Firstly, don't ask what Aristotle's first impression of Perdiccas was, that little aspect just happened.

Secondly, thank you to all my reviewers again :)

Thirdly, these letters are sort of a prequel to another story I'm now writing with the lovely help of Gif, thank you!

Epilogue

Alexander,

Does a mother now have to request letters from her son? I insist that you keep me involved in your plans. Have you completely forgotten the fact that my entire life has been devoted to your happiness, to your success?

But of course, how could I forget? You are King now; you have no need for me anymore.

I noticed that in none of your very few letters of late have you mentioned the foolish boy Hephaestion. I am glad that you have finally managed to see past his pretty blue eyes. It has taken you long enough.

I commend you, my son. Now you will be free to rule wisely, your mind unclouded and your decisions not swayed by lesser men's opinions.

But you shall not reach your full potential without me, Alexander. You know that you need me, and yet you ignore me. Tell me your plans, and I will advise you. Tell only me, I am the only one you can truly trust. You cannot know who wants you to succeed, and who wants you only for their own personal gain. But I can see, and I can advise, and I love you like no mother has loved their child before.

I insist that you write to me.

With dearest love and affection, your mother

To Hephaestion son of Amyntor,

It is with regret that I must inform you that your last letter did nothing to convince me that all is well, and that you are the same Hephaestion who left to follow Alexander so many years ago.

Though I do commend your efforts, it is clear you tried very hard to appear cheerful. However, that said, I would much rather you tell me the truth of your situation.

It did not go unnoticed by myself that that in your last letter you said not a single thing about Alexander, nor did you complain or even so much as mention the eunuch who has become an object of the king's fascination. The only conclusion I can draw is that they are the cause of your unhappiness.

Why would it concern you, Hephaestion? After all the trouble you went through in your younger years, do you think Alexander could forget you? Are you sure these worries are not merely the same notions you had as a younger man, the notions that, if I recall correctly, both you and Alexander were able to dismiss with such ease?

Have you even spoken to him? You are a fool, Hephaestion, if you are still imagining obstacles coming between yourself and the king without saying a word to him.

Though I don't mean to push you. I know all too well that you are stubborn enough to simply stop reading and refuse to reply if I go on for too long.

Moving on, as I've said many a time to you, you'd do well not to listen to Perdiccas. He's got you into enough trouble over the years. I've heard it claimed that increased age coincides with increased wisdom. In Perdiccas' case, however, I would most definitely state otherwise. Not that I mean to slander your friend, of course, he is a good man and according to you a good solider as well. First impressions are apparently hard to forget.

And I refuse to comment on your ongoing argument with Craterus. You are both grown men acting like children. And I know very well that you start as many of the incidents as he does, so do not play the innocent victim with me. That may work on Alexander, but it doesn't work on me.

I'll take my leave here, and I expect a full explanation from you in your next letter, no cryptic avoiding of the real problem; you know how it bores me.

Your friend, Aristotle