Title: "Beyond the Battles"
Author: BalianswordChapter: 1, "Hephaestion Amyntor"
Dedicated to: Daisy, to the setting and main plot of this story was created for, and created using her ideas. Thank you so much Daisy! I can only hope that you enjoy this and I do nothing to cause you to be angry with me.
A/N: The first chapter, which is really more like an introduction, is a PoV. Chapters to follow will not be, yet here and there to get into the minds of characters there will be PoVs. Hopefully transitions and so forth prove to make each chapter clear. If not, please let me know. There are also going to be a few outside characters. And if you like this, or hate it, please review. Either way I like hearing from my readers.
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Alexander's PoVThere is something about the way that he enters a room that lets everyone know. Even if he were not so beautiful they would be able to glimpse it. Even if for a moment. Tonight he enters wearing a pair of silk trousers and a billowing silk robe. Both of these precious garments I laid out on his bed for him, next to his Macedonian clothes of course, but I am glad that he chose these. For a moment I remember that he probably did this just to please me. If he did, which I suspect, then I love him for it. I have always and will always love him for the sacrifices he makes for me.
He enters with a soft smile on his face. Yet as he always does he averts his eyes, glancing down at the floor, before speaking to those that greet him. They see the same things I do in him. There is the beauty, of course, but those that know him see so much more. All that know him know of his intelligence, of his determination, and all other qualities that he is gifted. Tonight there is something different about him. It as if he for once is comforted by these palace walls. Never does he raise a cup to his lips and drink the wine, even if he carries it with him all night. At least not until I am asleep, whether from work, my own drinking, or what I pray for the most our lovemaking. That is what I want of tonight, to take him in my arms and hold him close to me. I want to be one with him. I yearn to show him, not only tell him, that I appreciate his love for me. So far he has followed me, and never has he questioned me, and by far he is the only truly loyal person here. I wish to love him tonight, not only in mind but also with our bodies, but I fear suddenly that such will not happen.
Cassander approaches him now and throws his arms around him. Of course he is already drunk with wine. Soon he'll find some woman to settle down with. If he is unlucky, which generally is not a problem for him, he will end up lying on a couch alone all night. I know that he is drunk but I still feel this pang in my heart. I do not like the idea of him touching Hephaestion, not because I do not know where his heart lies, but it is something else. Hephaestion at one time was only mine. He still is, in heart yes, but I begin to wonder if there are ever times when he takes on other lovers. If he does then I do not mind because he will always come back to me. But you can still worry even if you know that you are guaranteed something. Especially if it is the heart of a man like the one I am staring at now.
Like I said before, there is something about him that you can see when he enters a room. For tonight I see him as if I've never seen him before. His eyes seem bluer and his hair shines in the candlelight. The muscles on his chest ripple as he smiles and then walks away from Cassander. He comes towards me and this is the highlight of my day. Yes, I have gained Persia. Yet what does that matter when put in comparison with Hephaestion?
I am glad when he comes and sits down next to me. I wish that I could speak to him. Not just say the simple words that others are. I do not want to have this conversation about duties to be done and the glory of the recent battles. I want to speak to Hephaestion. I want to confide my most private thoughts and feelings within his heart where I know they shall be kept safe. I yearn for him to listen, then give me his comments, no matter what they are. I want him to confide in me as we do when we lay next to each other after making love when neither of us can fall asleep. If we were to fall in sleep tonight, should I get what I want, then I shall dream of him.
"Of course," Hephaestion agrees to whatever Ptolemy has just said. They are speaking of Aristotle and his teachings. Hephaestion raises his cup and touches it to Ptolemy's and I smile as if I have been listening. I have not been though. I've been consumed with images and thoughts of Hephaestion. It is so easy to understand why all love him. Especially tonight, when he seems so very calm, as if he has lived here all of his life.
"Alexander," Perdicass says raising his cup and laughing foolishly. I must say that he is far more interesting when drunk. But now is not one of the times I wish to laugh. Yet I listen any way and push aside my thoughts of the night ahead. I try to concentrate on him and not Hephaestion. "You are lucky to have a general as fine as Hephaestion, son of Amyntor!"
"That I am," I agree and I say it proudly. Those that were not listening now are. All in the room turn to look at me as I stand. I raise my goblet, knowing what I now must do, not for them but for him. He deserves to know what he is. "I am surrounded by wonderful generals and brave warriors. Yet there is one that should be due of recognition! Let this feast be tonight for Hephaestion, and all of us!"
I must add the entire party. Otherwise they will give him harsh words for it later. I know that Cassander does this often. He uses everything against Hephaestion. His best talent is taking my words and turning them into something far more different than what they are. He and Hephaestion argue constantly. I know why though. It is because Cassander knows that his heart belongs to me. If it did not though I know whom Cassander would seek out, and it would not be I.
I sit back down and soon everyone goes back to what they were doing. Conversations are picked up. Drinking continues. After a moment, when I know that it is safe, I steal a glance at Hephaestion. He only smiles and reaches over, under the cloth covering the table, and puts a hand on my lower thigh just above my knee. He leaves his hand there for some time before he moves it slightly higher. There is a warmth that fills me when he touches me and it is not only my lust for him. He makes me feel…wanted. He makes me feel as if I am needed and that he could not live without me. I enjoy that feeling.
Hephaestion's hand stays on my thigh for some time before we actually speak. I glance over at him, and he is already smiling softly, but is still surveying the scenes playing out before us. Just his smile causes me to do the same. I feel so stupid, for I know that I am acting like a love struck youth, and I know that such stupidity should go away with your first love. Then again, Aristotle is wrong, because it is possible for a boy to remain in love with his first love for all of his life. How many years has it been, and I still love Hephaestion. And I know that I always shall as I look at him now.
"What is it," I ask him, lowering my voice. He still smiles but turns his head to look at me. His cerulean eyes shine, made all the brighter with the coal colored liner of the Persians that line them. Yes, something in him has changed, and I must say it is for the better. I do not recall ever seeing him so happy in the last months of our campaign. Not even when he is alone with me.
"I am just glad," he answers and I delve further with my eyes. I need not ask more. He just knows that I desire to listen to what he has to say no matter what it is. He shakes his head and then leans back slightly, but only raises his hand up my thigh a little more and applies a little more pressure. That smile is captivating, but his eyes are what I look at, what I desire most about him apart from his mind I suppose. "How long have you said you are going to claim Persia for Macedonia? And now you have."
"With your help."
"It has always been your dream. I just wonder, now that you have Persia, what will you want now?"
Must I say it? I just look at him, and he knows. But the night is young and leaving now would be too apparent. Especially if I were to leave. So instead of excusing myself Hephaestion stands and leaves the room. I know where to find him. He is always there when I need him. I watch him go, thinking about how handsome he is, and how much I love and cherish him. Soon, we will be together. The few moments that I will have to stay here as he leaves to his rooms will seem like a lifetime to me though.
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A/N: Short, I know. Please don't kill me yet! The next chapter will be longer, I swear it. This is just to give you some background. Btw, this is not going to be like my previous fiction. It has been requested that this be a lighter and happier fiction, and so it shall be that, because it is needed. Hope you enjoy the next chapter, but review this one…?
Daisy: Content?
