Disclaimer: Okay, let's face it. If I owned any of the characters in Alexander, Xander and Phae would've gotten it on in the movie! So, clearly, I don't. The traditional line at the end is from "Threewrite" by Sage Francis.
Author's Note: So I don't know why, but the little symbols I had as page breaks in the last couple of chapters weren't showing up. So now I'm using X's. And I fixed that in the other chapters.
Anyway! About the story, I am sorry to say that no interaction between our favorite king and reluctant prince in this chapter. So maybe I'll update number four today too? We'll see. Thanks to MasterTabby, SPEEDIE22, Mimilafee, and angstman for the reviews! Enjoy!
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For Hephaestion, the next three weeks went much too fast.
His father had spent most of the first two weeks locked in a room with his most trusted advisors. There, they debated the fate of Hephaestion, and, ultimately, of Athens. Amyntor understood he no longer held power over the city, but seeing it brought down in the same condition as Thebes was more than he could bear. To sacrifice a boy for hundreds of others seemed the most ethical thing to do.
And yet, it was his son. Poor Hephaestion obviously held nothing but contempt for the Macedonian-born king, a feeling nurtured by none other than his father. To give him away to this tyrant, Amyntor felt, would be the worst disgrace he had ever had to endure. Hephaestion would certainly not forgive him, maybe even hate him for all his days.
It was a difficult decision, indeed. When alas they came to a conclusion, Hephaestion was summoned.
When the youth entered the room, his face was set in a mask of blank emotion. His eyes were hard, and his lips were small, set in a firm line. He looked like a man awaiting his death sentence. Amyntor's heart ached for the boy.
"My son. Please, sit."
Hephaestion ignored him, "What have you decided, Father?"
"Now, Hephaestion, you must--"
"Father."
Amyntor looked into his son's eyes, and then looked away, sighing, "Oh, my son. One day, you will understand this."
A slow look of horror filled the boy's eyes, "... What are you telling me, Father?"
Amyntor's advisors glanced at each other anxiously. They knew how hot-tempered the boy could be when passionate about a subject, and were not eager to see his anger unleashed.
"Hephaestion..." His father began, "You are going to live with the king."
No. Hephaestion's mind was reeling. He took a step back. All this time, he had suspected, but... He hadn't actually thought his father capable of such an act. Now, he felt as if the man had stabbed an ice blade through his heart. He found it difficult to breathe.
Aymntor stood, moving towards his boy, "Now, son, consider..."
"No!" Hephaestion backed away, eyes wild, "You cannot be serious! How dare you? I am your son, you silly old man! And you would give me away so easily, for a city!"
"Enough, Hephaestion!" His father bellowed, "Do not speak to me that way! Have you no shame, boy? With this simple act, you could save hundreds. Your family, your friends, your home! Stop whining like a distressed maiden! Take some responsibility, and put aside your selfishness! You are a man, now act like one."
The outburst left Hephaestion speechless. For a moment, all he could do was stare hatefully at the man he had once thought honorable enough to be his father. Finally, he turned on his heel, and stormed out.
And Amyntor sat back down, gnawing on his lip. Because the sad truth was, his son wasn't a man. He was no more that a boy.
Alexander rode into the city of Babylon with Ptolemy and Cleitus at his side. All around, there were Persians cheering and offering them gifts. The grin on Alexander's face was invincible.
Upon reaching the palace, Alexander and his generals dismounted, and went exploring.
The marvels that met their eyes were beyond imagination. Decorations made of solid gold, all painted intricately with rich shades of blue and red and purple. Gardens like small jungles, complete with exotic looking cats and birds. A harem, with many more women than men could count, and even some eunuchs.
Alexander felt that at last, he was king of Persia; even if he had yet to slay Darius.
Once he made sure all his company was comfortable, Alexander went to his royal bedchamber. A pretty eunuch boy, named Bagoas, brought him wine and food, and told him in broken Greek that if he needed anything, he should simply call.
The king, finally feeling the fatigue of his whole journey, collapsed onto his bed, tracing the patterns on the ceiling with his eyes. As usual, his thoughts drifted to those of a certain Athenian boy he'd been promised...
It was strange, how lately he couldn't get the youth out of his mind. In his dreams, he saw the boy's beautiful sky blue eyes, and soft pink lips, with hair that framed his face ever-so-perfectly.
It occurred to Alexander that it was about time he called on the boy. He had a whole palace, no doubt fit for an Athenian king, let alone a prince. It was the perfect opportunity to train a young eronomous, although he was certain the boy was 17, only two years under the age in which a man is supposed to become a boy's erastes. So he was a late bloomer. Alexander didn't mind.
Alexander stood, to look for Bagoas, but found the servant kneeling on a cushion at the far end of the room. He blinked, surprised, and then quickly composed himself, "Bagoas, fetch me a scribe, please." He made a writing motion with his hand, and the boy seemed to understand, rushing of to fulfill the king's request. It seemed to Alexander that the boy hurried not out of loyalty, but out of fear, and briefly, Alexander wondered how Darius had treated him.
Sighing, Alexander poured himself a glass of wine. It would be hard, he knew, dealing with the culture clashes. But he'd gotten this far, and if that didn't prove he had a shot, then he couldn't imagine what did.
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Hephaestion's last week was spent mostly avoiding his father. He had refused to talk to him after the man's verdict, which had made dinner an awkward affair, so that for the last couple of days, Hephaestion had taken to eating only fruits he found in the garden.
If anyone had noticed, they hadn't said a word to Hephaestion.
It was on the second day of the fourth week that Alexander's men came for Hephaestion. He had been half-hoping that Darius had killed the king, and that the agreement would be nullified. However, when he saw the two stocky soldiers approaching, his heart sank.
There was no chance to run. Almost immediately, his father found him, and he was led down to the main hall, where the guards and the curious nobles awaited. He kissed his mother and sister on the cheek. Both were weeping, and wished him luck on his journey. He remained silent.
When his father handed him over to the guards, he stayed silent, and turned his head away from the traitorous man. When the guards each took one of his arms, he found he was rooted to the spot. And so, with much effort, the guards dragged the boy out. No longer a prince, no longer a free man.
You can find me hiding these screams behind my eyelids.
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Author's Note: Awww, poor Phaestie! Haha, I wonder if he would like that nickname? Um, so next chapter, cross my heart, there is Xander/Phae slash! Reviews? I love you all!
xoxo