Chapter 6: Proud Letters

When they arrived at the compound Hephaistion was the first one of the horse, turning towards Alexander to help him. Looking in his face, he saw the short ride there had hurt Alexander's leg terribly and he was finally acknowledging it now Alexander came down from his adrenaline high.

When Alexander was safely on the ground, he patted Bucephalus back knowing he would find his way into the stables. Winding Alexander's arm round his shoulders, Hephaistion made his way into the building. Everything was quiet, meaning the other students had not returned yet, and all they heard was their footsteps echoing in the halls.

Reaching their joined rooms, Hephaistion pushed open the heavy wooden door. He made Alexander sit on the bed while he closed the door behind him, when the door was secure he went into the washing room filling a basin with water and taking some rags with him. Alexander just watched him move around not moving an inch from where Hephaistion left him.

Finding needle and threat, Hephaistion placed everything he gathered on a nearby table and moved towards Alexander, pulling him upright.

No words were said as Hephaistion took of Alexander's armour and chiton leaving him bare, Hephaistion tried not to blush finding it ridicules since they have seen each other naked numerous times. Swallowing hard he made one of the rags wet and cleaned Alexander's body, being careful of Alexander's wounds, only pausing to give a gentle kiss on each new scar he hadn't seen yet as if he could kiss away the memory that created it. Alexander sighed at his beloved's ministrations. Hephaistion changed rags once in a while, throwing the soiled ones on a heap. When he was done, he dried Alexander and made him lay down on the bed giving him some wine for the pain when he started cleaning the wounds more delicately.

He tried to be as careful and as quick as possible when he sewed the biggest wounds closed but every hiss or intake of breath made his heart ache. Looking towards Alexander he saw his friend had his eyes closed and was whispering words he recognized from a song Alexander used to sing when he was younger.

After dressing the wounds he made Alexander lie on his stomach, after examining him further and finding no more wounds, he took some rose oil, rubbed it in his hands and started massaging his back. After awhile Hephaistion heard Alexander's breathing change, thinking he fell asleep he moved of Alexander but before he could get to far, a hand grabbed his arm. Turning around he saw Alexander quite awake, looking into his eyes he nodded and laid himself next to Alexander, kissing his shoulder. They both turned on their side, just looking at each other. Then moved as close as they could, Alexander half on top of Hephaistion his head on his chest as Hephaistion just rubbed circles on Alexander's back. Hephaistion sighed and closed his eyes for a moment.

A knocking noise woke Hephaistion up, not realising he fell asleep he rubbed his eyes sensing Alexander waking up as well. They both sat up smiling at one another before leaning in and kissing each other until they were once again interrupted by the knocking sound on the door, this time followed by a voice.

"Message for Prince Alexander"

Sighing loudly Hephaistion got of the bed moving towards the door as Alexander quickly put on a new chiton he had put there. Opening the door he came face to face with the same messager they had met this afternoon. Taking two scrolls from the boy he thanked him.

Seeing movement in the hall, he saw Ptolemy and Leonatus looking at him, realising the others must have come back while they were sleeping he nodded towards his classmates and closed the door again.

He turned around and saw Alexander dressed and sitting on the bed, he walked towards his friend and have him the two scrolls which both held the royal seal. Hugging his friend he whispered,

"Courage Alexander…"

And moved away leaving his friend to it. He put away the soiled rags and basin he used earlier together with the thread and needle. Looking outside the window he saw the sun was setting already and if suddenly realising this fact he shivered and he moved towards his closet, put on a new chiton since his was dirty and bloody and put on a cloak, which bellowed behind him while he moved towards Alexander, who was propped up against some cushions on the bed.

He moved round the bed, stopping behind Alexander and putting his hands on his shoulders gently massaging the knots he knew were there. He unconsciously read the letter, knowing Alexander would not mind for he would have told him the contents later anyway.

Philip, King Of Macedon, hails Alexander,

Word has reached me that Cassander's, son of Antipator, victory six months ago was a false one. This word has come from Cassander himself and he has been punished accordingly.

Because of this, I feel the need to apologise some of the things I might had said that day, you are not weak or a coward.

But, and understand this clearly my son, I do not regret the decision of making you go through training. You must understand that Kings are not born, they are made Alexander through trials and suffering. I did not understand this when my father made me go through the same training and I hated him then. But I do now, and when you have a son of your own, you will understand as well.

After today I am confidant you will be a great King someday. But I fear you must find a Kingdom for yourself, Macedon is clearly not big enough for you.

You made me proud my son.

You showed everyone today, that you are worthy to be my heir and heir to the throne.

I hope you are well because you have your mother quite a fright when you got wounded but I am confidant you are, after all you are my son.

I believe in you and your abilities and to show you that I mean what I say, You are now regent during times I am away on campaign and hopefully you will join me in battle soon so all can see your greatness and all will say 'This is Alexander the Great, our future King'

Take good care of yourself.

Hephaistion gaped at the letter not believing his eyes and when he heard Alexander sigh he hugged him against his chest.

"Mother's letter is about the same. Though she is more worried then she lets on."

Alexander got up from the bed and put his letters down in a chest near his bed, feeling Hephaistion eyes follow him. The silence was broken by a small gong somewhere in the compound.

"Are you hungry? Maybe you should eat something, you will need it after today. Besides I think we should at least show our faces before anyone things we've eloped or something."

Rattled Hephaistion moving around the bed towards Alexander who silenced him with a kiss.

"Let them think what they want, I care not." Said Alexander looking in his eyes and Hephaistion could see that the last of Alexander's demons where gone and smiled which turned into a chuckle as Alexander added…

"I could eat a wild bore"

Moving towards his closet Alexander took out his blue and gold cloak and put it around his shoulders, then put a gold band in his hair and looked towards Hephaistion who also wore a white chiton but his cloak was red with silver trimmings and he wore a red band in his hair.

Smiling they both moved together, towards the door, before opening they squeezed each other hands. Alexander sighed, straitened his back and walked through the now open door, passing the soldiers, towards the dining area, cloak bellowing behind him.

Hephaistion waited a moment before following him down the hall in the direction he had left, thinking.

'He has the heart of a true King'