Thank You For Your Lovely Reviews.

Mara: Of course they survived, can't kill my boys now can I? 'Heaven for everyone' is great, Queen is one of the best bands in history. Love Freddie Mercury. Thank you for reviewing.

Shioban: Sorry about worrying you. Yeah, I do have a problem with my grammar sometimes, especially when I'm in a hurry or I'm tired, you'll see it a lot. I would appreciate the help, but don't forget to review though (wink wink), let me know what I should do. Thanks for your review.

Emerald Amber: Lol, the doctor certainly learned his lesson. Ptolemy is a few years older so he has more experience, he's also quite protective of Alexander because he sees him as a younger brother, besides they need an ally. Thank you for reviewing.

Queendel: It's was time Hephaistion got some respect. The appreciation of the queen won't last long though. Thanks for your review.

XZanayu: Can't let them suffer too long now can I? Thank you for reviewing.

VaniaHepskins, you are going to like this chapter! You too Mara.

So quiet and peaceful
(Dreaming) Tranquil and blissful
(Dreaming) There's a kind of magic in the air
(Dreaming) What a truly magnificent view
(Dreaming) A breathtaking scene
With the dreams of the world
In the palm of your hand.

- A Winter's Tale by Queen -

Chapter 10: Exchanging Gifts.

As the days passed and Alexander quickly recovered, Hephaistion found himself in the constant presence of his new friend, happy he was alright. They talked about everything and nothing, simply getting to know each other more personally. They learned quite a lot and noticed they were more alike then they first thought.

Hephaistion, who now walked with a barely noticeable limp, was already attending classes during the day but every time he had a break he visited Alexander. Sometimes, he was not allowed to visit because Alexander's mother was already there. The king had left as soon as Alexander woke up to attend to the affairs of state. When Hephaistion asked if Alexander was okay with it he said he was glad he stayed as long as he did. But the constant presence of his mother was wearing his nerves rather thin.

One afternoon, classes were dismissed early because Aristotle had to visit relatives. It suited Hephaistion just fine who wanted to visit Alexander. He was nervous though because he wanted to present Alexander with a gift. A token of friendship. He practically ran from class to the dormitories, ignoring the comments most of his classmates made. He noticed though that the six young men who accompanied them on the lion hunt were much calmer and tolerant towards him. Like Ptolemy explained, they respected him now and made him their friend. Not allowing any slander, not even from some of the classmates they've know much longer then him. Hephaistion smiled to himself, not believing that one year ago, he knew no one and now he had seven new friends, who he respected and cared for. The best of all was Alexander, who he grew closer with every day.

Hephaistion grinned and ran strait to his room, dropping his scrolls on the bed, he quickly crossed the room examining the gift before softly closing the box again. He looked into the mirror, fixing his hair which stood on end because of the wind and his long run here. He nodded to himself before picking up the box and leaving his room, closing the door behind him. He crossed the hallway and knocked softly on Alexander door. Soon a voice followed.

"Enter." Hephaistion quickly entered the room and closed the door behind him before crossing the room to Alexander's bedroom. Instead of finding Alexander in bed or at his desk, he found him pacing up and down the room. Hephaistion frowned as he watched Alexander, who clearly had something on his mind and had yet to notice him. After a few moments he spoke up,

"Alexander."

Alexander stopped his pacing and slowly turned around his face wary, when he saw it was Hephaistion a look of relief crossed his face, making Hephaistion frown again. Alexander sighed loudly and smiled at Hephaistion.

"Hephaistion."

Hephaistion was about to ask what was wrong but a loud voice booming trough the hallway made him stop. He saw Alexander stiffen as he recognized Queen Olympias' voice. Disappointment filled Hephaistion as he clutched the present closer. Suddenly Alexander gripped his arm hard,

"Hephaistion, get me out of here. I can't stand another minute with her. I love my mother but sometimes she drives me nuts with her wild accusations and plots to make me king."

Looking into Alexander's pleading eyes Hephaistion nodded, looking around for a way to escape since the hallway was out of the question. Suddenly he noticed the windows and pointed to them, Alexander nodded eagerly and they both ran to the window looking over the ledge. Luckily they were on the ground level but it was still quite a drop. Alexander took a chair knowing Hephaistion still had trouble with his leg sometimes and helped him up. Hephaistion balanced out of the window, softly dropping his box, containing Alexander's present, before climbing over the edge and dropping down waiting for Alexander. Alexander also stood on the chair before realisation filled his eyes.

"Wait, the chair." Alexander quickly dismounted again and disappeared from Hephaistion's view, who anxiously waited while Alexander placed his chair back running to the window again.

Suddenly he remembered something and quickly ran to his bed, picking a wooden box from under it just as he heard voices outside his door. He quickly turned again, hoisting himself up, straining his shoulder a little in the process but ignored it as he quickly jumped down and motioned for Hephaistion to be quiet. They both pressed themselves to the wall as they heard the door open and Olympias' voice following soon after. There was a moment of silence before she began screaming at her pages about the whereabouts of her son. They heard her order a search while she waited in Alexander room.

Alexander motioned for Hephaistion to follow him, pressed to the wall they crept away until they turned a corner. As soon as they were out of sight they started running. They ran as fast as they could, without looking suspicious, and stopped by the stream throwing themselves under the nearby tree. They huffed and puffed, trying to get their breathing back under control before starting to laugh at the lunacy of it all. As soon as they got their breathing under control they fell into a comfortable silence, Hephaistion's head in Alexander's lap. Alexander closed his eyes, while he unconsciously twirled a piece of Hephaistion's hair around his finger. Hephaistion said nothing at the gesture but smiled to himself. After a long silence both Alexander and Hephaistion spoke up at the same time.

"Alexander…"

"Hephaistion…"

They both started laughing, sitting up before both saying,

"You go first…" they started laughing again and Alexander motioned to Hephaistion to start first. Hephaistion cleared his throat, placing the box on his lap.

"I um… have something for you…" he looked in Alexander's curious eyes before continuing, "… I want you to have this as a token of our friendship. It means a lot to me and um… well…" Hephaistion smiled embarrassed at his rambling and simply took the box and placed it on Alexander lap, "… This is for you…" Hephaistion sat back as he watched Alexander look at the box in wonder, they shared a smile before Alexander sighed and slowly removed the lit. Hephaistion watched as Alexander eyes lit up and the contents.

Alexander couldn't believe it, even when he saw with his own two eyes. He was touched that Hephaistion wanted to give him a present but this was really too much. He looked inside and found a small golden puppy. He carefully lifted it out of the box and stared into it's eyes, only to be rewarded by a small lick to his nose. Alexander smiled and petted the small dog before smiling gratefully at Hephaistion.

"Thank you."

Hephaistion watched the exchange with tender eyes. When he saw the dog lick Alexander nose, he felt glad the dog took a, immediate liking to him.

"It's a greyhound. His mother was killed by the lion and no one wanted him. There was something about him I can't explain. I thought you might like him." Explained Hephaistion petting the dog himself who stood on wobbly legs between them. Alexander smiled and said,

"He's perfect."

Hephaistion smiled and asked,

"What will you name him?" Alexander tilted his head to the side and stared into the distance, clearly thinking.

"I think I'll call him 'Peritas' '"

Hephaistion nodded his agreement and they both watched as little Peritas swiped at a flower with his front leg before falling down, his tail in the air. Both boys chuckled and smiled. Hephaistion moved himself next to Alexander leaning against the tree. After a moment of silence, Alexander spoke up.

"I have something for you as well…" this peaked Hephaistion's interest who sat upright turning towards Alexander who took the little wooden box he brought from his bedroom. His hands shook slightly as he gave the box to Hephaistion, who of course noticed Alexander was nervous and he frowned slightly not understanding why. Hephaistion smiled in thanks before staring at the beautiful carvings on the box.

"Open it…"

They shared a look before Hephaistion carefully opened the box, mindful not to scrape it. Inside he found a rather large scroll and he frowned, smiling slightly in wonder. Alexander smiled nervously motioning with his head for Hephaistion to continue. Hephaistion picked up the scroll, removing the ribbon that bound it together. He rolled it down a little to read the title and gasped out loud as he read 'The Illyiad by Homer' He turned shocked eyes at Alexander who looked at the ground.

"I wanted you to have this ever since I burned yours but somehow the time never seemed right. I guess after today I finally wanted you to have it."

Hephaistion stared at the scroll with tears in his eyes, remembering when his scroll went up into flames. He never thought he'd see it again. He cleared his throat several times before he trusted himself to speak.

"Why today?"

"It's been one year since we met…" explained Alexander softly, "… one year since I burned your scroll…" Hephaistion sighed and said,

"It wasn't your fault Alexander…" when he saw Alexander was about to protest he shook his head and Alexander promptly shut his mouth, knowing he wouldn't win in any case. Hephaistion suddenly leaned closer and hugged Alexander close whispering,

"Thank you. It means a lot to me."

"I know…"

Hephaistion wiped away at his face embarrassed but Alexander said nothing, merely petted Peritas again before leaning against the tree. Hephaistion watched the exchange before leaning against the tree as well. Then he handed the scroll to Alexander and asked,

"Read to me?"

Alexander merely took the scroll and started reading as Hephaistion laid his head down on his shoulder. Hephaistion closed his eyes as he listened to Alexander talk, having never felt more at peace then at that exact moment.