What Price Fury

Title: What Price Fury
Rating: PG for now.
Fandom: Stones movie

Summery: Not For the first time in their relationship Hephaistion is a victim of Alexander’s wrathful temper. Mitigating issues play a part weakening the faithful General’s defenses causing him to retaliate and havoc ensues before the two can reunite. I can’t help but feel as though these two had there fair share of brawls. Egos aside…besides Hephaistion’s got other things on his mind.

Genre: Anger and angst and reconciliation

Warning: Implied rape and sexual brutality. It’s there because I couldn’t see the scenario honestly with out it. That would have been a manufactured environment.

Reviews: Please send advice to rothalion@hotmail.com and thanks!

Disclaimer: Mr. Stone for this one, he brought them to life so we can torment them! Not purely movie driven I tweaked it a bit.


Thanks: To everyone who awaits updates to this tale and all who provide encouragement. Once again I thought that this chapter would lean toward a conclusion but it seems instead to have opened up the thing to more stuff…we’ll just have to see where it goes. Do not despair. Leave that to me…. . Ahhhh…what else…..I could keep going over it trying to edit all my punctuation glitches and what not but…since I stink at that lets just try and post the damn thing!


Chapter 11
Alexander awoke just before the sun rose. Hephaistion was wrapped loosely around him, his face buried in the crook of his neck. He smiled at the site of his sleeping companion. Hephaistion had been like soft clay last night allowing him to mold him into a fiery ball of desire. Alexander had kissed and stroked the tired man to dizzying heights of ecstasy. He’d half expected Hephaistion to be rough and violent, but instead he’d simply allowed Alexander to play him like a long forgotten, dusty lyre. In the end Hephaistion had fallen into a deep sleep, relaxed and calm for the first time weeks. Alexander yawned and slipped carefully out of Hephaistion’s languid embrace. It would not due for him to be seen coming out of Hephaistion’s quarters the morning after his wedding. He brushed Hephaistion’s hair back and kissed his cheek. Stubble; soft and nearly blond tickled his lips; smiling he brushed the back of his fingers along the sleepers jaw line. ‘Ah my handsome Hephaistion, how I do love when you wear this light beard. Sleep well and I will see you soon.’

His first stop would be at Parminion’s quarters. Alexander hoped that the old general was lucid enough, after the previous days festivities, to grant his request. He knew that he could order the man but he hoped that his old friend would see reason and simply agree. Pulling his cloak tighter around his hunched shoulders he made his way to Parminion’s rooms. The guards parted for him and he knocked loudly on the heavy timber door.

“What!” A crotchety, hoarse voice bellowed from within. “Who is it by the gods it’s far too…” The door swung in and a very bleary eyed Parminion snapped awake at the site of his king. “Alexander!”

“The wine won, I see, my dear, Parminion.” Alexander said laughing as he stepped past the groggy man and into the dimly lit room.

“Aye, that and the eunuch.” He motioned with a nod of his head to the rumpled bed where a lean dark haired young man was stretched out still deeply asleep. “By the gods, Alexander,” he leaned in close and whispered in the king’s ear; Alexander blanched at the sour smell of wine that tainted the man’s breath. “I see, boy; I see now why you kept that Bagoas around. These Persian sex toys will be the death of us, Alexander, be wary lad. I think, Alexander, that they are some secret weapon, like the Scythe chariots, left behind by Darius to finish us off.”

“Yes, Parminion.” Alexander agreed standing next to the bed and studying the disheveled eunuch. “They are certainly skilled in their art.” He turned and walked back to where the older man was pouring two cups of mixed wine.

“Tell me Alexander, Hephaistion, is he…well as talented as…”

Alexander held a hand up to silence him. “Stop there, my friend.” He took the cup from him and drank. “Look, Parminion, I need you to do something for me.”

“You sound too serious, Alexander.” Parminion stretched, coughed, scratched his balls and sobered a bit. Alexander’s tone was all business now which meant he needed to listen. “What is it boy?”

“It is, Hephaistion. I…I do not want to put him through anymore public ritual for the wedding; Parminion. I…I have already asked enough of him.” He paused refilled his cup and stared into Parminion’s wizened eyes. “Don’t you think? I do. I…he’s suffered so much at my hand as of late I…”

Parminion studied Alexander. He couldn’t claim to understand all of the complex inner workings of the man’s mind, but of one thing he was certain. Alexander loved Hephaistion with such unconditional devotion that not even the gods could rend the union apart. He knew as well that Hephaistion’s love and devotion to Alexander probably exceeded the king’s for him. The young Athenian lived his life for a singular purpose; to devote his every breath and bit of strength to Alexander. Hephaistion would never be swayed from his chosen path. He recalled sitting with Amyntor and talking about Amyntor’s fears concerning the two. So long ago, when Alexander and Hephaistion were still young men. He shuddered and watched as Alexander filled his cup again and was pleased to see he added a good dose of water. Young men! They were still young men these new rulers of the world. Parminion let his mind replay that bizarre day in Pella when the bond between Alexander and Hephaistion was clearly defined for all present at the awful event.

************

He and Amyntor were sitting in the shade of an old apple tree watching the new companions train with swords and discussing the odd bond between the prince and Amyntor‘s son. Hephaistion was sparring with Cleitus and the big warrior was giving him no quarter. Cleitus’ blows pounded down on the smaller Hephaistion mercilessly, driving him back and finally down onto his knees. Still, Cleitus attacked with vicious intensity. Hephaistion parried each heavy blow but the two observers could see that the young man’s arms were tiring. Hephaistion finally missed a block and Cleitus’ blade found bloody purchase in the boys left pectoral. He howled in pain and tried to roll back and away. Cleitus had followed, his blade slicing into Hephaistion’s left buttock, and then his right hamstring was nipped just enough to let him know how close he was to death. Parminion watched, horrified, as Cleitus poked the lad here and there, a slice to his chin, then one to his neck. This was going beyond the bounds of a normal training exercise. All the while Amyntor sat stock still and completely emotionless. Finally from the right side of the training field came a blur of black and Cleitus was knocked aside by the shoulder of a charging Buecephlus. Alexander wheeled the horse around and went straight for the fallen black haired warrior, the big stallion had its teeth bared and was so tense that even from where they sat the two men could see the horse’s skin twitching. It was all Alexander could do to reign the animal in. To Parminion’s surprise Alexander swung his leg over, dismounted and instead of heading for either Cleitus or Hephaistion he marched, his back straight and rigid with his hand on his sword, over to where he and Amyntor were seated. Parminion smiled at the memory. Alexander drew the Kopis and lunged straight at Amyntor’s throat. The stunned Athenian fell over backwards and lay pinned by his prince’s sword. Parminion never forgot Alexander’s words.

“This is your doing. I know that you paid Black Cleitus to hurt him. Is your vile little whip no longer good enough, General Amyntor? Hmm? I warn you! Hephaistion is me and I him. Hurt one and you hurt us both. Our blood is one blood our hearts one heart. Our souls one soul. Your reign of terror over your son stops here! Mark my words, Amyntor.” He’d flicked his wrist and the sharp blade left a finger long slice under Amyntor’s chin.

Amyntor began hollering that he’d have Alexander’s head as punishment for his disrespectful impetuousness. Hearing the threat, the young prince turned and handed his sword to the furious man. Then he knelt down in front of Amyntor and bowed his head. “Then so be it. I give you my life for Hephaistion’s safety and happiness. That he suffers no further hurt at your hands. The hands of one he loves so dearly. Do it! But know this you foolish old man…your son has more honor than you will ever possess. He will kneel before you, as my severed head still rocks on the ground and allow you to take his as well; joining me happily in death. Such is our bond. What stills your hand Amyntor! Do it!” He screamed.

Parminion and Cleitus had moved closer to the two. Hephaistion had made his way there as well, limping and covered in blood. Amyntor raised the weapon his face a mask of rage.

“You whelp of a prince, try me like this and get your wish!” He swung the blade downward before anyone could move but made contact not with Alexander’s neck; instead he sliced wickedly into Hephaistion as the already battered boy lunged in to defend Alexander.

Alexander’s blade was a good one. Well honed and designed to kill. As Alexander spun round to seek out Hephaistion, he heard Amyntor scream. Guards had restrained him and Cleitus had gone straight for Hephaistion. Alexander stared in horror as the black haired warrior pressed his hands against the gaping wound that ran from Hephaistion’s left breast, down and across his flat, muscled stomach, exposing them through a curtain of blood, then over and gouging into his right hip bone, before ending just above his knee. Hephaistion’s eyes had glazed over in pain and confusion and through lips bloodied by an earlier blow from Cleitus’ sword hilt he whispered ‘Alexander?’ before crumbling.


***************


“Parminion?” Alexander’s voice brought him back to the present.

“It amazes me that he mourned for Amyntor.” The old general refilled his cup and sat down in a chair. “He was a brutal father on all counts.”

Alexander sat down cross legged on the floor in front of him. Parminion was as much a father to him as Philip. “They did love each other, Parminion.”

“Aye, boy, and I love my sons and wanted them to be strong as well; but Amyntor, Amyntor was vicious, Alexander. The boy did not deserve that ‘kind’ of love. I am an old fool and carry a heart of stone but by the gods boy there’s a gentleness in that bastard lover of yours, and that’s what Amyntor always said he was trying to beat out of him.” He sipped his wine and went on. “It stayed with me, you know, Alexander. That day he dove in front of Amyntor’s blade, your blade actually. Hephaistion and I have our differences Alexander, but know this, my life is to serve you; as is his, in that we are as one. The scar, does it ail him still? It was a dreadful wound! And at the hand of his own father. Philip should have had him hung for treason, for attacking you.”

“He wanted to. I pled his case for Hephaistion’s sake. I pledged my life should he ever be fool enough to attack the crown again.” He stood, retrieved the wine and water bringing it closer to them. After refilling their cups he continued. “Yes, it does pain him. A great deal. Look, Parminion, when the sun rises there’s a bed sheet to display. I know the ceremony deems that Hephaistion, my best man, should have that ‘honor’. I would ask of you old friend, do this for me. Help me spare him the pain of it. He’s known enough as of late, pain. I’ll not order it but I would plead…”

“No need to plead or order. I had intended to seek you out and offer. That’s why I am not still in my warm furs with my…eunuch.” He smiled. “I was readying myself to come to you.”

“Truly?”

“Alexander, I love you well, I despise your marriage to this woman, and I know I am openly disparaging of your relationship with Hephaistion, make no mistake on any of those counts. I do despise Hephaistion’s hold on you, yet I will not in private deny either his love for you or his ability. Make no mistake in that either. Yes I will dangle your bed sheet lad, on one condition.”

“Anything.”

“Answer my earlier question,” He paused and smiled wickedly, “is Hephaistion as skilled in bed as these eunuchs?”

Alexander laughed. “Hephaistion and I, to be frank with you Parminion, know one another’s bodies well. We have had years to study each other. No eunuch, no matter what Persian tricks they might use, can get around that sort of love, that sort of devotion. Our love and our coupling transcend the normal bounds of pleasure.”

“Is he violent sometimes Alexander and who tops who?” He asked with a sly grin across his face.

That raised Alexander’s hackles. “Why! You overstep your manners Parminion. I will order it should I have too.”

“No, I’ll show the sheet. No reason really, just a curiosity; you know good and bad, hot and cold, gentle and well not so gentle. He has reason not be…I wouldn‘t blame him. I’ve just always wondered. I see a certain subdued cruelty in his eyes at times. You know the son follows in his father’s ways…”

Alexander set down his cup and confronted Parminion. “Do not toy with me, old man! Not about this. What is your point?”

“So he’s never told you?” Parminion would see that he set his barb deep in Alexander’s heart. Yes he’d play his part in the ritual but he’d have his fun as well.

“What?” Alexander’s heart plummeted and then began to pound in his chest like a war drum.

“The dungeons, when you were away. Your father and Attalus and that Gorgias bastard. No, he wouldn’t have told you, would he?”

Alexander closed his eyes, looked to the heavens and prepared himself for the whole truth. “They raped him. I thought as much, but I’ve always hoped against hope that...” He watched the play of emotions across Parminion’s face. “They raped him and told him I was dead. Did you see it! Did you!” Tears streamed down his cheeks.

Parminion stepped forward and grasped his shoulders. “Yes, my good friend, they raped him. We raped him; in the most brutal of ways. Yes, I was forced to watch. I was also forced…forced to participate. Forced Alexander I did not agree with any of it. Yes, I raped him, Alexander, right along with Philip and Attalus and Crateros. With Polyperchon. Cleitus, Antipitar and Pausinias. Philip wanted us all equally guilty in his ravaging of him. He knew that he needed ‘you’ lad. Attalus had twisted him, Alexander. Philip was drunk day and night after you left so he was easy prey. Philip ordered us to be complicit in Hephaistion’s abuse. He knew that you and Hephaistion were hopelessly tied to each other. He thought that if you hated us all for hurting your lover you would never seek to align your self with any us and use that power against him. I…”

“Enough!” Alexander paced the floor. “I understand the politics of it Parminion! No, he never told me… but I… knew. I felt it. He did not tell me all of it. The sheet yes or no?”

“Yes of course, I hope I’ve been …”

“Do not miss doing your duty, Parminion an archer will have your heart in his sights. Ready yourself, the time approaches!”

Alexander set his cup down, pulled his robe up over his head and left the old general’s room. The sky was beginning to pink as the sun slipped up but Alexander didn’t notice it. Once he was away from any prying eyes he vomited. Visions of Hephaistion being ravaged by his father’s old guard played across his mind. ‘Pausinias even’ he threw up again. He’d kill them all if he could and revel in his vengeance. Empty, he made his way back to his rooms to ready himself for the coming ceremony.