The Toy Prince

17. Niklaus

Axel was close to death.

As soon as Niklaus saw him he knew that Johan was right. Axel would not last the night.

Niklaus sat at his Uncle's bedside and tried to control the emotions swirling inside of him. He hated his Uncle for trapping him in that prison for so long yet he also knew that he loved his Uncle. Seeing him so close to death was the push he needed to forgive his Uncle.

"Hello Niklaus."

Axel had opened his eyes and was looking at him. Niklaus felt a small smile tug at his lips, waiting until the time was right for it to become a fully-fledged smile. He wasn't there just yet.

"The battle is over. Conrad is captured, his men are routed and Konigreich is safe."

Axel grimaced in pain. "I wish that were true."

"I don't understand."

"You saw Strindz. That kind of poverty was never here before. I wish that I could say I was blind to it but I wasn't. My own health took precedence and now I realised that I was wrong. Death has a way of making one take stock of one's life and the mistakes you make."

Axel patted Niklaus' hand. The movement took a lot of effort for the dying man and brought on a vicious bout of coughing. Once it settled down Axel took a deep breath that sounded a lot like a death rattle.

"You should rest. Conserve your strength," Niklaus suggested.

Axel shook his head.

"I have to talk to you. I have to tell you again that I'm sorry. I haven't been a good Uncle to you or a good King. You and Ursula must do better. Fix what I've broken and make Konigreich strong again."

"Uncle, please don't talk like this. You're a good man. I know you are. Flawed but a good man. Your legacy will be safe in Ursula's hands," Niklaus said, gripping his Uncle's hand tightly.

Axel seemed satisfied with what he'd said because he sunk back into a semi-comatose state. His breathing deepened and became more laboured. Death was drawing close for Axel Meiger.

Niklaus stayed with him until the end which came swiftly in the early hours of the morning.

Tears burned in his eyes long after his Uncle stopped breathing. Axel looked so peaceful now. Stronger even than he had in the moments before his death. It was too late to say that he forgave his Uncle so he hoped that Axel knew it in some way shape or form.

He wiped the tears from his eyes and stood up to leave the room. In the corridor Johan was waiting for him. Niklaus took a moment to observe the man's demeanour. It was sombre but not too much. Just the right amount of mourning for one person rather than two.

"He's gone," Niklaus said softly.

Johan nodded. "I know."

Of course he did. "How is she?"

"She's OK. We got her to the hospital and they removed the gun fragment. She's still asleep but the doctors say she'll make a full recovery. I can take you to her if you want?"

"Not yet." He closed the door to Axel's room. "I want to see my Father."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Johan asked, looking concerned.

"You can stay in the room if you want. I only need to say goodbye to him as well."

Johan appeared to consider it for a moment before agreeing to let him see his Father.