The only thing keeping Aleron from resisting being held down at the shoulders by his wife is a complete inability to do so. He's too weak and in too much agony to fight it. But frustration is rapidly building, though not with her. With his failing faculties. He can feel himself slipping again and he needs to get through to her before it's too late. Because she is not safe and it is his fault. "Bethany, my beloved light..."

He dallies studying her face, as if memorizing every detail anew, with a growing realization that it likely is his last chance to do so. But not for nearly long enough to sate his yearning to dote on Bethany, because he's desperate to convey something to her, even though putting two words together at a time takes effort. His speech is broken as he fumbles and trips over his words. The song and the pain are forcing their way in through the cracks.

"I would... I would lay down my life... to save yours. But Anders... Anders told me... to live, for you. I swear I have done." Even at the precipice of madness, he remembers the injunction to live because Bethany had lost enough. That's what's truly kept him from succumbing some time ago. Unfortunately, sheer stubborn will alone is rapidly proving not enough. "They... wanted you. '...last Hawke.' I would not... You must live." His lip quivers while he teeters on the edge of tears; he's quite lost control as the sound is drowning his clarity out. "I've failed you. You must live."

She's terribly correct, unfortunately. He should not have been allowed to get worked up because it's proving detrimental to his already deteriorating condition. Whatever he was trying to convey is now lost to the fog of the red lyrium's silent internal torture. The song is all that's left to him and Aleron clearly can no longer recognize where he is or with who. The only solid thought left to him is that he wishes he could die and bring the pain to an end.