Chapter 3: Respect.

Present Day: September

Hephaistion couldn't believe his happiness, Alexander was back, his Alexander was back; he could almost jump up and down he was so giddy.

Just this morning he had difficulty getting out of bed, and had been ever since Alexander was taken away six months ago. He silently thanked Ptolemy for his constant presence and reassurance that Alexander was fine, that he would have felt it if he wasn't. But it didn't keep Hephaistion from worrying and Cassander smug smile and coy eyes for the last six months didn't help any either.

Hephaistion never lost his temper, he was always calm and collected but one remark two months ago was all it took and he pinned Cassander to the wall.

Hephaistion was quietly talking with Ptolemy, Nearchus and Leonatus, walking towards their next class when Cassander and some of his friends walked by bumping into Hephaistion's shoulder. Hephaistion shrugged if of trying to ignore it but when Cassander stopped in front of him, getting in his face, he sighed.

"Miss your little Prince do you Hephaistion? Seems your not as much of a man you though you were without him do you? Your nothing without Alexander do you here me…."

Hephaistion just stepped 'round Cassander and tried to leave.

"… nothing…" he heard Cassander repeat but he could care less, he knew it was not true and Cassander was just trying to bait him but when he heard Cassander last remark he stopped,

"I hope they hurt him wherever he is… Then he'll know that not even princes get anything for free. I bet he's sniffling and begging already, just like he did when I beat his little puppy ass into the ground…" and started laughing.

Hephaistion turned back and before anyone could react he had grabbed Cassander by the throat and hit his head on the wall hard. Hephaistion who was bigger then Cassander in many ways lifted him of the ground and got in his face. He never shouted or yelled but he spoke softly and no one but Cassander could hear what was being said.

"I know you cheated that day Cassander, there was no way you could have won and rest assured I will find what happened that day and you will pay. And know this…."

He banged Cassander's head against the wall hard, making some people wince.

"You will never be half the man Alexander is… never!"

They stared into each others eyes and Hephaistion did not see Cassander turning red and did not feel his hands grabbing at his throat until Ptolemy shook him out of it.

"Hephaistion!" Hephaistion let Cassander go, who fell on the floor gasping for air, nobody tried to help Cassander in any way as they followed Hephaistion to their next class.

Hephaistion felt nervous when he brushed off his new chiton, he waited for this day for what felt like forever. Something did not make sense. They were all in Aristotle's class when the news came, Alexander was back and heading this way. Everyone cheered as Hephaistion remained seated in shock, when Ptolemy shook his shoulder, he knew he must have looked silly wearing the biggest smile he could muster. When Aristotle asked the messenger if Alexander would join their classes today everyone quieted down at the boys answer.

"No sir, the King requests the presence of everyone here at the arena."

"The arena?"

"Yes sir and the King said immediately, I'm to take you there."

Hephaistion saw Aristotle nod and gestured everyone to follow the boy, something did not make sense to him and asked out loud.

"What about Alexander… I mean the Prince?" corrected Hephaistion after a sharp look from his teacher. "Will he be there?"

"I am not allowed to reveal much information but yes The prince will be there also" answered the boy quickly and left looking back now and then to see if everyone was following.

"What does he mean, also? Who else will be there" asked a suddenly curious Nearchus. The same question plagued Hephaistion's mind as he followed the rest of his class towards the arena.

After a dusty walk of 15 minutes, they arrived at the arena. The arena consisted of a large open space, filled with sand. This space was surrounded by a large, round and stone structure which contained seating area's on the top levels and prisons, preparations rooms and a weapon storage below. Everyone gaped at the structure when they walked under the archway, trough an alley, up some stairs and finally came into the seating area. Everyone was looking around for none of them had been here before, for this was the Kings private arena where he watched his troops train for combat. Hephaistion did not understand why they were here of all places.

Sitting down he looked around and saw several people there, including The Kings closest generals and after a few moments, the king himself made an appearance and to everyone's great surprise the Queen also appeared.

Hephaistion frowned as he stood back upright after taking a bow. Hoping he would see Alexander follow soon after, he was disappointed when he did not. Silence followed, no one said a word and it gave them all a weary feeling. Hephaistion kept his eyes trained on the King and Queen, hoping something will happen. He did not have to wait for long because soon King Philip made a gesture with his hand, following his gaze Hephaistion noticed there were people down in the arena, recognizing some of them as the most respected fighters in Philip's army, he swallowed and leaned a little closer for a better view.

Seeing their Kings gesture the men nodded and moved to open a door, the bolts on the door made a loud noise that resonated through the arena and everyone held their breath. Hephaistion expected to see many things: a slave, a chariot, some kind of animal but what he did not expect was so to see Alexander moving out of the shadows into the sunlight and stop in the middle of the arena.

Hephaistion could not believe his eyes and smiled, Alexander was here, he was finally here, he would have run down the stairs and hugged his best friend but something was stopping him. There was something different, Alexander was different. Alexander did not look up once, like he was not aware his friends, or even Hephaistion was present. Sitting back down frowning, he took a good look at his best friend and notice al kind of changes. The first thing he noticed was that Alexander stood still, as still as a statue; there was no fidgeting or shuffling, which was rare because Alexander never stood still because he always had to much energy in him.

Next was he seemed taller somehow though looked like he hasn't grown all that much. He was broader too, there was more muscle on that small but compact body. His hair was longer and curled around his ears, it seemed more golden as well but then again he seems more tanned then before, which means he had been out in the warm Greek sun for long periods of time, they had a hot summer this year and most of them couldn't stand to be out in the open for long periods of time, seems Alexander had though.

But what sprang to Hephaistion eyes were the scars on Alexander body, scars he had not seen before, they was one on his right shoulder travelling down to his elbow and a large one coming from inside Alexander thighs down and curling around his knee. They seemed recent because the scar was still red. Hephaistion could not help and wonder what had happened to his beloved Alexander and cursed himself for not being there to help. Hephaistion felt like he broke his promise, a promise he made not so long ago.

"Will you protect me from any harm Hephaistion?" asked a younger Alexander, head in Hephaistion's lap. Hephaistion stopped threading his fingers in Alexander's golden hair and answered.

"I would gladly die knowing if would keep you safe, my Alexander." And resumed playing with Alexander's hair pretending he didn't just call his friend 'My Alexander'. Alexander was quiet for a few moments until he sat upright cupping Hephaistion's face in his two hands whispering:

"And I would do the same for you, My Hephaistion" Hephaistion heart swelled and he smiled a shy smile before he hugged Alexander close.

Hephaistion came to the present when he heard a load clap, looking up he saw that it was the King who clapped his hands. He saw Alexander bow and turn around to the centre of the arena, Hephaistion only now noticed that Alexander was wearing armour.

On top of his white chiton Alexander wore a golden-silver armour which held an engraving of two horses standing on their hind legs, in the middle stood the royal crest of his father. His legs were covered by leather bindings who were tied at the back of his legs.

Someone, probably a servant, came closer and have Alexander a round shield, again engraved with the royal crest and two horses, and his helmet: bronze and in the middle ran white horse hair down to Alexander's neck and two read feathers were placed on either side of the white hair and on the front, covering Alexander's forehead, was again the Royal Crest. Hephaistion swallowed, he thought Alexander looked magnificent. A true Achilles, if he ever saw one.

Alexander took his sword and seemed to wait for something, this is when it dawned on Hephaistion, Alexander had to fight. This was some kind of test, Alexander had to prove himself worthy in front of his King, His Generals and closest friends. To prove he is worthy of his fathers throne.

It all made sense now, what happened those six months ago and the kings reaction: he was disappointed and ashamed his heir had lost in front of his generals, so he took him away to train; which explained Alexander's new scars and new demeanour; and now he had to prove himself again. Gain the respect of everyone who was watching today. He looked at Ptolemy and saw he too had figured it out, they frowned and turned back towards their friend.

This new information did not make Hephaistion feel better, in fact it made him feel worse. This was not practise, those were not inexperienced boys he was going to fight and those were certainly no wooden swords they were holding. But before the fight could start, the King shouted something at the men in the arena. He did not understand what was said, they were too far away, but he did see Alexander stiffen for a second and then nod towards his father, he doubt anyone else noticed but he knew Alexander better then anyone and knew his friend did not like what was going to happen.

He saw a man approach Alexander and noticed the man was at least a head and shoulders taller then his friend, the uneasy feeling in his gut grew. The man produced a piece of cloth and he heard Ptolemy and some of the others murmur,

"Surely not…"

Hephaistion kept his eyes trained on Alexander and when the man removed Alexander's helmet, he saw Alexander's eyes flick towards him and keep his gaze. Looking into those eyes he longed to see, he knew he had not lost Alexander entirely. He smiled a supportive and encouraging smile and quickly mouthed 'I remember' before his beloved eyes were covered by a black piece of cloth and his helmet was replaced on his head.

They moved Alexander to the centre again and left him there. Alexander took on a battle position, poised and ready. Seconds ticked by though seemed like hours to Hephaistion, when suddenly he saw the King make another move and instead of one fighter walking towards Alexander there were now three.

Hephaistion was shocked the king would do such a thing and he suddenly realised this might be an execution instead of a test and fear grabbed him by the throat. Forgetting his place and who was present, he stood and ran down the stairs towards the arena.

"Alexander, no!"

Hearing Hephaistion's voice, Alexander held up his hand holding of the guards he knew were making his way towards his friend and in a voice that clearly held a command he said;

"Ptolemy"

Knowing what his prince meant before he even asked, Ptolemy held Hephaistion back who was struggling and yelling with a strangled voice,

"No, you can not do this. You will kill him. Ptolemy, you cannot let him. How can you even…"

"I know how you feel Hephaistion but Alexander cannot fight if he's worried about your safety. You must understand he will need his full focus for this and cannot win this fight, if he thinks you might be in danger."

Hearing Ptolemy's reason Hephaistion calmed down and turned away to sit at the front row, he could hear Cassander laughing at his display and cursed himself for losing his calm. He looked towards the King and Queen and counted himself lucky he was still alive.

Swallowing hard he turned towards Alexander, feeling Ptolemy sitting nearby.

He just hoped that when this say was over, he'll see Alexander's eyes again.