So finally here is the next chapter, I was hoping to have updated sooner but better late than never!

Loving the reviews :) and I know I haven't responded but I am keeping all of your comments in mind while I'm writing!

. … . … .

The door burst open and made a loud bang as it hit the wall. Ned looked up to find a squire standing breathless in the doorway.

"My Lord, it's the king!" he said gasping for air.

Ned jumped to his feet. He started off at a jog rushing passed him into the hallways, but seeing the panic of guards and servants he picked up his pace trying to make it to the King's chamber. He ran as fast as his feet would carry him, which wasn't very.

He finally reached the chamber and pushed through the guards to open the doors…

. … . … .

The pain was agonizing.

The milk of the poppy the maester brought helped to numb it but it was still unbearable. The large gash the boar left in his belly reached from his waist up through to his ribs. The feeling of the needle sewing up his wound made him wince in pain but with every jerk he made, the pain was increased. He held his breath for most of it and that seemed to keep him steady.

He knew that he wouldn't survive much longer. He was actually surprised that he made it this long. Gendry sat to his right side, and he hasn't left him since the accident took place in the Kingswood. He was thankful for it. He was happy to have someone stick with him through it all, especially family. Who would have thought that his bastard son would be so reliable at a time like this?

The doors opened and in strode Ned Stark.

"Robert, what has happened?" he rushed to take his other hand and his great concern was evident across his face.

"Remember when I told you I wanted to gut a boar?" he tried to contain a laugh but still let out a deep chuckle, it was followed by a groan as pain ripped through him. "Well, he got to me first."

He could see the wheels turning in Ned's mind as he tried to comprehend what was happening. "Ned I'm not going to make it." The tears started to form behind the eyes of both men. Both trying hard not to let them fall.

"You can make it Robert. You have to. You have seven kingdoms that need their king. You have a son," he looks to Gendry when he says this. "…that needs his father. You cannot let a boar defeat you, Robert. Hold in there, and do not leave us."

Robert looked at Ned with all the love and respect he held for him. His best friend, his brother. This is the man who went to war with him and aided him in taking the Iron Throne. This is the man who left his home and family, to once again stand by his side. This is the only man he could say has been there for him through everything and has been nothing but loyal to him their entire lives. The thought of leaving him saddened his heart, for he could not imagine the roles being reversed.

Then he turned and looked to Gendry. The boy sat gripping his hand between his with his head down. Robert could hear the soft sobs and could feel the small tears that landed on his fingers. To leave this young boy, after only just taking him in. To have him feeling orphaned and alone once again, and in this large castle at that. The feelings he had begun to feel for the boy overwhelmed him in this moment. His eldest known child. Though a bastard, Robert couldn't help but set it aside for now; for now, he was dying and it was this very bastard who wept at the very thought of his death.

"I will try to hold on," he said, though he felt his fever rising, the chill coursing through his bones and the pain searing through his body. It was getting harder for him to breathe but he put on a show, he wanted them to hold on to what little hope they had.

. … . … .

He didn't want to cry. Not in front of the King. He couldn't bare the fact that he was showing his father weakness at a time like this. He was to be king should King Robert die of his wound, and he was sitting here crying.

He never was one to show emotions. He was usually pretty well at keeping them to his self. But, for some reason he could not control it. He was so overwhelmed. He needed the King to live.

He wasn't ready for this. He was not ready to be a king. His father needed to live and continue on in his duty. He needed to live so that they could continue to get to know each other. He couldn't do this. Not yet.

Gendry sat by the King's bedside. He had barely eaten and could hardly close his eyes. He didn't want him to be alone at such a moment, so he sat, holding his hand, tending his fever and talking to him to try to help distract from the pain. The maester came and went bringing milk of the poppy and redressing the wound.

"It has festered, your grace," he said in a solemn tone. "I have done all that a can, but because the gash is so wide and so deep I failed in preventing the infection from spreading."

"How long do you think he has?" Gendry asked with much more panic than he intended. He looked to the king who had a worrisome expression combined with a snarled lip he assumed came from the pain.

"It seems to have damaged some of the internal organs, my lord. He will be lucky if he makes it the next two days." With that Maester Pycelle took his leave.

Gendry sat with his eyes to the ground, the sorrow he felt was beyond words.

"You should go get some rest, boy. You have been sitting here for a day and you need sleep," said Robert, struggling to be heard as he was feeling even weaker than before. He could barely speak now as the pain overtook him.

"If it please your grace…"

"Call me father. It may be the last time we get the chance," he said gripping Gendry's hand.

"Father…" Gendry tested the word on his lips. It was a foreign word for him. "Father, if it please you, I would much rather stay by your side. I have known you for only a short time and I want to make it last. I have been alone, without family, for most of my life. But now, I finally know what it is to be someone's son again. So, I shall sit here. I shall be here for you, and I will not leave your side."

As he spoke the words he couldn't help it but to again question how he has changed. Never was he the type to feel so much, to be so honest about his feeling. No, he did not know the man for long. But, he was still his father and he finally had the chance to get to know him as such. Though the time has been cut short, he wants for not but to hold onto his hand and wait for his final breath.

Hours passed by and people came and went. Lord Stark made frequent visits, making sure to see his friend as much as possible before he passed. They discussed matters of the realm, and what would happen for Gendry once the title of King was passed on to him. The thought scared him but he knew that it was his father's wish, so he wanted to do it for his sake.

It was now the hour of the wolf. Gendry had fallen asleep slumped over in the chair with his head rested on the bed and holding on to his father's hand. He woke suddenly and shifted in the chair before resting his head back down. However, something wasn't right. He slowly lifted his head and raised his gaze to large body resting on the bed. He no longer saw the shallow swell and fall of the king's chest. He could feel the cold of the fingers wrapped in his. He looked in silence as he saw the paleness of his father's skin and a single tear fell from his eyes.

Overcome with grief Gendry allowed himself to sob. He wouldn't dare let go of the man's hand that lay before him. He held on, much tighter than before, and cried.

He cried until a maid entered the room. She immediately took off running to get the maester and Lord Stark and tell them of the King's passing.

. … . … .

The funeral service was an extravagant one. It lasted five days and four nights. It took five days of planning and lords from all over the realm came to pay their respects.

The days following the late King Robert's death, the Red Keep was thrown into utter chaos. Ned and Gendry had to work through their grief, they had to deal with matters of the realm and begin planning for Gendry's Coronation. The servants were responsible for all preparations. They had to prepare and cook for the funeral and feast, they had to ensure that there were enough chambers ready for guests who came for both the funeral and coronation, and they were also in the midst of preparing the King's chamber for Gendry. Then, there was the rest of the small council. No one having expected Robert's death so soon, had left them unprepared for the tasks and papers that had to be drawn up. It took a full day just to write out letters to send by raven to each of the lords about the unfortunate event. The whole castle had things to do, and no had the time to properly grieve for the loss.

Robert may have been a drunk, but he was a good king. He may not have made all of the best decisions and he often gave orders on impulse, but his people were content. He did what he thought was best to keep himself on the throne, but it was because he knew that his rule was better than the Mad King before him.

And so, the people throughout the Seven Kingdoms felt great sorrow at the death of King Robert. Many were interested in Robert's bastard who now sat upon the Iron Throne and often wondered about whether he could live up to his father's reputation. Then, there were some who were opposed to Gendry's claim. There were people who did not believe that it was his right to be king. They didn't think that someone of such low birth should rise from the gutters to rule in a true king's stead. There were some who believed that there was someone of greater birth, who much more deserved the title of king and protector of the realm.

. … . … .

I know, this chapter was kind of short. BUT, I have already started the next. I just really want to get Robert's death out of the way so that we can focus more on Gendry and the start of his life as King !

So, keep watching because the next chapter should be up by no later than Friday.