Warmth

Rhodri could not believe his eyes. The man before him had had his face cleared of dirt with a bandage over his nose. His hair was long and tangled into unruly knots that littered the bed. But those green eyes. He would know them anywhere. 

"Hello, brother," the voice was raspy but unmistakable. 

"Dayne!" Rhodri dropped to one knee, grasping his brother's hand and kissing despite the grime covering it.

"Get up," Dayne tried to pull his hand away, but lacked the strength. "The king kneels for no one, remember?" 

"I am not our father. I will kneel to anyone I see fit." Rhodri refused to budge.

"I am glad to hear it. One of him was enough." Dayne coughed. Water from his hair flung about the room as he convulsed on the bed. 

When the patient finally stopped, his breathing was ragged.

Rhodri furrowed his brow. "I have looked for you for years! Where have you been? Why did you not come to me before you got into this state? Did Ester not take care of you?" The questions all tumbled out in quick succession.

Dayne turned toward the wall, his expression bleak. "Ester is dead. Died when she caught a fever from the village. It should have been me. I was supposed to meet with one of our tenants, but she went in my stead. I should be the one who is dead. And I will be soon. The Fates have finally caught up to me." 

The disgraced prince coughed again. Rhodri brought a cloth to his brother's lips. When he pulled it back, the white handkerchief was marred with blood. The king set the cloth aside and shook his head.

"Don't talk like that! You need to live. I just got you back." Rhodri had no other siblings. He was about to lose his only brother for a second time. The thought broke him in unimaginable ways. 

"I gave up a long time ago," Dayne wheezed. "Been drinking my sorrow for too many days to count. I don't deserve your love or your pity. But there is one who does..." Dayne's eyes went glassy and then closed entirely. His breathing slowed. 

"No! You cannot leave it like that." Rhodri took his brother's shoulders and shook them. 

The prince jolted. He looked at the king with a dazed expression, like one waking from a deep slumber. "You are really here! I wanted to find you, but I thought I was dreaming." 

"I am here. Really. You do deserve my love no matter what you say." The king searched the room for a stool and pulled it up beside the other man. 

"If you are going to love someone, love my son," Dayne smiled weakly, "he deserves the best. I only wish I could have given him that. Without Ester to ground me, I've been adrift."

"You have a son?! Where is he?" Rhodri did not even have time to process the implications of this for the kingdom. Ester was dead and Dayne was dying. All Rhodri wanted was to make sure his nephew was safe. 

"Last time I saw him, he was at the Samberg manor on the southern border, next to Merryton." Dayne looked at the ceiling with a far-off gaze. "He is a good boy. Give him better than I did." 

"I will," Rhodri promised, "I cannot believe I have a nephew." The king felt hope for his nation for the first time in a long time. "What is his name?"

The smile which has just formed on the elder brother's face instantly faded. Dayne's eyes had become glassy once more, but his chest no longer took ragged breaths. It was still. The prince was gone.

"Dayne!" Tears flowed down the king's face as he closed his brother's eyes for the last time.

The tumultuous storm released a catastrophic boom, but it was nothing compared to the cry of the king's disquieted spirit. In his grief, he searched his brother's body, looking for anything that might have given a clue to his nephew's identity. His search came up empty.

Hearing the sobbing, the doctor, who had been quietly waiting outside, knocked lightly before entering.

"Dayne's dead," Rhodri answered flatly.

"I am most sorry, Your Majesty. I remember when he was born." The old man hung his head.

"The prince will have a royal funeral. See to it that no one disturbs his body until I…" Rhodri choked.

"I will handle it. Do not worry."

Rhodri pushed back a strand of hair that had fallen in his brother's face with the final coughing fit.

It was strange to see the man who always looked so vibrant and defiant appear to be peacefully sleeping.

He looked like a beggar. How long had he been out in the elements? Only one thing about him looked remotely civilized.

Without a word, Rhodri removed the man's necklace and clutched it.

'At least I will have something to remember him by.'

"I do love you, brother. I will find your son."

There was nothing left for him to do. He left Dayne in peace.

As Rhodri passed a window returning to his room, he noticed that the storm had only grown in intensity outside. The king took a small amount of comfort in the fact that at least his brother had not died in the wind and rain.

He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he almost tripped over the small bundle cowering by his door. "Rose! How did you get here? Where is your nanny?" 

The little face looked up at him with a terrified expression. Tears glistened on her round cheeks. "Magda fell asleep, and I wanted you. I cannot sleep!" 

Looping his brother's necklace over his head, the king gathered up the child in his arms. "The storm is very loud, isn't it?" 

"And angry!" the little girl chirped. "I heard you were out in it, and I wanted to make sure you got home. I was very worried." She released a silent sob. 

Rhodri stroked the child's head then patted her back. "It is alright now. I am here, and we are safe."

"I won't be able to sleep tonight," the child whined, afraid of being sent back to her room. 

"I cannot sleep either," Rhodri sighed. "Perhaps we can stay up together until the storm passes. I will call a servant to bring some tea and cookies. How does that sound?" 

The young princess nodded and rubbed at her eyes. "Yes please." 

As she snuggled against the king for comfort, Rose came face to face with the medallion around his neck. 

"What is that?" she asked innocently.

Rhodri took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice even. "That belonged to my brother. He died." 

'Just now, actually,' the king left the final words unsaid. He saw no reason to put the child through the trauma of mourning a man she never met.

"Tell me about him!" Rose seemed eager for the distraction.

After hesitating, Rhodri smiled and touched the little girl under the chin. "You know what? That is an excellent idea. Let's go sit by the fireplace, and I will tell you stories about him that will make you laugh until you are silly..."

A servant was called, and the preparations were made. Soon, the small living space was filled with laughter at the retelling of the exploits of the two young princes. 

The storm continued to rage outside, but inside, there was only warmth.