AN: Just found out today that Alexander had an older half brother, Arrhidaeus, or Philip III, who had a learning disability. Alexander was fond of him, it seems. But how cool is that!? Not the disability itself but that something like that existed back then, even if it wasn't recognized for what it was, and they didn't have the ability to treat it, and therefore cast aside people with disabilities of all kinds? Everything about Alexander & the mystery surrounding him astounds me! He never ceases to amaze me! Enjoy this next chapter!

"-!" Hephaestion and Alexander were alone in their room two months later as Alexander paced the floor, reading a letter he had recieved that morning from his brother's nurse, saying that she was done with him and they were sending him to him.

"What?" Hephaestion paused in his whisper reading of the Iliad to the babe in his belly.

"It's Arri..." Alexander sighed as he sat next to his reclining lover on the bed, "His nurse has had it with him, and is sending him our way. They never understand. He's not bad, he just can't learn like we do. You have to verbally tell him, not write it down! He can't read, for Zeus' sake!"

"Xander, calm down. You're scaring the baby. Besides, this could be a blessing in disguise. Arri can watch Darko when I go into labor."

"You're right..." Alexander sighed in defeat, "You know, this is exactly why I took him on campaigns when we were younger! I didn't want him to be used like a dishrag or a scrap of cloth! He's more than that! He's my brother, for - Zeus' sake!" Alexander stomped his foot like Darko often did when he didn't get his way.

"Okay, all right, calm down, breathe. It's okay now, he's coming here to stay with us, nobody can hurt him here."

"- right they won't," Alexander snorted.

Two horses with riders showed up at their door a week later.

"Xander!" Arrhidaeus jumped down from his horse and ran to his younger brother.

"Arri! How are you? I have someone I want you to meet-"

"Phaistion! My Gods, look at you! A baby? I'm going to be an uncle?"

"Seven months along," Hephaestion smiled, rubbing his belly in circles, "and a two-year-old in the house. Come, he'll be so pleased you've come to live with us. We've explained everything to him, so no need to worry about that. I made up your room down the hall from ours, if that's all right?"

"Fine, fine. Boy or girl?"

"Boy. We named him Darko. Darling! Come here please!" he called from the hall.

Small feet came at a run from the living room, "Unca Arri! I couldn't wait to meet you!"

Darko jumped into his uncle's arms so fast the baby inside Hephaestion's belly reacted with a hard kick to the ribs.

"Oh! My goodness!" Hephaestion caught his breath.

Arrhidaeus stared at him, wide-eyed, "Are you all right?! I am so sorry, forgive me!"

"It's quite all right. She has her father's strength," he looked at Alexander.

"And her mother's spirit," Alexander smiled, "Come, dinner is already on the table. You must be famished."

"Starving," Arrhidaeus and Hephaestion said together, and then they both laughed.

"We can talk later. Come," and they were all led into the kitchen to eat a delicious meal.