The lion reached down, large paw stirring at the air, eyes watching easily in the dark as its prey struggled to just hold on.

Alexander felt the tree bend under his weight and threaten to break. He dug his feet into dirt, pulling himself along to the strongest part, trying to lift himself without coming into contact with the lion above. The thought crossed his mind of just how they would find him, half eaten or broken at the bottom of the cliff. He tried to think of just where he might be and looked down into the darkness, wishing he had the eyes of the lion, to know just how far he would have to fall.

Growls came from the lion as it grew tired of waiting for its meal and with another two swipes it gave up the pursuit, pushing itself back out of sight. Alexander held his breath, listening as best he could with soil falling around him, to tell if it had gone or not.

Cautiously, Alexander pushed himself up, reaching out with his left hand, in an effort to pull himself to safety. Alexander could feel the rocks and dirt crumbling beneath him at the pressure and gambled on letting go of the tree, risking a final push. As he felt his foothold give way, he realised he was not going to make it and felt the horror that he would fall, possibly to his death, just as his wrist was grasped and his chiton grabbed as he was pulled up.

It was no mountain lion, it was Hephaistion. There to save his life.

Alexander swung his leg up, over the edge of the drop, warning Hephaistion of the lion as he did so. Hephaistion helped him to his feet and with a smile brushed some of the dirt off Alexander's chiton, passing Alexander a javelin with the words, 'If it comes back you can kill it'.

Alexander took a couple of steps forward and then, suddenly puzzled, he turned back to Hephaistion. 'How did you know where to find me?'

Hephaistion shrugged his shoulders. 'I didn't. I heard a commotion from the guard and then heard that the King had stupidly ridden out into the dark alone. So I fetched the nearest horse and came after you, trying to guess the way you might have gone. Then I saw Bucephalus and followed the direction that he had come from, to hear you struggling.'

'I would have managed...only there was a mountain lion trying to reach me.'

'Apparently so,' Hephaistion replied and laughed, looking around. 'You don't look like a King, Alexander, even in the moonlight I can see the dirt on your face.'

Alexander lifted his hand to his face in an attempt to clean it.

Hephaistion studied him for a moment. 'So, why ride out?' he asked.

Alexander thought for a good enough reason for his momentary insanity, aware that Hephaistion was waiting for an answer. 'You saved my life,' he said.

Hephaistion nodded. 'So why did you leave Pella alone?'

'I was tired of everyone having an opinion,' replied Alexander.

Stepping past him Hephaistion made his way to the horses. 'I managed to catch Bucephalus for you, he seems unharmed. We better get back, half of Pella must be hunting for you now.'

Alexander shook his head, some dirt falling from it and took Bucephalus' reins from Hephaistion, leaping up onto the stallion's back. He turned and watched Hephaistion leap onto the horse he had taken to pursue him and recognised it. 'That horse is hardly broken, Hephaistion.'

'He was the closest I could find and didn't do so badly,' laughed Hephaistion.

'Thank you,' Alexander said.

'For what?' Hephaistion asked. 'For repaying a debt...you saved my life twice, Alexander, I am still in your debt.'

Alexander looked over to Hephaistion. 'No...for not giving me your opinion.'

Hephaistion tilted his head to one side and smiled. 'You're the King, Alexander, you can do as you please.'

XXOOXX

They rode back to Pella to find that a search had begun for the King shortly after he had left. Cleitus and Craterus came galloping over to them as they approached the gates, looking at Alexander's dishevelled appearance and then to Hephaistion.

'I admit it was a foolish thing,' Alexander said, before anybody had a chance to speak. 'But Hephaistion was there to save my life.' He pushed Bucephalus forward into a canter before anybody had the chance to say anything.

Leaving Bucephalus with a groom, Alexander waited for Hephaistion to dismount and then signalled for him to follow and made his way into the palace only to be met by Antipater and his mother. Yet, Alexander was in no mood for explanations or concerned looks and after greeting his mother he declared that he was heading to his bed and not to be disturbed, then turned and once again made sure that Hephaistion was following.

As he reached the door to his rooms he told the guard to turn away anyone who came then stepped inside, Hephaistion closing the door behind them.

Alexander lifted a hand to his head and ruffled his hair, dirt falling onto his shoulders. He turned and smiled to Hephaistion then made his way to his bath, dawn was breaking and he could hear servants pouring the water, no doubt hearing of his return a while before. He waited a moment until all was prepared and then told the servants he would call when needed and then he began to undress, kicking his boots off and reaching for the clasp that held his chiton in place, letting it fall.

Naked, he stepped down into the bath and turned to see Hephaistion leaning against the doorway, watching him with interest. He ran the edge of his hand along the water, so that it splashed over Hephaistion and said, 'I think you could use a bath too'.

Hephaistion said nothing but slowly kicked off his boots, removed his chalmys and then unclipped his chiton, placing it upon a small table before stepping down into the water. Alexander sat down and Hephaistion did the same, moving behind him, reaching for a small jug close to the edge he then proceeded to wash Alexander's hair until he was satisfied that it was clean. Then he brushed it back so that water ran in rivulets along Alexander's neck and chest. Very gently he then placed his lips on Alexander's neck and left a trail of kisses along it.

Alexander turned his head so that he might meet those lips with his own, never wanting anything more but Hephaistion laughed and insisted that he face forward while he replaced the jug with a bottle of oil and began to rub it into Alexander's body.

'You are the best body servant,' Alexander murmured, as Hephaistion eased the aches around his shoulders.

Hephaistion laughed. 'I have never seen a King covered in so much mud as you, Alexander.'

Alexander took a deep breath and lowered himself under the water, rubbing at his skin, breaking the surface hoping he might pass inspection from the perfect man beside him. He sat up, rubbing water from his face, suddenly remembering that not so long ago Hephaistion had said it would be a mistake to be together. 'What changed your mind?' he asked, before he could stop himself.

Hephaistion slowly cupped some water and let it flow along his chest, his lapis eyes looking into Alexander's grey. 'I realised the stupidity of fighting your emotions. I wondered why I should deny my feelings because other people might hate me for it.' He bit his lip, pausing before he spoke again. 'I would love you no matter who you were, Alexander...it would be easier if you were not King but you are and so I will ignore what people say because I know what is in my heart.'

Alexander moved towards Hephaistion, hesitating just a moment before claiming a kiss. As Hephaistion responded to him and Alexander tasted the sweetness of it once more, he could hardly believe that Hephaistion was his.

Hephaistion broke the kiss, then kissed his lips and looked to him with desire-filled eyes. 'Perhaps we should move to the bedroom.' he whispered.

Alexander nodded, clamied another kiss and then stood and left the bath, reaching for a towel and passing Hephaistion another. They dried their bodies, saying nothing for nothing needed to be said. Then they walked to the bedroom. Sunlight streamed across the room, illuminating a painting of Achilles and Patroclus. They lay upon the bed, moving close to each other, embracing, exploring, kisses growing more passionate as they took pleasure from each other, finally sleeping, wrapped against each other.

XXOOXX

When Alexander awoke, he had to think for a moment, confused by the sunlight and warmth, marking the time as later than he would usually have risen. He thought that he had had the sweetest dream and then realised that is was no dream but a wonderful reality.

Turning, he watched Hephaistion sleeping, dark hair upon the white pillow, sheet wrapped low around him as he rested on his stomach. Now, they were lovers, they had declared it to each other, falling asleep in each others arms.

Alexander laughed softly, he had been advised to marry before he left for Persia, many girls had been suggested and he had refused them all. To find himself with feelings as he had for Hephaistion he could only think that Aphrodite had looked on him with favour and brought love to him, found the one person in the world he was meant to be with and conspired with the fates to have them meet.

In the bright light Alexander noticed the faint trace of a whip mark upon Hephaistion's skin and he lifted his hand to follow the scar with his fingertip, not yet touching but then leaning down to kiss the mark, feeling a little angry that his lover had been harmed. 'My lover,' he murmured, savouring the words.

Hephaistion sighed and stretched a little then slowly opened his eyes, smiled as he saw Alexander and reached out his hand to take Alexander's. 'Joy to you,' he whispered, rolling onto his back and pulling Alexander towards him for a kiss.

'Joy to you,' Alexander replied, when the kiss was done, letting his free hand explore Hephaistion's body, to feel the strong contours of his body, muscle just beneath the skin, his defined abdomen, the curve of his hip, thighs which parted at his touch. He rested his forehead against Hephaistion's, closing his eyes, wanting to remember everything.

'You are insatiable,' laughed Hephaistion, his own hand sliding down Alexander's back to caress his buttocks. He kissed Alexander, sliding his tongue along his bottom lip.

Alexander felt his body react at the kiss, pressing himself against Hephaistion, reaching out a hand to pull back the tangled sheet, then reaching for the oil.

Hephaistion parted his thighs, lifting himself so that the oil could be applied in a generous quantity. Alexander had taken him first and then he had taken Alexander. Hephaistion just wanted to feel them both become one as they moved against each other and he gazed into the grey eyes as Alexander entered him, wrapping his arms around his lover and beginning to move as Alexander's oil-covered hand closed around his shaft.

It was bliss. It was how it was intended to be.

XXOOXX

Later in the day, Alexander rose from the bed and wrapping a sheet around his body called for a servant, asking for a fresh bath to be prepared and for a selection of food and wine to be left. The servant bowed and nervously informed Alexander that his mother had been asking to see him. Alexander ignored the remark, turning to make his way back to his bedroom, letting the sheet fall as he embraced Hephaistion.

'You will be needed,' Hephaistion said.

'Not today,' Alexander replied, 'let them wait'.

Hephaistion moved against him and Alexander looked down to the scar that was left when he had tried to protect Iphicles. It was not so bad as it might have been but it was a mercy it was not a killing blow. The scar was still fresh and Alexander thought then that it was not so long ago Hephaistion had lost Iphicles.

As if sensing his thoughts, Hephaistion ran his hand over the scar, lifting his head to look upon Alexander. 'It was another time,' he murmured, 'Iphicles would give his blessing, he often spoke of what might be if he were killed...if I was killed.'

Alexander tightened his embrace and made a solemn vow. 'I would die for you, Hephaistion.'

'As I would for you,' came the reply.

Sounds came from the bathroom as servants prepared the new bath. Hephaistion sat up, swinging his long legs over the side of the bed. 'It was not the same with Iphicles,' he said. 'I mean I would have died for him...of course I would, I would fight the same, I have no regrets but the love I had for Iphicles, it was...an understanding, that love would be there.'

Hephaistion sighed and paused as if to gather his thoughts. 'When I came here, I did not know you and I would have gladly sheathed the dagger in your heart. I thought I wanted death...Iphicles came to me when I had an open heart and I loved him...you came to me when I wanted done with this world and you brought me back to life, Alexander.' He paused again, smiling to Alexander. 'I mean to say, this love is greater...don't think the shade of Iphicles is between us. My heart is yours, Alexander.'

Alexander reached out and placed his hand over Hephaistion's, no words were needed at the moment, he just needed to tell himself that this was not a dream, that it was real and to calm the beating of his heart each time Hephaistion looked to him.

XXOOXX

When they were both ready, to face the world again, they stepped outside of Alexander's rooms, both surprised to discover that nobody waited for them, though they both smiled when, gathered in the first room they came to were concerned companions talking with Antipater.

Alexander stepped forward first with Hephaistion just half a pace behind him. 'You can see I live, he said, 'some of you might even see that I live as I never have before.' He smiled to Perdiccas as he finished speaking, reaching out to slide his hand around Hephaistion's waist, grey eyes challenging the gathered crowd to protest.

Anitpater bowed, hesitated a moment, obviously trying to think of something to say, parted his lips and then took a deep breath before saying. 'All arrangements are made for Persia, Alexander, we have been waiting to tell you that.'

'Your mother has been trying to see you,' Seleucus added, 'she said that...' His voice trailed away as he realised that his King, his friend, had no interest in what his mother wanted from him anymore.

With a slow caress, Alexander released Hephaistion and made his way from signalling for his lover to follow. He turned back and smiled. 'Let us feast tonight and leave tomorrow, no delay, let us go take from Darius what he has held too long.'

'Come, Spartan,' he murmured, smiling to Hephaistion, 'let us go and see what the fates hold in store for us'.

With that Alexander and Hephaistion left the room, soon to leave Pella. Forever.

THE END