Day twenty-three: Bonding of hearts.
Hephaestion came back as a complete and different man after his diplomatic mission to Athens and it was impossible not to notice all the changes, not only in his character but also in his body.
He was no longer shy at expressing his opinions and he even dared to disagree with his blonde lover more than once, and none of those times had been when they were alone but surrounded by others. Many of the companions enjoyed that new and more challenging side of the brunette, especially Ptolemy who had always seen the potential in his young friend.
His reasoning and quick thinking made people stop speaking and listen to him instead, being among them the stubborn Macedonian king Philip. The man was every day more convinced that Hephaestion had been the best asset the Macedonian kingdom could have acquired and he had secretly promised himself that he would do up to the impossible to keep him close, giving him as many diplomatic missions as were necessary. The youngest Amyntoros had found his place in the army and if rumours were true, he had finally found his place beside the prince's side too.
His confidence and trust on himself had also given Hephaestion's body a more relaxed posture and it seemed as if he were taller and stronger than before. It was not strange seeing him practicing with the rest of the companions, always waving that powerful sword he had come back from Athens with. Many had tried to use it but it had been impossible to take it out of its scabbard; however, the brunette did it every time effortlessly.
His face also presented new changes, his eyes seemed bluer if that thing could ever be possible and they had acquired a new look, as if they were older than they should be.
Alexander had been having quite a hard time since his brunette's return; it had been nearly impossible for him to keep his hands to himself while they were with others; however, he had found a very satisfactory solution to his eagerness by making love to Hephaestion every single night. He had also tricked his brunette into moving to his chamber so they could spend every night together since his return as if he feared losing him again.
The young prince had seen how the rest of the men looked at his Phai, some of them with admiration but most of them with wanton and lust and the blonde prince was afraid of someone making a move onto Hephaestion if he became distracted.
In spite of his fears, Alexander had to recognize that Hephaestion had never given him the slightest sign of wanting another person but him and that had appeased his turbulent heart for a while.
Three months had gone by since Hephaestion's return, everything seemed to be going well for the new lovers, and no problems were seen on the horizon.
King Philip had invited some of the newly gained ambassadors to a small banquet to show them that he was not the barbarian many of them supposed he was. The prince and the companions had been invited too, not to the banquet itself but to the celebration and entertainments after it. Only the prince had been allowed to attend the banquet because Philip wanted to show off his son.
The banquet went well and many of the ambassadors were surprised with the vast and deep knowledge the prince had about many important topics. One of the guests compared him to that sensible brunette that had made him come to terms with the king's ideas in Troy.
King Philip immediately told them that that intelligent young man was also there, studying under the tutelage of Aristotle's.
At the mentioning of Hephaestion's name, one of the youngest ambassadors asked Philip if it was possible to meet that diplomat again. The king asked Alexander to go and bring Hephaestion with him, suspecting the ambassador's hidden motives of his request.
Alexander did as he was asked and when Hephaestion entered the banquet hall, a loud gasp could be heard. The young ambassador stood up and quickly went to meet the stunning brunette that truly was a sight for sore eyes. Without following any of the protocol rules, he hugged Hephaestion tight and if one of his hands travelled south over the brunette's back, no one said a thing but a pair of two coloured eyes acquired a thunderouos look in them too quickly.
King Philip saw the look in his son's eyes and guessed that a problem might arise if he did not tame that volatile mood of his. He would be on the alert but decided not to intervene as long as it was not necessary or if he saw that Alexander could deal with the pressure.
Hephaestion behaved as politely as ever but every time he wanted to speak with the other delegates, he was monopolized by the young ambassador who could no longer hide his crush on him. His flatteries had been quite naïve in the beginning but then Alexander eavesdropped the man telling his lover that he would die if he did not have a taste of his body soon.
Hephaestion for the first time in a long time did not know what to do and he got even more nervous when he realized that Alexander had clearly listened to the ambassador's request. He knew that Alexander would kill the man in the same spot if he dared to touch him once more.
However, when things seemed to be getting out of control, king Philip appeared and standing next to Hephaestion, he asked him to retire to his bedroom as he was needed up early the following morning. Hephaestion nodded and bid health to the rest of the people attending the party.
The young ambassador felt disappointed because he was sure that he had been near to get what he wanted from the blue-eyed god.
Alexander breathed lowly and the respect for his father simply rocketed.
When the banquet and the celebrations were nearly over, the young and cocky ambassador approached the king and prince and asked them if he could ask for a favour in honour of the well-known Macedonian hospitality.
The king quickly suspected what the young and horny man wanted so he set his hand onto Alexander's tensed shoulder to let him know he was not alone.
The ambassador asked for Hephaestion to be sent to his chamber because he wanted to spend the night and the rest of his stay with him.
Alexander saw red and he was setting his hand on the hilt of his dagger when King Philip answered the horny ambassador that the Macedonian hospitality did not include whoring any of his soldiers or diplomats. He also added that Hephaestion was already spoken for and in a very steady relationship with a member of the royal house.
The ambassador tried to protest but he finally realized that it was pointless and went away in search of a wanton and available body.
Alexander hugged his father and after whispering very heartfelt thanks, he ran towards his chamber where he found his gorgeous lover pacing from one side to the other. Hephaestion lifted his gaze and saw Alexander's thunderous and cloudy look in his face. The brunette practically ran towards his lover thinking that a disgrace might have happened at the banquet and that they would have to run away to save their lives.
He was about to speak when eager lips took his in a toe-curling kiss that left him panting and with swollen lips when it was over.
When he recovered his breathing, Hephaestion asked Alexander what had happened in the banquet. The prince told him that they would speak about it later because he had a more serious question to ask him first.
Hephaestion's clear and calm eyes encouraged him to pop the question.
"Would you celebrate a bonding ceremony with me?" Alexander asked and even though his voice faltered, he did not stop looking at the surprised brunette standing in front of him.
"You don't have to do this Xander, and you already know that we are quite young to be bonded, we are just 20 and you can still meet …." He was rudely interrupted.
"Don't you dare finish that sentence Hephaestion Amyntoros because it would only show me that you don't know me as well as I thought you did" an angry Alexander said.
"But Xander, you need an heir …" the brunette tried to speak but it was pointless.
"No buts, no heirs, I know what I need, right now the only thing I need is you. I don't need a queen or an heir, I don't need no one but you but … if you don't want to bond with me, I would accept your decision, may be you only love me but you are not in love with me …" the blonde prince ended his statement in a whisper.
"That is not what I meant Alexander and you do know well how much I love and that I am in love with you too but …"
"Don't worry Phai, it was just a stupid idea" Alexander said and left their room and he did not go back there.
Hephaestion felt terrible about it but he knew that he did not need a bonding ceremony that would make things more difficult by the time Alexander had to look for a queen to bear his children.
None of the young men slept that night and when they met the following morning, Alexander did as if he had never asked Phai about anything as important as the bonding ceremony.
Hephaestion was more relaxed because Alexander did not ask or mention anything about it but deep down inside his heart, he felt a bit disappointed because his prince had renounced to the idea so quickly, especially because Alexander was very stubborn to let go of something he considered so important.
Days went by and they turned into months. Everything was fine between the lovers but Hephaestion had realized that Alexander was a bit more distracted than usual and he had been quite busy lately but refusing Hephaestion's help even though he looked exhausted. Many nights the prince could just drag himself back to bed and, more than once, he had fallen asleep in his chiton and boots.
Hephaestion was getting more and more concerned about his weird attitude and he had begun asking their companions about it but no one could tell him anything. However, he knew that there was something going on because their closest companions were always whispering and all the secrecy tended to stop as soon as he was near them.
Spring arrived and it was showing its very warm days; every day the sun shone and Hephaestion could see how nature bloomed in front of his own eyes; spring was his favourite season because it was connected to life, renewal and future.
He had been studying a couple of birds and their little chicks, and he could not stop thinking about families and offspring, in fact, about his own family and children and he realized that he had abandoned that idea when he had chosen Alexander as his lover. He knew he did not regret his decision but he also knew that he would miss not having his own babies in his arms, or little ones running after him. His nieces and nephews were no longer children but adults, even older than he was, and he would not have anyone to teach how to make a fire or go camping under the stars. He also knew he could have children with any woman he chose but he did not feel not right in his heart to do so … he did not have the obligation of having children of his own … like Alexander.
In spite of the fine weather, Hephaestion was feeling a bit blue and it revealed in his looks, his eyes were not lively as other days and Alexander got worried about him. The prince decided to speed things up and try to give his Phai that happiness he thought he did not have the right to ask for. Alexander knew that he could not give all what his brunette's heart desired but at least he would give him the most he could.
He organized everything and he also requested the help of some of their closest friends.
Hephaestion was revising some scrolls about a new language he was trying to learn when a page showed up next to him; he handed him a note and Hephaestion immediately recognized Alexander's seal and a tiny smile graced his lips. He read the note and immediately left whatever he was doing to go in search of his mysterious lover. He followed the prince's detailed instructions and he found himself heading to the thickest and furthest spot in the woods where he knew that they would not be distracted.
As soon as he arrived to the designed spot, he realized that the whole place had been changed and he gasped with surprise when it dawned on him that it looked exactly the same as the place in Troy where they had made love for the first time.
A very nervous Alexander was standing there, wearing his whitest chiton and sandals; his hair was combed and a thin gold band on his forehead decorated his head. He was holding a pair of long strings of silk, one blue and one red.
He approached the surprised brunette and taking him by his hands, he led him towards a small altar. Hephaestion could not take his eyes out of Alexander, he was more handsome than ever and that nervousness made him look even cutter, but that was something that Hephaestion would keep for himself.
Hephaestion suddenly realized that they were not alone; Ptolemy, Perdicas, Nearchos and Cleitus were there too. He was a bit confused but when he looked again at the ribbons, he finally understood what would be happening soon.
"My dear Phai, I once asked you if you wanted to have a bonding ceremony with me and you rejected me with a very lousy excuse, at least for me. I will ask you once more today and if your feelings are the same as they were five months ago, I would accept your decision and I will never ask you again. So here I ask you again, Hephaestion Amyntoros would you have a bonding ceremony with me, here and now?"
Alexander was very nervous; if he had not been so nervous he would have seen Hephaestion happily nodding before he ended his question. The prince lifted his two-coloured eyes and was shocked at seeing Hephaestion with the broadest smile he had ever seen in his face.
"Of course I would, my Alexander. It is high time I stop masking my feelings and thinking that I don't deserve you" Hephaestion confessed and approached his blonde husband-to-be.
Perdicas and Nearchos got closer and asked both men to stand side by side. They asked them if they were free to celebrate the bonding bows and both men answered affirmatively.
Cleitus stood by Alexander's side while Ptolemy did the same by Hephaestion's; both companions would be the witnesses of the bonding and the ones who would validate their union.
Perdicas took the red ribbon and tied their hands; intertwining the ribbon around the clasped hands.
"The red ribbon symbolizes the power and strength of your love; it also means passion that will drive you both during your bonding. It also means the problems you may face in your most heated moments"
Nearchos took the blue ribbon and repeated the same, weaving their hands together.
"The blue ribbon symbolizes the trust and peace of your love; it also means the fidelity that you will both honour during your bonding. It also means the solutions you will find to solve any problems you may have"
Nearchos and Perdicas said together:
"We have tied your hands as an external symbol of your bonding, the four of us here today will pray to the gods and ask them to help you get the same bonding between your hearts"
Perdicas looked at Hephaestion and said again:
"Alexander wants to exchange these bracelets as a symbol of your bonding. Will you accept one, Hephaestion?" he asked seriously.
"I will" Hephaestion answered and he felt his heart swell with love and happiness.
Perdicas turned to Alexander and offered one of the gold thick bracelets with red engravings on it. Alexander took it and looking at Hephaestion into his cyan eyes, said:
""My dearest Phai, accept this bracelet as a symbol of my love and fidelity. May father Zeus strike me dead if I ever fail you"
And taking Phai's left wrist, he set it there. He then offered the second bracelet with blue engravings onto it to Hephaestion who took it and set onto Alexander's left wrist.
The brunette with unshed tears in his crystal eyes said:
"My dearest Xander, accept this bracelet as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. May the Olympians grant me a long life next to you "
Cleitus patted Alexander's back and then hugged him tight, repeating the same gesture with Hephaestion and wishing both men a long and interesting life together.
The four friends wished good luck to the newly bonded couple and toasted with several goblets of red Macedonian wine. After sharing some time together, the four companions bid them health and left Alexander and Hephaestion alone.
Even though they had been lovers for many years, both felt a bit shy; it really dawned on them what an important step they had just given in order to have a stronger and steadier relationship, without caring of others' opinions and leaving behind their own fears and insecurities.
Alexander took Hephaestion's face between his hands and kissed him passionately, conveying in that single kiss all the love he felt for him.
Hephaestion kissed him back, matching the prince's passion and his hands started to travel along Alexander's back until they rested on the small of his back. Hugging each other, they started to move, as if they were dancing to the sound of a music they could only hear.
More kisses and caresses were shared and when their passion was unbearable, Alexander took his partner's hand and led him to a hidden spot near the waterfall.
Hephaestion saw a bed made of twigs and leaves, flowers and grass and he smiled; prince or not, Alexander would always be an eternal romantic. Alexander undressed him and let his eyes be filled with the most beautiful image he had ever seen, his Phai all muscles and strength was bathed in moonlight and his eyes were the brightest stars in the whole night sky.
Alexander let Hephaestion take his turn to undress him and when they both were naked; they met in a tender embrace. Wandering hands started to travel along wanton bodies and their arousals were more notorious. Alexander made Hephaestion lie on his back and the brunette immediately opened his legs to allow his mate to accommodate between them. The prince covered the slender but strong body with his and after some minutes of a very thorough preparation, he entered his mate slowly and sighed lowly because he was finally home.
They made love many times that night, sometimes, it was slow and tender and others were more passionate and faster.
When both lovers were feeling tired due to their many releases, they quickly bathed in the waterfall and went back to their makeshift bed, where Alexander covered them with a fur cloak.
Morpheus cradled them in his arms offering them a peaceful and restful sleep while the Olympians celebrated the bonding of their two most special and dearest creations.
A shy Eros, after asking for Zeus's permission descended to earth and by kissing the newly bonded mates on their heads, he granted his gift and fueled the fire of eternal love.
TBC