Vacationing in Athens Chapter 2, an alexander fanfic

Title: Vacationing in Athens

Author: Baliansword

Chapter: 2 of TBA

Rating: As always, for anyone who wants to read, but there very well could be some mature, adult situations. I trust you to regulate yourself, but you're probably mature enough to handle anything I write.

Pairings: Alexander/Hephaestion

Summary: After admitting their love for one another, Alexander and Hephaestion are separated when Hephaestion returns to Athens with his father, Amyntor, on Philip's business. When Alexander finds himself in Athens for a short visit Hephaestion takes him on a tour of the city. However fascinating the sights may be, it is what the two learn about one another that is most important.

Notes: This is just something that the Muses decide to give me right in the middle of my other story, "Arrows". Some of it coincides with some flashbacks that occur in "Arrows" but it is rather expanded into its own story. As always, read, review, and (hopefully) enjoy.

Palace of King Philip, Pella, Macedonia

The day of Hephaestion's departure.

Olympias watched as the white snake coiled around her leg. She raised an eyebrow as the snake constricted momentarily before unwinding and sliding to the floor. The snake's sudden disappearance was a sign that footfalls in the hall were disturbing the snake, and were soon to disturb the queen. She sat back and waited for the intruder, and was pleased that it was only Alexander. As young as he was, already he was growing into a strong man who radiated power. Slowly she rose, stepping over the snakes, and watched her son's agitation spread across his face. She was no fool, and already knew that the grief he was feeling arose from Hephaestion's departure. Had Alexander been the son of Philip he would have found another lover to bide his time with, but he was the son of Zeus, and like Zeus he would stop at nothing to claim what he wanted. Already she knew that he would possess Hephaestion completely, and already she knew that Hephaestion would gladly let him, and the two men would become mirrors of one another. It was a concern, for she knew that loving so fiercely would no doubt suffocate them both. However, Hephaestion would never cross Alexander. Olympias had learned the hearts of all men, especially the twisted hearts of the malicious, and Hephaestion's heart was pure.

"Hephaestion will return," she said, before crossing the room and reclining on an ornate chair. "It will do you good to spend some time apart. Lovers are often separated. When you are king, conquering the world, you will likely leave your queen behind."

"I must go to Athens!" Alexander exclaimed. "If there is a way, a way to convince my father to let me go, then I ask you to help me find it."

"Alexander, you are a prince, one day to be king –you cannot go chasing after some boy because he gave you a good night in bed. That is not the way to rule, that is a way to find yourself pulled through the street in an overthrow. Listen, my son. Stay here and go on as normal. Do not let others see your pain, or they will use it against you, and wait for Hephaestion to return."

Alexander frowned but collapsed on a chair and stared at his mother. The silence lingered between them for several heartbeats before Olympias let her resolve crumble. Without speaking she rose, picking a snake up in the process, and made her way back to her bed. From underneath the bed she retrieved a large woven basket. Once she returned the snake to its temporary home she turned to her son, who still looked downtrodden. She loved her son –she had not only carried him in her womb, she had shared her soul with him. In his eyes, her freedom was reflected. It pained her to see him in such a state, more than even Alexander knew. After releasing a heavy sigh she gave her son the answer he wanted.

"There are ways to convince your father of anything. If your heart is set on going to Athens, then there is nothing I can do to keep you here. Your father, of course, will not risk sending his only heir to the Greeks. Perhaps he trusts them enough to send Amyntor, and your friend Hephaestion, but you're a prince. He will deny you before you finish asking. However... you tell your father that there were rumors in the halls. You heard men saying that Philip's reign is weak, that his peace with Greece means nothing. Tell him that you refuse to let others say such things, and that while rumors are not to be feared, it is up to you to stop such malicious lies. Tell him that you will go to Athens, with a few personal guards of course, and squash any uncertainty that the ranks of Macedon may have. If he is still unsure, tell him that Amyntor will graciously protect you as he would his own son. That, my son, is how you convince him to let you spend time in Athens."

Alexander stood, prepared to leave immediately, but Olympias halted him with more words. "Do not seem too desperate, you should wait a few hours. You want him to believe you're doing more than just following a childhood friend. Your interest in Greece is for his benefit, not for yours. That is how you must think, Alexander. Forget Hephaestion for a few moments and think of how to battle Philip."

"I will do as you say. Thank you mother."

"Thank me only when it works," she answered, smirking slightly. "And once it works, you will have to begin listening to me again, Alexander."

Waiting was painful, but within three hours Alexander had reached Philip's private chambers. He had sent one of the guards in to ask for an audience, and was beginning to worry that he was not going to come back. Wringing his hands together, he continued to wait. Minutes later the door opened and Alexander was allowed into the room. Wasting no time, he approached his father, who was mixing wine. Alexander rolled his eyes but tried to remain cordial, knowing that he was about to ask for something any rational father would quickly decline.

"What do you want boy?"

"Have you heard what the men are saying in the halls?" the young prince asked. He kept his voice firm and waited for his father's reaction. To his surprise, there was little complaint to be found from Philip.

"The first thing you learn as king boy, there is no need to listen to rumors. Men will say as the like when you are not present. Their actions are all that will matter though. As long as they are still on your side when a battle begins, you have all that you need."

"They question your ability to keep peace with the Greeks. They say you send pawns to Athens when you should be sending your son, who would show true confidence in your power. Are you willing to let them question your rule?"

"Which men say these things?" the king asked, this time not laughing in the slightest bit.

"Men across the palace. The halls, the kitchens, they speak across the country no doubt. Father, let me go to Athens."

"Out of the question. If the Greeks become unruly they would send only your head back. I won't have that. Amyntor knows what he is doing. He's negotiated peace before -it was not with Greeks but he won nonetheless."

"Amyntor is not enough. What do the Greeks know of Amyntor other than he works on your behalf? They know, and care, nothing for Amyntor. But to send your son, to send Alexander, that would show that this alliance will work. I know it will father. Please, let me go. I will take members of the guard with me for protection."

"I'm to trust your guard? Or do you want my guard? No, it won't do Alexander."

"I will take my guard, and Amyntor will have protection for me as well. Trust me father. Have faith that I will be able to see out your mission, your goals."

"You want to go to Athens, go to Athens," Philip snapped. "Do as you will but know that I won't send in the forces of Macedon to bring you home if the Greeks give up on peace."

"I will make sure that they know the power of your reign father," Alexander said before turning on his heel. His father was now concerned with his wine, not with politics. In truth, Alexander had expected more of a fight, however, was pleased that leaving would be so simple. He found Cleitus and told him of his father's decision to send him to Athens. Cleitus was more distrustful of the plan than even his father had been. It took an hour of bickering before the general finally decided to have horses prepared for the trip. He then told Alexander that they would not travel by night, and starting a journey so late in the day would get them nowhere. Instead, they would start in the morning. Alexander would reach Hephaestion two days after Hephaestion -but two days would be better than nothing. This is what he told himself over and over again. Unfortunately, it did not bring him the confidence that he hoped it would.

Two Days Later...

Somewhere Between Macedon and Greece.

Alexander glanced over his shoulder, carefully searching for Cassander. Soon after hearing rumors that Alexander would be traveling to Athens, Antipater held a meeting with Philip. If the prince would be going to show Macedon's good will he insisted that his son would also show such a favor of peace. Had there been a way to convince Philip that sending Cassander would do nothing but ruin his trip Alexander would have endured anything to force Cassander to remain in Macedon. However, Philip's mind was almost as stubborn as Antipater's. Neither of them would have listened to Alexander's protests. Catching a glimpse of Cassander, lazily riding while forcing down more water, Alexander sighed and turned his attention back to the landscape in front of him. It was bad enough that they were a day behind schedule, putting even more distance between him and Hephaestion, but the arid land around their party did nothing to motivate him.

For as far as he could see there was nothing but barren landscape. There were, of course, trails off the main path to Athens, but he saw no others. True enough, it had been warm in Macedon, but under the burning Phoeban sun this route seemed ten times worse than any summer day he had spent in Pella. Ahead of him Cleitus road, on orders to get him to Athens and then return. Alexander would be in Amyntor's care until his return. Once more Alexander found himself wondering what Hephaestion was doing in Athens. He wondered if it was as hot in the city, and if Hephaestion wined as much he was complaining internally. Just when he thought the ride could get no worse he heard a horse quick approaching his side.

"Forget peace," Cassander said as he slowed his steed next to Bucephalus. "I say we lure the Greeks out and trap them under this ridiculous sun."

"Ah, but they are used to the sun," Alexander warned. From ahead he could hear Cleitus laughing. The general said nothing to the younger men, only continued on. Yet Alexander knew that Cleitus would have agreed with him. Even Cleitus himself knew that the sun would only burn a man so long, and then he would adapt. For a split second, he wanted to tell Cassander removing his chiton would make him cooler -if only so that his entire body would burn. The thought made him laugh.

"See, the sun is already ruining his mind Cleitus!" Cassander called out.

"How much farther Cleitus?" Alexander asked. He did not want to sound younger than his years, but he could not help it. The heat was, indeed, beginning to annoy him. Cleitus looked upward and then quickly looked around them. With a slight smile, he turned back to the prince before answering.

"Half a day's ride. We'll have to stop, of course. Tomorrow when morning breaks, after a few hours, we will all be in Athens."

As promised, when night began to close in around them they made camp. Yet again, Alexander felt further and further away from Hephaestion. There were those who accused Amyntor of ruining good horses by running them a whole trip's length. However, Amyntor always made good time in reaching his destinations. Athens was no exception. Once the camp was made Alexander tied Bucephalus and collapsed within his tent. Closing his eyes, he thought of Hephaestion, and only Hephaestion. He had always been captivated by the way in which Hephaestion's eyes could catch his from across a room. A subtle glance, a brief turn of the head, it didn't matter; Hephaestion's cerulean eyes had always made his heart quicken. It was not only his eyes that had driven him mad for months. He had long yearned for the moments when Hephaestion would touch him. Any touch would cause his thighs to tighten and ache. And as he laid back, he thought of their night together –Hephaestion's hand upon his chest, the curve of his buttocks, the smell of his hair...he could remember every second. Just as his hand began to creep to his thigh he heard Cassander's voice outside.

"I don't think night's cover has made a difference in the heat," Cassander said, stepping into the tent without welcome. Alexander knew there was little use in trying to persuade Cassander to leave, thus his hand fell away from its intended destination and he sat up. Cassander reached for a cup of water he had left out, drank, and then returned the cup.

"I thought you were going to stay with Cleitus. Wasn't that what you said...'I don't want to intrude on your trip, I'll spend my time with Cleitus'. Didn't you say something like that?"

"If I did I was lying to you. As a prince of Macedon you should begin learning what deception looks like."

"Good advice. If all of my enemies look like you then I'll know nearly ever word out of their mouth is a lie. Thank you for the lesson," Alexander sighed. "Now will you go? I am tired."

"Alexander, be careful. You don't want me to be your enemy. I know your secrets."

"I doubt you know my secrets," Alexander answered, knowing that all of his secrets were carefully guarded by Hephaestion. Yet there was a glint in Cassander's eyes that made him think perhaps he did know something. He could only imagine what Antipater and his spies had found in the realm of rumors.

"I know who you choose to take to your room."

"I'm sure my private affairs interest you. They are, after all, better than your many conquests with drunken whores. But let me advise you of something, Cassander," Alexander said, leaning forward so that his words were clear. "If you ever threaten me, I will have you disposed of. Stay out of my affairs."

"Of course," Cassander nodded. He began to leave but paused and turned back to his prince. "But if you continue to see Hephaestion, I will do everything in my power to make sure that he is the one who is disposed of."

Alexander watched him go, but for the first time was able to understand Cassander's motives. This had nothing to do with Antipater or his struggle for power. No, it had nothing to do with politics or alliances; Cassander's desire to separate Alexander from Hephaestion came from an internal force. Alexander could recognize this because what Cassander now felt, he had felt for months. Cassander was unexplainably in love with Hephaestion as well.

The next day...

Outskirts of Athens.

The vacant landscape had given way toa prodigious city. Alexander watched as shrubs began small farm-built homes. Shepherds tended to their flocks as the royal entourage road by. A few children ran to the side of the road, curious, and then ran back to the comforts of their homes. Behind him, Cassander continued to complain about a lack of water, for they had run out sometime in the night. Alexander suspected that this was due to none other than Cassander, but he also noted that Cleitus' ration of wine had also disappeared. If Alexander was thirsty, or had been weakened by the sun, he refused to notice. He was too aware of the fact that within the hour he would again be at Hephaestion's side. Ahead of them a troupe of horses approached. Alexander strained to see past Cleitus, and finally nudged Bucephalus into a quick trot. Once beside Cleitus, who seemed unconcerned with the approaching company, Alexander asked if these were expected guests.

"Amyntor's men," Cleitus answered. "Don't tell me you want to return now."

"No," Alexander replied, allowing no moment for hesitation. "This trip is important. I'm only sorry that it took so long to finally arrive."

"Before I leave, might I suggest you take a cool bath when you reach the Athenian palace. Cassander is right, it looks like the sun has taken its toll on you."

"When time allows, I'll take your advice. And Cleitus..."

"Yes my prince?"

"Thank you for the escort. I will not soon forget your kindness."

Cleitus laughed and then turned his horse, leaving Alexander in the capable hands of Amyntor's men. Alexander recognized several of the men, though he knew little about each man other than they were in Amyntor's charge. Hephaestion was nowhere to be found. He wondered if there were obligations that kept him. Or perhaps he was entirely unaware that Alexander would be visiting Athens. It was plausible, as the messenger that road ahead likely only announced to Amyntor that the prince of Macedon would be put in his charge. Still, Alexander wished that he could have seen him.

"Are you feeling alright?" Cassander asked, riding up beside him. Alexander barely heard him. The ringing in his ears was distracting him, and for the first time he was beginning to notice how the world spun beneath Bucephalus' hooves. Cassander said something else and reached out, attempting to grab his reigns. However, Alexander found that he could not answer. Instead, he let his eyes close, and fell from the stallion onto the burning earth below.

Athenian Guest Palaces

Temporary residence of Amyntor and his men.

"Move aside," Hephaestion said in fluent Greek. Without complaint the two guards at the door moved to the side and allowed Hephaestion to enter Alexander's guest room. They shut the door as soon as he entered, and Hephaestion turned and locked the door before approaching Alexander's bedside. They had carefully placed him on the bed, but had left his chiton on, and had done little to try to cool his skin. Hephaestion pulled a chair to the side of the bed and sat down beside him, instantly receiving an action from Alexander.

Alexander retched upward and emptied the contents of his stomach into the basin beside his bed. The long ride from Macedon had left him weak, and he needed his rest, but it was the plaguing sun that had his stomach in knots. Without opening his eyes he fell back against his pillow and slipped back into a deep sleep. Hephaestion leaned forward and placed a hand on Alexander's head. He was warm, but he was growing better with time. Wringing out a damp cloth, Hephaestion folded the material and placed it over Alexander's forehead. He let his hand fall to Alexander's bare chest. His chest did not have the slightly reddened skin that Alexander's face, arms, and legs gave way to. Still, his skin felt warm, and Hephaestion found himself wiping another wet cloth over Alexander's torso. Hephaestion knew that Alexander would recover from the sun-sickness, but he had not left his side since the prince's arrival in the early morning. Alexander had been asleep when he arrived, or unconscious, Hephaestion was not sure, and probably knew nothing of where he was.

"Athens," the prince whispered suddenly, twitching in his sleep. Hephaestion reached for his shoulder and stilled his movement. For a split second Alexander's eyes opened, but they soon closed and he drifted back into a dreamless sleep.

Hephaestion remained at his side for the next three hours that passed. There was far less to do at his father's side than he had expected. In fact, his father felt more comfortable leaving him behind while he continued talks of peace with Athenian leaders. An hour into his watch Hephaestion searched the room for something to read. He found several stacks of parchment that had been tied together and brought them back to Alexander's bedside. After resettling into his chair Hephaestion turned to the first page. The Greek script was older than he had expected but the penmanship was legible. He began reading aloud, thinking that perhaps Alexander would find solace in his voice. Two hours passed and he had not stopped reading.

"…and when the young king returned he carried in his arms the pelt of the large creature he had encountered," Hephaestion read. "An old man with skin as dark as night told him that his people called the beast a leopard. The king remembered the name and as he set it down upon the altar he spoke the name. He said it once, and then spoke the name again. Despite having been deceased in his arms for six days and seven nights the creature began to stir. When the large cat stood it growled deep in its throat. But the young king did not move. Instead he waited to see what the creature would do. This time it did not move to strike him, it did not move against him in the slightest. And the first domesticated leopard was thus gifted upon the young king of Greece by the gods. But in the night," Hephaestion paused as he found the next piece of parchment. "But in the night the king heard the sound of the cat's cries coming from its large cage. He came to the beast's aid and released it. 'Go,' he told it. As the cat turned away a light from a starless sky was cast down upon the leopard. Then, before him, the leopard began to shed its spots. On completion a cat no longer stood before the king. It was instead the goddess Athena.

"She seemed the most gorgeous woman in the world as she approached the king, her eyes never leaving his. She paralyzed him as effectively as any poison. 'You were warned that the leopard you sought could take your life. Yet you continued to hunt the beast to protect your people. You are brave, but you are not wise,' the goddess told him. The young king would have protested but she held up her hand and said, 'You will rule until your death but you will have no sons. A daughter will be your only blessing in this world. And one day, when she comes to rule, she will be visited by a leopard and the gods will judge her as we have judged you.' This was promised and this was all that came to pass. The daughter of the young king chose wisely. She did not hunt the leopard. Instead, she chose to understand it and adopted the leopards of the desert into Greece as others had dogs. She unified the two worlds, that of men and animal. Thus the daughters of Greece are wise to this day, always able to see peace before it comes. Yet as I, an old philosopher, have come to note too few women rule anything apart from the hearth."

Hephaestion glanced up from the parchment and caught sight of Alexander's dark eyes watching him. His eyes seemed strained and his lips were still cracked but as a whole he seemed to be recovering well. Hephaestion quickly piled the parchments together and rebound them, tossing them onto the foot of the bed. He then leaned forward and pressed a hand over Alexander's forehead. His skin had cooled and the redness of his skin had even lessened. He would still end up with a slight burn but it was nowhere as bad as Hephaestion had first feared. The sun had burned them before, in Mieza and Pella alike, and this would be no different in the morning.

"You'll live," Hephaestion confirmed. "How long have you been awake?"

"Not long. I awoke to a king carrying a dead leopard back to his palace. I can only hope that the rest of your tale was more entertaining. The end sounds like one of my mother's strange lessons."

"There's no doubt the end was an addition. The original story ended with the slaying of the leopard."

"How can you tell?"

"The parchment was different. The words were written by a different scribe. The cadence was altered. There are many stories here that have been altered by different rulers over the course of history."

"So like Pella, you can trust nothing that you read."

Hephaestion shrugged slightly before reaching for the cloth on Alexander's chest. He returned the cloth to the basin and wrung it out once more. As he started to return the cloth to Alexander's chest Alexander reached up, stilling his hand. A moment of indecision could be read on his face. He did not want to be protected and he did not want to rely upon another. Hephaestion carefully swept his hand away and finished his task. While Alexander strained to sit up Hephaestion found a gauze bandage and soaked it in the water. He stood, carefully helping Alexander into a sitting position, and then sat on the edge of the bed. Gauze in hand he lifted Alexander's leg, setting it on his lap at the knee. His lower leg seemed fine but his thighs were deep red from riding atop Bucephalus. In fact, compared to the rest of his body his thighs were the most of his worries. His eyes remained on Alexander's burnt skin as he wrapped the gauze around his leg. When he tied the gauze he glanced at Alexander briefly to confirm that the fabric was not too tight. He only nodded.

"There's no shade crossing the desert," Hephaestion reflected.

Alexander laughed as Hephaestion found another bandage and began working with his opposite leg. Hephaestion's greatest attribute was his consistency. Alexander knew what Hephaestion was attempting to ask. He knew him well enough to know that Hephaestion, unlike others, would not poke and prod for answers unless someone's life depended upon it. What he wanted to ask now was simple: why are you here? But he would not ask for fear of offending his friend. Alexander also assumed that he did not mind his presence. It was likely far more entertaining than the company of Amyntor.

"I'm defending my father's name," Alexander offered.

"If you say so," Hephaestion agreed, a slight nod of the head showing that he knew Alexander was lying, but also that he would tell others the same excuse if asked. Turning his attention to Alexander's burned shoulders he added, "You should have told Cleitus to push the horses harder. Any more exposure and your father would have had his head for your life."

"It feels better," he told him. He slid his hand over Hephaestion's and brought it to his lips. He boldly kissed each knuckle before allowing Hephaestion to take back what was his. A slight smile tugged at Hephaestion's lips but he refused to truly smile.

"Am I keeping you from something?"

"No," he insisted. "You're saving me from my boredom. My father has no need of me and the great philosophers are busy discussing peace amongst one another. They don't have the time to teach, which puts me at a great disadvantage. I wonder how you do it."

"Do what?"

"Pretend that these secret meetings between heads of state actually matter, that they make a difference in the boundaries of our kingdoms. Philip wants peace because he needs trade, because he desires glory. The Athenians pretend to want the same thing but really they can't even unify Greece. They want Philip on their side in case they need his army. But when they speak I can look directly at them, into their eyes when they're unaware, and I know that they aren't interested in lasting peace. If they can unify Greece under one command they would march on Macedon without a care for signed parchment. And do you think the Athenian people care what happens in Macedon? Do you think that they are aware of these meetings? They want to farm, they want water, they want to educate their children…politics doesn't include them and it doesn't benefit them. Half of the city starves while the other half flourishes. They buy slaves from traders, men defeated in battles. There is no honor in it. Yet I can't say any of this. My father is forced to pretend that he, like Philip, believes in words in place of action. Everyone pretends and no one speaks the truth. I can't stand it. When I listen to them speak I feel like clawing my way out of my own skin. Yet you speak of politics daily. You are raised a king. How can you stand it?"

"I have been raised to be a king. But I'm not a king –not yet. When I am, Hephaestion, I promise you, I will not be a pretender." A moment of silence passed between them before Alexander, sensing the mood had lightened, added, "You should take a lover to relieve your stress."

At this Hephaestion laughed.

A/N: As always, leave a review and/or comments if you have time, and thanks for reading!