Title: By my side (18 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: Slash.

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 18

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The sunlight streamed through the small open windows on the room. It promised to be a beautiful day, but the two young men in the large bed seemed to want to know none of it. The both of them were sound asleep, the head of one resting on the chest of the other. Only when a servant knocked softly on the door, did they make an effort to wake up.

"Is it morning already?"

The murmur was too soft to be audible, but Hephaestion, who had tilted his head up slightly, smiled in response to the words of his Prince.

"I will go and see what is wrong."

The former slave seemed more comfortable this day than he had been the previous night, but still he wore his simple peasant clothing. Tucking his Prince in better, he got caught by a stretched out hand, being pulled back.

"Alexander… don't." He whispered at the smiling young man in the bed.

"One more kiss and I'll let you go."

With a sigh, Hephaestion bent forward and pressed a kiss to Alexanders cheek. With a mischievous smile he moved back from the Prince and towards the door, where a rather menacing looking slave waited for his orders.

"I wish to speak to Alexander."

The words were uttered from the moment Hephaestion opened the door. For a moment he did not know what to do, but then a voice sounded from the bed.

"Everything you have to say, you can say to Hephaestion."

With a reluctant look, the slave handed over the message to Hephaestion and then backed away quickly, not giving a bow or even a remote look. He just walked away as fast as possible.

"Alexander… it is a message from your father."

Hephaestion had not opened the letter, but recognised the royal seal imprinted in the hot wax which had been used. He walked to the bed and handed the note over to the Prince, who swiftly opened it.

"He wants apologies, and then I can return to the palace."

The sigh behind the words was evident. Alexanders pride would not permit him to make the slightest sound of apology towards his father. He believed that his cause had been just and he had done the right thing. Nobody had been killed and he had just expressed his opinion, which had been right.

"Perhaps…"

"Don't you even dare say it, Hephaestion. I do not want to hear it."

For the first time since their departure, Hephaestion was being talked to rather harshly and immediately he crawled into his shell, bowing.

Alexander was too busy to see this reaction however, crumpling the note in his fist. Walking towards the secretary in the room he scribbled an answer and sealed it closed as well. With a definite gesture he handed it over to Hephaestion.

"Ask my uncle if he would send a messenger to the palace. We're going."

Reduced to servant again so soon, Hephaestion did as he was told. Alexander had not yet realised what he did to the confidence of the young man, but only reflected on it when he was alone in the room. Cursing to himself he knew that he needed Hephaestion now more than ever.

The young man entered the room again and immediately got caught up in a warm and gentle embrace, two arms wrapped tightly around him.

"I'm sorry… why don't you say something when I act like this?"

"It is not my place."

Alexander sighed and just barely didn't give in to the urge to slap the young man in front of him. In stead, he backed away and returned to a business like state.

"If everything is alright, we should get on the way. Does my uncle know?"

"Yes, he does."

Hephaestion nodded softly at the words of the other. Packing the necessary blankets they had received from Alexander of Epicurus and Cleopatra, he waited for his Prince to say goodbye to his sister and brother in law.

Cleopatra clung to her brother, but he let go of her soon enough. They had to get away from Epirus before the army which was looking for them would take this bend and realise that they were not too far away. Mounting two ugly, but very steadfast horses, the two friends made their way through the gates of the palace.

"From now on its just the two of us."

Hephaestion gave a slight smile at this. It seemed frightening that he did not have any protection from nature and other foes, except for Alexander, but he had trust in his friend when he said they would be alright in the end.

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Nelia: Thank you, luv –smiles

Xzanayu: Your wish is my command.

Riah: Thank you.

Baliansword: I think it might be correct… the both of them being a little insecure, but Alexander winning out as King.