My apologies for this very long delay with Hazards. You know I'm a slow writer, and reading & reviewing all the great fics around here takes its time.
Our friends are in deep trouble, being beset both by external and internal enmity. The South is in rebellion, the city of Thebes leading the way. And then, there is always the Shadow of Murder looming in their midst.
All the best wishes and hopefully good reading
//NorthernLight
TEMPLATE:
Title: FIC: Hazards Of Friendship ( 14 / WIP)
Author: NorthernLight
Category: Love / Friendship / Adventure story. Alternate History.
Pairing: Alexander&Hephaestion
Date: March 2007.
Feedback: Yes, all kinds, on or off list, as you please.
Archive: Yes, if you like, but please tell me.
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, but not this time. Many thanks for interesting discussions and suggestions, and also for helping me to improve on language and formatting. You truly make my stories a far better read. I sure miss you.
Summary: In the beginning of his reign Alexander made some hard campaigning towards warlike neighbors in the East, South and West. The scheming politician Demosthenes has spread the rumour that Alexander has fallen at the Danube. It makes the city of Thebes to go into rebellion against the Macedonians.
History note: The revolt of Thebes really started because the Thebans acted upon deceptive news about Alexander having been killed during his campaigns in the North. The Macedonians' forced march through Eordaea and Elimaea, along the Pindus range , followed by their surprise arrival at Thebes is well documented. At first the Thebans thought it was Alexander from Lyncestis commanding the Macedonian army, but soon they knew King Alexander was truly alive! Warnings: This is AR, very close to but not "real" history. Violence, hard fighting, angst and intrigues.
Dedication: To Juu. Written on behalf of your fic challenge about Hephaestion and his constant trouble with the envious generals.
Find the fic: Chapter 1-10 as an RTF file in the Alexander's Army Yahoo Group. Chapter 11 Alexander's Army Yahoo Group message # 1982, ATG Slash message # 3614, chapter 12 Alexander's Army # 2971, ATG Slash # 3646, Chapter 11 Alexander's Army Yahoo Group message # 1982, ATG Slash message # 3614, chapter 13 Alexander's Army # 3304, ATG Slash # 3653 and at the the movie section, Alexander.
Hazards Of Friendship, Part 14
Pella, 335 BC
Bad News
Once more Queen Olympias sat in her chambers at the Pella Palace, stricken with grief and sorrow. Glaucos and Hypnos were coiling around her, hissing in unison, as a mirror of the fiery haired Queen's despair. A dispatch filled with dire news rested like an unwelcome gift in her lap. She wrung her hands in despair, trying to keep the tears from filling her eyes. Old Hyrmina was seated on a small footstool at the Queen's side.
"What has happened, dear Mistress?", she asked with great concern.
"My son has been grievously wounded before Pelium. He is not expected to survive..."
"Oh no, not again, dear Mistress!", old Hyrmina gasped, in a sigh filled with grief and sorrow.
"Whatever shall we do? Your enemies will not be kind to us if the very worst happens..."
"We'll think of something, my faithful one", the Queen told her servant with determination. "There is always something to be done, even in the very worst of misfortunes. "
The both women gave each other silent comfort, as the setting sun spilled its crimson rays through the westward window. It reminded them of the sorrows and bereavement brought upon a suffering humanity from Men's war and strife.
Campaign Planning
Hephaestion sat at his writing table in the make shift office, carefully looking at maps depicting the route to Thebes. He envisioned the Pindus range with its cragged mountain peaks, the steep slopes and all the rough terrain they would have to march through to reach their enemies. The landscapes of Eordaea and Elimaea were peaceful allied and would let them through without trouble. Then, there was the strongly fortified city of Thebes, suddenly brimming with rebellion and enmity. The Macedonian garrison was imprisoned inside this den of hostility. They had to be rescued. Examples had to be made - but he knew it would cost them most dearly. He clutched at his aching shoulder, gasping for air, letting out a groan of pain and fatigue. So much war, so much strife and trouble. Now his weary eyes rested upon the cause of all this.
His Beautiful Golden One was prowling in circles around the chamber, like some wild animal bereaved of his freedom. The setting sun spilled its crimson rays through the westward window, as if filling the room with a tidal wave of blood ready to be shed. Alexander was like a great, golden maned lion, dangerous and ready to unleash all of his fury upon the unsuspecting Thebans. The setting sun made his beautiful golden hair sparkle with an ominous glow, as some curls formed shapes like the horns of Amon at the sides of his brow. All the other curls formed wondrous waves of golden glory around his face and down the nape of his neck. Now he spoke out loud. It was like the roar of an angered lion.
"We have to fall upon them fast and unexpected. It must be a decisive strike, so forceful the South will never again rise against us. "
He made another restless round through the room, staying at the window. He leaned on his elbows, supporting his aching head in his strong right hand.
"Father always told me about the time he spent in Thebes. They treated him well, gave him some useful learning. I resent what we had to do to the Sacred Band at Chaeronea - and now we will have to defeat the whole city! Will it never end?"
His gray eyes filled with anger and desperation, and he watched his friend with great determination. Now he saw that Hephaestion was white from tiredness, holding on to his injured shoulder. He came up to him and put his hands upon his shoulders.
"How are you, Phai?", he asked with great concern. "I know I demand too much of you. Let us take some rest for tonight. "
"Yes. We need it, both of us. Now I have set our march route straight and clear. All is ready for tomorrow. "
Hephaestion leaned back, resting in the glorious strength and warmth from his Beautiful Golden One. Alexander helped him up from the chair and produced a jar of strong red wine.
"Here. Take some of this. It'll put the colour back on your cheeks."
Hephaestion took a great draught from the jar. He usually didn't overindulge in too much wine, but now he felt he truly needed to be invigorated from the warming red liquour. It restored some of his strength, but the very best for him was Alexander's arm around him. The warming hand gently rubbing his injured left shoulder chased the throbbing pain away and he let the King give him support as they walked out from the office. A hearty evening meal was awaiting them in an adjacent chamber. They sat down and shared it, as the crimson sun rays faded into the purple darkness of dusk. Servants came with sconces as the King and his General left the table. They stood together at the window, looking up at the starlit skies. Their dogs came to them merrily wagging their tails. Alexander gently patted their furry heads. Then he put his arm around Hephaestion's shoulders, giving him warmth within his purple cloak.
"How Peritas and Pollux remind me of the puppies I had as a boy. Well, Sirius and Procyon are peacefully resting with their heavenly friends. This must now be my Guiding Star."
He pointed towards the blood red glowing orb of Ares, soaring high up in the dark nighttime sky. A chill rush of night breeze came through the window, making Hephaestion shiver.
"Oh, my friend. I see you are cold and tired. Let's go and have some rest. There will be another hard day tomorrow."
"Yes, Alexander, but we'll make it, as long as we are together. "
Alexander pulled his friend closer to him, giving him new warmth and strength. They stood watching the nighttime skies for some time before going to a deep and restoring slumber in each others arms.
Marching Against Thebes
The air high up in the Pindus range was chilly and moved around with cold winds, despite the fine spring weather. The sun was shining on fresh green grass and moss. Geraniums, snow drops and all kinds of beautiful spring flowers were budding and filled the air with their sweet fragrances. Birds were singing and new mountain goats were jumping around and bleating on the grassy slopes. Everything in Nature was at peace. A hungry pair of eagles sitting in their nest on a high mountain top provided the exception from this idyllic view. They were looking for some prey to feed their hungry nestlings, and soon soared up into the skies.
Now the sound of many marching feet disturbed the tranquility. The Macedonian army found its way through the steep and narrow passes of the Pindus range. Their forced march went well, and Alexander thanked Hephaestion for his excellent sense of direction. The chilling mountain air had done wonders for the King and his General. Their failing health was almost restored, as they rode together in front of their fearsome army. The Companions and Generals, as well as all the common soldiers were happy to see them looking so well. Their color had returned, and they were looking steady as they rode and marched along. It was a blessing, since the task looming before them threatened to be their most difficult challenge hitherto. The city of Thebes was strongly fortified, and filled with enemies of Macedon. Alexander gathered his fur cloak tight around him. He looked at his friend, and now saw the signs of pain and fatigue. Hephaestion rubbed his shoulder discretely under his bear skin cloak, giving away a quiet but exhausted sigh.
"Not much left now, my friend", Alexander quietly told him, riding up to him on Bucephalus. "The sun will soon be setting and we'll be making a camp in the valley yonder there. All is as you have told us. I'm so glad you and your scouts have been able to provide us with such a fast an safe marching route. "
Hephaestion gave him a warming smile, as they rode along. The sun turned into a blood red orb, sinking behind the mountain tops, as the skies were painted in crimson and orange. There was everlasting snow resting on the utmost heights, and the rays of the setting sun gave it the color of crimson roses. Now the mountain air turned even more chilly. The Macedonian army made their camp in a hidden valley, lighting their cooking fires and making their frugal evening meal. They were in a great hurry, so they didn't put up their tents. All men in the army slept in the open air, wrapped into their warm bed rolls and fur cloaks. After sharing some carefully roasted chicken with Alexander, Hephaestion went for his usual evening rounds all around camp. The guards were alert and well positioned, and all looked calm and secure. He returned to Alexander, hearing him discuss the strategies with Cleitus and Craterus. Now all was dark, only the remaining glow of the cooking fires lit up the hidden camp. The Generals went to their own lodgings, as Alexander remained, worriedly looking at some scrolls and dispatches. Hephaestion sat down at his side and put his good arm around the tense and burdened shoulders of the King.
"Enough of this, Alexander. We'll know about how things are in Thebes all too soon", he calmly told his friend. "Now we need our rest. "
Their faithful guards had arranged their bedrolls in the soft grass between some boulders, still warm from the evening sun. It seemed like some of the crimson light still remained on their rugged surface, giving an illusion of warmth and security. They went to rest together, wrapped into the same warming furs. Hephaestion instantaneously closed his eyes and went to sleep at Alexander's side. He was so very tired, his shoulder ached even when he lulled himself to sleep in the wonderful warmth of his friend. As he gave up a groan of pain he felt a strong and reassuring grip around his hurting shoulder. A healing heat spread itself around it, coursing all the way down his weakened right arm, giving him back some of his strength. Hephaestion slowly drifted into a deep and healing sleep. Alexander staid awake for some time, worriedly looking at his friend. Hephaestion was still very pale, almost translucent, after his injury. He needed calm and rest to make a proper recovery, not another hard and merciless campaign. Alexander was almost thankful that his friend's shoulder was healing very slowly. He hoped against all hope that the Thebans would surrender without a fight, but if matters came to the very worst at least Hephaestion wasn't fit enough to take part of any dangerous actions in the upcoming battle, and would be in relative safety in camp. The brave young King didn't feel much fear for himself when going into battle - but he felt a constant, anguished worry that something terrible should happen to his dear friend. Sleep slowly came to Alexander, cradling him in the warm and caring arms of Morpheus. The King and his General spent the night resting together under the starlit sky, their faithful guards forming a ring of steel around them.
An envious Shadow looked upon them with resentful bitterness.
// "Damn all those strong and faithful guards. It would be easy to get at the pair of them if security wasn't all that meticulous. "
Stefanos closely watched the surroundings. Wasn't there a Shadow flickering in an Evil and most suspicious manner? The young guard raised his spear and took a step forward.
"Who goes there?", he adamantly called out. The shadow drifted away, melting into the chilly nighttime darkness.
"Why did you do that, Stefanos?", his companion Alexios curiously asked. "That was nothing, no one there. "
"No, my friend, but for a minute I thought there was. Mark my words!", he carefully stated. "There is someone in camp who wishes the King and our dear Master something truly Evil. We must do our very best to grant them safety!"
The young guards stood together, promising themselves to always be there for their dear Masters. The starlit skies formed a velvet cupola over their vigilant heads. It was adorned with stars blazing like diamonds and shining like pearls, but it was a cold and cruel light. Nature held immense beauty, but also great Evil.
Thebes, 335 BC
Vengeful Preparations
She looked with vengeful expectations at the preparations for another war. The Macedonians were at their weakest for many years, their young upstart King being slain at the Danube. They deserved to be attacked and expelled from the Cadmeia. For too long they had held sway over the proud city of Thebes, crushing it under their yoke of oppression. All Greece wanted an end to their reign of terror - and Thebes would deal the first blow in the fight for freedom. Yes, Timocleia wanted vengeance with all her heart and soul. Too many of her dear ones had been killed at the bloody slaughter on the plains of Chaironea. Her father, brother and husband bravely rode out, telling her the Macedonians would be crushed and driven back, their horrible army nevermore to subdue the civilized Southern realms. They never returned, not alive, just their ashes remained in three beautifully adorned urns in the graveyard near the Hecate Temple. She often went there, bringing flowers and also a small oil lamp, as if its flickering light could revive the Spirits of the fallen.
Now she comforted her dear children before putting them to bed. The little boy and the two even smaller girls were frightened at the unrest in the city.
"Mother", they worriedly asked, "Why are all the soldiers marching up and down our streets?"
"Dont' you worry, my little dear ones", she told them. "They are protecting us against the Macedonians. Soon we all will be free, not needing to fear them ever more. "
She gently undressed the little ones and put them to bed, carefully wrapping them in woolen blankets and warming sheep fleeces. When they were settled she sung some Theban lullabies to put them to sleep. It took her a very long time.
Next day, early before dawn, Timocleia went climbing the strong city walls. She looked over the plains before the city. They were quite empty, the air stirring in the warm springtime sun. The grass and crops were waving to and fro from a breeze, and cows, oxen and sheep were grazing on the fresh green meadows. Now a cloud of yellow dust billowed at the horizon. It drifted towards the city, turning into an ominous crimson hue in the light of the rising sun. Timocleia soon saw it was an enormous army marching against her beloved city of Thebes. She gasped for air and clutched at her heart in powerless fear. At the same time the horns started blaring and the sentinel called out.
"Close all the gates! The Macedonian army is approaching! Thebes is at war!"
TBC