Here comes part seven of Hazards, introducing a greedy politician busily burning his midnight oil and making a surprising announcement. Alexander makes a miraculous recovery with some help from his True Steadfast Friend and his faithful animals.
He will need all his strength,with allGreece and all the Macedonian camp in turmoil because of his untimely absence.
All the best wishes,
/NorthernLight
TEMPLATE: Title: FIC: Hazards Of Friendship ( 7 / WIP)
Author: NorthernLight
Category: Love/Friendship/Adventure story. Alternate History.
Pairing: Alexander&Hephaestion
Date: January 2006.
Feedback: Yes, all kinds, on or off list, as you please.
Archive: Yes, if you like, but please tell me. Archvated at the ATG Slash&Fanfic Yahoo Groups.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. For entertainment only. Not for gain - my work is for my deep interest in Alexander and Hephaestion, their time and adventures.
Rating: R
Beta: Denise. Many thanks for interesting discussions and suggestions.
Summary: In the beginning of his reign Alexander made a campaign towards the Danube. Some rumor said that he was severely wounded, dead or missing in action. Perhaps Demosthenes made it up, perhaps there was some truth in it.
Warnings: This is AU, very close to but not "real" history. Slash, angst and intrigues. Hurt / comfort sequence turning into something much more.
Historical note: Aeschines was a famous Athenian actor and also a politician. He supported Philip and later also Alexander in Athens.
Medical note: The blue berries grow in abundance in the big forests in my country. They are delicious for jam and juice, rich of vitamin C, but they are also most helpful against stomach disorders.
Dedication: To Juu. Written on behalf of your fic challenge about Hephaestion and his constant trouble with the envious generals.
Athens, 335 BC
Midnight Oil
All the town of Athens was settling down. The sun had set a long time ago and all working and weary people had gone to sleep. Only the tavernas and pleasure houses were lit up and sounds of drunken revelry and all kinds of merry making reverberated out into the narrow streets. In one house one a single oil lamp was sending its angry orange yellow light out into the dark and chilly night. Everyone in town knew who was busily burning his midnight oil. His supporters admired Demosthenes' thorough engagement and his long and busy evenings. The opposition disliked all the time he spent with writing his acerbic speeches. They wished he could turn out the lights and go to sleep soon after dusk like all ordinary good and humble souls.
This night Demosthenes was writing as usual. He worked perpetually on a long series of speeches against the Macedonian oppressors. Sometimes he took a short break to take some sips from a jug with well watered wine and nibble on some biscuits. In a casket well hidden in a secret compartment in his desk he had stashed away several leather bags filled with golden Darics, payment for services rendered and expected from the Persians. Now, so late at night, when no one searched him out, he had that secret casket open and he caressed the golden coins with pleasure. His eyes gleamed with malicious greed. There was much more fortune to expect from the Persian source. He just had to wait until his schemes against the Macedonians and their young upstart King turned into a total success.
Surprise Visitor
A shadow hidden in a dark gray cowl rode a reluctant donkey through the cobbled streets of Athens. He stopped at the house of Demosthenes and gently patted the door. After a long time a sleepy servant opened the door ajar, peeping suspiciously outside. After some explanations and exchanges of secret passwords the late visitor was admitted. The servant held a sconce and showed him up a narrow set of stone stairs. He patted the door with great care. An angry voice roared from inside:
" Stavros! What are you up to now? Didn't I tell you you must never disturb me when I'm writing! "
" Yes, Master, but this is of utmost importance. Our visitor from the North has arrived! "
"Oh, why didn't you tell me? Let him inside immediately!"
Curios came inside and Demosthenes rose from his desk, asking suspiciously:
"Why do you come now at all times? You have much more serious work to do up in the North! The Macedonians will not be finished with their campaigns for a long time. "
"Yes, they will indeed. King Alexander is dead! He has fallen into the Danube from a steep precipice, a horrible accident. I saw it all for myself. No one could have survived that fall!"
Demosthenes had to sit down. He could barely believe his luck. Curios had to tell and retell the tragic happenings from the North several times before he realized that it really was the truth. After an hour of gloating questions and malicious laughter he ordered food and wine to be brought into his dining chamber. The surprised oil lamp no longer had to burn for the endless writing of acerbic speeches. It merrily shone upon a feast of gleeful malice, lasting almost until dawn.
Surprising Announcement
It was a fine spring time day. The winds were blowing from the south and west, bringing mild and warm air, scented with the wonderful smell of the first Spring flowers. A golden sun was shining brightly all over the Athenian Agora, as a spotlight for the important announcement to come. All free men of Athens had gathered and the slaves and women were eavesdropping from every nook and cranny around. All were most curious as to why the great orator Demosthenes had ordered them there. They waited for what seemed to be forever until he came prancing over the agora, followed by his servants - and bringing someone they hadn't seen before. He stepped up to the podium and started to speak, surprisingly without his usual well prepared scrolls. The great Demosthenes was known to never speak ex tempore. ( Without a manuscript )
" My fellow Athenians! I have something of utmost importance to tell you. King Alexander is dead! He has perished in a riding accident far up in the North. Now we are free forever from the Macedonian yoke! This good man here saw it happened before his own eyes. He can tell you all about it. "
Curios stepped forward and told his tale, with many long excursions, all in order to promote his own merits. At first the crowd listened with total disbelief, but as the vivid and colorful tale proceeded many begun to cheer - but not all. Aeschines and his followers went away in sorrowful dismay. Now the South was aflame with oppression against the Macedonians once more.
The Danube, 335 BC
Slow Recovery
Alexander slept fitfully through the following day. He was running a high fever and was constantly plagued by chills, nausea and stomach cramps. Hephaestion and the guards were at his side all the time, seeing to all his needs as best as they were able. The good doctor brew his herbal infusions but they seemed to be of little help since the patient had great difficulties in keeping anything down at all.
Three days came and went with no change in the Alexander's condition. He was lying still and listless, pale and wan but for the sinister feverish glow upon his translucent cheeks. Most of the time he was unconscious, lost in a mist of scary delusions. When he opened his eyes they were all bright and shiny and filled with painful anxiety. He didn't recognize his friends or his surroundings. As he faintly tried to sit up to ward off endless enemies they saw that he was plagued by severe pain and stiffness in his neck and back. Doctor Philip tended him carefully, applying poultices and ointments, but they didn't seem to be very helpful. Not even the Miracle Ointment had any effect. The good doctor shook his head when seeing the bad swelling and bruises that were getting worse by the time:
"It's not looking good at all. He needs food and rest to heal properly - and this strange sickness doesn't let him have anything of that."
Hephaestion had a very hard time trying to calm Alexander down and taking care of him. It seemed to be the best when he was sitting and holding his friend close by himself, letting him rest in his lap. This position had been nice enough when they were out enjoying themselves in the woods and meadows in their youth, a happier time without the troubles of wartime and government. Doing it for hours at the time was most trying and all the muscles in his back and shoulders felt like a tangled knot of red hot aches and cramps. He wasn't complaining, though. Alexander needed him, and whatever he needed he surely must have.
It was now the third evening since they had found Alexander at the river shore and brought him to the cave. He was still very weak and Hephaestion tried to spoon feed him some mild gruel with crumbs of bread moistened into it. Alexander took it with great difficulty and the trying feeding procedure lasted for well over an hour. Afterwards Hephaestion made him as comfortable as possible, hoping for a calm and restful night for them both. No such mercies were to be given. The patient soon turned into a sickly gray green pallor, and then he instantly brought up all the broth which he had recently been fed with such efforts. He struggled to sit up but was still too weak. Hephaestion immediately helped him out, holding him around his shoulders and giving him a basin.
"Oh no. Not again. You needed that gruel so badly!"
The forced feeding brought on one of the worst attacks of nausea and stomach cramps since the accident. When it had passed Alexander lay shivering and totally exhausted, suffering from chills so bad that no furs and blankets could warm him up. Hephaestion had to lay down close by his side and embrace him, desperately trying to give him some of his own warmth. Alexander managed to take him in a strong grip, clinging to him for dear life. Both friends were shivering violently, as if lost in a furious winter storm, and Hephaestion felt himself being almost as drained and exhausted as the poor patient.
All the company saw their suffering and it almost put all those hard men to tears. Cleitus told them, in a glimpse of his raw wisdom:
"I'm worried for them. They are so very close. We must find a way to save Alexander - or else we'll lose both of them very soon. Hephaestion is giving him all of his warmth and the very force of his own life - but he cannot go on like this for long..."
The Blue Berries
A pale sun went up outside the cave, bringing some faint and cold daylight. Inside things were looking as bad as before. Hephaestion sat at Alexander's side, trying in vain to feed him some strengthening broth. At long last he threw the spoon away, desperately crying out loud:
"No. I cannot stand this any more. He just can't keep anything down at all. I so wish we could have some blue berries to make an infusion. That was helpful once when he got sick in Illyria. He told me how to find and prepare them - but there won't be any left this time of year. "
Bucephalus neighed and stamped his big hoof down. Hephaestion asked:
"What do you want, my friend? You cannot be hungry. We fed you your barley gruel just a while ago. "
Peritas came up to the big black horse and they begun to neigh and whimper to each other. Soon both faithful animals went away. Cleitus rose and followed.
"They must be up to something. I'd best go after to keep them out of harm's way. "
Hephaestion sat close by Alexander's side, taking his cold and limp hand into his own, sadly telling his friend:
"Oh, my dear one. You must regain your strength, soon! I cannot live without you - and I cannot ward of my...our...detractors all by myself. "Sigh" They are harassing me all the time, telling me the nastiest things. The time after your accident was the very worst of it!"
The good doctor put his hand on Hephaestion's shoulder.
"Keep quiet, my friend. You cannot worry Alexander with that right now. Don't you see the state he's in? But - we'll tell him all of it as soon as he is better. All good people around camp have seen the troubles you're in. Don't you worry so much. You have many more friends than you know of. "
Hephaestion looked up in amazement. He didn't think anyone but his faithful guards knew about his troubles. In the midst of all anxiety he found some hope and consolation. Some time passed, and then they heard happy barking and neighing. Cleitus came inside, patting Bucephalus on his silken black muzzle and Peritas on his golden, furry head.
"Good horse, good dog. It's like a miracle! However could you know those berries had been spared all winter, just waiting there for us?"
He had a leather bag filled with blue berries on their hard, light green sprigs, and Bucephalus and Peritas held some sprigs in their mouths too, letting go of them into Hephaestion's lap. He patted them fondly and gave them his heartfelt thanks:
"How kind and clever you are! I didn't know you could understand us all that well! Now, at long last, I think Alexander will be feeling better. "
The big black horse and the lion like dog gave him fond nudgings and they both licked his face in fond reassurance, prancing gladly all around the cave until Cleitus had them calmed down. Doctor Philip took care of all the berries and immediately prepared an infusion. Soon a sweet smelling fragrance filled the cave and they saw the dark blue infusion boiling merrily in the kettle. After some careful stirring and watching the good doctor poured the infusion through a sieve and let it cool down in a bowl of clay. He told Hephaestion:
"Now you may give him this. We must hope that it'll settle his stomach. He needs some nourishment, or else he'll never recover!"
Alexander was deeply unconscious and barely seemed to be breathing. His complexion was almost translucent and he had deep hollow shadows below his closed eyes. Hephaestion managed to wake him up with great difficulty. He didn't recognize his friend and tried to ward him of, moaning and groaning weakly as if in great pain.
"Oh, my Dear One. Calm yourself down. Here I have something that will make you feel better. Please, have some of this!"
He held the bowl with the dark blue infusion under the patient's nostrils. Alexander sniffed in disbelief. The smell seemed to revive him and he soon took some small sips. To the amazement of them all he was able to swallow without any difficulties. Doctor Philip gave a warning.
"Not too fast now. Then it'll only make him sick once more."
Hephaestion gave the patient all of the infusion, letting him drink it slowly and with great care. Nothing untoward happened and when they had wiped his mouth and face and put him to rest Alexander fell into a deep and salutary sleep. Hephaestion slumped down at his side, deeply unconscious after all his constant care and watching. Cleitus wrapped him carefully into quilts and furs, waking him up after some time to give him a well needed meal.
The Miracle Ointment
Alexander was sleeping calmly, wrapped into his furs and royal blue quilt with Hephaestion sitting close by his side, seeing to his every need. The blue berry infusion had been good for him. They had administered it to him twice more, in the evening before and then in the morning. He was no longer feverish and he had not been tormented by chills or stomach cramps since he drank the infusion. The swelling and bruises were at long last getting somewhat better and the patient hadn't complained when they anointed him with liniments and changed the wool and dressings around his neck. Cleitus and Philip were getting restless staying inside the cave.
"Hephaestion! I hope you don't mind if we go out hunting for some hours. We all need fresh meat - and perhaps we can find some more miraculously preserved berries. "
"Yes. I'll manage, now that Alexander is feeling better. And - I always have Stefanos and Alexios to help me out. "
The old general took his bow and quiver and went outside, soon disappearing downstream. Doctor Philip went with him, carrying his knapsack if he were to come upon some healing herbs or roots.
Hephaestion put another log on the fire and sat down as comfortably as possible at Alexander's side. The sun sent some rays of weak winter light inside the cave. One of them was playing around Alexander's hair, making it shine like pure gold. His Beautiful Golden One was looking better today, although still far too pale and wan. Hephaestion was worried over the state of his legs. They were still cold and limp. Alexander had been able to move his arms and hands and even to hold the bowl and help himself to the blue berry infusion - but he hadn't been moving his legs and feet at all since the accident. Hephaestion had put some anxious questions to the doctor, but Philip had just told him things would be better soon, with proper rest and good care.
Now Alexander seemed to be waking up. He was groaning and moaning and moved restlessly from side to side. Hephaestion gently put his hand to his brow and stroke his golden hair.
"Rest easy, my friend. I'm here to take care of you. "
Alexander opened his beautiful gray eyes. At first his gaze was misty, as if glazed over with a foggy dew of confusion. Soon he became more lucid and looked with fondness at his friend. Hephaestion told him:
"So, at long last you're awake. How are you feeling today?"
"Better, I suppose. My head hurts something awful. You ought not to have let me become this drunk when out on campaign! And - why have you hung up all those wolf furs in my tent?"
He looked around the cave with increasing confusion.
"What is this place? Where have you taken me?"
He put his elbows to the ground and struggled violently to get up. Before Hephaestion could reach for him he fell backwards with a scream of pain. Hephaestion tried desperately to calm him down.
"No, Alexander! You mustn't try to get up! You have been badly hurt. Don't you remember the battle with the Scythians? Bucephalus tried to save you from the wolves - and then you both fell into the river. We found you frozen stiff at the shore. Bucephalus is all right now - but you have been very ill for the last three days . "
Alexander felt his memories filling his brain like a flood of horror and anxiety. He saw the enemy swarming all over, the red haired Scythian abducting his True Steadfast Friend, the blue green swirling water engulfing him, the wolves trying to devour him, the drifting snow and darkness, the cold and the unbearable pain. Once more he tried to get up, but his legs wouldn't budge an inch. He felt red hot waves of pain from his neck and shoulders, spreading down his back - but in his legs there was nothing but a dull ache and cold numbness to be felt. He tried in vain to move his feet, to pull one knee, then the other up towards him but there were no reactions at all. Now he got really scared. All the strain and weakness took its final toll on him and he was quite unable to control himself. He just screamed out loud in a fit of terror:
"My legs! I cannot move my legs! I can't even feel them properly!"
He threw himself from side to side, flailing, desperately trying to push himself up from the ground. The guards came running and tried in vain to help Hephaestion to calm him down. All three of them were not able to contain Alexander in his rage and terror.
"Alexander! .Please, you must stay calm and rest easy! You'll hurt yourself even worse behaving like this. "
At long last all strength left him and he slumped back on his furs, succumbing to pain and weakness. Cold sweat broke out on his brow and he lay groaning weakly, tears flowing from the corners of his eyes. Hephaestion took one of his hands, and pressed it reassuringly. At the same time he gently stroke his brow and golden hair, trying to give some comfort:
"Yes, that's better, my Dear One. Just stay calm and rest easy. I'll give you some of the Miracle Cordial. That'll surely make you feel better!"
Alexios quickly brought the jar and unstoppered it. Hephaestion let Alexander take some big draughts from it - but it didn't seem to have it's usual invigorating effects. The patient complained bitterly :
"It won't help me this time. It's getting worse. The pain, the cold, the numbness...It's creeping upwards. Soon I will not breathe any more...!"
Alexander closed his eyes and lay still on his furs. He was breathing shallowly, crying and moaning bitterly and giving in to his pain and despair. Hephaestion sat by his side, gently holding on to him. He was very worried over the state his friend had gotten himself into. Alexander always used to be brave and able to make the best out of every situation, even the most dire misfortunes. It was not like him to succumb to hysterical fits.
Hephaestion desperately looked around the cave. There surely must be something more to do about this emergency! He came upon the jar with the Miracle Ointment. It had been most helpful for Alexander's swollen and bruised neck. Why not use it for his legs, too? He reached out for the jar and unstoppered it. A smell of bitter and aromatic herbs filled the entire cave and he whispered an ardent prayer to the god of Healing.
"Please, Good Asclepios, give me the Power to help my Dear One. I cannot live without him. His strength and power keeps me up - and Macedon needs him for many more years to come! "
Perhaps it was an illusion created by his anguished mind, perhaps it was for real. The fire sparkled with a warm violet blue flare and the bitter smell from the Ointment turned into a cloud of arousing and invigorating perfume. He uncovered Alexander's legs and put the furs and quilts aside before he took two generous daubs in his palms. The Ointment felt cool to his touch so he let it gain some warmth from his hands before putting it to use. He applied it to Alexander's legs at first with gentle strokes, becoming more and more vigorous when he didn't see any changes in the sad condition. He saw the muscular legs through a hazy mist of tears. They were covered with a soft fur of golden hair, still cold and unmoving. Alexander didn't seem to react to the treatment at all and Hephaestion felt all his own strength and determination leave him. His hands and arms were getting numb and powerless, and all the pain and tension in his back and shoulders suddenly became unbearable. He let himself fall over his Beautiful Golden One, brushing his chest and stomach with his soft auburn hair and washing him with his tears, all until he passed out, totally exhausted from all his futile attempts to help his dear friend.
Alexander felt Hephaestion falling over him and he opened his eyes, worriedly looking at the familiar shape lying all over his chest and stomach, desperately clinging to him. He raised his right arm with great difficulty and gently stroke his friend's long auburn hair and broad shoulders, feeling the coldness and tension. He asked with rising alarm:
"Hephaestion! What's the matter with you? You just cannot pass out on me now when I need you the most?"
The guards approached and Alexios told him sternly:
"Sire. Can't You see the state he is in? You demand far too much of him! He has been constantly awake for well over three days now, watching over You, seeing to Your every need. We are worried for both of you -but mostly for him. He was so very upset by shock and grief when You fell into the river we thought we might lose him too! He lay unconscious in some death like sleep for many hours, and then he woke up. He was very weak but still he immediately knew how to find You here at the river shore. "
Stefanos gathered all his courage and recommended:
"Sire, now it's You who must take good care of the General Hephaestion. We know well of Your hidden Healing Abilities. You don't need to do much. Just put Your hands on him and give him what You can from Your own strength. It will surely be sufficient, even when You are at Your very weakest!"
Alexander listened carefully. This was the very first time the faithful guards had expressed such strong opinions of their own. He knew they were right.
"Yes. I'll do what I can. Just daub some of the Miracle Ointment into the palms of my hands "
He became silent from deep affection, and then he closed his eyes. Stefanos gave him the Miracle ointment before he put his hands on Hephaestion's back and shoulders. Thwarting his own weakness he ardently willed himself to give out all the Love and Friendship he felt for Hephaestion, sharing his own strength and energies. Strangely he felt a wonderful glowing violet heat emanating from his hands and arms. He moved them up and down Hephaestion's back, feeling all the cold and hard tensions give way to a warm and healthy relaxation. Soon he heard him groaning, perhaps coming to his senses once more.
Alexander wanted to be of even more help, and to get access to more of his friend's ailing body. In desperation he put his elbows stubbornly to the ground, violently pushing himself to get up. This time liquid fire shoot down his back, deep into his stomach and both legs and feet. There was heard an uncanny series of audible creaks from his every vertebrae and then he found himself sitting up, bending his knees and feet in a strong, cramped and painful movement. At the same time he felt the most violent arousal. It was awkward and troubled, but he was no longer paralyzed! He welcomed the pain and all feeling returning to his legs. Crying out in amazed joy he embraced Hephaestion and pulled him closer.
"Thanks for all this, my dear friend. I wouldn't even be here at all but for you!"
Hephaestion had never felt so weak and forlorn in all of his life. He was quite unable to help his Beautiful Golden One. All strength and resolution left him and he sank down in an abyss of desperate sadness. After an eternity of cold and draining weakness he felt two strong and heated hands on his shoulders, wandering up and down his back, giving him the most wonderful warmth and relaxation. He moaned from sheer pleasure and well being and clung to his benefactor. Suddenly there was a great upheaval and he was being violently pulled from the ground. He opened his eyes and found himself in the arms of his Beautiful Golden One, clearly feeling how desperately he was needed. He gently told Alexander :
"No. You cannot do this to me, not now. You're not up to it, and I'm totally unprepared. You will hurt us both. No, NO, Alexander. Don't...You know I cannot resist you."
"It's the same way with me. Don't be afraid, my Dear One. I will not hurt you..."
He looked into Alexander's beautiful gray eyes, drowning in their compelling gaze. Strong, eager hands embraced him and grasped around his backside and inside his buttocks. One, then two and three fingers were gently and carefully probing his secret places, giving him the most tender and arousing preparation. Liquid fire leaped upwards, filling him with irresistible longings. The Miracle ointment must somehow have gotten onto the hands of his Loved One! He cried out in shock:
"NO, Alexander! You must not use that, not there!"
Hephaestion felt himself being overwhelmed by warm love and reassurance. He clung to his Beautiful Golden One for dear life, giving in to wave after wave of passionate and wonderful pleasure, before he passed out in a rose colored mist, resting safely in his Loved One's arms.
The faithful guards looked with amazement upon the beautiful pair and their unusual activities before they discretely turned their backs on them. Stefanos asked Alexios:
"We surely must stop them! They are not up to it! Someone might get hurt!"
Alexios reassuringly told him:
"No. I don't think so. The King always gets what he wants - and this time I suppose they both will be the better for it!"
Afterwards Alexander and Hephaestion lay deeply unconscious, still clinging to each other. The guards helped cleaning them up and wrapped them into warm quilts and furs before they sat down and resumed their watchful duty, prudently telling each other :
"We must not tell the good doctor about all this!"
Cleitus and Philip returned to the cave after an exciting day out. Cleitus carried a small deer over his shoulders and the good doctor had found some chilled and wrinkled rose hips he intended to boil and and make into soup and infusion. They looked at the sleeping friends, finding them completely exhausted and with a translucent rosy glow on their cheeks. Doctor Philip worriedly asked the guards:
"Whatever happened to them? Hephaestion never goes to sleep in broad daylight! They look feverish and so very tired. Have they gotten worse when we were out hunting?"
"No, not at all, doctor. The King woke up, and he was so restless we had to use both the Miracle Cordial and Ointment to calm him down. It took us some time and effort - but I think he will be feeling much better when he wakes up. "
The good doctor looked at them, seeing a faint blush on their cheeks and he understood he would hear no more about the events in the cave during their day out.
First Day of Spring
Hephaestion woke up feeling a soft wind blowing a sweet scent of spring flowers into his nostrils. He reached out for Alexander, finding the place at his side empty! Turning his head to the cave entrance he saw him standing there, wrapped into his wolf fur cloak, enlightened by the first rays of the morning sun. He was trembling and weak and had to hold on to Bucephalus for support, but his legs seemed to be all right again. The golden haired man and the big black horse comforting each other was the most wonderful sight Hephaestion had ever came upon. He eagerly rose and leaped to his friend, taking him into his arms as he was breaking into hot tears of astounded joy.
"Alexander. I never thought I'd see you up and on your feet again!"
"What's the matter? And, why are you crying? You must have seen me on my legs many times before! "
"Yes, but not for some time. You have been so desperately ill. I even thought you might be leaving me forever..."
Alexander held his True Steadfast Friend in a strong and reassuring embrace.
"No. We'll always be together. Look around you. Spring has come at long last. It's such a wonderful morning. Now things will only get better for us, you'll surely see. "
Bucephalus and Castor came nudging them with tender love and care. Peritas and Pollux were running around their feet, happily wagging their tails, merrily barking. The sun was shining, melting away the snow and frost all around the cave. Some crocus and snowdrops had come forth and were sending their fresh scents in odorous clouds all around them. Small birds were singing in the trees and bushes, rejoicing with the two friends and celebrating their hard earned recovery. Yes, they had gone through a very hard time together. Now all things could only be better...
TBC