Alexander of Epirus rode into Aegae, the following morning, dressed in all of his glory, and hiding a sore head. He was escorted by Empedocles, who, it could be said, was more excited than the bride that the wedding day had finally arrived. He deliberately slowed his pace to savour every moment as he led the way to the king who stood with Cleopatra.

As he walked behind Empedocles, with his companions Themistocles and Aeschylus, just behind him, he saw Alexander apparently standing alone, half way to Philip. He looked then to see that Eurydice and her young family were close to Philip, and reasoned that Alexander had moved away out of courtesy. He smiled and nodded to Antipater, recognising the man and thinking his waist had grown stout. Then he looked on Cleopatra, and his fears for the union vanished as she smiled shyly at him, but held her gaze.

He took her hand and made the vows, followed the rituals and cut the bread, remembering as he did so, that Philip was now free to rid himself of Olympias. He looked for Alexander, seeing that he was thinking it too. It had been obvious from the time the betrothal was announced.

He gently kissed Cleopatra. She put her hand on to his shoulder, then ran it down his chest. It was only morning but he longed for it to be night.

Philip announced the games, that they should all be in attendance at dawn, if they were to be seated. A cheer went up.

Alexander came to congratulate his uncle and kiss his sister. Cleopatra embraced him, and told him she was happy and was only sad to leave him. Cassander and Philotas came over to insist Alexander sat with them.

The Epiriot king laughed to see them lead him away, he looked for the companion who was with him yesterday, Hephaistion, and saw him on guard, standing against the wall, watching over the proceedings. Watching Alexander.

Philip came over and threw his arms around him, distracting him. Themistocles and Aeschylus were keen to congratulate him, and greet Cleopatra. He looked to his bride. He had a wife, and a pretty one at that.

Musicians played, and dancers and acrobats filled the hall as servants carried in food on large trays. The wine flowed freely, their was laughter, song and tall stories. The day turned into night and Alexander of Epirus and his new bride were led to the bridal chamber, and finally left alone.

OOXXOO

Alexander was one of the last to leave the hall. Even his father had left before him. He had hoped to speak to Hephaistion, but Pausanias kept him on duty through the day and through the evening, and he would only have brought trouble to Hephaistion for talking to him.

So he waited, in the hope that when his father retired for the night, Hephaistion would be relieved from his duty. He thought he timed it right, walking quietly along the hallway to where the guard slept. The room was well lit, he could hear voices, talk of the wedding but Hephaistion's was not amongst them and so he thought he had missed his chance.

Alexander heard booted footsteps, hurrying down the stairs, and ducked out of sight, praying it might be who he sought. It was Cleon.

Feeling the failure of his desire to make things right, he headed back to the main hall, through which he could find the way to his room. It was deserted now.

Again, Alexander heard footsteps and turned to see his father hurrying in to the hall.

"Father, what are you doing here?" Alexander asked, seeing him barefoot and without his guards.

"Eurydice left her bracelet," he replied, searching for it amongst the cushions on the floor, cursing as he knocked over a goblet of wine.

"Could you not send a servant?" Alexander replied, walking over to help his father with the search.

Philip stood upright, as if considering this option, then shook his head. "I am out of favour with the girl. If I find the bracelet, then it might go someway to warming her feelings to me."

"Lysias?"

Philip turned his one eye to gaze on his son. "Who told you? Hephaistion?"

Alexander nodded. "But everybody knows. You were never discreet, father."

Again Philip came upright, but so quickly and so unbalanced by the wine, that he swayed a little. Alexander took his father's arm and guided him to a couch to sit down.

"What gives you the right to talk to me like that?" Philip growled, but then laughed. "Discreet, hey?" He laughed some more, and clapped his hands together, then patted the couch for Alexander to sit beside him. "And how did you come to win Hephaistion? I like the boy…better than I like Lysias, truth be told. Lysias is already asking for gifts, and I'm thinking that Onatas settles for anything. Your Hephaistion, he has spirit….he said no to me….and he has honour. I was glad you came to my room that night; I could not have done anything, not after he gave me that speech about merit." Philip belched.

"I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if you and mother had stayed in love," Alexander said, glancing at his father.

Philip laughed. "We loved each other as passionately as we hate each other now," he said. "We had some good times, we used to laugh together. You were born out of love Alexander, but somehow we both began to use you to hurt the other. Cleopatra not so much." He put his hand on Alexander's knee. "You worry me, Alexander. Sometimes I see her in your eyes." He gazed on his son. "But I often see myself there too, and I know you crave all I craved at your age. You're strong, Alexander….that's what I fear. The army loves you, by the deeds you have done, this kingdom of mine will never hold you. What should I do? For all the love I have for you, you could turn against me as your mother did before."

"I make mistakes," replied Alexander.

"And I am too harsh," Philip answered, slapping his hands on to his knees, a decision made. "You can have your friends back, Alexander. Hopefully, now they would have learnt from their mistakes, and will think twice before offering you poor advice, or going along with your less well-planned ideas." He sighed. "You make me so angry at times, Alexander…and then you make me so proud. We will go to Persia together and then we'll see what kind of king you will be."

He slapped Alexander's knee, then used it to push himself upright. "I have to find this bracelet," he murmured.

Alexander held up his hand, he had the bracelet. Philip smiled, then patted Alexander's shoulder and bid him goodnight, before making his way upstairs.

Alexander watched him leave, then stood a moment absorbing his father's words, and smiling at them. The rift was healed. He just wanted to make his father proud.

As he turned to leave he saw Hephaistion standing in the shadows.

The moment that Hephaistion saw Alexander look on him, he stepped towards him. "I wanted to speak to you, I was coming to your room. Are things alright between us, Alexander?"

"I owe you the apology, Hephaistion," Alexander replied. "I offered friendship and then took things further than I intended. I will not do it again. I promise."

Hephaistion nodded and bit his lip, looking on Alexander, lost in thought.

"How has Pausanias been treating you? He worked you hard today."

Hephaistion grinned. "He works us all hard, Alexander…and I slept in the stables last night, so I was well-rested this morning. Pausanias' mood seems lighter, anyhow. I don't know why." He turned to look behind. "I should go, before I am missed. I am on duty in the morning."

Alexander smiled. "There now, you will see the games after all."

"But I won't have a seat," complained Hephaistion, but he was grinning as he said it. His eyes shone with desire, he could not stop it showing, he simply had to hone it to the love of friendship. He bit his lip again and threw his arms around Alexander in an embrace. "I am glad that things are well between us."

"They always will be," Alexander assured him.

Hephaistion pulled back, took a final look at Alexander, then turned and ran back towards his room.

Alexander grinned. The gods were smiling on him….at last.

OOXXOO

Hephaistion was woken early by Pausanias, the sun had yet to rise in the sky.

As he sat up, in his bed, he watched as the other guards, who would be on duty that day, were roused from their beds.

He stood up, stretched, and went over to where jugs of water and bowls were placed on a table. He washed and shaved before coming back to his bed and combing and braiding his hair, before dressing.

Pausanias was giving out the day's instructions, reciting the order of the procession and where each man must be. It was simple enough. They would stay with Philip, until he went in to the theatre, alone, to greet the crowd, then they would rejoin him and wait until he was ready to leave for the evening's banquet, where fresh guards would take over.

Hephaistion looked over to where Lysias was talking with Cleon. They hardly spoke anymore. Lysias had allied himself with those that took pleasure in mocking him, for refusing the king, and for his friendship with Alexander. Lysias put his head back and laughed, for a moment reminding Hephaistion of the happy times they had at Methone. Lysias would hold him in his arms and laugh like that. They would laugh together. It seemed a lifetime ago.

He strapped on his breastplate and put on his sword belt, before fastening his cloak. Looking for Pausanias, waiting for the order to move, he saw him in the doorway absorbed in reading a letter. He smiled as he read it, then held it over a flame and let it burn.

Hephaistion was curious as to the content of the letter, it still unnerved him to see Pausanias smiling when he knew of no reason for the change in mood. He looked around, nobody else seemed concerned by Pausanias' actions. As Hephaistion looked back, he found Pausanias staring at him.

"All of you, but Cleon, get moving," Pausanias ordered, breaking eye contact and watching as they all left. "I will join you shortly, stay awake and do not let me down."

They marched along the hallway towards the king's quarters, ready to take over from the guard that had been stationed there all night. The palace was awake. Those ambassadors, lodged within its walls were now hurrying out to take their places at the theatre. The sun was rising, it was a beautiful morning.

"Did you miss the king last night?" Cynaegeirus asked Lysias.

Lysias laughed. "I will see him tonight." He put his hand on Hephaistion's arm, and leaned towards him, whispering conspiratorially. "He said he would have a gift for me….but there was a time when the dearest gift was a smile from you, Hephaistion. Will you smile for me now?"

"You should go back to Methone," Hephaistion advised. "This is a dangerous place."

Lysias grinned. "I can take care of myself." He reached his hand down to his belt, then hesitated.

"What is it?" snapped Lycurgus, who was never at his best in the morning.

"My dagger. I forgot my dagger." Lysias pushed by those behind him and broke into a run. "I won't be long," he called. "Don't let the games start without me."

"He'll be in trouble when Pausanias finds out what he's done," grumbled Lycurgus.

"Pausanias can not do anything while Lysias is in favour with the king," replied Aristophanes. "What do you say, Hephaistion?" he asked, nudging Lycurgus to listen for the reply. "You could have had the king's protection, if you'd only spread your legs and let him take his pleasure. You are wasting your time on a prince who will be old before he stands a chance of winning the throne…but by that time he'll be too old to win it."

Hephaistion turned on Aristophanes. "I think you talk too much," he snapped.

Aristophanes held his hands up, and tried to stare down Hephaistion, but he could not resist glancing at the others, hoping they shared his opinion. All he could see was their annoyance with him for speaking out, when they had a duty to perform.

"Ignore him, Hephaistion. We do not all share that thought," said Cynaegeirus.

"Yes we do," argued Aristophanes.

"You said the boy had balls when he refused Philip, now you taunt him for not lying with him. If he has a friendship with Alexander, well good for him, we surely haven't shown Hephaistion any friendship, that's for sure, and he's taken it all. It's time we left him alone."

They had been walking while the words were spoken, but Cynaegeirus' speech brought them all to a halt. Lycurgus burst out laughing, which amazed everyone, and made them all laugh, except for Aristophanes.

Cynaegeirus patted Hephaistion on the back. "Come on, we will be late."

They quickened their pace, arriving at the king's quarters just as the door opened and Philip stepped out, dressed in a long, white chiton, with a crown of golden oak leaves on his head.

Eurydice had already left for the theatre, this was Philip's day of glory, all that he had ever worked for was his.

OOXXOO

As they came out of the palace, Alexander and Alexander of Epirus were waiting on their horses. Alexander smiled over at Hephaistion, as a groom helped Philip up. The long chiton caused a problem and it took a couple of attempts before Philip was settled on the horse's back. The two Alexander's swapped glances at each other, but Philip saw them, and berated them both, saying when they got to his age, then they would see that getting on a horse was not so easy as it was in your youth. He grinned at them then, and pushed his horse forward.

A cheer went up, just as Empedocles servant came running, to say that Zeus' statue was entering the theatre, that all of Aegae was crowded inside to watch.

Pausanias appeared, also at a run, Philip turned and scowled at him. "You're late."

"I had some business to attend to," he snapped back.

Philip went as if to rebuke him for his attitude, but turned away. "Nothing will ruin this day," he murmured.

OOXXOO

Hephaistion turned to see if he could see Lysias and Cleon. They were supposed to be with them. Surely, it could not have taken Lysias this long to find his dagger. Pausanias pushed by him, to lead the way, Hephaistion noticed his hand go to his dagger as if to check that it were there. He seemed to caress the hilt, before letting it go.

"What is it?"

Hephaistion looked up, Alexander was looking down on him, concern in his eyes. "Something is not right," he said.

Alexander nodded, not saying any more, but Hephaistion saw Alexander go on his guard, watching Pausanias, then glancing at Hephaistion in an acknowledgement of where the danger lay.

Aphrodite was being pulled in to the theatre, when they arrived. Cleitus and Antipater were waiting to greet Philip. They embraced him, laughed with him, then went to take their places. Philip called after them, saying he would call them forward, that they should be ready. Cleitus waved his hand in acknowledgement, then disappeared from sight.

Hephaistion was watching Pausanias, who seemed distracted, looking into the distance, towards an olive grove. He followed Pausanias' gaze, but could see nothing.

Philip was gazing proudly on his own statue, that was being taken to join the gods. A tremendous cheer went up as the statue entered the theatre.

"You hear that?" said Philip, grinning . "You two wait here," he said to the Alexander's. "As soon as I have entered the theatre, once I have been acknowledged, then come in, and stand by my side. He embraced his son-in-law, then embraced Alexander, wrapping him in a father's love. He could not stop grinning, all the battles, all the effort, all the wounds and hardships, and now the glory

As Philip went to walk along the narrow passage that would bring him in to the theatre, Hephaistion went to Alexander. "I'll stay close to him," he said, then hurried to take his position.

Philip turned. "I'll go on my own. No guard remember? Did you get your orders? How would I look if I went in there with guards. Did you not hear them cheer? I am in no danger. Go round, meet me inside," he ordered.

The guard obeyed, all except for Hephaistion. Pausanias had gone, Hephaistion was not sure if he had led the way in to the theatre. Philip was making his entrance. He looked over to the olive trees and saw a man on horseback, leading a spare horse.

"Alexander!" Hephaistion called.

Alexander ran in to the theatre, following his father. Hephaistion was right behind him. Loud screams went up, and as they ran in, they saw Philip falling, blood spreading over his chiton, the gold crown falling from his head.

Pausanias stood there, the dagger in his hand, he turned, and for a moment Hephaistion saw the desire to kill Alexander, to take him too. Hephaistion drew his sword and stepped between the two. Dagger against sword, Pausanias took off at a run, but not before Hephaistion sliced his arm, making him drop the dagger. But Pausanias was still able to use the shock, at the assasination, to make his escape.

Turning Hephaistion saw Pausanias go, followed by Lycurgus, Aristophanes and Cynaegeirus. He wanted to give chase too, but his thoughts were with Alexander.

Turning back, Hephaistion watched as Alexander went down on his knees at his father's side. Hephaistion's father had been killed in battle, he felt as if he was seeing the moment played out before him.

The king was still alive, but the life was flowing from him.

"No!" Tears filled Alexander's eyes, as he clutched his father's hand, as if his own strength could make his father stay. "Father!" he called, leaning forward to kiss him, his arm came round to embrace his father, but Philip was dead.

Disbelief radiated from Alexander, he sat stunned, as if it was a cruel joke, that at any moment his father would sit up and laugh, or growl out an order. He still held his father's hand as if he could pull him back from death.

Hephaistion would have let him have his moment of grief, but Cleitus and Alexander of Epirus went to him, practically pulling him to his feet, breaking the grip Alexander had on his father's hand, they were talking to him, but he looked at them as though he could not hear their words. He looked down on his father as though his heart might break.

Hephaistion removed his cloak, and laid it over Philip's body, not wanting Alexander to have the pain of seeing his father in death, any longer than he had to. He picked up the gold crown, from where it lay in the dirt, then went over to Alexander. Antipater reached for the crown. Hephaistion realised the importance of Antipater placing the crown on Alexander's head, and let him take it.

They declared Alexander king, gathering around him, the King of Epirus and the two generals. Hephaistion managed to get to Alexander, he embraced him. "He is with the gods, Alexander," he said, and saw Alexander look over to his father's statue, finding some comfort, before he was encouraged to return to the palace.

Hephaistion scanned the crowd until he saw Hippodamus and Pheidias, two of the men from the Vanguard who had accompanied them to Mieza. He hurried over to them. "Alexander will need a bodyguard," he said, glancing back to see where Philip lay. He would trust Philip's bodyguard to do their duty, but he knew the Vanguard would see it as more than duty, more of an act of love. "Choose the best and bring them to the Great Hall."

He ran after Alexander, but the crowd from the theatre was moving away, and it took him a while to make his way through the people. When he got to the palace, the guard that let him through told him that Pausanias was dead, that Aristophanes and Cynaegeirus had just returned, covered in blood, and told them as much before they went to Alexander.

Hephaistion made his way to the Great Hall. Aristophanes and Cynageirus were standing in front of Alexander, who was listening intently to their report. He had taken off the gold crown and placed it on a couch. Alexander of Epirus came over and handed him a cup of wine, Alexander took it but did not drink it.

Aristophanes and Congeries bowed, then made their way out of the hall. Hephaistion followed them.

"He had it all planned," said Aristophanes. "Cleon was waiting for him. He was my friend, he never said anything, but he always admired Pausanias and felt outraged at what Attalus had done to him…how Philip had chosen to ignore it."

"He would have got away, but he tripped," continued Cynageirus. "I struck the first blow. We were meant to protect the king; Pausanias was our captain." Cynageirus frowned and looked back to Alexander. "I think he wanted him alive. He could have been questioned."

"I have some men from the Vanguard coming here," said Hephaistion. "It is no reflection on your abilities, or your loyalties, but you are all in shock from the day's events and need time to come to terms with what has happened. Alexander will be safe."

"We would like to go to Philip. Will they take his body to the temple?" Cynageirus asked.

Hephaistion did not know. "If you return to the theatre, someone will tell you, but first you should wash and change your clothes."

Aristophanes looked down, noticing Pausanias' blood for the first time.

Hippodamus and Pheidias arrived, bringing eight other men. "The rest are on their way and will guard the palace," Hippodamus explained, looking at Cynageirus and Aristophanes with concern in his eyes.

"Pausanias is dead," Hephaistion said.

He instructed the men where to take up position, as discreetly as possible. Alexander noticed what was happening, and for a moment stared over at Hephaistion, smiling slightly at what he had done.

Hephaistion stayed back, like he would when he was a guard, listening while Antipater, Cleitus and Alexander of Epirus offered advice, watching as servants arrived with messages.