Hello all,

Here comes the second part of the chapter I uploaded last autumn. I apologize for the long delay and any formating troubles. Both my home & job computers have had trouble to communicate with the FFnet, but I hope that this is resolved with their latest upgrade.

Hephaestion thinks all is well and good. Then he realizes his detractors are still at large and he almost gives in to despair and distress.

Our friends allow themselves some days of well needed rest and recuperation in the Keep at the Second Hill. Then Queen Olympias and the regent Antipatros presents a delighful but upsetting surprise...

All the best wishes! Read and enjoy!

/ NorthernLight

TEMPLATE:

Title: FIC: Hazards Of Friendship ( 19 / WIP)
Author: NorthernLight
Email address:
Category: Love / Friendship / Adventure story. Alternate History.
Pairing: Alexander&Hephaestion
Date: August 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. 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.

Summary: In the beginning of his reign Alexander made some hard campaigning towards warlike neighbors in the East, South and West. The city of Thebes grasps this opportunity to go into rebellion against the Macedonians. It has now fallen to its inevitable doom. Alexander returns home to Pella, where he finds that Queen Olympias has an upsetting surprise for him.

Warnings: This is AR, very close to but not ”real” history. War and violence, hard fighting, angst and intrigues. Queen Olympias' surprise of course never happened in real history, ( even if Olympias sure would have liked it to! )

Dedication: To Juu. Written on behalf of your fic challenge about Hephaestion and his constant trouble with the envious generals.

Autumn Glory


Alexander and Hephaestion slept togehter in Hephaestion's chamber, as sweet and calm as when they first met as small boys of seven. It seemed this happy place was able to heal them from the horrors of war and deceit, and they dreamed only calm and happy dreams.

They enjoyed several hearty meals and friendly conversations. Their dogs and cats enjoyed the company, too, and they learned to live together without fighting each other all the time. There was some grumbling, of course, but soon even Little Achilles and Pollux managed to be friends.

Some days went and they started to feel restless. They were used to constant activities, and the peace and calm in the Keep was unfamiliar to them.

”Let's go out riding, ” Hephaestion suggested. ”It's such a fine autumn day. We cannot know how long this clear and sunny weather will last. ”

Bucephalus and Castor were saddled and the grooms put on their finest gear and reins. They pranced proudly and merrily as their Dear Masters came out to them. Of course they had been having a good time in the Amyntor stables and out grazing on the soft, succulent and fragrant grasses and herbs on the green meadows - but there was nothing like the exciting company of their Dear Masters.

Lady Helen filled their saddle bags with all kinds of delicacies, cheeses, newly baked bread, smoked and spiced ham, and she didn't forget two bulging wine bags.

”You must not stay out for too long, now, ” she adamantly told them. ”And, you must come home at once if it gets rainy or chilly! Hephaestion, you must not do anything rash or violent! That shoulder of yours must not be upset any worse, it must have time to heal properly!”

She turned to Alexander.

”Take good care of my dear brother, now, ”she admonished him. ” He just loves being with you, but it is sure costing him dearly. ”

He looked at her with astonishment. The sweet little baby Helen had turned into a most beautiful and stromg willed young woman, and he enjoyed her outspoken frankness.

”Yes, my dear one. I promise you to do my very best. ” Alexander assured her, giving her a fond and friendly hug at the same time. ”You know, he is the one behind all of my victories and successes. And, I see that you are as good as he in taking care of all and everyone. ”

He let her go and made a vigorous jump onto Bucephalus' broad and muscular back. She stood there looking at him, blushing from pride. It was not every day one got such praise and acknowledgement from the King himself.

Castor sunk down on his haunches, letting his Dear Master mount. Off they went, all through the gate of the Keep. Hephaestion was right in calling it a fine autumn day. The sun shone from an azure blue sky, with only a few fluffy white clouds wafting to and fro, not dense enough to cause any shadows or gloom. The trees were at their very finest, glowing in bright red, orange and golden. Castor and Bucephalus fell into a fast canter. Peritas and Pollux ran at their side, vigilantly guarding them. Stefanos and Alexios, together with the King's other guards,discretely followed. They spread out, forming a virtuous ring of iron around the King and his dear friend. Hephaestion felt secure and protectad in their company, but he also dearly missed the carefree and happy days in their youth, when they could go anywhere they liked, all on their own.

It was warm in the sunshine, and they soon had to unclasp their warming fur cloaks. Then there was an audible meowing inside Hephaestion's cloak. He felt inside the billowing folds. Soon a small, black kitten was squirming in his good hand. It was Little Achilles!

”Oh no! What are you doing out here? You would have been better off staying at home with your dear mother!”

The little one sniffed the fresh autumn air and wrinkled his tiny pink nostrils. Then he adamantly butted at Hephaestion.

”This is a little brave and curious one, ” Alexander stated. ”We might even bring him with us for our Persian Campaign.”

/ Persia? Where is Persia? What is Persia? ” the small kitten thought all for himself. ” Perhaps it's on the other side of this very big forest. ” /

They rode for some time more through the forest.

”Look, they are dressing up in their very finest gear before they put it away for the long winter sleep, ” Alexander told his friend, pointing towards the autumn beauty of the forest.

”Yes, and they seem to have thought about us, too. Look, here is a fine place for us to rest, ” Hephaestion pointed at a big heap of golden birch leaves and orange maple leaves, forming up like a giant dinner couch. Let's have our midday meal here!”

They sat off their horses and took off the gear from Castor and Bucephalus. The war stallions were calm and reliable and they didn't stray long from their Dear Masters. Castor sniffed at some big brown mushrooms.

”Look, Bucephalus! Here we have some very tasty morsels. Let's try them out!”

”No, Castor. Alexander always tells us to be careful about unknown mushrooms!”

”Yes, but these are not unknown, they are the big and tasty ceps. Don't you remember when Aristotle told us all about edible mushrooms?”

”Yes, now I recognize them. Sometimes I think we learned more from Aristotle than our Masters! They were far too occupied of each other!”

”Yes. See, now they are at it again! I can foresee that we will have a very long stay out here in the forest. ”

The big horses looked with great curiosity at their Dear Masters. It was a very strange sight, the King of Macedon and his most trusted General and Councellor rolling around in the autum leaves, badly upsetting the fine dinner couch Nature had made up just for them. They turned their tails around and continued nibbling at the delicious mushrooms, together with some still green forest herbs. Little Achilles soon joined them, merrily chasing after flickering sun beams and dancing autumn leaves. Peritas and Pollux saw to it that the little one didn't run astray in the wide forest. When he got tired from his playing and collapsed in a tiny purring heap Pollux softly nibbled at the nape of his neck and carried him back to their Dear Masters.

Hephaestion saw Alexander standing in the sunlight spilling down through the trees surrounding the glade. He had made a wonderful recovery from their ordeals on the hard campaigns. Now he was as beautiful and golden as before the burdens of power and responsibilities came to him. His beautiful golden hair had grown of late and spilled down his broad shoulders, his complexion was ruddy and healthy from the sun and brisk air, and, as the unclasped fur cloak slided down, revealing his muscular frame. He was looking quite irressistible in the golden aurumn sun.

Hephaestion made a quick rush towards his friend. Before Alexander realized what he was up to, he had been felled to the ground and was now pinned to the soft couch of orange and yellow leaves.

”Oh, you sure have made a swift recovery in your wonderful home. Now you are more able with one arm then with two!, ” Alexander said as he looked up into eyes blue as the autumn sky. ”I cannot resist you!”

They were laughing merrily as they rolled around in the soft autumn leaves. They had been warmed by the sun and they were now more comfortable than in the King's bedchamber in the Pella Palace.

After their sharing of love and friendship they just lay there in a fond embrace for a long time. The sun was still shining down into the glade, warming them and their couch of glowing autumn leaves. Hephaestion rested his head on Alexander's shoulder, looking straight into his beautiful gray eyes. He gently stroked his golden hair, twisting and turning some tresses in his good hand.

”This is how it always should be, my friend, ” he told Alexander with a great longing. ”It's as when we were boys together, all on our own. ”

”Yes, but you always knew what the future would bring, ”Alexander stated, as he gently held Hephaestion even closer. ”Now we will have very few moments like this together, but we have a world of glory and adventures to share. ”


The Detractors' Punishment

Alexander now was back at the Pella Palace. There was so much work to be done, so many audiences to give and far too many papers to see to.

The General Craterus was overseering Hephaestion's cavalry unit. The King had told him that he needed more knowledge of cavalry. Hephaestion's men were not helpful in giving it to him. As an extra bonus, he was offered to ride Hephaestion's spare horse. She was a gentle mare named Sophrosyne. When she saw the giant general she was not so gentle any more. She threw him off at least twice a day. He was soon all covered in bruises and he longed for the day the General Hephaestion would return.

The Secretary Eumenes had been assigned to take care of Hephaestion's diplomacy duties. He was also to help Queen Olympias with her archives. Glaucos and Hypnos saw to it that he didn't make any mistakes. Fortunately, no foreign diplomats arrived, since it all soon became the most dreadful mess.

Cassander was serving as a replacement for the General Hephaestion, taking care of all the important logistics. He worked day and night, but despite that he didn't get it all well and properly done. Queen Olympias had to help him, too. She and her snakes were not gentle in their admonitions. He wondered a lot about how Hephaestion managed to get it all done without anyone noticing all the logistic efforts demanded by an army constantly preparing for battle.

All three of them mumbled and grumbled to themselves.

/ ”That man. He must have told the King. We don't deserve all this. ”/

The Queen's Surprise

Alexander sat at his writing table, taking care of all the important correspondence heaping up. It was most difficult, since he was used to Hephaestion dealing with the most of it. Soon he was moaning and groaning, desperately longing for some diversion.

His guards knocked on the door.

”Sire, your Mother the Queen and the Regent Antipatros are here to see you. They say it is of great importance. ”

”Just let them in. I could sure use something else than dealing with these dreary paper heaps. ”

/ ”The General Hephaestion never complains about them, ” the Guard silently whispered to himself. ” /

Queen Olympias swept into the room, dressed in a fiery red peplos and cloak. They swirled around her like a fire brand, hiding the Regent behind their billowing gores. Alexander saw at once that she was up to something sinister. Her colors were high, she was blushing, almost the same colour as her fiery clothing. Some tresses of her glossy red hair had escaped from her goldn fringed shawl, and were coiling like snakes down her shoulder.

”Please be seated. What is your business today, Dear Mother? And, my Regent, I am so glad to see you up and about. ” Alexander braced himself as he beckoned to his visitors, being alert and with his guard up.

The Queen and the Regent were soon seated in comfortable chairs in front of the King's table. The regent bowed and scraped, looking most uncomfortable, but Queen Olympias was bold and secure as she addressed her son the King.

”Alexander, we all know that you and the Macedonian army will soon leave for a great venture. You will be gone for a long time, and we are not sure of the outcome of your Persian Invasion. You are still unmarried and Macedon has no undisputed heir to the Throne. This is a risky situation. ”

”Yes, dear Mother, I agree, ” Alexander calmly answered her.”So what...?”

”Alexander. The General Theodorus was a very good, trusted and reliable friend to your Father. He has two daughters. They are twins, fifteen years old, beautiful and with kind and mild manners. They would be a most perfect match for anyone. ” The regent Antipatros made this suggestion as a matter of fact, as if the wedding already was in progress.

”Yes, I can see your point, Antipatros - but I cannot marry both of them! Not now, not ever! With my Persian Conquest in progress I don't have the time even with one future wife!” Alexander still managed to hold on to his senses, but he was being more upset for every minute now.

”Alexander, you don't need to marry both of them, ” Queen Olympias told him. ”Your friend Hephaestion is also unmarried...”

Alexander rose from the writing desk, so violently that his chair fell slamming to the floor behind him.

”NO, Mother Dear. Now you have gone too far. I will NOT marry the General Theodorus' daughters, and I will certainly not force Hephaestion to do it, either!”

His beautiful golden hair rose like a bold cockscomb, his colour was high and he clenched his fists. No one dared to approach him when in such a state, but the Queen and the Regent boldly joined their forces and came holding on to him.

”Alexander, you must calm down. This is an excellent idea. Macedon is in grave danger without an heir. You must make an early marriage, you have known this for a very long time. ” The Regent held on to the King's left arm, as the Queen grasped his right arm.

”Yes, Alexander. Now you must behave yourself and act like a true King, ” Queen Olympias sternly admonished him. ”Macedon desperately needs an heir - and I want some grandchildren - soon!”

Alexander found himself as if stuck in an inescapable vice. He had never before seen his Mother and the Regent Antipatros act together on anything at all. Now, when the two bitter adversaries had found a common goal, they were simply too strong for him. He sat down, calmly addressing them

”Dear Mother, wise Regent, I will have to think about this all day. You can come to see me in the evening, before supper. Then I will tell you my decision.

Queen Olympias and the regent left the King's office. Alexander sat tall and proud behind the desk as long as they were in sight. As soon as the door was closed behind them he slumped over the desk, whispering to himself in desperate frustration.

/ ”Whatever am I to do about this? I cannot say no, it is an excellent idea, even a necessary one. It's only, I don't want to marry, I don't want a wife, Hephaestion is the only one I want at my side. ”

TBC

TBC