Title: By my side (24 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: CHARACTER DEATH. Do not read if you are opposed to it.

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 24

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

Alexander was more than a little nervous. Today was the big day, after a weeks travel through the country of Greece, once devided into a large number of tribes but now united under the crown of his father. This day he was proud of the man riding next to him. King Philip rode with his back straight, although his leg should have hurt him immensely.

"What are you looking at?"

He quickly lowered his head and looked the other way. He had not wanted to stare.

"At my King."

He answered softly, but hard enough so that Philip would hear him. He looked up with the pride he felt reflected in his eyes. The King stole a glance towards his son and gave a smile.

"They call me a great general, Alexander. You, they just call… great." He began before giving a menacing look. "But if you ever humiliate me like that in public again, I will kill you."

Alexander did not answer, but just nodded and continued to ride alongside Philip. They dismounted right outside the large stadium, decorated with large images of the gods, portraying Philip as one of the them, standing right in the middle of the circle of the stadium. The King smiled as this, but he did not say anything about it, although it pleased him thoroughly.

Alexander had the odd feeling something was off about this day, it didn't go as planned. They had been a few minutes later than the original ceremony and someone from the Royal Guard had taken care of that. It had not hindered the prince at the time, but now he began to think about it.

"Alexander."

Without thinking longer about it, the young man had took his place next to his father and wanted to walk beside him inside the stadium. The look on the face of the King was none too happy though and it seemed that he didn't want his son by his side.

"My King."

"Tell the Guard that they can enter after me. You will enter together with them."

"But, my King…"

"Can you not obey me for this once?"

The voice of his father sounded almost pleading and Alexander lowered his head. "Father, please, let me accompany you." He said softly again, but his father would have none of it. Impatiently he settled his hand upon the shoulder of his son so that Alexander had to look at him.

"This is a festival for my honour. Be the son you have been for these few weeks and go with the soldiers."

Alexander nodded and swallowed.

"Enjoy your entrance, father."

He did not know why he said it, but the odd feeling again rose up in him and a great sadness accompanied it. He walked away from his father then, granted him that entrance which he had worked for and fought wars over in the years of his life.

The stadium itself was a small masterpiece, equalling the Colloseum in Rome, but to a smaller extent. The slabs of marble glinted in the sunlight, inviting for the people who wanted to see the King of Macedon and one who currently seated amongst the high council of Greece. They all waited in reverent silence, but the stadium would explode with applause once the announcement was made that the King would enter.

Olympias sat on her throne next to the new Queen of Macedon, who carried her infant with her, a baby boy. The dark haired woman had taken a second glance at the child and knew that it would not live long in these conditions, seeing as it breathed difficulty. It produced a faint smile on her face, but she masked it well as she sat down.

Philip entered the stadium under the sound of trompets, and lifted his hands in the air, receiving the applause of thousands. Alexander waited together with the Guard for his entrance, standing next to Hephaestion and searching for his hand, receiving a small squeeze from the young man beside him. Hephaestion had remained stoic, as was custom for the soldiers, but he was glad for Alexanders presence.

Everyone startled however when one of the soldiers broke the rule and ran out towards the stadium through the dark corridor. It was the dreaded feeling Alexander had been waiting for throughout the whole day, but it went too fast for him to do anything against it.

"Pausanias."

The King whispered the name of the soldier in unbelief.

"I told the Guard to stay with…"

He didn't get any further, the dagger stabbed him deeply and hit his heart. He faintly heard the scream of his son behind him, the outcry of Pausanias himself who tried to run away. Then the blessed dark enveloped him and he knew nothing.

Alexander ran towards his father together with the rest of the Guard. Two of them immediately ran to Pausanias who was trying to flee and killed him on the spot. Alexander didn't care for this as he kneeled by his father and began to sob. He directed his gaze towards Olympias, the only calm woman inside the entire stadium. She looked at him with a knowing glance.

"Alexander, get up… get up!"

The calm voice sounded behind him and he got pulled upon his feet. Startling blue eyes looked at him and he felt a weight being settled upon his head.

"Long live the King!" Hephaestion cried out next to him and the people took it over. Alexander became the new King of Macedon.

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

Xzanayu: I have made the story so that it doesn't concentrate on that, but it would have been a good angle.

Nelia: Thank you –smiles- And thank you for the effort to review even when it wouldn't let you.

Lexy: I am making my third chapter 'Band of Gold' for my shorties today.

Over a 100 reviews! I love you all so much! –hugs- I would have never guessed. And only one more chapter to go… but the sequel is in the making.