Alexander and Philip came back to the house together, their differences settled. Alexander went to see Hephaistion but returned to say that he was sleeping and he did not want to disturb his rest.

They spent the afternoon catching up on the news from Pella, all the court gossip, what was being talked of the last time they were there. Sappho and Dania sat quietly in a corner of the room, sewing chitons for the boys who were playing in the orchard under the careful gaze of a trusted servant. Ptolemy said that he had Seleucus and Perdiccas with him for a while, that they were well enough and staying with Perdiccas' family now, hoping there might be an end to their exile at some point.

"It was all my fault," Alexander said, sipping a diluted cup of wine. "If I had not had that idea, about the Carian princess...and Hephaistion, he did not approve of the plan but said nothing and paid the highest price."

"We should have seen the flaw in the plan. We were fools to think your father would not find out."

"I thought he would when it was too late, but where would I be now? I was wrong in my judgement, Ptolemy."

"You were saved from marriage," Nikias said. "It will make me think twice, what happened to Hephaistion. Perhaps I should look for some ugly girl who will be grateful to have me, too ugly to attract any other suitor but a good housekeeper, able to bear me children who have my looks, not hers."

"Your looks? I always thought that you were ugly," laughed Sostrate. "Ah but would you want to give her children? You'd have to have the lamp out when you..." he turned and pulled a face at Epaphras for nudging him so hard with his elbow, then followed his gaze to the women seated in the corner. He had forgotten about them and his face flushed, making everyone laugh.

"She was a pretty thing, that Pelagia," noted Epaphras.

"I thought Hephaistion a lucky man," Nikias added.

"You're sure they got on to the ship? I would hate to think we missed the chance for revenge." said Ptolemy.

Nikias nodded. "They were seen apparently, Pelagia remembered because of her looks, she was laughing, embracing the servant who was acting the part of her husband and throwing Hephaistion's money to the men loading their belongings, Hephaistion's belongings, on the ship. The nurse too was there, smiling on them. Yes, they were on board the ship and they were punished by Poseidon." He poured some wine on to the floor as a libation. "They must have thought Hephaistion dead and they laughed for it, they deserved death."

"Enough of the past now, it makes me angry to think what has been done," grumbled Ptolemy. "What are your plans, Alexander? To see how far Hephaistion can recover, I know, but can we aim to go hunting while you are here? I could send for Seleucus and Perdiccas if you wish."

"Hunting would be good," sighed Alexander, " though the wedding is coming close, by the time a message reaches Seleucus and Perdiccas they may not have too long to see us."

"I'll send it anyway," Ptolemy said, smiling as he saw Alexander accepting the idea.

A horse came cantering in to the courtyard and all the men in the room stood and went to see who had arrived.

One of the king's messengers, his horse breathing hard, was dismounting. His face flushed he stepped up to Alexander and bowed, his eyes seeking the surgeon.

"What is wrong, Callas?" Alexander asked, his voice concerned.

"The King requests that his surgeon return to Pella immediately, Arrhidaeus is sick...he gorged himself on apples they say...but Arrhidaeus' mother is distressed and I think it is more for peace than urgency that he sent me here."

"It will be nothing," Philip said, stretching himself. "I could have done without it, a gallop back to Pella." He looked to Alexander. "You can care for Hephaistion better than I can now, let him rest for a couple of days, see how he goes, he should improve given time to rest, the journey here has not helped."

"Callas you need a change of horse," Ptolemy said, then called for a servant to take Callas' horse from him, to go to the stables and bring him one back of equal quality."

Callas thanked Ptolemy, took and drank down a cup of wine then waited while the surgeon busied himself fetching what he required.

"Any news?" Ptolemy asked the messenger.

Callas laughed. "You are not recalled yet Ptolemy, though I heard the King say it was too quiet around the palace. He's excited about his new son and busy planning the wedding. They'll be leaving in a day or two for Aegae, all the servants are running round preparing for the journey. Oh, they are making a statue of him to enter the theatre with the gods " He laughed again seeing the look on Ptolemy's face. "I know." His face grew serious. "How is Hephaistion? Everyone has heard, they will want to know at the barracks"

"They arrived today, he is resting now."

Callas frowned. "They say he is crippled."

Ptolemy shrugged. "We'll see."

Philip shouted over he was ready, Callas went to the fresh horse and leapt on to its back, saying his farewells.

Alexander went to the surgeon and clasped his hand before they rode out of the courtyard and headed back to Pella at speed.

00XX00

As the afternoon turned to evening, Sappho and Dania arranged a supper of bread, meat, olives, cheese and fruit, sitting with them to dine.

Sappho stood and poured a cup of wine and put a selection of food on to a plate intending on taking it to Hephaistion but Alexander stopped her by saying he would like to go to him.

Hephaistion was still sleeping but woke as the door opened and Alexander came in, followed by a servant, sent by Sappho, who hurried to light the lamps in the room. Alexander gave orders that they should not be disturbed, knowing Sappho might find an excuse to come and nurse her patient, then watched as the servant bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him.

"I brought your supper," Alexander said, sitting down upon the bed and placing the cup of wine on the same table as the lamp.

Hephaistion wiped his eyes, then struggled upright, propping himself with a pillow, then reached for the wine with his left hand, as if just to try and see how his arm had healed.

"Philip has gone, but we sorted out our differences. He was called back to Pella because my brother ate too many apples," he reported, watching as Hephaistion took a chicken leg.

"Where is everyone?" he asked.

"In the main room, talking," Alexander replied. "Would you like to go there?"

Hephaistion shook his head. "It is easier if I stay here. Or else I have to be carried, then see the pity in people's faces before I ask to be carried back again. Everyone means well but I am treated like I might break. I survived the fall but things have changed." He put the uneaten chicken leg back upon the plate and reached to put down his wine cup on the table again. He sighed. "Forgive me, Alexander, I have woken full of self-pity."

"Are you still mine, Hephaistion?" Alexander asked, softly.

Hephaistion hesitated before he spoke. "As much as ever," he eventually replied.

Alexander sighed, looked to the plate of food and put it on the table as well, then looked to Hephaistion. "There has been nothing physical between us, no truly loving moments, not since the morning of your wedding. You are my closest friend, I know you still are, but do you still desire me?"

Laughing softly, Hephaistion lifted his right hand to trace the outline of Alexander's face before letting his fingers comb through the tousled golden hair. "I always knew there would be no other for me." He hesitated again. "You know I have not been well enough but now I do not know if I am capable of making love." He laughed softly. "If you are thinking back to the night of the banquet...oh, how I wanted you then, it pained me to reject you and if I had known what the future held...crippled as I am I do not see how I would be so desirable, I would be a poor bedmate for you, Alexander...perhaps you should find another."

Alexander took Hephaistion's wrist, holding it as he turned his head to kiss the palm of his hand, then releasing it he stood up and kicked off his boots. He unfastened his belt and unclipped his chiton letting it fall so that he stood naked, turning so that Hephaistion could see the stirrings of his desire.

"I want no other, Hephaistion, right from the first, I never thought I could feel such desire." He reached down and unfastened Hephaistion's belt, pulling it free and discarding it on the floor, then unclipped his chiton, sitting beside him and leaning down to kiss the exposed chest as he did so. With help from Hephaistion he removed the chiton, which ended up on the floor by the belt.

"Kisses might be all we can have," warned Hephaistion.

"They will be enough," Alexander replied, and smiled. "You are the only one I shall ever truly love, so let me taste your sweet kisses and if that is all I can hope for I will satisfy myself with that," he breathed, as he lifted himself over Hephaistion and kissed his lips, brief kisses, declaring his love between each one.

Hephaistion laughed and held him close, the fingers of his hand entwined in his golden hair as he initiated another kiss that was full of passion, like the wedding morning, like at the banquet but this time they were not disturbed, there was nobody to part them now.

Alexander caressed Hephaistion's body as they kissed, hearing him moan softly, feeling his body move beneath him. He caressed Hephaistion's body, exploring what he thought was lost to him, his hand slid along his waist, down to his inner thigh, then brushed along his groin where he was surprised to find the evidence of his lover's arousal. He broke the kiss and grinned down at him.

"Who would have thought?" laughed Hephaistion, "I would have said it could not happen and yet I need you so badly right now, Alexander. Oh, it has been too long."

Alexander took the swollen shaft in his hand, laughing as Hephaistion gasped, arching his back in pleasure, his left leg moved a little, almost in invitation.

"And you are still mine?" Alexander asked, although he knew the answer.

"For eternity," Hephaistion breathed, moaning with need as Alexander moved over him.

They kissed passionately, both lost in pleasure as Alexander held their two shafts together, moving his hand, fast then slow, as Hephaistion gave himself to his feelings, unable to contain himself, he brought Alexander over the edge with him and they held each other, whispering endearments, promising never to be parted.

They lay in silence for a moment, then Alexander moved to lie alongside Hephaistion, his arm wrapped around him, their heads turned to gently kiss each other.

"I thought that was dead to me," Hephaistion confessed. "Before the fall, I had to try to be strong when I missed you so badly, longed to be in your arms....then after..." He let his voice trail away and waited until Alexander looked upon him before he spoke again. "I need to go to Persia with you, I have to recover, I begin to imagine being locked in a room like this forever, in my prison, self-pity made me weak. I thought I should have to find a way to let you go but how can I when I love you so much? With every fibre of my being, Alexander."

Hephaistion kissed Alexander's lips softly, resting his head back on the pillow his arms wrapped around him. No more words were said, no more were needed.

00XX00

Hephaistion began to be restless, he felt more energised and longed to be able to move whenever he chose, not depend on being lifted up or held.

Ptolemy had brought some plays for him to read, Sappho would appear often and ask if he needed anything, Nikias, Sostrate and Epaphras came to talk to him and Alexander offered hope and love but still he grew impatient, he was sure that his strength had returned but the recovery was slow.

After two days, where he was made to rest, except for in the evenings when Alexander would climb in to his bed, the exercises began again, anything to make him walk.

He had been held upright, encouraged to step forward and had achieved that goal, though the steps were small and he could not stand alone. He had ridden Nike to the river and managed to slide from her back in to the water, holding her mane as he felt the water lift him but he could not let go, not until Alexander was at his side.

He was tired of the encouragement, tired of the praise for the smallest movement. He was fighting to have a life, the life he wanted and he felt for all he had achieved, for all the effort the results should be greater.

One afternoon, Hephaistion was in the courtyard of the house, holding on to a stone column, his right arm wrapped around it. He had been placed there by Ptolemy and Alexander, who sat back on a stone bench now, offering encouragement for him to let the column go and walk a couple of paces to them. Only, he did not want to let the column go as he was convinced it would only lead to him falling forward.

Sappho came in to the courtyard, attracted by the noise, then hurried to Hephaistion, offering support and calling to Ptolemy to stop being a fool and help his friend.

"You push him too hard," she scolded, not caring that it was a prince she spoke to. "If the surgeon was here I doubt he would approve."

"I want to try," Hephaistion assured her.

"My poor love," Sappho cooed, her eyes filling with tears, "some things aren't meant to be."

"Persia was always meant to be," replied Hephaistion.

"Let him try," Alexander said.

Sappho stepped back but her face showed disapproval. "All it will cause is pain," she huffed.

Hephaistion pulled himself up, getting his feet under him before he slowly released the column. His legs held him and he grinned over at Alexander for the victory they had achieved together.

"Now walk," Alexander urged him.

"Always more," sighed Hephaistion, bringing his right leg, the strongest leg, forward a small pace. He reached back to put his hand on the column to support himself, quickly telling Sappho he was alright as she stepped forward, her hands held out. He dragged his left foot forward, till it was level with the right, then gained his balance again before letting go of the column.

"You're cheating a little," Ptolemy complained, smiling broadly.

Alexander stood up. This was the first time, since the banquet, that they had been able to stand together, face to face.

"You have a moment more," Hephaistion warned, his legs were getting tired.

Alexander grinned and leaned forward to claim a kiss, wrapping his arms around Hephaistion's waist, then turning so he stood in support. "Ptolemy," he called.

Ptolemy got to his feet and went to his station at Hephaistion's side, waiting for the nod which meant they would walk a slow circuit around the courtyard.

"Too much," murmured Sappho, and made her way inside.

00X00

Later in the evening, Hephaistion lay, on his stomach, reading on his bed, waiting for Alexander to return from his bath and bring supper, which had become his habit, when Sappho appeared at the door, the plate of food in her hand.

Hephaistion turned and greeted her, thankful that he was not yet undressed. He lifted himself up and propped a pillow behind his back, while she sat on the bed beside him, looking down as if to check which piece of food she should feed him first.

"I can feed myself," Hephaistion said, taking the plate from her and putting it on the table.

Sappho looked at him and smiled softly, then brushed back a wayward strand of hair from his face. "I think that they are pushing you too hard, Hephaistion. You need to rest...perhaps you need to accept that things will never be the same."

"I stood today," replied Hephaistion, "I would not have thought that possible, but it happened."

Sappho sighed. "My grandson has a favourite toy, a wooden soldier, one of the servants carved it from a piece of wood when he was born. One day this soldier was broken and my grandson cried for it, so we did our best to fix it. It stands again but it will never be the same." She took his hand. "I wanted you to know that you have a home here, Hephaistion, with people who will love and care for you. When my son, Kineas, returns, he will say as much, you do not have to let Ptolemy and Alexander work you so hard, sometimes you have to let dreams go and look to what is real."

"Or you make your dreams happen," Hephaistion replied.

Sappho shook her head. "My poor boy, I wish you could accept that things have changed."

"When I was first injured, if you had come to me then I would have accepted everything you said, Sappho. I might have dragged myself up to the top of that cliff and thrown myself from it to make sure the job was done properly. I knew something was wrong, I thought then I would be a burden on anyone but Alexander found me and had such a strong belief that I would recover that even though I doubted it I could do nothing but try. I am getting stronger, Sappho, if you had seen me in the first few days, to how I am now."

Alexander's voice was heard, he was talking with Ptolemy. Sappho stood, brushing her gown straight, she smiled sadly at Hephaistion then went to leave the room, meeting Alexander in the doorway.

"I brought supper," she informed him.

"Thank you," Alexander replied, looking to Hephaistion before shutting the door after their hostess.

Hephaistion sighed. "She is doubtful I will recover, she has offered me a home."

Alexander laughed softly. "I thought that she would try to talk with you. Do we have wine?"

"A servant brought some earlier."

He held up his hand and grinned. "I have some oil to massage you with, so get undressed Hephaistion and let me be the judge of how far you have recovered."

Laughing, Hephaistion reached up and unclipped his chiton, unfastening his belt . "Perhaps I still need help," he said, and smiled.

Alexander walked over to the bed, removing his own chiton then reaching to help Hephaistion who pulled him down in to an embrace, kissing him ardently.

Breaking the kiss to reach for the oil Alexander looked on Hephaistion and smiled. "You need no other home," he whispered, "but here with me."