell from his mouth. He had never been able to get through every petition, but he started to send more back without hearing them then ever before. His legs had never been strong, but they started to collapse beneath him. Now, he could barely lift himself out of his bed.
But it was okay. He had lived a long time. He had known his brother, whose name he took, he had met his wife, whom he loved, and he had had both his son and daughter.
He remembered both of those days well. He had been so nervous when his son was born, pacing outside the room, until the wet-nurse would announce that he could enter. He remembered running in, seeing his wife glowing, holding their young son. He remembered those first few months, when he was sickly, and he remembered being nervous. He remembered being proud of his boy when Cuthbert said he wanted to be a knight and a King.
He remembered his daughter, too. Oh, he had been just as worried at her birth, especially when it took twice as long as the first. He heard later that the baby had tried to come out with the cord around her neck and had to be pushed back in and righted. He remembered the first time that someone looked at Lavinia in something more than a friendly manner. He remembered the first time she looked back. He remembered, more than anything, her death. He had tried to stay composed, letting the tears flow only in private.
He remembered the first time he met the Princess Anna, a young girl, but still as ugly as ever. She wasn't yet more than a child, and yet she challenged him to and beat him at a game of chess. He thought at that very moment that she would be perfect for his son.
He remembered how much and how many people complained when he awarded Jane her apprenticeship, and how many more when she was knighted.
He remembered holding his grandson in his arms. He remembered holding his great-granddaughter so gently.
He remembered holding his wife so tenderly on their wedding night. They had both been nervous, but they eventually figured out what went where and how. He remembered when people told him to set her aside. She had not given birth to a child yet, and showed no indications of doing so after two years of marriage. His advisors ha almost convinced him when, just that night, she informed him that she was pregnant.
Overall, it was a good life. It remained to be seen whether time would reflect upon him as a gentle ruler, or a foolish sovereign.
He reminded himself that he was not alone in his death throws. His wife, in similar state, lay beside him. His son and daughter in law sat to his left. He could feel his grandchildren to the front of the bed. He knew that Jane would be on the other side, next to the queen, as she was the Captain of the Queen's Guard, and Gunther was just behind his family, as he was Captain of the King's guard. Of course, it was doubtful as to how useful that either would be for protection, as both of them were constantly checking to make sure that the King and Queen were still breathing.
At the back of the room stood the elderly chamberlain and his wife. How the two managed to live into their early nineties was beyond him. They looked just as frail as the King and Queen, and were now constantly followed by Remus, who indicated early on that he would much rather count items than do anything in the practice arena, and Rose. It seemed the apprentice Chamberlain and the apprentice Lady-In-Waiting were married and had several apprentice knights. The more things changed, the more things stayed the same.
Breathing was getting even more difficult. Caradoc slowly moved his head, and found himself staring into the eyes of his queen. He very quietly murmured, "I love you," before he slowly ceased breathing. If she said anything back before she joined him, no one could hear it.
Gunther and Jane moved forward quickly, to determine if the old royal couple was indeed no longer in the land of the living, not noticing that the Chamberlain and the Lady-In-Waiting fell, ceasing breath. It was indisputable that the only reason that the two had remained for so long was because of the King and Queen, and an absolute unwillingness to die before either of them.
It should be noted that on that day, everyone in the castle and surrounding town wept. It should also be noted that everyone in Kippernium wept when the news arrived by messengers. Ironically, the messengers were town criers. The King may not have been particularly wise, but he was well liked by the people, and the queen was a source of awe and amazement for all.
But Jane alone wept for the dead Chamberlain and Lady-In-Waiting. She thought in her own thoughts, that perhaps, she should have followed in her mother's footsteps as her mother and father wanted. But as she thought this, she recalled what exactly that would mean. Oh, no! The life of a noble!