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: 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 26

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Milatus had arrived in the campment of the King four days after he had left it. He had told the King that the army of Lord Amyntor was about one to two days behind him and that they would arrive shortly. Also he delivered the short message of Hephaestion that he would be there when he was required, at the war Council. Alexander had expected much more from his friend and lover, but he knew that he could not expect too much.

"Are you thinking of him again?"

Alexander turned around, seeing the bare chest of his General, and he frowned lightly. Were his thoughts so easy to read these days? The dark haired young man beside him sighed and shook his head.

"Ever since you have heard that he will return, you are just waiting for him, aren't you? I should have known that I was nothing more than some means to pass the time for you."

"Don't say that, Cassander."

It was the first time he spoke that morning and he sounded hoarsely. Alexander hadn't wanted to speak to anyone about this, the arrival of Hephaestion. He yet had to think about how to acknowledge the other as a ruler of one of his territories, and as his General. Nothing more, just that. He knew that he couldn't do it, that he had to speak to him in private and ask, even beg to look upon him as a friend again. He was wasting away without him.

"Why am I not allowed to speak the truth?" The voice of Cassander sounded bitter and that was how he felt. He had hoped that he could at least push the memory of Hephaestion out of the mind of his King now that the other had gone so far away… and make it clear that he was no more a General of this army. But yet, how hard he tried, he could not escape the slender young man who had went before him.

"Because it is not the truth!" Alexander was beginning to lose his patience with him and he gritted his teeth. He would have his say even if it meant that he would lose his place in the army. The King would still sacrifice anything if he could be with his beloved Hephaestion again. The fool. Why not chose for what you are sure to have in stead of something so unreliable as love?

"It is, Alexander, and you know it. It has been two months since you have seen him or spoken to him ,but yet you mention him each night in your sleep." He smiled at the surprise on the face of his King and shook his head.

"No, you don't know of this, it happens purely in your sleep. I thought that I could make you forget him, Alexander, that I at least had meant somehting to you. But I guess that I am only a poor substitute for the real man out there."

He wanted to slip out of the bed, but he didn't get the chance. A warm calloused hand gripped his forearm and pulled him back into the embrace of his King. He smiled, but hid this from Alexander. He knew the weakness of his King quite well, that he could not stand to be alone. Even if he claimed Hephaestion to be the love of his life, he couldn't handle a lonely bed.

"You know that you aren't. Stop this foolishness."

"Are you going to see him?"

Cassander directed hopeful eyes towards Alexander, and for once it wasn't played. He sincerely hoped that he would get his King this far that he would love only him. Even if it was only his body, if he cared enough not to see Hephaestion again, then he would win. He would be the one and only counsellor Alexander would have, his confidante. Imagine the power he would wield over the forces, in stead of just being one of them. Would this be what Hephaestion felt like when he was with Alexander?

"Of course I am going to see him." Alexander answered as he frowned. What was Cassander talking about? "You will see him too, of course, Cassander. Hephaestion still is a General in this army and he will get his rightful place at the head of his own men. You know that as well as I do."

"Yes, yes… but you know that I don't mean that."

Alexander let go of the dark haired General and leaned his head in his hand, resting on his elbow. Sighing, he closed his eyes for a moment.

"You can really be tiresome sometimes, Cassander. What do you mean then?"

"Will you see him in private? Talk to him about some things that aren't state affairs?"

Alexander bit his lower lip and couldn't look up to Cassander.

"You are, aren't you! Curse you, Alexander!" This time Cassander really meant it and he gathered his clothes. Silently he was hoping that the King would call him back a second time, but he was relieved that he had finally been able to say that the King could go find his Hephaestion and that they would live happily ever after.

"Some day I will have my revenge." He whispered a he left the tent of Alexander, who had not spoken to him while he was fetching his clothing. The King had just watched the General, but knew that it was best to let him go. This charade had been going on for long enough, he could not pretend that he could go on without Hephaestion, because that was a blatant lie. He needed him by his side.

A guard arrived for the tent and Alexander frowned, taking a few steps and sticking his head out of the opening of it.

"What is it?"

"Lord Amyntor has arrived in the campment, Sire." The guard answered swiftly before taking a bow and leaving him on his own. Alexander contemplated but for a few moments before calling his boy to dress him. His page quickly did as was told, and in silence, although he usually was a chatterbox. Alexander had probably yelled at him one time too many and now he kept silent.

"I'm sorry for my treatment in the past few months, Phaellas… but things will get better, I promise."

Blue eyes blinked confusedly up at him before the boy dared a smile. Alexander ruffled his hair and walked out of the tent. He went in search for Hephaestion, going towards the outter rim of the campment, where the newcomers would set up their tents. He had arrived there only a few minutes and he already saw the chaos of about two thousand men trying to find a decent place to sleep and eat.

"You there… where is your Lord?"

The soldier in question recognised his King and bowed.

"He is in his tent, my King. I will take you to him."

"No, my good man… see that you find a place to sleep yourself." Alexander motioned him to sit down and he took the several steps which separated him from Hephaestion.

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Nelia: Blundered… yes… a very strategic blunder perhaps? –smiles-

Baliansword: The meeting will be for the next chapter. In the mean time you can see that Alexander has not forgotten his lover.

Queendel: Bagoas genuinely cares for Hephaestion and that is what he needs right now. Our lad will meet Alexander head on, I'm quite sure of it.

Fanfic Fish: You don't have to apologise, love. Thanks for reviewing once again though :). Cassander getting his butt kicked, now there's a thought –ponders-

Kitten: -grins- It gets better from now on ;)