Title: "The First Campaign"

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 8, "Returning to Pella"

A/N: Alright, the Hephaestion torture is going to stop. The wound on his thigh is still healing, so there will be some pain there though. Otherwise, things will get better. Not to mention – I know the last chapter was completely evil of me. It just made sense.

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Alexander tried hard not to glance over his shoulder once more. He knew that Hephaestion was there. The small path left little room for anyone to do but follow. As they began to round a curve Alexander quickly glanced over his shoulder despite knowing that Cassander was watching him with scrutinizing eyes. He had been since they had left the battle field days ago.

As he already knew Hephaestion's horse was a few strides back. He rode a gray stallion that another man would no longer need. Hephaestion was grateful but at the same time would have much better liked to have his old horseback. Cassander had been gentle though, telling Hephaestion that the horse had died, when Alexander could find no explanation. Of course Cassander had left a very important detail out, but Alexander did not find it important to dishearten Hephaestion. He didn't need that right now.

Hephaestion rode next to Cassander, despite the fact that the two had never gotten along. Alexander could not imagine to know why. Cassander knew why though and deep down so did Hephaestion. For some odd reason Cassander hated the fact that Alexander did not favor him in the way that he always had Hephaestion. It was not even the romance that bothered him. It was everything else, but also slightly that.

Cassander knew that he was just as good as Hephaestion in everything that they did. Why Alexander had chosen to be closest with Hephaestion, he did not know. The prince had always favored the blue eyed one though. Even when they were children and the thoughts he knew very well Alexander now had did not exist in their minds the prince had ceaselessly sided with Hephaestion. It bothered him, so he had no trouble making constant jabs at Hephaestion. He would jab at Alexander too if he did not fear the consequences, not to mention he still held a shred of hope. Perhaps one day Alexander would see him as well, not just Hephaestion.

"Almost there," Cassander said as they rounded the bend. He then glanced over at Hephaestion. Okay, maybe he could see why Alexander chose to be infatuated with Hephaestion. Cassander could not protest to Hephaestion's remarkable beauty. His eyes were unlike any others and his features were perfectly sculpted. If he dressed up, Cassander thought he would pass for a woman. "You'll need a bath."

Hephaestion glanced over at him, knowing the comment was directed at him. It was no secret that Cassander had never liked him. Many knew it but decided to look past it. Hephaestion knew though, and Cassander knew, and that was enough. The glare he gave Cassander was enough to show his feelings towards the other. Cassander sighed and turned to look at Hephaestion. It was hard to be rude to him when he had risked his life in battle. Not that he cared.

"I mean to keep the wound clean," Cassander said, and it pained him. He had never been one to apologize. He knew that this was not really what he was doing, he was merely getting something straight, but the comment was still better as a blow to Hephaestion's self esteem. If the world were perfect it would have remained what he wanted it to. But for some reason he had softened on the ride back to Pella. There must be something in the wine.

"So are you still not speaking to me," Cassander asked Hephaestion. He got no response. What was the point of trying to be nice then? Cassander glanced over at him. Well, if he wasn't going to reply, he might as well give him a piece of his mind. He began to speak, but quietly so no other could hear. "Is it because I won't kiss you the way that he does?"

This got his attention. Hephaestion immediately turned to look at Cassander. His eyes showed nothing but fear and question. Cassander knew that look. Hephaestion wondered if he actually knew something about him and Alexander. Well, of course he knew, otherwise he would not be able to say such things. But the bewilderment in Hephaestion's eyes was enough to make him want to treasure the moment.

"What," Hephaestion finally managed to ask, "are you talking about?"

Cassander smiled evilly. "Come on Hephaestion, do you honestly think that I don't know? I saw the other night when he left your tent, after the battle. He was breathing like he'd just been with a whore. That's what you are you know, the prince's whore."

"I am no such thing and you are a fool to speak such things. If Alexander were to find out do you know what he would do to you?"

"Um, ask me how I knew. Same thing you're doing."

"Shut up!"

"Don't worry," Cassander sighed. He was surprised to see Hephaestion so mad at him. If he had the strength he might leap at him from his horse. Cassander looked ahead for a moment. Alexander looked back but what could he hear? "I will not say anything as long as you promise me something."

"There is nothing to say."

"Suit yourself," Cassander said as he kicked his horse into a faster walk. Hephaestion remained behind for a moment. But he then kicked his horse lightly and caught up. As he rode closer to Cassander he noticed that Alexander had looked back again. This time Hephaestion wanted to give him some kind of signal but couldn't. Instead he slowed next to Cassander.

"Oh, you're back."

"Suppose it were true," Hephaestion said in barely a voice above a whisper. "What would you want for me to promise you?"

"Admitting it finally, I'm glad," Cassander said with a smile. He didn't wait for Hephaestion to try to deny anything. He knew that if he gave him the opportunity he would say something like he was just curious, but it still was a false accusation. Cassander knew better though. "You know Alexander, you see the power he has. Someday he will be the ruler of Macedonia and I have a feeling he will follow in his father's footsteps. I just ask one thing."

"What?"

"If you are ever lying next to him in bed, and he begins to tell you about how he plans to get rid of me for some foolish reason or something foolish I have done, will you tell me before he sends an assassin to take care of me?"

"Cassander, we haven't…"

"You will," Cassander said, his voice not faltering. It was as if he had known what Hephaestion's response would be. "For now just promise me that, will you?"

"You have my word," Hephaestion agreed. It was easy to tell that he could not figure out why Cassander had asked for something so odd. He looked at Cassander once more. Then he brought his horse farther away from Cassander's and continued to look ahead in silence. He did not speak again until they reached the palace and he was about to dismount.

"Be careful," Cassander warned him before he could begin to swing a leg over. Hephaestion paused and sent Cassander a glare. The worst thing was he knew that Cassander was right. Nevertheless, he swung the better of his legs over the horse and slid to the ground. On the instant that he hit the ground he gritted his teeth and wished he had not made such a foolish decision. Yet before he had time to think of anything else, he saw Olympias coming from the palace.

"Alexander," she said softly as she wrapped her arms around her son. Her eyes shimmered as they had when he left. Now she was proud to see him home, and especially since she knew that he had won the battle he faced. She looked him over for a moment. "Look at your arm, my poor thing. I knew that your father would not mind risking you in the first battle he saw fit. Is that the only injury you suffered?"

"Mother," Alexander breathed, "do not make this a feud."

"You know that I only worry for you Alexander. I am glad to see you home though. You have changed, I see it in your eyes. Battles do that to a man. And that is what you are now, a man, no longer my little boy."

Alexander smiled. For once it seemed that she was actually proud of something he had done. Often times she claimed to be but would later turn things around to tell him how terrible his father was. But now, she had let it go. She worried for only him and was proud for only him.

"Tell me, how was everything?"

"I'm not sure. It was a battle I suppose. There were those that were killed, those that were injured. It was a battle. What more can I say?"

"Your wound looks bad," she said as she reached out and put a finger against the cut flesh. She ran her finger over it for a moment. Then she glanced up at Alexander. It didn't bleed, it didn't look terrible, but on her boy it was horrifying to her.

"You should see Hephaestion," Alexander told her before he knew he had. She looked behind him and spotted Hephaestion. Immediately she approached him. She was torn between liking the boy and hating him. On one hand he was good to Alexander, was a great friend, would never betray him, and thus Alexander had come to like him more than all of the others. But on the other hand he was good to Alexander, was a great friend, would never betray him, and this Alexander had come to like him more than all of the others. That made him dangerous, the fact that Alexander was close to him. As a king he would have to be close to no one.

"Hephaestion," she said as she approached, stopping a short distance away from him. Instantly she saw what Alexander spoke of. The poor boy's leg looked frightful. His thigh not only had a vicious looking cut from a barbarian's blade, but a bruise that covered his entire thigh. The bruise was surreal, appearing to be black, blue, purple, and green at the same time. Olympias found herself kneeling down to look at the sight.

"Damn Ares and the things he does," she whispered as she looked at Hephaestion's thigh. She knew that it made him uncomfortable. She could tell by the way he shifted his weight and looked to Alexander for support. Olympias then stood and came closer, and knelt down again. This time she ran a finger over the line of stitches on Hephaestion's leg. "Does that still hurt?"

"Yes," Hephaestion admitted.

"You will have to have Alexander bring you to my rooms later. I have a lotion that will ease the pain better than any salve a physician could have given you."

"Thank you, my Queen."

Olympias stood and found that Alexander was now standing next to her. She seemed to realize it now. She had always had her fears but the way that Alexander looked at him now gave it away. Something that bothered her even more was that Hephaestion had the same look, except he tried to be decent and hide it in public. His blue eyes glanced up, met Alexander, and he then sheepishly looked back to the ground.

"Alexander," she said then, "I know that you must be exhausted from your trip home, but would you mind coming with me for a moment. I must speak with you. It shan't but take a few minutes."

"Of course," Alexander said. He glanced at Hephaestion and then turned to Olympias. "I will be there in just a moment."

Olympias only smiled, "Don't be too long."

It took him long enough though. Just as she was beginning to stand in her room so that she could go to the balcony to see if he was still with Hephaestion, the doors to her room opened. Alexander said something to the guards as he entered. As soon as the doors shut Olympias' smile quickly faded.

"What are you thinking Alexander," was all she had to say to make him freeze. He knew instantly that this was going to be another long lecture. What he did not know was what she was talking about.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play games with me Alexander. I'm talking about Hephaestion Amyntor, your general, and even your friend. But never was he given the title to be your lover."

"Mother," he began but was quickly stopped.

"End this relationship now Alexander, it will only bring you pain, even if it is Hephaestion. He will make a wonderful general, and he can be your friend. But as the future king he can be nothing more to you."

"Do you fear what others would think," Alexander spat. "They don't seem to mind father do they?"

"Philip would sleep with a pig if the chance came about. This is not about others Alexander, it is about you." She stood and came closer, putting a hand on his cheek. "My boy, I wish I did not have to say these things to you. You know that I am right though. Hephaestion will only love you for so long, but it will end. It always ends."

"What do you know," Alexander said as he pushed past her. He meant it too. What did she know about Hephaestion? She knew nothing, because she didn't care. She cared only about herself and making him king so that she would be able to rule through him. "Nothing has even happened between us. There is no relationship."

"There is, whether or not you see it. Even the looks you share shows it. Alexander, you are to be king. Once that day comes there will be no one that will not betray you. Indeed, Hephaestion is your friend now, but he will not be in the future. Separate yourself from him now before it is too late."

"You don't understand."

"Do you think that I don't understand," she screamed at him. "How dare you say something like that to me! Where do you find the nerve? You have seen what your father puts me through. You have always seen it. Do you think that I don't know about the things power will do to a man? Hephaestion is a nice boy, but he won't be once he is offered gold and glory, and power. It drives the hearts of all men."

"Hephaestion is not father," Alexander said as he began to retreat. He didn't want to hear anymore. He wasn't sure if he could stand to listen to another word of this. Olympias did not follow him though. Instead she just called after him.

"Alexander," she said, and he glanced over his shoulder. "Do not say that I did not warn you."

Alexander pushed the door open and left the room. Olympias watched him go, then sat down in her chair. She let tears fall from her eyes. How could he not see it? But she knew that without Hephaestion, Alexander would be nothing. The two were one and it was meant to be. How cruel the Fates could be.