Title: By my side (22 of 25)

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: A bit of 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 22

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While Hephaestion withstood a test of his own, Alexander had to face his father. With a deep breath he knocked on the doors of his study, the room the King seemed to have chosen for this apology he had in mind.

"Enter."

The voice still sounded the same. Images flooded his mind about the punishment he would receive, but he knew that he was a man now. He was nineteen years old and there was no one who could force him to his knees now. If his father would not accept him for who he was, he would take exile himself. Again.

"Father."

The one word made the man behind the desk look up. In one glance he registered how much his son had changed during the months he had been away. His blonde hair had highlighted from afternoons in the sun, and had grown longer. The fierceness in his eyes hadn't been there the last time before the wedding. He seemed well-muscled and fine toned, a true warrior in his own right.

"So, you have returned."

"Yes, father."

The King gestured for Alexander to go on. He wanted his apology and he wanted it now. He was not one to back down from this.

"I am not sorry for my words, father, during the feast. They were nothing but the truth and I stand by them still."

Philip wanted to rise from his chair and scream at his son. His famous temper was getting the best of him and one stormy eye was directed squarely at Alexander. The young man remained calm however and he nodded and continued his speech. Now that the King knew that the apology would be one on Alexanders terms, the Prince could speak freely.

"I grieve for the fact that I have disrespected you in that occasion, my King." He spoke in a soft and steady voice, not looking into the eyes of his father. "I should have given voice to my opinion in private, so that you could react properly, it was neither the time nor the place. It will never happen again, my King."

With this he bowed and awaited for the answer of Philip. When it did not come in another five minutes, he got worried and looked up from under his eyebrows. His father was studying him thoroughly and the young man swallowed.

"How much lies were in there, Alexander?"

The sharpness in the words made him look up and he stood straight again. Still his father could intimidate him by mere words and looks. He cursed himself for being so weak.

"None, my King."

Philip stood and walked over to his son, who quickly lowered his gaze. The King stood proudly in front of his son and lowered his hand to the others neck, making him look up.

"Understand one thing /very/ clearly, Alexander. If you ever insult me in that manner again, you will be dead right after the words have left your mouth."

The iron grip the hand had on him was almost too much. Tears threatened, but Alexander refused to let them fall. He nodded shortly and was released, taking a few deep breaths.

"You will accompany me to Athens."

"My King?"

Philip looked back towards his eldest son with a smile and gestured for him to sit down at the desk. He hobbled towards the other side, with difficulty due to his recent leg injury in the latest war. Sitting down, he gazed at Alexander until the young man fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Of course you do not know. Athens is holding games."

"In your honour, father?"

"It seems that the stone you have crawled behind was larger than I had expected. We have defeated them, my son. They are honouring me, yes, and the whole of the empire. Your mother will be there and you will ride with me."

"Thank you, my King."

He alternated the words King and father, although he did not know himself. Standing, he bowed again and waited for further instructions. There should have been more behind this than just those simple words.

"Rest for the mean while. We will ride tomorrow and you will not have much time to spend with your boy."

Alexanders eyes fastened in shock to those of Philip and the King smiled coldly.

"Everyone knows about him, Alexander, how could they not. You have freed him against my will, but I will deal with it because he has kept you safe. Make no mistake though, he will not be treated as one of your equals. He remains a common slave."

His blood boiled and he shivered from the pure force he had to use to keep himself calm. Although he would never have Hephaestion treated that way again, he knew he could not prevent it.

"My King."

He quickly bowed and was through the door before Philip could say another word. He tapped his fingers together, sitting behind his desk. He was glad to have his son back ,he had to admit that. His empire would probably be safe when he would be no more.

Alexander walked back towards his own room. In the corridor he almost bumped into Hephaestion, coming from the other direction. He had been crying, streaks of tears ran down his cheeks.

"Hephaestion, what is wrong?"

The young man startled, he had not expected his Prince to be there. Quickly wiping at his cheeks he shook his head and smiled softly.

"It was just intense, my Prince, nothing more. How have you fared?"

Alexander took his hand and pulled him inside, shutting the door behind them. Hephaestion looked rather confused at his Prince, but as he got pressed up against the heavy wooden panel, he stopped questioning.

"I don't want to talk about it… I have more important things in mind." Alexander murmured softly before exploring Hephaestions lips. The latter was not complaining.

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Nelia: Yes, I found it a beautiful sentence myself. I built the chapter around it.

Queendel: In her own style she admits it, anyway.

Xzanayu: Now you see how Alexander fares.

My loves, I am going on a brief holliday. I won't be home until Tuesday, but I probably will not be back online for Wednesday. I fear that you have to wait until then for the next chapter of 'By my side'. I'm very sorry, but I'll come back with so much inspiration ;-). I will talk to you then. Bye for now.