Things are looking sad and foreboding - but this is AU and the outcome might be most unexpected and not as bad as one may think... This chapter is a long one but I think you understand. It was quite impossible making a cliffhanger out of this!
All the best wishes
/NorthernLight
TEMPLATE:
Title: FIC: Title: Evil Events In Ecbatana (2/4) 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. This is for my deep interest in Alexander and Hephaestion, their time and age.
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 in Ecbatana for the rest of summer and the Autumn Festival.
Historical reference: In some sources Alexander is said to have sired a son with Barsine, Memnon's widow.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 - but the outcome may not be as sad as one thinks! 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. Children in peril. Horses and watch dog being scared out of their wits. Scary sequence with pack of ravenous wolves.
Nature note: In my remote country we really have packs of ravenous wolves. They don't eat small children - but many poor animals, amongst them domestic sheep and calves are being scared, hunted and savagely eaten.
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, Part II
Morning Glory
To the young every morning comes with new hopes and glories. Young Herakles and Herazanes woke up fresh and sober, contrary to Stefanos. He was sleeping in their room, and, having been to Alexander's party he was not sober at all and sleeping very heavily. The small boys tried to wake him up so they all could go out riding. That was not easy. He sternly but a bit slurring at the word told them:
"No. It'll have to wait until later. I must sleep some more hours. Stay inside the castle and play something nice. I'll be with you when I'm feeling better. "
Disappointed they washed and dressed, putting on their riding boots and clothes. Listlessly they played some knucklebones but soon got very bored. Herakles got an idea.
"We're not so small as they think. We have our daggers and bows, and we're riding well and good. Let's go out on our own. There are no enemies in these fine mountains. We'll be well and secure. Let's take a basket with bread, cakes and some jugs of raspberry juice and ride our on our own! We'll have a good time. Everyone here will be sleeping it off all day long. I think we're the only ones sober in all this Palace!"
Herazanes was not so reckless.
"It sounds good to me - but how could we? Someone will catch us at the stable - and it might be dangerous out there. I heard of a pack of hungry wolves."
"They are not awake so early in the morning. Let's go packing our food!"
And out they went with a heavy basket full of delicacies from the castle kitchen. Their small ponies stood in the stable, keeping Castor company. He was trying to educate them and told them about all his brave campaigning together with his dear friend Bucephalos. Sometimes a crystal clear tear of grief fell into the fine oats in his crib. Little Lightning and Chestnut listened politely but they knew it all by heart and almost fell asleep on their feet.
Now they heard the cheerful voices of their Masters. They neighed and lifted their heads in anticipation. Herakles and Herazanes said good morning to them and put on their riding gears and fine red saddle felts and sheep fleece.
"We'll have a fine day out. The weather is nice and sunny. All will be well, Heraz. Do not brood so. "
"We're supposed to be inside these secure walls. Couldn't we sit in the garden and have breakfast together?"
"NO! It's a lot more fun outside in the wood! Let's go now. "
And up they went. The small ponies pranced and happily went outside. Castor gave good advice:
"Take good care of your Masters now! You know you are the ones with the most cleverness!"
"Yes. No wonder after all the tales you've told us. "
Stable Intriguing
Castor went back to the fine oats in his crib. He knew the day after one of the King's drinking parties he could calmly stay inside resting his poor old bones. Intrigues Castor suddenly woke up from his peaceful sleep. There were some unfamiliar people in the stable. Three men, stumbling, reeking from newly drunk wine came almost falling down a stack of hay.
"Here we're safe. Even the stable grooms are sleeping it off all day. I have done my part of our little scheme."
Voices lowered to a sinister whispering. Castor had keen ears and heard it all. He was not unfamiliar with sinister plots and intrigues, some of them even his dear Master's - but this was beyond compare! He could not believe what he heard.
"Tomorrow will be Autumn Hunting. I've arranged for some mountain bandits to ambush him when out in the wood. By noon tomorrow we'll have seen the last of Hephaestion!"
Castor shuddered. He almost reared up and tore his fetters but as the prudent horse he was he stayed calmly at his crib. He heard soft snoring from the hay stack and had to wait. He wished he could speak men's language and gallop up into the castle at maximum speed to tell his dear Masters about this really evil plot. In despair he sank his teeth into the wood of his crib.
Riding
The pure morning breeze greeted Herakles and Herazanes as they rode over the soft green meadows. Their long hair, one shining golden, the other burnished copper, flowed freely with the wind. Pandora leaped besides them , merrily barking. She was Herakles own brave watch dog and had been with him since she was a little pup. The Orontis mountains towered over them and they rode for a very long time, until the morning sun was getting really hot and bright. At last they got both tired and hungry. A lofty old oak beckoned at them. They sat down in its flickering shade and brought up their food basket. The ponies wandered off to graze on the meadow. They were so nice and well mannered, never strayed away and never needed their legs hampered. The young boys enjoyed their meal with the lusty appetite of the young and growing, sharing with Pandora. They talked about their future, having their own unusual opinions.
"Father wants me to lead his armies, marching East once more. I suppose I have to - but I would rather go West together with you. First we'll visit my Mother at Susa, then your Mother for a long stay, and I want to see Macedonia and my Grandmother. I've heard so much about her. I'm curious. She can't be so terrible as some say. And I'm not afraid of snakes. My nanny often tells me I strangled two vipers who snaked into my crib when I was only months old. "
"Yes. I'm very glad you did so I can be with you now. I'm missing home. It is good and exciting here - but I like a calm and secure place. Macedonia sounds good. All those mountains and woods. It must be a lot like Persian Gates. "
They talked for a long time, getting more and more sleepy. At last they were sliding down the tree trunk and fell soundly asleep huddled up close together in their red woolen cloaks.
Hunger
The wolf pack hadn't caught any decent prey for a week. Their stomachs were lean and groveling from raging hunger. They were running stealthily around the mountainside in search for fresh prey. Oh what good luck. Three soft and plump morsels of young and delicious flesh were resting innocently under the old oak tree. Silently the pack sneaked up around them, leaving no rout of escape.
Morning Misery
Stefanos awoke when broad daylight flooded the bedchamber. He stumbled up and dipped his aching head in an ewer with cold water. Now sober enough he called for his young wards:
"Herakles! Herazanes! Come to me. Now we'll have a nice luncheon and then it's out riding. "
Silence. No cheerful voices, no fast feet running to him. Where could they be?
He quickly dressed in a fresh chiton, his leather armor and sturdy riding boots and went out in the castle. The boys were nowhere to be found. The kitchen staff told him they'd asked for a basket with all kinds of delicacies and raspberry juice. They must be safe behind walls in the castle garden. Stefanos ran there. No children, only some fluttering butterflies and buzzing bees amongst the multicolored sweet scented flowers. He ran back to the courtyard, into a most appalling sight. The small ponies came running over the drawbridge, together with Pandora. All animals were scared out of their withs and whinnied and whimpered most miserably. The ponies' gear was in wild disarray and riven into shreds. They ran directly into the stable and curled up close to Castor and Bucephalion. Their older pals asked alarmed:
"Oh dear! What have you been up to? And - where are your Masters?"
The ponies were so scared they couldn't talk for a long time, just pant pitiably. When they at last told their horrible tale all the stable was most alarmed. Then Alexander and Hephaestion came inside, ready for a refreshing afternoon ride. They quickly took in the sad sight of the riderless ponies.
"Stefanos! What is all this about? Where are our sons?"
"I've looked everywhere, my Lord. They can't be found in the castle. They must have been riding out on their own. I told them to wait...to stay calmly inside..."
"We must search for them immediately. Call for Cleitus! He must follow with the Royal Guard!"
They armed themselves and quickly rode out. Cleitus rode in front of the Royal Guard and it felt good for all to have someone old and experienced in this dire emergency. Pandora lead their way. She had now regained her wits sufficiently to show them where the boys had gone for their adventurous outing...
Wild Hunt
In maddening haste they rode towards the mountains. Alexander was very upset. He knew all the dangers in the mountains and dared not think about what ill could have befallen their dear sons. Young Bucephalion ran swiftly in a powerful gallop. Alexander was as one with the strong young stallion - drawing after breath in the brisk mountain air. They followed Pandora and all other signs of the way the young boys had been passing, riding for what seemed forever. In moments of dire need a short time stretches out into an eternity of sheer agony.
Alarmed they heard the howling of wolves. A pack of fifteen ferocious beasts were circling around a sturdy old oak, bloody froth around their mouths. Alexander thought he saw two small bundles of familiar red cloaks ripped into bloody shreds. He felt himself going mad from grief and horror. Without any thought of his own safety he rapidly unsheathed his sword and rode right into the wolf pack. An ordinary horse would have refused this madness but young Bucephalion was as reckless as his famous sire and rushed on like a black cloud of impending doom. He bared his teeth, flashed his hoofs and his brown eyes shone like lightning. His rider was even more ferocious. Alexander had seldom felt such rage and frustration , not even when Darius escaped him at Gaugamela.
Hephaestion followed him on Castor, brandishing his sharp sword. One couldn't recognize his old tired war stallion. Castor was as wild as in his youth, rearing, neighing and flashing his yellowing teeth. The wolves were scattered like wheat before the scythe. When their leader was decapitated and hacked to pieces the few survivors ran away with horrified whimpering and their tails between their legs.
Bereavement
Alexander and Hephaestion looked with grief and horror upon the small read cloaks torn into bloodied shreds. They embraced each other, shedding hot sorrowful tears.
"Our sons! They are gone - forever - and in such a horrible way..."
They were unable to speak out of sheer grief. Alexander could hardly breathe from exhaustion and sad feelings. Suddenly something broke inside his chest. He felt a red hot pain burning, air was coming more and more difficult, something suffocating him from inside. He staggering and leaned heavily back on the sturdy oak stem. Hephaestion saw him turn deathly pale and then he doubled up, racked with a harsh painful cough. Suddenly he brought up bright red blood, far too long, far too much of it. Hephaestion watched him with concerned alarm and held him, trying to be as comforting as he could.
"NO, Alexander. Don't you leave me, you too! I can't stand it without you. All alone in this wilderness, only enemies around me..."
Alexander lost consciousness and became limp and listless in the arms of his True Steadfast Friend. Hephaestion sat down and held him in his lap. His head fell at one side and his breath came more and more seldom, with great exertion. Soon more bright red blood ran from the corner of his lips. All the company looked with horror and anxiety, no one dared to say a thing. Hephaestion screamed at them:
"Ride and fetch Doctor Philip, someone! Tell him what has happened and that time is of the essence! He must bring his Revival Medicine immediately!"
One of the guards swiftly galloped away. Hephaestion remained with Alexander steadily cradled in his lap. He felt hot tears of grief and deep bereavement falling down his cheeks, wetting the white still face of his Beautiful Golden One.
Relief
Small voices came from the lofty three top.
"Father! Help! Save us! We can't climb down from the tree!"
Hephaestion lifted his head, seeing Herakles and Herazanes sitting on a broad oak branch. They were freezing without their cloaks but seemed unharmed. He almost fainted from relief but managed to quickly order:
"Stefanos! Climb up and help them down to me. I cannot do it myself...Oh, I really thought we had lost them for good!"
The guard was in deep shock over all the terrors of the day but the call of immediate action made him come back to his senses. He quickly climbed up the broad oak stem and brought the small boys down. They hugged him with relief, trying not to cry out loud.
"My boys, I'm so glad you are safe. You must never disobey me again!"
He put them down. With dismay they saw Alexander lying in Hephaestion's lap, his chiton stained with bright blood. They threw themselves down at his side. Herakles asked:
"What happened to Father? Did the wolves try to eat him too?"
Hephaestion gently stroke his golden curls.
"No. This is not caused by the wolves. You know how he was wounded in India. His poor lung never healed completely. It's not the first time he's bleeding like this - but the worst. Do not worry. Doctor Philip knows what to do!"
Then Hephaestion ordered Stefanos:
"Please, take the boys home. I don't want them to see this!"
The small boys protested determinedly.
"No. We're staying to see him brought safely back to home! "
Healing
They all sat down sadly under the tree. Alexander remained barely alive. It seemed forever until Doctor Philip came with his leather bundle full of strong and life saving medicines. He quickly jumped off his horse and came to the rescue.
"What have you both been up to now? I told you not to do anything to upset him!"
He then saw the small boys sitting besides their fathers and gave a sigh from relief.
"At least you are alive and well! It's time to find you some real and proper tutoring, or else you'll end up as your fathers, bringing us all into all kinds of dangers and miseries!"
He knelt beside Alexander and examined him thoroughly. Hephaestion asked worriedly:
"How is he? You must bring him back to me!"
"Calm yourself down! It's not as bad as it looks. His pulse is strong and he is still breathing. My medicine will help him once again. "
He brought some liniment from a stoppered bottle. It smelt strongly of camphor and mint and put all around into fits of sneezing. He rubbed it briskly on Alexander's chest and wrists. Soon the patient breathed easier and regained some color. He opened his eyes and his first gaze fell upon the small boys.
"Oh no. Too soon...I'll like to be with you but not now!"
His head fell to the side once more. Doctor Philip poured some black liquid in a small cup and held under his nostrils. He then forced him to drink. Alexander swallowed the bitter medicine with great difficulty. Some time passed, then he regained consciousness, more calmly this time.
"Where...where are we? Hephaestion...The boys?"
He tried to sit up but Hephaestion held him back with force.
"Lie still, my friend. Do not exert yourself. Our boys are safe. They climbed the tree before the wolves made a meal out of them. Fortunately they are as resourceful as we were in Illyria!"
Herakles and Herazanes came to their fathers, trying to give what comfort they could. Alexander soon got up on his feet, waving Doctor Philip and his warnings vehemently away.
"No, Sire. You must rest, wait for a litter to return to the Castle. "
"I've had far enough of litters! I'll ride home now. Don't you coddle me like a sickly child!"
He stood wavering unsteadily, feeling weak and giddy, worse than after the most deep wine drinking. Hephaestion gave him discreet support.
Forgiving
They saw some humble and scared figures away from the old oak. Stefanos stood together with the small ponies who just arrived, trotting after the hunting party, more slowly on their smaller legs. They all hung their heads and trembled, feeling most embarrassed and fearing some terrible punishment for causing this calamity. Stefanos said:
"My King, I'm so glad you are recovering - but now you must punish me for taking so bad care of your precious boys. "
Alexander did the most unexpected thing. He came forward and embraced the fearful guard.
"My dear Stefanos. Don't be afraid. Boys will be boys! You can't be blamed for them taking after their sires...and they handled their ordeal most resourcefully. I think they've learned a real lesson from all this. You'll go on as their guard - but Doctor Philip is right. We'll have to find them a really stern tutor. I'll think of someone proper..."
He then got to the small ponies and put his both hands calmingly on their heads.
"Little Lightning and Chestnut, you are not as brave as Castor and Bucephalion, but you did the right thing running away from the wolves and coming back to the Castle making us ride out to the rescue. "
The small ones neighed and pranced most happily. Alexander said to all:
"Let's now ride home to the Castle. We all need some rest. It has been a most trying day. "
Young Bucephalion sank down on his haunches for the King to mount him. All the company sat up and rode back to the castle. It was still broad daylight and a mild breeze wafted against them. Suddenly Hephaestion felt himself watched by cold malevolent eyes. He shuddered and looked around, seeing no one...
Watching
The small group of mountain bandits were hiding silently behind some thorny briers up the craggy slope. Their new acquaintance and benefactor pointed out one man riding close to the High King. He whispered in a voice reeking of malevolence and envy:
"Look carefully. He is the one you have to ambush and kill during the deer hunt early tomorrow morning. "
T B C
