Someone in his family, perhaps himself, was fated to die.

“Sometimes,” he said, looking into his nephew’s eyes, “people cry because they’re hurt. Other times, it’s because someone or something they love isn’t there anymore, and they miss them very much. Or,” he paused, thinking, “there are people out there who are just sad sometimes. They’ve had to live through things that have made them sad, even though they might not know why, and they can’t help but cry.” he smiled sadly, though reassuringly at Lysander. “They aren’t bad or scary at all. Maybe they just need someone to give them a hug, and tell them they love them.”