Awww

Sytlistically and contentwise this story has been nicely constructed. It depicts the confusion and desperation of the characters in a very controlled yet eloquent manner without it falling into maudlin sentiment which would have ruined the story. Very well, clasy blue.

very sad and beautiful story. I have no doubt that at some point in time, their relationship would be like what you described here. Fortunately that Alexander found the way to bring Hephaistion back home :)

Dear Sandy,

You are so right. There is nothing like Home. Hephaestion's deep introspection tells us so much about this and their whole life story. He has come a long way together with Alexander. Now conquest, wives and the wide world are tearing them apart. I am happy to see that Alexander is willing to mend it all towards the end.

“Then let us repair the home we started and make it stronger this time to withstand anything the world throws at it to bring it down again.” Alexander said with a smile.

“Aye,” said Hephaestion, “Home, my Alexander.”

So very beautiful and well put.

All the best wishes and many thanks for sharing,

/ NorthernLight

Home is where the heart is.. and this story was filled with it.. great job.. wonderful story and great see to you that you have your muse back!

I like the imagery in this piece - I can almost feel the sand in my teeth. And this might seem like a strange thing to pull out of this story, but there was one line in particular that really struck me. I'm not sure why, but I like what is said and how it is said.

“Life got in the way,” Hephaestion said quietly back, “priorities changed.”

Perhaps because I can relate to that sentiment, I'm not sure, but I can totally picture every detail of Hephaestion saying that: his body language, his tone of voice, his thoughts even as the words leave his mouth.

Made me wanna beat up Alexander in the beginning of the story, otherwise it's wonderful :D

I like this - I like what you were reaching for (I think you achieved it).

It is odd, like everybody I have my own ideas about what was going on between the two men, but I really don't know.

I don't know, yet I like to think that this is how it was by the end.

I THINK you like everybody else read The Persian Boy, in which Hephaistion is very much the Number Two to Alexander but in the last months before he died, Bagoas was noting that the two men were going out for rides "alone" and that Alexander would preface various statements with "Hephaistion thinks" and that Bagoas noted that Hephaistion was always really there.

I don't know what you think happened between the two characters in this story; how they got so distant. Do you feel it is jealousy on Hephaistion's part that led him to retreat emotionally because Alexander found other interests throughout the years? I just wonder what you think began the distance here.

But this is a nicely written story, because I feel the "truth" in the emotions you are describing here.

Eva

Just beautiful! and this is priceless:

“I want the rest of myself back, it seems I have lost half of myself and I can’t, nor do I want, to be without him any longer.” *sighs*

Well done Sandy!