I'm finally back, sorry for the delay. We were celebrating Christmas early around here, besides work and getting ready for all the festivities. I promise I won't leave you hanging like that again. Please review, I would love to know what you think, good or bad. 8539 words, how about that, who would of thought I had it in me…giggles.

He Too Is Alexander

Chapter 7

Applause broke out as Alexander and Hephaestion entered the great hall together. Hephaestion was warmly greeted and welcomed back to the world of the living. He smiled at them and thanked them all for the good wishes and gifts he had received during his recovery time. He had lost a lot of weight and still was pale but looked healthier everyday. The warm greeting he received from everyone was the best gift they could have given him and it made him feel even better.

Alexander stayed close to him and didn't stray far. He watched the faces of the others around the room as Hephaestion was welcomed back and noted a few seemed very nervous and apprehensive. Alexander made a mental note to keep a careful eye on these men and watch them more closely for a while. More than one of these men noticed Alexander gaze and tried to shrink into the background and out of sight, only making Alexander more curious.

Food was brought in and set before the couches and the conversations around the room were light and happy. Everyone seemed in a much more relaxed mood than the past few weeks. Fear for Hephaestion's life and even that of Alexander's own health, had kept everyone on edge and a huge sigh of relief seemed to have been heard around the entire palace.

A very small group of men sat and smiled as they drank the free-flowing wine. It wasn't as large a group as the one that had confronted Hephaestion several weeks ago on that fateful day. Several members of the original group were now separated and went out of their way to avoid any contact with any of the others that had taken part in the disastrous prank. Guilt and fear plagued their days and nights, guilt that they had taken part of such a cruel joke and fear that Hephaestions memories of it would return at any moment. But the biggest fear was from the man who sat beside Hephaestion on his couch. Not one of the men had any doubts that Alexander would not hesitate for a second to torture and kill anyone who was involved with the injuries Hephaestion had received. One thing was very certain to everyone now and that was the importance of Hephaestion in Alexander's' life and how much they meant to each other.

A quick glance across the room and one of the men caught the attention of one of his fellow soldiers. Both had been present at Hephaestions' humiliation. They were a study in opposites. The bolder one was enjoying himself, laughing and drinking. He seemed to not have a care in the world. There was no trace of guilt or any wrong doing from him. Hephaestion was fine and recovering and he was not going to let the fear others were feeling ruin his day or his life. If Alexander found out, then he would deal with it when it happened.

The other was a different story entirely. He had a hard time looking anyone else in the room in the eye and was scared out of his wits every time Alexander's head even turned in his direction. His consumption of wine had all but ended, in fact, he hadn't had a drink since the day at the well. His actions that day still sickened him and his self-esteem was at an all time low. What they did to Hephaestion was wrong and his actions, or lack of action, were unforgivable as far as he was concerned. He was almost hoping Hephaestion would remember or Alexander would find out who the guilty parties were so it would end his misery. As he watched the others who had participated act as if they had done nothing wrong, it made him angry. How could they not be sickened by what had happened?

The night ended early for Hephaestion and Alexander. Still recovering his strength, Hephaestion tired easily and his ever-watchful caregiver saw the signs of fatigue on his handsome face and in his eyes. They rose together and made their way to the door amid well wishes and pats on the back. Back in the rooms again, Hephaestion half collapsed on the bed and laid there with his eyes closed already half asleep.

Alexander gently undressed him and slid him under the covers, removing his own clothes and getting into bed beside him. As he listened to Hephaestions easy breathing he thought about the scene in the great hall and the reactions from different men in the room.

Something was definitely amiss and he knew that one or more of the men in that room had some clues as to what had happened to Hephaestion. He could try to drag it out of them with pain and torture or he could be patient and let time help him in his quest. As he lay beside Hephaestion, he turned to look at the beautiful face on the pillow beside him, serene and content in his peaceful slumber. Hephaestion was out of danger and recovering again and Alexander had him back by his side.

He would wait; all of his instincts told him that it was the right thing to do. There was a time to pay, they had it coming and he would be ready when the time came.

For now, he would just hold onto Hephaestion as tightly as he would allow and keep him safe from any more harm.