The first few days of Alexandros regency was a hive of activity. After attending the sacrificial rituals and the seeing off his father and his fleet set sail from Lake Loudiaka that would take them to the Thermaic gulf via the river Loudias, he immediately called a meeting with Antipatros and the other senior courtiers to discuss the state of affairs of Makedonia. Foremost was review of the number of the remaining battalions of pezhetairoi and the hetairoi that were left in his care and their continued training. Then, integration efforts for the Agrianian slingers that his childhood friend King Langarus had placed at his father's service. There was the reception of the delegates with their embassies from Epiros and Paeonia that were slated to arrive within the next few days, the start of the construction of the irrigation system south of the city, the expansion of the garrison at Methone and the petitioners those audience had been deferred until the prince's ascendancy and other minor problems involving the upkeep of the city that had to be eventually dealt with. They sat around, sorting out the problems that needed their immediate attention. That done, appointments were made as to who was in charge of the individual tasks. Protocols were drawn and documents were signed and sealed. Messengers were sent on their way, the commanders and courtiers have left marking the end of the meeting.
"My prince you have done so well on you first day." Antipatros commented as he leaned back on his klismos and downed his cup of well-watered wine "Your father has indeed every reason to be proud of you."
"You are most generous, General Antipatros" the prince grinned from behind his father's ornate desk. "however tis only with your help that I have been able to accomplish those tasks."
Antipatros wagged a finger at him and shook his head " No, Alexandros. I could not have made better decisions were I the one in your place."
Before the fair-haired boy could reply, a sentry stepped into the Kings study and headed to where the Prince and the General were announcing that the son of General Amytoros requested an audience with the prince. "Let him in." was Alexandros response. The prince's smile faded as Hephaistion made his appearance and strode purposefully to where they were, with a circumspect expression on his face. He greeted the General respectfully and turned to address his friend.
"Joy to you My prince." He addressed him with a bow. The formality with which his beloved greeted him left Alexandros with a sense of unease. "I have come to report that the plans for the improvement of the King's siege engines have been completed. The engineer Diades requests your time to visit his workshop at you convenience"
Sensing his ward's confusion over his friend's behaviour, Antipatros turned and addressed the cerulean-eyed boy who stood respectfully before his friend "Hephaistion, lad it is just us here there is no need for formality."
"I do not wish to cause disrespect to the prince's station" he replied gravely.
Antipatros could not help but be impressed by the boy's impeccable deportment. It was indeed fitting as his friend sat at the King's desk in his capacity as regent prince. For a moment, Alexandros felt a sense of dismay but quickly recovered his composure. "You may do so as the General suggests, son of Amyntoros."
"Thank you my prince" he responded, then turning to Antipatros he also expressed his thanks to him. Antipatros gave him a smile as Alexandros stood up and rested an arm on his friend's shoulder.
"That really was not necessary, Phaistion" the prince addressed him with obvious relief as he pulled his friend to him.
"But Alexandros, you are acting on your father's behalf in his absence" he protested decidedly "I would not wish that people should think I allow myself liberties on your station simply for being your friend."
"Rest be assured you do not" he replied in a hushed tone, deeply touched by his friend's loyalty and devotion "and I surmise neither does Antipatros." Hephaistion could only manage a shy smile.
"No! no!… not at all" Antipatros chuckled "Truth of the matter is I am glad you came Hephaistion as I have a message for you." The boys gave each other a look of astonishment.
"For me?…And may I inquire from whom this may be? Antipatros regarded Hephaistion then shifted his gaze to Alexandros.
"Indeed you may" he replied "…and this too concerns you my prince" the General turned to his direction "It is a message from the King."
Both boys were momentarily speechless, suspended in their disbelief having heard Philippos message. Regaining their equanimity, Alexandros went up to Antipatros and gave him a quick hug, with Hephaistion right behind him giving the General a pat in the back and expressing his thanks as Alexandros muttered "I cannot believe this, this seems too good to be true however, I thank you dear Antipatros."
"You have your father to thank" the General replied "It was his idea. As you can see your well-being is his utmost concern." The plan was nothing short of brilliant Antipatros conceded in his mind. The boys were absolutely happy, Amyntoros son would definitely keep an eye on the prince's safety and prevent him from doing anything rash and most of all would keep him from being around Olympias more than was necessary.
"I must send him a message of thanks soonest." Alexandros remarked. Then, once again assuming the demeanour of a Regent he inquired it there was anything else the General wanted to discuss with him.
"Nothing more of that cannot wait, my prince" Antipatros replied as he stood up and made ready to depart. "However, I must be gone as my wife and I expect company this evening."
"As you wish General. I shall see you in the morrow then." Alexandros gave him a bow.
Antipatros was gone and so was the Regent. In their joy, Alexandros and Hephaistion were back to being children. It was as if they have been promised a batch of freshly made honeycakes that they both loved so much. They threw playful punches at each other brought about by sheer happiness, passing comments between them about the King's graciousness and the possible motives behind his proposition. Having spent their energy, the prince pulled his beloved into a hug.
"I was beginning to believe father resented me for wanting you" he spoke softly "You know that he himself wanted you as his eromenos did you not?"
Hephaistion nodded "So I have heard" then gazing into Alexandros eyes he remarked "with due respect to your father, the King. It was just not to be. We were destined for each other Xandros…it is the wish of the gods."
"Indeed. It was to be and I do thank the gods." there was reverence in the prince's voice as he whispered his reply. They stood there silently, gazing into each other eyes and holding each others body, affirming their bond to each other. An embrace which unbeknownst to themselves then, would last until the end of their short but glorious lives.
On the very same day, Hephaistion moved into the Alexandros quarters and by the fifth hour to sundown Olympias received Eumenes who brought the message of Hephaistion's move. Not that he got the news directly from either boy. It was through Perdikkas that Hephaistion's move reached his ears. Having been told by Hephaistion himself, Perdikkas went agog with excitement over having a room entirely to himself. Having committed himself recently to the young cavalry officer Kleandros -brother of Koinos- as his eromenos, having a room entirely on his own could not have presented itself at a more opportune time. Such was his glee that he ran through the pages quarters and recounted the news to all who would listen.
After Eumenes departure from her quarters, Olympias initial reaction was to have Alexandros summoned. It was bad enough that Hephaistion was constantly in her son's presence, but for Phillipos to allow him to move into the palace and lodge at Alexandros rooms was absolutely intolerable. She was certain that this was nothing but another of Philippos plans to severe Alexandros relationship with her. But then memories of their altercation a few days ago and his son's resoluteness made her realize that bringing up the subject of Hephaistion was not worth the possible animosity she would bring forth. That made her even more determined to pursue her plan with the Thessalian hetaeira Callixeina.
Alexandros stood by the stables and unbuckled his cuirass. It was towards the end of the moon of Artemisios, the trees and shrubs around the parade ground were in in full bloom and Helios has reached its highest point in the skies for the time of year. Hephaistion was walking Boukephalous as well as his horse Pelagon to the stables. The prince has spent the morning going through the training of the new recruits of the pezhetairoi in the use of the machaira, xiphos and the sarissae and then moved on to go through the battle exercises with the hetairoi under the able direction of General Polyperchon, Alexandros together with Hephaiston, Ptolemaios, Perdikkas, Leonnatos, Krateros and Marsyas as well as the brothers Erigyius and Laomedon, they discussed, plotted and planned new battlefield moves and how to improve the existing tactics. It was the second hour towards sundown when they finally left the field for the soldiers dining hall for the noonday meal.
They decided to take a short afternoon rest deciding to retired to the prince's chambers before the prince attended his afternoon consultations with Antipatros over administrative concerns of running the Kingdom. They were about the palace entrance when a messenger from General Amytoros keep rode up to deliver a message to the Lord Hephaistion. His presence was requested by his father at their keep due to his mother's illness. He gave word to their servant to tell his father that he shall be home by the morrow before sunset. Totally forgetting his consultation with Diades about the improvements on the siege engines, Alexandros expressed his desire to ride with Hephaistion to their keep. It was only when he reminded the prince about his visit to the engineer's workshop that he relented.
"So when shall I see you back Phaistion?" Alexandros inquired as he closed the door to his rooms.
Hephaistion turned to his beloved "It should not be more than five days at the most. Should everything be well, we should be together again by hemera aphrodites" the cerulean-eyed boy replied "why…would you miss my presence, Alexandros?" he teased. The prince rolled his eyes in faked exasperation. "Miss you?" he exclaimed "Indeed!…you do think highly of yourself son of Amyntoros."
His beloved eyed him in mocked scepticism "Hah! He exclaimed "If I am to be Patroklos, then I must be a poor copy for my Akhilleus to be done with me so soon…"Then with mimicked brashness added "but then Patroklos could not do without him."
"Conceit can be a man's downfall." Alexandros remarked feigning disdain. "Conceit? So is that how you perceive me now?…conceited?….take that back. Take that back!" Hephaistion commanded as he lunged at Alexandros who now stood at the edge of his bed upon which both boys came crashing down.
Alexandros, caught unaware by the sudden assault screamed for pity as Hephaistion, flipping him on his stomach in a wrestling move straddled his buttocks and tickled his sides implacably. It was only when the fair-haired boy, breathless from laughing so hard promised to recant that his beloved ceased the attack. For several minutes, they lay quietly catching their breath -Hephaistion now laying on top of his friend who made no move to dislodge him. Suddenly aware of each other's body, the cerulean-eyed lad move to lift himself off his friend. "Stay…just like that Phaistion." Alexandros voice, thick with desire murmured his command searing a need into his friend's loins.
"Take me, my beloved" there was hesitancy and a certain shyness in the prince's voice as he whispered the request. Emotions swirled through Hephaistion. Desire, awe, reverence and confusion. "Tonight Xandros, tonight I shall" he replied in a tone husky with longing "and as you offer yourself to me so do I offer myself to you."
Not for moment was there hesitation in Hephaistion's voice. Rolling himself of Alexandros, he gathered him into his arms. "Tonight it shall be." the prince murmured as he clung to his beloved.