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 16

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

Never had a question burdened him so much as that one. Alexander glanced towards Hephaestion, but did not answer him. The young man on the bed sighed softly and turned so that he was with his back to the King. As a soft hand rested on his shoulder, he let himself be rolled onto his back again.

"Things have changed so much already."

"Do you regret it?"

Still covered in blood, Alexander looked like one of the conquerors of old, where they had read about when they were younger. Hephaestion could not get over the fact that it was the blood of his own people clinging to the clothes and he lowered his gaze to the bedding. Alexander hesitated in reassuring him, but after a minute of deep silence, he did.

"Not one single moment."

Hephaestion didn't respond by words, but just softly squeezed in Alexanders hand, not lifting his gaze. It dawned on the King that he was hurting his lover just by staying with him in that manner, his clothes soiled. He knew he would not end the war because he had Hephaestion back… that was not why he had started it in the first place. Perhaps he would give Amyntor a chance to surrender.

He stepped away from the bed and walked towards the other side of the tent. Normally he had pages with him to take care of everything, boys who were sent by their father to become a soldier. Macedonians, fine young men who would find themselves in the front line when they were only a few years older. He had told them to find a safe place to hide, as they would not be needed for the rest of the couple of days. They did not need to see war before they were ready.

Taking off his clothes swiftly, he shivered as a cool breeze touched his skin. Not a sound came from the bed and as he washed off some of the blood, he could finally hear a faint breathing. Hephaestion had curled up on the bed with his eyes closed, making himself into a tight ball.

Putting his head into the bowl, the water turned red from the blood which had dried into it. He must have looked like a monster, and that was how he had raged against his dearest friend. Yelling at him because he thought he had betrayed him. That famous rage which seemed to control so many members of his family had taken the best of him. Why did Hephaestion not turn away from him… why had he confronted him?

Sliding a soft tunic over his head, he finally made his way back to the bed, sitting down at the edge. It was when he felt a shift in the bedding that Hephaestion opened his eyes. The young man scooted over a little so that there would be room enough for one more if they were close to one another.

"Are you sure?"

"Don't be so stubborn, Alexander… you need a place to sleep, I am in your bed." He murmured softly as he looked sleepily at the other. The events of the day had worn him down and he could barely keep his eyes open. Alexander nodded and laid down beside Hephaestion.

The young King was afraid to touch the other, but he wanted to speak… talk to the General how much he now regretted attacking the city. Perhaps it had been his famous rage which had brought him down to this… maybe he had been lying to himself and it was because of Hephaestion that he had done this.

"Hephaestion? I will not engage war again on your people… not if I can help it."

The young man beside him turned and looked at him with renewed interest, although he still looked like he was about to fall asleep at any given moment. He laid a soft hand on Alexanders chest and came closer.

"Tell me."

"I need your father to surrender."

So that was what it was all about. Alexander needed him again. Hephaestion sighed and laid his head on the chest of the young King, his hair covering most of his face so that his eyes weren't visible. He did not want to see his father ever again, not after what had happened that very day.

"He will never surrender, Alexander… not for you or anyone else. This city is his and he will not let it be conquered for as long as he lives."

"It is conquered… only the fortress your father occupies is standing under the attacks. He let his own people die so that he can keep the illusion of a city. Please Hephaestion." He whispered softly towards the other.

"I can't, Alexander. I do not want to see that man ever again."

"He will not let any harm come to you."

Hephaestion now raised his head a little and glared at Alexander, slender fingers grasping the fabric of the tunic. Alexander did not know what those soldiers had tried and that he had been very lucky that his intelligence was higher than theirs.

"You do not know my father." He hissed.

"I know you are his only son and the only chance he has for an heir. Hephaestion…" Alexander said softly as he stroked strands of hair out of the young mans face. "You are a crown prince."

The young man blinked a few times as the news seeped into his brain. Hephaestion wrapped his arms around Alexanders neck and buried his face against the shoulder of his King. He wept softly, sobbing before his arms even tightened. All of those hardships, what he had gone through for all of those years… and would this now be his payment?

Alexander held him before he pulled back and sniffed.

"Why are you telling me this? Why do you find it so important that I ask him to surrender?"

"Because you could be the new ruler."

Hephaestion did not say one word, but just turned his back on the other. How could Alexander be so insensitive? If he wanted to get rid of Hephaestion, found someone who suited him better, than he could just say so.

"If you don't want me anymore, there is no need to make arrangements. I can take care of myself."

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

Nelia: I fear that the sadness will continue for some time.

Kitten: Cassander will not be harmed… too much, I promise ;)

Baliansword: Ah, Alexander strikes without thinking when he is mad. The next chapter will be filled with tenderness, I promise.

Fanfic Fish: So many questions :). Much changes are going to be made in the next few chapters. ;)

Angstman: It took Alexander a while to see a few of the bruises, but Cassander had cleaned Hephaestion up beforehand.

Elithraniel: Thank you, love. Poor things they are, yes. :) It'll get better, promise.