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Hello again,

Here comes next entry. Alexander and Hephaestion has some hard journeying and hunting to do before they find a Place of Safety in the Illyrian wilderness.

All the best wishes, Read and enjoy,

// NorthernLight

TEMPLATE:

Title: Illyrian Autumn (1/ 3 )
Author: NorthernLight

Category: Love/Friendship/Adventure story
Pairing: Alexander&Hephaestion
Date: December 2008
Feedback: Yes, , on and off list, as you please.
Archive: Yes, but please tell me first.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. This is for entertainment only, and for my deep interest in Alexander and Hephaestion, their times and great adventures.
Beta: Denise. Many thanks for interesting discussions and suggestions. You sure make my stories a far better read.
Summary: Alexander and Hephaestion experienced hard times during their Illyrian exile. There were some memorable moments, though.
Warnings: None.

Authorís note: I donít know much of Ancient Illyria. The Mountain Illyrians are a proud and stubborn people of my own invention. Elk and lynx are animals living in the North of Europe. I donít think that they lived in Ancient Greece or Illyria in Alexanderís time, but I like them to be there all the same. :)

Illyrian Autumn, Part Two

Pella, 338 BC

Firebrand

From the very beginning Hephaestion knew that he would not always bask in perpetual warmth and sunshine being Alexander's very special friend. His loving and prudent parents had warned him of the intrigues and dangers of the Royal Court of Macedon - but Love and Friendship for Alexander overcame all his private fears. For his Beautiful Golden One he endured the bitter envy of the many others who wanted the friendship and much, much more that he got from his beautiful Golden One.

For the sake of his dearest friend he endured the hard training for the coming War against Persia and the manifold education from Aristotle and their other stern teachers. On the blood drenched battlefield of Chaironea he saw the military genius of Alexander for the first time. Hephaestion himself had a hard time just to stay alive and protect his Golden One - but Alexander had the whole battle field under total control. Not a single movement escaped his keen gray eyes. Afterwards he had encouraging words for everyone, and he also visited the field hospital to give comfort to the wounded. Hephaestion remembered their mourning for the brave Sacred Band of Thebes the most. It was such a dreadful waste that they all were slain. They would have made such powerful and wonderful friends and allies in their future Persian venture.

Their destiny seemed clear and predictable. Alexander was the Crown Prince of Macedon, and in a distant future he would be its King. Hephaestion was satisfied with being his closest friend, always at his side. Persia waited far in the East, promising glories and conquest.

Then came that day of horror when all was changed. Hephaestion vehemently advised Alexander against attending King Philip's wedding party. He did not listen, and the disaster struck. Attalus soon found an occasion to humiliate his Golden One far beyond endurance. He was virtually smirking as he spoke those deadly insults towards Alexander, wishing King Philip and his young bride happiness in their marriage, and hoping that their union would produce a true born Macedonian Heir to the Kingdom.

Hephaestion would never forget the flaming rage that rose in Alexander as he listened to Attalusí offensive speech. His color was high, even though he was stone sober, and soon he was actually glowing like a firebrand. Hephaestion was sharing his couch, and he could feel the heat emanating from his friend, almost burning him. Alexander rose and called out to Attalus, throwing the big silver drinking cup at him. As it struck home, wiping that smirking smile off the detractorís face, King Philip instantaneously rose from his couch, urging Alexander to apologize. Then unfolded the most dreadful drama. Hephaestion could hardly believe his eyes as he saw the Royal Father come against his very own, brave and beautiful Golden Son, sword in hand, ready to slay him. Sheer Luck, or Divine Intervention made him stumble and fall. Then Alexander stood there, tall and proud, growing and glowing for every moment as he spoke his deadly insult to his Royal Father.

"Look at your King, Macedonians. You rely on him to conquer Persia - but he cannot even walk from one couch to another!"

Then Alexander turned his back to King Philip and instantly left the banqueting hall. The wedding guests could have sworn to it that they saw golden, glowing red flames emanating from him as he walked with powerful strides to his own quarters. Hephaestion was swept away with the firebrand, not knowing where it would take him.

All he knew was that he would follow his Golden One wherever he would take him - even to the End of the World.

Exiles

The night after the disastrous wedding banquet was filled with anguish, as they packed their most essential belongings before the swift ride away from Pella all in a wet, foggy darkness. They reached Epirus, where Queen Olympias stayed with her Brother King Alexandros. Alexander and Hephaestion spent some time in a hunting lodge nearby, but then Macedonian emissaries started arriving, snoping around and putting impertinent questions.

They were no longer welcome in Epirus.

King Alexandros generously supplied them with warm winter furs and clothing, also all the food and wine skins their mounts could carry. He told them that there was fine hunting deep into the northern woods, near the Illyrian border, also that the mountains were filled with fine caves, big enough to give shelter for the long winter to come. Queen Olympias had tears in her gray eyes as they said their farewells. She embraced them both. Then she gave Hephaestion a knapsack filled unto bursting with healing herbs in jugs, pouches and vials.

"Take good care of my dear son for me, Hephaestion, "she told him with determination. "I know that you are the very best of friends. Had he but listened to your sound advise, perhaps this calamity would not have come upon us all."

She gave him another embrace, leaving him quite perturbed. He did not even know that this formidable Queen and woman liked him, and now she entrusted him with the life of her beloved Alexander. He found himself at a loss for words, so he just nodded in assent, giving the Queen a silent promise.

// "I will guard my Alexander with my body and soul, all until my dying breath. Whatever he needs, he will always get from me." //


Alone - Together

A Wood In Illyria, 338 BC

All of a sudden Hephaestion found himself alone with his Golden One, as he had always wished for. Things never turn out the way one likes them to, though. They were all alone and lost in an Illyrian autumn wood, with just the company of their brave war stallions and their weapons for comfort. All the wine jugs they brought with them were now empty and things looked very meager indeed. They warmed each other as best as they could, wrapped into the warm fur cloaks Alexander got from his dear Mother.

The weather was still fine with high clear air streaming down from the mountains and warming sunlight from an azure blue sky. Things would have been looking bright, but they were getting more and more hungry. Hunting had been bad for some days. All they now had to eat were some very hard and tough roots. Not even cooking them for hours managed to get them palatable enough to gnaw upon. It was worse enough for the young men, but even harder for the war stallions. Bucephalus and Castor were used to the finest of barley, hay and gruel. Alexander also gave them bread, honey cakes and apples all the time. Now, all they had to eat was grass, flowers and herbs and moss. They were grumbling and mumbling most pitifully as they grazed on the meager findings in the forests and meadows their Dear Masters passed on their long and strange journey.

Both horses and men realized that something soon would have to happen - or else they would perish from hunger in the Illyrian wilderness.

Dangerous Prey

One day when they were getting even hungrier Hephaestion came upon a very big boar during their awkward ride through the rough woodland terrain. Alexander had been riding in advance on Bucephalus and Hephaestion realized that he had but one chance to face the shy beast. He knew that he could not miss, they needed the food so very badly. He swiftly jumped from Castorís back, telling his calm and faithful horse to be quiet and wait for him. Then he met the gray and furry tusked beast with his hunting spear ready in hand. The boar was feeling most disturbed, defending his own territory against these new and impudent intruders. He came against Hephaestion with an angry growling, but was instantly met with a sharp and brandished spear. Hephaestion managed to go for the heart with his first thrust, but the boar was so big that it struck him down with its first charge. He suddenly felt himself pinned to the ground under the big furry beast. Sharp yellow tusks sprouting from a frothing snout came near him, threatening to tear his throat open. He got his hands up, but he did not have enough strength to ward of the raging beast.

Where was Alexander? Now he was truly needed! Hephaestion called out to him in sheer need and agony. His voice was muffled by a heavy heap of gray prickly fur falling over him. All the world turned black. His last thought before passing out was on Alexander.

// "Oh no, now I will NEVER meet my Golden One again!" //

Alexander heard an angry growling from the forest behind him, accompanied by an muffled, anguished scream. Hephaestion was nowhere to be seen as he looked behind him. He turned Bucephalus and soon came upon a sight that filled them both with the greatest dismay;
there was Castor was worriedly kicking at something gray and furry at the ground. As they came closer they saw Hephaestion who lay sprawled on the ground with a giant gray boar over him. The beast was thrashing and turning on the ground, and Alexander thought that it was trying to tear his Dear One into pieces. He flung himself from Bucephalus broad back and grasped the wild boar with his bare hands. Fear and concern enhanced his strength and he managed to lift the beast from his friend. Hephaestion lay deeply unconscious on the ground, hunting spear in both hands. Alaxander felt the big boar grow limp in his hands and flung it aside. Both horses came and kicked at it fiercely as Alexander flung himself on Hephaestion.

"Phai! Phai! How are you?", he desperately called out.

His friend was feeling very cold in his arms. He was white and covered in a cold sweat. Then he begun to shiver and opened his beautiful blue eyes.

"Alexander! You came for me!, "he said with a weak smile.

"Yes, of course I did. You gave me quite a fright, my Dear One, "Alexander solemnly stated. "Couldn't you have found a safer way to put food on our table?î

"No, he just came at me, and I simply had to take the chance."

He sat up and looked at his right foot with a frown.

"Are you unharmed? That beast gave you quite a bruising."

"Yes, but I feel all right. My right foot hurts a bit, but I donít think anything is broken."

Alexander put his hands around the ankle, prodding and feeling for bruises and injuries. Hephaestion instantly felt a wonderful healing warmth emanate from the hands of his friend.

"Oh, that always feels so good. Your warming and healing hands. Donít take them away!"

Alexander sat for a long time with his hands around Hephaestionís foot. Then he gave him a warming and reassuring embrace.

"Well, it's still afternoon. Do you think that you are up to riding so we can find ourselves some shelter before the evening?"

"Yes, of course I can ride. You just find the shelter, then I will prepare our camp for the night."

Place Of Safety

They rode on for some time. The forest offered its most spectacular beauty, filled with golden yellow birches and chestnuts, glowing orange maples and russet red aspen. It was like riding through a magnificent palace, adorned with the very finest fabrics. Far away they heard the strong murmur and rippling of water. It came closer and closer, together with a towering mountainside adorned with firs and spruces in all colors of green and emerald. Then the woodland opened up to an inviting glade, more like a pasture filled with green grass, soft and thick mosses and a few remaining flowers glowing in red, orange, blue and purple. There was a slope leading down to the river, and they looked at the water, glittering and sparkling.

"Let's take a bath, Phai, " Alexander beckoned. "I am hot and dusty after all this riding!"

"Yes, me too, "Hephaestion answered. Then he pointed up at the mountainside. "Look at this, Alexander! I can see a sheltered cave behind those brambles and rose hip bushes. Maybe we can stay there for some time. And, I can use those fine berries to make us some dessert for our evening meal."

"Yes, you are always such a great provider of good things, my Dear One. Whatever would I do without you? Now you have found us a place of safety to spend Autumn in!"

A big part of the mountainside was covered in an enormous thicket of rose hip bushes. They were filled with glowing red rose hips, just ripe for the picking. Behind them there was an opening shimmering in green and blue at the mountainside. It was barely visible, but still there if one looked closely for it.

"That sure looks like an inviting place after all this time on the road, "Alexander stated. "We will explore it soon - but first we must take a refreshing bath."

Alexander jumped off Bucaphalus and fondly smacked his behind.

"Now, my friend, you can take a rest and go grazing in this fine pasture, since you have been so good and carried me all this way."

He removed the packing and gear from his friend, and Hephaestion did the same with Castor. The horses pranced and jumped about for some time, feeling free and relaxed without their load. Then they proceeded with grazing on the fine and juicy grass all around them.

Alexander and Hephaestion swiftly removed their clothes and ran for the river. The water was sparkling and rippling, and it came up in a silvery spray all around them as they ran straight into it.

"Oh, itís ice cold!," Hephaestion called out and tried to withdraw for the shore.

"Yes, my friend, the better to refresh us!"

Alexander grasped for his friend and dragged him down into the ice cold stream. They then started splashing each other, jumping around and going for a swim together. When they had been in the water for some time, it did not feel so very cold anymore. It was almost lukewarm and they thoroughly enjoyed their bath. They had been on the road for such a long time, with only smaller streams and wells to wash themselves in. They were very dusty, sweaty, hot and grimy from their long ride and the soaking in the fresh and cooling mountain water was well needed.

They bathed for a very long time. Then Hephaestion went for the shore. Alexander splashed water at him and saw him through a curtain of sparkling water drops. It was a most wondrous and enticing sight. The crystal clear mountain water ran in rivulets down his muscular frame, and his shining auburn hair streamed down his broad back. He was not as fond of bathing in cold streams as his hot tempered friend and now he was shivering. Alexander could not resist a sudden urge to offer him some warmth and comfort. He had to get up from his beloved bath. As the chilly winds from the mountain assaulted him, he, too started to shiver.

"Look now where you have gotten us, "Hephaestion admonished. "You must always take a bath, never thinking of the consequences! Now we are both freezing cold !"

"Yes, but we can always warm each other, "Alexander answered as he embraced his friend. "Look, there is a fine place for us to sit down and rest after the bath."

He pointed towards a big heap of golden birch leaves and orange maple leaves. The sun had dried them up, and they looked warm and inviting. Alexander and Hephaestion rubbed each other down, drying up all the cool mountain water. Then they took a merry and vigorous tumble around the leaves, sending them all around in a golden and orange spray.

They did not notice that their horses turned their backs on them and walked away on the meadow

Afterwards, they sat for a long time in the warm and dry leaves, panting and exhausted from their merry tumble. Alexander looked at Hephaestion. His friend had seemed worn out of late, but now he was positively glowing. He returned the fond look and gently played with Alexanderís beautiful golden hair.

"Well, now you sure made me feel warm again, "Hephaestion thankfully stated. "I am hungry, too. We must roast the boar, and pick the rose hips......"

"Yes, but later, my Dear One, later, "Alexander determinedly stated, as he covered his friend in his fine fur cloak and embraced him once more.

Bucephalus and Castor gave their Dear Masters fond looks before they followed an enticing smell of apples and sweet fragrant hay further up the mountain slope.

Hephaestion let himself be embraced once more. The wondrous warmth of his Golden One engulfed him, and he turned onto his side, returning the fond caresses.

Strangely, he felt as if he was being watched by curious eyes from the mountain slope.

Woodland Meal

Now the sun was slowly setting. They reluctantly left their Nature made Loveís nest, picking up their gear and packings. Then they went towards the rose hip brambles. Hephaestion saw a well hidden opening and they crouched, walking with bent legs through a Nature made tunnel. At the end of it awaited a small but inviting Grotto. It was overgrown with soft , dry moss and even had some stone recesses looking like benches. They swiftly carried all their things inside and put their furs on one of the stone benches.

Their horses returned from their pasture, carrying some very big apples in their mouths. They were looking good, more shining and fuller than usual. Their Dear Masters had been worrying for them. It was not easy finding enough pasture for such big horses on the road, and they had become very thin, hungry and worn out of late.

"Good horses, good horses, î Hephaestion told them. "Where did you find those apples? And, why did you not eat them yourselves? You needed them better than we do!"

Castor and Bucephalus nodded in assent, but they still brought the apples to their Masters.

"These are very sweet and tasty for wild apples, "Alexander stated as he put his teeth into the apple Bucaphalus had brought him. îOne might even think that they were siblings to our sweet and big Mieza Apples. We must search for the tree tomorrow."

"Yes, but now there are rose hips I must pick for us, "Hephaestion said as he finished his own apple. He nodded thankfully to the horses and then he took a bowl from his packings and started picking the glowing red rose hips from the thorny bushes.

Alexander sat down on a stone, watching. He noticed that his friend had a bad limp on his right foot.

"Phai, does your foot still hurt you?, "he worriedly asked.

"Yes, but it is nothing. A good meal and a good nightís rest will soon make it better. "

"No, you must rest it immediately. Sit down here and prepare the boar for roasting. I will collect firewood and also some dry grass for our beddings. "

Alexander swiftly collected the wood and grass. Soon he had a fire burning outside the Grotto, and a makeshift bedding waiting for them inside. Hephaestion roasted the boar on the fire, and boiled some herbs and roots in a kettle besides. The rose hips were boiling in another kettle. Soon the most delicious smells emanated from the fireside. Alexander came and put his arm around him, looking at the tasty food.

"Oh, Phai, you are the best cook I know, even better that the best in our Macedonian Court, "he said as he tried to make his friend lay down in the soft, emerald green moss.

"Yes, Alexander. I am glad that you appreciate my cooking, but you must not distract me now, "Hephaestion answered with a fond smile, "or else you will have burnt boar, coal black roots and rose hips cinders for dinner!"

It took another half hour, then they sat down to their evening dinner. It was most delicious, and they ate with a hearty appetite. They had been starving for such a long time, so they had to eat slowly and with great care. The boar was well roasted, tender and juicy, strangely so since it came from such a very big, old and bad tempered boar. The roots and herbs were sweet smelling, soft and tasty, and the thick rose hip soup made up a sweet and enticing desserts.

"My thanks for this wonderful meal, Phai. You have provided it all, the boar, the roots and the rose hips, too, "Alexander thanked his friend. "I never had better, not even in the Kingís Hall."

Hephaestion looked at his Golden One, happy to see him well fed and satisfied. Alexander had been worn out of late. Their forced exile was much harder for him, being away from his true heritage and station took some of his glorious stamina away from him. Now it was slowly returning, and Hephaestion was feeling better than for many a day.

First Night In A New Home

After eating they went down to the river and washed. Then they sat down again at the camp fire. Now darkness had come and the star lit sky formed a velvet dark blue cupola over their heads. The constellations seemed to be merrily dancing over the skies. Orion paced like the mighty warrior, followed by Sirius and Procyon, his faithful hunting dogs. Heracles waved his mighty club at the other side of the sky, and the heavenly family of Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Perseus and Andromeda soared higher up. The Seven Sisters danced their very own merry dance at the feet of Perseus and Pegasus soared all by himself, an enormous quadrangle. A tiny, sickle moon accompanied them all, a sliver made of the finest silver.

Alexander wrapped their fine fur cloaks around them and held his strong right arm around Hephaestion for warmth. Bucephalus and Castor came and let their big heads rest on the shoulders of their Dear Masters, intently listening as Alexander told them about the stars and constellations. They never tired of his telling and re telling of the old time legends. This time it was all about the mighty Hunter Orion and his dogs. At the end of the tale Alexander gave up a great sigh.

"Oh, how I miss my dear dogs. They were too old to follow us out here. And, I miss our friends and Companions, too. I even miss Father, even if he has treated me and Mother so very badly!"

Hephaestion gave him a reassuring hug.

îWe will return to Pella, sooner or later, Alexander. The King must take you back, You are his only and most worthy heir,î he said with great confidence. Then he, too gave up a great sigh. îOh, I miss my sweet cats and kittens. Achilles and Antigona have a very great family nowadays!î

Alexander returned the hug.

"Yes, I know. When we return we will visit them and your dear parents first thing. I have never been so happy as when I lived with you in the Keep at the Second Hill."

They sat for a long time holding on to each other, watching the star lit sky.

Strangely, Hephaestion felt as if someone was watching them from afar. It was a benevolent feeling, but also uncanny.

// "We are not alone in this wilderness, îhe mused. îI wonder who might be watching over us out there?" //

Now the night turned more chilly. They brought the horses and went inside the grotto, making their beds with furs and dry grass. Hephaestion cut off some big, thorny rose branches and put them up as a fence for greater safety, to bar all dangerous intruders from their new woodland home.

Before they went to bed Alexander looked over Hephaestionís injured foot. It was now blue and swollen, and he had to anoint it with the Queenís secret balm and put on some dressings and a splinter. He held his hands around it for a long time, and Hephaestion felt the throbbing, angry pain slowly recede to be replaced by a golden warmth and well being that spread to his whole body and self.

"Does your foot hurt a lot, Phai?," Alexander worriedly asked.

"No, not when you hold your warming hands around it, "Hephaestion reassuringly told him. "It will feel better in the morning. All is well when we are together."

They went to bed, wrapped into their fine fur cloaks and bed rolls, embracing themselves for greater warmth. Soon they were sound asleep, and their faithful horses softly snored at their side.

They did not know that a golden haired woman was watching over their grotto from the mountain slope. The silvery shine from the sickle moon glimmered and glittered in her hair as she silently mused for herself.

// "Who are those two, and their fine and faithful horses? And - why have they come here to disturb my fine wilderness home?" //

TBC

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