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 31

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A young man stood in the middle of a battlefield, gazing around at the victims fallen who were strewn throughout the plain. It seemed like he did not really look at them, but just glanced over them, in search of something, or someone. His eyes shimmered with tears, the horror evident on his face. It was in those moments that he could see what was behind the dream which he had fought for all of his adult life. Blood streaked his face and clung to his hair, stained his clothes a mud red. Alexander was utterly lost.

"Alexander."

He turned around towards the one who was walking towards him. Had he been so long on this battlefield that others already had the time to clean up? Strong arms wrapped around him and he was held in silence. Burying his face into the shoulder of the one caring for him, he cried like he had never done before. His father had taught him not to show any weakness, but what did it matter now? He had brought so many to their death and all for not more than a conquest.

"Why, Hephaestion? I drove these men to their death for nothing."

The General holding him sighed softly at the words but shook his head. Taking the young man by the shoulder, he guided him towards the royal tent. Hephaestion had ushered everyone out who wanted to tend to Alexander, in other words, the pages and slaves who were currently cluttered around it, hoping that in these times, they could get a piece of the riches of their masters.

"Just the water is enough, thank you." The young man murmured towards one of the slaves as they looked towards him in question. They were not entirely used to him around anymore after the last couple of months, but most remembered about him. Hephaestion had never been anything but kind to them and actually, he could get more done from the slaves than Alexander himself.

"Sit down, Alexander, get some rest. Please." The General smiled towards his King as he set him down and kneeled down in front of him. It had been such a long time ago since he took care of Alexander in this manner and in some way it pleased him. The young man in front of him looked with eyes which did not seem to really see and understand. Dipping a cloth into the water, he brushed it across the cheeks of Alexander, getting the dirt and grime off his face.

"Alexander… look at me." Hephaestion whispered as he laid both hands on either side of the face of his King. Light eyes blinked a few times before directing their attention towards the young man kneeling in front of him. The General gave a soft smile as he found that Alexander was finally looking at him again.

"You have done what you thought was right and these men believed in you. Would you let their dream go to waste by not following yours?" Tilting his head slightly to the side, his long hair flowing over his shoulders, Hephaestion looked so innocent that Alexander wiped at his tears fruitlessly, fresh ones accompanying them and streaking his cheeks.

"You must think me weak."

"No. Alexander… Do you remember when we were younger and you asked me if I would follow you? I still would. To the end of the world. And do you know why? Because you make people believe they can achieve anything."

This made the young man smile and he pulled Hephaestion up and scooted down the bed, so that the two of them where sitting opposite of each other. "I need you so much, Hephaestion… without you I would already have lost my sanity. I was at my wits end without you." The young man whispered softly as he touched the face of his lover and leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to the others lips. It was the most tender one they had exchanged since long, even the one before the battle could not compare. Alexander poured all of the love he felt for the other into it, letting Hephaestion know just how much he cared.

Slender fingers unclasped the attachments of his clothes, untying the small rope which held the robe at his waist, and let it fall so that his chest was exposed. Hephaestion gasped softly at the sight of a few deeper gashes which had not been taken care of yet. "Let me take care of this." He murmured before reaching out for the cloth again, but a hand rested on his wrist. Sapphire eyes looked up towards Alexander, who shook his head.

"You don't have to do this."

"I know." Hephaestion answered with a smile before taking the cloth and pressing a kiss to Alexanders cheek. "But I will always want to."

"I love you. I'm sorry that I don't say it often enough and that you don't notice it much." Alexander sighed as he wrapped his arms around the General and caressed his hair, smiling at him.

"Please stay with me tonight."

"I would not have it any other way." Hephaestion murmured in response as he laid himself back and pulled Alexander with him, draped over him as it were, laying on his chest with his head, like he had done so many times when they were younger. Even though their roles had not changed and Alexander was still his King, somehow he had showed the young man that he was more than just Hephaestion. He might have hurt Alexander with it… and himself as well, but perhaps it had been worth it.

"Phai?"

Turning his head towards the other, he brushed his thumb over the soft bottom lip of his King. Alexander leaned on his hands and kissed his lover deeply. They both were tired from battle and soon they were asleep, arms tightly wound around each other, their legs entwined. This was not an end, it was just the beginning.

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Queendel: Thank you very much for your reviews over the months. They were extremely helpful and they showed me that Hephaestion always has been a person in his own right, rather than Alexander's lover. That is what I have tried to write.
Kitten: Sorry love. –pets- Many more fics to come, I promise.
Baliansword: Thank you very much for your lovely reviews. I hope that, although the ending might be bittersweet, the story in itself brought you a little joy. Thanks for sticking around for so long.

To all: Thanks to every single reviewer who read through my story over these past few months. Interested in more stories? Check out my livejournal, or keep coming back to fanfiction. –waves-