Secrets of Pella Chapter 4: The Fight, an alexander fanfic

Title: "Secrets of Pella"

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 4, "The Fight"

Rating: T for teen

Summary: Alexander and Hephaestion ponder what their relationship is, while Alexander had to cope with what it means to be a prince of Macedonia. Soon Alexander must face what love, betrayal, hate, and envy are.

A/N: Thank you everyone for the reviews they are appreciated, as always!

Cleitus had decided to observe the fights for the day. Alexander was glad that he had been paired off with Hephaestion. At least today would be a fair fight. The only other fight he would chose would be to fight against Cassander. Cassander would fight dirty with him, yet it was always a challenge. All of the others would let him win though. There was no justice and no learning from that. Alexander stood before Hephaestion, waiting for Cleitus to tell them what to do. He gave only one clear and precise direction.

Fight.

Alexander was the one to initiate. He stepped forward and quickly did his best to push against Hephaestion. Even though Cassander had a habit of calling Hephaestion weak, it was not true. Hephaestion was just as strong, if not more. He pushed back against Alexander and immediately got results. He moved Alexander slightly and at the same time wrapped an arm around Alexander's neck. Alexander tried to step to the side and weave away, but Hephaestion managed to hold him.

Cleitus watched the pair as they struggled. They were doing well, for out of all the pairs, they were the only one that remained standing. It took a moment and finally the two were sprawling on the ground. Alexander managed to get Hephaestion off of him by grabbing Hephaestion's thigh and quickly shoving him. He rolled on top of Hephaestion and immediately tried to shove him down. Hephaestion rocked his hips though and in a moment he had him back on the sand.

"Enough," Cleitus said after a moment. The fights around the arena stopped and finally all eyes were upon Hephaestion and Alexander. Both had heaving chests as they pushed themselves off of the ground. They were getting better, yet were still just as winded as the others.

"Well," Cassander quipped, "who knew they would go down together?"

"Enough," Cleitus said, ending the confrontation before it began. He then approached Alexander and Hephaestion. "You fight well enough for your age. Yet now I want you both to pick up a sword. Anyone can fight on the ground. Yet it is wielding a sword that may save your life. All of you, swords."

They all retrieved swords and then stood in a line, waiting for Cleitus to go on. Cleitus took a sword from the wall as well and balanced it in his hand. He had plenty of other things to do. However, he could still teach them a thing or two. He probably owed it to them all, since someday they would fight for him when he was too old to fight for himself.

"Hold the blade like this," he insisted, holding the sword firmly. He then turned it over in his hand, showing them. "If you hold it as if you are never going to let go, then you will not. Raise it above your head like this if you are standing. From a horse, you do not just run through men. The blade is strong, but it can get caught on bone. Instead, jab."

Cleitus instructed them, and then showed them a perfect example. He next told them to do the same. The boys did as they were told and he watched. They picked things up quickly and would perfect it with time. Practice would make perfect. They were not too bad. However, he saw the most promise in Alexander. He would make sure to tell his father so.

"Hephaestion," Ptolemy called out as the boys finished putting their swords back on the wall. "You fought well today. I wanted you to know."

"Thank you," Hephaestion said with a slight smile. "You did well also. For a moment I was hoping you would cut Cassander accidentally."

"Well," he laughed, "I thought about it."

Alexander approached then, coming to Hephaestion's side. He said nothing, hoping that Ptolemy would continue. However, Ptolemy excused himself and went to speak with Perdiccas and Iollas. Alexander merely shook his head and shrugged.

"Why do they do that?"

"What?"

"Leave," Alexander said. It had just begun recently as well. He had a theory that Cassander's mouth had been open again. He was likely telling everyone that Hephaestion and he were doing things, things they were not. It always seemed to be like that. Cassander would lie, and everyone would believe him. Every time, he would lie, and they would follow. Why was that?

"They just are weary of you," Hephaestion said. It was clear that by his expression that Alexander did not understand. "You are coming to the age where you have significant power. The only one not afraid to offend you is Cassander."

"You shouldn't be afraid."

"I am though," he replied. "I would never wish to do something to displease you."

"You could do no such thing."

"I would hope not," smiled Hephaestion. He continued to walk, being completely content with saying nothing at all. He then glanced over at Alexander as they entered the hallway. They seemed to be alone now.

"Thank you for the ring," Hephaestion said as he showed Alexander how perfectly it completed his neck. Alexander nodded, reaching over to touch the ring. It suited Hephaestion. It was almost as if it had been made for him. "I will repay you when I get the chance."

"You do not repay gifts," Alexander assured him. He glanced over at Hephaestion, his own thoughts completing him. He wanted Hephaestion repay him yet not with money or with another gift. He just wanted Hephaestion to love him for whom he was, not what he was, when no other would.

"Alexander," Hephaestion asked as they stopped before the doors to Alexander's chambers, "may I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Why did you do it? Kiss me, I mean."

"Because it seemed right," Alexander replied. His voice caught in his throat. He couldn't believe that he'd done something so foolish. It may have felt right to him but he had no right to think that he could tell Hephaestion what to think. Maybe Hephaestion hated it. Maybe it was really wrong, as many said it was. Hephaestion did not seem to mind though. Instead, he nodded, but said nothing more. Luckily, he did follow Hephaestion into his room though.

Alexander glanced over his shoulder, knowing that Hephaestion was following him. He was glad that he had. If Hephaestion left his life now, his life would be nothing. He knew that perhaps he was giving too much of himself away to, what was this, was it love? Perhaps he was giving himself away to love. Yet if that was what he was doing, then he could not complain. He'd rather give himself away then not at all.

"Alexander," Hephaestion said as he sat down awkwardly on the bed. Alexander poured himself a cup of watered wine and then turned to him. He offered Hephaestion the cup, yet he refused it. Alexander took a sip, and Hephaestion continued. "There is something, something that I want, right now."

"What," Alexander asked. He was thinking that he would agree to anything at the moment. If Hephaestion wanted the crown he would even give him that. Hephaestion licked his lower lip though and just stared at the floor for a moment. So, he was nervous. It only made Alexander nervous as he stood there.

"Kiss me again," whispered Hephaestion.

Alexander could have asked for nothing more. Instantly his lips were upon Hephaestion's and he kissed him, using all of his pent up passion against him. He caressed the back of Hephaestion's neck as he stood before him, slightly towering over him. As he delved into this new sensation, he boldly ran his tongue over Hephaestion's lower lip, which in response parted. Alexander slid his tongue into the warm cavern of Hephaestion's mouth. Ah, if only everything could be as blissful as this!

Yet, as always, life gives and takes away. Suddenly the door to the room began to open. The moment was instantly ruined as the intruder entered the room.

TBC

A/N: Is that a cliff hanger or what? Next chapter will be up by the end of tomorrow. Thank you again for the reviews. They are welcomed with warmth. Sorry I don't reply back to you all through email. I soon will in these such AN's at the end of the chapters. Hope you don't hate me! See you soon.