The king silently entered Charles' chambers. He walked slowly to his friends bedside, afraid of what he would see. He had know Brandon for as long as he could remember, he loved him dearly and as much as he didn't wish to see him so weak he couldn't stay away. Charles had always been there for him in his time of trial, now the time had come to return the gesture.

When he finally rounded the corner and his friend's face came into view he had to look away. His pale skin glistened with sweat and had it not been for the slow rising and falling of his chest, he could of sworn that God had already invited him into heaven.

Before going to him, Henry quietly spoke to the court physician who had been looking after Mr. Brandon. "How does he fair?"

"Not well you're Majesty" the physician said grimly, "The illness came on quickly, most likely from an infection he contracted in a wound he received while hunting. He began vomiting early this morning and collapsed this afternoon. He is very weak and unable to stay awake for longer than a few minutes."

"And I trust you are doing everything in your power to help him?"the King asked. No matter how many times he had to forgive Charles, he had always been his most loyal and loving friend.

"Of course you're Majesty" the physician replied quickly.

Henry nodded in thanks and went to the Duke's bedside. He sat in the chair that had been placed there for visitors and gently took his friends hand. Slowly, Charles opened his eyes and was surprised when he realized that it was the King that now sat beside him.

"You're Majesty," he said weakly, "should not have come."

"I will be the judge of when I come to see my ailing friends" Henry said jokingly. He chuckled at his own joke but was immediately disappointed and distraught when he saw that all Charles could muster in reply was a small smile. He now longed more than ever to see his friend at his full strength again.

"I am sure you have greater affairs of state to attend to than a dying duke," Charles could not longer keep his heavy eyelids open.

"You are not dying you're grace," said the king, "this is simply a test from God, one which I know you will overcome." Henry placed his free hand on his friends chest and could feel his heart beating against his skin, "You have a strong heart my friend, and I know God has many more uses for it." He sat for a while longer, watching his friends chest rise and fall, recalling past memories of watching so many die before their time.

It wasn't until he heard the Duchess weeping from the other room that he rose from his seat and solemnly placed his hand on Charles' forehead and quietly said goodbye. He left the bedchambers and found Katherine kneeling on the ground just outside the door, tears streaming down her face.

"I am sorry you're Majesty," she said quickly, bowing her head to the king. However she could not hold her composure for long before she collapsed to the ground and began crying again. The King went to his knees and firmly took her by the shoulders. He looked at her tear stained face and into her pained eyes.

"Now is not the time for weeping," he started "We must stay strong and pray to God that he will forgive Charles of his sins and let him pass through these tribulations unscathed."

Katherine closed her eyes, letting one last tear fall and slowly nodded. The King smiled at the effect of his own wisdom and brought the lady up with him as he rose. He looked one final time to his life long friend who now helpless on his sickbed and in his head prayed that he would be able to help him through the rest of his days as the King.