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Hello All,
This story is to honour Autumn's beauty, and of course to honour Alexander and Hephaestion. Here, we will see how they spent some of their time during their Illyrian Exile. There will be hardships, but also pleasure and pastime. An unexpected friend will be appearing in this tale. We will also learn about the origins of our Dear Ones' beloved dogs Peritas and Pollux.
Read and enjoy,
// NorthernLight
TEMPLATE:
Title: Illyrian Autumn (1/ ?, WIP ),
Author: NorthernLight
Category: Love/Friendship/Adventure story
Pairing: Alexander&Hephaestion
Date: December 2008
Feedback: Yes, , on and off list, as you please.
Archive: Yes, but please tell me first.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. This is for entertainment only, and for my deep interest in Alexander and Hephaestion, their times and great adventures.
Beta: Denise. Many thanks for interesting discussions and suggestions. You sure make my stories a far better read.
Summary: Alexander and Hephaestion experienced hard times during their Illyrian exile. There were some memorable moments, though.
Warnings: One OMC. Amanda is my alter ego, a wishful dream come true.
Authorís note: I donít know much of Ancient Illyria. The Mountain Illyrians are a proud and stubborn people of my own invention. Elk and lynx are animals living in the North of Europe. I donít think that they lived in Ancient Greece or Illyria in Alexander's time, but I like them to be there all the same. :)
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Illyrian Autumn
A Wood In Illyria, 338 BC
Forest Witch
Loneliness
Alone and apart from everyone. This loneliness had always been her lot.
Amanda was a bright and beautiful girl child, too bright for her own good. In childhood, the other children found her odd and strange with her intense interest for herbs, plants and flowers, and her never ending studies of the star lit sky late in the evening. Her parents never understood her properly, but they let her be with all her oddities. Her Father Silouanos, the venerable chief of the Mountain Illyrians, spent his time mostly with his two big and strong sons, but he was the one who taught her all about the star lit sky. They often walked together, talking and studying late in the evenings. Her Mother, Margarites, taught her all that she knew about healing herbs and also cooking and cleaning. Margarites' Mother Korinna was a skilled healer and as long as she lived, she did her very best to teach little Amanda all of her important skills.
Now the odd little girl child had become a young, strong and stubborn woman, still set apart from everyone. She was a most skilled Healer and lived in her very own Grotto, far away from the village. It was safely hidden away from all sight, behind a tapestry of enormous, thorny rose bushes. Amanda liked to be alone. She had her own secret garden in the forest, also surrounded by a wall of thorny rose bushes. It was filled with healing herbs, succulent vegetables and she also had a small orchard with apple trees, cherry trees and plum trees heavily loaded with fruits and berries every autumn. She loved animals and ate neither meat nor fish or fowls. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, roots, mushrooms and berries offered her enough sustenance.
Very few people visited her in her Grotto. She was one of the very best Healers in all of Illyria, but she only attended to the very worst cases, those beyond all Hope of natural recovery. Woe to the poor patient who needed the skills of Amanda. She was so remote, aloof and bad tempered that she was known as the Forest Witch .
The Village Healer and Midwife sent for her when they despaired of what to do. She always came, most reluctantly, but she always brought potent remedies, strong enough to cure even the very worst illness or injury.
Her constant company was a huge and bad tempered she dog, the sand colored Ptolema. She was Molossian, but she looked like a lioness. This spring she had given Amanda quite a surprise. She had noticed that her beloved she dogís belly had become quite round. Since they both always indulged in the best of foods she thought nothing about it. One evening Ptolema was very restless. She ran around in circles all over the Grotto. Amanda noticed nothing dangerous in the vicinity and tried to calm her down. At long last she went to rest on her bed of warming furs near Amandaís own big and comfortable cot, situated on a nature made elevation at one side of the Grotto. She had softened the hard stone bench with soft branches, a big heap of dried leaves and soft, sweet smelling hay. Ptolemaís bed was equally equipped. In her sleep, Amanda heard the she dog sometimes groan and yelp. She thought that Ptolema perhaps had nightmares about hunts going awry for her.
In the morning, Ptolema lay on her fur bed, nursing a litter of very fine and sweet little puppies, two he dogs and three she dogs. They had been born during the night. Three of them were black as their beautiful Mother. The other two were sand coloured, as small lion cubs. They reminded Amanda exactly of Big Leonnatos, her Fatherís prize hunting dog.
Amanda was overjoyed and gently patted them all on their furry heads. The puppies were all sound and healthy and they grew and thrived. Ptolema quickly turned into a good and devoted Mother. Her unexpected Motherhood softened her temper and made her more mature. Regarding her five puppies she was not bad tempered at all. She simply adored them. They all grew rapidly, and now they all were hunting rabbits, birds and all kinds of small animals. They often proudly presented their hapless prey on Amandaís doorstep. She was outraged and disturbed by these offerings being proudly presented at her doorstep. Amanda loved animals and NEVER ever ate any meat. Since she knew that all her beloved dogs only did what their nature commanded them to, she just gently patted their furry heads, thanking them and telling them to enjoy their offerings.
"Good dogs. Good dogs. Now you may enjoy your prey and spoils, "she told them. "Eh, I am not hungry right now........."
Amanda had another animal friend. Lora, the female lynx was living nearby in the forest. Her small ones were born in the middle of the summer, and they still looked like cute but very big kittens, with sweet little tufts on their ears. Ptolema and her puppies did not like them at first, but now they were the very best of friends. They even hunted together, and it was very hard for the small hares, rabbits and birds to withstand the combination of doggy stubbornness and feline cunning.
Yes, Amanda lived a happy but lonesome life in the forest. She loved her animals and her comfortable Grotto, she liked to be alone and the lives, loves and conflicts of other people never interested or affected her very much.
Little she knew. Soon there would be great changes coming her way.
New Arrivals In The Forest
Summer was swiftly changing into autumn. The treesí foliage was no longer green and fresh. It had started to shimmer into golden yellow, flaming orange and russet red. The air was no longer warm and balmy. It was cool and brisk, and hard winds blew down from the mountains, making all people shiver. The birds gathered in flocks, planning on leaving for the warmer southern shores of Egypt and Africa.
Amanda was in her garden, diligently picking apples and plums. Birds were chirping all around her, together with the last bees and bumblebees. She enjoyed the brisk winds, the golden sun, the beautiful colors and the crisp, cool air around her. Autumn was Amandaís favourite season. It held its own unique and flaming beauty, the last warmth before the long, hard and cold Illyrian Winter.
Suddenly, there were unfamiliar sounds coming from the forest path nearby. Amanda called Ptolema and her puppies to her side. They all slowly crept through the secret tunnel leading through the thorny rose bushes. Amanda prudently noticed that the bushes were covered with flaming red rosehips, ready to be gathered. When they came forth, Healer and dogs curiously and silently watched the strange and beautiful scene at the river shore, hiding themselves well behind the thorny bushes.
Two young men came riding through the forest, heading towards the woodland creek. They were astoundingly beautiful, one bright and golden like the rising Sun, the other dark and serene like the calm and silvery Moon. Their warming fur cloaks were excellently crafted and the woolen chitons they wore under seemed to be made from the finest fabrics, looking fine even when worn and dusty. The Golden One was dressed in red, adorned with golden threads. The dark haired one wore blue, adorned with silvery threads. They looked tired and worn out, as if from a long and involuntary journey. Their horses mimicked their expression, heads hanging low, looking starved and exhausted. Amanda had never seen such magnificent mounts before. One was coal black like the darkest night, the other was flaming auburn, like a dark firebrand.
The young men looked at the mountain slope, and the dark haired one pointed at something. Amanda was both amazed and disturbed.
He had spotted the secret entrance to another grotto, one which only Amanda knew about. This one must be very clever, indeed.
Now they rode towards the river and got off their horses. They kindly led them to the river,. letting them drink their fill from the cool, sparkling water. Then they led them up the mountain slope, unloaded their saddle bags and lifted some heavy rolls from the horsesí backs. The dark haired one swiftly spotted the secret entrance to the grotto. He pointed towards it, and he and his friend carried their belongings through the thorny tunnel. The grotto was hidden behind a wall of giant rose bushes, a natural protection against dangers. It was beautiful, like a crimson curtain covered with glowing red rosehips. When the young men reappeared, the dark haired one pointed at the shining berries with a happy smile.
îThat one seems to be unusually clever and prudent for a MAN, î Amanda silently mused to herself. îIt looks like I am going to have some company here in my remote neighbourhood. I sure hope that they will not be making improper advances to me, or else..........î
Amanda was very afraid of men. That was one of the reasons that she had chosen to live in such a remote and strange place. She did not like their improper advances, their violent behaviour and their lewd language. Her father and brothers were well behaved towards her, but all others were unreliable, sometimes even dangerous.
Nowadays, no one even dared to look at her, only when they needed her medical assistance. The last time a man tried to pinch her bottom he regretted it for a very long time.
Amanda was a very dangerous woman, even if she did not realize it herself. She gently produced a pouch made from soft leather. It held ten sharp thorns, immersed in a shining dark substance. Then she prudently felt for the big and sharp hunting knife hidden in her leather boot, and the other one safely bound to the leather belt at her waist.
She was well prepared for all kinds of dangers that might be coming her way.
Fires Of Autumn
Whatever were the strangers up to now? They ran to the river and undressed, carelessly throwing their fine garments in a heap on the ground. Their horses looked at them, grumbling as if they well knew about what was coming. Then they looked the other way around and started nibbling at the long tufts of fragrant and succulent woodland grass. It had been raining heavily recently, and the grass straws were adorned with drops of water, glittering like strands of pearls or diamonds.
Amanda knew that she ought to share the horsesí modesty. She was a woman, though, and of a very curious nature. The men in her tribe of Mountain Illyrians were used to all kinds or hardships, living close to Mother Nature. Their bodies were muscular and well developed. Amanda thought that all Southerners must be soft, flabby and untrained due to the warm climate and the comforts of their fine houses and cities. These young men must be an exception, she silently mused to herself. They were simply magnificent, brawny and beautiful at the same time , with their golden and auburn manes flowing down their broad and muscular backs. The sun was shining down upon them, making them even more magnificent. They both seemed to glow from a wondrous inner light, the golden one fierce and flaming, the auburn haired one calm and silvery.
Amanda once more saw them as the Sun and the Moon, being complete together.
They ran into the water of the woodland creek, never minding that it was ice cold, flowing down from the mountains. It formed a curtain of glittery spray and drops around them as they started to splashing each other. The cold water refreshed them, and their voices were loud and vigorous. They spoke a strange and unfamiliar language. It didnít sound like Greek, it was something quite else. As Amanda curiously listened she heard that it was a bit like her own Illyrian. Didnít people speak like that on the other side of the mountains?
Macedonian! The young men must be Macedonians!
They bathed for a very long time. Amanda was worried for them. The water was freezing cold and could be hazardous to their health. These young men were tough, though, and the cold water seemed to make them even more vigorous. When they got up from the water it was streaming from their muscular frames, making them glitter as they shivered from the cold. They rubbed each other down, exchanging strangely fond looks during the proceedings.
Then they saw a heap of dried golden birch leaves and glowing orange maple leaves. The wind had blown them together under a large maple. They looked like a comfortable, nature made cot. Suddenly the young men gave each other a warming embrace and fell down in the heap of autumn leaves. There and then they stared a strange and merry tumble,. making the leaves flutter and blow around, like in a fierce autumn storm.
Blushing, Amanda averted her eyes from their private moments.
// "Well, THEY at least will not make improper advances to me, " she silently mused to herself. //
The horses gave their dear Masters another familiar look, and started to grumble as they turned around and went away. Their nostrils flared, and soon the enormous animals were coming her way!
Amanda loved all animals, but these were full grown war stallions, almost as large as Illyrian elks. She knew that she could not possibly outrun them, so she sat still and calm behind the bushes. Ptolema courageously remained at her side, she and the puppies bravely barking at the intruders.
The young men were so occupied with each other that they did not notice the fierce barking and yelping of the she dog and her five puppies.
The horses now came up to her. They were grumbling and groaning in misery, and she heard that the grumbling was not only coming from their muzzles.
Their stomachs were grumbling pitifully, too.
She saw that they were fine horses, well kept with shining coal black and fiery auburn manes and coats. They were very thin, though. Their ribcages were protruding through their shining coats and she realized that they had not had enough to eat for a very long time. They came very close to her and started to nuzzle her, licking at her hands. Ptolema and the puppies tried to butt them away, all in vain.
"No, my brave ones, "Amanda chided her faithful dogs. "They are too big for you to chase them away - and don't you see that they are friendly? I think that they came to me because they are very hungry! We must do something about it. "
The dogs sat down, silently sulking. They were not very fond of these new found friends to their Dear Mistress.
Amanda loved the deer and elks of the forest and she kept a hidden store of apples and hay to feed them during the hard and cold wintertime. Now she wanted to open it, well before the winter.
"Wait here, my big, new friends. I will be back soon, with something quite to your liking."
Amanda could have sworn to it that the giant stallions nodded in understanding. She soon returned with her arms full of sweet smelling hay and juicy red apples. The horses ate their fill, and she even had to bring a second helping.
"Oh my, you sure have a hearty appetite, "she stated, gently patting them on their soft muzzles.
They nodded, as if to thank her for her generosity.
"Bucephalus! Castor! Where are you?"
Loud and clear voices rang through the forest. The giant stallions pricked their ears, looking down to the creek. The young men were now fully dressed, and looking for their equine friends. The horses gave Amanda a warm look filled with thankfulness. Then they grabbed two especially big and juicy apples and ran down the slope, eager to join their Dear Masters.
Amanda went back to her secret garden, resuming her chores. Her curiosity got the best of her, though. Several times she interrupted her gardening and went to look at the new arrivals. They were diligently preparing their new home. The auburn haired one was soon picking rose hips while the Golden One sat on a stone fondly watching.
Evening came and the new arrivals made a cooking fire in front of their grotto. She saw them roast an enormous boar for supper, and it was the auburn haired one who was in charge of the cooking. He also boiled some roots and sweet smelling herbs he had found in the forest, and made a thick, tasty soup from the rose hips. When the food was ready they sat close together by the fire, sharing the same warming fur cloak They ate their supper, at the same time engaged in a conversation that seemed to be about some very serious matters. After dinner, they withdrew into the Grotto, taking their horses with them. The star lit sky formed a dark blue cupola over them all, adorned with sparkling stars and a silvery crescent Moon.
Amanda wondered greatly about who the newly arrivals actually were. Why had they come to her remote part of Illyria? Few people ever did visit the Mountain Illyrians. Amanda had never seen any Southerners at all. These young men looked beautiful and reliable - but whatever had they done to have to run into Exile to this remote mountain slope? Could they even be dangerous to her and her tribe?
Amanda felt many worried thoughts passing through her mind as she went to bed in her own hidden Grotto. She told Ptolema and her puppies to keep vigilant watch over her and the Grotto. It took her forever to fall asleep, and she wondered what the Future might bring to her and her friends.
TBC
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