Hello all,
My apologies for the delay with this update. A longer chapter than usual, but now safely arrived to me from my beta Denise. Many thanks for your kind and invaluable help.
Alexander and Hephaestion now know that their neighbour is not a dangerous Forest Nymph, but the Healer Amanda. They are slowly adapting themselves to their new friend. New animal friends are eager to join them, and they bring very special food for their keeping, too.
All the best wishes,
// NorthernLight
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TEMPLATE:
Title: Illyrian Autumn (9 / 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. :)
Dedication: The chapter Feline Friends is for my dear 'net friend A Lis, in memory of her beloved little cat Isis, who sadly is not with us anymore. I want to welcome her new cat Mia Mel, too. . In this*our* Hephaestion is found by some most unusual *kittens*. The chapters about good and bad dogs are for her, too, and also for her lovely dogs Skye and Fizz.
I also want to dedicate the chapter Feline Friends to my dear 'net friend Selket and her lovely cats Eurydice, Duncan and Hyacinthos.
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Illyrian Autumn, Part Nine
A Wood In Illyria, 338 BC
Sharing The Star Lit Sky
Amanda had never been afraid of the dark. It held no mysteries to her. She loved the plants and animals Nature was filled with, and they were friendly in the dark, too.
It was unfriendly people that truly frightened Amanda.
Alexander had never seen such darkness before. Out here in the Illyrian wilderness there was nothing to lit up the dark of the night. No houses, no fires, no oil lamps, nothing but the star lit sky. This night there was no moon at all. That made the darkness even deeper. The night was pitch black, one could barely see ones hand before ones eyes. With astonishment he saw the small golden haired woman and her dogs walk outdoors, safely finding their path through the darkness. He did not want her to be out there on her own so he quickly followed her. As he got away from the cave and the sheltering rose hip bramble his eyes adjusted to the darkness. More and more features became visible in the silvery starlight. The meadow was beautiful in the darkness, too. The grass glittered from evening dew, the flowers held other, but equally beautiful mild colours, and the trees and bushes formed a friendly wall around the meadow.
Amanda stopped in the middle of the meadow, lifting her head high, intently gazing up towards the star lit sky. Ptolema and the puppies seemed to be used to this behaviour. They quietly sat down at her feet, prepared for a long wait. Alexander joined her.
"It's dark out here, my friend. You ought not to be out all alone, "he prudently stated.
"I have been alone all of my life, Alexander, "she answered. "The darkness holds no dangers for me and my dear dogs. I have lived here for some years now, so I know every stone and feature as good as in broad daylight!"
Alexander shuddered. He had never been that alone. There had always been someone at his side. His mother, his father, his sister, his friends, and above all, Hephaestion.
"There is no reason to feel dismay, my new found friend, "Amanda stated, as if she had read his thoughts. "I have chosen this life out in this peaceful wilderness all of my free will . Mother Nature and her dear animals are my best friends - and the star lit sky. See how the Dog Star is soaring high above. He faithfully follows the Hunter, as Ptolema follows me."
She gently ruffled the furry head of her faithful she dog. Ptolema gave a friendly bark, pointing with her muzzle towards Amanda's cave.
"Yes, my friend. I know that you and the puppies want to go home. We'll just watch the stars for a short while, then we'll go indoors. "
The air was chilly and Alexander spread his fur cloak around Amanda's shoulders. Then he felt a strange inner glow and warmth emanating from all of her slender body.
"Thanks for warming me, Alexander, but I never freeze, "she explained. " The flames of Healing are in me, warming me when I do not need them to Heal others. "
Amanda stayed close to Alexander, feeling his wonderful golden warmth.
"It's the same with you, I can feel. You bring warmth and strength, even in the most bitter despair. The Goddess have blessed you with this. What a strange Gift for a man and a warrior !"
Alexander had never thought about this before. Now he felt thankful, wondering why this Gift had been given to him.
"Hephaestion always comes to me for my warmth. I never thought it was anything special with this, "he answered. "My thanks for your explanation. "
"You are a very special man, Alexander. I have never met anyone like you. Hephaestion is fortunate to have your friendship, but there are great dangers in knowing you, too. "
They stood for a long time watching the star lit sky together, pondering their new knowledge. At long last Ptolema and the puppies whimpered and went towards the cave. Amanda followed them.
"Good night, Alexander. Take good care of your friend. Not many are fortunate to have someone like him at their side."
"I know, Amanda, I know. Sleep well, now. We'll meet again in the morning. "
Hephaestion woke up, feeling alone in their makeshift bed of furs. There was no one in the cave and the fire was smouldering, slowly going out. He rose with great difficulty and put another log on it. Then he limped outdoors, supporting himself against the stone walls. His eyes slowly adapted to the pitch black darkness. He saw Alexander and Amanda standing in the meadow, watching the star lit sky together. There was a silvery light from the stars, glittering all over the meadow and thickets. It was met by a pale but strong golden glow from them both standing in the meadow. Hephaestion knew that it was the Flame of Healing filling them, being visible in the dark of the night. He was not feeling jealous anymore. No, now he was thankful that Alexander had met another like him. Amanda was a strange woman, braver than most men. Not even the bravest of their Companions would have chosen to live all alone in this god forsaken wilderness. They themselves had to do it to escape King Philip's huntsmen. She lived here all on her own, in self chosen loneliness.
Hephaestion wondered whatever was so terrible that Amanda could not accept to live in the village with her native people?
Hephaestion knew that Amanda did not want to steal his Golden One away from him. Still, he stood there carefully watching them, only returning to the bed when he saw Alexander walk towards the cave.
When his Golden One came back to him, resting at his side once more, all was well again.
Feline Friends
Hephaestion was slowly recuperating from his foot injury. The pain was gone thanks to Amanda's treatment with the moss jelly compresses, but the ankle was still a bit weak and tender. Alexander and Bucephalus had gone hunting and foraging into the woods, leaving him at the cave since he was not feeling up to riding or hunting yet. He hobbled around, seeing to their stores of food and firewood. Then he laid out the things he needed to prepare the evening meal when Alexander returned. He was soon ready. The roots, herbs and mushrooms looked fresh and tasty, and the rose hips glimmered red and beautiful in their clay bowl, just ready to boil into a sweet and refreshing soup.
// "It is a pity that I cannot make rose hip wine, "he silently mused. "Alexander would sure like that!" //
Now he just had to wait for his Golden One. He knew that Alexander would be away for some more hours. The woodland wonders held great fascination to him, and there were always some plants or animals that beckoned to him for further exploration. Aristotle's excellent teaching has made his bright and talented student eager to learn more of the world all the time and at any place where he went.
Hepahestion did not want to stay in the cave. It was a warm and fine autumn day so he sat himself down on the moss clad stone in front of the rose hip brambles. The sun was shining from an azure blue sky. It warmed him in a friendly manner even if the air was high and clear. He opened his warming bear skin cloak, letting its golden rays tickle his throat and chest. The leaves still remained on the bushes and trees, and he enjoyed their brilliant colours. All the forest was adorned in golden yellow, glowing orange and russet red. The leaves rustled in the soft breeze. Some of them fell and swirled around him. A handful of golden birch leaves landed in his lap. They shone and glimmered and they made him think of Alexander and his beautiful golden hair. A fond smile filled with anticipation soon played on his lips.
Castor pranced around him a bit before the big war stallion settled down and calmly started nibbling on the woodland grass and moss that grew in abundance around their new cave home. Hephaestion looked at his four legged friend, glad to see him satisfied and well fed.
"Soon we will join Alexander and Bucephalus on their woodland excursions, "he told Castor. "There is so much to see, he tells me. "
Castor nodded before he wandered further away in search for more food. Now Hephaestion heard a soft rustling in the brambles, followed by a rough and unfamiliar meowing sound emanating from a hazel bush. Could there be some cats or kittens calling out to him? He missed his cats Achilles and Antigona and all their kittens dearly, and he held a secret wish that a stray cat might come his way, in need of care and company.
"It's strange how everyone here around likes to hide themselves in the bushes! You may come forth, "he beckoned towards the meowing in the hazel bush. "I will not harm you. I am all alone here with my horse and we sure would like some company."
Two strange looking kittens came running towards him. They were unusually big, looking almost like full grown cats. Their playful movements revealed them for kittens, though. Their furs had the colour of golden sand, with small dark brown streaks and dots all over. He had never seen such kittens before. Their eyes were golden yellow and glimmering green and they had the sweetest little tufts on their ears. They had no tails at all, just small stumps that waved to and fro from sheer happiness.
Now they jumped into his lap, purring and scratching at him in a friendly manner. They had very big paws and claws unusually long and sharp for kittens.
" Oh, my little dear ones, you must withdraw those claws of yours, or else you might cause me some injury!, "he adamantly told them. "Who are you, my darlings? I have never seen such kittens before!"
"We are not kittens, "they surly replied. "We are the fearsome woodland LYNX ! But you need not fear us, we like you a lot!"
They instantly withdrew their claws and settled in his lap, purring in a friendly manner. He patted them and gently stroke them, noticing that their fur was not silken and soft as in house cats. No, it was rough and hard, almost like the bristles of a wild boar.
"Oh, you are talking kittens, just like the ones I have at home! Whatever is a lynx, "he curiously asked them. "I have never seen one before. "
"We live here in the forest. Cats and kittens are our smaller cousins. They must live with the humans in the village, hunting rats and mice. We are on our own out here in the wild, hunting bigger animals!"
Hephaestion felt a bit puzzled. They did not look that big or dangerous. Rats and mice would be an appropriate prey for them. He did not tell them this, though. They were the proudest and most fierce kittens that he had ever encountered and he did not like to annoy them. The strange kittens sat in his lap purring and rubbing themselves against him for a long time. Then they became restless and jumped down, starting to play with each other. They jumped and clawed at each other, meowing like two small lions. He sat watching them, feeling most amused. It would be a pleasure to invite them to share his and Alexander's life in the cave.
Suddenly there was a fierce roaring sound emanating from the thicket. An enormous lion like cat came at him with a great leap. She had big gleaming green eyes, a maw filled with razor sharp teeth and a scarlet tongue. She was looking very hungry, indeed. He found the time to notice that she had the same golden yellow fur, but the dark brown streaks and dots were more accentuated on her. She had also the same tufts on her ears and the same small stump instead of a tail.
Hephaestion swiftly rose from his seat on the moss clad stone and proceeded to run towards the security in their woodland cave. He knew that he would never make it. The lion like cat was swifter than anything he had ever met!
"NO! Lola. You may NOT harm him! " a clear and adamant voice called out. "Hephaestion and his friend Alexander are my new neighbours. They are to be trusted at all times. "
It was Amanda. She leaped from her usual hiding place in the rose hip brambles, grasping the giant cat at the nape of her neck, managing to stop her violent assault. Her eyes were glowing green, almost as fierce as the cats.
"But he is a MAN, "Lola the Lynx answered in a roar. "You have always told me that they are an especially dangerous species. "
"Yes, I know, but not all men are the same, my dear one. These are special and you must not harm them. Can't you see that your cubs like him a lot!"
The small kitten like lynx cubs were standing in front of Hephaestion, hissing and arching their backs. Their small tail stumps were standing up, looking like small bushes.
"No, mother! You must not harm him. He is the very best playmate we have ever met!"
Lola calmed herself down and sat at their side. Soon she even let Hephaestion rub her behind her tufted ears. She started to purr and her cubs joined her. They sat in his lap, basking in the warming sun. Amanda sat at their side, carefully watching her friend Lola.
"Lola, you had three cubs before, "she worriedly asked. "Lydia and Lyxis are here, but where is little Lyllia?"
"Oh, she fell from a stone and bruised her paw. I hid her in the brambles. She will be all right real soon. "
Now they heard a pitiful meowing from the hazel bushes. Then a smaller lynx cub came limping towards Hephaestion. She dragged her hind leg behind, but she was most energetic in her efforts to reach him.
"Why did you all run away from me? I want to play with the nice man, too, "she petulantly whined.
Hephaestion grasped her at the nape of her neck and carefully lifted her, putting her on his lap. She licked his hands and started to purr with great satisfaction.
"Oh, my little dear one. You are the cutest kitten I ever saw! Lola, could little Lyllia stay with me while her paw is mending? "he politely asked the proud mother. "I need someone to keep me company until my foot has become well again. "
"Yes, yes. I can see that you are a friend of animals, "Lola answered. "She may stay with you. We will even provide you with the most excellent food for her keeping. It'll be sufficient for you and your friend, too. "
Amanda instantly saw to the injury of the small lynx's cub. Her paw was not badly damaged and she carefully wrapped it with a bandage immersed in moss jelly. Lyllia was satisfied and meowed with pleasure as Amanda held her Healing hands around her tiny paw. She meowed with even greater pleasure when Hephaestion put her in his lap and gently patted her fur. Her siblings hissed with displeasure and jealousy. He then lifted them into his lap, too. They all started to purr and soon fell asleep. Lola sat herself to rest at his feet. She was warily watching the surroundings, together with Amanda who retired to her outlook in the rose hip brambles.
Alexander found them that way. At first he and Bucephalus was a bit wary with the lion like cat, but then they saw her smaller cubs resting and softly purring in Hephaestion's lap.
"Phai, Phai, now you have found yourself the most perfect pets, "he called out to his friend. "Aristotle never mentioned cats like these in his lectures on Illyrian wildlife!"
"They are not cats, Alexander. They are the fearsome forest lynx, they tell me, "Hephaestion explained to his friend. Strangest kittens I ever met!"
Alexander befriended Lola and her three cubs. They then brought little Lyllia with them into the cave. She merrily limped around, trying to help Hephaestion with his household chores.
"What strange food you have. And why do you heat it up in that strange pot?"she asked as she watched him prepare the mushroom stew, the roots, nuts, herbs and apples. "My siblings will soon come withs something much tastier!"
There was a demanding meowing outside the cave. Lydia and Lyxis stood there wagging their stumpy tails, proudly presenting two giant rats. Lyllia started licking at them.
"Look, look, Phaiston! Here we have some real food! My siblings are very good hunters!We will eat one of them raw, and you may boil the other one for you and Xandros. Then you will have a proper dinner!"
Hephaestion swallowed hard. Then he gently patted their furry heads.
"Many thanks for this excellent food, my little dear ones, "he kindly told them. "You are so brave and skilled hunters that you may enjoy all of your spoils. These mushrooms, roots and herbs will suffice for Xandros and myself."
The small lynx cubs nodded thankfully before they devoured the rats. Alexander smiled and put his arm around his friend.
"My Hephaestion, always the skilled and clever diplomat. You will always help me out,even with the most delicate problems."
Bad Dogs
Ptolema had five puppies. The three small she dogs were always well behaved and prudent. Amanda and Ptolema liked them a lot. They were reliable and very skilled hunters. Then there was the small he dogs. They were skilled hunters, too, but way too reckless. They often went for prey bigger than themselves, and they had even been injured several times. Amanda kindly admonished them and patched them up.
Now they were out in the forest again, all on their own. This time they truly wanted to prove themselves. They had sniffed the appetizing smell of boar and they silently sneaked through the bushes and brambles. The herd of boar living in the forest were very shy and prudent. They had never managed to catch one.
Today would be different!
The boar were sniffing and prodding after roots and mushrooms. One big and prudent sow was standing guard, carefully watching over her very big family. One of the piglets was bigger than the others. He was very curious and managed to stray from his siblings. The mother sow adamantly grunted to make him return to the herd. He ignored her and went away amongst some bushes.
The small he dogs came upon him from two directions. They were small, but very persistent. Soon they had brought him down, with much squealing and kicking. The mother sow came, together with his siblings. It was too late. The poor piglet was dragged away, towards Amanda's Grotto.
The small he dogs proudly presented their new prey to their dear Mistress. She called out in an outrage as she saw the small piglet. He was a light brown with white streaks all over. His neck was bloody and torn to shreds, and he was very much dead.
"Oh NO, you are two very bad dogs! Those small and lovely piglets are so very cute and endearing, "she yelled at them. "You had no business killing one of them. Rats and mice will do to feed you well!"
The small he dogs drooped their heads and put their tails between their legs, starting to wail in a pitiful manner. Amanda felt sorry for them, and then she pointed towards the other Grotto.
"You may go to THEM with it. They eat such things, "she told them. "Perhaps they will want to share it with you. "
Good Dogs
The small he dogs dragged the piglet over to the other Grotto. There Hephaestion sat preparing mushrooms and roots. His stomach growled and he mused to himself:
// I would so like some boar to prepare for Alexander when he comes home. He has caught several rabbits and partridges. They are good, but boar is better!" //
Now there was a fierce yelping and barking at his doorstep. He rose to look at its origin. There stood two small sand coloured he dogs, proudly presenting a fine, newly caught boar piglet to him. He was overjoyed and gently patted their furry heads.
"Good dogs, good dogs! You have brought me what I wanted the most to prepare for dinner for Alexander and myself. You may join us when it is ready!"
Lyllia was not satisfied with their new guests. She hissed at them and brandished her razor sharp paws. Hephaestion had to grasp her at the nape of her neck and sternly admonish her.
"No, Lyllia. You must be friendly towards them. They have provided us with such a fine dinner. You will like it, too!"
"Yes, I will, "Lyllia reluctantly hissed. "But I like rats and mice better. They are the most excellent food! I cannot understand why you like this fat pig so much! "
Hephaestion prepared the boar and roasted it on a spit. The small he dogs sat looking at him with great interest. When Alexander came home he was empty handed. His traps had been all empty and he was troubled by this, since he thought that Hephaestion needed meat to make a proper recovery from his foot injury. He was met by the most appetizing fumes of roasted boar. It was as fine as from the King's Hall in Pella. He approached the Grotto and saw Hephaestion and the small he dogs preparing dinner together.
"Phai! What a lovely dinner. How did you manage to catch this boar without help? You can still barely walk!"
"I have not been out hunting at all. These little dear dogs came with it. They must have caught it themselves and wanted us to have it. "
Alexander knelt before the small he dogs and patted them all over. They merrily wagged their tails as he praised their good hunting luck and skills.
"Good dogs, good dogs. You have provided us with the dinner we wanted most of all. You may join us when it is ready. My Hephaestion is the very best of cooks!"
The small he dogs nodded as they jumped up on his knees.
"I want to name you Peritas and Pollux, "Alexander stated. "Perhaps your dear Mistress will let you live with us here in our Grotto. I have always had puppies and dogs, and you are endearing, and skilled hunters at the same time. "
Amanda came silently gliding up to them.
"Yes, they may come and live with you and Hephaestion, Alexander, if you like them to, "she stated. "They are small he dogs and most unruly. Their sisters are so well behaved and prudent, but these have gone out of hand for Ptolema and me! Perhaps they need to be in the company of men!Peritas and Pollux are good names for them, too. "
The small he dogs nodded and wagged their tails in eager assent, already listening to their new names.
"We are most thankful for your gift, Amanda. Now we have a true Home, with both dogs and a cat!"
"Lynx!, "Lyllia adamantly hissed as Hephaestion gently scratched her behind her tufted ears.
In the evening they all shared a fine dinner of boar with their new Masters. The small animals were full with the excellent food as they fell asleep in the makeshift fur bed together with Alexander and Hephaestion. Lyllia and the he dogs had now become very good friends and they already planned tomorrow's hunt.
TBC
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