Title: “Missing”

Author: Baliansword

Rating: T for Teen

Chapter: 5 “Epilogue: The Story”

Pairings: Alexander/Hephaestion, Dorganus/Hephaestion

Summary: In the midst of a grand campaign Hephaestion becomes ill, and is then taken prisoner by a band of Indian rebels just after recovering. The experience will change him, Alexander, and many others.

Warnings: Violence, sexual content, strong language, the usual.

A/N: My epilogue will perhaps begin my next story. As you will see Alexander’s son with Barsine, Hercules Alexandros, is present. The dates, and hence his age, may be a bit off. In fact, a lot of it may be a bit off, but I don’t care. So please, remember this is creative work, so don’t flame me!

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…Greece, 318 BC…

“And the rest of the story,” the narrator finally said from his position on the balcony, “has been lost for the most part. We of course know what happened, but each detail is gone, except from memory. I was there, just like many of the Companions. Alexander finished his settlement in the Hindu Kush, and all the while he fretted over Hephaestion. Some say that the gods do not play into the lives of mortals, and I will tell them on pain of death that they are wrong, for they were not there to witness Hephaestion’s recovery. Scars that should have formed on his body never did, and he grew to be stronger from his experience. Within a month no one would have been able to tell that anything had happened to him. He was beautiful, as always.

“After a month Hephaestion was well again and he and Alexander, as always, found themselves in each others arms. Roxanne complained more and more about how her husband was negligent to their bed, and it should not have surprised her when no one cared. Soon enough, after Alexander and Hephaestion has worn their beds out, we began to march further into the Hindu Kush. It was then that we met the Indians, and their giant elephant beasts, and that is what they speak of to young boys now. When they tell stories of India it is this battle they refer to, and how can I blame them. It was a mighty battle.

“Alexander fell in this battle, but sometimes I think that this is forgotten. When no other would ride forth he did, pushing Bucephalus until the horse could go no faster. He met the attack, Hephaestion trailing behind him, and some of us would have thought he won. Yes, a spear struck him down, and two more pierced through Bucephalus. Hephaestion was struck as well, and some of us believed he’d never walk again. Others believed Alexander would never rise again either, but he was carried back to camp upon the shield of Achilles. Miracles happen my boy, for he was up within a week, and damn Hephaestion was up just a few days later.

“It was then that we marched across the deserts, as Arabs did, back to Ecbatana. We lost many, and never once did I expect to make it back to Ecbatana. I said my prayers to Zeus, and Hades, and I then rode on until my horse gave out beneath me. Then I walked, alongside Hephaestion and Alexander, who smiled all the while as if they had won some prize. At Ecbatana we were welcomed as heroes, for we were heroes I suppose. But it all ended in Ecbatana.

“Believe what you will about Hephaestion’s death. Some believe that Roxanne had him poisoned, which is reasonable if you knew her well. She was cunning, and jealous, and she was the only one that would have dared. That is what Alexander told her, that she was the only one that would have dared. However, others believe that Hephaestion was merely sick, that malaria had struck him. Apparently, either way, miracles and physicians can only last for so long. In the end Hephaestion died, but Alexander was with him when he went, so it could not have been all that painful. The empire died that day, for with Hephaestion’s soul went Alexander’s soul, and my own soul went with him as well. You came to Ecbatana, though you might not recall the journey.

“When first Hephaestion became ill he asked to see you, a young boy of seven years old. Upon the moment that he saw you Alexander said he found his peace. I can see why, and did then. You were rushed away shortly after, for many reasons. A year later Alexander died, and again, you can believe what you choose to believe in. Either he died of a broken heart, or malaria, or he poisoned himself to join Hephaestion. Personally I believe that he drank the poison, but that is just one opinion among many.

“The empire fell moments after he died. It was, of course, left to Hephaestion. Since his will was unchanged we all knew not what to do. So we cut everything we’d striven to unify into four pieces and washed our hands of equality and Alexander’s vision. But in those days I could only think of one thing, and that was of the two children that had the right to the empire. Roxanne and her infant were the first, and then there was you. I found your mother, and you, and took you before any other could. Hence, you are here now, breathing.”

“It still does not answer my question,” the young man in the chair said. Cassander turned to Hercules Alexandros and smirked. He was a bright child, barely fourteen, but already as wise as many of the men in Greece. His hair was fair, a dirty blonde color, and was straight as it fell down to his shoulders. Cerulean eyes were rimmed by dark lashes, cunning features really, and his jaw reminded Cassander of Hephaestion. He was defined, yes, but still held a beauty around him, like an aura, that made some question if he was built for war.

“Which was my father,” Hercules asked, taking a sip of his water while he did so. The arrogance came from Alexander, and Cassander had never questioned this.

“You can choose between five options, for they are all that you have. You are very much like Alexander, and no one would question you if you were to say that you are Alexander IV out of Barsine. However, for even claiming this you would be killed. If it were believed to be true, you would be killed faster than you can blink. Secondly you could claim to be Hephaestion’s child, and again, no one would question you. It is possible that he fathered you out of Barsine, even though his heart would not have been in the process. Yet, again, you would have the right to have the throne, because Alexander’s will was still known by all. If Hephaestion is not here, the empire could go to you. Your death once more would be immediate. Or, if you would like, you could be my bastard child out of Barsine. I have many bastards wandering the world, I’m sure. Why should you not be mine? However, you’d be of no use to me, so I would have to give you some coin then set you free. Also, you could just be your mother’s bastard, which is no good to anyone. Even she is dead, so again, there is no help there. But lastly, you can believe the myth that all others would be convinced to believe.”

“What myth is this?”

“You are the child of both Alexander and Hephaestion. Half of you reminds me of Alexander, and the other half resembles Hephaestion. So, perhaps both of these great men can be your father.”

“It is impossible.”

“Everything that Alexander did was considered to be impossible by some,” Cassander corrected. He then sat and lifted his cup of wine. He took a sip and then looked over the boy once more. “Yes, you are their son. However, you cannot say that just yet. You’re too young, and too easy to kill. Believe me, I know these things.”

“So it is true.”

“What is true?”

“You were the one that had Roxanne and the infant murdered,” Hercules said with a smirk. Cassander found himself wondering if he had picked up this trait, or if he’d already known it. Either way, it was almost disturbing. “There was talk, and this talk I believed.”

“Then be thankful that you’re not in the same predicament.”

“Why,” he then asked. “Why, if I could one day claim the right to the empire, would you keep me alive? Already you’ve taken care of most of Alexander’s family line. Only Olympias remains, which I also cannot understand, and myself. Why am I alive?”

“You know why,” Cassander answered. “For years I’ve envied Alexander and Hephaestion, and in a way, I have loved Hephaestion. You are the only remaining image of either of them. You are unmarred, and when I look at you I see both men. However, when you speak, there is only Hephaestion in your logic, reason, and demeanor. Hercules Alexandros, you someday may be even better than your father. The gods gifted Patroclaus to Achilles. They later gifted Hephaestion to Alexander. The newest gift they’ve given the world is you, the four greatest men to have ever lived put in one body.”

“For one that does not believe much in gods, you surely credit them.”

“Cassander,” came a voice. Cassander motioned for the page to come in. Behind him he brought Ptolemy. Cassander nodded, a sign that Hercules should excuse himself. The boy did, but not before Ptolemy saw him. When the door shut Ptolemy was the first to speak.

“He looks nothing like your wife,” he stated. “However, I must admit, I do not see much of him in you either.”

“I am starting to question my wife,” Cassander joked. “My daughter takes on the looks of her mother though, and a bit of myself if you’ve seen her angry, so it must be so. If you look at the boy standing next to my mother by marriage, then you’ll see the resemblance.”

“Roxanne is dead.”

“And the child?”

“Dead as well.”

“Pity,” Cassander stated nonchalantly. “I do notice that you have come to me first though. Once again, you have no trust in me.”

“Because you are the only one that would dare,” Ptolemy answered. “I was just coming to warn you, there will be a Council. Already others are talking, and they want to place you responsible.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“Oh,” Ptolemy said as he headed to the door. “Did I mention that Barsine was murdered as well?”

“No, but I had already heard that. Are you going to blame her death on me as well? What about the rest of the world, anyone that dies today can be on my shoulders. Is that how this Council is expected to work?”

“No, no,” Ptolemy teased. “I was just going to mention that her child was not found. This means that an heir to the empire still remains.”

“Perfect, go find him.”

“Cassander, you are not the only one threatened. I fear that Nearchus may kill the child. Already he is searching for him. He threatens us all, in a way.”

“Well, then good luck finding him,” Cassander said as he pulled the door open for Ptolemy. “I have many things to do today Ptolemy. I will speak with you again at the Council.”

“The boy,” Ptolemy whispered, “should not leave your sight.”

“My son,” Cassander laughed, “will not.”

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A/N: So that is the end of this tale. Cassander, cunningly, now has the heir of the empire in his custody. The only question is…should I write the story of how Cassander trains and readies him to take it back??? Let me know when you review!