Elithraniel Thanks for the review! Thought I would give it a try and continue. Enjoy, R&R, let me know if it could keep going? –Baliansword.
Hephaestion could not remember how long he had slept for. He could also not remember his mouth having ever been so dry, his lips so parched, his chest so tight. He slowly opened his eyes. Sunlight filled the room and he lifted a hand to shield his aching eyes.
It took him a moment to recognize where he was. He was in Alexander's chambers, lying on his bed, but there was no sign of Alexander. He was unsure of why he felt so terrible. He did not know why he could not summon the strength to sit up. Hephaestion gripped the sheets at his side and tried to push himself up. He was weak, but managed to sit up slightly before he fell back against the pillows.
As he did this, the doors opened and Alexander entered the room. The king shut the door and then looked in the direction of the bed. Hephaestion saw the concern in his eyes, but saw so much more. His beautiful Alexander, with golden locks, and the body of a god.
"Hephaestion," Alexander said as he rushed to his side. He took his lover's hand in his and looked over his face. He brushed a lock of Hephaestion's brunet hair away from his pale cheek. "I thought that I had lost you."
Hephaestion thought for a moment. He did not know what Alexander was speaking of. This scared him. How could he not remember what had happened yesterday? He stared into Alexander's eyes and thought hard.
"Do you remember," Alexander asked. "The physician I sent for said that the poison may have clouded your mind. Oh, please speak to me Hephaestion. Say anything at all my love."
"I love you," Hephaestion said. This made Alexander smile, but it also made tears fill his eyes. Hephaestion reached out with a hand and wiped a tear away from Alexander's cheek. "You shall never loose me. You will always have my love."
There was a knock at the door then. Hephaestion weakly dropped his hand back down to the bed. Alexander glanced over his shoulder as the door opened. He did not let go of Hephaestion, but continued to rub his thumb back and forth on the back of Hephaestion's hand. It seemed to soothe him to do such a simple gesture.
Cassander entered the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. He paused, waiting for Alexander to nod at him, and then came forward. Cassander looked at the pale and weakened Hephaestion. Then he turned his eyes to Alexander.
"Your mother requests to speak with you Alexander," Cassander told him cautiously. He did not want to disturb Hephaestion with these words. However, most of all, he did not wish to anger Alexander.
"Tell her that she no longer makes requests. I will come when I decide to. If she sends word to me again I will cut her tongue out," Alexander answered.
Hephaestion watched as Cassander nodded. The young commander then left the room as quietly as he had entered. At the mention on Olympias he felt that something had come back to his memory. He thought for a moment, thought of his actions last night, and felt as if he had just been stabbed a thousand times in the chest.
"Alexander," he breathed, "forgive me. You deserve to be angry with me, in fact I hope that you are, but please let me explain first what happened."
"Shh," Alexander silenced him by putting a finger to his lips. "I could never be angry with you Hephaestion. The events of last night will never be spoken of again. It is forgiven, understood."
Hephaestion felt Alexander let go of his hand. He reached over to a dresser and took a cup of water. Alexander stared at the goblet for a moment and then took a sip of the contents. Next he put the cup to Hephaestion's lips.
"Drink this," he instructed. "It will make you feel better."
Hephaestion did as he was told. The water had been mixed with something else. It tasted slightly bitter, but Hephaestion knew that Alexander had a reason to make him drink this. He had no doubt had a physician make some kind of medicine to put into the water. It would not surprise him.
"I love you," Hephaestion whispered again when Alexander took the goblet away. He did not know what else to say. Yet he felt his body growing tired once more. Soon he would close his eyes and rest once more. Alexander leaned forward and brushed his lips against Hephaestion's as his eyes closed.
"Hephaestion," he whispered as he put his forehead against his lover's, "dream of me. When you awaken, I will be here my love. Just come back."
Hephaestion heard him say this, then he began to sleep. Alexander ran his hand over Hephaestion's cheek for some time. He did not want to leave, fearing that Hephaestion would awaken and he would not be there. It had already happened once. Yet as he looked at the condition Hephaestion was in, he wanted to confront Olympias.
Alexander leaned forward and kissed Hephaestion's forehead lightly. He then released his hand, stood, and began to leave the room. The king paused at the door. He looked over his shoulder, making sure that Hephaestion still slept soundly, and then opened the door.