Disclaimer: I don't own Alexander. Oliver Stone owns the movie, and nobody owns the real life people but themselves, right? Well, let's face it, Alexander pretty much owns the whole world, but... ; Oh, but I do own my OC and her pet! Trust me, you'll get it. The line at the end happens to be from "Collide" by Howie Day, and it's also the song this fic is named after.
Author's Note: I'm really surprise I got a whole chapter done in one day. I'm not sure if I'll be able to update once a day anymore, but I'll try really hard! Anyway, Hephaestion's horse gets a name in this chapter, and I'd like to add that it means Lightning in Greek. According to Google Translator, anyway. Merci beaucoup for the reviews, angstman, Mimilafee! Enjoy the new chapter!
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For the next couple of weeks, Alexander would spend at least two hours a day with Hephaestion. Sometimes he would take him on walks, or bring him to watch the soldiers train. Sometimes, he would simply sit with him and talk with the boy.
For the most part, Hephaestion would remain cold and hostile. But he no longer recoiled from the king's touch, only stiffened. Still, the king had not ventured farther than kisses on the lips or cheek, or lightly stroking the prince's face or hair. He had a feeling anything else would result in a very violent and angry Hephaestion.
One day, while exercising Bucephalus and Kepauvoc (for that was what Hephaestion had named his horse), Alexander had asked, "Do you still dislike me, then?"
"No," Hephaestion had responded, "I despise you."
Although the words had stung a bit, Alexander couldn't help but laugh at the boy's undaunted spirit. And really, he was simply happy he could spend time with the boy.
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"You seem in high spirits today, Alexander," Ptolemy remarked one day, as the two were watching Cleitus drill his men.
"My heart sings, Ptolemy, for all of Asia to hear," Alexander answered with a blissful smile.
"So you have managed to break the boy, then?" Ptolemy seemed genuinely impressed.
"Well, no," Alexander admitted, "But you cannot imagine... Oh, Ptolemy, what am I to do? He has me like a love-struck schoolboy. Simply being next to him fills me with joy. Even when he spits insults at me, I am thrilled to have him even speaking to me."
"Beauty, Alexander," Ptolemy reminded him, "Has always been your weakness."
"Yes, I suppose so," Alexander agreed with a chuckle, "But I will tell you this; I will break down his barriers, and win his heart."
Ptolemy smiled. Knowing Alexander, he would be very surprised if that wasn't true.
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"Bagoas?" Alexander inquired the next day, lounging on his bed, reading one of Cassander's reports.
Bagoas, who had been busy clearing up the remnants of Alexander's breakfast, looked up, "My king?"
"Do you know if Hephaestion has been eating?"
The question took Bagoas by surprise. Pioras had approached him with information regarding the subject, but he had doubted the king would take notice.
"Well, my king," Bagoas began nervously, "His servants have told me that he hasn't eaten a thing since he got here. He hasn't been sleeping much either. All he will do is drink water. Forgive me for not saying earlier, only I didn't know you were concerned with--"
"Bagoas, Bagoas, calm yourself," Alexander offered him a reassuring smile, "I am not angry. You could not have known I wanted to know. It is only that... He seems too thin lately. Did they mention why?"
"They only said they had prepared him everything they could think of. He wouldn't touch the food."
"It is a question of defiance, then..." Alexander said, more to himself than to Bagoas, "Thank you, Bagoas. You have been a great help."
"My king," Bagoas bowed his head, and continued with his servant duties.
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That afternoon, Hephaestion was sitting by a fountain in one of the gardens. Not too far from him, a few members of the royal harem were throwing him glances and giggling. Hephaestion had long since become accustomed to such attentions. Ever since he was thirteen, he had men and women alike practically throwing themselves at him. He had never paid either any attention. It had worried his parents, before the whole Alexander ordeal had happened.
In a way, this was probably a relief to them, Hephaestion though cynically, and he hugged his arms to his chest, trying to stop the familiar feeling of hopelessness and despair that threatened to bubble up inside him.
To keep his mind off things, the prince stood and began to stroll around the garden. He had never finished exploring this particular one. Upon reaching the far end, he saw that the wall had an opening, cleverly concealed by thick vines and other climbing vegetation. Curiously, Hephaestion made sure no one was looking, and slipped through.
It was nothing but a stone alcove, hidden away for some unknown reason. He heard a gasp, and immediately turned towards the sound. In the dim light, he was able to make out the thin figure of a girl, huddled in a corner, holding a loaf of bread. She was staring at him in fear, and he stared back in surprise.
Frantic, broken Persian began to spill from her lips. Hephaestion attempted to calm her, "Shh! Shh! Please calm down! I won't hurt you. Only, I don't speak Persian."
She took a deep breath, and quieted considerably. After a moment, she responded in Greek, "You are... the king?"
This made Hephaestion snort, "Certainly not. What makes you say that?"
She ignored his question, "Then who are you?"
"I am... Supposed to be the king's consort," Hephaestion told her.
"You do not wish to be." It wasn't a question.
"I hate him," Hephaestion agreed.
"Your tone gave you away," The girl told him with a small smile. The sized each other up for a moment, a feeling of inexplicable mutual companionship and trust passing between them. Hephaestion sat next to her, "So who are you?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure," she confided, "I was being held captive by Persians for a time, but I escaped."
"And before that?" Hephaestion inquired.
She shrugged, "I can't remember. The Persians taught me all kinds of things, until... Well, until it was all my head had in it."
"What are you doing here, then?"
"It's the first place I've come upon with... people. Where am I?" She looked at him, worry crossing her eyes, "I came here to see if there was food, and I heard some women saying... this is a palace?"
"Yes... You are in Babylon. And at the palace of King Alexander."
Her eyes opened wide, "Am I really? Oh, no. I didn't know it was that king's palace. I stole this, you know." She waved the bread, "I shouldn't be here at all. What if they find me?"
"I wouldn't worry so much--" Hephaestion began, but she cut him off.
"No, listen," She explained, "I need to get out of here. They'll be looking for me. The Persians, I mean. If they come here, the king is sure to let them have me. No, I have to leave. Please, will you tell me where the stables are?"
"You mean to steal a horse?" Hephaestion asked incredulously.
"I'll do it in the night, no one will be the wiser," She assured me, "Please, you must tell me."
"Of course, they're just outside the palace, on the west end, not far from here. Follow the purple tapestries and you won't get lost."
"Oh, thank you, I am forever in your debt... Would you like some of this bread? You look starved."
Hephaestion shook his head, "You need it more than I. Will you be going now?"
"Yes, the quicker I get there, the quicker I can think of a plan..." She was looking towards the garden, now, as if already formulating a way of escape. She paused, however, and turned to Hephaestion, "I'm Ling Mei. Or I think so. That's what one of my captors called me."
"Hephaestion," The prince told her.
"Hephaestion..." She sounded out the word, "What a pretty name. I must be going; it was nice to meet you! Good luck with the king!"
And with that, she crept out of the alcove, leaving Hephaestion with a deep sense of regret at losing his first true companion.
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"Will you come to dinner with me?"
Hephaestion looked up from the book he was reading, at the king who had just walked into his room.
"Do I have a choice?"
Alexander gave a wry smile, "No, I suppose not. I'd like to show you off to my generals."
Hephaestion scowled at the idea, but put down his book, and got off the bed.
"You're much more willing that you used to be," Alexander observed.
"Much more accepting of my fate, is more like it."
"Maybe you're finally submitting to my charms."
"Maybe you're a wishful thinker."
"Maybe." Alexander agreed.
The two walked to the dining hall in silence. Alexander guided Hephaestion to a seat, placed next to his own. As the food was being eaten, Alexander, his generals, and the palace nobles kept up light banter. Hephaestion simply tuned them out; refusing any food that was brought to him. Truthfully, his mind was on the strange girl from that afternoon. He had never met anyone like her. Her name was obviously not from any language he knew, and she was so mercurial. And yet, he felt an instant connection to her.
She's probably stealing a horse right about now... Hephaestion secretly hoped it would be General Cleitus's. The man had been making lewd jokes about him to Alexander, and Hephaestion felt about ready to give him a right hook he wouldn't forget.
Dinner finished, and they moved to what Hephaestion assumed was the "Room of Desires" (by the looks of it, it couldn't have possibly been anything else). Alexander went and sat in the throne at the front of the room, leading Hephaestion by the waist to a plush seat next to it.
The whole thing bored Hephaestion very much. It was mostly Greeks and Persians drinking heavily and eating fruit. There were a few dancers and a Persian girl playing the harp, but other than that, not much Hephaestion could find entertainment in.
Hephaestion was about to ask if he could leave, when suddenly, two guards came in, restraining a girl who was making quite a commotion.
"Let me go! Let me go!" She struggled, flailing her legs.
Alexander stood, "What is going on?"
"King Alexander, we found this girl trying to steal your horse. What would you have us do with her?"
In that instant, the girl's head snapped towards Alexander, and her eyes connected with Hephaestion's. He gasped. It was Ling Mei. For stunned a moment, he noticed for the first time what a brilliant, deep green they were.
"St-Stop!" Hephaestion exclaimed, bolting up from his chair.
Everyone, including the king, turned to look at him.
"Don't... Don't hurt her," Hephaestion pleaded, a little more bashfully this time. He was not used to having so much attention.
"You wish me to spare her life?" Alexander asked, surprised.
"Yes," Hephaestion affirmed.
"She tried to steal from a king," Alexander reminded him.
"I know, I—Please," Hephaestion met Alexander's gaze, for the first time begging him and no one else, "Please don't hurt her."
"..." A thought crossed Alexander's mind, "And what if I spare her? What will I get in return?"
A look of uncertainty crossed Hephaestion face. And then he managed to get out, "A request... I will grant you one request."
The court was immediately abuzz with laughter and murmurs. Hephaestion's cheeks reddened slightly, but his gaze was unyielding. The offer was too tempting for Alexander, who nodded, "Spare the girl."
"My king, this was also found..." One of the guards called to Alexander. He waved to someone apparently outside the room. Four Persian men came in, carrying a caged black panther who was hissing at those around it.
"She says it is hers," The other guard added.
"Leave him alone!" Ling Mei exclaimed. She turned her attention to Hephaestion and gave him a pleading look.
"Spare him too!" Hephaestion agreed.
"The animal? That will be another request, my dear prince," Alexander told him.
"I know," Hephaestion nodded, "Spare the animal."
Alexander turned to Ling Mei, "What is your name, girl?"
"Ling Mei," She answered.
"Can you control your animal?"
"Oh yes!" She nodded vigorously, "He's very tame, I promise!"
"Is he?" The first traces of amusement crossed the king's face, "Show me."
The guards released her, and the Persian men opened the cage. The panther looked murderous, but Ling Mei whistled, and it focused its attention on her, its eyes turning docile.
She knelt down in front of the animal, and cooed to it in a foreign language. The panther licked her face and purred. She smiled and stroked its head, turning to the king, "You see?"
Alexander threw his head back and laughed, "She's reduced this beast to a common house dog! Very well. If you can keep it with you at all times, it is also free to go. But what to do with you..."
"Keep her here, under your protection," Hephaestion offered, "She can... She can be my servant!"
The king thought about this, "Falkos, Pioras, and Capulis could use a change, I suppose. And since you seem so close to her... But that is three requests. Are you sure you want this?"
Hephaestion bit his lip, but nodded, "Yes." He turned to Ling Mei, "Come, I'll show you to my room."
Ling Mei rushed to his side with her panther in tow, and the two quickly departed the "Room of Desires".
Once they were in Hephaestion's room, Ling Mei threw her arms around him, "You didn't have to do that, any of that."
"I know," Hephaestion agreed, "But I wanted to. I like you."
"I like you, too," Ling Mei responded, stepping back, "I always wanted a brother, you know. Well, as far back as I can remember."
"I always wanted another sister," Hephaestion exchanged, "I had one; but she was always so stuck up."
"That's a shame," Ling Mei noted, "Thank you, though. I thought for sure my days were marked."
"Of all the horses," Hephaestion said, "You had to pick the king's?"
"Well, I didn't mean to," Ling Mei protested, "It was the biggest; it seemed like it could travel the longest. Only, it made such a fuss when I tried to mount it, and well the guards heard..."
"Yes, Bucephalus is like that," Hephaestion nodded.
"What do you suppose the king will have you do?" Ling Mei asked, for the first time looking worried.
A queasy feeling formed in Hephaestion's stomach, "I'm not sure..."
Just then, the door opened, and Alexander stepped in. He eyed the giant cat standing neat Ling Mei, "... Leave us, please."
Ling Mei embraced Hephaestion again, muttering, "Thank you, again. I'll come back as soon as I can."
She then bowed to the king, saying, "Thank you for your kindness," and rushing out the room.
Alexander closed the door behind her, "What a strange girl... Did you notice her eyes; how they were almost stretched? And her hair is as black as a raven's, yet straight as a pin!"
Hephaestion said nothing.
The king turned to him, "Why did you do that for her?"
He shrugged, "She seemed too young to die."
"Perhaps..." The king agreed, "Well, then, I suppose I get three requests now?"
Hephaestion nodded.
"Very well then, for the first..." Alexander brought a plate of food out from behind his back, "Eat."
Hephaestion stared at him incredulously, "I'm not--"
"Hungry? Ha. Don't mistake me for a fool. I know you haven't been eating; you'll die at the rate you're going. And you did promise me anything, so this is my first request. Eat."
The prince hesitated, but gave in, reaching out to the plate and taking a leg of chicken. Slowly, he began eating, and within twenty minutes he had finished all the food on the large plate. The king smiled, "That wasn't so bad was it?"
Hephaestion shook his head.
"Very well, my next request is... I wish to talk."
"You already do a lot of that," Hephaestion responded cheekily.
"Yes, but I mean to have a conversation with you," Alexander explained, and he lied down on the prince's bed, patting next to him, "Lie with me."
Grudgingly, Hephaestion obliged, and the king began, "What did you like most about Athens?"
This surprised Hephaestion. He didn't think the king cared about such things.
"The library, I suppose," Hephaestion answered, "I used to get books and read in the courtyard. Especially when it was sunny."
"You like to read?" Alexander continued. Hephaestion nodded.
"Have you read The Iliad?"
"Yes," Hephaestion responded, "It's my favorite."
"Mine as well," Alexander told him, sounding pleased.
They went on like this for two hours, the king getting to know Hephaestion better, and in return, offering information of his own. Hephaestion found that when they were just talking like this, he could actually like the king. But he repressed the feelings of fondness, refusing to submit to his captor.
Finally, the king sighed, "It is getting late." He sat up, as did Hephaestion. He smiled, "I still have one request..."
Hephaestion tensed, preparing for the worst. He wondered if the king meant to ravish him, or to have him perform unspeakable acts for the king's pleasure. Either way, he hasn't looking forward to it.
Alexander leaned forward, and pressed his lips to Hephaestion's as he'd done many times before. But this time, he murmured against the boy's stiff lips, "Kiss back."
Hephaestion was stunned for a moment. But, realizing that this was the king's request, he obliged; softening, and leaning into the kiss.
Encouraged, Alexander moved closer, raising his hands to Hephaestion's hair, parting his lips. Their tongues began to dance, rubbing and intertwining, as Alexander explored the prince's mouth.
After a few moments, Alexander broke the kiss, and stood. He smiled fondly at the disoriented prince, "Thank you, Hephaestion. That was wonderful." He kissed his forehead, "Sleep well." And he swept out of the room.
Exhausted and confused, Hephaestion collapsed into bed, thanking the gods that it hadn't been worse.
Even the best fall down sometimes. Even the wrong words seem to rhyme. Out of the doubt that fills my mind, I somehow find you and I collide.
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Author's Note: Do you like her? Don't worry too much about the new girl's name, I know it's not Greek or Persian. It's all part of my plan! Haha. Anyways, reviews?
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