Chapter Three
Alexander held in all his tears until he could not breathe anymore. Then, the tears came gushing out of his eyes and onto the sand at his feet. He cried into his palms, the salty tears dripping between his fingers, forming a pool.
He was a helpless little boy again, a chick that just hatched out of an egg. In a matter of seconds, his boyhood was gone without warning. There was so much to learn about the world. Alexander tried to be brave, but he couldn't help but grieve the passing of his father, or think about the last word he had allowed escape his mouth as he lay dying. What had he done? He had done nothing, nothing at all to save him. And yet, his father had gathered his waning strength to whisper his name, and his name only.
"I'm… sorry, Father… so sorry…" Alexander whispered to himself in between large sobs. It was too late now.
"I love you…" Alexander coughed out the words as he crawled on his knees to his father's side. He would never have the courage to stand up, or face anyone in the eye. He would become wrinkled and old; yes, he would forget the sun's rays on his face for always staring at the ground. He imagined himself, and he closed his eyes, too weak to keep them open. Alexander held his father's face between his hands, and hid himself as he lay his head down onto his father's chest. There was no longer a heartbeat. Hades had taken him. He listened longer, waiting for a miracle to happen. When it never came, Alexander let grief paralyze him.
"Alexander, please," Hephaistion's worried voice could be heard. "He is gone. He is not coming back. He would have wanted you to have the throne. Stop looking at the ground, Alexander. The sun still exists." A gentle hand patted Alexander's aching head. "My friend. What will become of Macedonia, if you don't take your father's place?" Hephaistion lifted Alexander to his feet, and held him. Alexander needed to be held.
Hephaistion laughed. "Let your mother embrace you." He led Alexander into her bedchamber.
Alexander eyed his mother suspiciously. "It was you. It was you, wasn't it?" Alexander shouted.
"Look at you," Olympias cooed. "Missing your father already."
"He was my father! I loved him! Stop it, you're like a sorceress with your tricks!"
"Zeus is your father," Olympias said. "There is no doubt about it. I never thought Phillip to be your father. You are greater than that."
"Who will I sing to at night?" She sighed. "My little boy is all grown up."
Alexander ceased his yelling. He was shocked at his own behavior; she was his mother, the one woman who loved him more than anything.
Alexander kissed her. "You, mother. You will sing to me at night."
"I wanted you to be king, Alexander. Everything you desire. The world is yours!" Tears commenced to fill her luminous eyes. "Take it."
Alexander hugged her like she used to hug him. Tomorrow morning, he would begin his journey to conquer the world. Phillip would have been proud.
