Title: "The Persian Campaign"

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 18, "Campaigning"

A/N: I have to put to rest this one question. While Bagoas does find Cassander attractive, and interesting, he won't peruse him and Cassander will not either. It would be an interesting story though, perhaps one that will be written in the future. For now, we'll get back to this interesting love triangle I've woven. This is the end of this story, and begins with a new rendition of the balcony scene. I've seen so many fics with Alexander and Hephaestion on the balcony…but…Cassander had a balcony too! Yet, alas, the end is a little saddening, for some myths fade away into history.

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One Month Later…

He put his hand on the ledge of the balcony. The fresh air flowed into his lungs, and already he felt as if he was again back to living. He continued to stare out at Persia. The rich colors and the grand architecture made the city worth looking at. There was no place in the world that looked as rich as this city. He stared out, wondering if it had always looked like this. Of course it hadn't, but oh, look at what it had become. After standing for some time just breathing in the fresh air, blown by the wind, he felt a hand on his lower back. Silently Hephaestion stood beside him, staring out at the same wonder. Hephaestion's cerulean eyes took everything in, as did his darker ones.

There was something perfect about the two of them. They both seemed to see the beauty in this place. But even as they stared at the wonder they heard the sharpening of swords. He watched as the corners of Hephaestion's mouth sunk down into a slight frown. But he didn't frown, instead he only sighed and then reached over and put a hand on Hephaestion's shoulder. It brought the general instant comfort. Hephaestion turned his eyes back to his own. He then tried to smile lightly.

"It won't be so terrible," he whispered to the beautiful blue eyed one. He leaned closer and pressed a small kiss to his lips. After doing so he let go of Hephaestion's shoulder and looked away. Still he had to remember to keep at least some distance. "Did you ask him?"

"We are still leaving," Hephaestion confirmed. He then let out a small breath, looking nervously into the distance. After a moment he then glanced over at Cassander. "Have you ever feared it Cassander?"

"Who hasn't," Cassander asked with a slight laugh. He shook his head for a moment. He then glanced over at Hephaestion and shook his head once more. "No, I've never feared it."

"Why?"

"Because," he said, now slightly frowning. "Everything is up to the Fates, is it not? Well, I suppose that you don't have to believe it. It doesn't matter to me I suppose. You go with your king, you fight, fight the best you can. If you live, then you do the same thing again until Alexander decides to stop. But if you are to die, you didn't fight hard enough. You deserve to die if you aren't fighting for you life hard enough, because if you were, you'd be alive."

"Do you believe that," Hephaestion asked after letting silence begin to come between them. He released a small breath and then glanced over at Cassander. Cassander continued to stare straight, staring out at the Persian Empire that Alexander was already tired of. No, not tired, but he still wanted more. After a moment Cassander nodded.

"Yes." Hephaestion was silent beside him. Quickly he glanced over at him, stared at the beauty of his turned face. His eyes were that of the ocean. His body was molded from the flesh of the gods. He wanted to reach out and touch him, but he refrained. "What can I do to soothe you Hephaestion?"

"Tell me what you think, about this new campaign. Tell me what you think of going farther, searching for the end of the world. Just tell me what you think, something not so depressing. Tell me something that will not make me worry for you throughout my nights."

"You are so lovely when you worry though," Cassander teased. He then glanced over at him, meeting his cerulean eyes completely. Hephaestion wanted an answer, a real one. He wanted an answer that would come from Cassander's soul, not his mind. Cassander put a hand over Hephaestion's and stared at him. "I have never been afraid of dying Hephaestion, but then again, I had nothing in this world to keep me here. I had nothing to care for and protect. Things are different now, for I have you. Hephaestion, when we go to battle, I have already made up my mind how things will be. You shall protect Alexander with your life," this caused Hephaestion to look away, pain in his eyes, but Cassander drew him back to him with his melodic voice. "I know that you will, but how could I ever blame you for doing such? Your heart lies with him, even though it meanders over to me from time to time. This I am content with though. I just want you to know, Hephaestion, that I won't let you fall. I will put every man in my legion in harm's way before I let a sword come close to you. Do you understand? I fear not for myself, but for you, as you fear for Alexander when you should for yourself."

"That," he continued, "is why our army is so strong. We don't fight like our father's before us did. We do not even have the same feelings. They chained their feelings and fought for only themselves when they went to fight. Think about it Hephaestion, how they cared not for the army, but for themselves alone. Not like now, as we follow Alexander, who cares more than Philip ever could have. We care for the goal, whether we want to or not. It is no longer about individuals but about the entirety. That is why we are not beaten. For this, I will not let harm come to you."

"What about the end of the world," Hephaestion said with tears in his eyes. Cassander knew that he'd been with the enthusiastic king of Persia. Hephaestion had been worried about this for two weeks now. Since Alexander had planned it really. Yet now, he was trying to hold back stinging tears, and Cassander finally wrapped his arms around him and held him in a close embrace. Hephaestion gladly threw his arms around him and began to cry freely. "I trust him, I do, but where is this end of the world?"

"Phae," Cassander whispered into his ear, gently stroking his back. "Have you ever thought that there is no end to the world? What if it just keeps going, and going, a temptation to the men like Alexander that came before him and will come after him? It may never end Hephaestion, but some day he will know when to stop. He will know when he can go no further."

"Cass," he cried into his shoulder, smelling the perfumed scent of Cassander's skin as he leaned against him. "I want you to know, that I love you. Cassander –I will always love you."

"I know," Cassander said as he kissed him lightly. He continued to kiss him passionately, sucking on his lower lip, wishing that he could do it every moment for the rest of his life. When the kiss ended he spoke softly to him, his lips brushing against Hephaestion's as he did. "I will never leave you Hephaestion. What I told you, I meant. I will always leave my heart for you. It is yours when you come for it. I'll never refuse you entrance to my heart, nor to my room, nor my tent. If there is anything you need, ever, just tell me. Do you remember what I told you?"

"Yes," Hephaestion said weakly through tears.

"Good," Cassander said as he wiped tears away from Hephaestion's cheek. He then stared at his cerulean eyes for a few moments longer. Then, with a soft smile which Hephaestion returned, he let him go. "Alexander will need you tonight, as much as you need him."

"I wish…I wish there was something I could say. To…to let you know how much I care for you."

"Just come to me some night, many nights from now, and wrap your arms around me when I sleep. That will be enough for me."

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Cassander glanced over his shoulder once more. The city of Babylon was fading away from him. Once again, he let his eyes close and for a moment he prayed to the gods. He wanted them to protect Hephaestion for him. He wanted Alexander to conquer what he needed in the snowy lands of Asia, so that he could then come back here. Perhaps he would then return and would again get to spend days alone with Hephaestion as he had here. The myth, he knew however, would not last. Myths faded in the minds of men until they eventually no longer existed. It was bittersweet, knowing this, but riding out despite that.

The same look spread over the men's faces though, Cassander noticed. Already they were tired. They'd just settled in Babylon and already Alexander was taking them further. Further, and further, until the end of the world. Cassander considered the words he'd spoken to Hephaestion. What if the edge of the world did not exist? It didn't matter though, for he'd be riding the rest of his days with Hephaestion, and Alexander. That was really all that mattered. He had nothing to look behind for, no one behind to miss him, and nothing to return to. Yet, for once in his life, he had something to look forward to.

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Autumn, 334 BC … Ecbatana

He took his clammy hand in his own when there was no one else to sit beside him. He held him tightly, and after a few moments his eyes opened. His head turned and cerulean eyes met his. They were glossy with tears, the edges red, but they still captivated the perfect beauty that the gods had given him. Hephaestion frowned though, when he looked over at the one sitting next to him. He was not displeased to see him, but never before had he seen him crying as he did now. Still frowning, he wasn't sure why Cassander cried, but Cassander cried more than any other man he'd ever seen.

"Shh," Hephaestion soothed him, his voice rasping. Cassander cried more, gripping his hand tighter, and bit his trembling lower lip. Hephaestion pulled Cassander's hand lightly and Cassander without hesitation sunk down. He put his head on Hephaestion's shoulder and wrapped his right arm under his neck. Still, he cried, and again Hephaestion tried to soothe him. He even managed to put an arm on Cassander's back, even though everything in his body was numb, and he hadn't moved for hours.

"Hephaestion," Cassander cried into his shoulder, his tears dampening Hephaestion's hair. He held him even closer, and already he knew. The myth was beginning to fade away. Yet this was a myth that should have never been faded. It was not fair, this world. It was far too cruel. What had Hephaestion ever done to deserve this kind of fate? Cassander could not help but curse the gods, asking them why Hephaestion, when they could have taken him –one that deserved to die. He didn't. Why were they taking their gift to this world away?

"Be strong for me," Hephaestion said, his eyes fluttering shut, then opening again. He felt Cassander's warmth against him, and wanted to savor it. There was nothing that he could do to calm Cassander though. Yet Cassander tried to keep the rest of his tears back, trying not to worry Hephaestion. However, both of them knew what was going on.

"Forgive me," Cassander said, holding his hand, his tears running down his cheeks. Hephaestion frowned again. He didn't know what Cassander was asking forgiveness for. Cassander put a hand on his cheek and then lightly kissed his lips. He left his lips against Hephaestion's, his forehead to the sick man's, and then whispered softly to him. "Forgive me, I have failed you Hephaestion. I couldn't protect you. I couldn't keep you safe, as I said I would. I've failed you Hephaestion."

"But," he replied, raspy, throat burning with pain. "I am your…best failure."

"Of course," Cassander said, smiling at the courage that Hephaestion was showing. He was the one that should have been crying. Yet Cassander could not hold back, not now. He was a wreck, and he wanted Hephaestion to know that he loved him, and that he was distraught. "Hephaestion…I love you."

"I love you," Hephaestion said. The door opened and a doctor entered. Cassander looked over at him, knowing that he would have to leave now if this man was going to help Hephaestion. But he wasn't going to leave Hephaestion without letting him know that he loved him. Cassander leaned down, not caring who was looking, and kissed him deeply. He took his entire mouth with his own, sliding his tongue through the small space of Hephaestion's lips. There, he toyed with him for a moment, feeling the heat between them. Before drawing away he sucked lightly at his lower lip, and pressed more fainter kisses against his swollen lips. Cassander pressed his forehead to Hephaestion's, ran a hand over his hair, then to his cheek. Once again he whispered to him that he loved him, and he then stared into his eyes, and after a few moments left the room. In leaving, he left the myth behind.

He saw Alexander running down the hall, but didn't even try to stop him. Instead he glared at him. Again, Alexander had pushed him away. Yet this time Hephaestion wasn't going to come back to him. He wouldn't even be able to come to Cassander again, as he'd done for the last three months, every night. Cassander watched him pass, then, let his tears flow freely again. Everything from that point on stopped. Time froze until four days later, where when time began to move again, everyone wished that it hadn't. He'd gone from sitting at Hephaestion's side, to standing at his pyre.

Cassander stared at the flames that took his lover. The orange flames danced in his eyes, the feeling of what he really wanted others to see was like these flames. His jaw was tight, and he stood as if the next person to look at him would receive a dagger to the gut. Cassander watched at the flames completely consumed Hephaestion, taking the myth, and leaving Cassander alone in the world. There was hatred in his eyes now, not for Hephaestion, but for the man that stood on the other side of the pyre. He lifted his chin slightly, and Alexander's eyes met with his. It was known then. No other saw the moment that they shared. It wasn't just a moment, but a small revolution, that would change everything that would happen from this day forth.

Flames danced in Cassander's eyes, and tears glistened Alexander's. But both men knew, at that moment, that the thread between them was in the middle now, consumed by flames. The cord was severed. No longer were they going to be friends. For when Alexander looked at Cassander, he knew what his posture and flaming eyes were telling him. It was a war now, between the two of them. Hephaestion, the one that had brought them together, was gone and they were now driven apart.

Cassander tilted his head slightly more, telling Alexander in doing so that he would be the one to cause his death for the neglect he'd inflicted upon Hephaestion. Alexander stared back at him, sadly knowing the look in Cassander's eye. He knew what it meant. Yet, at the same time, he wasn't going to avoid it. Instead, he walked around the pyre, and then made his exit, stopping briefly as Cassander's shoulder. Cassander looked over at him, his eyes still alive with flames, his meaning still evident. Without words spoken, Alexander retreated, leaving Cassander to stare at the swirling flames. Cassander watched as small embers lifted into the sky, and he began to watch the, watching as they rose to meet the stars that Hephaestion had loved so much. Then, for the first time since battle, he felt the weight of the dagger at his side.