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 17

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Alexander blinked a few times before he began to understand what Hephaestion was talking about. Quickly he brought his hands on the hips of the other young man and pulled the unresponsive General closer to his own body. Wrapping his arms around the waist of Hephaestion, he let his chin rest on one shoulder.

"Why would you think I don't want you anymore? You still mean so much to me, Phai… you can't even imagine."

When he didn't get an answer, he began to worry. The other just lay there staring at the canvas of the tent and seemed to refuse to answer him. Alexander sighed and turned away from him, wanting to stand up, get out of the tent, walk and think. Nothing had happened like he had thought it would. Instead of an easy victory, he had brought it upon himself that Hephaestion now hated him.

When he wanted to move, a hand held him back. Hephaestion had not turned around, but it seemed like he had felt the bed shift. He did not want to let the young King walk out of this tent like this… he needed clearance. Too many things had been said, which had been left without answers.

Alexander didn't move, waiting for what the other would say. When the General finally turned, his eyes did not show the love he had always felt for Alexander, the blue pools giving no emotion away.

"Why did you say it, Alexander? Are you tired of me?"

"No… it's just… you are a prince, Hephaestion. How could I let you be in my service any longer? You are entitled to land of your own, to a total freedom…"

"I was a prince before today. It was not because you did not know it that it was not a reality. I have never longed for all what you have named. Until today I did not know what happened to my older brothers and if they were still alive. I would have never inherited this land."

Alexander rested his hands on the shoulders of the other and looked him in the eyes. His own light ones read nothing but honesty and sincerety in Hephaestion. How could someone be so selfless? He knew that he would never be able to, but he had been trained to be ambitious, to be a King. He did not take no for an answer.

"But… how can you even stand the sight of me? I have not treated you like an equal… you…"

Hephaestion silenced him by laying a finger on his lips.

"You couldn't know. You have treated me better than anyone for the last ten years. It does not matter to me how I /should/ have been treated." The young man hesitated before nodding. If he could not do this for Alexander than he feared for his own sanity.

"I will go with you tomorrow, to my father. Maybe I can convince him still."

The young King responded by putting his arms around his General and squeezing rather tightly. He could not understand Hephaestion, how he could be so selfless about this and just give up his land for the greater good.

"Are you sure that you don't want it for yourself? No…"

Quickly he shook his head as he knew that the other would protest again at his words, but he would not let the other young man, not again.

"If not for you, then for your family. Perhaps for later… My soldiers will keep it for you until you return, if you wish. Then you have land of your own, you keep your title. And you only answer to me."

"If I ever have a family, Alexander…" The murmur came in a saddened voice and the young man looked away, overcome by emotions and the feeling of total exhaustion the day had brought forth.

"You will. Your children will play with mine someday… If the faiths grant me a son and you a daughter, they will be married. Heirs to the throne of Alexander."

"You paint pretty images."

A small smile tilted at the lips of the General, but for the rest he said nothing. He knew that Alexander had great dreams and believed in them. This man he wanted to follow to the ends of the earth and back if the gods would want that for him. In his heart he knew that he would never get rid of his King.

"Would you live with me in Babylon then, once I have conquered it? Would that suit you better?"

Oh, how swiftly Alexander stepped back when it concerned his Hephaestion. How many times had he given in to the other even when the latter didn't want him to? Admitted that he was right without saying a word, letting him know that he still wanted and needed him, even though the young man didn't need the reassurance anymore.

"If you will have me."

Now the both of them were smiling and Alexander nodded. Hephaestion leant forward slightly and pressed soft lips upon the mouth of his King. It was meant as a 'thank you', together with an apology that he had thought so foolishly about the other.

Wrapping their arms around each other, it seemed that they would finally get some rest. However, Hephaestion did not sleep well at all. He was thinking about his father and how he would bring him so far that he would surrender. His father was a proud man, he equalled Alexander in this, and he would not give up.

Maybe he could not even talk to him, he had thought about that possibility. In one end, that would be a relief, because he did not want to see that man anymore, not in this lifetime. The notion that he was now his only son made it even worse. He had been humiliated in front of the entire court of his father, who knew that the only chance of an heir to his throne was in chains in his own throne room.

Several hours after Alexander, the young man finally found some sleep. The slow breathing of his lover brought a small smile to his lips and he snuggled closer to him. Tomorrow he could not count on the protection of his King, but he knew that he would be good enough on his own. He had proven today that he had a surviver instinct which matched the greatest soldiers amongst them.

Tomorrow, he would go to his father, and he would not cease till the other surrendered.

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Nelia: Ah, at least they are reconciled now. :)

Baliansword: I hope that I at least have given you some of the tenderness you were looking for. And Hephaestion the reassurance of the love of Alexander.

Elithraniel: It is sad indeed… but I gave them at least a moments peace.

Queendel: You have a good eye for analysis… you are right in some points already. –smiles- Of course I won't tell you which ;).

Kitten: Yes indeed, but Hephaestion has grown into a strong young man.