Chapter 16: Sogdia
In the months that passed and Eudora's pregnancy evolved, Alexander drove her crazy with constant questions if she was feeling alright, he also have her a personal guard who followed her everywhere. At first she thought it was very sweet but as the months passed she longed for
some time alone.
And to add to her frustration Alexander hardly spent time with her during the day because he still hunted Bessus and wanted to pursue him no matter the cost, so he held constant war counsels and discussions. The only time she saw him was when he arrived late in the evening when he came to bed to sleep, rising early the next morning. She also barely saw Hephaistion anymore, though more then Alexander, for he frequently joined her for a meal and light conversation. So Eudora, spent most her time with her son, reading and talking to the Persians in Babylon. It was slowly killing her for she longed for some action but with her getting bigger then normal and Philip getting worried she was forced to lay down a lot and for someone who was used to training a lot and roaming amongst the country side she felt useless.
One day when she was resting in the afternoon, Alexander unexpectingly entered and stood before the bed.
"Eudora?" as soon as he said her name, she knew she wasn't going to like what was coming; so she said nothing but giving him all her attention,
"We found Bessus…." He started slowly watching her every move, "…in a province called Sogdia…." He looked up again and still got no reaction from Eudora, he looked around uncertain for a moment but continued, "We are leaving soon, in a week to be exact. I'm sorry I do no think I will present when you give birth…" and he fell silent watching her while she just stared at him with her green eyes, then she stood up and went to the balcony,
"Please say something…" asked Alexander after a long silence,
"What do you want me to say?" she said breaking the silence,
"Anything…" answered Alexander and watched her walk in again,
"Anything? Alright! I don't want you to leave alright…." Started Eudora her voicing rising with every sentence, "I don't understand your damn obsession with Bessus and why you have to chase him…."
"First he apposed me then kidnapped and beat my wife…. I will never me King Of Asia as long as he apposes me. Is that not enough?" yelled Alexander back,
"Oh, please Alexander. You are already King Of Asia and have been for over a fear, don't you dare use me to justify your cause. You always wanted to move on and I get that, truly, but don't you dare use me or him for that matter to justify it. I am not some soldier in your blasted army…" she yelled getting in his face, Alexander grabbed her hard by her arms,
"No, you are my wife and Queen. It's time you acted like one…"
"You want me to wait here, raise our children and wait for you to come home or receive the news you are dead? Is that what you want?" she screamed tears streaming down her face, ripping her arms from Alexander's hold, "….Alright go and get yourself killed. I'll be here playing your goddamn Queen, give birth and raise our children by myself. Go!" and they both stared at each other for awhile, Alexander reached out,
"Eudora…" but she turned, left the room, slamming the door after her. Alexander sighed sitting on the bed, gripping his hair hard until it hurt. Someone grabbed his hands softly, getting them away from his hair and softly kissed them before hugging him close. He took a deep breath, enjoying Hephaistion's closeness and scent,
"She's just worried Alexander, she didn't mean it…" whispered Hephaistion who was waiting outside having heard everything and entered after Eudora had left,
"I know but…"
"It hurts….. I know."
They stayed like that for awhile before they both left inspecting the army who were getting ready for the upcoming war. Eudora refused to see or speak to Alexander for the rest of the week and soon the day came when they were about to leave.
Soldiers hugged their wives, lovers and children close before picking up their armour and leaving the city, going of to war. Alexander waited in front of the palace for a long time hoping to see Eudora again before he left but when she didn't show he mounted his horse looking at his companions who all looked sympathetic knowing what had transpired between their friend and his wife. He made a hand movement and they all left knowing Alexander was in greater pain then he led on. Without turning back he slowly followed them. Suddenly he heard someone yell his name,
"Alexander! Wait!" turning around he saw Eudora and Uraeus running towards him and he quickly dismounted running towards them. He hugged his wife close kissing her teary face and salty lips.
"Please be careful Alexander, I couldn't bare to lose you…" he hugged her close,
"I promise! I will return…. I love you…"
"I love you too" then Alexander bend down picked up his son hugging him close,
"Be careful Father! Don't forget I believe in you!" Alexander smiled at his son's words, touched at the sentiment,
"Look after your mother for me, will you?
"I promise father!" answered Uraeus standing tall, taking his mothers hand in his,
"Good Boy!" and he ruffled his son's hair earning a huff, he turned towards Eudora and kissed her before turning and leaving. Eudora and Uraeus climbed the highest tower in Babylon and watched the army until they couldn't see them anymore.
Two Months passed and Alexander finally caught up with Bessus at Sogdia, they fought for several weeks until the city finally submitted and Bessus was killed. Even though he was his enemy, Alexander granted him a grand funeral claiming he was his greatest adversary yet. The army settled in the city and Alexander moved in the big villa with his closest companions and highest ranking soldiers. Then organized a grand feast to be organized the next week but the first days and nights were for resting and mending their wounds, honouring their valiant dead.
Hephaistion walked in Alexander's private room some evening, green and gold cloak billowing behind him, passing someone who was carving a statue of Alexander in stone. Walking up some stairs he found his beloved reading a letter with a smile and stood behind him rubbing his shoulders as he read the letter with him, knowing Alexander wouldn't mind.
Eudora to her beloved Husband and Hephaistion, Hail!
Word had reached us of your great victory and the dead of Bessus and I congratulate you. Uraeus, who is growing strong, is very proud and sends you his love.
But I do not write you to tell you how happy I am to find you both safe and unharmed but to tell you I have given birth on that same evening.
I wish to tell you that you also have two daughters to love and care for now. Yes, two, I and the doctor could not believe it but we have two sisters for Uraeus to play with. He is so proud and announced himself their guardian. It is very heart-warming and reassuring that he is not jealous.
I have given them these names: Euthalia Agape, in honour of Bustan, who saved by life. And I named the second one Nike Elpis to remember the great battle you won in Sogdia.
I think, my husband, it is time you told Hephaistion our secret because now that they are here, I fear I cannot hide it any longer.
I hope this find you safely and I eagerly await your answer!
Be safe!
Alexander sighed happily, rolled the letter back up and put it down before standing up from the bed and turning towards Hephaistion,
"Will you stay tonight?" Hephaistion just nodded not really listening, Alexander picked up his goblet of wine and stood on the balcony, Hephaistion followed carrying his own goblet. They watched the city for awhile before Hephaistion spoke up,
"What did she mean? What secret?" Alexander sighed and turned towards Hephaistion,
"Those two girls…." Hephaistion nodded, "… they are not mine by blood." Hephaistion just looked shocked and slightly enraged,
"They are not from Bessus are they? If I had known he raped her, I would have killed him when I had the change…" but when Alexander started laughing Hephaistion completely looked shocked not understanding and thinking Alexander had drank too much again,
"Hephaistion, my beloved…. My Patroclus. They are not from his blood, she was pregnant before that…."
"Then who?" Alexander just looked at Hephaistion with a sweet smile, taking his face in his hand pulling him close,
"Yours…." Hephaistion at first didn't want to believe it but seeing in Alexander's eyes that he was serious he looked shocked,
"What? How? When?"
"Remember the day I married Stateira?" asked Alexander feeling a little ashamed,
"How could I forget, I was….." suddenly he remembered, "Oh…" and he looked down, "You knew?"
"Yes."
"And you are not mad?" asked Hephaistion fearfully,
"No, why would I be? I love you both and only we know the truth. We truly are a family now, just like I always wanted." And he hugged Hephaistion close,
"Congratulations…. Dad…"
"Dad…." Whispered Hephaistion in awe, not believing he became a father. Something he never thought he would be. He suddenly smiled and laughed feeling truly happy for the first they set out from Babylon. Alexander laughed with him and they celebrated together.
The very next day, word was spread that Eudora have birth to twin girls, adding an extra reason for them all to party.
Euthalia means Flower and Agape means Love, they are both ancient Greek names I put together. Same for Nike which means Victory and Elpis meansHope.
These names are real but not mine.
If you wonder why I picked those names, well I just didn't want any cliché names so I picked something different like their son's name: Uraeus Alcaeus. Besides they sound kina neat ;)