the Old King

"But things were about to change. That winter the King fell ill."

"He was very old. He and his first Queen had been childless. He loved her very much, but several years after she died he found love again, and took a new wife....a much younger new Queen..... and she bore him a son...Lawrence.

​The King was already well passed middle age, and had given up all hope of ever becoming a father, so was thrilled to have a son. A few years later the Queen became with child again, but that time there were complications, and she died giving birth to a little Princess .....Grace.

The King was heartbroken, but knew his children needed him, so he was determined to raise them as best he could."

"He spent a lot of time with his son...."

" ...teaching and guiding him...."

" and he absolutely doted on his daughter....."

"...She reminded him so much of her mother...."

"No matter how busy he was, the King always tried to spend some time with his children."

"He never expected to live long enough to see either of them marry..."

"...or that he'd become a grandfather.   So he was thankful for every moment."

"But that following winter he became very ill...."