Title : Nothing is ever finished
Pairing : Hephaistion/Alexander
Disclaimer : Characters don't own me. Only the ones, I have created.
Rating : T for the most with some M chapters
Warning : Historical and alternative universe
Summary : Myth and reality come across to complicate the love between Alexander and Hephaistion.
A/N : I wanted to offer this chapter as birthday gift to my dear Tere. So be indulgent with my english, please ! It's not my native language. Comments are loved and appreciated.
— Special dedication to zophiel_lagace, Happy Birthday my dear ! —
CHAPTER 1
The camp is building from a day of march near Halicarnass where we have to join Alexander and his army. The night is calm and quiet.
For the mission, Hephaistion was obliged to cross around the Cary to find all the necessary supplies for the continuation of the Alexander's dreams. After so long times, he languishes to meet him again. He remembers his last night together and smile. He loves this man more than all in this world. He is the only who understands him.
Alexander gave order to Cleitos to go with me in mission. I have a lot of admiration for the Philip's general even if sometimes I have the feeling he don't take me seriously. Often he mock me and provoke me with stupid jokes. But sometimes this annoy me. The impression to be towards like a child. And I wonder the reason why : is it my relationship with Alexander or my appearance ? I know and see the look on me from people, full of desire, envy and disregard. Beauty closes the soul as much ugly as. People judge me on what they see none about what I am. My appearance is a weakness for them, and a lot of them despise me for that. They only see in me an opportunist, a sycophant who use his physical advantages ; unable to see my real value. With time, I learnt to forget regards and low mass around me. I disregard all that and prefer to let talk my actions rather than try to convince.
Despite that, when a man like Cleitos treats me in this way, I feel irritate, with the desire to shout "you are wrong", I am not who you think I am. I would want people respect me for who I am. Beauty embuch me rather than open doors, especially in army.
I look to the sky and stars, night is warm and I can't sleep. The moon is full, very big this evening and enlighten the night like a day. I decide to take my horse and go for a walk. I inform my page to my decision, I join the paddock and go. I know it's not reasonnable to go without accompany, but I have needed to be alone far from the camp. And I love a lot to ride my horse. After a time, I arrive near a source and I stop. I dismount and let my horse quench his thirst.
The place is enthralling. A little river run with bushes on each side and give a cosiness to the place. A fig-tree offers his fruits whose want to take some. I pick one fig and taste it peacefully. No wind in the leaves which are as freezed by the heat. The air emptied with perfumes from thyme and rosemary around, is heavy and the water tantalising, I choose to enjoy it. I put on the ground my weapons and my chiton. I enter in the source. The fresh water freeze me a little but it is so nice. I remenbered the time when Alexander and I are childs in Mieza. I smile to this happy and carefree memories. On my back, I look the starry sky. The stars seem so near and even so far. The true domain of Gods. I try to distinguish trough the multitude Andromeda, Perseus or Cassiopeia. I float on the water to take time and appreciate this moment of peace. Life with Alexander is exciting but very busy and time for merely pleasure is short.
I go out the river then dry me up quickly and dress me. Soon I return on the way to the camp, my lonely escape is over. I do not search troubles. So with regret I quit this beautiful and idyllic place.
On the return, my body reacts stangely. The bath seems to have not a good effect on me. I shiver and my skin is hot like under summer's sun. I feel badly. My head spins and I am near to faint. I have no choice, I can't faint before the camp. So I fight with myself to hold me safe. My body suffers, I feel some strong pains in my lower belly. I began to moan in suffer then I am obliged to double up on my horse, under the pain. I don't understand what I have. Finally, I arrive to the camp and without force I fall unconsciousness on the ground.
Warned by the sound of the fall, a guard come quick and raise the alarm. Cleitos arrives soon. Seeing Hephaistion on the ground, he rushes and takes in his arms the unconsciouness body. He takes him to the Hephaistion's tent and asks to a soldier for the doctor quickly. Cleitos looks around for the Hephaistion's page and asks why his officier was out of the camp. The page is terrified by Cleitos and starts to stammer, unable to make a coherent sentence. The doctor arrives.
During the medic's exam, the page more calm now, speaks and explains that the young general said to him. That he wanted to go out without other clarification. Cleitos pace up and down, he is furious. If Hephaistion is hurted, how will he can explain this to Alexander ? After a long time, the doctor goes out.
- So docteur, what news ? How is he ? asks Cleitos
- You want the true ? I don't know. It seems he has a strong fever.
- No injury ? asks Cleitos thinking about an attack out of the camp.
- No really. Only this fever. I gave him an infusion with elderberry to low the temperature. I will stay with him to survey. But I can do nothing more. We have to wait and see.
- Thanks doctor, Cleitos goes and decides to send a messanger to Alexander, to inform him about Hephaistion's state.
Arrived to Halicarnass, the messanger ask to see the king urgently. He is introduced to the tent where Alexander, Perdiccas, Leonnatos, Krateros, Parmenion and Ptolemy are.
- Your majesty, General Cleitos send me to prevent you about the illness of Hephaistion.
- Illness ? What illness ?,worries Alexander.
The messanger explains circonstancies and reports the diagnostic of the doctor. Without lost time, Alexander commands that Bucephalos be ready and asks to Perdiccas and Leonnatos to accompany him and to prepar an escort. Alexander gives the command to Plolemy to pursue the siege.
When they are ready, Alexander and his escort take the way to Hephaistion's camp.
TBC…