Forest Child Chapter Five
Three months later Alexander was woken to the sound of shuffling passed his bed. He knew that it was Hephaistion who seemed troubled of late, his mind was else were. He rolled over pushing himself up on to his elbow and squinted into the darkness towards Hephaistion's bed. It was empty but rumpled by someone who was restless; this was the third night that Hephaistion had been unable to settle. He tried to stay awake but was unable and when he awoke in the morning Hephaistion was back in his bed sound asleep. Alexander sat up and it was then he noticed the muddy foot prints on the floor that had been attempted to be cleaned up. There was also the lingering scent of earth, storm and rain, yet Alexander was sure that it had been fair weather all night. When the servants came to deliver breakfast and water for washing they confirmed his thoughts. Once they had gone Alexander continued to watch Hephaistion.
Hephaistion must have felt him staring for he stirred in his sleep. He seemed to be fighting waking up but he failed. He rubbed at his eyes.
"Good morning." Said Alexander "Sleep well?" It was a stupid question really. Hephaistion's eyes were puffy and red from lack of sleep.
Hephaistion smiled thinly and nodded. He got up without another word and ate his breakfast in silence giving Alexander short snappy answers. Hephaistion's foul temper continued throughout the day. He refused to do any of his studies.
"What is wrong with you?" Alexander asked
"Nothing." Hephaistion snapped
"Yes there is you have been in a foul mood all day."
"I Said NOTHING." Hephaistion "Just Leave me alone."
With a sweep of his arm he sent all the paper and parchments on to the floor and stormed out shouldering passed Olympias. Alexander started to go after him but his mother put her hand on his arm stopping him.
"Leave him to cool down. He'll come back when he is ready."
Alexander was about to reply but closed his mouth, he knew that she was right. He turned back, crouched down and began to pick up the things that Hephaistion had over turned. Olympias joined in to help.
"What was that all about?" She asked
"I don't know. He just seems so angry lately."
"Has he something on his mind?"
"I think so he keeps sneaking out the night."
Olympias' brows frowned in puzzlement but she let Alexander explain.
"He goes out in the middle of the night and comes back in the morning."
"Do you know where he goes on these late night wonders?"
Alexander shook his head as he stood up to put the paper back on the table, Olympias did the same.
"Follow him." She told him "Find out where he goes."
So that is just what Alexander did. He faked sleep until he felt Hephaistion go passed. Then he slipped out of bed put on a pair of boots. When Hephaistion lead him out of the palace towards the forest Alexander felt very foolish for not seeing it sooner. Hephaistion was missing the forest and its creatures.
He found Hephaistion's clothes discarded in a pile. He looked up as he heard a human mimicking a wolf's call. There was a pause before Hephaistion howled again. This time is was full of loneliness and desperation Alexander felt his heart break. He made the decision to go and comfort Hephaistion even if that meant making his friend even more angry than he always ready was. Hephaistion was stood with his back to him, he shoulders slumped before he started to turn back. Alexander had to dive for cover. Thankfully Hephaistion was looking back over his shoulder as he walked still hopeful that his wolf calls would be answered. A real wolf calls stopped Hephaistion in his tracks. He seemed to perk up as he spun back around on his heel howling in delight as he ran towards the sound. Alexander struggled to keep up. Hephaistion was met by a large male wolf. They stopped a few feet apart and began to square up to each other both Hephaistion and the wolf growling low in their throats. The violent air disappeared and turned into one of playfulness as Hephaistion and the wolf tackled each other and began to rough play. They ran off together leaving Alexander to head back alone.
Alexander was still awake when Hephaistion returned fully dressed but looking very disheveled. He sat up making Hephaistion jump, without saying a word and keeping his head down so that his hair hide his face he quickly shuffled over to his bed and got in pulling the covers over his head.. Alexander waited till he had settled down.
"Are you happy here?" he asked "You know… with me."
The covers went back and Hephaistion sat up leaning on his elbows " I do not understand."
It was time to confess.
"You have been going out every night." He said " So I followed you."
Hephaistion's face remained neutral but then he sighed and his shoulders slumped. The game was up.
"I knew that you were following me. I've trying to find the wolves for days. I call to them and I search until I finally found them."
Alexander didn't ask how or why Hephaistion knew that but he let the other explain himself. But instead Hephaistion broke down into tears. Alexander went to his friends bed and put his arms around him.
"I miss them so much and I can feel they miss me too. I have to go back."
He pulled out of Alexander's hug.
"It is a big ask but…"
He didn't need to say any more for Alexander saw that pleading begging in his eyes. Alexander sighed
"Yes."
Hephaistion looked confused at first as if he didn't know what Alexander was agreeing to.
"What?" he asked unsure Then his tear filled eyes went wide with wonder.
"I'll let you go." Alexander said