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 6

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Saphire eyes met and the older Amyntor watched how Hephaestion made himself known. It seemed like the world turned slower for a few mere seconds. For Alexander, it took an eternity before Hephaestion had finally lifted his head far enough so that Lord Amyntor would catch his gaze and realise who was standing there in front of him. The surprise was large, but Amyntor was amazing at covering it up.

"I see… you are the Macedonian who has taken my son away from me."

The hate was directed squarely at Alexander, who was now a little surprised himself. He had not expected this to turn on him. With a small smile however, he turned towards Lord Amyntor.

"You know as well as I that I am younger than your own son, my Lord. Hephaestion, are you a captive here?"

"No, my King."

"Are you here on your own free will?"

"Yes, my King."

The voice of Hephaestion sounded so very confident, Alexander was proud of him. He had come so far in these last couple of years. The father of the young man began to understand the whole of the picture, some of it. One did not become General of the enemy without a hidden meaning… that, or he had become the enemy himself.

"I want to talk to my son in private."

Alexander thought this request quite remarkable, certainly because the man had not seen his son in ten years. For one moment he wondered if he really loved Hephaestion and cared enough to take him back as a son. That gave him quite a scare, because it meant that the love of his life would now become one of his bitter enemies. He glanced at the young man who was standing so far away from him.

"He does not want to talk to you."

"Does he not have a voice, King Alexander? Or does he speak through you only? Is he not man enough to stand up for himself?"

Lord Amyntor was his usual self, but although Alexander had anticipated it, Hephaestion did not react in the slightest. He did not get angry, did not begin to shout or to curse at his father, merely stood there like a statue.

"This is not over yet, King Alexander."

Lord Amyntor turned away from the audience and walked out of the tent without another word. Alexander cursed softly, the whole thing did not have the wished effect. Plus, he did not want to see the face of his lover right at the moment. Looking up, he knew that he had to, but there was yet again a surprise. Hephaestion had gone.

The young man had hurried away from the whole event, wanting solitude. He closed the flaps of the small warriors tent with tears in his eyes, making sure that he would not be disturbed. This was what he had warned Alexander about, that it would not matter to Amyntor that his son resided in the enemy camp.

Sighing deeply he plopped down on the field bed, which had not been slept in from when he returned to camp. The previous night, when he had met Alexander again, he had returned from an absence of four months. Being the supply master, the one who made contact with the local authorities before hand, the ones they were not at war with, he was gone most of the time. That he did not mind, because it was his task and he knew that it was a part of it, but he missed Alexander during those long nights alone.

"Hephaestion."

He hated that voice, the sarcastic low pun to it. Cassander. One of the best friends of Alexander and the one who looked at Hephaestion for what he was. A slave and nothing more… he never talked to him and the General didn't even oppose to it. He had always disliked Cassander.

"Go away, Cassander."

"Oh no, not when I hear something this interesting. How much of the little story is true?" The dark haired young man asked with a honey dripped voice as he came closer to the slave. Secretly he had always admired the physique of Hephaestion, his wonderous eyes… but he hated the way those same saphires looked at Alexander.

Hephaestion looked over his shoulder to the General who had entered and his eyes hardened. "You don't need to know."

Cassander smiled and shook his head softly.

"No, that is not true. Look what it could do for you, Hephaestion, if it were to be true that you were the son of a nobleman yourself. Alexander announces it for all of the world. I wonder if the real Lord Amyntor is not still in his stronghold. How much did he have to pay for that actor so that the two of you could have your little show?"

"Leave! Now!" Hephaestion hissed as he pointed towards the doorway.

"You, royalty…" Cassander answered with the most disdain he could muster before doing as Hephaestion asked and going away. He did not run into anyone on his way out, but the soft sobbing inside the tent which could be heard almost made him return and apologise. Almost.

The young General cursed himself for being so weak, once he was alone again. Curling up into a ball upon the field bed he let his tears come freely. He should have known that Cassander would find a way to irritate him and make him feel less than he truly was. Now he had done it again. Wrapping his arms around himself he closed his eyes tightly as he wanted to shut out the world around him.

He heard the soft bristle of the tent flap in the air and knew that someone else had entered. Hephaestion refused to open his eyes and look at the intruder of his safe haven. A soft smell entered his nostrils and it returned him to his days at Mieza… there was only one on this entire earth who had this kind of scent.

The small bed dipped slowly beside him and he was hoisted up against a warm body, arms wrapped around him without a word. Hephaestion lowered his head to Alexander shoulders in silence and just was held.

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Queendel: Sorry, it took me a little longer. Perhaps not quite what you expected, but a few answers to your questions.

Nelia: Lord Amyntor is a strange character, you'll see ;)

Elithraniel: Thank you, love, what a fantastic compliment! Here's the rest of your dvd.

Koalared: Ah, perhaps not quite what you expected. But they'll meet again…