It was something he knew. It was something which had been proven a hundred times over--by his men, and now by the woman gently smoothing back his hair.

The clarity was coming back, finally, to his brow. The evenness of his breathing was now back in place properly. The shift of his hand brought his fingers, weakly, to smooth against her cheek.

"I love them. I love... this kingdom."

And he loved her. Hopefully, for all his voice was fading, she remembered that.