Chapter Seven
Alexander works to civilize the Persian nation. He teaches them how to read and write as Persia is swept up by much of the Eastern influence. Meanwhile, he makes plans to conquer India; his love for Roxane growing stronger. He sends for her, and, finally, under the Persian moon, does Alexander confess his love. This sparks a remarkable connection between them, and Alexander makes a promise. "Love me, for I will always be true to you…"
Alexander rode to the garden, where flowers bathed in the spring sunlight. There was excitement within him, his lips stretched apart in a smile. The trees of Persia were finally bearing the fruit of his long labor- the people were becoming civilized at last.
He had ordered his men to teach the common folk the first lessons of reading and writing. Now, Alexander was to the witness the miracle.
In the gardens, Alexander strolled, watching the men teach the Persians. He saw that they were fast learners.
No matter how much Macedonians had doubted the Persians, Alexander knew that it was wrong to doubt them. They were still people- people of a different shade of skin, but people who were beautiful in their own way. The truth was in front of him now for all to see.
Hephaistion smiled. "They are learning to read, my lord! It is truly a spectacular thing to see them learn," he remarked.
"Yes, Hephaistion. Lead me to those who long to see me."
Alexander stretched out the parchment in front of him and wrote his name. His student was a young girl who could not write a word.
"What is your name?" he asked.
"Paliea," she answered shyly.
"Paliea, I am going to teach you how to write your name. Repeat after me."
And so Alexander wrote it, in black ink, for the girl to see.
The girl was reluctant at first. Then, she did something that touched Alexander's heart- picked up the pen and wrote her name as neatly as any educated person. There were slight errors, but she was determined to learn, and that is all that mattered.
Night fell, and Alexander had asked a messenger boy to send for Roxane. He had to meet with her again. Now, before madness overtook his already fragile, shaken heart.
He was waiting in the garden, a place he had grown fond of. It seemed magical, ethereal, nothing like the flower gardens and water fountains in Macedonia.
He waited, thinking if she would come. Wishing, hoping, that she might understand…
No sooner was he thinking about her when she emerged.
She was dressed in a black gown, as black as the night. Alexander felt a chill run down his spine. His heart thumped loudly in his ears, and his cheeks burned once more.
"You sent for me, my lord?" she asked.
"Yes. Roxane…"
"Where did you learn my name?" she asked, surprisingly.
"One of my men told me. But that doesn't matter," he said, trying his best to calm himself. There was so much to tell, in the garden of darkness around them.
"Roxane, listen to me carefully. I want you to listen to me because I have something to tell you, and I want you to be assured that I am telling the truth," he said.
He saw a spark of curiosity in her eyes now.
"I… I let temptation get the better of me. I'm afraid, Roxane. Very, very afraid. If the others find out that I am seeing you, they will think that it will interfere with our quest. Roxane…"
Alexander was at a loss of words. It was then that Roxane took his hand and held it firmly between her fingertips. She placed a finger to his lips, signaling quiet.
Alexander smiled a little. He gazed into her eyes- eyes that could see everything kept inside him. He held her face between his hands and spoke.
"I love you, Roxane. It is driving me mad. If I love you, then everything that my mother and father believed in comes to an end. They said… they said that I could never marry a Persian. They said how Persians were barbarians. I was taught never to love them."
Alexander cried great waterfalls of agony.
"Alexander, my lord," Roxane began. "It troubles me also to think you have been suffering. For I have loved you, ever since I saw you that night."
"Well then, come with me!" Alexander felt hope rise. "We will run away. We will escape this bitter world and live by ourselves…"
His voice trailed off.
"I cannot. We cannot, my lord. I cannot love you. How can it be true love? Listen to me, my lord. You are a Macedonian king, I, a Persian. They will never accept me." She looked down at her feet.
Alexander held her. "Shhh, my dove. It will be all right. As long as we are together, we will be fine."
Roxane shook her head sadly. "How, Alexander? Yes, you own this Empire. But how can we be?"
"Love… love, can it not overcome every obstacle that we are presented with? The hatred, the impossibilities, the doubt! We can get through it, together, Roxane. Will you not love me?"
Roxane wept silently in Alexander's arms. He held her closely to his breast, knowing that she heard his true heart beat for her, and her only.
"Listen, Roxane. It is my heart. It will never stop beating, so long as we are alive."
"I love you," Roxane's voice was barely above a whisper, but Alexander heard just the same.
"Love me, for I will always be true to you."
Roxane swept him up in an envelope of passion, her pungent lips kissing his. This one moment, Alexander could dream, Alexander could hear, Alexander could conquer the impossible. For Roxane had hid him, inviting him to her deepest inner beauty, her gown flowing, her eyes staring. Those eyes looked upon Alexander warmly. Those eyes were bright.
The mysterious love, this love… Alexander could feel nothing short of love. A love that could cleanse the blood he had shed with one ravishing kiss.