Day Thirty: Forever with you.
Alexander opened his eyes just a bit because he could not tolerate the brightness inside the cave. He looked at his side and found a smiling Hephaestion looking back at him.
"Phai?" his voice was still a bit hoarse due to the lack of use.
"Yes, Xander, it is me" the brunette replied.
"Are we dreaming?" the blonde asked.
"No, my love" Hephaestion said, squeezing his hand tenderly.
"Are we dead?" the former king asked.
"Not at all" and after Hephaestion answered him, Alexander fell asleep once again.
Hephaestion checked his pulse and it was strong and steady. He spent the following hours looking at Alexander's chest going up and down rhythmically and repeatedly.
Hephaestion stepped off the table and walked around the cave and he stopped where the image of Zeus had appeared first. That part of the cave was stocked with food and drinks, chitons, boots, warm clothes and some things to clean themselves; it seemed as if a full house had been set up for them. He looked beyond that spot and discovered that the cave had a kind of turning, in it there was a bed and a bath room. He looked around and realized that the Olympians had set them into a comfortable environment because they were not allowed to go out of the cave, at least for a long time.
A whimper made Hephaestion go back where Alexander was still lying on his back. He caressed the now warm face and waited until Alexander could open his eyes wide.
"Phai, are we really alive?" Alexander asked, his voice a bit stronger than before.
"Yes, Alexander, we are alive and … we are also immortal" Hephaestion said all in one sentence, there was no other way to break the news in a different way.
"Immortal? What do you mean by that? Only the gods are immortal, how could that be possible?" Alexander asked lifting his head, but when he tried to sit, a searing pain ran along his back.
"What's wrong, love?" Hephaestion asked worried.
"My body hurts a lot" Alexander said and whimpered again.
"Alright, relax and don't worry, I remember my body hurt too but then I don´t remember anything else" Hephaestion added.
"So are you going to explain me what this is all about? It seems as if the only thing I can do and doesn't hurt is to speak so we can do that" Alexander said, a small smile gracing his lips.
"Zeus explained that I was, in fact, a creation of the gods; many of them participated in my creation and they granted me gifts. Zeus himself, apart from gifting me my life and the possibility of being born from a woman in the most traditional way, he added some extra life force that he fired up whenever I was in peril of death. However, he could not spare me my true death as he needed to kick that extra life force to bring me back. He also added that if you were the true holder of my heart and love, I would be able to bring you back to life and to me" he said and made silence for a while.
"So what do we do now?" Alexander asked in spite of still being considering everything Hephaestion had told him.
"The cave has everything we would need for a long time so I assume that we have to stay here for a while or until the gods decide that for us" Hephaestion said.
"What about Hope or your parents? Do you know anything about them? Or what happened to our kingdom?. I suppose everything is alright as they followed my instructions after my death, at least with my body" Alexander said aloud, hoping that was true.
"I am sure that Cleitus and Ptolemy made everybody obey your commands" Hephaestion assured his mate.
"Why can't I move my body without feeling pain? What is wrong with me?" Alexander asked worried.
"I think that it takes some days to recover the whole functions of our bodies so take it easy and be patient" Hephaestion asked, knowing how it would be a feat for such an active man.
"Well, I won't complain this time if this allows us to go on living" Alexander said and for the first time there was no resignation in his voice but hope.
"That's my king" Hephaestion said and kissed Alexander's lips.
"No longer a king, just Alexander, your mate and immortal lover. Thank you for that, Phai" Alexander thanked his mate by kissing him back.
"I hope we can live this immortality as a gift and not a curse" Hephaestion whispered.
"A curse? I don't understand you, my love, we have the chance to grow old together and live forever …" Alexander said, a bit hesitant.
"But we will also have to see our dear ones die before us and leave us behind …" he explained his fear.
"That is true. Well, we will have to find the best way to get over the pain when it comes to us" Alexander said and squeezed Hephaestion's hand but that simple movement made a searing pain run along his spine. He could not hide the express of pain on his face.
"What's wrong? Are you in pain again?" Hephaestion asked worried.
"Yes, as if fire were running along my body. Would you mind if I sleep for a while?" the blonde asked.
"Not at all, my love" I will be waiting for you when you wake up" Hephaestion pecked Alexander on the lips and the former Macedonian king fell asleep with a smile.
Alexander did not wake up again that day but his breathing was constant and strong. Days went by and Alexander felt stronger every passing day until he was able to get up. Hephaestion took Alexander for a walk around the cave and told him that the supplies kept appearing everyday as soon as they ran out of them.
A week later, a warm light appeared on the corner and they immediately recognized the presence of Hermes, the messenger of the gods.
"Joy to you, Hephaestion and Alexander" the god greeted them happily.
"Joy to you, Hermes. What can we do for you?" Hephaestion asked.
"My dear Hephaestion, you have always been so polite and helpful. I was really upset when I could not be at your making so I offered myself to do you a favour; I know there is an important person who really needs to know that her parents are alive and waiting for the right time to be reunited. So why don't you write a letter to your Hope and I will take it to her right away?" Hermes said smiling when he could see their happy faces.
"Thank you so much, we will do that immediately" Alexander and Hephaestion replied at the same time.
"Take this scroll and quill" Hermes offered them the magical writing utensils.
Hephaestion sat at the table, Alexander standing behind him with his hands onto his shoulders, and he started to write:
"Dear Rabbit,
We have something strange to tell you, your papa and I are alive; the Olympians had granted us a wonderful gift, immortality. However we have to stay here for a while until we are ready to go to you.
I really expect you are doing fine and we feel really sorry for letting you alone so young; it was not our decision and we really want to be with you.
We know that what we are telling you is difficult to believe so the only way for you to do that is if you follow these clues.
We bought you a gift for your eighth birthday; unfortunately none of us were there to give it to you so go to our chamber and look for a big wood box that is wrapped up in a silk green cloth, it is on the top left shelf. Inside the box there is pair of earrings that belonged to your grandmother Olympia; a red peplos embroidered with a Vergina star on its left shoulder and a pair of silk and fine leather sandals to match the peplos.
There is also a scroll written and signed by your papa and me. Sorry to reveal the contents of the box but we have to tell you so you can believe us.
The god Hermes is taking the letter to you and he will wait until you write your answer for us. If it is difficult, ask your nana or Cleitus to help you; we are sure that they will be close to you
We miss you, rabbit, too much and we are sending you our love.
We are looking forward to reuniting with you soon.
Your fathers that love you a lot,
Daddy and papa"
Both men read the letter again to see if they needed to add something. When they were sure it was fine, they closed the scroll and stamped their seals that would add more credibility to the reader. They kissed the letter and gave it to Hermes who left them immediately to deliver it to the girl.
Life in the cave was slow but interesting both men really learnt about each other and they shared very and many peaceful moments. They also spoke about everything, they talked about those thorny topics that had not been totally sorted out while they were alive.
Alexander felt that he was the one who had more things to ask for forgiveness; he accepted that many times he had behaved badly and unwisely and that his lack of respect and tact had brought unhappiness to his mate. He apologized deeply and he meant every word he said. Hephaestion listened to him in silence, letting his words sip into his mind and heart. When the former king finished speaking, he remained in silence, his eyes cast down and his shoulders hunched forwards.
Hephaestion looked at him with so much love in his cerulean eyes and he only thought about putting Alexander out of his misery.
The former chiliarch sat by his blonde lover, took him in his arms and whispered in his ear:
"Thank you"
Alexander lifted his mismatched eyes and found his partner's looking back at him.
"Why?" he asked, confusion clearly seen on his face.
"Because I know how difficult all of this must be for you" Hephaestion told him.
"Everything is better because you are by my side, love" Alexander said and hid his face on Hephaestion's neck.
"I know that, I feel exactly the same" Hephaestion whispered back.
"I was so lost when you died; in seconds I lost all my confidence, you were my north, my bright guiding star and when you were gone, I lost that and the world felt as if it were an empty and cold place; not even Hope's presence helped me to fight the coldness that was crawling inside me" Alexander confessed.
Hephaestion enveloped Alexander in a tight hug and kissed the crown of his head and the blonde let a long sigh escape his lips.
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to leave you, in fact that was one of my biggest fears, to think what you would do without me" Hephaestion whispered against his neck.
"That's fine, we are here for the long run" Alexander said, hugging him back.
"I hope you never have to complain against this gift" Hephaestion said.
"Never, I get the chance to live with you forever"
"Yes, that must be the biggest gift" Hephaestion said laughing.
They moved to each other at the same time and snaked their arms around the other's waist. Their lips met and started to move tenderly until Alexander granted entrance to Hephaestion's tongue that immediately started to play with its partner inside the hot and wet cavern. The kiss deepened and became a battle of lips and teeth. Hephaestion moved Alexander towards their bed until the blonde was on his back with Hephaestion covering his body from head to toes. They kissed and bit every single inch of skin that was revealed while being undressed.
Then Hephaestion moved to his side and let his hands wander over Alexander's body, making the blonde's skin tickle.
Alexander closed his eyes and let himself enjoy the moment. His body was pliant and even though it had been more than a year that they had made love, their bodies were quickly prepared and Hephaestion entered Alexander's body in a swift movement making him groan loudly.
They made love all night long, their stamina was another thing that had been enhanced with their immortality so they made each other come undone in ecstasy and throbbing passion many times.
The new day found them in each other's arms and they shared lazy kisses while snuggling closer to the other's warmth.
They had lost the notion of time but they thought it had been nearly a year since they were revived.
One morning while that were sharing their breakfast and memories form their childhood, the stone door that covered the cave rolled away and let the sun enter the cave. In that moment, almighty Zeus, accompanied by Aphrodite, came into the cave and asked them to step outside because it was time they returned and live among their dear ones.
Alexander and Hephaestion did not hesitate for a second and went outside, lifting their faces to the sun and letting the warm star to heat their skins.
"Take those horses, they know where to take you" Aphrodite said smiling.
"They look like our own war horses" Alexander said.
"They are, Bucephalus and Auburn, you will need your immortal four-legged-friends too" Zeus said.
"Thank you so much" Hephaestion said and did not care to shed some tears of joy.
"How could we repay you?" Alexander asked, as excited as Hephaestion.
"Be happy, love each other and enjoy your lives. Another important thing, Hope is not immortal but she will grow older much slower than any other person on earth; the same will happen to her soul mate Cleitus and to their children and their children and …." Zeus explained.
"Are they still together?" Alexander asked surprised.
"Of course and if you hurry up, you will attend their bonding ceremony" Aphrodite added.
"But Hope is just 8" Alexander said, nearly shouting.
""No, Hope is already 16, the time went by differently inside the cave; immortal time goes by more slowly …. So now, my dear children go and enjoy your new chance!" Zeus added.
Hephaestion and Alexander mounted their horses and let them guide them to their new destination. Two days later, the almighty horses stopped at a very big farm house, the stable boy went out to take care of the horses and asked for their names so he could tell his masters.
There was no surprise in the young boy's face but he could see it on his master's face. Cleitus ran towards the house entrance and froze in the spot when he saw his former and the brunette chiliarch waiting for him.
He ran to them while calling Hope's name aloud and embraced them tightly.
"You kept your promise to stay young and safe, Cleitus" Hephaestion said, patting the former warrior's back.
"Of course, Eros granted me the gift of growing old one year out of ten so now I am 41 and my dear mate is 16 and …." The man was interrupted by light but fast footsteps.
"Daddy, Papa!" Hope came running and hugged them while crying tears of joy.
"Let us look at you" Alexander said with unshed tears in his two coloured eyes.
"You are beautiful, Hope, so grown-up, a real woman" Hephaestion added, hugging her back.
"My little jewel became a real jewel" Cleitus said with a possessive arm around her slender waist.
Hope was as tall as Alexander but with a slender body; her eyes, two big and bright aquamarines were still her most outstanding feature. Her hair was still fair but with a shade of dark honey and bronze. Her body was really harmonious and they were sure that she made more than one head turn while walking around.
"Let's get inside, you must be tired and apart from that, we want to know how this happened. We are not complaining, of course, juts feeling curious" Hope said and, taking Cleitus's hand in hers, they walked towards the house.
Alexander and Hephaestion could not believe their eyes; their sweet Hope was already a woman and ready to live her own life.
Agaia was still living with them, acting no longer as her nana but as a kind of chaperone. The older woman was so surprised and happy to see them that she caught Alexander in her arms. However, she suddenly stepped backwards, asking for her king's forgiveness.
"Nothing to apologize for, Agaia, I am no longer a king, just a mate, a father and a friend. I am the one who has to thank you for taking such good care of our daughter" he said while hugging her instead.
"It has always been my pleasure, you have always made me feel like family" she added.
"That is because you are" Cleitus said. Then he turned round and looked at Hephaestion in his still cerulean eyes.
"I imagine you have bad news for me, my friend, about my parents, am I alright?" Hephaestion asked sadly.
"Yes, we are sorry but they passed away five years ago in their sleep but they were calm and happy knowing that you two were alive. They took good care of my Hope too" Cleitus explained.
Alexander moved towards his mate and hugged him tightly while the brunette looked for his comfort in his husband's arms.
"Well no more long faces, we are happy to have you here, especially because we are getting married in two days" Hope announced happily.
""And who had you asked for permission? Alexander asked seriously.
"Grandaddy Amyntas gave it to me before he passed away" Hope said, a bit nervous.
"I was just asking, rabbit" Alexander said smiling .
Two days later, Hope and Cleitus had their bonding ceremony surrounded by their close friends and her fathers. They decided to live all together as the house was big enough for them and they assured the newly bonded couple that they would not interfere in their relationship.
Two years later, the loud cry of a new born filled the farm house with happiness and joy, a baby boy with the hair as black as coal and his eyes as blue as the Aegean sea; a baby boy born from an outstanding young woman who had been conceived due to the true love between her two fathers.
A new cycle of life had just begun and it would keep rolling and rolling forever.