It was wonderfully refreshing to read something like this after going through all the other 'usual' Alexander fics!
You set the tone wonderfully, it was like I was back in the markets in Egypt again. Loved that you made the man with the ring so mysterious.

Wonderful fic, and I loved 'Son of Zeus' as well and here's hoping you will write more fics for the Alexander fandom!

That was so sweet :)
Loved it.

Nice work on the setting. I really enjoyed the way you pictured the busy, trade-filled environment of the market, and the locals at work. Very vivid; couldn't help being drawn into it..interaction was good too. Looking forward to reading more of your prose. =)

Hello Eirien,

Many thanks for sharing this. I always wondered however Hephaestion came by the Ring - and your story is quite believable. The sand, the hot Egyptian sun, the town with its common market stands - then, well away from the usual places is the old man, having just the thing Hephaestion seeks. It is a very special occasion and I like it a lot, especially the lines:

"No, no," he said, "your sun, your sun!" He pointed up at the vivid blue of the sky, and the blinding white-hot sun-disk. "Your sun. You understand who I mean."

The Ring brought both joy as a cherished Wedding Gift- and after Alexander's death it was an instrument of creating Discord. A powerful jewel - and you give us its history as a beautiful extension to one of the very best scenes in Stone's movie.

All the best wishes,

//NorthernLight

I just read your story. It is really exquisite. One of the best stories I've read in a while. I like your characterization of Hephaistion, his playfulness with Ptolemy and the mysterious old man. Your descriptions of the oasis at Siwah was wonderful, I could see, hear and smell the reality of the place. Really lovely.

I like this story, very good idea. It is nice to find a story about Hephaistion and Alexander that isn't something along the lines of "OMG!!11oneone ALEX/HEPH ARE HAWWT!1"

Heh- yeah. But I love the idea of the old man, and the joking between Ptolemy and Hephaistion made it seem very natural. Good job!

I loved it, it was like a little snippet into Hephaistion's life. Your words made it so easy to actually picture Hephaistion buying the ring, and all the more easy to picture the hustle and bustle of the market-place.

I liked the interaction between Ptolemy and Hephaistion too; and the words lept from the screen to my ears.

Great story, and I hope to actually see you write more Alexander fanfiction ^^

Beautiful and lyrical and yet very restrained and not overdone at all. I was surprised to learn that this took place while Alexander was seeing the oracle, but at a second reading, it fit very well with the theme of the sun.

A delightful story, well written, with a playful element around it as Heph and Ptolemy look over the rich baubles. I love this story of how the ring was found. It was a joy to read.

I loved this. Simple, yet very descriptive and extremely well written. I felt like I was right there in the market poring over the baubles, and leaning over Hephaestion's shoulder as he looked at the ring.

I especially enjoyed Hephaestion teasing Ptolemy. Ha ha!

Great work! Hope to see more from you soon.

Tionsbabe.

Sweet and nice story. I liked it. "Give it to your sun": very lovely. Short but lovely.

I liked very much the way that you chose to count the origin of the ring. Your characters seem authentic and plausible. The narrative flows in a natural way and we get to know more about it.What about another fic with Alex and Heph after the encounter with the oracle in Siwah? Welcome to the universe of Alexander fanfic

So cute and beautiful! ^_^ I love my Heph! :-D

Great backstory to the "ring". The man who sold it was appropriately mysterious, as was the ring. I love the fact that it was found at Siwah, the place where the Oracle spoke of Alexander's divine origins. You have a wonderful writing style; please write more Alexander fiction!

I liked this story very much. It's well written and very believable.Your description of the marketplace with all its sights, smells etc. makes it easy to visualize where it takes place. The companionable banter between Ptolemy and Hephaestion rings true as well.
Personally, I thought the scene where Hephaestion gave Alexander the ring in the movie was ludicrous. Perhaps you could follow this excellent story with a sequel where he presents the ring at a more appropriate moment? Whatever your choice of subject, I'll be looking forward to your next post.
Fredericka