Title: By my side (16 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 16

---------------------------------

Alexander of Epicurus had been a friend to his nephew for years now, when he had found out that the boy who followed him around during his visits at Pella had become an eager young student. The brother of Olympias had become fond of the twelve year younger Prince of Macedonia and in the last months he had been given yet another reason. Cleopatra. The sister of Alexander was the wife of the King of Epicurus and she seemed happy in her role. The wedding feast had passed a few months before that of King Philip himself.

Hephaestion followed his master, not sure what the night would bring him. He trusted Alexander that he knew where he was going, but he had not gone outside the palace of Pella in a few months. Nor had he travelled further than Mieza ever in his life. He shivered in a mixture of anxiety and fear, this great unknown world frightened him.

"Hephaestion."

The soft word penetrated his foggy mind and he looked up towards his left, where he found the reason for his escape from the palace. His Prince, his love… but where was this to end. For the first time since he had met Alexander again he began to doubt about this young man. The reaction to his father had been an understandable one. Any man would have done so, who realised what the words of the other had meant. But now, it could very well be that his stubborness led to an early death.

"It will be alright."

It was assuring to hear the voice of Alexander sounding so certain. Although he was younger than Hephaestion, he spoke with a voice so strong that anyone would follow him, even those who would not believe him at the first sight.

Alexander stretched out his hand and Hephaestion met him halfway, squeezing that of the other before releasing it again. They soon stood at the gates of his uncle, who welcomed them with open arms.

"Alexander."

From the moment the soldier who stood guard at the gates had gone to retrieve his King at the request of Alexander, Hephaestion felt less and less safe. But then again, nobody knew him here and no slaves would be jealous of him. So he let go of his fear as best as he could and remained waiting next to his Prince.

King Alexander welcomed both friends, embracing his nephew and giving a cordial nod to Hephaestion, who bowed deeply in turn.

"What brings you here, my dearest nephew?"

"It is a long story, uncle, but we thank you for your hospitality." The Prince was taken with the King, but he quickly stretched out a hand to Hephaestion, so that the young man did not have a choice but to follow. They were brought to a smaller hall, where the atmosphere seemed more friendly. It was there that Cleopatra was waiting for her brother.

"Alexander!"

She did not go for courtesy, nor for politeness and flew to her brother, whom she embraced forcefully. The boy caught her and hugged her back, pleased to see her as well. It seemed to be a friendly get together, a family meeting, were it not that Alexander had darker reasons to be there.

"What are you doing here?"

With an inviting hand from King Alexander, the traveller took place upon one of the reclining chairs. Hephaestion who had his head bowed the entire time, remained standing behind Alexanders seat.

"Who is this, Alexander, who you brought with? What is the reason of your coming? It is not to see us."

The young man smiled sadly and nodded.

"I'm sorry to say that indeed I have other reasons. You have heard of the wedding of my father… things have been said and I can not return to Pella. Father wishes my death for what I have said."

"No!"

Cleopatra gasped, tears spilling from her eyes as she looked at her brother. Her husband patted her hand softly and looked at his nephew.

"Alexander, you know that messengers will soon stand at the gate. Of course you can remain here fore the night, but I will not risk war with your father for you."

That the Prince could understand. The Kingdom of Epicurus was small and not even very fruitful, but the King had taken his task here to heart. He had been placed by King Philip of Macedonia and would not risk an open war, not even for his nephew.

"I thank you, uncle."

No, he had not expected his uncle to protect him against his own father. That he would not have wished either, but the warm bed would be welcome for the night. One other night before the real challenge would come to survive in the wilderness which they called Macedonia.

"And in your flee you have brought your slave with you?" Cleopatra asked in disbelief as she watched Hephaestion, who had the appearance of a slave, with his simple clothing. He now looked up as he knew they were talking about him. Alexander answered for him however.

"Hephaestion is a free man, he wished to follow me. I had hoped that he would, but I never thought I had such a loyal friend." He declared as he gazed towards the other young man for a moment. Hephaestion nodded in gratitude, he was not used to speaking to royalty other than Alexander himself… and he had become a friend and more.

"Hephaestion?" Cleopatra raised her eyebrows for a moment as she could recall the name from her youth. The man standing behind her brother was an ordinary slave and she could not help the grimace of disdain on her face as she looked away from Hephaestion.

"You choose your friends in a random manner, brother."

"It is far from random, Cleopatra, I assure you." Alexander stressed as his eyes bore into hers, daring him to speak against him. "I trust him completely." And the young man had proved that he was worthy of it.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Xzanayu: Would he do anything else?

Queendel: Indeed.

Nelia: True and unconditional, that's our Phai.

Lexy: Wow, happier than the movie –bows- Thank you. Oeh, forum!