ATG fic: You are nothing without me (1/7)
Author notes: Special thanks for my sweetest beta Myr and Thank you for all your feedback and support.
/.../ indicate thoughts
Epilogue
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Ptolemy felt tension between Alexander and Hephaistion. After three months of postponing the Arabia campaign, it was now summer time and Alexander ought to move his army and follow his dream now, or he would have to wait next year.
After many arguments, the final decision had been made. Hephaistion would stay in the city of Euphrates while Alexander went on with his new task of conquering Arabia. It was the decision they agreed between them, as Alexander could not take the risk his lover's life and Hephaistion could not see Alexander's dream rot away, perished in the small desolate town. For Hephaistion, Alexander had the heart of a conqueror but without that, the Alexander that he loved did simply not exist.
Ptolemy looked into Hephaistion's saddened eyes, full of love and loyalty toward Alexander, and it reminded him of his talk with Hephaistion a few weeks ago.
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/"Are you happy, Hephaistion?" Ptolemy looked at the man in front of him who now enjoyed himself looking at Alexander squandered around his soldiers.
"Sure, why? Ptolemy, don't I look happy?"
"Yes, you are and he seems so as well."
Hephaistion turned to face Ptolemy, cocked his head and smiled lightly. Those blue eyes, no wonder everyone said that Hephaistion was a witch. With the eyes like that, who could avoid falling for him?
"What do you want to do next Hephaistion?"
"Arabia, Ptolemy. Alexander dreams to go there, you know that."
"Yes, I know that this Alexander's dream, Hephaistion, However, how about your dreams, what are your dreams? What do you want to achieve Hephaistion?" Ptolemy looked intensely into Hephaistion's eyes while his friend grinned at him and turned his face back to watch Alexander.
"There, Ptolemy."
"What?"
"There, don't you see, the most beautiful and greatest city in the world. I am so proud to be part of the group who moulded him and I feel blessed by the gods to be loved by him, City of mine. For me, the city is not the bricks or the wood that we used to build it or the land we conquered, Ptolemy, but it is the heart. Do you see how those people love Alexander and the things Alexander did for them? Do you see how great he is, standing in the middle of a war, or how beautiful he is along with these soldiers, our family and friends? He is my dream, Ptolemy. My dream is to be with him and make him happy. My dream is for being the person who can assist making his dream come true."
Ptolemy pressed his hand on Hephaistion's shoulder. "He is so lucky to have you by his side, Hephaistion."
"No, I am the one who is lucky, Ptolemy. I am the one who is blessed to be loved by him, the greatest King in the world."
Ptolemy watched Hephaistion's smile and turned to see his friend's glorious dream, Alexander./
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Finally, the mighty Macedonian army was ready to go, and Alexander put his hand on Hephastion's shoulder and whispered to him. "Wait for me, my love. I will come back next winter and there after, I shall never leave you again."
"And can you promise me one thing Phai? Don't look at anyone while I am away." Alexander used his lower childish voice and it lightened his lover's heart a bit. Hephaistion started smiling.
"How can I see anyone else, my King? I am fully occupied by your work here. I will be here when you come back, Alexander." They embraced each other and finally, it was time to let go.
Alexander rode on his horse and turned to the city gate to follow his last dream of conquering Arabia.
Before Alexander passed the city gate, he heard the gallop and he turned to see his lover riding toward him.
When their horses were standing next to each other, Hephaistion smiled to Alexander. "I will go with you Alexander."
"No, you will not Hephaistion. You know what the priest said."
"Everyone will die one day, my Alexander. I am willing to stay one more minute with you rather than staying hundred years without you. Please let me follow you."
Tears dropped from his eyes and traced his cheeks as he pulled his beloved general into his arms to embrace. "Then come with me Hephaistion. We will always be together till the end."
After Alexander left Euphrates. He headed to Ectbatana to follow his dream in conquering the new land of Arabia. As the priest of Euphrates had warned, Hephaistion fell ill and died in Ectbatana while he followed the last journey of Alexander's dream.
The end
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Although Hephaistion's name was never recorded as the greatest general, compared to the great conqueror Alexander, but he was noted as the man who conquered Alexander's heart and supported the great king until the last day of his life.