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 13
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Alexander was preparing himself for the war which would bring the father of Hephaestion down. He would regret the day that he sought a quarrel with the King of Macedonia, the one who had been said to be the son of a God. If the gods were with Alexander now, then they would be a witness to the crushing of the town. The King had been in a fit of rage from the moment the second message had been sent from Amyntor.
"Alexander."
If only those voice came from the one he longed for so much, in stead of Leonnatus. Oh yes, the young man was a close friend of the King and dearly loved, but he was not Hephaestion and he never would be. Even his voice did not resemble that of the other. Turning around towards the soldier, he gave a weak smile.
"What is it, Leonnatus?"
"Our soldiers wish to know if you would be present in the front line. I know that it is a silly question, Alexander, but I promised them I would ask it. They have not seen you for so long that they are beginning to doubt you."
"Tell them I will be there. Amyntor will know who is fighting him."
"Yes, my King."
From one moment to the next, the admiration from his friend came strongly to the fore and he bowed for his king, who acknowledged him in kind, giving him a friendly nod. Leonnatus quickly stepped out of the tent, leaving Alexander alone with his sorrows. And they were heavy burdens to bare. He could use Hephaestions quiet presence right about now, just a hand on his arm and a small smile, telling him that everything would be alright. That opinion which mattered so much.
Was he doing the right thing? Alexander still thought the answer was 'yes'. He was sad for the fate of Hephaestion and wanted to find him, but that was not the reason for the war he had started. That was the contempt Amyntor had shown against him, one of the greatest Kings who lived in this era. Nobody mocked him, and certainly not a low lord from an even smaller town.
The rage which had been building inside of him for the past two days found its way to the surface again and he stepped out in full body armour. His army had already been assembled to the large plain in front of the campment. The ceremony which would grant him to reach straight for the ears of the gods, waited for him.
The golden armour which gleamed in the light and it let everyone know that Alexander had stepped out on the plain. For one moment he directed his gaze towards the steel blue sky, an eagle flying high over them. It was his time and there was nobody who would stop him. Checking his army from afar, he spotted some of the helmets from his friends, but did not find Cassander. He had finally come to his senses and stayed in the campment.
The priest had already recited the words of prayer which served for the ceremony, but they waited for Alexander. Putting a small amount of rice on the head of the bull which had been brought especially for this occasion, he took his sword and sliced the throat of the animal. That was it, his part was done.
"Where is Buccephalas?"
"You ordered not to saddle him, my King, because you did not find Amyntor worth it. Buccephalas is in the stables."
Alexander nodded towards one of the servants to which he had posed the question. Buccephalas was one of his most precious animals and he would not give him up for the world. One of his other war horses was brought to him and he mounted quickly, riding towards his troups. Briefly he wondered if he would have done the same if Hephaestion would be with him.
"Just a little bit further, push that open." Cassander instructed Hephaestion before the cloth of the tent closed behind him. He had supported Hephaestion this far, but it hurt his leg immensely and he was glad to be rid of the extra weight. He had directed the other to the bed, where the young man quickly plopped down.
"What were you doing out there?"
That seemed to be quite a difficult question for Hephaestion at that moment, who looked utterly lost. He did not know why Cassander was taking care of him and why Alexander had not come to see him already. Normally he would be here, dead with worry. One of his worst concerns was slowly coming true… Alexander did not care anymore.
"With my father." He answered shortly.
"Lay down, Hephaestion… you've got a nasty bruise on your head." Cassander answered in a low and concerned voice. Despite all of the snide remarks he made at the adress of the other young man, of all of the times he suspected Hephaestion to only stay with Alexander because he could bring him wealth, he thought him beautiful.
He could not help but fall for the man who stayed in Alexanders shadow and seemed to be the ever present power in the kingdom of the other. Once he had been jealous of Hephaestion, now it almost resulted in Cassander being jealous of the King himself.
Reaching the bed he sat down on the edge near Hephaestions body, leaning forward and stroking strands of hair out of the young mans face. The other only flinched once when he did not see the touch coming, but now lay relaxed and pliant at Cassanders side. The dark haired soldier looked at the indeed nasty cut near Hephaestions hairline.
"I think this is the reason why you are a little bit confused. Try to sleep, Hephaestion, it will make you feel better."
"Alexander?"
"He'll come when he has the time, I'm sure. There was a war council today."
Almost immediately Hephaestion sat up and grasped with both hands at his head. "A war council? Why, Cassander? Who is he fighting?"
"Lord Amyntor of course, who else?" Cassander did not even say it in a mocking way, just shrugging his shoulders like it was stupid to suspect anything else. Having dampened a cloth, he pressed it at the bruise and Hephaestion hissed.
"Stay still." Cassander said softly as he pressed the other back into the bedding. Hephaestion obliged but glared at the other.
"Why are you doing this, Cassander, what is in it for you?"
"Should there be something in it for me?"
"Always… you never do anything without." Hephaestion mumbled softly as he took the cloth out of the others hand and laid it on his eyes. That felt a whole lot better, but he feared he had to wait for a knife to press through his heart with Cassander.
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Nelia: Me, cruel? Nooooooo. ;)
Angstman: Sorry lovely, it'll take a few more chapters for the answer.
Queendel:Ah, someone who understands Cassander. ;)
CameoCorbin: Next chapter is here, love.
Kitten: No, he does not have amnesia, he is just a little off.