Title: By my side (13 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.

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.

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 13

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Alexander was more than a little nervous, not knowing how his mother would react to the new wife of his father. The young bride was pregnant, or so the court told. This was another reason for the Queen to worry, as her son would be set aside to ever inherit the throne. Alexander himself was not too worried about it, seeing as he had received his education and was more than ready to lead a country… or so he thought.

"My Prince, please keep your head still…"

The request was uttered softly and politely, although the both of them were alone in Alexanders room. Automatically the hand of the prince went up to wrap around the wrist of Hephaestion, who stilled his work for a moment.

"You'll be there?"

"As you've requested, my Prince. I have received a place amongst the servants at your tables. I will be with you all evening long."

Despite the fact that Hephaestion was working on his hair, Alexander turned his head to gaze into the others eyes. For the first time since long, the young man was actually happy. His mother had filled his head with ideas about the future, that he would need to do everything to take the throne as the rightful heir.

"I'm glad." He answered simply before turning around again. With another few gestures the young slave finished. He had grown accustomed to these quiet moments, but today was different. Alexander, usually bubbling with energy, was now calm and seemed to have a lot on his mind. He didn't dare to inquire to the problems, but understood the wedding was his main occupation.

"Your father understands."

Alexander smiled at the simple words. They did him well, although he had not spoken to Hephaestion about his thoughts. The other young man seemed to understand without words what he needed to hear.

He had given Hephaestion a gift that very morning, a simple necklace made out of the purest silver, which he could easily hide under his clothes. He knew that there would be enough jealousy as it were, although the other never complained. Hephaestion had refused with the sweetest smile one could imagine and kissed him in gratitude. The gesture had been more than enough, he did not need the gift itself.

"Nobody has ever bothered to give me something, my Prince." He had whispered against Alexanders lips before pulling back with a smile. It was all the communication with actual words they had had during the entire morning, with stolen kisses and small caresses. Hephaestion had prepared his bath and clothed him and had now finished up. Alexander was ready.

"I will see you in the afternoon."

Hephaestion stretched out his hands, smoothing a few imaginary folds in the otherwise perfectly worn clothing of his prince. The white chlamys clung to Alexanders chest, brass bracelets adorned his upper arms and wrists. The band which the other young man had placed over his hair was made out of the purest gold, ensuring his status as a prince. It was a large contrast with the simple woven linnen which Hephaestion always wore. It didn't matter to Alexander. His lover would always be beautiful to him, his soft curls the perfect golden frame for his face, his eyes the most precious jewels one could posess.

Cupping both of his cheeks, the prince pressed a soft kiss to Hephaestions lips. He did not want to go, but this time he would not get away from his duty, like other days where he just skipped lessons. It was eventually the other teenager who pushed him away.

"Go, be a prince. I'll be at the feast." He laughed as he ushered Alexander out of the door. The prince followed the command of his slave and went to the apartments of his mother Olympias, although he knew that she would not attend the ceremony itself.

"There he is."

The whispers among the slaves could be heard throughout the palace of Pella. Usually Hephaestion stayed far away from the quarters and Alexander made it very easy on him, letting him reside in his own rooms and even seldom letting him outdoors. It was not because he needed the services of Hephaestion, he simply wanted his company.

"The princes whore."

Of course he heard them as he walked through the corridors, meeting some of the other houseslaves and the guards. Everybody knew about the slave who shared the bed of the crown prince at a regular basis. There was anger and jealousy, because he did not give up his place to another, like they would have expected. In stead of giving the prince pleasure and leaving his bed at an appropriate time, he stubbornly hung in there and remained at the side of his master.

As he returned to his own shabby little room, the one he had asked in stead of the wealthy he would have received from Alexander, he found that the sheet which was used as a door had been opened. He had not posessed much, a slave did not have the opportunity to gather many earthly things in his life.

Upon going through the opening serving as a door, he found the little he had had broken and scattered across the floor. Hephaestion sighed and lowered his head, before picking up some of the pieces. He would never tell this to Alexander, who would only get angry and punish random slaves for this action. The young prince did not understand and Hephaestion doubted that he ever would.

"Are you ready, mother?"

"You know that I will not go, Alexander, so why do you try to convince me?"

Although his mother was older than he remembered her in his dreams, she was still a beautiful woman. She did not want to attend the feast held in occasion for the wedding, but she looked splendid. The ornate items she had received from her husband were all safely hidden away, she did not want anything to do with him. The most precious thing he had ever given to her, was her son. Philip had not done much good, but this she owed him gratitude for.

"Do it for me, mother, I beg of you. You are still the Queen, if not in name than in dignity."

She knew this very well and although young, Alexander had a clever mind which he often used to his advantage. Olympias smiled mysteriously. She would give her son what he wanted, but not without good reason. She would take a glance at the young wife of her husband… and see what needed to be done.

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Xzanayu: Thank you!

Queendel: This is a bit of a… interlude chappie. More interesting things coming up, I promise.

Lexy: Thank you! Sorry in advance for this chappie. –smiles- Phai will be ok.

Nelia: Welcome back, luv! Thank you, I was hoping it came across right.

To all: I know the small piece with Phai is cliché, but I thought it necessary. He is the favourite of Alexander and the slaves are jealous. Not for who he is, but for what he is to Alexander. I hope that clarifies most.