Thank you for your lovely reviews.
Mara: Always glad to get a review from you! You are very sweet and your comments help me to continue writting. I hope I'll never dissapoint you!
Shioban: I'm happy you still like it. Thx for your review!
XZanayu: Yup, they are finaly home. Now, it's time to see Eudora and the children again!
Chapter 20: Cool Reception
Alexander and his army reached Babylon a Month later, people cheered as they rode trough the countryside, waving at them. It warmed their hearts at the warm reception and soon the men walked more upright and proud.
The day finally came when they reached the high wall of Babylon and they sighed in relief, glad to be home. Messengers, who rose ahead, had already warned them of Alexander's homecoming and the whole town was out and about. Everyone wore their best clothes and every house was decorated in colourful banners and flags. People showered them with flowers leaves when they rode into the city cheering and congratulating the king and his army. Alexander looked back and saw some of his soldiers already hugging their wives and children, looking up meeting Hephaistion's eyes he smiled slightly before heading towards the palace.
When he arrived at the palace, most of his soldiers were already gone and he himself, all his companions and generals remained when they dismounted in front of the palace handing the reigns to the stable boys. Alexander sighed and combed a hand through his, now long, hair and fixed his robe before sighing nervously again. He felt a warm hand on his arm for a brief second, comfort by Hephaistion's gesture, he headed towards the stairs. His palace guard stood at attention and walked in front of him while he and his companions walked into the palace. They walked through several corridors before they came to the big wooden doors of the throne room. Alexander heard someone announce him when the doors opened to reveal the throne room filled with people who cheered when they entered. He shook hands with several people who he barely knew or recognized and walked slowly to his throne where his family was waiting.
They all stood when they saw him, bowing when he stopped in front of them. Alexander looked at his family in tears, not believing his eyes. Uraeus stood tall at 9 years old and looked like him when he was that age, he wore a white chiton with a red border and golden band in his hair. He bowed slightly when he saw his father look at him, then stepped closer and kissed Alexander cheeks,
"Father. Welcome back." Alexander could do nothing more then smile and nod slightly before he turned to his little girls, Euthalia, now four; wore a light royal blue dress, her hair, which was long and curly, was done in a bun and she was golden diadem. Nike, also four, wore a royal purple dress and her hair was done in the same fashion as her sister. They both stepped closer and kissed one cheek each,
"Hello Father, nice to meet you." Alexander hugged them both close, before standing tall and walking to Eudora, who had not moved the whole time. He looked her up and down and saw she wore a light green dress which showed her figure beautifully, her hair was partly lose and partly in bun fastened with a golden crown shaped like leaves. He moved closer and hugged her close, at first she didn't move but slowly but loosely rapped her arms around him before stepping back quickly, when he moved to kiss her she turned her head and kissed both his cheeks as well.
"My King." And bowed slightly. Alexander frowned at her behaviour but before he could ask anything the crowd began cheering again, glad their king was back. Eudora and her kids shook hands with every general who accompanied Alexander on his travels and they hugged every one of his companions, glad they were back. Eudora smiled and laughed with them and talked about her children and what she has done and she listened to their stories at well, not looking at Alexander once. Alexander felt sad at her behaviour and stood next to Hephaistion as they watched the room,
"She doesn't seem to happy to see me does she?" asked Alexander,
"She is glad Alexander, you have to see that." Answered Hephaistion as best as he could,
"Why does she act so cold then?"
"She hasn't seen you in four years Alexander, and when she does see you again, it's in front of hundredths of people. It won't do well for your reputation when she and the kids act beneath their positions, you know this Alexander…."
"I know… " muttered Alexander and after a long silence and noticing Eudora watching him he said, "I have to speak to her…" and left towards his wife, he didn't take five steps of several people spoke to him to catch his attention, asking him to sign things, look at stuff,….. He looked up and saw Eudora with a disappointed look on her face before turning away shaking her head.
Seeing Alexander was occupied once again and seeing Eudora disappointed face before she took her children and left the throne room. Hephaistion slowly snuck out and followed Eudora until she entered her room. He slowly followed her in the room, seeing her stumble and hearing her sniffle. He came closer and found her on the balcony crying, he stepped behind her and hugged her to his chest, he heard her quick intake of breath before he turned around and hugged him close,
"Oh, Hephaistion…" and she buried her face in his clothes crying, "How I have missed you…."
"And I you…" he took her chin in his hands, before slowly and sweetly kissing her until they were both breathless. He hugged her close again, not quite believing how much he missed her, suddenly a voice interrupted them,
"Mother, everything is ready…" they parted and turned around to see Uraeus and his sisters standing in the room, Eudora smiled and wiped her tears away,
"Thank You Uraeus."
"Are you alright mother?" asked the twins in unison,
"Yes, I am quite fine…" smiled Eudora before looking back at Hephaistion who was looking at the girls with a small smile,
"But you were crying…" they both protested,
"He didn't hurt you did he?" muttered Uraeus, feeling protective of his mother. Hephaistion stared at him not quite believing how much Uraeus looked and acted like his father. Exactly the same like the day when he first met him and he smiled and the memory.
"No, these are happy tears, sweetheart. Mommy is happy to have everyone home again…" she motioned them closer while she took Hephaistion by the hand, "… there is someone I'd like you to meet…"
Both girls stepped closer wondering who he was,
"Remember what I told you about your father?" both girls nodded and when Eudora motioned her head they started explaining, each taking a turn,
"King Alexander is not our real father by blood, but he is our father and loves us very much and we shall call him does…" recited Euthalia,
"Hephaistion is our real father by blood and he loved us like one. But we call him Phai so other people would not get confused." Added Nike with a big smile, Eudora nodded and Hephaistion could not believe these girls understood all of that. He suddenly felt very proud,
"When will we meet our father, mother?" asked Euthalia while Nike added, "… Our real father…"
"Well, that what I wanted to talk to you about." And she motioned at Hephaistion while she continued, "This man here, is King Alexander best friend, his name is Hephaistion and he is your real father…." The girls looked shocked at Hephaistion as he stared at them nervously, not believing this was happening. The girls looked at each other and then at Hephaistion stepping closer, they put their little hands on his face and touched every scar and freckle. They looked in his eyes for a long time and said,
"We have the same eyes, you must be our father." And they both hugged him hard. Hephaistion could do nothing more then hug them back, his throat to tight to speak. Eudora smiled at the scene. Suddenly the girl jumped back exited and demanded Hephaistion follow them because they had 'lots to show'. After receiving Eudora's permission they left, Uraeus, their self named guardian followed, 'just to be sure' he muttered but glad to see 'his Phai' again.
Eudora sighed deeply before changing into a loose shirt and easy pants. When she was done, she stopped at the armoury and took her fighting stick before heading to the training court. There were already several people present, including her training partners and her page. She walked on the training ground, wanting to clear her mind and eager to get rid of the frustration she felt when Alexander ignored her again for duty, even after four years of wondering the wild.
She bowed and the three men began attacking her with the sticks, she twirled around and took out the first one with a hard knock on his back. The other two came at her at once and she had to duck kicking the first one down and taking his stick and breaking it in two. The third one got some hits in himself but after a quick and fake move she took him out as well. They all stood back up and when they were about to start again and voice commanded them to stop,
"Enough!" they looked around to see Alexander standing alone watching them with a strange look on his face, "You're all dismissed…" and they all quickly left leaving Eudora and Alexander alone,
"You left… I couldn't find you…" said Alexander after a long silence,
"You were… busy…" muttered Eudora angrily ,
"You could have waited…" said Alexander when he walked closer,
"I have been waiting for four years. Or have you forgotten?" snapped Eudora,
"Why are you so angry, are you not happy to see me?" asked Alexander shocked at her reaction,
"Glad? I have been waiting four years for your return and you ask if I am glad? Zeus be damned Alexander how can you even ask this?"
"I….." started Alexander but was interrupted by Eudora,
"Four years Alexander! Four! I was here and you out there in the middle of no where. Oh, I got reports, reports of how you got married, killed one of your most loyal generals and reports of you going further and further away from me…. Oh, I am glad Alexander…." Finished Eudora sarcastically,
" I thought you loved me…" said Alexander suddenly but this got Eudora mad and she slapped him in the face hard, leaving a handprint,
"How can you even…." She couldn't even finish as she shook at every word and started crying, instead of being angry Alexander let her rant and rave. He stepped closer and tried to hug her but she fought him, hitting him in the chest,
"I thought you were dead…" yelled Eudora and then it dawned on Alexander, that due to mixed messages and delays she thought he died in India and was worried sick. He hugged her closer shushing her until she calmed down and stopped fighting him, "… I thought you died…" she muttered crying and clinging to him.
"I love you so much Alexander, don't ever go, don't you ever let go…."
He took her face in both his hands and kissed her tears away,
"I promise."
And kissed her lips slowly and sensually until they were both breathless. They hugged again and stood there for hours, just the two of them. Getting to know each other again and reassuring each other of their love.
Later that evening they met up with Hephaistion and the children and together they headed towards the big banquet happy to be together as a family. They enjoyed each others company and when it was time for bed, the three of them got to know each other again more intimally , sleeping peacefully for the first time in four years.
Wow, I think I truly hate this chapter… Not happy with it at all. I'm sounding like an old woman, repeating the same thing over and over again...
Let me know what you think in any case…