He Too Is Alexander

Chapter 12

It had taken a long journey through many emotions to get to this point. Hephaestion had lost counted of the number of conversations, discussions and arguing that had taken place. The journey had not been easy with a lot of growing for both Alexander and Hephaestion. But the best part of all of it was that they were working it out together, no more secrets or hidden truths, and though it had been painful, they were both stronger because of it.

After many conversations with himself, Hephaestion had finally come to terms with Kleitus and his betrayal. He had never been a friend of the man but had at least been civil most of the time, except when Kleitus was being his usual pain-in-the-behind to him. Once he found out what had been done to him by Kleitus and the others, it took awhile to examine how he really felt about it all. He still had a painful sickness in his stomach when he thought about what had been done to him and how humiliating it must have been at the time. He still had no personal memories of the event, for which he was very grateful and thanked the gods for not remembering the ordeal. He also finally came to terms with the guilt of it all. It had taken awhile but he now knew in his heart that there was absolutely nothing he could have done to prevent what had happened to him. I also knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he was very lucky to even have survived it at all.

Once he had sorted out most of his own issues with the situation, he and Alexander began to work on Alexander's. Alexander wanted Kleitus punished and he, Alexander, wanted to do the punishing. Killing had not been out the question as far as Alexander was concerned. Hephaestion had thought long and hard about this. Many nights he had lay awake with Alexander sleeping peacefully by his side and tried to sort this mess out. He had finally come to one conclusion at least. He did not want Alexander to kill Kleitus.

He had several very sound reasons for thinking this way and he told Alexander this when he saw the look of frustration and anger still on the King's handsome face.

First, he didn't want to be the cause of anyone death. If Alexander did indeed kill Kleitus, he would forever carry that guilt around with him whether he had any part of it or not. Hephaestion tried to explain to Alexander that people would blame him for Kleitus' death if Alexander acted on his impulses.

Secondly, Hephaestion had thought about it enough to see the repercussions this action would create. Alexander's army was already beginning to have doubts about following him all over the world in his quest to conquer and rule the world. They were getting tired of the traveling, the fighting and not seeing their families they had left behind. Alexander was not looked upon as their glorious leader as much anymore. If he were to follow his anger and kill Kleitus, it would only make the growing gap between him and his army deeper and maybe unrepairable. Alexander had to be made to see that he was not looked upon the same way he had been at the beginning of his reign, and though he still had most of their loyalty and respect, their were many doubters as well.

And most of all, Hephaestion thought that if anyone was to do harm to Kleitus, it should be him, Hephaestion that should do it. It was his right to seek revenge for the outrage he had incurred. After many conversations, he thought he had finally convinced Alexander that this should be so.

Hephaestion wondered how things would play out and how they would end. He decided to let time heal some of his inner wounds before he pushed the matter on his own.

Little did he know that fate, or the gods, were about to step in and take any control he could have completely out of his hands and seal all of their fates.

Authors note: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your reviews and encouragement. This has been a great experience for me, my first story, and I thank you for your patience and understanding. I have at least one more chapter to go, maybe more, and I promise it will have a happy ending. My Alexander and Hephaestion would have it no other way.