Hello all, again,

Amanda has been invited to Alexander and Hephaestion in their homelike cave. Both parties get to know one another a bit better and tell their backgrounds. It seems that they both are Exiles, for very different reasons. There are some surprises for the Golden One, too. We must have in mind that Amanda does not know who he actually is!

I must also make amends for Amanda. She lives in a very backwards place and time, so she does not know that the cultivation of opium poppies is illegal!

All the best wishes and hopefully good reading, Wishing you all a Merry Valentine,

// NorthernLight

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TEMPLATE:

Title: Illyrian Autumn (8 / WIP)

Author: NorthernLight

Email address: aur_

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. 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 Eight

A Wood In Illyria, 338 BC

New Found Friends

Amanda watched as Alexander gently lifted his auburn haired friend and carried him towards their cave. Hephaestion rested his head on his shoulder and woke up for a short time. He looked at his friend with devotion in his wonderful blue eyes.

"Alexander. Why have you waited until now to carry me inside?, "he murmured in affection. "It was nice resting with my head in your lap for hours and hours. You never stay in one place that long otherwise!"

"Hush, my Dear One. All will be well. "

Alexander felt a sudden twinge of jealousy as he realized that the Woodland Healer had been sitting with his Phai resting his head in her lap for a very long time. His steps became more determined as he walked through the rose hip tunnel and into the cave. He placed Hephaestion onto their makeshift bed and saw to it that he was resting comfortably before he wrapped him into the furs once more. Hephaestion had fallen asleep again. He was even snoring softly and he did not seem to be in any pain and discomfort. Alexander sat himself down on a mossy boulder at the bedside to keep close watch over his friend. Hephaestion was resting easy, his glossy auburn hair spreading like a fan over the furry pillow. There were still some shadows from pain and unrest under his eyes, but they were visibly clearing up as the strong herbal remedies acted out their good work. Alexander gently placed his hand on Hephaestion's brow. There were no signs of fever anymore and Alexander let go a sigh from relief and then, gently caressed the silken auburn hair.

"Rest easy, my dear one. I will take good care of you. And, something tells me that our new friend will be of great help to us, too.

Amanda let the two friends have some time on their own. She realized their close bond. It made her smile. It was seldom one saw such deep and fond feelings. She envied them for a short while. Hers was a life in self chosen loneliness, safe but still very alone.

She now saw that the giant black stallion was looking most miserable and uncomfortable because of his big burden of fire wood. His auburn colored friend looked at him with surprise before he came up to him and tried to take the branches away from his back. He nibbled and bit into them, managing to rip some of them away.

"That's good of you , my friend, but I will help you. "she told the proud animals in a comforting manner. "You are the finest war horses that I have ever seen. It is most unseemly that your black friend should carry all that firewood around. He is not a beast of burden!"

As he heard this remark from her Bucephalus reared up with a furious neighing. All the firewood fell off his broad back and tumbled in a big heap on the ground. Amanda gently patted his head and neck to calm him down.

"Good horse, good horse. It was kind of you to carry all this wood home to your Dear Masters, "she told him. "You will all need it when winter comes!"

The horses followed her through the rose hip tunnel, together with Ptolema and the puppies. They watched through the opening of the grotto. Alexander sat keeping careful watch over his friend. The grotto was dark and gloomy but his golden hair seemed to generate its own shimmering glow, lighting it up. He looked up as he saw her.

"Hephaestion is resting, and his foot is not hurting him anymore "he stated. "I did not want to leave him at all out here on his own, but I had to go set some traps and get us more firewood. He is stubborn and cannot stay away from work. Amanda, my deepest thanks for taking such good care of him after his fall. You know that he is very dear to me. "

"Yes, I know. You are fortunate in having such a friend. You must take good care of him yourself, "Amanda adamantly stated, "I saw him limping around picking rose hips for you, all until he took that unfortunate fall. Well, he is not badly hurt. My remedies will make him feel better soon. "

"Yes, Amanda. I can see that you are a skilled Healer, "Alexander answered. "What's in the concoction you have given him to put him to sleep? It seems to be most potent. "

"Well, there was this stranger coming by, "Amanda told him. "He brought these unusual seeds and some thick, very bad tasting black juice. There was also these lumps ready for smoking. It made the whole village crazy, put them all into a hazed stupor. I had a hard time waking them up. When they returned to themselves once more they chased the culprit away. I kept the seeds and substances, though. They are most useful to soothe severe pains and aches. The flowers are now growing in my woodland garden. Strangest poppies I ever saw. They are white, rose colored and purple instead of our fine flaming red poppies!"

Alexander gave Amanda an amazed look.

"These are no ordinary poppies, Amanda, "he explained. "It's opium poppies you cultivate in your herbal garden. My teacher Aristotle has told me a lot about their uses, and our local doctor Philip gives it to our wounded soldiers. It is the very best remedy against pains and aches there is. I am impressed that you are able to make them grow this far up in the north. They come all the way from Persia!"

"Oh, it was easy to make those seeds sprout. I have fine soil in my sheltered herbal garden and the sun is warm and nice when it shines upon the mountainside. Whatever is Persia?, "Amanda asked. "I have never heard of such a country. And, who is Aristotle? I have never heard of him, either. He sounds like a knowledgeable fellow. "

"Yes, he sure is. You and he, and doctor Philip, too, would have lots to talk about if ever you met! Persia is far away in the east. Once I planned to go there, but Fate has taken me and Hephaestion to this place instead, "he told Amanda and she nodded in understanding.

Alexander smiled all by himself as he realized that he had come so far away from home that no one knew about Persia or the fineries of the South. King Philip's spies would never find him in such a backwards place!

Amanda brought the jar with the poppy juice and told Alexander how she made it from the juices in the big seed capsules of the big poppies. They then looked over Alexander's collection of herbal remedies. She was most impressed by the jar with Queen Olympias' Miracle Ointment and the jug with the Miracle Cordial. She sniffed at them with great interest.

"Yes, I know how those are made. I have something similar, but I do not use grape wine in the cordial. Up here we have stronger stuff! The raspberry and cherry wines I make for medicinal purpose are more potent than this! I am most impressed by your skills with herbs and remedies, though. You are born to be a true and brave warrior. I have never seen a warrior before with an interest in the art of Healing. "

"It is a most useful knowledge when out on campaign. Perhaps I have even saved some lives with it, "Alexander humbly stated.

They studied the herbs for a long time, crouching over them and speaking about their different uses and purposes. They came very close together, and without knowing it Alexander put his arm around Amanda's slender shoulders. She felt so safe and comfortable in his company that she let it happen. It was an innocent gesture and she leaned closer to him, like an animal in need of care and comfort. He radiated a wonderful warmth and strength. Amanda had never before met a man with such a powerful aura and she could not resist letting add to her own inner warmth.

Moment Of Jealousy

Hephaestion drifted in and out of sleep all day long after his bad fall. He found it strange that Alexander had come to his side so quickly, also that he had applied remedies far better and more potent than he had ever used before. His foot did not ache and throb with pains and aches anymore and he felt warm and comfortable. All the world was lit up with a rose colored glow and he did not sense any troubles at all. He was injured, he and Alexander were all alone in the wilderness and their possibilities to ever be able to return to their homes were scant . All was well, though, as long as he was together with Alexander. It had been wonderful to rest with his head in his lap all day long, and now he had been made comfortable amongst warming furs.

Slowly he woke up from his stupor. He was inside their homelike cave, resting in the makeshift bed. Soft voices were whispering, careful not to disturb him.

Voices! But he and Alexander were all alone in this wilderness!

He turned his head towards the whispering voices. His eyes fell upon an incredible and disturbing sight. Alexander held his arm around a golden haired woman dressed all in forest green. Her fair hair spilled down her shoulders like a warming cloak, mixing with Alexander's golden mane. They were having an intent and affectionate conversation. Hephaestion had never seen Alexander so at ease with a woman, not even with his own sister Cleopatra!

It must be the Forest Nymph who had managed to lure and seduce his Golden One! She had to be stopped!

Hephaestion tried to leap out of bed. It was very difficult, almost like running through deep and torrential water. He was a very strong and strenuous man, though, and soon he managed to get up. He took a few strides and grasped Alexander and the Forest Nymph at the napes of their necks, forcefully tearing them apart.

"NO, you dangerous and promiscuous creature. He is MINE! I will NEVER let you have him!"

Amanda shrugged his strong hand away from her neck and looked at him with stern reproach in her glowing green eyes. She was blushing from anger and outrage.

"Me, promiscuous! Whatever do you mean by that? I have never been with a man in all my life. As a Healer I have taken sacred wows not to, I will lose my art of healing if I do! Your golden friend is in no danger from me. We are just having a conversation about herbs and their healing properties! He is quite good at it, for a man. "

Alexander gave her stern support. He, too was blushing from the embarrassing misunderstanding.

"Yes, Phai. It is as she says. Amanda is not a Forest Nymph. She is a Woodland Healer, living on her own in a cave nearby. You must thank her for taking very good care of you after your fall near the rose hip brambles. We were just discussing herbal remedies. She has great knowledge for a woman, it is even more impressive since she has had no formal teaching at all!"

"I learned all that I know from my mother and grandmother, and they learned from their grandmother. That's the best knowledge there is!, "Amanda adamantly stated.

"Yes, my dear mother always states this, " Alexander agreed. "There must be something in it. "

Hephaestion reluctantly realized his mistake and went back to his rest amongst the furs. Alexander helped him, gently tucking him in. He did not dare to drift too deeply into sleep again, though. He remained half awake, vigilantly watching Alexander and Amanda as they started to prepare the evening meal.

Evening In A Woodland Cave

Amanda and Alexander prepared dinner together. She brought more mushrooms, roots and herbs and lots of glowing red apples. She also fetched a basket filled with hazel nuts. Alexander prepared the partridges, at her utter dismay and outrage.

"Oh, those poor birds! How can you do such a thing to them? The wood is filled with roots, mushrooms, nuts and berries. It's plenty of them, enough for all. I NEVER eat any birds or animals!"

"We do, my new found friend, and I think that your Illyrian villagers do, too. It's hard surviving without meat, but you are clever and resourceful who has found a way to do it!"

Amanda nodded and let him fry the partridges on two spits over the open fire. When they were ready she and Alexander sat down to a sumptuous meal. Bucephalus and Castor munched at hay and apples outside the cave. Ptolema and the puppies joined them, munching on some rabbits they had recently caught.

Hephaestion soon joined Alexander at the fireside, throwing suspicious glances towards Amanda. He was very sleepy and drowsy from the drug she had administered, but he ate with a hearty appetite all the same. Alexander held his arm around him and helped him, feeding him with all the tastiest parts from the partridges.

"Alexander. You know what I like the most. These are even better than chicken!, "he said, giving Alexander compliments for his good hunting skills.

"Yes, I was happy when they went into my trap. It was a long time since we had any birds for dinner. Well, now I see that you are tired, my friend. Come, I will help you to bed. "

He gave Hephaestion a hand and helped him safely over to the fur bed. He lay on his side, giving Amanda and Alexander suspicious glances for some time before he drifted into a fitful sleep once more. Amanda went to him and gently caressed his silken auburn hair mane.

"My brave and beautiful one, you don't need to be jealous on me, "she whispered into his ear. "I recognize True Love when I see it, and I will never get between you and your Golden One. "

Hephaestion smiled in his sleep, and soon his breathing became deeper and calmer. Soon he was resting more easier.

"What did you say to him, Amanda?, "Alexander asked. "It seemed to make him much calmer."

"Just a sleeping charm against unneccessary troubles, Alexander, she answered in a calming manner. "Just a sleeping charm. "

Backgrounds To Exiles

Alexander and Amanda sat down at the fireside once more, nibbling at hazel nuts and refreshing themselves with strawberry juice from clay bowls. They were full and satiated from all the food they had enjoyed together, and they had also drunk their fill from the cool mountain water from the river.

"How come you are here all on your own out in the wilderness, "Amanda curiously asked. "You come from the distant South and I can see that you are warriors, not woodland people at all. And your horses are the finest war horses I have ever seen. "

"Yes, Bucephalus and Castor are our very dear friends. Something tells me that you have been taking care of them for us, giving them extra food. "

She nodded with assent. Alexander continued his tale.

"I come from a family in severe discord. My father has many wives, making my mother miserable all the time. They are always quarreling, and I have never ever been able to please them both at the same time. Then my father took one more young and beautiful bride. At the wedding her uncle insulted me, telling all and sundry that I was not my father's proper heir. Hard words were said, and now I cannot return to my home. Perhaps I will never see it again. "

Amanda put his hand on his shoulder in a silent gesture of comfort and support. She remained silent for a long time before answering him.

"Well, that sure is a mess. I don't understand your father at all, "she declared. "No man in all Illyria would let such a strong and beautiful son go away into exile, not for any reason! If you cannot return to your home you can always earn a place amongst my father's warriors. He is chief of the Mountain Illyrians. We are at peace with all nowadays, but that can quickly change...."

She remained silent for some time, letting him think about this offer. Then she resumed her musings.

"You I can understand, though. Sometimes it is better to avoid an unbearable situation by living in a far away place. I left my native village some years ago. It is on the other side of the mountains, near enough to visit but too far away for them to bother me! When I lived there the men were always trying to molest me, and the women were always gossiping about me. I wanted to be on my own, with my dear dogs, cultivating my herbs, doing my Healing, and watching the star lit sky in the evenings. People are sometimes cruel, they maltreat the ones they do not understand. Now I am happy in this calm and beautiful place. They seek me out only with the direst emergencies, otherwise I am safe and happy all by myself!"

Alexander nodded in silent understanding. He became more and more impressed by this small but stubborn and knowledgeable woman. When he went to Persia with Hephaestion at his side he would have much need for such an unusually skilled Healer.

Persia! He gave up a great sigh. Now perhaps he would never travel to the East, to explore her mysteries and riches. Amanda once more put a hand on his shoulder. She realized that he had lost far more than he had admitted during his short telling of his domestic troubles.

Raspberry Wine

For a long time they sat in silence at the fireside, looking at each other and pondering their respective tellings. Hephaestion slept calmly on the makeshift bed, wrapped into fine furs. Alexander looked at him with great longing.

"No, you may not disturb him tonight, "Amanda prudently told him. "He will sleep all night on the medicine I gave him. He needs his rest!"

Alexander nodded in assent. Then he saw the jug with raspberry wine standing nearby. He unstoppered it and sniffed at the opening. The wine was so strong and potent that its bouquet filled all the cave.

"Ah, this is a most unusual vintage, "he stated. "Ours is mostly made from grapes. "

"Yes, but those will not grow up here. We use raspberries, cherries and prunes instead, "Amanda lectured. "I have many jugs in my cave. It's good for medicinal purposes, but some of our men unfortunately drink themselves silly upon it!"

Alexander did not hear her last remark. The jug with its wondrous bouquet beckoned to him. He lifted it to his lips and drank from it. The Illyrian raspberry wine was like nothing he had ever drunk before. It was so strong and potent that it coursed like liquid fire through his veins. He felt warm, strong and powerful, and the world suddenly turned into a bright and beautiful place, shining with a rose coloured glow. He wanted more, and more and more, so he lifted the jar to his lips once more and started to drink it all down.

Amanda watched the stranger taking the jug. At first she was pleased when he seemed to like her home made raspberry wine, but then she watched in utter horror as he held the jar to his lips as he drank, and he drank, and he drank.

She could not let this go on! Adamantly she smacked his fingers and took the jug from him.

"Enough is enough, Alexander! This is a very strong brew, and you need all your senses! HE needs you to be sober and alert to help him now when he is not well!"

She pointed towards the sleeping Hephaestion.

"Something tells me that HE always stays calm and sober when everyone else drinks themselves silly. You ought to follow his example!, "she adamantly told him. "Or else this fondness of strong drink will bring you to an early grave!"

Alexander watched the small golden haired woman with utter astonishment. No one had ever spoken to him in this manner, not even during his childhood. He was chilled to the marrow by her plain forthrightness, knowing that she, with her ascetic living, must have the Gift to watch far into the distant future. With trembling hand he put the jug away.

"Do not worry so over me, Amanda. I can handle it, and I promise you that I will take smaller sips next time you bring me a jug of this excellent wine. "

"Yes, I hope so, Alexander. I hope so. "

Amanda and the dogs now rose to return to their own grotto. Alexander followed them outdoors and halfway over the meadow. They stood for a long time watching the starlit sky, comparing names and tales of the constellations. As the air went chilly Alexander returned to Hephaestion and went to rest at his side. It had been a most unusual day, and he had met a new, unexpected friend and ally. He fell asleep with a smile on his lips, looking forward to his new and unknown future.

TBC

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