Hello all,

Now Golden Treasure is back after a very long delay. My apologies for being such a slow writer. :)

Also, my computer incompatibility to the FFnet made this upload even later.

Young Alexander has a very good time at the Keep of Amyntor, together with his new found friend and his family. His injured ankle heals all too soon, and he feels reluctant to returning home...

All the best wishes,

/NorthernLight

TEMPLATE:

Title: FIC: The Golden Treasure Of Friendship ( 8 / WIP )
Author: NorthernLight
Email address:
Category: Love / Friendship / Adventure story.
Alternate History.
Pairing: Alexander & Hephaestion
Date: January 2008.
Feedback: Yes, all kinds, on or off list, as you please.
Archive: Yes, if you like, but please tell me.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. For entertainment only. Not for gain - my work is for my deep interest in Alexander and Hephaestion, their time and adventures.
Rating: PG
Beta: Denise. Many thanks for interesting discussions and suggestions, and also for helping me to improve on language and formatting. You truly make my stories a far better read!

Summary : A seven year old Alexander is going through some very hard times, having to cope with his stern tutor Leonidas. He is lucky to have his animal friends to give him help and comfort. They follow him on an adventurous walk in the woods, where they meet someone very special. After an encounter with a pack of hungry wolves, they have been rescued and are now having a good time at the Keep of Amyntor.

Warnings: Childishness - but all big children like myself will be delighted.

Author's note: There are far too many unkind and bullying people in this hard world of ours. If we all dared to do like little Bumblebee, protect the innocent and react against unkindness, our world would be a better place for all.

I've never met a teacher as kind and dedicated as Master Lernias. He is a mixture of all the really good teachers I've met.

Dedication: To my dear friend Selket who gave me the idea to write this story from a lovely dream I had. Also to my dear new friend moon21 who has been encouraging me into writing Children's tales. And - of course- to all of you kind readers who like my talking and thinking animals.

Find the fic: Chapter 1 in ATG Slash Yahoo Group, # 3611, in Alexander's Army # 1875. Chapter 2 in ATG Slash Yahoo Group, # 3622, in Alexander's Army # 2394. Chapter 3 in ATG Slash Yahoo Group, # 3627 , in Alexander's Army # 2358 . Chapter 4 in ATG Slash Yahoo Group, # 3643, in Alexander's Army # 2781, Chapter 5 in ATG Slash Yahoo Group, # 3673, in Alexander's Army # 4014, Chapter 6 in ATG Slash Yahoo Group # 3703, Alexander's Army # 5074, Chapter 7 in ATG Slash Yahoo Group # 3725, Alexander's Army # 5859.

All chapters are submitted to the , in their Alexander section.

Golden Treasure Of Friendship. Part VIII

Justifiable Malingering

Alexander and his animal friends had a very good time at the Keep of Amyntor. They didn't want to leave at all! Since they knew that Alexander would have to go home to the Palace as soon as his injured ankle had healed, they all helped out to make the injury seem far worse than it actually was. The Lord Amyntor and the Lady Theano looked with great worry at the young boy, who was pitifully limping around their Keep. His small puppies moaned in sympathy, little Hypnos slithered around and gently tickled the injured foot with his cloven tongue and Ladybird and Bumblebee flew all over the place, their tiny voices tinkling like little silver bells.

/ Be careful, Alexander, be careful. You must NOT get well too soon, then we will have to return to the Palace, and there the Bad Man will harass us all once more! /

"It's strange, " the Lady Theano told her husband with great concern. " Alexander's foot doesn't look that bad when I do the dressings in the morning. The swelling and bruising is almost gone now. He ought to be running and jumping by now. Such a young boy cannot be malingering! "

"I am not so sure, my dear, " the Lord Amyntor answered. " Young Alexander is wise beyond his age. He doesn't want to leave, and I understand him. The Palace at Pella is a strange and terrible place, and Master Leonidas is more cruel that you can imagine. We will do nothing for the time being. You don't need to worry about Alexander's injury. He sure is malingering, but it is justifiable! "

"I am so glad that he came to us, and that we are able to give him some rest and peace, " the Lady adamantly stated. " It is a crying shame that the crown prince of Macedon is brought up in this outrageous manner. Our Hephaestion will never have a Spartan tutor!"

The faithful couple held their hands as they fondly watched the young boys sitting in the garden, intently listening to Master Lernias reading from their favorite stories. They wished that Alexander would enjoy their hospitality forever, but they knew that when Queen Olympias came the next time to see her young son, he would have to return to the Palace with her.

The Lady Theano shuddered at the mere thought.

Hephaestion also looked with worry and alarm at the sufferings of his new found friend. One of the servants had recently injured his foot. It had seemed to heal properly, but after some weeks it turned all blue and black, and the poor man died in the most abject pain and misery.

What if this dreadful thing would happen to Alexander, too? Hephaestion felt cold, rippling chills down his spine. He wanted only the best for Alexander, and he hoped that they soon would be running and playing more actively together. It was so sad to see Alexander in pain, limping and groaning as he hobbled around the Keep with his animal friends groaning in sympathy.

Outdoor Lessons

Master Lernias did his very best to make his lessons interesting and edifying. His young pupils were both bright and engaged. All the same they often fell asleep together on the couch, especially when the kind old tutor was reading aloud to them. Since it was still summer and warm and comfortable, he moved all his lessons outdoors, to the garden. When they all sat on soft cushions on the stone benches, amongst the sweet and fragrant flowers and the verdant foliage, all their tutoring went more smoothly, and they had no difficulties in staying awake any more.

There were two favorite stories that especially caught the interest of their young minds. They were the Iliad and Xenophon's Anabasis. They listened with deep reverence and interest while Master Lernias read to them. Afterwards, they asked him a multitude of questions, too many for him to answer.

"Oh my, oh my, I cannot tell you all these things that you are so curious about. You must go all the way to Persia and see for yourselves one day!," he adamantly told them one sunny afternoon when they had been even more persistent than usual.

"Yes, kind Master, " Alexander politely answered. "We will sure do that, and when we come back we can tell YOU how it is over there. "

The kind old tutor gave the young boy a curious look. There was this very strange and intense sheen in his beautiful gray eyes, this fervent purpose, this deep longing. Master Lernias knew that this was no boyish whim at all.

/ Let the Persians beware of young Alexander, " he silently thought for himself. "There will be a time when they will learn more about HIM than they might want. " /

The Wrestling Game

Time went on, and Master Lernias found that young Hephaestion had had a far too long break in his weaponry practice. One day they went to the courtyard. The Keep's guard captain, the faithful Hecataeus, came to instruct him in the handling and throwing of spears, archery and wrestling. There was a wooden target board, and Hephaestion threw his small javelin again and again towards it, hitting the mark all the time. Alexander sat on a stone bench in the shade of two enormous turquoise green junipers. He watched with great interest, being more and more alerted. Then he came rushing to his friend, barely limping at all.

"You are very good, indeed, Hephaestion, but you can make your throws even more forceful if you use the Spartan way, like this!, " he adamantly told his new found friend.

Then he grasped the javelin, took aim and with some forceful leaps he threw it at the target. It struck right in the middle, with a powerful thud that made the target board reverberate and shudder for a long time. Hephaestion, Hecataeus and Master Lernias watched with great astonishment. They were silent for a long time. Then the kind old tutor gave Alexander a curious look.

"My young friend, it seems that your foot is getting well, at long last. You may partake in the archery and wrestling lessons, too. "

Hephaestion was not so calm and forgiving. He pointed at Alexander, his hand trembling as his young and alert mind filled with a sudden rage.

"You! YOU!! You have been malingering all the time. That foot of yours is not that bad at all. I was worried sick for your sake, seeing you in all that pain and misery. Master Lernias is right. Now I will give you the wrestling lesson of your life!"

There were hidden tears in his eyes as he threw himself over Alexander, grasping his midriff with his small but strong hands. The young boy was hurled to the ground, biting the dust on the courtyard. He soon found his footing and grasped his furious opponent, throwing him into the junipers in the corner. Hephaestion felt a multitude of sharp needles stinging him, but he didn't let it hamper him. He instantly retorted, catching Alexander as he used his strong legs as pincers, holding him in an inescapable grip.

Alexander had seen very much of Olympias' snakes and their behaviour, so he managed to slither away from Hephaestion's strong pincer grip, leaving his new friend rather perturbed. Hephaestion was big and strong for his age, and none of the servants' children had ever managed to eacape this parade trick of his. No, since he started learning the art of wrestling, no one had ever managed to defeat him. Now Alexander threw him into the junipers once more. The needles stung even worse this time.

Hephaestion knew that he had found a worthy opponent,at long last.

Their wrestling game went on as if forever. Hephaestion was stronger, with a more developed technique, and he had the advantage of proper nutrition. Alexander was more persistent, defeat simply didn't exist in his bright and focused mind, and his Spartan upbringing had taught him to never give in to pain and hardship.

Master Lernias and Hecataeus watched with worried curiosity. They knew that they ought to take the young boys apart, but at the same time they felt as if they witnessed something of the utmost importance. They let the boys tumble and go at each other, all until they lay in a heap, panting from utter exhaustion. Master Lernias came and put his hands on their aching shoulders.

"My young friends, let us call it a draw. You two are equally excellent wrestlers. Alexander, your Spartan upbringing has taught you something good, I see. Hephaestion is very strong and skilled for his young age. I never thought that you would prevail against him at all..."

"No, me neither, " Alexander answered. " He is much stronger and more skilled than the boys in the Palace School. " He turned to Hephaestion. "I am sorry if I upset you so badly. I like it so much here. When my ankle is well again I will have to go home again. I want to stay here with you forever !! "

He gave Hephaestion a fond hug. It was instantly returned, and Alexander saw tears in his friend's beautiful blue eyes.

"I am so glad that you are well again, Alexander. I thought that your foot would NEVER heal again, that you perhaps suffered from some dangerous disease. " Then he gave Alexander a stern look. "Why didn't you confide in me? I could have helped you. I want you to stay here forever, too !! "

Master Lernias and Hecataeus watched the tender reconciliation, looking at each other. This was no ordinary friendship between two young boys spending time together.

No, this was the beginning of a life long bond of the most amazing Friendship.

The Lord Amyntor witnessed the fierce wrestling game from a vaulted window on the second floor. He was alarmed when he saw his young son manhandling the Crown Prince on his own courtyard. And Alexander was still suffering from his sprained ankle. What if he became permanently crippled from his injury?

The Lord Amyntor ran down the stairs and towards the young boys. He grasped Hephaestion in the arm and lifted him forcefully from the ground.

"Hephaestion! You may not treat Alexander like this! He is no ordinary boy !!"

"I know that already, Father. He is my very dearest friend."

Alexander listened with a smile. At long last he had found someone who cared for him not because of his rank and high station.

No, Hephaestion cared for him and wanted to be his friend for HIS sake alone. Alexander felt himself overwhelmed by warmth and tenderness as he gave Hephaestion another fond hug.

"You must not scold him, Lord Amyntor. He is the best wrestling opponent that I have ever met, and my very best friend, too.

The Lord Amyntor looked at his son and the Crown Prince, seeing them with a new understanding.

"Yes, Alexander, I have seen this, and I will not punish him. Now you must go and wash and dress in clean chitons. Supper will be waiting in the garden. "

Nighttime Conversation

Hephaestion woke up in the middle of the night, feeling cold and lonely.

Alexander was not there, at his side !

They had been sleeping together ever since Alexander arrived at the Keep, since the young golden haired boy occasionally was tormented by the most hideous nightmares. Hephaestion was frightened by them, too, but he wanted to be of help and comfort, and he was usually successful. His friendly embrace and kind and reassuring words worked like a charm, and always put Alexander back to a calm and deep sleep. Hephaestion often stayed awake, though, contemplating the strange upbringing of his new, and very dear friend. On these occasions he looked at the golden haired boy, in the soft light from the night lamp, or from the silvery moon outside the window.

/ You are so brave and strong. I wonder, what is so terrible, that it haunts you each and every night? It must be more than Master Leonidas and his Spartan misdemeanours. " /

Hephaestion desperately felt around him. The bed was empty, except for Achilles and Antigona, who purred friendly in their sleep, as he stroked them. Now he sat up, looking all around.

Alexander was sitting at the window, with his puppies Sirius and Procyon at his side on the stony windowsill. He gently patted their tiny furry head as they moaned and howled most pitifully in hushed voices. Ladybird and Bumblebee were awake, too.

"Alexander. We don't want to go away from this fine and friendly place!, " they beckoned imploringly with their small voices tinkling like little silver bells. " The Bad Man will beat us and stave us again as soon as we return. "

"Yes, I know, my small friends. But my foot has healed completely now, and we cannot stay here any longer. Mother and little Cleopatra needs us. They miss us dearly, they told us so at their latest visit here. "

Little Hypnos slithered anxiously around his arm.

"Alexander. We cannot return to the Palace. Glaucosss cannot hold Massster Leonidasss prisssoner forever - and when he is at large again he will be even worssse, " the little house snake hissed in fearful misery.

"He IS already worse, my little one. I have suffered his Spartan ways for a year now. There can be no worse adversities and miseries than those that he has already inflicted upon us. "

Alexander tried to comfort his small animal friends, but it was very difficult. His voice was faltering, and soon he embraced the puppies and rested his head on the cold stone of the windowsill.

"What shall I do? Whatever shall I do? I need this Spartan upbringing, they all tell me this. I will never become a mighty warrior without it. It is just so hard to endure, especially now when I know that there is a better way of tutoring. Hephaestion has never been beaten at all, and he is the strongest and bravest boy that I have ever known. I want to stay here forever , but I cannot! "

He remained slumped at the windowsill, crying bitter and forlorn tears as he shivered from cold ans misery. Hephaestion didn't know what to make of it all. He didn't want to embarrass his friend. Alexander was so very strong and brave with his hard Spartan upbringing. It was not seemly for him to be seen crying in abjected misery.

When Alexander had calmed down, Hephaestion slowly rose from his bed, bringing his soft, warming blue blanket. Achilles and Antigona woke up, and accompanied him. He came up to his friend and put his arm around his trembling shoulders. At the same time he wrapped them all into the warming blanket. Alexander settled and leaned towards him, feeling calm and secure.

"Ah, that feels good. So cold, so very cold..."

"Alexander. Why are you not in bed, sleeping? Nights are cold up here on the Hill, even in summer. "

" I am worried about going back home to the Pella Palace, even if I know that I must! My Mother and little Sister miss me, and I miss them - but I like it much better here with you and your family! "

He embraced Hephaestion, tears still on his cheeks. His embrace was returned.

"Now you are confiding in me, "Hephaestion answered reassuringly. "I will always be there for you, and - we need not be separated for very long. Father often goes to Pella for all kinds of business, even with the King. He has promised to bring me whenever he goes there. "

Alexander gave his friend a warming smile.

"That sure gives me something to look forward to. The Palace is the biggest house in Pella. You cannot miss it. "

They sat in silence for a very long time in the stone vaulted window. The red warlike planet of Ares, the silvery sickle moon and the bright and friendly star of Aphrodite shone on the velvet dark blue sky outside, giving their Blessing to the burgeoning Friendship of the young boys.

At long last they went back to bed and fell asleep, huddled together in a warm and friendly embrace. Their dreams were filled with beautiful images of a bright and glorious future together.

TBC