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: Light slash.

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 15

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

Alexander had not finished his war with Amyntor, but large parts of the city were burning. He had ordered that those who were captured alive would be sold as slaves. The dead would be given the proper burial rites, although the King firstly had not thought they were worthy of them. He had returned because the horses of Cassanders cavalry were acting up. At the moment everything was quiet, all the soldiers were tired and retreated. There would be no more war for that day.

The young King now stood in the middle of the tent, wiping at his cheeks and making them even more smudged with blood and dirt. Pure fury could be seen in his age, and the famous rage of his family was building deep inside of him. Reason was something he did not have at that point and he almost was able to throw his sword straight at Cassander. Or at Hephaestion, who was just waking up.

"My King… what…"

"Don't you dare!" Alexander shouted at Hephaestion and threatened him if he said another word. Deep blue eyes looked rather frightened at this new side of Alexander and he held up his hands in silence. The King gestured that Hephaestion should put on his clothes, so that they could walk together. The young man did so without speaking another word.

"Alexander, this is not what you think… You were out fighting your war and…"

"And you happened to harbour a man I have been searching high and low for. What did he promise you?"

"Nothing. It is not like that, Alexander. I found Hephaestion at the bottom of a hill, he had taken a nasty fall."

It was clear that the man did not believe a word of what his General said. He shook his head and took Hephaestion by the arm, who did not protest. That was going to wait until they were alone, so that he could shout at Alexander for being such a fool.

The King only let go of him when they were at the royal tent. He gave Hephaestion quite a hard push, but the young man managed to keep on his feet. He felt at his head for a moment, dizzy from all the past events and the headache which was only slowly subsiding. It had felt good to lie down, but now the dull ache had returned.

"Where were you?"

"My father let two soldiers take me to a cave in the mountains. I could get away."

"Don't lie to me, Hephaestion. You are very close to high treason at the moment."

What? Was Alexander being serious about this? Crossing his arms over his chest, Hephaestion kept the urge to hug himself. He looked up with defying eyes towards his King, for the first time since long more than a lover… he was becoming his enemy.

"I am not lying to you, but it seems that you don't want to believe me. If you would rather think that I have gone to my father and convinced him to start this war, then go ahead. There is nothing I could say to you that would change your mind."

"Your fathers people will be no more once I am done with them."

If that was meant as a challenge, Hephaestion rose to it fully. No longer was Alexander the more furious out of the two of them. The young Generals eyes were fierce in the light of the small fire in the tent.

"Damn you, Alexander! I asked you to be merciful for my people… and even that you could not do for me. Do I mean that little to you?"

"Is that why you crawled into the arms of Cassander? Because you thought he would bring you more fortune than I now?"

The blows came hard for Hephaestion, although they were not physical. If he would have been alone, he would have slumped to the floor and wept, but he would not do this in the face of Alexander.

"Cassander found me laying at the foot of the small hill up there." He pointed into the general direction. "He was concerned for me and brought me to his tent, yes, because you were out to fight your war. He sent you a messenger to say I was alright."

"You're a liar!"

"He did! But you were probably in the front line, to busy to slaughter my people!"

Finally the tears came, running down Hephaestions cheeks. The power of his voice left him and he stood rather unsteady on his feet. Alexander for the first time seemed to doubt his own resolve. When his General wavered and almost fell down on his knees, Alexander stretched out his hands and held him up.

"You're hurt."

"I told you how Cassander found me. I am not lying, Alexander."

The King now held his former slave in his arms, not like a lover, but just as someone taking care of another. Carefully, he supported Hephaestion and his hand found the nasty cut on the others head. Hephaestion hissed softly at the contact.

"You should rest first… we will talk later about this."

"No… I want you to believe me, Alexander." Hephaestion now said softly as he looked up to his King. "Please… I went to my father last night to talk to him about this, so that you would be able to resolve this without fighting. He used my good faith against me."

Hephaestions eyes were closed, both of his hands resting on Alexanders chest. The young King wanted so much to believe him, but he sighed softly.

"Come, let me help you."

"Do you believe me?"

"I believe you, Hephaestion. Now come, you need rest."

He knew that he could not bring the other to his own tent anymore, that would have been too much. The physicians had so much work with the wounded already. Supporting the young man, he let him sit on the bed and softly pushed him down.

Hephaestion stretched out his hand and touched Alexanders. A worried look captured his eyes and he gnawed at his bottom lip.

"My father?"

"He is alive, still in the walls of his city."

Hephaestion closed his eyes for a moment, as if relieved.

"Alexander?" He then dared to ask as fingers brushed the cheek of the young King.

"Will this change things between us?"

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

Queendel: Ah, how people can react when they are angry.

Baliansword: I fear he only blames Hephaestion.

Kitten: Poor Cass? I don't think so. ;)

Nelia: Answers to your questions :).

Angstman: Well, he is a little of both, but Hephaestion makes him listen.

Kimmy: Me, mean! No! –smiles-

Fanfic Fish: Thank you, love. Finally an update.