Hello All,
My apologies for this long delay. I have been so very busy reading and reviewing the fics of others of late. Also I have been catching up with the Alphabet Challenge. Now we return to our Dear Ones and their Exile in the Illyrian wilderness. This chapter does not hold any dangers at all, just pleasurable moments, something of the calm before the storm.
All the best wishes, Read and enjoy,
// NorthernLight
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TEMPLATE:
Title: Illyrian Winter ( 4 / WIP )
Author: NorthernLight
Email address: aur_
Category: Love/Friendship/Adventure story
Pairing: Alexander&Hephaestion
Date: July 2009
Feedback: Yes, , on and off list, as you please.
Archive: Yes, but please tell me first.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. This is for entertainment only, and for my deep interest in Alexander and Hephaestion, their times and great adventures.
Beta: Denise. Many thanks for interesting discussions and suggestions. You sure make my stories a far better read.
Summary: Alexander and Hephaestion experienced hard times during their Illyrian exile. There were some memorable moments, though.
Warnings: One OMC. Amanda is my alter ego, a wishful dream come true.
Author's note: I don't know much of Ancient Illyria. The Mountain Illyrians are a proud and stubborn people of my own invention. Elk and lynx are animals living in the North of Europe. I don't think that they lived in Ancient Greece or Illyria in Alexander's time, but I like them to be there all the same. :)
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Illyrian Winter, Part Four
A Woodland Cave In Illyria, 338 BC
Winter Legends
Now another hard winter storm hit the Illyrian mountains. The merciless snow fell down for days and days, accompanied by hard and severe winds. It was like a cold, white curtain being drawn over the mountainside. Amanda and her brave neighbours could barely venture outdoors and their animals reluctantly went out on their business. They were happy to have their cave homes well stored with firewood and all kinds of delicious food. Once a day they visited each other to see that all was well.
Alexander had known that exile in Illyria would be no rose garden, but he had never imagined such a merciless and cold winter. He was very glad to have Hephaestion at his side, and also that they had found Amanda. She was no dangerous woodland witch at all. No, she was a true friend and a very good neighbour. She was also uncommonly well versed for a woman, even if she was illiterate. The Mountain Illyrians had no books or writing, but they had very keen minds and good memories. They learned everything by heart, and they also had their own beautiful and exciting mythology.
Amanda told her new friends about the Frost Giant and his daughters, dancing around in wintertime, bringing snow, frost and ice to all the world. Then, in Springtime, the lovely Spring Princess came with flowers, sunshine and warmth to revive all Nature.
Alexander and Hephaestion had never heard this tale before. It thrilled their young and open minds. They could actually see and hear the stern Frost Giant and his beautiful Ice Princesses swirl around in the swirling snowflakes and the hard blowing winds outdoors.
Alexander replied with telling Amanda about the Goddess of Harvest and Grain, Demeter, and her beautiful daughter Persefone. Amanda shuddered when she heard about grim God Hades taking her away down to his cruel Nether Realm of Death and Dismay. She smiled from relief when she heard that Persefone was allowed to return to Earth every Spring again, bringing Sun, foliage, flowers and harvests to the humans.
"How strange, your Persefone is almost like our Spring Princess, "Amanda concluded.
Alexander nodded, thinking that wherever there are humans there are also Gods and Goddesses to offer hope and comfort. He wondered a lot what they would be like in distant Persia and India.
Winter Warmth
The hard and cold winds were blowing around their mountain cave. The snow once more blew indoors and they had to work very hard to shovel it out. Hephaestion repaired the spruce curtain he had made for shelter, using one of the branches to sweep out all the cold snow flakes from the cave floor. Afterwards he was feeling very tired. Alexander saw that he was actually reeling. He put his arm around him and gently led him to their makeshift bed, settling him on the warming furs and blankets.
"I can see that you are very tired, my dear one, "he said with kind concern. "You just rest and let me prepare an early evening meal for us. "
"Yes, Alexander, but I will have to stay awake to supervise your cooking so that you won't ruin anything!, " Hephaestion stated with a fond and knowing smile.
"I will be careful, my Dear One, "Alexander replied. "You don't need to worry. My cooking has improved greatly of late. "
Alexander wanted to excel in everything. Only Hephaestion could ever get away with this kind of chiding and rebuke. He knew that cooking was not one of his greatest skills, but he had worked very hard to learn it during these hard days of exile. Now he took some cured boar, fried it in the pan with oil and mushrooms, letting it simmer into a delicious stew. He boiled some sweet fern roots to go together with it, and then he poured cold mountain water into two cups. When the food had cooled down a bit he put it into two bowls and brought it to the fur bed. Despite his stern statement about supervision Hephaestion was now sound asleep. He was resting on the fur covered cushions, his glossy auburn hair spread over the warm bear and wolf furs. His tunic and chiton had opened, revealing his broad shoulders and chest. The hair covering his breast bone was flaming auburn, too. Alexander held his breath, almost forgetting the food.
Hephaestion was the most beautiful man on earth. How lucky he, Alexander, was to have such a friend to willingly share his bitter exile.
Alexander let common sense call him back to a more mundane reality. He cradled Hephaestion in his strong left arm, letting him rest in the crook of his arm. Then he held the bowl with boar and mushroom stew under the nostrils of his friend. They fluttered with anticipation, and then Hephaestion opened his heavenly blue eyes, looking up to Alexander, smiling to him with some embarrassment.
"Well, you managed to make us a delicious meal even without my help and supervision. I must have fallen asleep. "
"I don't mind. You needed that nap so very well. Now let us share this meal. "
They sat down on the furs and had their early evening dinner. The delicious stew was accompanied with cool and pure mountain water. As deserts they had honey cakes with rose hip brandy. The strong liquour warmed them up, making them long for each other. The fire flickered and filled their homelike grotto with a warming orange red glow as they shared other pleasures than food and drink before falling asleep in each others arms.
Female Curiosity
Amanda wondered a lot what her new neighbours did all the time they spent confined together in their lonely grotto. They did not seem to be bored at all, no, by the contrary they always looked satisfied. They even had a healthy blush on their cheeks during the bleak and gloomy days of winter.
// "It must come from the strong and warming rose hip brandy that Hephaestion made for his beautiful Golden Friend, "Amanda mused to herself. "They are far too fond of strong liquour for their own good!" //
She knew that they liked to read from the strange scroll every day. They never seemed to tire of this old tale of old time wars, grudges and adventures. Amanda has become rather fond of it, herself, too. Early in the afternoon, when she had finished preparing and overseeing her stores of herbal remedies she went over to their cave, wanting to hear some more about the adventures of Achilles and Patroclos. Pandora and the small she dogs accompanied her, merrily yelping. They crawled through the secret tunnel leading to the other cave.
There, the horses stood mumbling and grumbling together. Peritas and Pollux slept, softly snoring on a heap of sweet smelling hay near their muzzles. Lyllia the lynx slept together with the puppies. She was purring ever so sweetly, enjoying their company.
Amanda proceeded to enter the cave. Then she saw something that first startled and upset her.
Alexander stood stark naked in the middle of the cave, in a state of complete rapture and arousal. His fair hair flowed like a river of molten gold down his broad muscular back. The flickering glow from the camp fire surrounded him. He also seemed to glow from an inner fire all of his very own. Amanda found him most beautiful, but there was one even more enticing, the very reason for the Golden One's visible pleasure.
Hephaestion lay resting amongst the warming furs. His flaming auburn hair was spread around him as a warming cloak. He had removed all his clothing and was protected only by his auburn body hair. His slender muscular limbs were white as spring lilies, strong but supple. He looked up at his Beautiful Golden Friend, his heavenly blue eyes filled with affection and longing.
Amanda quickly averted her eyes and grasped Pandora at the nape of her furry neck.
"We'll go home to our own cave this evening, "she softly whispered. to her faithful dogs. "We must leave them to their privacy. Well, now I know that they have far stronger things than rose hip brandy to warm themselves during these cold and hard winter days. "
Winter Games
They had a few more days of very bad and stormy weather. Then the Frost Giant decided to go elsewhere with his Daughters. Slowly the blizzard abated. There were a few snowflakes swirling around in cool winter breezes. Then one day the dark gray clouds were all gone and the sun rose from an orange red glowing eastern horizon. It was a fine winter day and all ventured outdoors. Soon Jun and her boys came, bringing good news.
"Amanda. All is well in the village. We are all healthy now, "she stated with a smile. "Your parents are planning a festivity for Midwinter, a week from now. There will be roast boar, ale, mead and all kinds of good things to eat. You are invited, and your Father Silouanos and your Mother Margarites asked me to tell you that your new neighbours are most welcome, too. The told me specially that there will be WINE on the table. Southerners are strangely partial to this fortified grape juice. "
Amanda listened with great pleasure. She often missed her parents and family, and she liked to meet them at the Midwinter festivities. It was the only time of the year that she could go to the village unmolested by cruel whispering and gossiping. Amanda could never visit her native village at other times, only when she was needed as a Healer.
Now she truly looked forward to visiting the Village for Midwinter. This time things would be different. Now she had the company of two strong and handsome young men. No one would dare to humiliate her when in the presence of Alexander and Hephaestion.
"Yes, of course we will come, she answered with great pleasure. "I am sure that Alexander and Hephaestion will be delighted, too. You must tell them when they come out from their cave. These southerners are late sleepers, it seems. "
Jun blushed. She was a bit shy when she thought about the handsome strangers. The Golden One, Alexander, was the most beautiful of men, but he had an aura of danger and unrest about him that was truly frightening. His faithful friend Hephaestion was something quite else, strikingly handsome with his glossy long auburn hair and bright blue eyes. He was calm and reliable, the most desirable of men. Jun would have wanted him for her second husband if he had not already been spoken for. She thought that even Amanda would have wanted to marry him, despite her reluctance to all men.
"Michael and Daniel, you can play here on the mountain slope. The surface is perfect for your snow sleigh, "Jun told her boys. "Mother and Amanda will go indoors, we have so much to talk about."
The small boys eagerly produced the wooden snow sleigh, taking turns to walk up and slide down the mountain slope. Both of them could sit on the strange vehicle and they laughed as it went down with great velocity. In the midst of their play Alexander and Hephaestion came out from their grotto, accompanied by their puppies and lynx kitten. They looked at the merry game, not knowing what to make of it. When Michael and Daniel had come down the slope once more Alexander took a step towards them.
"My dear boys, it feels so good to see you again. You are looking much better this time, "he stated. Then he asked them with eager curiosity, "What is this that you are doing? We have never seen such a vehicle before."
"It is a snow sledge, of course, "Michael answered. "It is ever so fun going down the slope sitting on it!"
"May I try it, too?"Alexander asked.
"Yes, but be careful. It goes real fast!"
"Alexander, perhaps you should think twice about this, "Hephaestion admonished him, prudently tugging at the sleeve of his wolf fur cloak. "It is a game for children!"
"Yes, I know, but it looks so funny and exciting. I want to try it!, "Alexander told his friend, virtually stomping with his right foot, producing a cloud of smoking snow around him.
Michael gave the wooden snow sledge to the Golden stranger. He took it with a thankful smile and quickly went up the mountain slope. His puppy Peritas ran after him, merrily wagging his tail. Pollux and Lyllia stayed with Hephaestion, prudently watching the adventurous pair. Up they went, to the very highest point of the mountain slope.
"Be careful, Alexander, "both Michael and Daniel called out to him. "We have never dared to take a ride from the highest ground!"
"Yes, but I dare! I can do anything I want !," Alexander stated with great confidence.
Off he went, with Pollux in his lap. Alexander roared with happiness and his adventurous puppy yelped with merriment. They went down the mountain slope with great speed, in a cloud of glittering and smoking snow. As they slid further down the speed was augmenting and they went all the way down, and then all over the meadow. Jun and Amanda had heard the roaring and yelping and came out to see what was the matter.
They were just in time to see man and dog go straight into a big snow clad spruce tree. There was a loud and ominous crashing sound, then a cascade of snow fell down hiding the pair from all sight. Silence fell like a white curtain over the mountain slope. The dismayed spectators stood silent, too.
"Oh no. They must have been very badly smashed up, "little Daniel said, tears in his eyes.
Amanda and Jun ran towards the spruce. They were beaten to it by Hephaestion. He took a great leap, calling out for Alexander. with great worry and dismay
There was a slight rustling in the snow, then a small and lop-eared puppy appeared, shaking himself so that snow flakes and icicles rained all over his worried audience.
Then there was a somewhat greater rustling. A big, snow covered bump appeared, adorned with spruce branches and cones. It shook itself, producing beautiful golden hair and a wolf fur cloak.
"Oh, this was real fun. Now I will try it once more!"
"No, Alexander, you won't. If you do, I will go with you this time!"
Hephaestion embraced his friend and off they went up the slope, eagerly carrying the snow sledge. Amanda and Jun stood there watching and shaking their heads.
"My dear boys, "Jun stated, "It seems like you have lost your dearest winter toy to bigger children!"
Michael and Daniel nodded with disappointment, but then they saw the handsome couple going down the slope merrily roaring in a cloud of glittering snow flakes.
They all knew that their new friends and neighbours needed all the diversions they could get.
Alexander and Hephaestion took several rides with the snow sledge down the mountain slope. Now when Hephaestion was there, holding on securely to his Golden One, they steered clear of all obstacles.
"It's strange, "Amanda told Jun, "The Golden One is such a reckless fool, but together with Hephaestion he is always guarded from his worst mistakes!"
Jun nodded, watching Hephaestion with silent admiration. A secret wish suddenly entered her mind. What if he could come and stay with her in her village smithy ? She gave up a great sigh filled with disappointment, realizing that he was meant for quite another future.
Now the young men became exhausted by their winter games. They sat panting and laughing on a snow clad boulder, their puppies merrily jumping and yelping at their feet. Bucephalus and Castor had ventured out from the grotto, watching the strange goings on at the mountain slope with great puzzlement. The big war stallions shook their heads at the folly of their Dear Masters.
Amanda approached Alexander with a fond smile. At the same time Michael and Daniel retrieved the snow sledge and went to the mountain slope, returning to their merry rides.
"Alexander, I have an invitation for you and your friend, "she told him, blushing with pride. "My parents are having a Midwinter Celebration in the Village. We are all invited to share it, your horses and puppies, too. There will be plenty of food and drink for all. We will have to stay there for several days, it's a most sumptuous festivity. "
"We are honoured, my dear friend, "Alexander answered as he graciously nodded at her. "It will be a pleasure to meet your family."
They all looked forward very much to the Illyrian Midwinter Celebration. First they had a foretaste of it as Amanda invited them for mushroom soup and a delicious stew made of crispy lobate borecole, with cool mountain water to drink. The young men politely thanked her, looking much forward to their own pork dinner and rose hip brandy.
TBC
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