Title: The Sacred Band.

Author: toobeauty

Rating: PG-13 for the story

Pairing: Alexander/ Hephaestion.

Chapters: 1 of …….

Reviews: Please!!

No beta so all mistakes are mine.

Hope you enjoy it!!

THE SACRED BAND.

CHAPTER ONE.

One blond, one brown eye and one green, fifteen years old, stocky, short, extrovert, lively, impulsive, the Macedonian prince, a King -to-be, the Sun, Hephaestion´s lover.

The other brunette, cerulean eyes, sixteen years old, slim, tall, introvert, happy, reflexive, the Athenian first companion, a Chilliarch-to-be, the Stars, Alexander´s lover.

Nobody could understand their close relationship, they were bond to each other and even Death would have to think twice before tearing them apart, because they were the gods favourite, because they were everything for the other, because they love each other so deeply that any of them couldn't even think about living without the other, because they would follow each other without hesitation down to the house of death; because they just were Alexander and Hephaestion.

Both of them liked their military training and life, just because it allowed them to be together, enjoying each other company but especially sharing their bringing up and education. They have been together for at least seven years and they were planning to continue till death, even though Hephaestion knew he would be the first of the two to be apart due to Alexander´s duty to the kingdom. Hephaestion wanted to get the best from Alexander because he wanted to follow Aristotle teaching about male relationships based on knowledge and his true intention was not to interfere with Alexander's royal life. But Hephaestion´s life was getting a bit complicated because his feelings for Xander – the secret love nickname he used to call Alexander - were getting stronger and they were not always based on pure knowledge. Because of his inner turmoil, he was often found alone on his bed in the barracks or lying on the green grass of the furthest palace garden. He avoided everybody's company, his mood was sad and even his eyes, gates to his soul, were not so shinny and blue as they used to be. Alexander realized that something was happening to his best friend but he didn't want to force him to give an answer but his heart was in constant pain because he didn't know how to calm down his friends angst.

After some weeks of nearly not talking to each other, all their companions started to murmur about Hephaestion's condition and Ptolemy dared to ask Alexander what was going on between them, because even though they didn't know about any fight, they knew that things were not ok between them. Alexander couldn't give him a proper answer because he didn't know why His Phai – his secret love nickname – was avoiding him. Anxious zarcos eyes looked at his skylight partners but they could only catch the view of a slender back retreating and quick but light footsteps could be listened. Even King Phillip was aware of the situation because his faithful lover and general Cleitus had drawn his attention to the two depressed youths. Each took the opposite way of the other but any of them noticed the worried look of their king.

As Alexander's companions were passing by and stopped to bow in front of their king, he stopped all of them and questioned about Alexander and Hephaestion but they couldn't give a satisfactory answer and they retold him what Alexander had told them some hours before.

That night Hephaestion didn't show up for dinner and Alexander looked so sad that even his mother felt sorry for him. Olympias suspected what the problem could be because she had seen Hephaestion looking at Alexander with his eyes so full of love that they could even melt her hard and cold heart.

Alexander ate very little, excused himself and asked for permission to go back to his room, the same room he had shared with his Phai for many years but that, right in that moment, the brunette youth had left two weeks ago without giving him a true explanation.

Alexander missed his friend pacing around before going to sleep, he missed his friend´s messy chitons and boots, he missed his clear and sweet voice reading their favourite passages of The Iliad, he missed his soft hands caressing his temples when Alex's headaches were very strong, he missed his warmth along his body when they were resting together under the fur blankets, he missed his beautiful eyes, looking at him, he missed his clear laugh ... he missed HIM and everyday was like living in hell without his Phai by his side.

I miss you, my Phai, Alexander whispered between his tight lips, Come back to me soon, please.

Alexander threw himself onto his bed, which now seemed too big without his friend sharing it, and bitter tears fell from his eyes, wetting his pillow which by a caprice of Destiny still kept his Phai's smell. A hand came to soothe his grief and when he turned, round green eyes were looking at him, and a sweet voice started to sing a lullaby in order to bring him some comfort.

Mother, can you explain me why I feel my heart so heavy, why his eyes don't look for mine, why he is so far away, explain me WHY he got tired of me!

Shh... My son, he is not tired of you, he has just recognized which position he holds in your life and he is doing the wisest thing he could do: step aside so you can continue growing without the fear of hurting him when the time to take extreme decisions comes.

Extreme decisions? What are you talking about?

When you become a king, you will have to marry a woman, produce an heir, face many problems even plots against yourself, his injuries and his own death in the battlefield, ...

Stop, I don't want to listen to you saying those things, Hephaestion cares about me because I am Alexander and not because I am the Prince and king -to be. He is the most loyal person I have known in my whole life.

Your life is too young to reach to that kind of conclusion, but give it a thought and then tell me. Will you promise me to cheer you up? Without any further word, Olympias left the room and a very thoughtful son.

At the same time, Hephaestion was summoned to the king's chamber and was escorted by four armed guards. A very frightened youth stood opposite his king without daring to look at him into his only one eye.

What is the problem between you and my son, Amyntoros? Have you had a lover´s fight?

No, my king, Alex and I aren't lovers, just only good friends.

So why do you both reject each other's company and wander around the palace as ghosts in pain? You are under my care, Hephaestion, your father asked me in his deathbed to look after you as if you were my own son, but I can't take care of you if I don't know what is worrying you. Has Alexander been disrespectful with you? Alexander has a very quick tongue and can easily offend anybody without even noticing.

No, my Lord, it is that I am ... I don't know how to explain this ...

Speak with the truth or you will get lashed, boy.

I have strong feelings for Alexander but not all of them are based on knowledge, so I am ashamed and the only way I found to kill these unnatural feelings is to stay away from him till they die inside my heart and are replaced by purer feelings.

Stupid of you, Hephaestion, those feelings are not unnatural, they are not impure, they are the best feelings a man can have for another, because they are nurtured by love, care and loyalty. Do not worry my boy and let those feelings fill your heart with joy and peace.

Is that true, my King? Am I allowed to love Alexander without feeling guilty?

Yes, my boy. Haven't I told you the story of the Sacred Band of Thebes before?

No, my king, Will you please tell me?

OK, here we go. The great Theban commander Gorgidas had a very wise idea, he wanted to create an elite force in his army that would become invincible, because ...

Any army can have an invincible squad, that commander should know that, my lord.

Listen and learn, kid. These warriors were bond to one partner that should be protected even at the risk of losing their own life.

As Leonidas and his 300 Spartans at the Thermopile, our teacher had told us about his heroic battle 

and ...

What's the matter with you today? From the most stubborn silence to the most talkative mood ... A part from that, I don't think that Leonidas would appreciate your comparison due to his soldiers were not lovers.

LOVERS! My King, are you saying that those famous warriors are lovers?

Yes, the older Phoenicia or charioteers or lovers and the younger paraibatai or companion or beloved, I think I don't have to explain you this due to your previous Athenian teaching, but yes, the love between them is what has made them the most powerful force in Greece. They swear to protect and to die for the other, and if one of them is about to die because of his severe wounds, the other can honor him in two ways: die by his own hand and follow his beloved after death or continue living and go on fighting alone till death reunites them. Some are said to take another companion because not all of them are so strong to go into battle alone.

I would kill myself if HE were about to die ..., Hephaestion murmured in a very sad and low voice.

HE? Who is this HE? Have you chosen an eromenos for yourself, Hephaestion?

no, my king, I can't do it because I ... I ...

Because you love my son. May be I should find an erastes for you... I have had some offers, you know, you are handsome, your eyes and thighs are topic of conversation among my men, not only in the Cavalry but also in the Phalanx ...

Please, my King, don't do that! I wouldn't be able to be anybody´s else but HIS, even though I know that this would never happen. You shouldn't say a word about this to him, my lord, I ask you as your son, please.

Couldn't I say anything even if it is to soothe his despair?

I promise that I will do my best to be by his side again as soon as I can manage my feelings better ...

Try not to wait until Hades froze in Hell. Go boy, go and cheer up my son, it is even hard for me to see him so sad, and apart from that, somebody could easily take your place and comfort him while he is feeling so weak.

Seeing the horrified eyes of Hephaestion go as big as two gold coins, King Phillip knew he had hit a very powerful string, the string of jealously.

Hephaestion walked down the dark corridor and was about to go out of the palace when he heard his beloved weeps and sobs, he started to follow the sounds and found a weeping Alexander sitting under Hephaestion favourite peach tree and hugging his legs.

Alexander was so unhappy that he didn't recognize Hephaestion's footsteps, something that only he can do, and only dared to put his head up when a soft and caring hand was set on his temples to soothe the headache he was having in that moment. Alexander sighed loudly recognizing the loving touch of his friend but no words left his mouth. He kept his eyes closed and listened to Hephaestion's murmuring voice into his ear shell saying: Soon, my love, soon. Hephaestion left his side because he knew that if he stayed he would not be able to resist the temptation that was invading his body.

Alexander opened his eyes some minutes later to discover he was alone, more calm but alone.

-Oh, it was just a dream, he exclaimed with a sad voice, just a beautiful dream.

Hephaestion ran back to the barracks, crying and cursing himself for being so coward.