Fattah rushed in, smiling when he saw me. He ran forward, dropping to his knees beside me.

"I brought the entire army with me, Hephaestion. You are safe."

"And Alexander?"

"Fetching you proper blankets as we speak. Everyone else is out hunting; Cleitus took the last of the meat," I smiled.

"Sounds like him."

"I missed you so much. I was so worried."

"Well, I'm here now. Did you freshen your makeup?"

"Alexander helped. Is it noticeable?"

"That Alexander helped you? No. In all actuality, it looks quite fantastic. He forgot the kohl though."

"We got here before he could apply a fresh coat, and I was too anxious to let him. I was so worried."

"Fattah, it is a broken bone, not an open wound. I am fine."

"But I wasn't here when you woke up—" tears were forming in his eyes.

"And I got along just fine. It was only a little while ago that I awoke. Now, how about giving your ailing "husband" a kiss?"

While we were locked in our embrace, Alexander appeared at the cave entrance. We broke apart quickly, and he smiled and allowed us to continue, but I saw the hurt his eyes held. As we broke apart, I breathed a shaking sigh, driving Fattah to a panic.

"What hurts, Hephaestion? Does your injury hurt you?"

"I love you so," I whispered, "Go to Aella. In my bag, there is a wrapped package. Come back to me with it," He did so quickly, and now knelt beside me, eager for more instructions,"It is for you. Open it."

He did, and found a gold circlet with gold fringe to go upon his brow imbedded with an emerald gem, and a peridot gem decorated with small diamonds around it's middle to hang in the back, amidst his dark hair.

"What is it for? Why have you given me something so precious?" he looked at me, confused.

"Why, Love, have you forgotten? Come here," at my beckoning, his bent closer, "Chrónia pollá… Happy Birthday…"

"Oh gods! I forgot! I am seventeen today," he looked back at Alexander, "Will you help me?"

"Of course," he came close, taking my gift from Fattah's hands to place it on his head gently.

"How does it look? Do you have a looking glass?" Alexander fetched mine from my bag and carefully unwrapped it from its velvet, "Oh!" he looked surprised, "It is beautiful, thank you…" he bent nearer to me and we kissed.

"We will have to have a bonfire tonight to celebrate. You can dance and show Hephaestion's gift off to the army," Alexander suggested.

"I will," he looked at me and smiled brightly.

Translations:

Chrónia pollá= Happy birthday (Greek)

I used Google Translate for the translation, so I'm sorry if it is wrong!