"You have to choose someone to marry."
Alexander looked at his mother, although the words had been spoken by Antipater. The two had never been close but they were united on this one idea, that he should leave an heir before he went to Persia.
"I have never said I was against the idea," Alexander said, knowing this would appease them in some measure.
"And yet you find fault with all the girls we talk of," sighed Olympias, "too young, too old, too quiet, too talkative..."
"Not noble enough, not tall enough, not clever enough..." said Anitpater, shaking his head.
Alexander smiled. It was unusual to see his mother and the general working together in a common cause and for that reason alone, while he was at Pella, it was a good thing to keep them looking for a bride. His mother thought that the pregnant wife would then remain at Pella, she did not realise that he had no intention of having his son raised by his mother, he knew the damage she could do. Antipater wanted an heir, he had always been loyal but he had his own sons and Alexander knew that if he died in Persia the sons of Antipater would want the kingdom.
He had thought he wanted marriage and an heir when he returned from Dion but now it was not important to him.
"I hear you are giving away your possessions," his mother said.
"Things I no longer need."
Olympias held her hands to her heart and looked concerned, as if her son knew more than she did.
"No omens, Mother," he soothed her.
She was still beautiful, he could understand why his father chose her as his bride, he would not have known then of her temper and her pride, how she would fight like a lioness to protect those she loved. How she could resort to murder, for she had the blood of Eurydice and her children on her hands, even if she had not committed the deed herself. He loved her, he always had, but now he was also wary of her, he knew her too well. Perhaps that made him reluctant to marry, that the girl might be like his mother...but would that be so bad? She was a queen in every sense.
"It's just an heir you need, Alexander. You do not have to love the girl, or spend so much time with her if you choose not to," argued Antipater.
"My son will not approve that,"Olympias said, "Philip and I tried before to send girls to his bed...he needs to love, to be loved."
"I am still here, you talk as if I am not," Alexander laughed. He sighed, knowing the only way to placate them at the moment, to give himself a respite from it all. "Find a girl, one you both agree on, then send for me and, if I am pleased with her, I will marry.
Olympias smiled, like a woman who was pleased to have got her way. She would already have a girl in mind, someone she knew she could control, it was her way.
"I need to speak to Antipater alone," Alexander said.
Unable to hide her temper at being sent away, desperate to take her part in ruling Macedon, after years in the background, Olympias did not move. She pursed her lips together and scowled at Antipater, hating the man once more for having the trust of her son.
"Mother."
Olympias looked over to her son. "You should include me," she spat.
"You were included, until you chose to murder Eurydice and her children," Alexander snapped back.
"Because you never listen to me," hissed Olympias.
"Go and find a bride that you and Antipater can agree on," Alexander said, staring at his Mother, showing he was not prepared to bow to her wishes.
Olympias gave a cry of anger and stormed out of the room without another look at her son and the general.
"Now, when my father is no longer here, I understand what he went through, how he must have found life difficult with my mother," sighed Alexander.
"He loved her once," Antipater replied, softly, "he was blind to her faults".
Alexander nodded his head, hearing the echo of a slammed door along the hallway outside. These days he loved his mother more when he was away from her. When he had returned from Dion, and saw her waiting on the palace steps for him, he felt as if he could not breathe. All of her demands, all of her wishes, constantly berating him for what he should do, who he should listen to, who he should stay away from. On campaign, a letter from her could be discarded once read, he could get on with what was needed. Here, she was always wanting him to see her or sending servants with messages.
"I long to go to Persia," he said, looking to the general.
Antipater smiled. "I will, of course, stay here and do my best."
Alexander grinned. "You are a brave man...but you know you will have the final word."
Antipater bowed in acknowledgement.
Alexander watched the man, sure of his loyalty but wondering, once more, what Antipater might do if he were killed in Persia. He would no doubt take the throne but then Parmenion, if he was able, would have the bulk of the army and would definitely return to Pella where, if Antipater did not cede, there would be a war. He cast the thought to the back of his mind, he would just have to make sure he survived.
"The Spartans. I wished to send them home, but let them wait a while, then I will tell them I do not need them."
"Strange they should offer help now, when they have never shown anything but contempt for Macedon."
"Have our spies reported anything?"
Antipater shook his head, "Any day now, I should get reports."
"They are offering everything...too much."
Alexander signalled to a servant to bring wine then sat upon a couch, waiting while Antiapter took another. There was a silence between the two while the wine was drunk. Alexander looked to Antipater, he had always been like a father to him, always seeming to care, to be there with good advice when needed. The fact the general was silent now simply showed him that he agreed with his decision.
"I'm going to go to Aegae for a few days," Alexander said, "I want to see how the work on my father's tomb is progressing".