Chapter 4: The Wedding
Hephaistion entered Alexander's chamber, after a small knock and a quick 'enter', with a heavy heart because today was Alexander's wedding and even though he agreed with it in the first place, he was beginning to have second thoughts. After seeing who Alexander was supposed to marry, he got scared, scared that Alexander would spent all his times with her and not have time for him anymore. But yet there was something about that girl that made even his heart skip a beat, he hoped it was just the wine that made him feel like this and he hoped the feeling would pass. He got away with sleeping with Alexander but he feared if he would ever love the future Queen, he would be done fore. So, he decided to ignore the feeling, he normally only felt with Alexander.
Entering the inner chamber he though he would find his love getting ready for his wedding that was taking place in just under an hour but instead he found him reading a scroll, of all things.
"Alexander, what are you doing? Shouldn't you get ready?"
Alexander who knew Hephaistion was there, just waved slightly and continued reading, Hephaistion just shook his head and walked behind Alexander placing his hands on his shoulders feeling a slight tension there and began rubbing.
"Oh, pray tell. What is so important that you almost forgot this is your wedding day?" asked Hephaistion not recognizing the scroll Alexander was reading,
"It's a scroll by Thucydides named Histories: The plague in Athens."
"Why would you read a thing like that, at a time like this?" asked Hephaistion clearly not getting it,
"I'm proving a theory I have…" answered Alexander sitting up straighter enjoying the rub his lover was giving him.
"Tell me?" asked Hephaistion loving it when Alexander formed theories and then tried to prove them, no matter if he was right or not. He loved watching Alexander when he did. Alexander nodded and stood up while Hephaistion sat down, Alexander just walked up and down his chamber,
"I think she's a myrmidon!" said Alexander suddenly breaking the silence,
" She?" asked Hephaistion with a strange tone, as if it wasn't really a surprise to him, Alexander caught the tone with a raised eyebrow but said nothing and simply continued,
"Eudora, I think she's a myrmidon. As is her father."
"Why would you think that?" asked Hephaistion wondering how Alexander came to believe such a thing,
"First of all, their names!"
"Their names?" repeated Hephaistion clearly interested,
"Yes, first of all: Cephalus. It's the same name of the King who first formed the myrmidons! I knew I heard the name somewhere before so I began searching in my scrolls, until I finally found it…." He pointed towards the still open scroll he was reading earlier,
"Thucydides's 'Histories: The plague in Athens'?" said Hephaistion catching on, Alexander nodded and stepped closer, showing a particular part in the scroll,
" Apparently this Cephalus was King of Athens many hundredths years ago when some plague wiped out many of his soldiers and citizens. He visited the island of Aegina to visit the temple of Jupiter to pray for troops and new citizens, when he saw a troop of ants,
'Give me, O father, citizens as numerous as these, and replenish my empty city'
The next day he was awoken by his son yelling 'Father, approach, and behold things surpassing even your hopes! As he stepped outside he saw numerous man who bowed before him, naming him their King and he said 'I shall call them Myrmidons, from the ant (myrmex) from which they sprang. You have seen these persons; their dispositions resemble those which they had in their former shape. They are a diligent and industrious race, eager to gain, and tenacious of their gains. Among them you may recruit your forces. They will follow you to the war, young in years and bold in heart.'"
Hephaistion was silent as he heard Alexander talk and smiled slightly at the light shining in his lovers eyes and he said,
"Maybe, but that is only one name and I think many people may have been named Cephalus, Alexander, that does not mean anything." Alexander who was used to Hephaistion speaking his mind answered,
"Maybe? But what about the name Eudora then?"
"What about it?"
"You remember Homer's Illyiad don't you?" asked Alexander getting a raised eyebrow for his stupid question,
"Of course you do…" continued Alexander, "Remember Achilles his first and loyal general? The leader of the myrmidons? His name was Eudorus, Hephaistion! Eudorus! This is more then a coincidence now."
"And then there's their complexion. Dark hair and light eyes, it coincides with Homer description of the myrmidons, claiming no one else besides them had that kind of complexion and ….." Alexander just rambled on until he was interrupted by Hephaistion,
"You are right Alexander, they are myrmidons. The last two to be exact!"
This shocked Alexander into silence. Hephaistion got up and started undressing Alexander and washing him so he would be ready for his wedding,
"I am right? But… but how would you know this? The last two?" asked Alexander in one breath getting exited. Hephaistion just continued with his work as he began telling something he saw before he came to Alexander's chamber,
Hephaistion woke up early today not being able to sleep any longer, troubled thoughts keeping him awake. He dressed and decided to eat quickly and then take a sort walk around the courtyard inspecting the wedding preparations.
As he walked trough the palace, Alexander's wing to exact, he suddenly heard people approaching with their voices slightly raised. He jumped behind a pillar and hid. He looked around the pillar when he heard they had stopped and saw Eudora, Alexander bride, and her father discussing something.
"I do not want to marry him father!"
"You will do as your told child, it is your destiny!"
"Screw the destiny. I will not take part in it." Hephaistion raised his eyebrows at Eudora's language and fury, not believing it was the same silent girl they had seen so many times before. He was snapped back to father and daughter as he heard something connect with the wall and saw Eudora's father had her pinned to the wall,
"Never, ever say that again! Where is your myrmidon spirit girl? The one that can deal with anything? You shame me and our ancestor the great Eudorus, after who you were named!"
Hephaistion was shocked at what he was hearing. They were myrmidons and not just any myrmidons, they were descendants of Eudorus, Achilles best and loyal general, who served with him in Troy.
"But father…."
"No buts Eudora! Or have you forgotten all those who died trying to protect you so you would be able to fulfil your destiny? You must marry Alexander for he is the last descended of Achilles and it is your job to protect him at all cost. Maybe even try to continue the bloodline, if the gods grand this request."
Cephalus let go of his daughter who just looked down, tears streaming down her face as she nodded. Then she collected herself and looked into her father's eyes.
"But he will never love me father! He loves his companion, Hephaistion."
"Yes, but we foresaw this Eudora, and you of all people should know this. Hephaistion is the last descended of Patroclus and their souls belong to each other. You must try to protect and love them both, we cannot have the same thing happen to them, as what happened to their ancestors. You have been trained in the ancient myrmidon way. We are the last two survivors of an ancient and noble race, it's our job to protect them both with our lives. I have faith in you my child."
Hephaistion looked on shocked as he saw Cephalus hug his daughter who sighed heavily. He tried to leave but in his haste he bumped into a vase who crashed to the floor. Soon, he was surrounded by both father and daughter who had their swords raised. They stepped back when they saw who it was.
"My lord…." And they both bowed. Hephaistion was still shocked and it showed on his face. Cephalus stepped forward,
"Did you hear everything?" Hephaistion just nodded,
"It's unfortunate but you would have found out sooner or later. Please tell no one, besides Prince Alexander, what you have learned. It's for your own safety and that of the Prince that our identity's remain a secret. Can you do that?"
Hephaistion nodded but remained silent. He looked between father and daughter and when his eyes connected with Eudora, his heart skipped a beat at the intensity of her eyes before she lowered them again. Both father and daughter bowed again and left, probably to get ready for the wedding. Hephaistion watched them walked down the hall until they disappeared. He decided to forgo his walk and headed for Alexander's chamber, feeling the sudden need to see him before the wedding.
By the time Hephaistion had finished his story, Alexander was washed and dressed in his royal robes. Alexander was silent and Hephaistion knew he was thinking. He took a brush and started combing Alexander hair, when he was finished he put away the brush and walked towards a closet. Opening it, he took a golden crown, shaped into olive branches and leaves and placed it upon Alexander's golden head.
Then moved back expecting Alexander's look, nodding to himself, he fetched the last item he needed. He took the purple cloak and placed it upon Alexander's shoulders and fastened it with a broach shaped into a star, the symbol of Macedonia. When Hephaistion finished Alexander took his hands in his, keeping him where he was.
Hephaistion stared into Alexander's eyes, who were slightly moist with unshed tears and he took his face in his hands and moved closer until their foreheads and noses touched. Feeling comforted with the contact, he just caressed Alexander's face.
"I always had a feeling you were Patroclus's descended and that our souls belong together but I never hoped it could actually be true." Whispered Alexander,
"I knew! And we will belong and love each other, until we are old and grey. I Love you, my Achilles!" whispered Hephaistion back.
"And I love you, my Patrolclus"
They moved closer and kissed slowly and sweetly, reassuring each other, feeling comforted in each other's presence. Suddenly they were interrupted by a knock on the door and a voice.
"Prince Alexander. It is time, my lord. Everyone is waiting for your presence on this joyous occasion."
Hephaistion sighed and moved back, once again inspecting Alexander appearance, looking into his eyes. He smiled widely at Alexander who smiled back. Hephaistion then turned and headed out of the door and joined his friends who were already in the courtyard.
Alexander walked outside the palace onto the courtyard and saw many people had turned up for his wedding. He looked towards his friends who all smiled and waved at him, even Hephaistion. He walked further and saw his parents on one the left side sitting on their thrones both wearing the most gorgeous clothes he had ever seen and he smiled towards them. He stopped in front of a table, on which lay a loaf of bread and a ribbon. He looked at the priest and sighed not really believing he was getting married.
Suddenly soft music started playing and he turned, toward the palace where he saw Cephalus escorting his daughter towards him. He gasped out loud as did many people. Eudora looked absolutely breathtaking, in a light green dress and veil wearing a small tiara and white flowers in her hair. They stopped in front of Alexander and the priest; Cephalus kissed his daughter on the hand before moving to the right, standing opposite of the King and Queen.
Alexander turned towards Eudora reaching for her hand, taking it into his they walked the last few steps together towards the priest, who took the ribbon and 'symbolically' tied their hands together.
"From this day forward, in front of all these witnesses and the gods, we bind Alexander, crown prince of Macedonia and Eudora, daughter of Lord Cephalus together for as long as they might live. May their marriage be blessed with lots of happiness and children…. " the priest continued for awhile adding prayers and blessings but Alexander felt like he lived in a dream and was fulfilling some ancient prophecy made years ago. He came back to the present when the priest asked him to come forward. Both he and Eudora walked round the table, stopping at the other side and facing the crowd, who were all cheering and smiling.
Alexander took his sword and cut the loaf of bread and offered some to his bride, who ate it together with him. Then they both drank some wine from the same cup. This was an ancient Macedonian tradition and they all honoured it. When this was done the priest pronounced them married and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Alexander heard none of it as he stared into his wife's eyes and undid her veil, staring in her face he moved closer and kissed her on the mouth. After some hesitation, he felt her respond and he smiled. When they parted they faced the crowd again and Alexander immediately looked towards Hephaistion, who clapped and nodded his head. Seeing Hephaistion was alright, he smiled and got a smile in return.
The celebration following the ceremony was also conducted in the Macedonian fashion with great libations, an interminable feast, singing, shows and dancing. The feast continued for many hours and when Alexander finally made it to his chambers; where Eudora had been waiting after she retired some time ago; it was already early in the morning.
Entering his chamber, Alexander could still hear songs coming from soldiers who were still partying down in the courtyard but as soon as their din faded there came a solitary song trough the night, a gentle air that flew like the nightingale's song above all the canopies of the trees all covered in blossoms.
"What is that?" asked Alexander. Eudora moved towards him, dressed in a light gown, her hair pinned on her head with a clip.
"It's an ancient myrmidon love song, one of Achilles favourites , I thought you might enjoy it." Answered Eudora in a light, melody like voice.
Alexander put his arm around her waist and pulled her to him.
"I do." Stated Alexander with a quiet voice as he removed the pin from her hair and it stumbled down her back stopping just above her waist, curls framing her face.
"You are so beautiful." Whispered Alexander as he touched her hair and undid her gown. Then he looked at her standing naked in front of him, then he lifted her in his arms as though she was a child and laid her on the bed. He loved her with such intense tenderness, as if thanking her for something. She responded with passion and ardour, guided by her instinct, as a young, intact woman and instructed in the ageless acts of love imparted by the Queen's handmaidens so that she would not disappoint her husband in their wedding bed.
While he held her in his arms, he kissed every part of her body, memorizing and at the same time claiming it. Their moans mingled with the ancient myrmidon song as it slowly faded into the night. He took her more then once, consummating their union with potent tenderness. Then he let himself relax by her side while she curled up beside him, caressing his arms and chest until she fell asleep. Alexander listened to the song as it slowly faded and then he too fell asleep thinking of Hephaistion.
The scene of the wedding and wedding night were both inspired by the book written by 'Valerio Massimo Manfredi: The Ends Of The Earth'