Thank you again for all your kind reviews.
To Siobhan: I'm not into Valerio's books but they are the only ones I have read so far, so I can't base some facts on anything else beside those books and the movie.
To be honest, I don't really like this chapter but let me know what you think anyway.
Chapter 6: Revelation
9 Months later
Trouble had been forming in King Philip's kingdom, some of the Greek kingdoms were forming allegiances with King Philip's enemies and time has come to act.
The king called a meeting with all his generals, even Alexander and all his companions were present, which meant they were finally ready to prove themselves in battle.
They spent all morning and most of the afternoon discussing a course of action and battle plan, each man giving his opinions. And when the meeting was over for the day everyone was in a sombre mood, prospect of battle leaving them all drained.
But Alexander's spirit was lifted when he saw his wife picking fresh flowers and humming to herself. He heard some of his companions mutter about how Alexander was 'so lucky' and 'it isn't fair that a girl so beautiful is married', Alexander just shook his head smiling at their antics, knowing Eudora was well loved with his friends and each of them would gladly give their lives for her. Alexander made to go and meet his wife when he saw Cephalus make his way towards his daughter, so he waited.
Cephalus handed her a scroll, which she quickly read and turned ashen when finished, shaking her head. He heard them speak rapidly in some tongue he didn't quite understand, believing it to be the secret language myrmidons used, to convey messages. He saw them gesture widely with their arms as their voices grew louder.
"What do you think they are talking about?" asked Hephaistion, the only one of Alexander's companions who remained, Alexander just shrugged. Then Cephalus made a gesture and his guards came forwards with his horse, which he mounted. Eudora rushed forward yelling,
"Please Father, take me with you! I could be of help to you!"
"No! You must stay here and fulfil your destiny. Don't let it all be in vain!" and he looked towards Alexander and Hephaistion. She turned to look as well and Alexander could see tears in her eyes and he moved forwards just as Cephalus left with his guards leaving his daughter staring after him.
"What was that all about? Is something wrong?" asked Alexander laying a hand on her shoulder, she sniffed slightly, still clutching the scroll,
"Is it true?" she asked suddenly turning around,
" Is what true?"
"That you are leaving for battle? In Egypt?"
"Yes" answered Alexander truthfully not able to lie for some reason,
"The both of you?" she asked looking between her husband and his best friend,
"Yes."
"When?"
"Soon." Eudora looked at the ground, hands clutching the scroll violently until she began shaking. Worried Alexander stepped closer placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Eudora?"
"No" she jumped back as if stung, tears streaming down her face, switching between Alexander and Hephaistion shaking her head. And when Alexander tried again, she ran, leaving the scroll behind.
"Eudora, wait!" yelled Alexander as she disappeared from view,
"Alexander…" Alexander turned towards Hephaistion who was reading the scroll, "I think I understand why she's so upset…" began Hephaistion as Alexander stepped closer,
"Apparently, the age old enemy of the myrmidons invaded her lands once again, murdering innocent people until they find her. There have been many casualties including her grandmother, her only living relative besides her father. And now her father left, maybe heading towards his dead and now…." Hephaistion looked up in Alexander troubled face,
"… now you are leaving as well. Facing certain death, she might lose both father and husband and she knows it." Alexander's eyes widened at this and he turned,
"I have to go after her." Just as he made to leave an orderly came with a message,
"Prince Alexander, the King summons you for an audience. And he says to come immediately, I am to take you there."
"But I…"
"Do I have to come as well?" asked Hephaistion interrupting Alexander,
"No, the King only requested the Prince's presence"
"Let me go after her Alexander while you attend your meeting. I will bring her back for you." Alexander sighed not liking it but nodded anyway, he turned to leave but turned around again, saying,
"Hephaistion, tell her that I…."
"I will and don't worry, I will find her."
"I know you will." and they both turned around.
Hephaistion rode around for hours when he finally found her by a river crying and throwing rocks in the water.
He dismounted and walked towards her leaving the horse to graze. He stopped a couple of meters behind her not speaking a word. He knew she felt his presence, over the last months they have become great friends, which pleased Alexander to no end,
"It's not fair!" Eudora said suddenly,
"I know."
"I don't want to lose my father, nor my husband."
"I know."
"I don't want to be responsible for the deaths of innocent people because of some stupid prophecy I never even believed in. It's not fair."
"I know." Hephaistion didn't really know what to say but he understood her feelings.
"But most of all I don't my child to grow up without a father." At this she turned around to look at Hephaistion who looked shock at this revelation,
"Does Alexander know?"
"No, I don't want you to tell him either."
"But I cannot…"
"Please Hephaistion, I do not want him distracted at the battlefield wondering if everything is all right with me and his heir. He does not need any distractions, promise me you won't tell him….." she stepped closer pleading,
"Please Hephaistion…" he looked into her eyes and he couldn't refuse, so he nodded,
"And could you keep an eye on him! Don't let him to anything reckless, stop him if he does…. "
"I promise." at these words Eudora hugged Hephaistion close,
"And if it isn't too much trouble, look after yourself as well. The people I love always die. I couldn't bear to lose you as well."
At these words Hephaistion stepped back looking into her face, trying to understand what she was saying.
"You love me?" he asked even though it was more of a statement then a question,
"I know it is wrong of me to love someone besides my husband but I cannot help myself. These past few months have been torture, being close to you not able to touch you and not able to say anything. I understand you love Alexander but ….." she was cut short as Hephaistion suddenly kissed her with such a passion it made her knees weak. When they parted they hugged each other close.
"But what of Alexander?" asked Eudora breaking the silence.
"I think he already knows. He loves us both and had hopes we would someday love each other as well."
"You love me?"
"Yes, I think I always have on some level."
"That is good." And they both smiled at each other before hugging again, they stood there holding each other for some time until Eudora suddenly went limp in Hephaistion's arms. Worried he laid her down on the ground inspecting her but only found her sleeping. He smiled and picked her up.
Hephaistion brought Eudora directly to Alexander's chamber's where he was told Alexander waited their return.
He motioned for the guards to open the door, they looked kind of strangely at the scene seeing Hephaistion carrying Alexander's wife, he just gave them a dark look and they both snapped to attention.
Entering, Hephaistion carried Eudora to Alexander's bedroom. Alexander who was walking up and down the room, turned towards Hephaistion's direction,
"Where have you been? What happened?" he asked worried seeing his wife in Hephaistion's arms,
"Nothing happened Alexander, she was just exhausted from everything that has happened today." Hephaistion answered as he tenderly put Eudora on the bed, Alexander watched as his lover caressed her hair before stepping back, coming face to face with Alexander who looked at him strangely,
"Alexander?"
"You love her." Hephaistion bowed his head,
"I am sorry."
"Sorry?"
"I should not love her, she is the future Queen. It is wrong of me and I apologise. But I cannot help myself. Please forgive me for I cannot forgive myself." Instead of getting yelled at like he expected Alexander just took his face in his hands and caressed his cheeks staring in his eyes. Hephaistion looked up in wonder, Alexander moved closer and kissed him sweetly on the lips.
"There is nothing to forgive, this is more then I hoped for." And Hephaistion knew what he meant, there was no more Alexander, his wife and his lover, it was just them. Alexander stepped back towards the bed and caressed his wife's hair much in the same fashion Hephaistion did earlier.
"It is late. We should sleep."
Hephaistion nodded and headed for the door when a voice called him back.
"Stay with me Hephaistion? Stay with us?" turning around he looked in Alexander face and found the request genuine. He walked back towards his love unable to deny him anything. They both undressed getting in the bed with Eudora, who was watching them with a small smile before closing her eyes again and sleeping.
That night was the most peaceful night all of them had in a long time.