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 8

--------------------------------

"You can't do this, Alexander will destroy you!"

The young General shouted and cursed, trying to pull free from the strong hold of the soldiers surrounding him, but it was to no avail.

"Where do we take him, my Lord?"

"Into the mountains with him, so that Alexander will not find him. Your lover boy will have a hard time finding you, my boy, and so he will either have no time to attack us or leave us immediately. But the best would be that he gave us what we need in exchange for you. Don't worry, it is nothing personal."

The smile behind the voice made Hephaestion sick and he closed his eyes, hiding his emotions from view of his father. He could not believe that he had actually thought the man had grown milder with age. The opposite was true and as he was taken away, he just hoped that Alexander would not do anything stupid.

It was in the next hour that the young King felt that the place beside him in the bed was empty. Frowning he sat up and rubbed his tired eyes, remembering that he had come here to comfort Hephaestion. He still could not forgive himself for pulling such a stunt, but his General had not scolded him for it. Secretly he regretted that, since Hephaestion was the only one he listened to… and the rest of his generals of course.

Putting on the clothes he had worn to walk into the tent of his General, he looked around for a moment. There was no note, Hephaestion had not let him know where he had gone or when he would be back. Alexander was not truly worried about him, seeing as he could take care of himself.

Walking out, he met some of his soldiers which he greeted friendly. They did not dare to do anything else than to greet him back, but Alexander was not feared by his warriors, but respected. Although of course there were always those who would love to see him fall or give up his throne, most had taken the road to fame and wealth with him. Therefor there was nobody around to scold him for coming out of the tent of his lover.

"My King?"

A soft voice came from somewhere in front of him when he entered his own tent, the boy who was taking care of him now resembled Hephaestion in no way. He was a very humble and good worker though and Alexander liked him.

"Yes?"

"A message came for you, my King, about an hour ago. It was from Lord Hephaestion, but it did not seem very urgent."

"Good, where is it?"

The young man handed a small scroll over, but his face hinted to a sort of fear which would not be there normally.

"Is there something you should tell me?"

"It is this, my King…" The slave hesitated and sighed softly, before beginning again. Alexander would be so angry that he did not get this message in time.

"It was a strange messenger, sire, and he seemed in a hurry."

That was not too abnormal, but Alexander wondered where Hephaestion had found a messenger so soon which did not belong to his own soldiers. That meant that he had not taken an escort with him. Sometimes his General could be stupid, as to go out without notifying anyone… and alone, so it seemed.

The note did not come from Hephaestion, and it made his blood run cold.

"Lord Amyntor to King Alexander, Hail!

My son foolishly decided to pay me a visit today, I wonder if you have missed him since this morning. Your whore is in my posession, Alexander, and I will see to it myself that he dies if you do not retreat your army.

Do not search for him, it is a waisted effort."

There was a lenghty signature of all the titles that Amyntor bore in this country, but that Alexander did not even care to read. Hephaestion had been taken captive by his own father, where he probably had gone to in good faith. But why? Why would he take such a risk?

Then it dawned on him that Amyntor had threatened him… Alexander would never give Hephaestion up, but he had to consult this with his Generals, who were not to fond of the one which had been taken. There were friends of him there though, and all knew how Alexander felt for the other, although he never confessed this openly.

"Call all the Generals together." He said quickly as he strode out of his own tent and into the larger one where meetings were usually held, their war councils. They could not afford to lose someone so important to the enemy, seeing as Hephaestion knew their strategies. Would Amyntor get it into his head to torture the other, they would lose a lot of their strength.

"Hephaestion is held captive by Amyntor."

The Generals looked up and here and there you could find an evil smirk, like they were saying that he deserved it.

"Why is that any of our business?"

"Cassander! Even you must know that he is important to us. Furthermore, he carries information within him which could be valuable to any enemy."

"He would never betray you, Alexander."

That was the one thing they all knew, that Hephaestion would not let his King down, not matter what. But Alexander needed to prepare an answer for Amyntor, where he stated that he would give up his army and retreat as far as possible, and not cross the borders of the land again.

Would that get Hephaestion back? He thought not.

"We can't risk war because of one man, my King." Parmenion said softly as he tried to get Alexanders attention. The young man nodded swiftly and looked towards the back of the tent, where Cleitus rested against a tentpole.

"Good, I'll prepare my answer."

"What will it be, Sire?"

"That we don't give in."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Queendel: Perhaps he still hoped, but that is certainly gone now.

Koalared: Muhahaha, of course not! I'm evil that way ;).

Lvingphai: Thank you, love. Another chapter for your kind review ;).

Kitten: Thank you. Amyntor loves his land more than his son, no more to it than that.

Nelia: Part of your answer is in this chapter… but you'll have to wait a little for everything ;).

Sofia: Thanks for the review, love!

A Merry Christmas (although a little late) and Happy Newyear to all of you!