Author PenName: Dysis Nyx
Author Notes: I really do love this fanfic because it really lets my creativity thrive onward. Although I must admit I am starting another one at the same time as this one. It is a "Troy" story plot. The movie had good basis, but yet again the same problem occurred in "Troy" as it did in "Alexander". Well, sort of, because at least in the one they admitted the love that history has tried to cover up. I think its funny that Achilles and Patroclus are the most known pair or more so than Alexander & Hephaistion. And yet, they only play half the tale in "Troy". I know what your thinking and I do also write about boy/girl pairings. I think my InuYasha, Fushigi Yuugi, Lost World, and so on fanfics are enough evidence of that. I think my main obsession lays with just love in general. I am a sucker for love and romance, well, forbidden love is my favorite, especially when they conquer over the odds...Wait! I am getting off track here. Okay, here is the story.
Disclaimer: I do not own, have rights on, or have any legal say in the characters, story, etc. of the movie "Alexander" if I did I would be insanely rich and sitting in a hot tub with Alexander on one side and Hephaistion on the other with no care for statutory rape laws. Screw whoever made that stupid underage law rule!
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"Leave my presence immediately, Roxane. I will hear no more for now. Go to your chambers and I will call you soon." His voice was restrained, but a silent fury still seethed in his words.
Just before she could rebuttal him he cut her off on the short of it "Leave! I will deal with his betrayal on my own without the help of a snake!"
hallway of the great palace
current
Hephaistion walked through the halls as a man aware of no pain, no worries, naught but the raw, virile happiness that ravaged his entirety. He had been on his way to the room that kept Dianthe in her healing state. Of course, he had felt bad for not seeing her before bed, but Hephaistion knew that he had had his hands full.
No one must know where he had slept the night previous for it could be dangerous to Alexander as a king if people had known openly about their said relationship. Rumors were one thing, but facts another. People would see it differently if it was a kitchen boy or a eunuch, but not a general.
What could have been Hephaistion's problem in the past with honesty and Alexander. Sure, the Golden King had thought that Hephaistion had always told him the truth, but in the end it was all a lie. One could only find the words about Alexander's actions and situations, but Hephaistion lost all honesty when it came to his own emotions. Even last night he had night told Alexander of his revelation.
It was something that Hephaistion he lived with since they were boys. Even that night prior to the battle of Galgamella, Hephaistion had not said the words that his heart had hungered to tell Alexander. How could so small of words be so hard to utter.
As he stood in front of the door Hephaistion stood breathless and gaping. He had always known, but never knew. He always told Alexander that he cared for him, but Ptolemy cared for Alexander. By Hades, even Zeus cared for Hera, but obviously that meant nothing to the lecherous chief god.
Hephaistion's tent, land outside of Galgamella
midnight before the Battle of Galgamella
He laid back on his bed deep with his dark thoughts. All Hephaistion could do was regret everything he had just done. His Alexander had left him a chance, but he had shot him down like a soldier because he was afraid of what he might have said. He knew what he would have done, but he feared what his tongue might have betrayed on him. Most of all he had not wanted Alexander to get in trouble or even get distracted tomorrow.
The last thing that Hephaistion wanted was for something to happen to Alexander. Hephaistion had no clue what he would do if Alexander died tomorrow. Wrong! He knew exactly what he would do. He would seek vengeance, then follow his king in death. Then again, it was Achilles who did that for Patroclus, not vice versa.
"What keeps you awake, my friend?"
There lingered the voice of Alexander. Of course, Hephaistion popped up in his bed. He had not expected the golden king when he did. "I could not sleep, Alexander. I believe it is the restlessness before battle that plague me."
"Perhaps you would like to go over the plans for tomorrow one more time. They surely seemed to provoke you to sleep earlier."
Letting out a laugh Hephaistion corrected "That is true, but they were not the most thrilling activity I could think of, but I stayed awake for your sake."
That was when Hephaistion started to really look at Alexander. It was that moment when he could see the king's desire and longing in his eyes. So, he unmasked his own eyes and let them shine with every fire in his body. "Tell me, Alexander, why come in here? Surely not to discuss tomorrow!"
"Shall we lay side by side tonight. No distractions for tomorrow, just two men lying next to eachother."
Hephaistion through his legs over the side of the bed and sat there. His head was down as he thought over a pretty big risk. This could be the biggest mistake he would. Nothing else just sleeping side by side. Such a tender moment would be asking for the tongue to slip. "I would have it no other way before you lead me into battle,...Alexander."
Without another Alexander approached Hephaistion's bed where he climbed. Hephaistion's skin was nearly burned with the heat his own body and Alexander's were giving off. Yet, as Alexander lay close Hephaistion felt his heart beating just as fast as his own was at that moment. And Hephaistion's worried faded with that heartbeat. For some strange reason Alexander calmed him.
hallway of the great palace
current
It was such a happy memory, even better than any other tender moment the two of them had spent with eachother. That night was so innocent and it was like them as boys back when Aristotle tutored them.
Before he even showed himself to Dianthe she spoke up "I had not thought to see you so early this morning. I thought you would still be in bed...or did Bagoas kick you out?"
Hephaistion now sat along side of his friend. He could see the color coming back in her cheeks and her voice was still weak, but just not sickly. It pleased him to see her so well. "I am glad you are looking this morning. You had me worried about you."
"Yes, and now I worry about you. Hephaistion, you must flee now. Leave this room and keep low for several days, possibly weeks. Alexander is-"
"Do not worry, Dianthe. Alexander and me have kept things back to the way they should be. He trusts me again and I am almost ready to let him now how it is I feel."
Nothing she could say could get him to run. He was a man, worst of all, he was a man in love. There was nothing she could say that would willingly get him to run from the man he loved. So, she gave up "Fine, my friend, you stay, but no matter what keep heart. Never give up and trust in love, I promise in the end it will beat the evils of this world."
With a laugh and a hug Hephaistion stayed by Dianthe's side till a strong voice called his name from the doorway. "Hephaistion! Come here, we need to talk..."
As if in a heated battle Hephaistion reverted right back to his military behavior. He stood up tall and proud "Yes, my king?"
Once he started to walk Dianthe grabbed his wrist "Remember trust him and be wary, he cannot control everyone."
Without the slightest thought Hephaistion gave her a curt nod and approached Alexander. As he neared him, he could see that Alexander's face showed not a sign of familiarity. After last night Hephaistion thought since it was only the two of them and Dianthe that he would have softened, but there was no affection in his face, only pity and a stern expression.
"Hephaistion you are brought to the charges of treason. I thought it for the best that I tell you before Cleitus comes in with his men."
Hephaistion knew not how, but he found his voice with an odd hoarseness to it "Who has accused me of such charges? Surely not you, Alexander? Not after-"
At that moment Cleitus and his men stormed in with extreme force and opposition. The look on Cleitus's face told Hephaistion he was enjoying this. His thoughts were confirmed when the men grabbed him the way they would a no good murderer. Of course, Hephaistion struggled, if he just let them take him away without answers, then he would regret it "Alexander! Who charges me with such lies!"
"I do! Who else? Roxane has brought your crimes to my attention and your betrayal will not be forgiven, Hephaistion." Alexander's own voice yelled it in pent-up frustration with firm perseverance, but Hephaistion still noted the hesitation on his name.
"You would believe that snake over me? You would believe a woman you have known to betray you, over the one who has always proved his loyalty since childhood? I thought you had more sense than a dog, Alexander, but I was wrong!"
This comment forced Alexander to get right into Hephaistion's face and not yell, but his words packed more punch with the voice he now used "If you are so trustworthy, Hephaistion, then why was there no struggle when you were taken."
Here it was, the moment of it all. Hephaistion's mind wasn't even thinking anymore as his words came out "I thought it was you! I thought it was you, Alexander. Yet, you will believe that woman! I have held more love for you than that woman can ever hold or even what she claims to hold! I hold more love for you than all your subjects united! Yet, you will believe that woman!"
His confession was ill-timed because he wanted to confess something like that out of love, not anger. What was even worse was what Alexander was about to say. In Alexander's mind he had to say it, but once Hephaistion heard this he knew he would understand what he was doing. And hopefully, Hephaistion would play along. All this Alexander hoped, because if not, then his plan to fool Roxane into a false security was for naught. Sure, the plan would work, but at the expense of losing Hephaistion. "Tell me, Hephaistion, do you always love men who could never love you? I am king, I cannot love a lowly servant who has failed to show any significance in my life."
There it was the obvious lie. Hephaistion would know immediately that Alexander was lying because Hephaistion knew just how important he was after last night. Or so Alexander thought. Until BAM! Alexander was knocked back a few paces by Hephaistion's fist.
The man had managed to free himself enough to hit Alexander with all the pain he was feeling inside. That was all Hephaistion could get out before he was dragged out by the guards.
As Hephaistion was dragged off Alexander looked into his closest friend's eyes. They held the same glassy appearance the night he had wed Roxane. Exceptnow they held hate with that almost crying look. Alexander knew he had to make Hephaistion understand his plan. Otherwise Asia was about to lose a king.
---to be continued---