Hephaistion's Homer

Author: Lysis/Selket – Revised March 2012 (Originally written 2006)

Summary: A story about birthdays, Hephaistion's sixteenth and Alexandros' fifteenth and the very special gifts they give one another. This is complete and utter fiction. There is some quoting of erotic Greek poetry, exchanging special gifts, some war stuff and, yes, a little fooling around (in the erotic sense) on the part of certain parties involved.

CHAPTER TWO

*Hephaistion watches as Alexandros tries to convince his father, Amyntor to allow Hephaistion the expensive gift of a stallion.


Both youths became silent as Amyntor; Hephaistion's father entered the courtyard. Only Boukephalus dared flicker his ears as the older man began to speak.

"What is this, Alexandros? I thought you in Pella with the army. Have you leave to visit?" After greeting Amyntor appropriately, Alexandros drew a sealed parchment from Boukephalus' saddle bags and handed it to him. "My father has granted me leave from my duties, if it pleases you, my lord. I go or stay at your bidding." Hephaistion marveled at the Alexandros who stood before his tall, athletic father. Head bowed, hands clasped behind his back and his posture tall and correct, he was every inch the perfectly respectable image of Spartan youth, so cherished by his tutor, and Mother's kinsman, Leonidas.

Hephaistion smirked, but wiped his face clean when his father turned toward him. Hardly that! If only Leonidas knew the tricks Alexandros got up to especially now that they were at Mieza. Well, thanks the gods, Leonidas hadn't come to Mieza along with Aristotle who took a kinder eye to the acting out and often turned a blind eye unless something got out of hand – such as the time Nearkhos broke his arm climbing out of the window of the village whore's hut. It hadn't really been Alexandros' fault that had happened. True he hadn't been paying attention just then when Nearkhos called out for help being preoccupied with…. Well, Nearkhos had mended quickly and no real harm done.

Amyntor looked up with a smile, "Of course, you may stay. I would not turn you away. I'll have your things put in Hephaistion's room. It will be good to have you here, it will make Hephaistion's birth day that much more special for him. I hear you also fought well and were wounded in Thrace; you are a true credit to your father and ancestors, Alexandros. I cannot think he can be anything but proud of you. I am most pleased with you both." At this he put his long hands on the shoulders of both youths smiling proudly at them. "You are true sons of Homer, no fear treads your footsteps into battle of this I am certain. Oh, I do wish I could be there with you again riding to the call of the salphinx, feeling the strength of the javelin in my hand, giving out the call of the paean." He looked away with a wistful smile on his face. "The call of Ares is a strong one, but these old bones have seen the last of Ares' work. I've other ways to serve your father, now. 'Tis all well and good." He gazed at both boys and ruffled Alexandros' dusty hair and gave him an affectionate kiss. "You'll ride back to Mieza together at the week's end."

Hephaistion watched as his father eyed the edgy stallion, and then turned to Alexandros frowning. "However, Alexandros, have you so quickly forgotten our recent conversation?" Hephaistion watched Alexandros' face flush pink as he dropped his gaze to the ground in respect, accepting the chastisement.

"No, my lord," he began, his voice soft and uncertain. "I …. You said I could not buy Hephaistion's friendship with lavish gifts. This I do remember and do not do, but you did not say anything about gifting him on his birth day. The stallion is a birth day gift. After Xenophon was lost to him in battle I thought it would be a worthy gift. Albeit, perhaps a bit much too some eyes, but for a noble's son, I thought… I thought you would find it a worthy gift. I… I do not mean any disrespect, my lord."

Hephaistion held his breath as he glanced at his father. His brow was furrowed and Alexandros would not meet his eyes. His cheeks were red and his breathing fast as though he had been running a long race. Hephaistion knew his father would recognize Alexandros' attempt at bending logic in order to win his argument. He tried not to smile as he watched Alexandros shuffle one foot back and forth.

Amyntor was not an overly strict man, but he had set rules on their friendship. He knew Alexandros' father had done the same for him, probably with greater caution and instruction. Aristotle was already counseling Alexandros on what to look for in men who he might choose to place in positions of power when he ruled. Alexandros had confided these things to Hephaistion, who saw that Alexandros already had some instinctive knowledge of what to look for in future officers who might serve him. His decisions and actions showed this, especially when in war.

In their recent battle against the Thracians Hephaistion had been somewhat surprised as he had watched as Alexandros, with a skill which belied his young years, had given orders and divided up their unit and assigned duties according to the skill level of each warrior. He had also led their charge himself when they had followed Philippos and the main body of the army into the town.

Hephaistion was deeply honored by Alexandros' growing confidences, but he also wondered where it might one day lead. He had noted with great attention when on duty as a Page to Philippos, how he distributed his power among two other officers, Parmenion and Antipater. Each man played a vital role in his army and governing of Macedon, yet it was clear to all who was ultimately in charge. He knew without having to ask that his father was thinking similar thoughts.

"It is quite a horse, and a princely gift." Amyntor ran a hand down the front legs of the stallion, but said nothing more.

Hephaistion's family was not poor, indeed they were quite well off, but they did not live by the standards Alexandros did when allowed – which hadn't been often under Leonidas' regime. Hephaistion knew his father did not want his head turned by riches that he could not afford to give him. Nor did he want his companionship with Alexandros, especially now that they were older, to be one continued for the sake of gain. He would often remind him, "You have Alexandros' heart, Hephaistion, guard it well, for it is worth more than gold, and Philippos and Alexandros both will thank you for that. Alexandros will be king one day, and if you are true it is to you he will turn instead of all others. Be sure you are worthy of this and for the right reasons."

Hephaistion had tried several times to reassure his father that such was the case with he and Alexandros. Indeed, Hephaistion knew in his heart, were Alexandros a stable hand or even cast aside and exiled into a future of endless wandering seeking his living however he might find it, he would follow him, always. He was as linked to Alexandros as the air he breathed he could not live without either one.

Would his father let him keep the horse? The question rang through Hephaistion's mind. He could not tell anything from studying his father who was studying Alexandros thoughtfully. He knew he had lost Xenophon in battle. Another mount was necessary. He could not continue his training without one. Already they had spoken of this and his father had counseled him to patience. They would go together to look at horses before he left for Mieza. Yet, Hephaistion knew the animal his father might purchase for him would be nothing like this magnificent animal standing proudly before them. Indeed, the mare he was using just now was a good horse, but that was just it Hephaistion thought with frustration a good horse will get one from place to place, but it was not the horse to ride into battle.

Xenophon had been a wonderful horse, courageous and fierce in battle. He missed him still and mourned for him. To lose one's mount in battle was a common enough occurrence, but Hephaistion had never had such a horse as Xenophon. And while Xenophon had not been a stallion, but rather a gelding, he had been with him for nearly five years. They had become almost as Alexander and Boukephalus. He had carried his ashes home in a little pottery urn that Alexandros had bought for him that bore the image of Pegasus.

To be continued…..