Hephaistion did not see Alexander for another two days. Pausanias put him on duty guarding Eurydice, her daughter and baby son. Peleus was sent with him, one of the older guards, and all the man did was grumble.

Hephaistion liked Eurydice. She was pleasant, singing sweetly to her baby and playing with her daughter, laughing in delight at everything that they did. She had no desire to hear gossip, scolding one of her maids for talking loudly about a lady of the court who was now pregnant, but the child was not her husband's. She was beautiful, but not vain; proud but not arrogant.

Philip did not come to her the first night. Eurydice waited, but eventually retired to her bed.

It was early in the morning before Pausanias sent two other guards to relieve them.

Peleus had grumbled all the way back to the room, as he had washed, as he had undressed, then he even grumbled in his sleep. His bed was next to Hephaistion's, Hephaistion took his blanket and went to find somewhere more peaceful to rest.

The next day went the same. Long hours of standing, guarding the Queen, in a palace full of soldiers.

As the afternoon wore on, Eurydice had her maids help her to bathe, and handed her children to their nurse. She appeared, wearing a fine robe, and prowled about the room, while the lamps were lit. She talked to the servants, her voice slightly angry, and she waited, but still Philip did not come.

"He called for Lysias last night," Peleus whispered.

Hephaistion felt a cold hand grip his heart. His feelings towards Lysias had changed, but he still feared for him. Did he only see profit and not see the danger?

Again, it was the early hours of the morning before a relief guard was sent. This time Hephaistion checked to see if Lysias was in his bed, but it had not been slept in. He went over to his own bed, undressed and lay down. It did not matter that Peleus was grumbling in his sleep, once more, he could not sleep, not until he heard Lysias' safe return at dawn.

A little while after he had fallen asleep, he was shaken awake by Peleus. They were to guard the Queen again.

Hephaistion, washed, shaved, dressed and braided his hair, then picking up his sword and shield he went with Peleus, across a small courtyard towards the Queen's quarters.

It was then he saw Alexander, running up to him.

"Where have you been?" Alexander asked.

"Guarding Eurydice."

Alexander laughed. "So Pausanias has stuck you in some backwater. Where is he?"

Hephaistion put his hand on Alexander's arm. "You can't change my duty, Alexander," he pleaded. "You will only cause trouble for me."

"Well, I'm fed up with it," Peleus interrupted. "Pausanias is in the barracks dining hall, I heard Cleon say he was.

Alexander looked about to find a servant. "Aeacus, go and fetch Pausanias from the dining hall, and be quick about it." Aeacus gave a nod of understanding and ran off. Alexander looked at Peleus who was in no hurry to go about his duty. "The Queen will be expecting you, Peleus," he said.

Peleus looked at Hephaistion, as if trying to understand why he had not been selected to stay. He moved his lips, as if to say something, then went on his way, grumbling.

Hephaistion laughed, it was good to see Alexander. "What do you have in mind?" he asked.

"Escaping from here…for a little while," Alexander replied, studying Hephaistion. "You look tired."

Pausanias appeared, striding over to them. "You sent for me," he said, with his voice as near to insolence as he dared.

Alexander chose to ignore it. "My uncle has arrived, and is camped not far from here. I intend to visit him and I would like a guard, Hephaistion, to accompany me."

Pausanias blustered over what to say. "Peleus would have been the better choice, he is most experienced. Hephaistion has his own duties here, I could fetch someone…or go myself."

"Hephaistion will do. Expect him back by tomorrow morning."

"Surely you won't be needing him…."

"Tomorrow morning," repeated Alexander, his tone showing he would brook no further argument. "Come, Hephaistion, our horses are being made ready."

OOXXOO

Alexander's spirits lifted as soon as he was with Hephaistion. Cassander and Philtoas were proving tedious companions, it was like playing a game of strategy, having a conversation with them and he did not love Cassander or Philotas….or anyone, the way he loved Hephaistion.

He had been kept busy over the last couple of days. He respected the job that his father had done in bringing the Greek states in line; of proving himself a worthy leader. He could tell by the looks on the ambassadors faces, that they still held a prejudice for all things Macedonian. The Athenians huddled together in groups, and no matter what was said, how fine the entertainment, the wine, the music, nothing was as good as it was in Athens.

But you could not win against Persia with fine oratory. Athens had not produced a warrior like Philip. Greece needed the Macedonians however grudgingly they admitted it.

He had a chance to get away now, with Hephaistion. He turned to look on him. He could not keep his eyes from him. Every time Hephaistion's blue eyes met his, his stomach felt as though it were full of butterflies. He longed to hold him, to spend the night with him, once more, to know that his hopes were not in vain.

"I can't believe you did that," Hephaistion said, shaking his head.

"Did what?"

"Got me free from it all. I shall pay for it when I return, but it will be worth it." Hephaistion turned and smiled at Alexander.

The butterflies came back.

They took the horses from the stables and headed out towards the camp, riding down from the palace and to the hills beyond.. They raced up the first hill, then turned to look back over Aegae, before slowing their pace. Alexander told Hephaistion that his father planned to announce that there would be games the day after the wedding. It was meant to be a surprise, but Hephaistion said that Pausanias had already told them, that eight of them would be needed, but he was sure he would not be selected. Alexander said he would speak to his father.

"How are things with your father?" Hephaistion asked.

Alexander shrugged. "A little better, perhaps but he is busy." He wondered if Hephaistion knew about Lysias. One of his guard had informed him yesterday morning, that Pausanias had been ordered to keep Lysias available.

"Lysias is with him," Hephaistion said.

"Nothing is ever kept silent," Alexander replied, leaning over to put his hand on Hephaistion's shoulder.

Hephaistion placed his hand over Alexander's for a moment, then smiled at his friend. "I am fine with it, Alexander. It does not hurt, but I cannot help but feel concerned for him, not after all the time I spent loving him."

Alexander removed his hand, if he had not he might have declared his love and begged Hephaistion to love him in return. Whoever could conquer Hephaistion's faithful heart would never be alone again. "In only a few more days you will be free of your duties as bodyguard," Alexander said. "The men on the Vanguard are friendly."

"Is Philoctetes still with them?"

"You know Philoctetes?" Alexander asked, amazed.

Hephaistion smiled and shook his head. "I spoke to him at Chaeronea. I was so impressed by the cavalry charge you made. I wanted to know what it was like, to fight with you. I never thought that I would ever be a part of it. When I heard that Philip was planning to invade Persia, I had hopes then, but Onatas said that men would be needed to stay in Greece and man the garrisons. It was one good thing about being sent to Pella, the chance to fight, the chance to see more than the walls of Methone."

"I am not so sure I will go," replied Alexander. "Even though I head the Vanguard. But then again, I think my father would see me as more of a danger if he left me at home, perhaps he will think it wiser to take me with him, keep me close. I don't know." Alexander flushed, then looked at Hephaistion. "What is it you have about you? I never talk so freely with anyone."

Hephaistion grinned. "I'm glad you can talk to me, Alexander. I feel the same. I share more with you than anyone. I have never cried in front of anyone but you. I should be ashamed of it, but I am so glad that you have been there for me too."

Again, Alexander had to fight the urge to declare his love. Fortunately the camp came into sight, the whole of Epiros seemed to be there, he urged Hephaistion to race him to it.

OOXXOO

Alexander of Epiros was celebrating. Tomorrow he would be married.

As Alexander and Hephaistion arrived he was talking with friends, a cup of wine in his hand, already merry and intending to get merrier. The oak wreath on his head was slightly askew, and his cheeks flushed with alcohol.

Hephaistion had expected a man twice Alexander's age, as he had referred to him as uncle. But the man who warmly embraced Alexander could only have been five years older, nothing more.

Alexander was introduced to the older Alexander's companions. It appeared they had all been drinking, but Alexander was laughing in the middle of them and turned and signalled for Hephaistion to dismount and come to him.

Hephaistion still felt uncomfortable amongst people he considered his peers. He had no experience of life at court, and although his father had raised him well, he felt that the time at Methone had made him rough around the edges.

"This is my friend, Hephaistion, General Amyntor's son," said Alexander.

Hephaistion knew that Alexander had mentioned his father in order to show that he came from good stock. To raise him up above the other royal guards. Alexander of Epiros and his companions, greeted him with warm embraces, and pulled him and Alexander into a large tent, where servants were adding food to the tables and musicians were playing.

The two Alexander's were embracing like long lost friends. Alexander of Epiros ruffling Alexander's hair, before pulling him even closer.

Hephaistion had been told to sit, and was handed a cup of wine. Alexander grinned at him, as Alexander of Epiros pulled him to a seat close by.

"I have gifts for you from my sister….your mother. She has not shut up about this marriage, and begged me not to go through with it."

"You know what it means?" Alexander asked, but did not seem concerned by it.

"She sees it as a slap in the face from Philip. She has embroidered you a chiton for the wedding, she says she would like you to wear it and think of her."

"Did she make you one, uncle?"

Alexander of Epiros pulled a face. "She has never tried to spoil me the way she tried to spoil you, Alexander. You've done well to cope with her. I'm thinking of building a palace for her, a thousand stadia away from me, to get some peace."

The king's companions all genuinely laughed at this. He waved his hand to silence them, handing a cup of wine to Alexander. "Cleopatra is a sweet girl, and I am lucky to have her, and I will do my best to make your sister….my niece, happy."

Everyone drank to the toast. Then the king called for the music to be made jolly and ordered everyone to eat."

The morning passed and the afternoon grew late in good company.

"Do you still play the lyre, Alexander?"

Alexander frowned at his uncle, then glanced over at Hephaistion.

"Have you heard him play, Hephaistion? He used to sing and play so sweetly; he has a good voice."

"Sing for us now," shouted up Clearchus, who had gradually gone from sitting on the couch, to lying on it, before falling on to the floor, where he now sat, propped up by the couch.

Both Alexander and Hephaistion had taken water with their wine, but it did not make the company any less entertaining. Seeing the gradual decline caused by the drink was amusing them. Hephaistion laughed to see the face Alexander pulled as his uncle grabbed a lyre and handed it to him.

"Tell him you want to hear it, Hephaistion," ordered the king.

Demands that Alexander play went up.

Hephaistion locked eyes with Alexander. "I would hear you play it, Alexander," he said, smiling.

Alexander thought for a moment, then a cheer went up as he held the instrument for playing. "It has been too long," he said, before commencing a tune, "and my voice was never good enough".

It was an old Macedonian lullaby, that Alexander plucked skilfully from the lyre, his face frowning in concentration, memories from his childhood coming forward to tell him which strings to pluck, when he ran his fingers over the strings it sounded like water running over rocks. It was beautiful. Alexander ended abruptly and got up to hand the lyre back to it's owner, thanking him for the use of it.

Everyone applauded, but Alexander looked only for approval from Hephaistion.

Hephaistion grinned over at him. "It was a good tune, well played, well sung," he said.

Alexander looked bashful. He stood up, saying it was time to take his leave. Hephaistion followed his lead.

Alexander embraced his uncle, causing the wreath to fall from his head. They went outside and the horses were brought up to them. Hephaistion found himself embraced warmly by the king and his companions. He wished Alexander had chosen to stay a little longer, it had been a good day.

When they were out of sight of the camp, Alexander turned to Hephaistion. "I hope he sobers up before the morning. If my father is drunk too, it will be quite a wedding."

OOXXOO

Alexander guided Hephaistion round to a smaller gate, then dismounted Bucephalus, and watched while he jumped down from his horse, leading them over to the stables, Alexander called for a groom to come and take the horses.

"I don't want anyone to know we have returned yet. Let them think that we are still with my uncle," he explained, as he stopped Hephaistion from walking in to sight of everyone.

Alexander led the way up the stairs into the palace, signalling for Hephaistion to wait a moment while he listened to voices in the hallway, someone was coming.

Just when Hephaistion thought they might be caught, the people went away in another direction. Alexander turned and grinned at him, and Hephaistion realised this was not the first time Alexander had crept into the palace.

They ran quietly down a hallway, and up another flight of stairs, coming out on to a small landing with a balcony, a short, narrow hallway behind it. There was a door at the end of it, which led to Alexander's room.

It was small and cosy, with furs on the bed and three windows opposite the door, which looked across to the distant wooded hills. A bed, two couches, a chest, a low table and a desk, were the only furniture, and the grey stone walls were bare and rough, unlike Pella where the walls were painted and smooth.

Hephaistion remembered Philip's rooms at Pella, he imagined Alexander's here would be the same, but Aegae was an older place, cramped for space, it was no wonder Alexander's grandfather had sought a grander palace.

A male servant appeared and Alexander ordered food and wine, and a bath to be prepared, and if anyone asked he had not yet returned.

The servant grinned, happy to join in the conspiracy, and turned and headed off along the hallway.

"This has always been my room, when we are at Aegae," Alexander said. "Take off your breastplate, Hephaistion. You have worn it all day, you must be uncomfortable."

Hephaistion removed his sword belt, then unbuckled the breastplate, putting it down by the chest. "Perhaps….after we have eaten, I should return to the guard," he suggested.

"Stay here with me, Hephaistion," Alexander replied. "Pausanias will only put you to work, and you are tired, I can see it in your eyes….and I would enjoy your company."

Hephaistion looked over to the bed.

"For friendship, nothing more," Alexander quickly added, wanting more but taking what he could get.

Hephaistion smiled, and went to speak, but a female servant came in with a tray of food and placed it on the low table, another followed with a tray carrying a jug of wine, water and two cups. They bowed to Alexander, then glanced at Hephaistion before they left but as they went down the hallway their laughter echoed back in to the room.

The servants thought they were lovers. If their gossip ever got back to the likes of Pausanias, then what they suspected would be more than likely considered fact. His fears of other people's opinions, rose to the surface. He wanted to stay with Alexander, but the price was still too high. Alexander had said for friendship, but this was not Mieza, where Thespis and Meda only wished them well. This was Aegae, the same as Pella, where intrigue and gossip fed the people.

Hephaistion shook his head. "I should go." He went to fetch his breastplate and sword.

"The servants won't say anything, Hephaistion," Alexander said, stepping closer to him, blocking his way.

Hephaistion sighed. "I could love you, Alexander. I am on the brink of it, I feel it, and I am truly happy when I am with you." He stared into Alexander's eyes. "But I cannot take the rest of it, how people will judge me for being with you…"

The next moment Alexander's lips were on his, Alexander's arms around him, pulling him close. It was what he wanted, what his heart desired, he responded, parting his lips for Alexander, his hands, caressing Alexander's back. He wanted Alexander, like he had never wanted anything before, but still the gossip and laughter that he had heard while he stood guard, the snide comments and knowing glances, came to mind.

He brought his hands round to Alexander's chest, and pushed him away, stopping the kiss. Alexander's eyes were full of passion, he felt cruel to deny him. Tears filled Hephaistion's eyes. Alexander was a prince, he was meant for someone else, but he craved to kiss those lips again. "We shouldn't do this," he whispered.

"I love you, Hephaistion," Alexander replied. "Don't leave me."

Hephaistion forced a smile. "A prince will never be alone," he said. He picked up his breastplate and sword, and went over to the door. Taking a final look, he left the room.

"I have always been alone," Alexander said to the empty room.