The Crowning of Alexander Chapter 2: Festival Words, an alexander fanfic

Title: "The Crowning of Alexander"

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 2, "Festival Words"

A/N: Thank you both Queendel and MLygia for reviewing. I appreciate your views. Thank you to everyone else reading! Here is the next chapter, so I hope that you all enjoy.

As the prince entered the room a few heads turned. Yet for the most part it was just as he had predicted. Men went about their drinking and fornicating with young prostitutes. Continuing into the room Hephaestion even saw a man groping a young soldier, not afraid to let others see, for the next day he would blame it on his drunkenness. Rolling his eyes Hephaestion entered the room further. Glancing once beside him he made sure that Alexander was still stood just behind him. Alexander no longer was the smiling vision he had been as Hephaestion had helped him dress for the occasion moments ago. He now stared down at the ground, a slight frown on his lips, and avoided looking at others as they passed.

Hephaestion stopped and let Alexander take the lead. Alexander took an arm around Hephaestion's waist and drew him close. He placed a light kiss in his forehead, a token of his admiration for the other, and then looked around the room. This angered him, the entire situation. For the first time, seeing the men and his father here, he began to believe his mother. Anger crept into his mind and he balled his hands into fists. Hephaestion gazed at the side of Alexander's face until he turned to look back at him. Hephaestion frowned a little. He didn't like it when Alexander was in such moods. It only brought depression to him when there was nothing he could do to help him.

"Alexander," Hephaestion said in a melodic whisper. "If you don't want to be here approach your father now. After making an appearance we can leave."

Alexander lightly shook his head. It was his duty to be there, as a son, but foremost as the prince. Thinking of the title made his head spin. Was he really the heir to the throne, the true prince, and if he was how long would it last for? Again he recalled what his mother had told him about Eurydice's child. He didn't want to think of it anymore and with an arm around Hephaestion's waist he drew himself further into the room. Alexander plopped down on a grand couch and Hephaestion glanced around for a moment before sitting down carefully next to the younger prince. Immediately drinks were brought to them by a young Macedonian woman named Amandaey. She was young, carrying a child five months in the womb, and rather beautiful even though she was of a lowly class of palace peasants. Hephaestion took a goblet from her and handed the first to Alexander, then took another glass from himself. After taking the goblets she went away and Hephaestion watched her go.

"You look at her," Alexander asked, hoping that Hephaestion was not attracted to the girl. He didn't want him to be attracted to any other in fact. Hephaestion continued to watch Amandeay as she went into the shadows. After she disappeared Hephaestion turned back to Alexander, his blue eyes taking in the accusation, and Alexander knew he'd spoken too bitterly to him. Of course Hephaestion did not lust for her. It was foolish to think that he had.

"No, I just wonder," Hephaestion said as he took a sip of his wine. He looked around the room for a few moments. There were many people that he recognized and many that he did not. He assumed that the half he could not recognize were Attalus' men. Still, he wondered about each and every one of them. Suspicions ran high when your best friend, and love interest, was the prince to the Macedonian throne.

"About what?" Alexander watched as Hephaestion shook his head. It was obvious that he knew something. If he had known about nothing he would not have looked away and sipped from his wine. Alexander looked down at his cup, and without even remembering it, noticed that the cup was almost drained of its contents. Hephaestion's liquid was brought to just below the fill line, which had already been overflowed. He'd always been a light drinker, not because he could not handle the effects, but because he chose not to. Instead he drank only little at such festivities and made sure that he was there if Alexander was to need him. Still the other did not respond and Alexander stared at him. Suddenly he glanced over at Alexander, blushing slightly, and shook his head. Alexander said nothing but continued to stare, crossing his arms, and leaning back. Finally Hephaestion looked over at him, still blushing, and laughed for a second.

"Don't look at me like that," he asked of Alexander. The prince, knowing his power over Hephaestion, only continued to stare. Hephaestion tried to look away. He even made eye contact with Nearchus, Ptolemy, Perdicass, Philotas, Cleitus, and even Cassander who adamantly hated him. But he knew that Alexander still stared at him and he shifted uncomfortably before turning and looking at Alexander again. The prince's face had not changed in the least. "Alexander, that isn't fair."

"Isn't it?"

"There is nothing that I would not tell you," Hephaestion admitted, keeping eye contact with Alexander. Alexander was always taken aback by the blue of his eyes. They were his true gift, if only one physical characteristic could be one's blessing. Then, Hephaestion sighed and stared at the dark liquid in his cup. When he looked back at Alexander it was clear that he'd given up and he was going to give Alexander the answers that he wanted. "It is a suspicion that is either wrong, or would hurt you if it was correct."

"Involving Amandeay?"

"Yes," Hephaestion said, taking a slight breath as he watched Cassander shove Nearchus over some argument they had. It was clear that they were just as uneasy as many of Alexander's friends. None of the Companions liked the idea of Philip wedding Eurydice. "I just wonder about the child, that's all."

"What do you wonder about?"

Hephaestion glanced over at him but quickly averted his eyes. Alexander drew in a breath and drank the rest of his wine. He already knew what Hephaestion meant. It didn't surprise him that Hephaestion knew who the father of the child was. Even now, Alexander watched Amandeay walk past the slave she was in a sense married to, and saw they exchange smiles before going on their ways. If Hephaestion thought that the child was not that man's, then it was not his. Hephaestion had a way of knowing these things. He seemed to know most of the going ons in the palace. Alexander held his goblet tight with a hand and then looked at Hephaestion.

"I just wonder if," Hephaestion said, turning to meet his eyes even though it was clear he did not want to speak the following words. "If…perhaps the child is not the child of Marcus."

"Who's child would it be then," Alexander asked as he sank lower on the couch. The answer had already been said when Hephaestion had looked over at him with a sorrow in his eyes. Hephaestion took another sip of wine before exhaling and then answering as quietly as he possibly could.

"Philip's."

Alexander met Hephaestion's eyes. There was a pain in Hephaestion's eyes. Alexander immediately knew that he should stop using his power over him to force Hephaestion to answer his questions. It hurt Hephaestion more to have to speak it and risk hurting Alexander than the truthful statement hurt Alexander. Sighing as he saw another man enter the room Alexander motioned for a wine patron to come bring him more wine. As the wine was poured into his goblet Hephaestion glanced over at him, knowing that things may not end well tonight. The slave left shortly after the wine was poured and in a soft whisper Hephaestion called his name, and put his hand over Alexander's.

"We can leave," Hephaestion assured him, "if you would like."

"Look at him," Alexander said begrudgingly as he stared at Attalus. "He thinks that this has become his kingdom through his daughter. But I swear it Hephaestion, it will never belong to him, nor to that child that Eurydice carries."

"You sound like your mother," Hephaestion told him as he raised and eyebrow and drank again from his cup. He took his hand away from Alexander's when he saw Cassander approaching with Ptolemy, Nearchus, and Perdicass. Alexander did not have time to respond back to Hephaestion's comment, yet if he'd had the time, he would not have been able to argue the statement. He did sound like his mother. Yet, his mother was right about things, as she generally was. This time he was just realizing her statements were true before it was too late for him to act.

"My prince Alexander," Cassander said as he raised his cup and took a swig of wine. He then glanced over at Hephaestion. The feud between them had been going on for some time. Alexander had never understood it and no matter how he tried to hinder their insults and arguments it seemed they would always find a way to fight. At first Hephaestion had taken Cassander's words, but after a few months, he had learned to defend himself. Now, years later, it still continued. Tonight was no different. Cassander raised his cup to Hephaestion as well. "And to the whore as well, of course."

"Perhaps you should ask your father for more funds Cassander," Hephaestion shot bitterly back. "It appears that not only can you afford me, but whoever you buy your insults off of is rather dull and you need to find a better man."

"Better to buy my jokes from a man than to be bent over by him."

"Cassander," Alexander cut in before it could get worse. Cassander did not need to name Alexander as this man. Cassander, and a few others, suspected the relationship between the prince and Hephaestion. It was not frowned upon during campaigns of elder men, yet with women around at a time with no war, people had to wonder. "I advise you to hold you tongue."

"Attalus arrived," Perdicass pointed out. "Had I been but a few steps closer I would have been able to stab him."

"Let his comment pass," Ptolemy advised the prince. "Your father will marry Eurydice, but despite what others say, you shall still be named Philip's heir."

"What people," Alexander asked. He already knew that others had begun to speak his mother's words as well. Sighing Alexander shook his head, and those around him knew not to answer. The question had been rhetorical. Then, Alexander heard the words of Attalus, and they caused him to stand. As soon as he rose Hephaestion leapt up to follow him, and the rest of the Companions followed as well. Alexander didn't mind shoving people out of his way. But the words Attalus said could not go undefended.

"Serves you right for listening to your council," the elder man continued with a satiric laugh in his voice. "Marrying a barbarian sorceress was not your best idea. Especially after that bastard of Zeus's she produced. That is who she claims Alexander's father to be, is it not?"

"No other," Philip laughed as well. "Do not fret about Olympias though. She shall be taken care of as soon as the time is right. I must wait until after my marriage though. I cannot cause the gods to wish ill fate against me yet."

"Ha, the gods would thank you for killing that sorceress and weaver of lies. The woman is surely mad. I've heard the tales of things she does. Some tell me that she lies with her snakes."

"Boy," Philip greeted when he saw Alexander pass through a group of men. As Alexander approached everything seemed to go quiet. Every pair of eyes in the room turned to see the scene about to take place. It was quite interesting to those around to watch the father and son quarrel as they always did. Yet most knew that this would be the most entertaining of their fights. "Come and meet your new family!"

"He is not my family," Alexander spat. He was then speaking only to Attalus. "You have no right to speak of my mother in such a way. How dare you, you son of a swine herding whore!"

"Alexander," Philip screamed. Hephaestion stepped forward and grabbed Alexander's arm. He tried to pull him back but Alexander slipped away from him. He approached Attalus, rage taking over him, and he shoved the man when he reached him. Attalus was knocked to the ground and suddenly the lines of his men behind him were lunging toward Alexander. Immediately the Companions were eager to attack them. But Alexander held up a hand and the sides stopped as Attalus pushed himself off of the floor. Philip was still giving helpless orders, unable to stand from his drunkenness. "Alexander, apologize now!"

"Never," Alexander defied him. "You let him speak of my mother so! How dare you, for you are no better than he is. How is it that you can allow your own pride to be taken from you."

"You know nothing!"

"Do I not? I can see how Attalus has wound you around his finger. Tell me father, am I or am I not the heir to the throne!" Alexander felt Hephaestion take a step closer to him and was not almost touching his shoulder with his own. Cassander had crossed his arms but was more than ready to reach for the blade concealed against his leg.

"Now is not the time."

"I believe it is," Attalus told the king, angry to have been pushed down by such a brat. "Tell him that the throne will not be his. After all, you are not Philip's child. You are the child of Zeus."

Alexander lunged at the man again, this time for his mockery. Hephaestion grabbed him and pulled him back though. As Attalus approached, fists balled, Hephaestion turned Alexander around. Instead of striking Alexander, Attalus hit the back of Hephaestion's head. Alexander tried still to fight the man, despite the fact that Hephaestion stood between them, pushing Alexander away. Hephaestion hadn't even been phased by the punch, but when he was hit in the back where his spine met his shoulders he let out a hiss of pain. Alexander was able to brush past Hephaestion at this time and slammed his own fist into Attalus' face. The man staggered back, nose bleeding.

"Too cowardly to fight me," Alexander said as Attalus backed away. "Is that why you hit him? Are you still too cowardly, are you? Or is it that you find your power from degrading my mother!"

"Alexander," Philip demanded. "Get out! If you say another word against Attalus, who is now family, then you will not be my family!"

"Then I am not your son," Alexander shouted, tears coming to his eyes. His face was red and veins showed on his arms. He shook his head at his father. "Tell me, was I ever to get the throne, or did you always plan for something else?"

"I never planned for you," Philip said as he tried to rise, but fell to the floor. Alexander screamed and looked around those that looked at him. Philip was being helped up and he could feel Hephaestion's breath against his neck. He was close, in case he was again needed. Cassander had slipped away though and was on his way to pick a fight with one of Attalus' men that had stepped out onto a veranda. Alexander would not know this until later though. Meanwhile, Philip was helped up, and tried to stand but could only do so with help.

"This is the man you choose to follow," Alexander yelled to all that heard him. "How can you go anywhere with him as your leader? He can't even get from couch to couch."

"I disown you," Philip screamed out as Alexander turned and walked away. Alexander was at the door when he heard Philip's words. He stopped and turned to look at his father. The pain was obvious in his eyes, but in the end, he left the room.

Olympias took a step away from where she stood but was still able to see the going ons in the dining room. She watched as Philip was helped sit back down. She made a slight sound of disgust as she rolled her eyes. Uncrossing her arms she began to walk swiftly down the hall. She knew that as she did Philip was listing the names of those that he wanted to be exiled. As for Alexander, he would disown him. Olympias hurried and was able to meet Alexander at the doors of the palace. Already he'd thrown together a quick bag, planning to leave Macedonia forever.

"Alexander," she said as she grabbed his arm. "Alexander you do not have to do this. You are the prince, this is your home. Let your father sleep off the wine and tomorrow he shall change his mind. I swear to you Alexander, I will do what I have to do to keep him away from you. Please, do not go."

"I am not his son," Alexander said bitterly as he exited, stepping into the darkening night. Olympias followed him, along with Hephaestion, Perdicass, Cassander, Ptolemy, and Nearchus. There were pages already holding horses, the news of Alexander's departure spreading like fires on the dry grasslands in the summer. Alexander threw his bag onto Bucephalus, then turned to face her. As he did this the rest of his companions mounted their steeds, and Hephaestion took Bucephalus' reins from the page from atop his own horse. "I will send word for you when I find a safe place. Then, you too can be free of him."

"Alexander, you cannot go."

"Why? Do you think that mercenaries would take the time to track me tonight? I know him as well as you. He can try to kill me, but it will not work mother. Just go inside, go to your rooms, and stay there for the night."

"Alexander," Cassander said as his horse pawed at the ground, "I think that now would be the best time to get started."

"You cannot take them all," Olympias told him quietly. She already knew that Philip had not exiled Hephaestion. He would have told a general, Cleitus likely enough, those that were to leave. Never could he say Hephaestion's name when he was drunk. That meant that if Hephaestion left Philip would surely send mercenaries after the group. Just to be spiteful. "Alexander, do not risk their lives. If you must go, do not take them with you."

"He's exiled them too."

"Not Hephaestion."

Alexander drew in a worried breath. He looked over at Hephaestion, who had heard Olympias' words. The prince looked back to his mother then and took her by her arm. He pulled her farther away from the rest. Staring at her he shook his head. He could not let Hephaestion leave his side, nor would Hephaestion allow it. Tears were stinging his eyes, but he was still defiant. Hephaestion was his and no other would be able to take him away from him.

"Philip will have him killed," Olympias said in a truthful tone, her words light, but rather serious. She put a hand to Alexander's cheek. "Alexander, you risk his life if he goes with you. Do not give Philip a reason to send mercenaries after you. Let this blow over and then he will send for you to come back. It is not hard to know where you will be. Please, for me my son, do not sign away your life to that drunkard."

"Hephaestion goes with me."

"Do you want him to be killed," she asked. Alexander shook his head. It had been a rhetorical question, for Olympias knew that Alexander loved the other man and would wish him no harm. "Tell him to stay Alexander. Force him to if you must, yet it has to be done."

"He'll want him dead anyway."

"No. I will protect him Alexander, I swear it."

Alexander pulled away from her and went to Hephaestion, who had already dismounted. Wrapping his arms around him Alexander held him for a moment. To those looking at the pair it only appeared to be a friendly hug. But for Hephaestion, it was so much more. He knew what Alexander was going to tell him and did not like a word of it.

"Stay," Alexander whispered into his ear. He then pulled away and stared at the cerulean eyes he loved so much. "Just for a little while, stay here and watch after my mother for me. I will send for you when I know that it is safe."

"Alexander," Hephaestion pleaded, "I cannot remain here while you leave. I know what I risk in going. I know Philip's punishments. They do not matter to me Alexander. I cannot let you leave me."

"I'm not leaving you, Phae. It will only be a few days. Please, I cannot sort things out without knowing that you will be all right. Hephaestion, I ask that you do not make this hard for me. Don't fight me this time, for once."

"Alexander," Hephaestion said, holding back tears. He then wrapped his arms around him once more and when he let him go Alexander mounted Bucephalus. Alexander looked down at him, eyes glossy with tears as well, and then kicked Bucephalus into a full run. Hephaestion remained, standing alone, and could do nothing more than watch him go. Grief washed through him, but Olympias on the other hand was only smiling. With Hephaestion here, she knew that her plan would easily fall into place.