Chapter 3

A big feast was held that evening. Ox meat from the hecatomb earlier in the day was served along with some vegetables, fruits, bread, honey cakes, and wine. Hephaistion did not have much appetite despite a wonderful smell of roasted meat in the air. Alexander immediately noticed this.

"Are you not feeling well?" He asked worriedly.

"Oh, I am fine. I just am not that hungry."

"Are you worried about tomorrow?"

"Yes, if I lose, I will cost you a throne."

"Do not worry, Hephaistion. Remember? We have Zeus on our side."

Hephaistion nodded, but he could not totally get rid of the knot in his stomach. He put some fruits in his mouth just to make Alexander feel better.

Hephaistion could not sleep that night. His mind kept going to the race he had not yet run. He had raced at least five times in his mind by now. The moon was almost full, and bright rays were entering his room from the open window. He tossed again. The door opened quietly, and he saw Alexander enter. He was standing in the middle of the moonlight with his golden hair creating a halo affect around his face. He looked like a god.

'Hephaistion, are you up?" Alexander whispered.

"Yes, Alexander," Hephaistion whispered back.

"I am too excited. I cannot sleep."

Hephaistion moved to make room for Alexander. Alexander gladly accepted the invitation, slipped into Hephaistion's bed, and spooned him. Hephaistion felt his nerves calm down with the warm embrace of Alexander. Alexander nuzzled his nose into Hephaistion's soft chestnuts lock, and inhaled a sweet familiar sent. It felt so good and so right. Soon, they drifted away to the land of peaceful dreams.

When they woke up next morning, they felt rested and ready. After cleaning up and eating a light breakfast, they headed to the stadium. The first event was Alexander's Stade Race. Eight athletes lined up at the start line. Alexander was the smallest among the adults, but you could sense his passion and determination even from a distance.

The race started, and Hephaistion moved to the finish line. He was screaming his lungs out. Alexander saw an Athenian pass at the corner of his eyes. He closed his eyes for a moment. He felt so hot and it was hard to breathe. When he opened his eyes again, he saw an eagle flying straight towards the finish line. His gaze followed, and he saw a pair of inviting cool pools of blue at the end of the line. He just had to run to them as hard as he could. He desperately wanted to jump into those cool pools.

When he crossed the finish line, he realized the cool pools were Hephaistion's eyes. He was greeted by a tight embrace and kiss, and he knew he had won the race. He looked at his father. King Philip was standing and flapping both of his arms in the air, full of smiles, and even a tear in his eyes. He was grabbing the people around him, and pointing at Alexander to let them know that it was his son who had won the race. It made Alexander so proud of himself.

Now it was Hephaistion's race. There were twelve of them lined up at the start line. An Athenian warrior who was in favor was next to him. Hephaistion was not so much shorter than him, but was much more slender. Like the other Athenian athletes, his muscle was huge especially in his upper body. He looked at Hephaistion, and sneered at him. He did not say a word, but Hephaistion could tell that the Athenian did not even consider him as a threat.

The signal was made, and they all went off fast for the first few laps. One complete lap was three stades, so they were to run eight laps. When they came to the fourth laps, the gaps among groups became more obvious. Three front-runners led the race; the Athenian warrior, a foot solder from Thebes, and Hephaistion. After two more laps, the foot solder started to fade, and now it was a race between an Athenian and Hephaistion. When they passed in front of the royal seats, Hephaistion could hear King Philip cheer him loudly. Alexander, Cleitus and the rest of the team were spread along the stadium to cheer him from all around.

Hephaistion pulled away and led the race; he was giving all he could. The audience went crazy with this unexpected unfolding of the race. Then a horrible thing happened. The Athenian warrior started to kick, closed the gap, and passed him. Hephaistion tried to stay with him, but his lungs were screaming for air, and his legs were heavy with burning in the muscles. He realized the mistake he had made; he went out too fast, and started his kick too soon.

Hephaistion closed his eyes in desperation, and that moment he heard the voice in his head.

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." (Note: 1)

No, I cannot sacrifice the gift from the god.

Hephaistion opened his eyes, and saw the eagle in the sky, that guided his eyes to his golden god. Hephaistion just ran to his golden god, he no longer felt the pain, nor the pressure of the race. There was only the golden god that existed in his world. The god was getting closer and closer with his every stride. Hephaistion finally threw himself into the arms of his golden god. The warmth, and the bright light surrounded him. He closed his eyes. Hephaistion felt soft lips on his eyelid, and opened his eyes to meet with his god. He met Alexander's sparkling eyes full of love and trust.

Alexander raised Hephaistion's arm high in the air, and Cleitus and his team all surrounded him. Even King Philip came down from the royal seat, and hugged him and Alexander tight. It was then Hephaistion finally realized that he actually won the race. The Athenian warrior made his way to him.

"It was a good race. You did very well."

He patted Hephaistion's shoulder in the manner of a comrade, smiled at him, and walked away before Hephaistion could find his voice.

That night, Hephaistion slept worry free for the first time since they arrived at Olympia, feeling Alexander's strong arm around his waist, and listening to his rhythmical heartbeat as a sweet lullaby. He still could not believe that he won the race.

The final day of Olympics was the award ceremony. The champions of each event were gathered at the temple of Zeus. Judges in official purple robes awarded a wreath made of a sacred olive branch, which grew in the back yard of the Temple. Alexander, Hephaistion and Cassander stood proudly in front of the statue of Zeus while King Philip and other royal families of each region witnessed.

After the ceremony, the big banquet was held for everybody who attended the games. The feast went on all evening to late night under the star lit sky with full moon. All the champions were still wearing the olive wreaths, many of them already heavily drunk. Alexander pulled Hephaistion close, and whispered.

"Let's get away from here. I have an idea."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Something more meaningful than just to get drunk."

Alexander pulled Hephaistion up on his feet, and guided him back to the Leonidaion where they stayed. Alexander went straight into his room, and lit the lamp. As soon as the room lit up, Hephaistion saw a silver tray and a gold cup sitting on the bed with some honey cakes.

"Can you grab those, Hephaistion?" Alexander asked, while picking up a thick wool blanket covered with a white silk from the chest, and a jug of wine. He then started walking outside again.

"Where are we going?" Hephaistion asked curiously.

"You will see."

Alexander kept walking until they arrived at the Temple of Zeus. He gestured Hephaistion to follow, and went inside. The light from the full moon flooded inside, and the flickering flame from the small fire at the foot of the statue gently reflected on Zeus' golden slippers and robe. Alexander spread the blanket in front of the statue, and set a silver tray, a golden cup, a jug of wine, and honey cakes in the middle.

"It is full moon tonight,"

"Yes, and it is beautiful," Hephaistion replied dreamily, looking up at the perfect silver circle between the columns of the Temple.

"It is the perfect night for our proclamation of love."

Hephaistion's eyes widened with surprise. Alexander continued.

"I always wanted to do this, but could not find the perfect moment. And tonight is the night. Will you do this with me, if you love me, Hephaistion?"

"Yes, Alexander. I love you more than anything, more than life," Hephaistion replied passionately. His face was glowing under the reflection of the golden light. He looked so heavenly beautiful.

Alexander swallowed and declared, "And, I love you with all my heart."

They had talked about it in the past when passion had swept them away. They swore to each other that they were the only one they loved, and that they wouldn't give their hearts to anybody but to each other. But, it had just been talk until tonight.

Alexander guided Hephaistion to kneel in front of the fire beside him. He took a piece of honey cake, broke it in half, and gave it to Hephaistion. He took a bite, and threw the rest into the fire. Hephaistion followed and repeated the act. And then Alexander poured the wine from the jug into a golden cup. He lifted it up, and had a sip before handing it to Hephaistion. After Hephaistion sipped from the cup, they threw the golden cup into the fire. The fire flared up for a moment, and they completed the ritual by throwing the olive wreaths they wore on their heads.

Alexander kissed Hephaistion on the lips while lowering him slowly onto the soft blanket. They unfastened each other's chitons. Alexander looked into those beautiful blue pools of purity that saved him and soothed him. Hephaistion looked up at his golden god who gave him warmth and a purpose. Their kiss deepened with overwhelmed sensation of love.

The right hand of the Statue of Zeus moved, and he pointed a scepter to lift up the blanket in the air, just high enough so the lovers bodies did not touch the floor of hard marble. Father Zeus' lips curled up in smiles cherishing this adorable sight in front of him. The lovers who were lost into oblivion by each other did not notice the miracle happening around them. Zeus sealed the entrance to the temple to guard them from any disturbances for the rest of the night.

King Philip was so pleased with his son's achievement that he decided to build a Philippeion to celebrate the memory of the Olympic games. The construction started two years later at the foot of Kronos hill, close by the Temple of Zeus. The King ordered life sized statues of him and Alexander to be placed in the middle. When King Philip passed before finishing the monument, Alexander completed it by adding Hephaistion's statue by his side; gathered themselves arms in arms, looking at each other full of love.

All the people who came to Olympia visited the Temple of Zeus, and then the Philippeion to worship heroes for years to come. Yet, once they entered the monument, they could not help admiring the sight of two beautiful lovers and smile at them. The legend of eternal love was created, and the myth was born.

End

Note 1)

This is an actual famous quote of Prefontaine, legendary American long distance runner. It is amazing to see, as of today, lots of American high school boys in cross-county still worship him. They often watch Jared's "Prefontaine" at the team dinner, the night before the important tournament race to psych them up.