Leaders of Macedonia Chapter 11: Philip's Return, an alexander fanfic

Title: "Leaders of Macedonia"

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 11, "Philip's Return"

He sat up as he heard the sound of hooves on the courtyard. Immediately he threw himself out of bed and rushed to the balcony. His father, along with his prized generals, were riding in. Cursing he turned back and entered the room. Hephaestion had already risen and was just now emerging from the sitting room. He was dressed and ready for the day, his hair pulled back in two tiny strands at each side, which were braided to keep his hair back. He cast a glance at Alexander and quickly went to him, kissing him shortly on the forehead, before leaving the room in order to get to his own before they were sent for.

Alexander remained, dressing quickly. He even threw the sheets over his bed, trying to perhaps make it look as if he'd not slept so roughly upon them. If what he did last night consisted of enough sleeping to count. After making the bed at least presentable for a servant to come make he quickly continued to ready himself before his servants came ushering in. They all seemed a little surprised that he was already dressed but he stilled his hurried breathing.

"Yes," he inquired, as if he had not been expecting them at all. The servants glanced around for a moment. They were obviously trying to decide which would be the one to speak. Finally a man stepped forward and requested that Alexander go to his father, who would wish to speak with him. Alexander only motioned for them to leave, assuring them that he'd be there in a moment.

As soon as they shut the door he breathed a sigh of relief. He wiped a hand over the back of his forehead, wiping any sweat away. Glancing in the mirror he looked himself over and then made his way to the door. He entered the corridor and began to make his way to where he knew his father would be. As he entered the room of the council, he was glad to see that Hephaestion was already seated at the other end of the room. He sat amongst Parmenion and Cassander, and the rest of his friends that had been generals.

"Alexander," his father said, pointing to a seat. "Sit."

Alexander did as he was told. He sat down and then, without moving, glanced around the room. It was a strategy he was learning from observing what Hephaestion did at meetings. When his father sat down he knew that he was going to be getting some sort of speech. And in front of the generals of Macedonia.

"A peace treaty with the Theban forces," his father asked him, anger on the tip of his tongue. Alexander said nothing, knowing that his father was going to continue. Besides, he was not sure yet what he was going to tell him. He couldn't turn and look to Hephaestion for support now, since if he did everyone else would know about it.

"What are you thinking," his father bellowed. "Do you think that the Theban bastard will keep his word for you? He'll charge again against Macedonia as soon as he gets the chance. He'll promenade right into Pella and take everything as his own. All because you did not crush him as you were ordered to do!"

"I was told to win the battle," Alexander contradicted. "I did exactly what I was told to do. Beyond that, I did what you should be doing."

"How dare you raise your voice to me!"

"I did what was necessary," he only screamed louder, standing. He had the same rage as his father, perhaps more though from the influence of his mother. "I won the battle but there was no reason for me to wipe out everything. They are just like us, father. They have enemies and they need allies. Someday you will see that Macedonia needs to grow and she can't do so when you don't allow her to."

"What do you know you ignorant child! I've stretched the borders of this land since before you were born through battle."

"Yes, and you have constant rebellions. You treat those that you trample over as dirt as you treat everything else when it has no benefit to you. Macedonia could be great if she were to align herself with other countries. With the borders surrounded, and the inside, with rebellions you can never get past you have nothing to work with. If you settle the region, as I have proven I can do, then you can look beyond those we are constantly at war with. Then you can look at larger threats like the Persians in the East."

"The Persians," Philip questioned as he tried to lunge across the table. Had Cleitus not been so close he may have made it too. His closest companion grabbed him though to hold him back. Philip fought though, but Alexander did not move.

"What are you going to do? Kill me?"

There was silence in the room. Cassander, who'd moved so he was next to Hephaestion glanced over at him. He saw the fear in the others eyes. Since he had the opportunity, he felt like rubbing that fear in would benefit him. Perhaps not in any long-term sense. But in the fact that it would be something he could laugh about later, that, he liked.

"Hephaestion," he whispered, getting the others attention as Alexander and his father screamed at one another. There were no words currently or he would have waited. There was just screaming and Philip trying to release himself from the grip of his companions. "When he becomes king will he name you queen, or are you going to remain royal whore?"

"Are you jealous, I wonder," Hephaestion shot back defensively. "Or is it the fact that you thought you'd be in the position that I am now, and since you are not, your father has run out of love for you."

"You know nothing about my father!"

"I know more about him than you know about anything else."

"Did you truly want the Thebans to do the job for you," Alexander's voice cut Hephaestion and Cassander's fight off. They both went back to watching in awe at the scene displayed before them. "Tell me father. Are you angry because I've shown my ability to be better than you, or because you now have to start a new feud to send me in to so that I can be off your hands!"

"His mother," Philip laughed, speaking to the others now, "has filled his head with more nonsense. I've told her to keep away from him. Do you want her dead, is that what you want Alexander?"

"No!"

"Then stay away from her," Philip ordered.

"She's not the one trying to kill me," Alexander shot back before he stormed out of the room. Philip was soon standing, going after his son. He motioned for everyone else to stay put. As the doors shut after he'd exited the room, full now of rage, Hephaestion winced. He glanced at Cleitus, who was perhaps the only one in the room that knew anything about compassion. Cleitus saw Hephaestion but looked away, unsure of how to assure him that thing would be fine. After a few minutes, it was apparent that neither Alexander nor Philip would be returning.

"Dismissed," was the only word that Cleitus said as he left the room. He was on a search at that moment to look for Philip to see if he could bring some sense back to him. Hephaestion waited a moment before rising. However, Cassander had waited as well, and had shoved him as soon as he rose.

"You should let Alexander get what's coming to him," Cassander said, trying to pick a fight.

"Well," Hephaestion said as he brushed past him, "you should stop being a pawn of your father's, and start perhaps being Alexander's friend first and foremost."

He'd looked everywhere for him, any place that he could think of. After hours of searching though he'd turned up nothing. So for an hour he lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, hoping that he would suddenly think of another place to look. After awhile his eyes closed, but he did not sleep, just thought. Then, while he lay there, he heard the door open to his room. Turning his head, he opened his eyes, and watched as Alexander shut the door. His back was to him and once he turned, he leaned against the door.

Hephaestion began to sit up, slowly pushing himself up on an arm though, the shock of seeing him slowing him. Alexander said nothing. Instead he sunk down, falling to the floor in tears. Hephaestion rose and crossed the room, coming to his knees before him. He wrapped his arms around Alexander, bringing his head to his chest, where Alexander leaned against him. He held him, kissing his hair, rocking him gently.

Moments passed before Hephaestion moved back and then looked down at Alexander. He carefully pulled some of Alexander's hair away from his right temple, where it stuck to the sticky blood there. Alexander winced when he touched the edges and Hephaestion moved his hand to the black swelling flesh beneath his eye. Smiling softly, Hephaestion tried to remain calm.

"It isn't that bad," he whispered. He then lifted Alexander in his arms and laid him down gently on his bed. Sitting he then leaned over him for a moment before disappearing. When he returned he had a wet cloth in one hand and a jar of salve in the other.

"I'm fine," Alexander said, pushing Hephaestion's hand away when he tried to place the cloth against his temple. Hephaestion lowered his hand then leaned down. He kissed Alexander, who responded by kissing him back, and as he did so he pressed the cloth to Alexander's temple. When he pulled his lips away, he continued to clean the wound, caused by a mighty punch.

"It really isn't fine," Hephaestion then said, trying to keep himself calm. He continued to wipe blood away from the cut from the punch. He then opened the lid of the jar and carefully removed some salve. He spread it over the wound, frowning when Alexander winced and hissed in pain.

"Phae," Alexander said, putting a hand on his wrist to stop him from continuing. Hephaestion stopped, looking down at him. It was then that Alexander smiled, softly, sadness in his eyes all the while though. "Can you just hold me while I sleep?"

Hephaestion let a tear fall from his eye, wiped it away, then nodded. He put the lid back on the jar of salve and placed it on the floor beside the bed. He then pulled a blanket back, carefully sliding Alexander under, then crawled in beside him. He wrapped his arms around him and Alexander shifted until he was comfortable. He slept with his head nuzzled against Hephaestion's chest, an arm draped over his hip as well. The other hand Alexander wrapped in Hephaestion's hair. Within moments he was sleeping and Hephaestion waited a few moment before he blew out the candle on the stand, and slept as well.

A/N: Now, some people are going to say Philip was not this harsh. I believe that he was. Besides, it makes for a better story this way. Please review though. I'll have the next chapter tomorrow. Last week of this school year! That means I have six weeks before I start summer school to get ahead so I graduate early! TMI, I know, but have a great day and a great week. Feel free to review.