Thank you for all your lovely reviews, they really make my day and gives me a reason to keep writting.
Kitten: That's okay, as long as you come back to read and review ;) Glad you like it so far.
XZanayu: Yeah, I wanted Hephaistion to be a dad as well and making them girl takes 'the whole heir to throne issue'away.
Mara: You have about the same idea I had when the twins were born but I had to make changes none the less. I like your reviews they are always so sweet.
Xiaoweisan: Exactly, that's why I made them girls. I really wanted Hephaistion to become a father. -Hugs back-
Shioban: Ah, my Belgian Friend, I'm glad you like the story so far. Yeah, I do swich between sap and angst a lot but if I stuck with one of the two it would become boring, no? Beware more swicthing will occure ;) Saw you on msn!
Chapter 17: Roxane
In the months that passed, Alexander stayed with his army in Bactria, Hephaistion and his companions noticed he drank more and more wine. When asked why he drank so much Alexander never have an answer that satisfied them. He was often escorted back to his room, when he passed out during one of the endless parties and left there to sleep it off. Hephaistion always watched over him during those nights, holding his head when he emptied his stomach and making sure his sleep was undisturbed.
During their stay inSogdia many cities and villages sent their leaders to visit the king they heard so much about and decided to show their allegiance by bowing before him and offering him gifts, which Alexander all excepted and rewarded. Because of this Greek delegates began offering gifts as well, hoping they will receive something as well. This did not sit well with Alexander's army who already had hard time trying to fight alongside Persians in battle.
One night during another party in honour of some new ally, Alexander drank too much again and laughed alongside his new allies embracing them as friends, this disgruntled the army even more and Hephaistion became worried when he saw their faces of envy and jealousy.
He wanted to warn Alexander but knew this was not possible anytime soon so he stayed in the background watching Alexander's every move when Cleitus bumped into him. Lightly shoving him back, he earned a punch to his face which made him stagger and almost fall down. He looked at Cleitus preparing to defend himself but saw that one of his friends had already escorted him away, probably drunk. He continued watching Alexander, when music began to play and several girls began dancing, he recognized the first one as one of the daughters of the leader of the hill people. He swallowed as he saw her dance some erotic dance, which reminded him of Eudora's dance several years ago, shaking the thought he watched as she weaved her magic and tried to seduce Alexander. Hephaistion knew that in his drunken state, Alexander would not refuse her, looking down he decided to leave, nodding to Ptolemy, knowing his friend would keep an eye on his beloved.
The very next day, they were all summoned to a counsel, thinking the king finally decided to go home they all entered wearing big smiles and sat down as the king gestured for them to sit, Hephaistion stood behind Alexander like always. After a long silence Alexander spoke up,
"I decided to marry…" everyone looked at each other before starting to laugh,
"You are already married Alexander, twice to be exact…" said Nearchus with a smile, while the others nodded but when Alexander did not laugh with them they turned silent,
"You are not serious! Who?" asked Leonatus,
"Roxane. It will take place in one weeks time." Answered Alexander rubbing his temples, clearly still feeling his hangover and not thinking strait,
"What?" muttered several of his companions and generals, all looking shocked. Ptolemy looked at Hephaistion but his face showed no emotion what so ever as he stared in front of him, suddenly Cassander stood upright and became angry,
"Alexander, be reasonable! How can you marry this girl? She has no political meaning what so ever… Have you forgotten Eudora, your Queen? Your children?" at this Alexander looked up, doubt and regret suddenly showing on his face but Cassander continued,
"Who is she, to think she can marry a king? They were not meant to be as good as us…" he never finished his sentence because Alexander stood upright and pinned him to the wall having grabbed him by the neck,
"What's makes you so much better then them, Cassander?" Cassander stayed silent but a silent voice coming from Alexander's left; "Alexander…" made him release Cassander who gasped for breath.
"I will marry this girl next week and I want you all to be there. You can go now." Ordered Alexander and pointed to the door, one by one they left the room casting angry glances at Alexander. Hephaistion was the last to leave but before the left Alexander stopped him,
"Hephaistion…." He stopped but didn't turn around, "You were awfully quiet today. What do you think?" Hephaistion sighed but remained where he was,
"You know what I think Alexander. I will follow you everywhere, support you in everything you do…" and he left leaving Alexander by himself.
During that week, servants prepared the wedding. Alexander spent most of the time by himself feeling slightly rejected by his companions. He also drank a lot, but during the times he was sober he thought about Eudora, his children and Hephaistion and how much he missed them.
The day of the wedding went smoothly, Alexander companions were there and he felt reassured, during the bread cutting part of the ceremony he locked eyes with Hephaistion who was dressed in the Persian way, just like he requested and he smiled earning a small smile in return. That night many of them spent the evening partying and drinking a lot. Hephaistion left the party feeling alone and rejected and went into his room where he found a package on his bed.
He recognized the royal seal used by Eudora and thought the package was delivered wrong, but seeing his name he sat down and opened it. First he read the letter,
Eudora to her beloved Hephaistion, Hail!
I write to you to tell you word has reached me of this Roxane and how she is to be Alexander wife. I cannot express the way I feel for I am sure you feel it as well. I fear we only have the thought of each other to comfort each other now. I keep you in my heart alongside Alexander and hope you do as well. I miss you.
The children are growing strong. Uraeus is so much like Alexander it hurts me to see him at times, knowing how far you all are. You daughters are growing more beautiful everyday, I have noticed, even at their young age that Euthalia her character is more like me and Nike's is more like you and it warms my heart. You do not have to worry, the girls look very much like me with their black and dark brown hair, they have your eyes however. But blue eyes are common in my family for my father had them as well. I wish you could see them. You and Alexander are missing so much, I wish you were home and back in my arms.
I know this wedding is hurting you, because I feel it as well. I had decided some months ago to make a portrait of me and the children as a surprise, it was finished a few weeks ago and I decided to sent it to you now hoping it will ease your suffering. You can find it, in the package I sent you. I also made a copy for Alexander, can you hand it to him for me?
I love you, I miss you and I wish you were home.
Take care of yourself and Alexander!
Hephaistion sighed feeling warmed in his heart despite recent events. He laid the letter down and opened the other package. Inside he found two scrolls, he picked the first one and opened it to see a portrait of Eudora and the three children. Eudora looked stunningly beautiful just as he remembers her, black curls and stunning green eyes, she also had her figure back unable to tell she have birth not so long ago. She wore a stunning green dress that matched her eyes and smiled lovingly. To her right stood Uraeus, looking at the boy Hephaistion indeed noticed he looked much like Alexander down to the light tilt of his head. Then his eyes moved to his daughters and he gasped at their beauty. Euthalia, who was held by her brother, looked indeed like her mother with the same black hair. Nike, who was held by Eudora, looked like her mother as well but her hair was dark brown instead of black, but both had beautiful blue eyes just like him, there was no denying it. Looking at the portrait, Hephaistion suddenly began to cry making the kohl he wore run over his face.
After a few minutes, he took a deep breath and decided to give the portrait to Alexander now, privacy be damned. He walked down the corridor, ignoring the looks he received. He softly knocked on Alexander's door and entered silently. Alexander was pacing the room until he saw Hephaistion enter, he stepped closer seeing his teary eyes. Alexander opened his mouth but Hephaistion made a gesture for him to be quiet. Hephaistion sighed heavily and handed him the scroll without a sound making Alexander look confused. Hephaistion smiled and suddenly hugged him hard,
"No one will love you like we do." And just when he was about to kiss Alexander, Roxane entered wearing nothing but a robe. Alexander looked shocked, still holding the scroll as Hephaistion silently left retreating to his room where he will spent the night alone, crying over the family he was missing.
Meanwhile in Alexander's room,
"You love him?" asked Roxane furious, looking at the scroll he was holding,
"He is Hephaistion.." knowing who he was Roxane became angry, ripped the scroll from his hands and threw it away. Alexander looked shocked but when he looked at his new bride, he no longer saw dark skin, hair and eyes but he saw fair skin, green eyes and black curls. Smiling he picked her up, loving her spirit and carried her upstairs where he made passionate love crying out Eudora's name when he came.
During the night, he awoke feeling completely sober for the first time in months and looked around. Instead of finding Eudora or Hephaistion in his bed he found Roxane and he scrambled of in shock. Rubbing his face with his hands, he felt the ring he received from Hephaistion and Eudora in Babylon almost two years ago. Gasping he couldn't believe he betrayed them again, with a hill girl no less. Putting on a robe he quickly descended the stairs, looking around in despair, suddenly his foot came into contact with something. Looking down he recognized the scroll Hephaistion had given him earlier that night. He picked it up and opened it, looking at it, he suddenly dropped it and ran from his room.
Hephaistion was not having a good night and he awoke several times, having had enough he decided to watch the full moon on his small balcony. Suddenly the doors opened and before he could react he found his lap filled with a trembling and sobbing Alexander.
"Forgive me, forgive me!" Hephaistion said nothing simply caressed his hair as Alexander continued crying and sobbing all kinds of apologies.
"I do not deserve you. I have betrayed your love and your trust. I do not deserve to live." At this Hephaistion pulled Alexander up and looked in his eyes.
"Don't ever say that again Alexander."
"I thought it was Eudora I made love to tonight, but it wasn't was it?" Hephaistion bit his lip at the confession but answered truthfully,
"No, it was not." At this Alexander began sobbing again. Hephaistion could do nothing more then hold him. When the sobbing subsided Hephaistion guided him to the bathroom and washed Roxane away kissing the scratches she left behind. When he was washed and dried, he guided him to the bed where they both lay down, Alexander's head on Hephaistion's chest.
"How can you stand to be near me?" whispered Alexander,
"I love you." Muttered Hephaistion as if it explained everything as he rubbed circles on Alexander's arms and back. And when he felt hot tears pooling on his skin he said nothing.
Alexander still haunted by his demons due to his actions fell in a deep troubled sleep slightly comforted by Hephaistion heartbeat. A place where he will always be welcome no matter what he did or said.
I'm not to happy with this chapter to be honest but let me know what you think, alright?
At first I wanted one of the twin girls to look like Hephaistion but after thinking about it, I fear many will see it as a treason and would execute him, even if Alexander had no problem with it. So, the only things they have of Hephaistion is their eye colour and seeing as Eudora's father and Alexander's mother both had blue eyes as well, no one will question it.
They know better though ;)
I'm glad to see you agree with my idea xiaoweisan