This is my AR version of the battle for Persian Gate. Here Alexander's longing for glory and conquests leads to the most tragic consequences and the mighty King will learn the hard way about the most important things in life.
For all of you waiting for next chapter of Hazards Of Friendship: Unfortunately my computer managed to hide away this one, but it will hopefully appear next week when I have re-submitted it.
All the best wishes and hopefully good reading,
/NorthernLight
TEMPLATE:
Title: FIC: Title: Disaster At The Persian Gate. (1/6)
Author: NorthernLight
Category: Love/Friendship/Adventure and action story. Alternate History.
Pairing: Alexander&Hephaestion
Date: December 2004 Feedback: Yes, all kinds, preferably "nice".
Archive: Plese tell me. At the ATG Slash&Fanfic Yahoo Groups.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. This is for my deep interest in Alexander and his time.
Summary: The conquest of Persian Gate was difficult for Alexander and the Macedonians. In this alternate history even worse...
Warnings: Angst and violence.
Disaster at Persian Gate, Part I
Guarding.
It seemed like he had always been guarding and caring for someone. As a child his younger siblings,as a teenager the troublesome customers in his dear Father's Cloth Magazine. Now he was guarding his King, his dear Golden One. He had escaped the drudgery of the cloth shop for the adventures of Military Life. All since long before the bloody battle of Chaironea he had marched along with Alexander's great army, always close together with the young King and his dear companion. He loved the Lord Hephaestion almost as fervently as the King. Yes, Stefanos was a true and steadfast Guardian. He took close care of his both precious wards. It was hard work guarding them, leading such a dangerous life, always taking necessary and unnecessary risks. They sometimes reminded him of his smaller siblings,always getting into mischief, especially when they had been drinking too much.
Now his duties had brought him to the Persian Gate. It was a cold and dreary winter's day, the sky full of steel gray clouds promising lots of wet and heavy snow. Cold winds swirled around the Macedonian army as they advanced towards the narrow mountain pass. They shivered in the cold but they were confident. Their great commander was undefeated and they expected a new easy victory. Then all hell was loose. Great, grim stone boulders were raining over them and many were crushed before they got their shields up. Alexander yelled at them:
"Retreat, my men! We must regroup!"
They ran away to a safer place, looking terrified up to the mountain. There stood a most Formidable Foe. He was almost as great as the Cyclop Odysseus and his erring crew met. His legs were thick as an oak's stem and his arms were so muscular they looked like oak branches. He held them, grasping another great boulder, big enough for ten ordinary men to lift. He had long black hair and a very long wild grown beard. His gaze was baleful and he yelled defiantly:
"Look Alexander. We are not afraid of you and your army! This pass is impossible to take!"
The boulder landed only inches before Alexander and Hephaestion. Stefanos grasped them and pulled them out of harm's reach. They all shuddered and could not hide their fear. Hephaestion asked with trembling voice:
"Whoever is this?"
One of the Persian guides answered:
"It's Carduzes, a younger brother of the Carducean Giant King Darius fought in his youth. His strength is enormous and he holds all here around covers in terror before him. "
"Well, I do not fear him. Look Alexander how I take care of your enemies!"
He lifted his great double curved bow, notched an arrow and fired at the giant. The arrow reached it's mark with true aim and Carduzes toppled of the mountain rim and disappeared behind it. The cold wind brought cries of dismay from the Persians up at the mountain pass. Alexander gave his friend a reassuring push at his back, then hugged him passionately all before the army.
"My friend, thank you for your sure aim. Without him it'll get much easier for us to claim the Persian Gate!"
No such ease for the Greatest Army on Earth. It was impossible to advance through the hostile pass. Boulders, burning oil, piercing arrows, all kinds of terrors drove them away, trembling in fear. A week passed. Alexander and Hephaestion sat in the tent brooding. Stefanos stood outside in the cold and searing wind, snowflakes heaping over his broad shoulders. He swept his winter cloak around him but it offered far to little warmth and shelter. If only some miracle could happen to make it possible for Alexander to conquer Persian Gate! Stefanos knew he was stubborn enough to make them besiege the impossible mountain pass forever...
Then some humble goatherds came, trembling with awe. They wanted to see the King on a most important matter. Stefanos thoroughly searched them. When he didn't find any weapons or other dangerous things he let them in. A long, murmuring conversation went on forever. Late in the evening Alexander called for wine and some roasted ribs and asked all his commanders in for an important war council.
Ambushed!
The mountain path was small and circled all around the steep mountain slope. All the Macedonian army advanced, close together, two or tree in line, ordered to march on in complete silence. Alexander and Hephaestion climbed in the front, Stefanos closely guarding them. The wind was hard and cold as usual, but now only a few snowflakes blew around them. It was bitterly cold and they found small comfort in their fur cloaks and winter boots. Then, around one craggy corner suddenly disaster struck. An enormous cudgel appeared as out of nowhere, hitting Hephaestion hard on his helmet. He went down immediately, almost falling off the steep cliff, regaining his footing in the last minute. Trembling and stumbling from the hard blow he drew his sword and advanced around the corner. A great clamor aroused and Alexander run after him, sword in hand.
There, to the horror of all, was Carduzes, horribly alive. He had the upper hand on Hephaestion, cruelly beating him with his cudgel. He fought bravely but futilely, several times almost falling from the narrow path. Stefanos took up a very large stone and threw it at Carduzes, in vain trying to help his Lord and friend. It struck home at the giant's head but affected him not at all. Alexander cried out in alarm, jumping at Carduzes, meaning to impale him upon his sword.
Too late. Hephaestion was struck down with a mighty blow on his head. He fell to the cold and icy ground, seemingly forever. All looking gasped in dismay. Alexander rushed to his friend and took him in his arms.
Stefanos couldn't believe his eyes. His Lord Hephaestion lay limp and lifeless in Alexander's mournful embrace. The King was crying openly, in high desperate sobs and cries. He was gasping for each troubled breath, looking as if his grief would kill him soon. Now snow-blended rain was falling hard upon the both of them and the wind came in howling anguished sweepings, threatening to throw them off the narrow cliff path. Carduzes stood leering at the King's grief.
"Well, now you are not so high and mighty anymore. Everyone knows well you cannot take a step without him...and it was he who handled the rod in your household!"
Alexander came out of his grief, outraged by that terrible scorn and insult. He jumped up, sword in hand and leaped at the scornful giant. They fought mightily for a long time. Alexander held his ground surprisingly well, helped by his hatred and grief. He must avenge his Dear One to every cost and righteousness guided his arm and aim. Stefanos wanted desperately to help and shield him against the Giant's mighty and dangerous blows but he knew he couldn't interfere with his King's righteous revenge.
Suddenly something unexpected happened. Carduzes let go of his mighty cudgel and snatched Hephaestion from the ground. He run away with him in his cruel arms. Alexander and Stefanos gave chase but then he vanished right into the sheer cliff, as if he had gone up in thin air.
Stefanos stood there with tears in his eyes. It was his mission in life to guard his two Lords with his life. Now he had failed - and failed miserably...
TBC