Next chapter of this sorrowful yarn. A most trying and troubled time for ourdear friends...

All the best wishes and hopefully good reading,

/NorthernLight

TEMPLATE:

FIC: Title: Evil Events In Ecbatana (3/4) 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: NC 17 for angst and horrible schemes&sickness description.

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 at Ecbatana for the rest of summer and for celebrating 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Historical reference: In some sources Alexander is said to have sired a son with Barsine, Memnon's widow.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 may think! Severe angst. Slash. Horrible sickness, poisoning and perhaps death of major character. Elaborate descriptions of the ravages of time. Nasty, envious people making evil schemes.

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

Evil Events In Ecbatana, Part III

Breathing

Alexander never thought this simple activity would be so trying. After his almost fatal encounter with the Mallian arrow he had learned otherwise. His right side hurt like fire for every strained gasp and he thought that only Ecbatana's pure mountain air kept him alive. He tried desperately to sit straight in his saddle, feeling the weakness annoyingly forcing itself upon him. Waves of blackness flooded his mind and he understood he was near fainting. Young Bucephalion sensed the emergency and refrained from his usual spirited prancing.

Hephaestion looked worriedly at his friend, riding as close as possible.

"Alexander...How are you? You look so pale, and...your side is hurting you again. I can see it..."

"Yes. I've felt better. Don't talk so much. Hold me instead. I think I might fall off soon!"

His True Steadfast Friend put his strong arm around him, stopping him from falling. Soon they arrived at the Castle and he got off his horse with difficulty. When his feet reached the ground he almost fell. Hephaestion supported him and quickly helped him inside. When they reached the bedchamber he finally passed out. His legs gave way under him and he fell against his friend. Hephaestion lifted him and called for Doctor Philip while he hurried to put him into the comfortable bed. The good Doctor came rushing along. He closely examined his Royal patient and tried to calm his worried friend.

"He is no worse than before. It's my medicine taking hold. Just let him sleep and then try to keep him in bed for some days- and absolutely no wine! It would be good for him with some strengthening broth when he wakes up. It would be most helpful if it's freshly boiled from a young healthy stag. "

"Yes, Doctor. I'll take care of everything. "

He carefully undressed his friend and put him comfortably to rest. When he saw that Alexander was sleeping calmly and that his breathing came much easier he went outside. There Stefanos and the boys stood with worried looks.

"How is he? We promise to never ever go out on our own again..."

"Don't worry so much. He is sleeping now so don't do anything more to upset him! Go to rest all of you. I'm glad things didn't turn out worse. As for punishment you'll have to stay inside all day tomorrow and you may NOT go with me for the Autumn Hunt!"

They all drooped their heads and Stefanos followed the boys to their chambers and safely saw them to their beds. Hephaestion returned to the bedchamber and then proceeded to take away all wine jugs...

Autumn hunt

Hephaestion woke up early in the morning, eager for the hunt. He had spent all night sitting at Alexander's bedside, carefully watching over his friend. When he saw him getting better and resting more easily he fell asleep in his chair, wrapped in a warm fur cloak. Alexander was still sleeping but he had already regained some color and his breathing came easier. Hephaestion got up slowly, careful not to disturb his friend. He called for Doctor Philip and the servants.

"You must watch him carefully when I'm out hunting. Se to it that he stays in bed, and keep him away from his wine jugs! I've taken them away and locked them up in a safe place but one cannot know with him..."

After a quick breakfast he went out to the stable with the rest of the hunting party. Today he took Young Castor.

"You need some experience, my young friend. I understand your sire wants to stay calmly inside today. "

To his great surprise the old war stallion started to neigh violently and rear up in his box, most demandingly.

"What's the matter with you, now? You have not been so eager since we rode out against King Porus. It's best I let you have your way. "

He told the groom to put on the hunting gear and out they went. It was a fine and bright autumn day, sunny with clear azure skies. The forest up the mountain slope blazed in all the most beautiful colors of autumn, from bright red, dark russet, glowing orange and golden yellow. Hephaestion had his two sharp hunting spears and Pandora ran at his side, eager to find a fine young stag. Castor was worried almost out of his wits, having told Pandora of the evil planning against them. Then they saw a fine young stag standing under a golden leafed chestnut tree. At the same time Castor with his keen hearing caught some sinister whisperings from the dense red leafed bushes around the stag.

"Here he comes. Have your spears and bows at the ready!"

Hephaestion poised his hunting spear and rushed at the stag. Then something most annoying and unusual happened. His prudent and reliable old war horse disobeyed him for the first time in their long career together. Castor reared up with an anguished neighing and ran away in the opposite direction.

"Damn! What are you doing? I needed that prey for Alexander's recovery!"

Castor didn't listen to him. He ran as fast as he could away from the pack of mountain bandits. His master couldn't rein him in and they got far away from the rest of the hunting party. Suddenly they almost fell over a prudent young stag who had seen the hunting party and wisely saved himself by running at the opposite direction. Now he was safe no more. Hephaestion ran him through with his sharp hunting spear and signaled for the servants to come collecting the prey.

"You are lucky today, Castor. With such excellent hunting luck I simply cannot punish you!"

A cold, unmerciful rain fell suddenly over Hephaestion and his brave old mount. Strong winds were blowing from the north and they were wet and chilled all into the marrow. The ride back to the castle was long and hard and their worries for Alexander made it all the worse.

Disappointment

"That man! He has the most unusual luck. One could almost think that his old horse overheard our planning in the stable and saved him intentionally!"

"No, Krateros. Our war horses are smart, but not that smart. Now we must proceed to my little scheme. I've got a most interesting delivery from a pharmacy in Babylon...I'll prepare it into an important document, for His eyes only..."

The tree conspirators got on whispering, covering inside the blood red leaves of the cornell bushes. Some small birds overheard them and shuddered in utter disgust over the evil and envy of the human race...

Returning

Hephaestion delivered the fine stag at the kitchen, telling the master cook to carefully prepare a strengthening and tasty broth from the finest meats and marrow. Then he took Castor into the stable. The brave old horse was panting and very exhausted. His master told the groom:

"Take good care of him and rub him down so he recovers from this bad chill we got out in that horrible rain. He is very tired and needs warmth and rest. Give him your finest oats gruel and the softest hay to eat. I cannot see to him myself...must go to the King immediately. "

Then he rushed into the castle and up the stairs to the King's bedchamber. Pandora ran with him, barking for Herakles. To his great astonishment he heard happy laughter and merry voices inside. Curiously he opened the door to a most surprising sight. Alexander was sitting in a comfortable resting chair in front of a blazing fire, propped up against soft pillows and with a warm white fur over his legs. Stefanos and the boys sat close to his feet on pillows and stools and listened intently as he told them about his many adventures. At the moment he was about to entertain them with the taming of Bucephalos. His color was back to normal and his eyes glowed from joy and energy. Doctor Philip sat relaxed in a chair beside him and they all enjoyed honey cakes and cups with a red fluid, suspectly looking like wine! Hephaestion had been out of his wits with worrying and now he felt his usually so calm temper grow red hot from anger and frustration. He pointed angrily at Alexander.

"You...You...You are supposed to be resting in your bed, not amusing yourself with drinking and bragging! And you boys and Stefanos...you should be punished for your transgressions of yesterday, not sitting here having a nice time with fine food, drinking and his merry company. "

Then he stamped the floor and addressed the good Doctor:

"And you are the worst of this sorrowful lot. I trusted you with taking good care of Alexander. I'm most disappointed. You've told us for twenty years we should not drink so much wine - and here you are encouraging him in his drinking...and even our children! I thought they only liked fruit juices!"

The merry party got completely silent, surprised by this unusual outburst. Then the good Doctor defended them:

"Calm yourself down, Hephaestion. We drink only raspberry juice - and Stefanos and the boys were punished enough yesterday! We have been sitting all day guarding your precious friend, worried out of our wits for his health. Then he woke up and started looking for you and then his precious wine jugs! He didn't like them being hidden away. You should be glad we managed to restore his good temper!"

Alexander looked fondly at his friend.

"I'm so glad you're back. I missed you - and not being able to go out hunting together. Calm yourself down and let our servants prepare a hot bath for you and give you warm and dry clothes, or else you'll catch your death of cold. It must have been trying out in that storm and rain. "

Then he told Pandora very demanding:

"Go search for my wine jugs! Some rascal must have stolen them. I cannot understand how he knew where I had hidden them all..."

Pandora waved her long tail and started sniffing around. Then she received another order.

"No. Don't go looking for them! I've hidden them in a safe place. Alexander. You'll get them back when you're feeling better. "

Pandora looked puzzled and sat down between her both Masters. Alexander smiled knowingly at his friend.

"Yes. I knew all the time who dared to hide my good old wine jugs from me. Don't you worry anymore. Doctor Philip explained to me. I won't take a drop till' I'm feeling better. "

Later the friends shared a late supper with strengthening deer broth, succulent meat and bread. Alexander was much improved and when their meal was finished he bade his friend:

"Come to me and share my bed tonight - for warmth only. You are still shivering from being out in that cold rain. "

Logistics

Next day Alexander was still resting and the boys kept him company. Hephaestion went dutifully to the arrangements of the Autumn Festival. He sat down at the flooded desk in his office and started to take care of all the paper work and correspondence. He didn't feel as energetic as usual, still shivering from the bad chill he got yesterday. The fire pan didn't give him enough warmth and he pulled his fur cloak closer around him. Then a messenger came with a scroll wrapped in a fine parchment. "Important message from Macedon - for your eyes only, General. " Hephaestion took it - but to his great frustration two small robins came fluttering through the window and grabbed the important document with their feet. He was so perplexed he didn't reach out for it and saw it flutter away with the robins singing a merry and teasing little song.

"How strange. Whatever could have been written in that scroll? Now I will never know...I hope it was one of Queen Olympias horrid letters. Those I won't miss. "

He dutifully proceeded with all other paper work until he was ready. Satisfied he got out and saw Krateros, Eumenes and Cassandros outside. They looked as if they had seen a ghost. He addressed them haughtily:

"What are you looking at? Have you never seen me before? Go and make something useful with your time instead!"

The whispering behind his back once again. So familiar - but this time it chilled him to the marrow. Now he was actually feeling most unwell. His legs wobbled unsteadily and he had to use the walls for support. Deep disappointment

"That man, again! Our precious scroll has disappeared as if it had gone up in smoke! I cannot understand it. It's as if he were protected by some Higher Powers. What shall we do now about him?"

"I still have some left...but it will be difficult, almost impossible to get it to him. He and Alexander share everything...food..wine..all..."

"No. Not now. I heard that Doctor Philip has forbidden Alexander to drink wine because of his sickness after the wolf hunt. We might get a new chance..."

The whispering and evil plotting continued...

Autumn Festival

Alexander recovered from his weakness and attended the Autumn festival together with his friend. The first day begun with a parade of Alexander's new Persian army, then all kinds of sports events for the young boys. It was a brisk and clear day, the sun pouring it's golden rays from an azure sky. It warmed all the other spectators, but not Hephaestion. He was freezing all the time, trembling and almost unable to hide the chills coming over him. The cold was deep in his marrow and the warm clothes and thick fur cloak he put on didn't help at all. He sat close to Alexander and wanted to cling to him for sharing his warmth. He was always filled with energy and able to share it with all others.

Evening came with it's usual drinking party. The food was brought in together with a flagon of extra fine wine, especially for the King and his closest friend. The boys and Pandora sat at a small table close to the couches where Alexander and Hephaestion reclined. Suddenly Pandora sniffed suspiciously, then she gave an angry bark and sprung at the wine waiter with bared teeth. Herakles jumped after and grasped for her spiked collar. Too late. The flagon fell to the stone floor and was smashed in a thousand pieces. The fine wine ran in a bright red flood and if listening intently one could hear three gasps of horrified disappointment. Slaves hurried to wipe it from the floor as Herakles scolded his ill tempered she-bitch.

"Pandora! Why can't you ever behave yourself? Just when I thought at last all your training was complete! You may not stay at this merry feast. Stefanos! Take her back to our quarters!"

Pandora wished she could speak but barked merrily all the way back to the boys' quarters. She certainly felt she well could endure a hungry evening, knowing her Masters were safe from poisons and evil plotting. Hephaestion looked suspiciously at the wine waiter.

"Iollas! What do you mean bringing wine to the Royal table? Didn't I tell you we were having only lemon water this evening, Doctor Philip's prescriptions! You don't want to kill the King, do you?"

Trembling he answered:

"'T'was not for him. I thought you wanted something to warm you up, General. "

"Nice thought, Iollas - but I share everything with the King, even a sober evening!"

Sickness

The drinking party didn't last for long. Alexander needed his rest and kept the drinking down. When the desserts were finished he called it a night and thanked all the guests. Then he rose from his couch, trembling from fatigue. Hephaestion came up to him immediately and gave him discreet support. Stefanos took a torch and went to light their path to the Royal bedchamber. When they were out of sight from the party Alexander leaned heavily upon his friend. Suddenly Hephaestion felt his legs give way under him and he was trembling violently. Alexander asked with surprise:

"What's the matter with you, now? You're supposed to be the strongest of us...and you didn't even have any wine this evening because of me!"

Hephaestion supported himself against the wall, slowly sliding down. Alexander checked him carefully, now with rising alarm. He felt the brow of his friend and cried out:

"You are burning hot - and coming down with a terrible chill. Stefanos! Help me bring him to his quarters - and then send for Doctor Philip immediately. "

T B C