Hello All,
Here comes the conclusion to Illyrian Winter. The Midwinter Festivity is a bit short, but it will return in a longer version as a Christmas Special. It feel a bit strange writing all this when in the middle of our Swedish bright and warm summer. Well, that's the way things are when one is a slow writer. :)
All the best wishes, Read and enjoy,
// NorthernLight
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TEMPLATE:
Title: Illyrian Winter ( 5 / Conclusion )
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. As a strange coincidence their Midwinter practices are very much alike our Swedish Christmas Celebration. :)
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Illyrian Winter, Part Five, Conclusion
A Woodland Cave In Illyria, 338 BC
Wildlife Emergency
Alexander and Hephaestion awakened to a dreadful brawling noise emanating from the creek near their grotto. They quickly put on their fur cloaks and ran outside to explore what was the matter.
They came upon a most distressing sight. The very big deer with his multi spined antlers that Alexander had met in the forest had tried to walk over the ice covered creek. The ice was very thick, but mid streams it had a weak part where the water flowed most strongly. Now the poor animal had managed to walk through the ice and he was stuck in a large hole in the ice. He tried to get up, but he was too heavy and the ice hole got bigger all the time. He brawled and screamed from sheer agony.
"Oh no, "Alexander said. "He will never make it on his own. We must help him!"
Bucephalus and Castor came trotting out from the cave. They watched with great pity as the big deer fought for his life in the ice cold stream.
"What can we do? What can we do?, "Alexander asked, wringing his hands as he spoke. "He is so very big and heavy. I'm not sure that we can pull him out of the water at all! "
Hephaestion looked at the horses. Then he went into the cave and returned with a sturdy and long rope.
"Alexander. We can use this ! And I am sure that our horses want to help out, too, "Hephaestion said, holding up the rope to Bucephalus.
The big stallion nodded with a friendly neighing. They all went down to the creek. Alexander carefully crept out on the ice with the rope. As he came near the big deer looked at him with astonishment. He was so surprised that he calmed down from his struggling and let the brave and strange golden haired human tie the rope around his big antlers. Then Alexander put it around Bucephalus and gave careful instructions to his big stallion.
"You must pull with all your strength to drag him out of the water. He will drown if we cannot get him up!"
The black stallion nodded. Then he pulled, and pulled and pulled with the help of Alexander and Hephaestion. It took some great effort, but in a while the big deer was sliding up from the ice cold water. When he reached the thick ice cover he regained his footing and forcibly shook away all the ice water. Then he shook his head, brawling in a requesting manner. Alexander quickly removed the rope from his antlers. The big animal bowed with respect, before he giddily walked into the forest.
"Oh, you are brave and helpful, indeed, my dear friends !, "Amanda stated as she came out from her grotto. "That one is a dear friend to me. I use to call him the King of the Forest! I could never have pulled him out of the water on my own!"
"Yes, but that's what friends are for, "Alexander told her. "What kind of animal is he? I have never seen such a big deer before."
"He is not a deer, Alexander. We call them elk, they are much bigger than deer. Our ancestors say that they came from the far North to settle down her in our Illyrian forests. You must NOT hunt him or his many wives. They are our holy animals. We Mountain Illyrians always leave them in peace."
"Yes, I can understand this, "Alexander agreed. "He sure is a magnificent animal friend."
Winter Fishing
Now Hephaestion looked at the big ice hole with anticipation. He loved fishing and that had been impossible ever since the creek became frozen.
"Look, Alexander. Now there is a very big hole in the ice. I will go and fetch my fishing rod. We need some change from cured boar, deer and mushrooms."
They sat together for a long time on the ice, watching the swirling water in the ice hole. The bleak winter sun warmed them and they felt almost comfortable in their fur cloaks. Hephaestion had good fishing luck and soon five fine salmons were wriggling in fright and misery on the slippery ice. They were put out of their misery and eagerly carried to the cave. Soon they were frying on the embers, liberally sprinkled with herbs.
Amanda enjoyed watching the young men sitting together on the glittering ice. The she shuddered as she saw the fate of the fine fishes. Soon delicious cooking fumes came from the neighbouring cave.
"Well, I am happy that they are well provided with food, "she silently mused all by herself. "Poor fishes, though. They would have been better off merrily swimming around in the water!"
Midwinter Bath
Alexander and Hephaestion were preparing themselves for the Illyrian Midwinter Festivities. Hephaestion had brought some buckets of water into the cave and he was warming them at the fireside.
"We need to be thoroughly washed, "he said. "It was such a long time since we had a bath in the creek."
"Yes, "Alexander agreed. "I miss it a lot!"
Then he frowned and a light of anticipation lit up his beautiful gray eyes.
"Oh no! Have you come up with another wild idea ?, "Hephaestion asked with dismay.
"The elk has provided us with an excellent possibility to bathe before the Midwinter Festivities ! That ice hole is big enough for us to have a very refreshing winter bath, "Alexander merrily stated.
"But the water is freezing, "Hephaestion protested. "We will catch our death of cold!"
"Not at all. We bring our fur cloaks and we put them on when we have bathed. And - think how nice it'll be to relax in front of the fireside when we have come up from the ice cold water. "
"Yes, yes, Alexander. I will take this winter bath with you, just because it is you who ask it from me !"
// Oh my, oh my. The things I do for him!, " Hephaestion silently mused to himself. //
They went out together down to the creek. It was a very cold winter day but the sun was still up, warming them with its bleak light. It glittered over the snow and the hoar frost forming on the tree branches made it glow in all kinds of sparkling white, blue, emerald and turquoise colours. The young men undressed and left their boots and warm winter clothes in a heap on the ice. The chilly winter air made them shiver. Hephaestion prudently put his foot into the ice hole, his big toe first. He quickly withdrew it.
"Oh no. This is far too cold for me! You will have to take this winter bath all on your own."
Alexander did not mind. He jumped down the ice hold with a merry roar.
"Come into the water with me!, "he commanded. "It is wonderful, so very cool and refreshing. "
Then he started to splash ice cold water all over Hephaestion. It splashed in glittering cascades, hiding his magnificent body and making him shiver even more than before. He saw his Golden One frolicking in the water, a most enticing sight, like some kind of golden haired merman. He almost felt tempted to jump into the water and share its icy pleasures with his friend.
Alexander saw his friend standing on the glittering ice. He was shivering from the cold and freezing so badly that his feet had became blue. His muscular, magnificent body was trembling and not even his glorious auburn hair mane was able to warm him up. The glittering ice water cascading around him made him look even more beautiful than usual. Alexander could not resist the enticing sight. He reached out and grasped at Hephaestion's ankle. His friend was taken with surprise and quickly slipped down into the ice hole with another splash. The young men were hidden behind a curtain of blue sparkling ice water.
"Oh no! Alexander! You cannot do this to me!, "Hephaestion gasped out as he fell into Alexander's arms. "I do not want this winter bath!"
Then he felt the most wonderful warmth emanating from Alexander's embrace. He gave up a great sigh of pleasure and gave in to the eccentricity of his Golden One.
"Don't you complain so much, "Alexander told him. "Now you feel that I am able to warm you up even in a creek filled with ice cold water!"
"Yes, if we survive this we will survive anything together!"
Merrily they frolicked around for some time before the water became too cold for them. They got up and rolled around in the glittering snow drifts for a while together with their puppies and Lyllia. Then they slipped into their fur cloaks and boots and returned to the cave, thankful for its warming fireside. There two buckets with warm water awaited them. They washed themselves in it and then they rested in the furs before the fireside. Hephaestion turned on his side, watching Alexander. His Golden One was at his most beautiful. The golden orange glow from the fire flickered all over him, letting his golden hair mane look like a river of molten gold. His winter white skin was now rose coloured from the ice cold bath and he was still panting from the exertion. Hephaestion could not resist the tempting sight. He gave Alexander a forceful embrace, drawing him close into his strong arms.
"Well, now you are giving me some well needed winter warmth, "Alexander said, replying with a warming embrace of his own.
They tumbled around amongst the furs for a very long time. Their puppies and little Lyllia at first watched the amorous activities with great curiosity. Then they fell asleep in a cozy heap in the rushes on the floor. Bucephalus and Castor calmly ate their barley gruel with their backs turned to their Dear Masters.
"Well, now they are at it again, "the faithful horses grumbled. "Now they will not see to us for a very long time. It's fortunate that Hephaestion managed to find the time to give us water and barley gruel before they begun!"
Afterwards Alexander lay resting in the furs. Hephaestion soon became hungry and prepared the remains of the fried salmons together with some mulled rose hip brandy. They embraced once more in the furs, sharing the delicious food and drink. Soon they fell asleep in each others arms.. The fire burned lower but still warmed them and their home like grotto.
Amanda watched the merry winter bath from behind her own rose hip bramble. She was a bit upset by this unusual activity.
"Oh my, I shouldn't have told them that our Illyrian men use to bath in cold ice water and roll themselves in snowdrifts afterwards, "she silently mused to herself. "I never thought that they would like to copy it!"
She saw them frolic in the ice cold water, and then roll around in the snowdrifts. In her opinion it took them far too long to put on their warming fur cloaks and return to their cave. She felt a bit worried for them.
"What if they have been harmed by the cold waters of the creek? I must go and see to them!"
She put on her own fur cloak and plodded over to their grotto through the snow drifts. Now the sun had set behind the mountains, painting the clouds bright red, crimson and rose coloured from its dying rays. There was just a red glow shimmering between the peaks and slopes to lead her sure and determined steps. Her dogs followed, merrily yelping. She hushed at Ptolema and the pups as they entered the neighbouring cave. There they came upon a most endearing sight that made Amanda blush.
The young men were soundly asleep, resting in their makeshift bed of warming furs and blankets. Their golden and auburn hair mixed in a flaming cascade on the bear and wolf furs. They were completely undressed, their muscular bodies exposed in all their enticing beauty even if the furs warmed and covered them with sufficient modesty. Alexander fondly embraced Hephaestion with his right arm and the jar with the rose hip brandy was in his left hand. They were both flushed and panting, as if from some strange and unknown exertion. The puppies and Lyllia woke up and greeted her with some muffled yelpings and meowings, and the horses looked at her with warm friendship in their big brown eyes.
Amanda nodded friendly towards the faithful animals. Then she watched the handsome couple amongst the furs once more. She shook her head, so that her fair hair and prudently plaited braids rattled around her.
"Well, those two sure know how to get warm together, "she considerately whispered to her dogs. "There will be no good night tales about Achilles and Patroclos this evening. Ptolema, let's return to our own cave and leave them to their good night's rest."
Before leaving she put some sturdy logs on the fire. She did not want her dear friends to catch a cold before the Illyrian Midwinter Festivities.
Midwinter Feast
Next day Alexander and Hephaestion emerged from their homelike grotto, dressed in their warming fur cloaks. Alexander had one in wolf fur, made specially for him by Queen Olympias and her handmaidens. Hephaestion's winter cloak was made from bear fur, sewn by his Mother the Lady Theano and his sister Helen. He had braided his glossy auburn hair in several shining braids and made the same kind of braids in the mane of his stallion Castor. Bucephalus looked at this finery with astonishment. He had not been subjected to this kind of adornment, it was not fitting for a dangerous war mount like him. Alexander was at his very finest. His golden hair was shining and its curls flowed like a lion's mane around his brave and determined features.
Now Amanda appeared from her grotto. She was dressed in a wolf fur cloak, too and she eagerly ran up to them. Her golden braids were more elaborate than usual, with red and green shining ribbons worked into them. Alexander took her in his arms and lifted her up on Bucephalus, holding her securely in his arms, letting her ride in front of him. She leaned back towards him, feeling strangely safe and secure. He was a man, and otherwise she would have considered him dangerous - but he had become a very good friend and she trusted him more than anyone. He looked at Hephaestion and Castor with great affection, and Amanda knew that she was safe.
"You tell us where to ride, Amanda, "Alexander demanded. "I don't remember the road to your Illyrian Village. It was Peritas who led me there the time you and Hephaestion were gone from here."
She pointed towards the nearest glen. It was glittering from the bright morning sun, filled with thick snow drifts and hoar frost on the tree branches. The firs, spruces and junipers were all covered with snow and ice. It sparkled in all kinds of nuances of white, blue, azure and turquoise. Off they went, with Peritas, Pollux and Lyllia in tow. Alexander found that the ride was very short this time, not as long and anxious as when he searched for Hephaestion during the autumn day when he had returned to find the cave empty.
The sun shone from a clear, azure blue sky as they entered the Village of the Mountain Illyrians. It was all adorned in spruce branches and cones. Red ribbons fluttered from them and sconces flared around the door of the biggest house in the Village. All the people were out and cheering when they saw the two beautiful young men on their magnificent stallions. Now there was no malicious whispering. No, all in the Village were cheerful and merry.
A venerable couple came out from the biggest house to greet them. The woman looked kind and friendly. She had light brown hair, worn in a carefully worked braided knot. Red ribbons were worked into it and they flashed with their bright colour. She was dressed in a white sheep fleece cloak and a red and green woolen frock. The man was simply magnificent. He had dark long and brown, wavy hair and a plaited beard. His winter cloak was made from wolf fur and his tunic was from the finest red wool. He sported a large leather belt with a big knife and an even bigger curved sword attached to it. His eyes were a sparkling and determined blue green colour. Alexander clearly recognized it and now he understood from where Amanda's strength, stubbornness and stamina came. This man was her Father and the friendly woman behind him her Mother.
Amanda flew into their arms. They fondly embraced her and then turned to Alexander and Hephaestion.
"You are most welcome to out Midwinter Feast, my new friends, "the man fondly greeted them. "I am Silouanos, the Chief of the Mountain Illyrians, and here is my wife Margarites. We are happy to hear that our dear and stubborn daughter has found such good neighbours !"
Alexander and Hephaestion politely greeted their venerable hosts,
"Yes, and she is a good neighbour and a formidable Healer, too. She helped my very dear friend here when he hurt his foot very badly, "Alexander thankfully stated.
"Don't you stay out here in the cold, Silouanos beckoned. "Come inside. All is prepared. We hope that you will enjoy our humble festivities. My servants will take care of your fine horses. There is plenty of Special Midwinter food for them, too. "
Silouanos went directly to Bucephalus and looked at the formidable black war stallion. He gently patted his silken muzzle. Alexander looked with dismay, ready to call out that his horse was dangerous and not to be addressed by strangers. All went well, though. Bucephalus looked with surprise at the rough and outspoken Illyrian Chief. He nodded with appreciation as he listened to the kind words.
"You are a very fine war horse, my new found friend, "he stated. "My villagers did not exaggerate when they told me about you and your equally fine friend!"
Silouanous then addressed Castor.
"You are very fine, too. It's strange how you two horses so resemble your Masters. You are calm and prudent, I can clearly sense this in you - and your coal black companion is fiery and dangerous - but not today. Go and make merry with our village horses. "
As the servants led the horses away Alexander mused to himself:
// "Well, Amanda's father is a most able horseman. How could he know all this about our stallions in just one brief encounter? " //
They all went inside the house with their dogs and Lyllia in tow. The house dogs barked a bit at Ptolema and her precocious pups but soon they became good friends, partaking of the special meats set aside in wooden bowls on the floor.
It was a bit worse with the house cats. They hissed and arched their backs when Lyllia entered, being afraid of the fearsome lynx. There was good reason. She was just a lynx kitten, but still twice the size of them all. Amanda had to go and calm them down, talking to them and patting their furry heads.
"You need not be afraid of Lyllia here. Think of her as a bigger cousin of yours, "she prudently stated. As she had a certain way with all kinds of animals the house cats agreed to take Lyllia into their company. Soon they all were enjoying the bowls of milk and fish set before them.
Inside the house was a great Hall lit up by flaming sconces and a roaring fire. A big trestle table was decked with all kinds of delicious food. There was boar, ham, venison and all kinds of fowls and fishes. Also there was leaves of green cabbage adorning the meat dishes and bowls with brown cabbage stew and brown beans. A very big bowl with porridge rested in the middle of the table with a big ladle proudly presenting itself in its midst. There was heaps of bread, both soft and hard, and jugs of ale and mead stood ready to slake the guests' thirst. There were also some wine jugs, waiting at two specially prepared seats.
Jun and her boys were already sitting at the table and Bength and Laurents came to greet them. It was blazing hot in the Hall so Alexander removed his wolf fur cloak. He had a red woolen tunic and a broad leather belt on with a sword and big knife. A golden chain peeped out around his neck. Hephaestion removed his bear fur cloak and appeared dressed in a blue woolen tunic, well armed and with a silver chain peeping out around his neck.
They all sat down to share all the food and drink. It was a most sumptuous meal and they ate and drank well. Alexander was especially enjoying the wine, but he also politely tasted the ale and mead, too. As the day went along he became more and more blushing and boisterous. Then Hephaestion managed to secrttely pour fresh mountain water into his cup, making the wine less intoxicating and his friend more sober. Amanda gave him a secret smile as she sneaked the jug with water to him under the table.
After the sumptuous dinner Hephaestion produced a leather sack that he had secretly brought into the Hall.
"Many thanks for inviting us to share this sumptuous Midwinter Feast with you, "he addressed Silouanos and Margarites in a broken attempt to manage the Illyrian language. "My friend and I have some humble gifts to you. We hope that you will enjoy them."
He produced three finely carved knife scabbard, presenting them to Silouanos, Bength and Laurents. Then he presented three exquisitely carved fibulas, giving one to Margarites, one to Amanda and one to Jun. All these things were made from elk and deer horn that he had found in the forest. Alexander presented a brand new snow sledge to Jun's boys. It was made from red fir wood and elaborately carved.
"I hope that your will accept this one as a replacement for the one we had so much fun with some days ago, "Alexander stated with an embarrassed smile. " I think it became somewhat tarnished from all the merriment we enjoyed with it."
The boys nodded and accepted their Midwinter Gift, blushing shyly.
Silouanos and Margarites presented their own gifts to their guests. Alexander and Hephaestion got sturdy Illyrian long bows and also new woolen tunics, lined with soft sheep fleece. Amanda got a set of finely adorned clay jugs, amphorae, flagons and beakers to contain all her Healing potions.
Then Jun came, giving Amanda a finely adorned linen blouse and a tunic in warming green wool. With a blush she presented finely carved and sharpened arrows to Alexander and Hephaestion, to go with the bows they had received from their generous host.
They all enjoyed their gifts before dancing around the Midwinter Tree in the middle of the Village. They sung Illyrian songs and then Alexander sat playing a primitive Illyrian lyre, singing a Macedonian Midwinter song. Hephaestion was amazed. His Golden One never used to sing in public !
After the Midwinter Festivities they all had a good nights sleep, sleeping well into the middle of next day. All the men enjoyed a hearty winter bath in the creek, with a merry rolling in the snow afterwards. They warmed themselves up in a strange and warm hut, sitting on wooden benches, pouring water on heated stones until they smoked, and gently flaying each other with birch branches. Alexander found it most refreshing and he tried to carefully remember all the procedures. He sure wanted such a warming house for himself back in Pella. The Mountain Ilyrians called it a Sauna, a strange but appropriate name.
They remained in the Village for three whole days, filled with eating, drinking, feasting and merriment. Then they took their fond farewells, promising to visit the Village soon again.
Midwinter Garden
When they returned to their own grottos and mountainside it was already afternoon. The sun was setting behind the mountains, painting the sky in carmine crimson, fiery orange and rubicund rose colour. Amanda brought them inside her own rose hip thicket, men, horses, dogs and lynx.
"There is something I want to show you all, "she stated with great determination.
Amanda's herbal garden had been subjected to a very strange transformation during their absence. All the thick snow drifts, the glittering hoar frost and the sharp icicles were gone. They had been replaced by the most verdant and luscious green. Birds were singing, flowers were blooming and snow berries were ripening all over the garden. There were some very special flowers all over the garden. They had big lobate leaves and produced white, rose coloured and lime flowers filled with golden pollen.
"What are these?, "Alexander curiously asked. "And, how come that your garden can bloom in the midst of this hard and cold Winter? I thought that it was just our Sacred Glen in our homeland that could be blooming in Midwinter !"
"Alexander, you are most fortunate to have such a place in your own land. These winter blooming gardens only appear in the most Sacred places, "Amanda solemnly explained, as she produced a large clay bottle. "I have something for you. These flowers are the White Hellebore, the Midwinter Roses. They contain a most potent remedy for fevers and severe illness. You must use this only in the direst need! "
She gave him the bottle, pressing it into his hands with great urgency. He bowed and thanked her with great kindness.
"Amanda, I greatly appreciate this gift of yours. I have one for you, too, "he solemnly stated. "You know, I have not always been in exile. In my homeland I will someday be restored to my former rank and station. When that occurs, you can ask from me any favour and I will grant it to you. "
Amanda bowed to him.
"I am most thankful, Alexander. It's a great gift, I realize, and I will think about it with the utmost care. "
She smiled and they all sat down, making merry in the emerald green soft and luscious grass. The horses were prancing, the dogs and lynx were playing and the birds were singing. They sat there all evening and all night long, before the snow and ice returned. covering the garden once more.
The Midwinter Festivities were over. Now the cold Illyrian winter returned as they went inside their homelike caves, thanking each other for the sharing of these wondrous pleasures of friendship and genersosity.
Wolves were howling far away. They sounded lonely and threatening, missing all the merriment and conviviality of humanity.
TBC in Hour Of The Wolf and Illyrian Spring
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