Title: Royal Slave

Author: Adsagsona

Type: Romance/Drama

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Nothing about the movieverse Alexander belongs to me, I don't own a thing, sadly enough. I believe the real Alexander the Great and his companions belong to history and themselves.

Warnings: Slash in this chapter.

Beta: None.

Pairing: Alexander/Hephaestion

Archive: Right here.

Author's Note: This is a sequel to the story 'By my side'. AU, Hephaestion has come to Philips court as a slave, but found a place as the loyal companion of Alexander.

Summary: Alexanders army stumbles upon the land of Lord Amyntor. Suddenly Hephaestion reacts strangely and reveals something about himself which had not been forseen.

Royal slave – Chapter 1

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"Alexander, don't."

"It has been weeks since I last saw you, why do you always have to be so stubborn."

The voice sounded young and the one who posessed it was thoroughly complaining. They were settled in the middle of what seemed like a desert, but was actually a large plain in the midst of the mountains. A large army had gathered around the single tent, making up a huge camp for the soldiers of Alexander the Great. The blonde young man in the royal tent was huffing at his companion, crossing his arms over his chest and holding his head up high. His naked chest was hugged by a light sheet, the bedding on which he lay of good, but not too expensive material. They were on a war campaign after all.

"I am not stubborn, I merely wish that you see reality."

The companion who spoke seemed younger than the one in the bed, but was actually older than him. He was dressed in the short battle skirt of the Macedonians, with partial armour still clinging to it. The whole was covered with a long linnen cape he had thrown over so that no man would recognise him while he walked to the tent of his King.

"I know my reality, I have seen it… I know about war, Hephaestion. The both of us have fought more together, this is just another occasion."

Hephaestion sighed and sat down on he bed, a warm body immediately pressed to his back and he lifted his hand to rest on Alexanders cheek. He looked up towards him, lips curling into a soft smile, full of love.

"As you wish."

The words were uttered in a whisper and Alexander smiled triumphantly. He had gotten Hephaestion to his bed tonight, after being alone for so many days. He knew it was his own fault, he had sent the young man on a mission, to gather supplies for his army. Alexander had quickly seen that the strength of one of his Generals laid more in that direction and although Hephaestion was a skilled fighter, he didn't posess the same strength in battle like a Cassander, for instance.

It did not matter to him as Hephaestion was of much worth, but the young man insisted that he do something to claim his position in the army. He had been angry at that time and proclaimed he didn't wish to follow the army like any of the women who tagged along with the soldiers.

Those memories passed through the mind of the young King as he kissed his companion, tongue teasing over the other mans lips and gaining entrance swiftly. He explored again, finding the same places of old, but they were so new once again. There was not much softness about the kiss, as they clung to each other after so many days of absence.

Their lovemaking was hungry and fast, wanting to unite and knowing that afterwards there would be time for more. This time, Hephaestion would not leave so soon, having a few weeks to spend together with his love. Alexander lay spent, with his head on the chest of his lover, tracing one finger over the quivering muscles of his belly button.

He looked up to find a saddened expression upon Hephaestions face.

"What is wrong?"

The young man smiled softly and caressed Alexanders hair. It took him about two minutes before he was able to answer.

"Do you know whose lands we are crossing through now, Alexander?"

He frowned as he actually did not know. They had crossed so many lands of so many tribes… he had conquered them all, but he could not keep track of them.

"I believe it is from a rather large tribe… descendants from the Greek conquerors who passed through here. I have heard that their leader is one by the name of Amyntor, so I am guessing he is King Amyntor."

"No, he calls himself 'lord'. He is not true royalty."

Alexander now looked up towards Hephaestion and supported himself on his hands, laying down next to the other and leaning on one hand, so that he could gaze at the other thoroughly. Something had changed the young man since his last expedition, since his return. He had become more outgoing over the past few years they had been together, becoming not only a lover, but a true friend to Alexander and fitting in well with their group of friends.

He was slowly falling back into his old role… the one Alexander did not care to talk about anymore, Hephaestion would never be a slave again.

"How do you know? Have you ever been here?"

Hephaestion bit his lower lip softly and nodded. His long hair rested on the pillow, his bright blue eyes squeezed shut for a moment as he thought about the reaction of Alexander. When he opened them again he found the young King staring at him with such wonder that he almost burst out laughing. Almost.

"I was born here, Alexander."

"Oh."

The exclamation came in a soft whisper and Hephaestion took a quick glance at his lover. He needed to say this now before he would lose his courage. Not that he was truly frightened, but his confession now would make him a future enemy of Alexander.

"How did you end up in Pella then?"

They had not talked about this again, not ever since a few years back when Alexander had asked about him. Hephaestion had always been able to avoid those conversations and in the end his friend had relented. He had no choice anymore, there were people who would be able to recognise him. He knew he resembled his father in a few ways.

"I was taken away by a few tugs who thought they could make money out of me. Too bad for them my father did not care enough to pay for me. There would always be other sons."

"How do you…"

"My full name is Hephaestion Amyntor. The lord of this land is my father."