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This going to be a sappy chapter people, you are warned.
This chapter hasn't been beta'd yet, I apologise for any mistakes you might find. It will be replaced by the beta'd version later.
I, I love, Love,
And I, and I love you,
Oh you, you, yeah you.
And you, you, love love,
And You, yes you, love me,
Yeah you, yeah you.
And when I'm holding you,
What a feeling
Seems so good to be true,
That I'm telling you all,
That I must be dreaming.
- You by George Harrison. -
Chapter 20: The Vows.
A few days later, when Alexander and Hephaistion had talked everything through and everything was back to normal they decided to have the bonding ceremony. (1)
For the ceremony they had chosen Hephaistion's favourite spot from when he was a child. A small waterfall in the woods, a little further away, just out of view was a big tree. Which was in full bloom, shedding flower pettles now and then, covering the grass. They decided to do it at night, when they were no clouds and the full moon shone brightly giving it a mystical glow.
Each had to pick a person close to them to witness the events and make it real. Hephaistion, of course, chose his father while Alexander picked Ptolemy. Who told him about the priest who bonded same sex couples and kept his mouth shut, for a price. Money was of no consequence, so they did not care.
Hephaistion was nervous as hell, as his father assisted him with his yellow/orange chiton (2) and adjusting his silver (3) crown, shaped like olive leaves. He grabbed his necklace closely and sighed, trembling slightly. He couldn't believe he and Alexander were to be bonded, and probably share themselves completely with each other afterwards.
Little did he know Alexander wasn't fairing better, while Ptolemy assisted him with his red (2) chiton and golden (3) crown. Alexander sighed again and shifted for what seemed the hundredth time, Ptolemy stilled his hands, prying them away from his necklace, which now also contained a lock of hair.
"Be still Alexander."
"But what if he doesn't show Ptolemy, what if he does not want me?" muttered Alexander feeling insecure all of a sudden,
"Honestly Alexander, after all you have been true, you doubt Hephaistion still…" replied Ptolemy as he adjusted Alexander's chiton again,
"No, never…" shouted Alexander, "….I just …" a hand fell on his shoulders and he stopped,
"I understand…" smiled Ptolemy, "…You'll do fine…" Alexander smiled back whispering,
"You are a great friend…." and hugged Ptolemy close, "…this will not be forgotten!"
Ptolemy just nodded and motioned for Alexander to follow him. Both witnesses lead their bonded towards the priest and the altar, which he had set up. Amyntar and Ptolemy wished them luck before standing to the side. Hephaistion and Alexander simply stared at each other not believing this was it. They stepped closer seeming to want to say something but emotions stopping them from uttering any sound. The priest cleared his throat and both smiled nervously turning towards the priest.
The priest nodded to both men, staring them in eye before taking a scroll and staring to read.
"Gods in heaven above please protect the ones we love. We honour all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together. We honour mother-earth - and ask for our bonding to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons…" the priest lit a small candle at this point, while Hephaistion and Alexander looked down listening intently, "…We honour fire - and ask that our union be warm and glowing with love in our hearts; We honour wind - and ask we sail though life safe and calm as in our father's arms; We honour water - to clean and soothe our relationship - that it may never thirsts for love;" Alexander looked to the side towards Hephaistion and saw his beloved biting his lip, indicating he was as nervous as himself,
"With all the forces of the universe you created, we pray for harmony and true happiness as we forever grow young together."
The priest ended his speech, took one hand of each man and bound it together with a small cloth. Then he handed Alexander a small knife and produced a small loaf of bread. Alexander started to talk as he cut a small piece of bread.
"I love you, Hephaistion. You are my best friend. Today I bind myself to you. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle." Hephaistion had the hardest time trying to control his tears as he heard Alexander talk with such love and devotion. Alexander looked him strait in the eye as he finished,
" I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard,
when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life."
Hephaistion had to swallow hard as he excepted the knife from Alexander and have his beloved a watery but happy smile. As he started to cut the bread, he also started to talk,
"As freely as Zeus has given me life, I join my life with yours. Wherever you go, I will go; whatever you face, I will face…." Hephaistion finished cutting the bread and stared in Alexander eyes for the last part, "…For good or ill, in happiness or sadness,
come riches or poverty, I take you Alexander, and will give myself to no other."
They stared into each other eyes, filled with tears of happiness, while the priest blessed the bread. When he was done, he spoke, making the two young man look in his direction,
"It is one of life's richest surprises when the accidental meeting of two life paths lead them to proceed together along the common path as beloved. It is one of life's finest experiences when a casual relationship grows into a permanent bond of love. This meeting and this growth bring us together today…." Alexander nodded at the priest words, feeling like it was specifically written for them, he felt Hephaistion squeeze his hand lightly and he know his beloved felt the same.
"Alexander and Hephaistion, will you take vows here before all of us which symbolize your vows you have already made and will continue to make to each other throughout your lives?"
Both men nodded and said;
"We Will."
Then each took his piece of breath and fed it to the other. While they did so, the priest walked around them with a burning candle, softly talking,
"The circle is the symbol of the sun, earth, and universe. It is the symbol of peace. Let this be the symbol of unity and peace in which your two lives are joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever you go, return unto one another and to your togetherness."
Then removed Hephaistion's silver and Alexander's golden crown, to be replaced by a crown made of flowers, connected together with a ribbon. Then lead the couple around the alter three times, representing the unending journey of the bonded couple.
"You are mature people who have established individual patterns of living. Yet you have found not only a need for companionship, but the satisfaction of that need in each other's company. It is this love, based upon a responsible understanding, that will aid you in creating out of your two lives, a happiness you will share together. Stand fast in hope and confidence, believing in yourself and believing in each other."
ThePriest then blesses them with a few hand motions, removes the crowns and asks Zeus to grand them a long and happy life. Next he lays his hand on theirs connected ones signalling that only Zeus can separate them now. The Priest steps back and nods signalling they are now bonded. Hephaistion smiled happily, silent tears running down his cheeks, at Alexander who was equally touched. As one they leaned in and kissed. Vaguely they could hear the others applaud but they were so into the kiss and the feel of each other they did not notice, when they all eventually left, leaving them alone.
When they parted Alexander took Hephaistion's hand in his and led him away. Hephaistion gasped as he saw all the candles, each carefully placed on a stone, burning around the clearing of the waterfall, casting it in a orange glow. Hephaistion's eyes teared up again as he kissed Alexander passionately.
I know this sounds much like a marriage and I suppose it is. I read a book about myths long ago and it mentioned that Alexander and Hephaistion were bonded to each other. It was not legal to anyone but their eyes. Only a selected few knew of this event. I liked this little piece of information and decided to put it in my story.
Right, the bright Red/Orange/Yellow they were wearing was supposed to keep demons, who might destroy/stop their bonding/marriage, away. This way they would be sure they would have a happy bonded life /marriage together.
They had lots of silver and gold in those days. Macedon had several silver and gold mines, which Philip used to fund his campaigns. So, it isn't so surprising they would wear silver and gold.
AN: I have taken the turn of events in his bonding ceremony from a site which explained ancient greek weddings. This was not made up. Vows have been taken from several cultures, I have not written them just incorporated them in this chapter. Let me know what you thought, okay? Thank you!