Thank You For Your Lovely Reviews.

Mara: Well thank you. And yes, I thank them because I'm forever grateful when someone reviews my story.

Shionban: LOL, I guess he did ;) He couldn't let him drown now could he? Thx for reviewing.

Lvingphai: Thank you. I will try to put more movie scene's in though. Most are from memory but have trouble with some of them but I'll try my best to incorporate them correctly. Thank you for reviewing.

Emerald Amber: Yes, they were very close, evil evil sound ;) Don't worry they will have lots of changes but hopefully there will be no more evil sound huh! Hephaistion actually knows what he's feeling but doesn't know if Alexander does… Thx for reviewing.

XZanayu: They are slowly becoming friends but aren't there quite yet. You don't have to wait much longer though. Thx for reviewing.

Valo: Thank you so much for reviewing. I will certainly do my best.

You can be anything you want to be
Just turn yourself into anything you think that you could ever be
Be free with your tempo, be free, be free
Surrender your ego - be free, be free to yourself.

Innuendo by Queen

Chapter 4: Bucephalus

The next day they all had the day of, to rest, and Alexander visited the nearby stables like the always did. He walked to the brown horse on the far end, softly brushing it's mane, neck and back, softly whispering, eyes closed.

"He likes you." Hephaistion said after having watched Alexander, with a tender smile, for several minutes. Alexander opened his eyes but continued brushing the horse.

"It's just the tone of my voice." He whispered as Hephaistion walked closer,

"Well, it's very soothing." Said Hephaistion taking a brush and petting the horse as well. They continued in silence for some time.

"You really love horses don't you?" asked Hephaistion though it was more a statement then a question.

"They are more honest then most people. A horse either likes you or he doesn't." Hephaistion nodded even though Alexander couldn't see it from the angle he was standing.

"I never had a horse." Said Hephaistion.

"Neither do I." replied Alexander staring at Hephaistion, seeing the question in his eyes he explained. "These horses belong to some villager, who allows me to see them now and then…." Hephaistion nodded but said,

"Why don't you have one?" he asked, "I mean you're the prince…."

"Being a prince, doesn't mean I own everything…." Stated Alexander angrily,

"I'm sorry, I just assumed…." Stuttered Hephaistion not knowing what he said wrong. Alexander threw his brush down.

"Well, you shouldn't…." shouted Alexander starting to leave the stables, "… I thought you were different but I guess you're just like everybody else…." And he left the stables in a run leaving a confused Hephaistion behind.

A few days later, class was dismissed early.

"Listen everyone. Classes are dismissed this afternoon…." Stated Aristotle, clearly not happy. When the class settled back down he continued, "…The king and Queen are in town…" at this Alexander looked up because he was unaware of this fact, "… And you are all invited to join him and some of your fathers…." At this he looked at Cassander and Philothas, who smiled widely, "… at the market."

"Why is my father at the market?" asked Alexander while the others softly talked to each other.

"He wanted to buy some horses for himself or something…" muttered Aristotle, still not happy he had to interrupt his class.

Alexander smiled to himself, making eye contact with Hephaistion, who happened to be looking strait at him. Knowing this might be the change to finally get himself a horse. Fastening his black cloak around his shoulders he shared a smile with Hephaistion before running of followed by his classmates.

When Alexander arrived in town, where the horse market was taking place, there was already a crowd gathered there.

He saw his father talking to Philothas' father, Parmenion, on one side of the pit and his mother and her handmaidens on the other. Seeing as his mother looked at him at that exact same moment he decided to sit by his mother and made his way towards her, smiled and kissed her cheek and sat down beside her while his classmates stood a little closer to the pit.

Looking down Alexander recognized Cleitus The Black, who was a big, tall and black-haired man, sitting on a horse who was trying to cast him of. Cleitus hang on as long as he could but ended up kissing the dirt after a couple of minutes. Apparently, after hearing several people talk, Cleitus wasn't the first one to try and fail. Cleitus dusted himself of and walked to his king who slapped his back and laughed merrily. King Philip made a comment about the horse Alexander didn't quite catch but he did hear the salesman commentary,

"But it's a very strong horse sire, worthy of your majesty. High-spirited."

"Why would I want that? I already have a wife!" shouted Philip looking towards his wife Olympias, finally noticing his son with a huff.

"Do I look so old?" asked Olympias suddenly and Alexander could do nothing more then pet her hand.

But quickly turned to see his father walking in the pit, hand raised toward the horse, who was watching him through his long mane, while someone held the rope that was tide around his neck. Alexander was afraid his father might get hurt and sat at the tip of his chair, unaware Hephaistion was watching his every move.

Alexander stared at the horse, which was black and broad, there was an aura about him that spoke to Alexander calling his name and he swallowed hard. He watched as his father tried to pet the horse's muzzle but suddenly the horse reared and stomped with his legs making Philip back of and shout frustrated,

"This horse can't be ridden, his mind is broken. I won't buy it, defiantly not at this price."

"But sire…" stuttered the salesman, who had hoped to sell this horse. If the king didn't want it, nobody would. Afraid, the horse might be put down if he didn't act soon, Alexander reared up from his seat, yelling to his father who had joined his generals again.

"Buy him for me father…"

Philip turned around and looked at his son while everyone looked on, wondering what will happen.

"Haven't you heard. The beast can't be ridden." Repeated Philip, gesturing to the horse who was still restless.

"I'll ride him…" shouted Alexander defiantly stepping closer, vaguely aware of a presence standing close to him.

"How will you pay for it?" Alexander stiffened slightly embarrassed his father yelled it for everyone to hear. "You haven't got any money." Laughed Philip, Alexander squared his shoulders.

"I'll borrow it…" shouted Alexander back, knowing his father almost always relented when he didn't back out.

"I'll tell you what…" shouted Philip as he stepped at the brink of the pit, just as Alexander did on the other side, "… you ride him and I'll buy him for you…." He turned around pointing at the salesman, "…. At half the price." The salesman looked reluctant but bowed anyway showing he agreed to Philip's terms.

Alexander nodded and smiled but before he could enter the pit, he felt soft hands touch his arm slightly and he turned around and stared in Hephaistion's worried face. Alexander looked shocked at the worry Hephaistion was showing not really understanding why but he smiled none the less mouthing 'don't worry' before ducking under the fence and making his way towards the horse, hand outstretched.

He could still hear his father talking to his generals, while everyone was deadly quiet not wanting to upset the horse for any reason and tremble on the crown prince.

"Philip, don't you think this is too much for the boy? The horse will surely kill him…" commented Parmenion, worry and fear lacing his voice.

"He has to learn someday. It is time." Replied Philip as the turned towards the pit.

Alexander who heard the comment shared a quick look with Hephaistion, who kept sharp eyes on him and he smiled slightly to himself before blocking out the whole world but him and the horse.

Alexander slowly walked closer, hand outstretched in silent surrender when the horse reared again he stepped back slightly and studied the horse, his head tipped to the side.

Meanwhile Hephaistion watched Alexander, with quiet awe and silent fear, hoping Alexander will be alright. He had to admit when the horse reared he felt afraid and almost leaped into the pit. Right now, he watched Alexander, who was clearly in thought, probably thinking how to handle things. Hephaistion looked around and saw King Philip watching with a smile, hope in his eyes, while Queen Olympias looked afraid; the rest of his classmates looked on with mixed feelings: afraid, hopeful and some of them even jealous. Hephaistion frowned but looked back at Alexander who approached the horse again.

Alexander studied the horse, staring in his eyes and watching his legs stomp away at the ground. Then he looked between the sun and the ground and smiled before stepping closer.

"You don't like your shadow do you?" asked Alexander in a soft tone, the horse just stared at him but when he came too close he stomped with his legs again. Alexander then pointed to the ground, as he stood next to the horse.

"Look, it's just us…" and he waved his hand so the horse could see his shadow moving along with it, he then pointed to the sun, "… It's just a trick of Apollo. He is the god of sun." Suddenly the horse calmed down and allowed Alexander to pet him as he continued,

"Bucephalus, that's what I'll call you. Strong and stubborn. Bucephalus and Alexander" As if agreeing with his name, the horse slightly bent through his legs allowing Alexander to climb on his back. Alexander bowed down, petting his neck and whispered.

"Come now, let's ride together! Stomp on your shadow. Show them what you can do." Bucephalus reared again but Alexander held on tightly by his mane and together they rode of, out of the pit and into the nearby fields at high speed, Alexander's black cape billowing behind him.

Hephaistion held his breath as the horse allowed Alexander close and when Alexander mounted the horse he cheered inwardly. He heard many of his fellow students chant Alexander's name as he set of. Hephaistion watched as Alexander rode through the green fields shouting his happiness. Suddenly he heard and eagle screech and he looked up, there seeming to emerge from the sun was an eagle who flew above Alexander as he rode through the green fields, this must surely be a sign. Then he saw Alexander turn and ride back into the pit with the biggest and most genuine smile he had ever seen. He heard the king shout,

"He beat you man." To Cleitus who had tried to ride the horse before. He saw Alexander dismount and then being swept up by his father who held him in the air shouting proudly.

"My son!"

Alexander laughed happily and shared a smile with Hephaistion before turning his eyes towards his mother who looked worried and angry at the same time, glaring at the King and his smile disappeared for a moment before building up his walls and smiling again at his father who put him back down. Most people wouldn't have noticed but Hephaistion who was paying close attention saw and frowned to himself, looking behind him seeing the Queen's neutral face. He shook his head and left when everyone started to file out when the King disappeared dragging his son with him.

Alexander returned at early evening, riding his horse in full gallop. Everyone, including Hephaistion, were still outside enjoying the last sun before having to go back in to do homework. Most boys sat together playing some kind of game, while others watched but Hephaistion, not really caring for the game, decided to sit under a nearby tree and draw the local flowers, like Aristotle requested they'd do. Everyone looked up as they heard a horse approach, all standing up as they saw it was Alexander.

Hephaistion decided to stay were he was pretending to draw while in fact he kept his eyes trained on Alexander. He didn't know why he always watched Alexander, it was just something about the boy, whenever he was close he felt something twist and turn in his gut and he quite liked the feeling.

He regretted they fought so much but he couldn't help it, he loved to see Alexander all riled up, his eyes glistened in a certain way and his body was full of energy when he tried to make his point clear.

Actually, Hephaistion agreed with Alexander most of the time but sometimes argued just to see Alexander's reaction. It was probably one of the rare times when he saw the 'real' Alexander and he quite liked what he saw. Such passion, the total opposite of the spoiled brat, he acted like most of the time. Hephaistion had soon realised it was a front and tried to break the walls he erected but it proved harder then he thought. He had caught rare glimpses of the boy behind the mask though when he taught him to swim or when he caught him in the stables but most of the time the mask was on too tight and he couldn't break trough. And after the incident with his father and mother today, he knew Alexander rebuild the walls he dropped when he rode his horse, letting Hephaistion catch Alexander's happiness for one brief moment.

He looked over his notepad and saw Alexander surrounded by his classmates, all yelling about the same thing.

"Can I ride with you Alexander?"

"Great horse."

"Well done!"

Hephaistion looked closer and frowned when he saw Alexander's worn out face, not understanding what could have happened between this afternoon and now. He saw Alexander look in his direction and he glued his eyes back on his notepad continuing to draw. He looked over the rim of his notepad and saw Alexander dismiss his classmates before turning his horse in his direction, riding closer. Hephaistion pretended he didn't see anything and looked back down, pretending to be busy. He heard Alexander come closer and stop next to him, he heard the horse stomp with his foot and he looked up staring in Alexander face.

Suddenly Alexander extended his hand in, what was clearly an invitation, and Hephaistion swallowed, closing his notepad, standing up. He looked into Alexander's eyes and saw the invitation was genuine, he looked between Alexander and his other classmates who all looked shocked.

He smiled suddenly and Alexander smiled back, Hephaistion felt his gut clench as he laid his hand in Alexander. Feeling a surge go through his body he blushed slightly but quickly covering it up my hauling himself behind Alexander.

He circled Alexander waist and held on tight as Alexander spurred on his horse and together they rode of, leaving a whole class of shocked boys behind.