The day passed quickly. Alexander spent the morning in council with his generals, all but Hephaestion that is. He had told Hephaestion to go on and deal with his problems and that he would fill him in on the meeting later. They had many things to discuss from their current campaign along with his plans for the immediate future. Their ultimate goal was still meeting up with everyone in Susa, but there was much to do between here and there. Even though the men were anxious to return, they were being surprisingly supportive of his ideas at this point. He was walking a fine line, however, and he knew it. Agreeing to return home had been a huge compromise on his part and had pacified the men, but he was not willing to just run back and not accomplish something on their way. So far, none of them had really grumbled about the things he had asked them to do since then. He was not going to pass through these lands without conquering them as well. So far, they had succeeded with little trouble.
The meeting had lasted longer than he had anticipated, and now he was tired and hungry. He ordered a meal to be brought to his rooms. He was feeling the effects from his injury again, as he tended to do when he was tired, and did not want to show that in front of his men. He had hoped to invite Hephaestion to share his lunch in private, but the general was still tied up with his engineers and builders over some issue with the docks. Sometimes he felt bad for giving Hephaestion so much to do. A lesser man would have probably failed miserably, but not his Hephaestion. No, it was unbelievable what the man could accomplish when he set his mind to it.
That did not, however, make him feel any better at the moment. He missed Hephaestion terribly. He had until midday tomorrow to find time to be with him, and it wasn't looking good. As he picked at his lunch, his mind wandered back to their youth, especially their years at Mieza. Their love was new and exhilarating, and they stole away every chance they got to talk or make love. They had all the time in the world it had seemed. He sighed. He would give anything now for the freedom and joy that they had felt back then. Times were so much simpler. He really had no right to complain. He had chosen this life, and was fully aware of the impact of his decisions, though some of the results were regrettable…such as his relationship with Hephaestion. He hated that it suffered as it did and truly wished he could make it up to him somehow.
Right now, his body was protesting and needed to rest.
Hephaestion truly wanted to pull his hair out. Things seemed like they had been going smoothly, until Alexander came back that is. Since then it seemed like everything had fallen apart, and the fates seemed to be bent on keeping the two of them apart. It was beyond frustrating. He had been invited to have a private lunch with Alexander, but he had been unable to get away. He was sure he had snapped the heads off everyone that spoke to him and knew he probably owed a few apologies. That he would deal with later.
He grabbed a quick bite to eat, washing it down with a couple cups of wine to take the edge off his frayed nerves. Leonnatus had informed him that the meeting with Alexander had run long and that the king had retired to his rooms to have lunch alone. That was several hours ago. Hephaestion decided to go in search of Alexander and see if he had time to tour the docks.
He ran into Alexander at the mouth of the harbor, talking with Nearchus. He thought Alexander looked tired, though he would certainly not say anything about it. Nearchus looked very happy, pointing with pride to various ships and laughing with Alexander.
They were facing away from him as he approached, so he moved up quietly behind them and placed his hands on Alexander's shoulders. He laughed as Alexander jumped, startled.
"It is a good thing I am a friend, Alexander. You should guard yourself more carefully!"
Alexander chuckled. "No one sneaks up on me but you, Hephaestion." He turned and gave him a quick hug. "We missed you in our meeting this morning. Do you have things under control with your builders now?"
Hephaestion sighed in frustration and ran his fingers through his hair. "Gods, I hope so. I think they have all gone mad all of a sudden. They are driving me crazy!"
Nearchus smiled at him sympathetically. "Well, all I can say Hephaestion is that the work you have done here so far is quite impressive. Do you want to give us a quick walk-through and bring us up to speed?"
"Sure" Hephaestion nodded. "Come on, you two. Let's start here, and I'll show you what we have done so far, and if you want, I'll show you the plans I have drawn up for the rest."
The next couple hours were spent doing just that. Nearchus seemed quite pleased. "This is just amazing, Hephaestion! This will be absolutely perfect for us! I am most impressed with both your progress and your design ideas. The harbor will be exactly what we need."
Alexander had watched Hephaestion as he showed them around. The man was obviously proud of his work, and seemed even more pleased that Alexander had approved. They exchanged a quick smile from time to time, and let their hands brush a few times. Once, Hephaestion had grabbed his hand and squeezed quickly before releasing it.
"It is nearly time for our supper, gentlemen. Hephaestion, would you care to dine with me this evening? I would be honored to share my meal with you." He smiled widely.
Hephaestion beamed at him. "It would be my pleasure, my king. Give me about an hour to wrap up a few things, and I will be there."
Nearchus smiled at the two of them. They obviously wanted to spend some time alone, and he was glad for them. They were each lucky to have someone who loved them so much. Perhaps he would have that someday himself.
Just as they turned to head back towards the palace, Perdiccas came trotting up to them.
"Alexander! Word has come from some of the advance scouts that there is trouble with the Oreitae. I think you need to speak with the men and advise them of what you want done."
Alexander groaned audibly and studied his feet for a moment. He nodded reluctantly. "Okay, Perdiccas. Tell them I will meet with them in the council room in half an hour. Gather the others if you would please and I will be there shortly."
Perdiccas left to gather the other generals.
Hephaestion felt his heart sink and could not keep the disappointment from showing on his face. "Well, Alexander, it seems the gods have other plans for us…again."
Alexander smiled sadly. "I am sorry, Hephaestion. I truly am. I do not know what else to do." He took Hephaestion's hand. If anyone saw it, he did not care. "I had so wanted to spend time with you this evening…"
Hephaestion squeezed his hand. "Oh, we'll be spending time together. Just the two of us and a room full of cranky generals. Not quite the romantic setting I had in mind. I suppose I should not complain. At least we are in the same place and not separated as we have been so often lately." He smiled wistfully. "Come on, my Alexander. Let's get this over with."
The men made their way to the meeting with heavy hearts. So close, and yet so far.
Don't kill me...just a little more to go.
