Title: By my side (4 of ?)

Author: Adsagsona

Type: Romance

Rating: PG – PG 13

Disclaimer: Nothing about the movieverse Alexander belongs to me, I don't own a thing, sadly enough. I believe the real Alexander the Great and his companions belong to history and themselves.

Warnings: None, really.

Beta: None.

Pairing: Alexander/Hephaestion

Archive: Note: It is a slight AU from the Alexander movie verse. Hephaestion is not the son of Lord Amyntor, but a slave.

There is a time leap from the previous chapters. This is from the book of Valerio Manfredi, for the education of Alexander at Mieza. He would have been about fourteenish.

Spoilers: For 'Alexander'

Summary: At a young age, a slave gets captured by the soldiers of Philip. Alexander needs someone to wrestle with, because his friends always let him win. Too stubborn for his own good, the slave causes problems.

By my side – Chapter 4

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Philip let his son come to him. It had been two years after the incident with the young slave in the lessons. Alexander had never seen the boy again and had not thought of him after about a week. Life went on.

"My son, I have prepared your stay at Mieza. It will be your main education. Your friends will be able to come with you. You will have a limited amount of servants with you, as it seems to be the idea that you can do everything yourself."

Philip drummed his quill on the desk and looked at his son. He had grown over the years into a young man already. He seemed to be all arms and legs, his chest not having grown with them. He still had the same attitude, intelligent and drawing everything in like a sponge.

"Of course, father."

"You are happy with this."

"Yes, father. I will be very pleased to gather myself around teachers to sharpen my intelligence."

"Off you go then."

With a gesture he let his son go, he would leave first thing tomorrow. Alexander went to his mother first, to say goodbye. She blew some things in his ear which he didn't need to hear, but he endured it so that he could say farewell in peace.

The next morning, he and his friends left to Mieza under escort. It was a one day journey and they all were tired in the evening. The soldiers would leave again to Pella as they waited for the philosopher to arrive. Some of the servants had already been there and took care of the group of friends.

Alexander walked among the gardens of the home. His father must have spent a fortune on it, as it had all been perfect from the moment of his arrival. Even the flowers which grew here seemed to be no less than perfection. Suddenly his eyes fell on the gardner, sitting on his knees amidst a bed of flowers, painstakingly taking care of them.

"Kind sir, could you give me some explanation about the flowers?"

When the man did not answer, he walked closer towards him. Alexander noticed that this was not yet a man, but a boy who sat there. His slender built betrayed him beneath the white cloth of his tunic.

"I have asked you a question."

"I am sorry, I did not realise it was directed at me." He finally got an answer as the young man stood and immediately bowed.

"My prince."

Alexander gasped as the other looked at him. He remembered those eyes, which resembled the sky. He had known only one who posessed them.

"Hephaestion?"

The slave did not truly react, but just gave a slight bow again, before returning to his work. Alexander was too surprised to say anything and just walked away. He did not see how those same eyes followed him inside.

Alexander lustlessly followed the classes of that day, but he was not paying attention. Supper that night came as a gift of the heavens, where he did not need to concentrate. As a hand brushed his arm, a plate got set in front of him. Looking up, he was not fast enough to avoid the hair of the other grazing his face.

"My apologies, my Prince." The servant mumbled before going further. The prince followed the figure around the table. He was intrigued by the new Hephaestion, who was so obedient. What had been going on with this boy?

"Your servants will be waiting in your room. My Prince, we were waiting for your choice." One of the soldiers said in a strong voice. Alexander broke out of his stupor and blinked a few times.

"My choice?"

"Of course, we will not give you just any slave."

"Oh… yes. Him."

He gestured vaguely towards Hephaestion. The teenager seemed to be surprised as well, but there came no further reaction than a small nod and he went off to the bedroom of Alexander.

"This might not be a good choice, my Prince."

"Why not?"

"He is not… the most obedient slave, my lord. You will have problems with him." The soldier dared to answer. Alexanders eyes stormed as the famous rage which marked his family, came upon him.

"I will decide who is a problem and who is not. At the moment, I believe that you are more of one than this young boy."

The soldier quickly bowed and ran away. The young men went on with their meal as if nothing had happened. They had learned to ignore the outbursts of the Prince long ago, unless they were adressed to them of course.

"We should go rest, Alexander, so that you can enjoy your company."

The young Prince smiled broadly.

"If you hear screaming, don't come running too fast. I might have problems with him... but then again…" He grinned as everyone knew that they would protect him no matter what.

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Nelia: Thank you for trying to review again. Luv you for it.

Lexy: Hephaestion will be getting less sad, I promise.

Queendel: Have not really thought about a history yet, but it would make an interesting angle.

Josephine: Here you go, luv.