Title: Royal Slave
Author: Adsagsona
Type: Romance/Drama
Rating: R
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: None.
Beta: None.
Pairing: Alexander/Hephaestion
Archive: Right here.
Author's Note: This is a sequel to the story 'By my side'. AU, Hephaestion has come to Philips court as a slave, but found a place as the loyal companion of Alexander.
Summary: Alexanders army stumbles upon the land of Lord Amyntor. Suddenly Hephaestion reacts strangely and reveals something about himself which had not been forseen.
Royal slave – Chapter 5
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He didn't remember when attending a meeting had been this difficult. Hephaestion sighed as he set his feet on the ground and took up the clothes he had worn before coming to Alexanders bed. The young King was now watching him and did not say a word. Normally, he would have laughed and pulled Hephaestion back to bed with him. Today, things were different, the General was different.
"Where are you going?"
"To my men, to prepare them for the meeting. You want them in best form, I presume, so that you can show Amyntor your strength?"
Alexander swiftly noticed that Hephaestion talked about his father like he would about any other enemy, but his voice trembled and he looked more than just a little troubled by this. The young man understood, he did not know exactly through what Hephaestion had gone through, but it would be enough to hate the man he had to call his father.
"No, it is not necessary. The meeting will be rather intimate and I don't want to scare this man. He could be worth something to us, I have understood that he has a rather vast army which could be used to our disposal. Of course, if he surrenders without question."
"He never will."
Sapphire eyes finally looked up towards the King and a wry smile played about Hepheastions lips.
"If my father has not changed over the years, and I know that he will not have, then there is not a chance on earth that he will surrender. Don't waste your breath on him, Alexander."
"We'll see." The young man answered before nodding to the other that he could go. Hephaestion was very grateful for this and kissed Alexander on the lips before hurrying out of the tent. Not having to tend to his soldiers implied that he would have the time to think, sit alone and take care of himself. Alexander felt that he needed that right now.
"This is it."
The soft whisper came from one of the young Generals who surrounded Alexander in the large royal tent. Although the King had said that this would be a normal social gathering, they had seen to it that they were armed, albeit without too much of a fuss. They made sure that the visitors would not carry any weapons however.
The tent had been made out of a white linnen, but the inside was set off with wall carpets which Alexander had brought with him from Egypt. There would be a feast after the meeting, but first there was some kind of hearing from Lord Amyntor, by King Alexander himself, of course.
The King had dressed for the occasion, although it was not truly remarkable… the cape and tunic were expensive, but simple. He was at war and did not want anyone to think that he had it better than they, although all knew. Alexander had always tried to be a King of his people. He sat down, his Generals standing on either side of him with their arms crossed over their chest. He would let Amyntor know that his soldiers were not to mess with and he hoped that the message would come across.
Together with the knowledge that the man would probably recognise his son, Alexander would have some important advantages to him. He had been able to invade this land with a great army, plus a son and an heir to the throne of this land. An heir who hated the current holder of the throne, his own father.
Hephaestion stood farthest away from Alexander, almost pressed into a corner, but not quite. He had enough room to show himself and he stood proudly, but one who knew him well could see that he was very nervous. For the first time in more than ten years he would again see this man who had abandoned him when he needed him the most. A man who he should call father, but had never been allowed to.
On the sound of horns, Alexander rose and waited for Lord Amyntor to enter. When the man did so, the young King understood why Hephaestion had thought of him like a tyrant, because he had the look of a giant. Where Alexanders companion had found his slender built, he did not know, but it was certainly not from this man. The King dared to cast a glance at Hephaestion, who was staring towards the back of the tent.
The young man had taken one glance at his father and thought only one thing. 'He is getting old'. Hephaestion had expected his father to be just as young and athletic as ten years ago, but he had changed for the worse. While Hephaestion himself had gone from a boy to a soldier, Lord Amyntors hair had gone grey and wrinkles were starting to show, hard lines at his mouth and eyes.
"King Alexander."
Thunder rolled out of the mouth of this man, but he spoke with respect.
"My lord Amyntor." Alexander replied with the most gentle of voices before he nodded and sat down so that he would not be bigger than the other. The man had only cast a glance at the Generals standing around Alexander, but had not found his son.
"We are here to speak about business, Lord Amyntor." Alexander came straight to the point as he tapped his fingers together. "I have a forty thousand men strong army, which I don't like to lose, but… there is your land to consider. I know that your army has quite a reputation as well, but still they are no match when outnumbered. I ask of you to surrender."
"No."
The reply came swiftly and simple, while the man inside was seething with angry. How did this snotty brat think he was going to react? Crossing his arms over his chest now, he glanced over the row of insolent young men who acted as… soldiers for Alexander, or so he presumed. The King noticed the look and thought it time for his surprise.
"These are my Generals, Lord Amyntor. They are my loyal men at all times and have proven themselves worthy on many occasions."
When there came no answer he continued to introduce them.
"…Nearchos, the man of the Seven Seas, Ptolemy, Pericchas… and lastly, Hephaestion."
It was the first time Lord Amyntor showed any sign of recognition. His own sapphire eyes blinked a few times and he looked towards the back of the row, where a rather tall, slender young man stared into the deep. He could only faintly make out his traits, the long hair, the hint of stubble on his cheeks…
"Hephaestion is a peculiar name for a Macedonian."
The General in question raised his head, his voice sounded cool, almost laid in ice when he answered.
"It is not a Macedonian name, My Lord. It is Greek… and from these parts."
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Koalared: Sorry love, but the real meeting is for the next chapter, I promise.
Queendel: Ah.. I have something more evil up my sleeve –grins-
Nelia: They will always make up again! I'll mail you when I have the time :s Which is lacking at the moment, ugh. Dammit real life!