Hello all, again,
Now it's time for the Amanda's encounter with Alexander. It holds some surprises for the Golden One. Also, it seems that men and women are the same all over the earth.
All the best wishes and hopefully good reading,
// NorthernLight
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TEMPLATE:
Title: Illyrian Autumn (7 / WIP)
Author: NorthernLight
Category: Love/Friendship/Adventure story
Pairing: Alexander&Hephaestion
Date: February 2009
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. Welcome back from your vacation. 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: One OMC. Amanda is my alter ego, a wishful dream come true.
Author's note: I don't know much of Ancient Illyria. The Mountain Illyrians are a proud and stubborn people of my own invention. Moose and lynx are animals living in the North of Europe. I don't think that they lived in Ancient Greece or Illyria in Alexander's time, but I like them to be there all the same. :)
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Illyrian Autumn, Part Seven
A Wood In Illyria, 338 BC
Kings Of The Forest
Alexander was feeling most reluctant to leave his friend all alone near their new cave home, especially with the strange and elusive Forest Nymph close nearby. However, it was necessary to set the traps to get more to eat. Winter was due anytime now, and then they needed all the food they could get.
He rode deep into the forest, looking backwards as long as he could see Hephaestion picking rose hips in the brambles. Then he was captivated by the wonders of the Illyrian nature. The forest was still green, with many pines and spruces sprouting their ever green needles. There were also many stubborn junipers, and they had both green and blue berries. He picked some and tasted them. They were not uneven, having a strange and spicy taste. Bucephalus nibbled on some, too, but the large horse did not like the thorny sprigs of the stubborn bushes.
Alexander set several of the traps in places where he expected hares and birds to come by. Then he saw some mossy stones. The moss looked like nothing he had ever seen before. He picked a small tuft and pinched it between his fingers. It smelled like a strange mixture of mint and lemons.
// "This moss might be useful for medicinal purposes, "he silently mused to himself. "I will take some back to the cave. Aristotle will want to know, too. " //
He gave up a great sigh, feeling overwhelmed by longing for his Home. Then he braced himself, knowing that there was nothing for him back in Macedon as things were standing. He would have to find another path in life, or wait for King Philip to forget his reckless and unjustified fury at the wedding feast. Knowing his Father the King from his own pride and implacability he realized that there was scant possibilities of a return home to Macedon and Pella.
// "There must be wondrous and unknown lands further up in the North, "he pondered. "I long to travel there and see them for myself. There must be a place for Hephaestion and I somewhere! But - as for now I like it here in this forest and in our new cave home. I have never remained calm and tranquil in one place before in my whole life. It feels like the right thing now to rest and think things over - and I can find no better company for this than Phai. " //
He found a fallen tree, abundant with dry fire wood. Since they needed it very badly to keep themselves warm in the cave he got off Bucephalus and started to collect it. He had some long leather strings and now he gathered the fire wood and tried to bind it to the back of his proud war stallion. Bucephalus reared up and neighed loudly at this outrage. Alexander had to calm him down, gently patting him on his muzzle and ruffling his long black mane.
"Yes, yes, my friend. I know that this is beneath your dignity, "he told his beloved horse. "We need this wood so badly, winter will be coming soon, and then we will all freeze if we don't have an ample supply of fire wood!"
Bucephalus neighed once more, but then he nodded in understanding. He even sunk down on his haunches to make it easier for Alexander to load the dry wood upon his broad and strong back.
Man and horse made their way back to their cave home, not wanting to leave Hephaestion on his own any longer. Alexander didn't have to lead Bucephalus by the rein. The big stallion followed his Dear Master freely and fondly, sometimes looking somewhat sullen over his shoulder at his unwanted burden of firewood.
Suddenly they heard an angry snort in front of them. There was a glade opening up in the forest. In the shade of an enormous oak adorned with glowing golden yellow leaves stood an animal the like they had never encountered before. It looked a bit like a deer, but no ordinary deer could ever gain that size and stature. It was twice the size of Bucephalus, having long, shaggy and gray fur all over. This fur formed an enormous beard on its neck and also on its four long legs. Its head was enormous and its muzzle very big and hook shaped. The eyes were brown and big like forest tarns, filled with an uncanny intelligence. Its most impressive feature was not its enormous size and strange looks. No, it was the enormous antlers sprouting from its head. They were big as a tree crown. Alexander could count to well over sixteen enormous thorns protruding from them.
The over sized deer gave Alexander and Bucephalus an angry look and scraped at the mossy ground with its enormous cloven hoof. It then lowered its head, preparing an attack. Alexander knew that it would be useless to try to run away from this huge animal. He held his ground, staring at it with brave determination. Bucephalus lowered his head and snorted. White smoke actually blew from his nostrils. The giant stallion was used to always being the biggest and most dangerous one around. He felt uncomfortable with this new over sized deer. If it charged, it would probably be able to crush both him and his Dear Master. As long as Alexander remained, Bucephalus stood firm at his side.
They stood in this manner for a very long time, glaring at each other. Then there was another sound. Five other very big gray and shaggy deer in the same fashion, but without antlers, came trampling towards the glade. They snorted in anticipation towards the big, horned deer. He heard them and instantly turned, charging at them. They started a merry dance in the glade. Alexander and Bucephalus took advantage of this distraction and quietly sneaked away from the glade. They trembled for a long time as they continued on.
// We were lucky that he liked chasing the female deer better than charging at us. You were very brave to stay at my side, my friend, "Alexander mused as he gently patted Bucephalus on his muzzle. "I cannot tell Phai about this, "He might think that I have lost my senses! " //
Alexander's good mood was not restored until he found two big and fat partridges in one of his newly set trap . Hephaestion liked chicken for dinner, and these fine wild birds were even better. It would be a treat to bring them home, and he felt his mouth water when he thought about the delicate dish his friend would prepare for their evening dinner. When they came near to the glade he was actually singing and whistling from pleasurable expectations.
A Friend In Distress
There was something wrong with the meadow. It was far too quite and calm. No one was stirring in the rose hip brambles. Then Alexander and Bucephalus saw Hephaestion lying pale and unconscious on the ground in front of the rose hip bramble. Lots of rose hips were scattered all around him, like drops of crimson blood. Castor stood calmly guarding his Dear Master, greeting them with a gentle neighing.
"No, NO, Phai!"Alexander called out loud, "You cannot leave me, not now, not ever!"
He let go off the partridges and ran swiftly to his friend, kneeling by his side. Hephaestion was resting and sleeping calmly with his head supported by a roll of soft fur. He had been wrapped into all of their furs and Alexander's wolf skin cloak lay as the finest bed spread over him, protecting him from the chilly mountain breezes. His breath smelled strongly of raspberry wine and some other unfamiliar substance. A big stoppered strange looking jug rested prudently at the side of the fur roll, together with the clay bowl that was filled with rose hips to the brim. Alexander also noticed a very strong scent of mint and lemons. It reminded him of the moss he had found in the forest. He saw Hephaestion's injured foot protruding from the furs he was wrapped into. It had been seen to with great care and was provided with all new splints, compresses and dressings. They were green from the strange smelling moss.
// "There are certainly some very strange things going on around this cave, "he silently mused to himself. "My Hephaestion would never tuck himself in and drink himself into a stupor in broad daylight! And - we did not bring any raspberry wine! Where does that jug come from? I have never seen anything like it before." Now Alexander looked again at Hephaestion's injured foot, carefully pondering the new splints and moss drenched compresses. " His dressings have been changed in a most expert manner. I knew that the moss I found in the forest must be useful for something ! I think that Hephaestion must have fallen and hurt his foot once more when he was picking rose hips. Someone has come to his aid and seen to him with much kindness and care." //
Alexander suddenly realized what was actually going on and who Hephaestion's unknown helper might be. He looked up towards the rose hip brambles on the slope. Yes, there was a shadow of green cloth inside the bushes, and then he heard a soft and muffled yelping, as from a curious puppy.
"Forest Nymph, "he adamantly called out. "I know that you are there watching us. Reveal yourself! I will not harm you! Alexander of Macedon is most thankful for what you have done to help my dear friend. "
Meeting The Forest Nymph
Alexander did not know what to expect. There was a very long silence and stillness. Then the thorny branches rustled and parted. A young woman surrounded by six dogs appeared, She gave him a shy and suspicious look before she slowly approached him. Alexander had never seen a woman like this before. She was dressed in a light green warm woolen tunic and cloak. Deer skin boots warmed her small feet and she had a pair of sturdy deer skin trousers. The dogs were most impressive, of the finest Molossian breed. One of them was coal black and much bigger than the others. She must be the proud mother of the five half grown endearing puppies. Two were sand colored and three were black, and they merrily yelped and waved their tails as they looked at him with anticipation. Their mother adamantly held them back when they tried to rush at him. She growled at him and let him see a set of white sharp teeth. The woman put a slender but strong hand on the head of the enormous she dog.
"Hush, Ptolema. He is not dangerous, at least not for now. And, someone who holds such warm feelings towards another cannot be all bad!"
The woman spoke in a strange but comprehensible language. It reminded him vaguely of the strange dialects from the backwards mountain districts of Macedon.
// "Oh, "he mused to himself. "She speaks a lot like Lysimachos and Leonnatos. Then we will be able to understand each other!" //
"You must not worry over your friend, "she now addressed him. " I have given him a sleeping concoction to make him calm down and mend easier. He took a very bad fall when he picked those berries for you. He lost his breath and his foot was sprained once more. I helped him to his senses and I had to put new dressings on his foot. He will sleep all evening and all night long. In the morning he will feel much better. "
"Yes, my new friend. I can see this for myself, "Alexander answered in rough mountain Macedonian. "You are a most remarkable Healer. But why do you live out here in the wilderness all on your own? There must be much to do for you in a village. "
"I am Amanda of the Mountain Illyrians, a Healer and Midwife "she told him. "My village is far away from here, at the other side of the mountain. I don't want to live there. The people are rough and bad mannered. There are a few kind souls, but not nearly enough of them! The women are always gossiping and scheming , and the men are even worse. They constantly fight and brawl - and they try to make advances to me all the time! "
Alexander nodded in assent. An amused smile found its way to his lips. Her description of this backwards Illyrian village reminded him of the Macedonian Court. She gave him a determined look before she continued.
"I live here all on my own in my comfortable cave in peace with Mother Nature, "she stated. "My people come to me for Healing and herbal remedies when they are in the utmost need. Why have you and your friend come all this way to live here? I see that you are from the far South, not used to our rough living up here in the North. "
Alexander gave her a warm and understanding look before he lifted Hephaestion from the ground and proceeded to carry him into their cave.
"Oh, that is a long story, Amanda. You may come with us into our homelike cave, if you like. Your lovely dogs are most welcome, too. I think that we have much to talk about.
Alexander held Hephaestion in his arms and walked towards the cave. Amanda and the dogs reluctantly followed him. Since she was a woman she was curious, and soon her steps came with greater ease.
Amanda had lived alone and on her own for such a long time. It felt good to have new and friendly neighbours. She looked forward very much to getting to know them.
TBC
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