Hello all,
Here comes the sixth entry to my Destiny tale. Alexander does his very best to encourage his friend and Chiliarch. He is worried over Hephaestion's workload and health. A Royal Banquet is called for- but will it be enough to restore his Dear One?
All the best wishes and hopefully good reading,
/ NorthernLight
If you want to read the tale at my FFnet site I hope that this link will work:
s/9834169/1/
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Escape From Destiny, Part Six
Ecbatana, 324 BC
Worries Of A King
Alexander was very worried these days. Hephaestion was his Second Self so he could actually feel the state of mind and body of his Dear One.
Alexander knew that his friend and Chiliarch was staggering under the burdens of Empire.
Alexander himself was feeling the same overwhelming tiredness. He sat behind his Royal Desk, being overwhelmed by letters and scrolls. His scribes together with Eumenes were ever so helpful, but even so it was a staggering workload.
Now Alexander suddenly felt himself being suffocated by the dusty tomes and scrolls. He knew that something was seriously wrong. He rose from his dark oaken desk and swiftly ran into the office of his Chiliarch.
He was well needed. Hephaestion lay buried under an overwhelming heap of letters and scrolls. His scribes and faithful Guards had managed to uncover him but he had great difficulties with his breathing and he was very pale. His right hand looked strange, numb and palsied by the way it hang limp and listless at his side.
Alexander leaped to his friend and embraced him. He lifted him up and carried him to the window. The cooling autumn breezes managed to return some colour to Hephaestion's pale face and he soon breathed with greater ease. Alexander produced a flagon with strong red wine from a handy pouch in his purple cloak.
"Here, here, my Dear One. Have some wine and fresh air," he gently told his friend. "Then I will cherish you with a Banquet worthy of a King and a Chiliarch. There will be the most sumptuous and luxurious food, fruit, wine and fruit juices, and afterwards a relaxing bath and some well needed rest!"
Hephaestion drank from the flagon. At first he coughed violently but then he drank some more. His pale cheeks became rose coloured and his blue eyes shone when he looked at Alexander. He lifted his right hand and gave Alexander a fond caress over his golden hair and his chin. This hand was now restored to its former strength and vigour. He nodded with assent, resting in the strong and reassuring arms of his King and friend. All was well, all was as it should be. He felt the warming and life giving energies enter him and he gave up a sigh of relief and pleasure.
Then he felt something new and unusual that worried him. Alexander was emanating warmth and invigorating energies as usual, but they were not as strong as usual.
Hephaestion realized that the vitality of his Golden One was towering at its limit. If it was not restored by some kind of Miracle it would soon be gone!
Royal Banquet
King and Chiliarch lay together on royal red velvet cushions, dressed in Royal red and deep sea blue. Their couch was adorned with gilded oaken wood and they were surrounded by Companions and friendly Persians. It was a merry evening. The wine flowed red and strong - but in the King's and his Chiliarch's goblets it was well watered.
This evening they had other pleasures in mind than mere drinking.
The food was delicious, the meat tender and juicy with just enough spices and herbs. There were fresh and boiled vegetables, fresh and candied fruits, all arranged in a delicate and delicious manner. The guests ate and drank. Dancers and singers entertained them. Bagoas danced a most beautiful dance, entangled in deep blue and sea green veils.
Alexander did not notice the Persian Boy. He was totally occupied by his friend and Chiliarch. Hephaestion rested at his side. He was stronger and better now. His beauty had returned and his blue eyes were filled with love and adoration as he watched his King. His glossy auburn hair fell like a cloak over his broad shoulders and Alexander let its shining tresses entangle his fingers. Hephaestion swiftly let his hand rest on his King's own golden curls. Then he embraced Alexander. They shared another goblet of wine and ate some fruits and sherbet. Then Alexander watched his friend and found that he simply could not remain in the Banquet hall any longer.
This evening he wanted something more that drnking and feasting.
He rose from the couch, taking Hephaestion with him on his strong right arm.
"My honoured Guests, eat, drink and be merry, "he told the party. "I will now withdraw to my own quarters. There is some urgent Royal matters that call to my attention.
King and Chiliarch left the Banquet together. The flames from the sconces made Alexander's golden ruby necklace glitter and shimmer. Hephaestion's silver amethyst necklace glittered and shimmered in unison as they went through the portal and left the Companions whispering and smiling.
Royal Bath
A relaxing bath had been prepared for the King and his Dear One. Stafanos stood and watched over Darius' Golden bath tub. It was now of course Alexander's. It was filled to the brim with steaming warm water. Rose petals swum on the surface and the scents were pleasing to the Guard's nostrils. Now his Dear Ones came inside and he helped them undress. He saw that they were still young and handsome, but their bodies were scarred from years and years of endless battles. Alexander's right side and shoulder had been pierced by arrows, his left leg and right foot, too. Hephaestion's left arm bore the terrible scars from the arrow he took at Gaugamela, when he saved his King from the Archer's deathly poisonous arrow. This same Archer had later on become one of their beat friends and most faithful warriors.
Stefanos prudently folded the Royal red cloak and chiton and the sea blue cloak and chiton and put them together on a chair. He put the ruby and amethyst chains in an adorned casket and locked it with a golden key. Then he remained in the royal bathroom, but he modestly turned towards the wall.
Alexander and Hephaestion went into the large gilded bathe tub. It was filled with hot, steaming rose scented water, almost foaming from the precious rose oil and rose petals. They rested there for a long time, washing each other with sandal soap and rinsing each other's hair. Alexander felt his hands go through Hephaestion's shining auburn tresses. They were still rich, but there were strands of silver in them these days. Hephaestion poured rose water over Alexander's beautiful golden hair and rinsed it with great care. He saw the strands of silver mixed with the gold. A lonesome tear fell into the gold and silver.
/ "We are not young anymore, "he mused to himself, "but we are still alive and together. Life still has much to offer." /
TBC
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