Hello all,

Alexander and Hephaestion are on their own in a beautiful Ecbatana autumn forest. They find some well needed escape and leisure from their important but hard government work. Sadly, things are not the same as in their carefree youth.

All the best wishes and hopefully good reading,

/ NorthernLight

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Escape From Destiny, Part Two

Ecbatana, 324 BC

Autumn Glory - Autumn Gold, Continued

Hephaestion saw his Golden One surrounded by glorious golden, orange and red autumn leaves. It looked like a rain of precious coins and jewels around him. He was magnificent with his strong, muscular frame and his golden hair flowing like a lion's mane down his back and shoulders. These days it was mixed with lots of silver. The Mallian Arrow and the hardships in the Gedrosian Desert had caused this to happen. All his battle scars made Alexander look even more beautiful. Hephaestion remembered every one of them with dismay. The head wound from the Granicos. The spear wound in his thigh from Issos. The wound from the catapult arrow in his chest and shoulder from Gaza. Another arrow wound in his shoulder on the Sogdian Campaign. The arrow wounds in his left leg and right foot on the same Campaign, especially the one that almost splintered his left shinbone. His head and neck wound from the same Campaign, the one that almost ended his life and wits. At last, the wound in his chest from the Mallian Arrow. This one was the most serious of all. It hurt him always and every day, and he felt it with his every intake of breath.

Now Hephaestion could no longer resist his beautiful Golden One. He quickly undressed and embraced Alexander, feeling his wonderful warmth even on this chilly autumn day.

Alexander saw his True Steadfast Friend in the glorious autumnal sunlight. His glossy auburn hairmane was streaked with silver now, but still as long and silky. He was tall, handsome and muscular. His thighs were still strong and had the most wondrous shape even if the right one had been marred by spear and arrow wounds. His left arm bore the scar from Gaugamela and Alexander shuddered when he remembered how the Archer's poisoned arrow had almost ended the life of his Dear One. Fortunately this Persian had been honourable enough to provide a Cure for this dreadful wound.

Alexander lowered his head and gently kissed the wound. Then he stroke his friend's muscular thighs and embraced him. Hephaestion answered with gently kissing and striking over all of Alexander's wounds. At long last he let his hands rest over the horrible scar after the Mallian Arrow. Alexander's chest and ribcage had healed with great difficulty, the wound leaving a huge jagged scar on the right side. Sadly there was nothing that could restore this hideous scar to something reminding of health. Hephaestion let his hands slowly and gently strike and knead all over the scar tissue. Alexander felt the loving hands and the constant pain and ache at once was gone. He responded and embraced his Dear One. The chilly autumn breezes surrounded them, whirling up a hurricane of flaming yellow, glowing orange and russet red maple and ironwood leaves around them. Suddenly the breezes were filled with gentle, loving warmth. They now felt like a warming and caring blanket.

Cleitus and the Guards turned their backs to the sight of the sharing of Love and Friendship in the Persian autumn forest.

Autumn Melancholy

When they were young they could love one another forever and ever. Now it went on for a short while, but more intense, more craving and it gave the both of them more of mutual satisfaction. They became One together, sharing strengths and weaknesses.

Afterwards they lay together on the glorious bed of autumn leaves, resting on their sides and looking deeply into their eyes. They wrapped the bear fur around them and Hephaestion enjoyed the wonderful warmth of his Golden One. He had always wondered how Alexander was able to provide this unique feeling of warmth, strength and love.

There was nothing like the warming embrace of Alexander. Hephaestion sometimes thought that this embrace would even be enough to raise the Dead.

They were feeling tired now. Both their breaths laboured, especially Alexander's. Hephaestion had to put both his hands over his chest wound. It made him feel better but he was still exhausted.

"You strike me still, after all this time, "Alexander told him with a smile. "I need you at my side, always."

"As I need you, Alexander, "Hephaestion answered.

Suddenly he felt a cold hand clutching at his heart. A dark gray cloud covered the sun, leaving them in a chilling shade. It felt as if Night already had fallen.

Hephaestion rose and helped Alexander up. They dressed together in their warm tunics and fur cloaks.

"It is time to return indoors, "Hephaestion prudently stated. "You must not catch a cold, not with that lung of yours."

They beckoned to Cleitus and the Guards. They fetched the horses and all Company rode back to the Ecbatana Palace.

The dark gray cloud still covered the sun as it sunk behind the Alvand Range. Two ravens looked down from the peak of the Orontes. They watched the Company with feelings of impending doom and darkness.

TBC

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