Title: By my side (15 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: Right here.
Author's 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 15
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He had stepped into the hall together with the other slaves, long before any of the royal family or the guests would enter. They would stand near the wall for as long as the celebration lasted, a piece of decoration all on their own. They would serve the men and women closest to them. Hephaestion would not be serving Alexander, but that did not matter to him, he was close.
The evening had begun so well, with the splendid feast which had been prepared. He did not take a second look at the other slaves who sometimes looked at him in envy, just staring in space to the other wall just like he had been told.
Alexander walked in. The bride and groom would wait until the last to receive their applause. The son of Queen Olympias got approving looks from both male and female guests, except of the family of the bride, who knew what was at stake here. He was the heir to the throne of Macedonia and their enemy in this. They did not wish him personal harm, only that he should not govern, but let the unborn son of the new Queen receive this honour.
He had a soft smile upon his lips, not one out of pride or pity, but just out of politeness to those who greeted him. It changed for merely a second when he noticed the presence of his beloved. The young man received a small nod in response, but that would be the only answer he would get for the entire evening. It would have to wait until that night.
How Hephaestion longed for it to be night.
When events rapidly followed, the young slave watched this with a growing concern. He knew the temper of his master and also his pride. He would not let this pass without having something to say about it. The reaction soon followed and the moment he had dreaded finally arrived. Son and father stood opposite of each other as enemies.
He thanked the gods that his friends had gotten it through their drunk brain that there would be no good in the Prince and their King fighting. It would result in blood and agony. As Alexander got pulled away, Hephaestion made a decision of his own. He took other routes and corridors, but knew that he would end up at the same place. The stables where Buccephalas was waiting for his master. Hephaestion would wait there to, with the mighty horse at his hand.
"My Prince."
He had stepped from the darkness at the appropriate time, when Alexander was alone. He handed everything to him for his escape, so that he would not need to turn into a beggar for food and water.
"Hephaestion."
His name had always sounded like music to his own ears when Alexander pronounced it, slow and soft, as if it was the most precious word in the world for him. As if only speaking it would grant him a place in Hades. Hephaestion did the only thing he could, holding the young man tight when he needed comfort.
"I am sorry for you, Alexander, but you can't stay here. You know your father."
The Prince nodded, he knew his father all too well, but from today on, Philip would get to know Alexander, who could be as stubborn as he.
"I won't apologise… I had the right to protest to such ridiculous words." He whispered as he took the lead from Hephaestions hands. Then he turned and saw no other horse.
"Are you not coming with me?"
It had not occurred to the other that he might be needed. He was able to ride, but not very well and he would certainly become a nuisance to Alexander once a little time had passed. They would not remain in the palace of Pella, but out in the open.
"My Prince, I can not."
As it seemed like the young man before him had expected something entirely different, he turned into the older one out of the two of them. Without title between them, he was perhaps the wiser one of the two. Cupping the cheeks of a trembling Alexander, he touched his forehead to the one of the other.
"Alexander…" He whispered softly before sighing. "I would follow you to the end of the earth if you would so desire it, but I am but a slave. There is no reason for you to need me by your side."
The young prince did not hear much of the declaration, only felt the warm hands of Hephaestion on his face.
"Then I free you." He mumbled softly as he posessively laid his arms around Hephaestions waist. "There is no reason for you to stay… nor to follow me, other then your will."
Whatever his decision would be, he had to hurry. Taking the hands of Alexander, he pushed them slightly away from him before taking the next booth and saddling the horse within for himself. He was not a natural rider like Alexander, but he hoped that he would last long enough.
"My will is to follow you, my Prince."
It was declared in a strong voice, a man sure of himself and his leader. For Alexander was no longer his master. Hephaestion had been his personal slave and as his master he had the power to free him. There was not a single doubt in the mind of the young man that Alexander had meant it.
Alexander pressed a kiss on Hephaestions mouth before mounting Buccephalas. The other young man followed him suitly, trying to find the right pace. Alexander did not know where to turn this time. His father would have two options and he knew that he would not begin his search immediately.
"Epicurus." He whispered then with a smile as he would travel through the lands where his King would not even think to search. Speeding up he had the courtesy to wait for Hephaestion. They would pay a visit to his uncle Alexander first, a king in his own right and the brother of his mother Olympias.
He would give them more food and water and perhaps a room for the night, if he did not find out the reason of their journey.
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Nelia: -cough- Was too lazy to take the real sentences from the movie.
Queendel: I hope this chappie answers your questions.
Xzanayu: Here I am, hurrying!
Lexy: Thank you so much, luv –hugs-
Bane: Thank you, luv.