Drabble – How Long
How long is eleven months? Ask Alexander, he will tell you how long it is, how slowly time travels, how lonely one can get in eleven months.
He hadn't wanted Hephaestion to go in the first place but there had been no one else capable of doing the work correctly. Knowing he had to send him away for so long, Alexander had not been in a good mood and even Hephaestion had felt his wrath. Cruel words and sharp replies had been the last things that had said to each other, mostly by Alexander.
He had sent letters apologizing for his mistakes, and they were many. Hephaestion had answered but with a reserve that had never been a part of their relationship before. The words had cut deeply and the wounds were slow to heal.
Hephaestion had asked a simple and honest question of him, but the answer had not been simple for Alexander to answer. Hephaestion had pressed him, as he always did. This time instead to talking it out, Alexander vented, cruelly. And then he had said those awful words.
'You're turning into a nagging woman, I already have one wife, and I don't need another!'
All of the color had left Hephaestion's face, his eyes held a pain that Alexander could have never imagined. Ptolemy had crashed into the room at that very moment and told him of the fire burning out of control. He had given Hephaestion once last look and left to help with the fire.
It was the last time he had seen Hephaestion in eleven months. Hephaestion left half-a-day early to start his journey, within an hour of Alexander's words.
Alexander had returned and found Hephaestion gone, and his world turned upside down. He had no one to blame but himself.
Everyday of the eleven months, Alexander relived the tragic day, his hurtful words and the expression on Hephaestion's face, especially his eyes.
Now he was on his way home, back to Alexander. But Alexander wondered which Hephaestion was coming back to him. For the first time in his life, he was scared. If he lost Hephaestion he knew he could not go on.
Horses were heard in the distance and he stood on balcony and watched the riders approach. Hephaestion was in the front, his body gracefully bound with his horse.
Tears clouded Alexander's eyes as he saw Hephaestion look up at him. He held his gaze for a moment before he dismounted and disappeared in a doorway below.
Alexander was frozen on the spot with fear. He heard footsteps enter his room and he turned towards the doorway. Hephaestion stood just in the entryway moving no farther inside. Making his feet move, Alexander slowly closed the distance between them and kneeled before him.
The words poured out of him and he emptied his heart. Through tear-stained eyes he saw Hephaestion kneel in front of him and take him in his arms. It was a start.
How long is eleven months…a precious lifetime.