Here is the sequel to Persian Gate Revisited. It is a very dark fic, full of angst , but something is compelling me to write it. I've thought so much aboutthe mysterious schemes behind the sad events in Ecbatana and afterwards. Things might look very dark, but this is Alternate History and anything can happen.

All the best wishes

/NorthernLight

TEMPLATE:

Title: FIC: Title: Evil Events In Ecbatana (1/4) Persian Gate Sequel

Author: NorthernLight

Category: Love/Friendship/Adventure and action story. Alternate History.

Pairings: Alexander&Hephaestion

Date: March 2005.

Feedback: Yes, all kinds, preferably "nice".

Archive: If you like, but please tell me. Archivated at the ATG Slash&Fanfic Yahoo Groups.

Disclaimer: I don't own them. For entertainment only...hopefully.

Rating: R

Summary: Alexander and Hephaestion returns to Persian Gate after many hardships and hard campaigning. They come upon an unexpected surprise, finding Hephaestion's seven year old son Herazanes. All party are now going to Ecbatana for summer...

Historical reference: In some sources Alexander is said to have sired a son with Barsine, Memnon's widow. He is supposed to have been born sometime after Issos and he was called Herakles.

Warnings: This is an AU story. Anything can happen! Severe angst. Slash. Horrible sickness, poisoning and perhaps death of major character. Elaborate descriptions of the ravages of time. Nasty, envious people making most evil schemes. Elongated and detailed love scene at the end of chapter.

Dedications: Many thanks to Dreamer46. Without your question about what became of Ghwetryn and her child this tale would never have been told. Many thanks also to Shonenlee. It was you who posted the wonderful idea that dared me into writing angst fics publicly. Also many thanks to all who have given me such appreciating and constructive feedback for my "Persian Gate"-fics.

Evil Events In Ecbatana

Ecbatana, Summer 324 BC

Rainbow.

Ecbatana's famous seven thick walls sparkled like a rainbow in the setting sun. The first was white like newly fallen snow, the second black as ebony, the third scarlet as roses in blossom, the fourth azure blue as a summer sky, the fifth orange as a blazing sunset, the sixth silvery as the full Moon and the seventh bright and golden like the Sun in zenith. This city was most beautiful and fortunately it was not damaged in all the wars.

The Persian Great King's Summer residence was now welcoming Alexander and his returning army. They were riding uphill, their horses and all the men very tired. Alexander and Hephaestion had their sons in front of them since the small children had fallen asleep on their ponies late in the afternoon. They were so fond of their sons - all they had ever hoped for was fulfilling in them and they wanted so much to be there for them when they came of age. A black cloud passed and darkened the glorious orange red sunset, a cold wind passed by. Young Herazanes and Herakles both shuddered in their sheltered sleep.

Tiredness

Little Lightning, Herakles' horse, and Chestnut, the calm copper shimmering pony Hephaestion had given to Herazanes, were trotting stubbornly beside Castor who was fondly guarding them. Hephaestion's mount was getting old now. He sorely missed Bucephalos. He would never again have such a good and brave friend - but young Bucephalion was like a son to him. He was so glad he and Bucephalos found those handsome mares at Nicea. All their offspring had turned out well - and after Bucephalos sad demise at the Hydaspes Alexander had taken young Bucephalion as his own. He was as brave and reckless as his famous sire, and the very image of his beloved father. He would carry Alexander to many more hazardous adventures - together with his True Steadfast Friend on Young Castor. Old Castor had tried to tell his Master many times now that he ought to rely much more on his fine son, riding him instead, at least on the more hard journeys. Castor was getting old now, bow legged, back and hoofs hurting and he certainly wanted to retire, resting and grazing nice green pastures. Hephaestion wouldn't listen. He had become wiser and more prudent with time - but unfortunately he never learned horse's language!

Castor was troubled over the state of his Master and his Beautiful Golden One. They were both worn out by all their wars, intrigues and troubled journeys to faraway, godforsaken places. They had been severely wounded or seriously ill several times and it was only by the overwhelming grace of their Gods they were still alive...

Arrival

Now they rode through a rough forest of pines, cypresses and junipers. A cool evening breeze wafted their tired brows. It was hard to see in the shadows of all the trees and the branches often struck their heads. Then the welcoming walls were up front and the city gates opened up to all the army. The beautiful Summer Palace was a miniature of the city with rainbow walls all of their own. They rode inside and got off their horses. A messenger from Susa was at the courtyard. He brought good news of Stateira and Drypetis, telling this secretly to Alexander and Hephaestion. It seemed both princesses were expecting. Alexander's dream of the children being cousins was soon to be a happy reality - and soon it was no secret at all...

Envy

Krateros had heard it all. His hearing was always too good and he often heard the things he liked the least. Now he was actually getting green of envy. That Man had done it again! One supposed he didn't even know what women were for - and now he was the father of a seven year old wonder - and soon more to come. Krateros gnashed his teeth in frustrated anger. He had to get away to his own quarters to calm himself down with a jar of really strong vine.

Someone knocked at the door. He entered without permission. Krateros roared:

"Eumenes! Why do you disturb me? I'm not in the mood for conversation!"

"Me neither. Did you hear the latest news? Both Princesses are expecting! Now That Man will rise even higher above us. I can't stand it! What can we do?"

"Nothing! Nothing at all. That's the sad reality. We must smile politely at him, secretly gnashing our teeth in envy. What has he got that we haven't! We are both braver and smarter than him! The King should listen to us above everyone else - especially That Man!"

Now a third party knocked at the door. Cassander came in, uninvited but not unwelcome. He had the same complaints, even more acidulous than the other two. They sat down to some really hard drinking for themselves. Late at night when all were really horribly drunk and even more envious and full of even worse foul thoughts of Hephaestion Cassander told them, carefully whispering every word:

"My dear friends. I have a final solution to all our troubles..."

Feasting

Herazanes never stopped being perturbed and amazed at all the feasting being done at King Alexander's court. Almost every evening some new festivities with wine flowing all over the Royal tent. At his modest home one never used any strong drinks at all! Pure mountain water and wholesome fruit juices was all one ever had to drink. Now he was sitting at a small table together with Herakles, drinking raspberry juice and enjoying his roasted boar with vegetables and spicy sauce. Soon Stefanos would be taking them to bed and tuck them in with a fond good night. The small boys looked disturbed at the all too merry carousing, then at each other. Herakles said:

"I've seen far too much of this since Father came for me at Susa. When I get older I'll never ever taste anything stronger than spring water and fruit juices!"

"Me neither. I've never seen men getting drunk at all - but here they do it all the time, even in broad day light. "

The small boys nodded their little heads with all the wisdom and knowledge of the world that comes with the young ones tender and fresh look upon it...

Coping

There were many changes for Herazanes, getting away from his calm and peaceful home, starting a quiet new life together with his real father and his Beautiful Golden One. He also had his dear friend Herakles, his Lovely Golden Boy. At first he was quite astounded when he saw his father with another Beautiful Golden One, though grown up and with many silver streaks in his golden curls. He soon realized it was young Herakles' Father. It was an amazing turn of fates, from a calm rural home to the Court of the High King Alexander, the center of all the worlds most interesting events. He was prudent and intelligent and adjusted himself very well to all novelties.

Best of all was young Herakles and their friendship. They were always getting into mischief together. Alexander and Hephaestion gave them stern reproach and told them:

"We never did such things when we were small boys together. "

All who really knew them knew well they were not telling the truth...

Herazanes had all that he wanted. He had also been promised they would visit his Mother again next summer. He missed her a lot, but certainly understood she never could leave her sheltered life at the goat herds village.

There was one cloud of darkness looming over his bright and prosperous visions of the future. He, and many with him couldn't avoid seeing how worn out the King and his True Steadfast Friend were by all their hardships. Much of their youth and strength had been stolen from them. They were aging in a most beautiful and formidable manner - but there was little left of their bright and golden youth. Herazanes feared what the Future might bring...

Loving All the feasting was done. Fortunately Alexander had held the drinking down and they were coming to bed almost sober. At last Hephaestion had his Beautiful Golden One all for himself in the comfortable Royal bedchamber in the palace in Ecbatana. It really was magnificent. The bed was made from a very thick dark brown tree stem, carved out with the most beautiful craftsmanship, adorned with wine leafs, bunches of grapes and other delicious fruits. It was made up with a shimmering blue green bed spread, fine fluffy furs and many white and blue green soft cushions. It looked most inviting, not only for sleep.

Hephaestion looked fondly at Alexander. He undressed, not so quick as before, and with concern Hepahestion saw that even this little effort was somewhat trying for him. He lifted off his fine blue green robe and also the gold chain with emeralds that rested around his neck. The Ring from Egypt never left his finger... Then he stood before his friend, completely without clothes, in full sight in the wide window with that gorgeous view over the Orontis Mountains. It was late at night and a silvery moon and a sparkling cluster of shining silvery stars shed their lights upon his still strong and muscular body.

Hephaestion never tired of that wonderful sight. Those glimmering golden curls, now heavily streaked with silver, those beautiful gray eyes, large, one much darker than the other, commanding, now wide from longing, the strong features of his face, the neck turned at the left side, a memory of a serious trauma at the Danube, his broad muscular shoulders, the right one bearing the scar from the cruel catapult arrow at Gaza, his ribcage severely scarred from the malevolent Mallian arrow that almost took his life, his leg that was shattered in the Sogdian war and badly scarred from it, his foot pierced by that sharp arrow at the Massagetian campaign. His friend was even more beautiful and precious to him now, being worn and torn by the hurts and adversities of a cruel world. He felt an immense desire building inside him. It couldn't, wouldn't be denied. He rapidly removed his own clothes and told his friend in a husky, demanding voice:

"Alexander! I want you - now!"

"No. I'm so tired. I'm not up to it. Can't you see that for yourself?"

"Oh no. You'll never be too tired for this. "

He knelt before him and started to kiss his feet, fondly suckling the scar on his right foot. Alexander was always clean and proper and even his feet tasted like a most delicious perfume of roses and violets. He started up his shinbone that had been so cruelly crushed. Alexander had soft golden hair growing more or less over his whole body and the longer hairs on his lower leg tickled his tongue making his longing almost unendurably . He kissed the scar tissue over the roughly healed bone, working it with his tongue. Now he could hear Alexander softly moaning and a strong hand gripped his head.

"Please...Don't do this to me! You know I cannot resist you..."

"I surely can see that now. And you said you weren't up to it! "

He continued kissing his knees, his thighs until he could see and feel the Mighty Spear rising, ready for the thing he wanted most of all ... Now the strong hands gripped his shoulders and forcefully lifted him off the floor. Alexander embraced him, warmly and violently at the same time.

"My dear friend, I cannot take this anymore. You'll get what you want, immediately! "

He dragged him to the bed and they fell together amongst the soft furs and cushions. They were cool to the heated bodies and soon they begun that eternal waving rhythm of giving and taking, tumbling around, upsetting the finely made bedspreads into a tangle of lusty heaps and waves of the finest furs and fabrics. The moon and the stars gave their silvery light to their wonderful love game, but soon a soft gray white cloud blew over the round silvery full moon, almost as if she was blushing...

Afterwards Alexander lay completely exhausted. His breath labored and he clutched his right side at the scar from the Mallian arrow. Hephaestion looked concerned at him and got sternly reproved:

"Look now what you've done to me! My chest hurts awfully. It burns as fire for each breath...catches me like a band of iron..."

"Oh no. I didn't think...Let me help you. "

He reached out for a vial of rose scented oil and filled his hands with it, making a Prayer of Healing as it warmed to his touch and pleased his nostrils with its flowery fragrance. He started to briskly rub the scarred ribcage, giving his friend a most gentle massage, following the smooth fair skin with his hands, cupping them lovingly over the strong chest muscles and fractured ribs, ruggedly healed into an adherent mass of bone, cartilage and connective tissues. All the best healing, medicines and doctoring and lovingly given massage hadn't been able to restore this horrible wound to something like health. Hephaestion knew it was a wonder his dear Beautiful Golden One had survived at all - knew with foreboding angst that Alexander lived on time borrowed from the Gods alone. He continued the gentle stroking and kneading until he felt the tensions releasing and his friend could again breath with ease. Alexander lay flat on his back, his gleaming golden hair a mass of long curly waves on the soft blue green cushions. His beautiful gray eyes was bright and shining but clouded over more and more of sheer lust and longing. He said in a hoarse, demanding voice:

"Now you've done it again! Come and let me feel this wonderful heat of yours...somewhere else than on my ribcage..."

"No, Alexander. Not again. Once is enough. The Doctor told us..."

"Don't mind about him. He doesn't know about the passions of Real Life! I can never get enough of you, my friend..."

Again they embraced each other, fervently, lovingly, as if it were their very last night together. The round silvery full moon blushed once more and covered herself with a soft white cloud.

TBC