Golden Treasure, Fourth Entry
Hello all,
This is my Golden Treasure, Novel length version, kept here at my LJ account as a safety copy.
Royal Castle At Pella, 349 BC
Dungeon Of Despair
Master Leonidas sat lingering in the deepest dungeon of the Royal Castle. It was so small he felt its thick stone walls were almost suffocating him. They were covered with moss and mould, reeking of an old, musky smell. Rivulets of fluorescent greenish water slowly dripped down the rugged boulders. Some of them flowed down his back, giving him severe chills. He was chained, hands and feet, to a cold stone bench, and there were no comforts at all. An oil lamp in copper lit up the dreary dungeon, it’s flickering orange golden flame waving to and fro from the cold draughts passing through.
Glaucos was coiling in his wicker basket, rearing his head up towards Master Leonidas. His cloven tongue was flickering as he hissed at the tutor:
”Masssster Leonidas, how do you like thesssse Spartan quarters? They are better than you desssserve, if I might have some ssssay to it!”
Glaucos slithered closer, coiling around Master Leonidas’ feet and legs. The frightened tutor tried to shoo him away, but his shackles kept him closely chained to the wall. He was unable to avoid the giant snake’s cold,unmerciful embrace.
”In the morning I’ll have my bowl of milk, as usual - but you will have to do without. The Queen told the guards you won’t even get the thin gruel you serve young Alexander. ”
Master Leonidas realized that he was both hungry and thirsty, and his stomach audibly growled, filling the dungeon with an uncanny noise.
”How do you think it would feel, being a young, growing boy, being subjected to stern exercises and lessons with just cold water and meager gruel to sustain yourself? And what of all your beatings with that pointer of yours? ”
Master Leonidas started sobbing:
”If only young Alexander were alive again, I would never ever beat or starve him again!
He slumped forward, hiding his graying head into his hands, shaking from silent, remorseful sobs. The Queen’s favorite snake continued slithering around his legs, tickling him with his cold, cloven tongue. Master Leonidas thought he would never find any sleep and comfort in this dreadful dungeon, but he managed to doze off despite Glaucos’ spiteful ministrations.
// He was stumbling around on a battle field, after a recently finished and most bloody and cruel encounter of war. The ground was filled with the corpses of the slain and drenched in blood, entrails and foul smelling substances. He slipped all the time, and at long last he fell amongst the dead and dying. He was both hungry and thirsty. His stomach growled and his mouth was parched with thirst.
The ground was shaking from heavy, marching steps. He looked upon a pair of iron studded army boots, continuing into brightly shining greaves and flashing golden armour. A purple cloak was blowing in the wind, around a giant, golden haired warrior wearing a helmet with two white ostrich plumes. He was holding a long spear in his hand. Blood dripped from its sharp, leaf shaped point as the warrior pointed it towards him. A voice filled with anger and authority boomed at him:
”You damned Spartan! Now you will get your just punishment for starving and manhandling innocent children!”
The spear point came hissing towards him, intended to plunge right into his chest..........//
He awoke screaming, his throat all raw. His stomach was still growling from hunger and he was suffering from an all consuming thirst. Glaucos lay sleeping in his wicker basket, his cloven tongue flickering in soft, hissing snores. An empty bowl rested on the floor beside him. Master Leonidas saw some remaining drops of milk in it. He carefully reached out and slowly dragged it towards himself.
HZZZZZZZZ!!!
Glaucos sank his giant fangs into the stern tutor’s hand, without releasing any poison.
”NO! You’ll have nothing at all to eat or drink! My dear Misssstressss wants you to truly feel the agonies of thirst and starvation!”
Master Leonidas screamed his throat all raw once more.
A Queen’s Lament
Queen Olympias sat in her chambers, wringing her hands, crying silent tears of sorrow and bereavement. Hyrmina from Epirus was keeping her company, and also Hellanike, the Prince’s former nurse, was trying to give some futile comfort. Both women were weeping uncontrollably, and the flickering oil lamp basked them in orange and yellow light, reaching into the shadows of the Queen’s opulent chambers. They were filled with finely adorned furniture and the very finest fabrics, but no riches in all the wide world could make up for her tremendous loss and grief.
Pandora sat howling at her feet.
//” My Lady, let me devour the Evil Man! It’s his fault your son and my puppies are gone forever!” //
Queen Olympias gently patted the she dog’s furry head.
”I’ll think about it, my dear friend. Perhaps I’ll let you have him when Glaucos have scared him out of his wits! It might be too good a fate for the likes of him, though.......”
The gray shades of dawn crept through the windows, changing into a rose colored morning glory. No rising sun could restore the joy to the mourning ladies and their faithful she dog.
Then there was someone urgently banging at the door.
”My Queen. There is a messenger from the Lord Amyntor at the hall. You must see him immediately. He has urgent news about Prince Alexander. ”
The Keep Of Amyntor, 349 BC
Safe Return To The Keep
The Lady Theano sat close by the nursery windowsill watching the mountain slope. There was not much to see in the dark and her eyes were getting sore from crying. She wrung her hands in despair, her tears dripping down on little Baby Helen who was crying inconsolably in her lap.
Some strange lights were flickering deep into the forest. They were getting closer. It must be the rescue party returning to the Keep! Soon the torches were flowing like a stream of fire up the hill and the men and horses became visible in their warm, orange glow. The Lady Theano wrapped herself tightly in a warming, blue woolen mantle before she embraced Baby Helen and took her in a close and secure grip. Then she ran down the spiral stone stairs and into the courtyard.
The guards opened the gateway and let the party inside. The Lord Amyntor rode in the front, and her heart made a great leap from sheer joy when she saw little Hephaestion safe and secure in his arms. When she had wiped out her tears with a fold of her woolen cloak she saw there was another little boy sitting in front of her husband. He was the most beautiful child she had ever seen, golden haired, fair skinned and holding on to her own son with a warm and protecting embrace. She immediately knew the identity of her unexpected guest and thought in her own mind:
//”How come the Crown Prince is out in the dark in the deep forest, with MY son?”//
The Lord Amyntor jumped down from Thundercloud. The fierce war stallion was calm and stood utterly still when he lowered his precious burdens from his back. Hephaestion immediately leaped to his mother and embraced her. He then took Baby Helen in his arms, gently lulling her.
”Oh, dear me! Why is she crying so hard? She never does that when I am at home!”
His loving Mother told him, as she gave him a warm and loving hug:
”She was missing you so very badly, as we all did. Wherever have you been? You don’t know how worried we have been!!!”
The tiny baby looked up into the wonderful blue eyes of her big brother and gave up a gurgling sound of pleasure before she stopped her desperate wailing. Alexander came limping to them. He looked down on the beautiful girl child and gently stroke her peach soft cheek. At the same time he tersely stated:
”You have a sweet little sister, Phai - but just wait til’ she grows up! Mine was small and sweet, just like that, but now that she’s five she is teasing me all the time!”
”Oh no, little Helen will never ever tease me! She is the sweetest little one you’ve ever seen!”
Now Alexander collapsed in a heap on the courtyard, gasping out from pain and clutching at his right foot. The Lady Theano fell to her knees and embraced him:
”Oh, my little dear one, what’s the matter with you?”
Hephaestion followed his mother down on the cobbled stones and tried to give comfort to his new found friend simultaneously as he was lulling his little sister.
”Alexander fell in the forest, hurting his foot something awful. My kittens told me and we rescued him. Please, Mother, let him stay here with us! ”
”Yes, of course. You both need a nice hot bath and some warm supper - and then you must go to bed immediately. ”
The Lord Amyntor carried Alexander inside the Keep. Hephaestion went at a brisk pace at his father’s side, carrying his little sister in his arms. Rascal and Rosie were sitting at his shoulders, merrily tittering about their adventures. The kittens and puppies ran merrily yelping and meowing beside and Ladybird and Bumblebee flew over the party, happily buzzing to each other:
”Well, we made it to the Keep at long last! ”
The Lady gave several orders to her handmaidens. When they reached Hephaestion’s room two tubs with steaming, rosemary scented water were waiting for them, together with warm, woolen chitons that had been laid out on the bed. Another bed had been brought into the room and was standing close by Hephaestion’s own. He handed little Baby Helen over to her nurse before he got out of his clothes and climbed into the warm water.
”Now you must take real good care of her so she doesn’t start crying again! She never cries that much when I am at home!”
The Lady Theano undressed Alexander herself, seeing to his injured wrist. She looked with great astonishment to the carefully adjusted splints.
”Oh dear, this must have hurt you a lot - but how did you manage to get it so well taken care of out there in the forest? ”
Alexander pointed at Hephaestion and kindly stated:
”He helped me with it. He says he has practiced on his kittens - and he managed to fix me up, too! You know, he is almost as good as our doctor at home!”
The Lady Theano gave her young son a warming smile, as she continued undressing Alexander. Suddenly she gave up a horrified scream:
”IIIIIIIIIIIHHH! A nasty SNAKE! What is he doing on your arm?”
Little Hypnos had been coiling merrily around his young Master’s arm, knowing they were in safety. Now he was being badly upset by the Lady’s outburst and he fell to the floor and slithered into hiding under one of the beds. Alexander tried to calm the Lady.
”Don’t be afraid, my Lady. It’s just little Hypnos, my tame house snake. He is quite harmless. You must not scare him so. ”
He called out:
”Hypnos! You can come out from there! We are in no danger in this friendly house!”
The little house snake sullenly answered:
”No. I’ll stay just where I am! My earsss are still sssore from all that ssscreaming! No one behavesss like that at home!”
The small boys were put into the tubs and were being gently washed and scrubbed by the Lady Theano and her handmaidens. It was well needed since they were covered from top to toe in mud, grass, sprigs and leaves. The Lady Theano saw to Alexander herself. She was most upset by how very thin he was. The young Prince’s ribcage was clearly visible and all his bones was knobbly, sticking out through his bright skin. His fingers were all swollen and bruised and when she rubbed his backside with fine lavender soap she saw several welts and bruises, some still raw. She asked with deep concern:
”Oh, my little dear one, what have they done to you? ”
”Spartan upbringing! My tutor beats me with the pointer all the time. Sometimes he even uses a cudgel! He thinks I will learn faster and better that way!”
The Lady Theano shuddered and said with determination:
”Oh, dear me! I think I would like to have a word with your parents about your tutor and his methods!”
She gently rubbed all the welts and bruises with a paste of rosemary and camphor. Alexander winced but soon he felt the constant, dull and throbbing pain in his backside go away with her careful ministrations. The small boys relaxed in the warm, sweet smelling water and had almost fallen asleep when they were lifted up and rubbed with soft towels. The Lady Theano took care of Alexander’s injured wrist, anointing it with comfrey and camphor before she adopted the splints once more. Then the boys had the warm woolen chitons put on and were seated together at Hephaestion’s bed, wrapped into a warming blanket made from red wool.
The handmaidens came with a tray laden with mulled, well watered red wine, a bowl with hot posset, soft bread with a jar of honey and some sweet smelling honey cakes. The boys had a roaring appetite after their adventures in the wood and they ate it all. Their puppies, kittens and squirrels were looking and making hungry sounds on the floor, before the handmaidens came and brought some meat stew in separate bowls. Rascal and Rosie got a bowl filled with nuts and figs. The kittens got their own milk bowl and when Alexander saw them lap it up he told the handmaidens:
”You must give little Hypnos some, too! He is used to have his own bowl. ”
The house snake got his bowl of milk and when he saw it he slithered forward from his hiding place under the bed and started drinking immediately. Alexander put some honey cake crumbs in a heap on the bedside table and Ladybird and Bumblebee came merrily buzzing, eating it all up.
The Lady Theano asked with great interest:
”How sweet they are. But, how come they are so much bigger than ordinary ladybugs and bumblebees?”
”They have eaten too many honey cake crumbs! But - they are fine and brave Companions, indeed. ”
The little ones buzzed merrily before going to sleep on the bedside table. Alexander and Hephaestion now were very sleepy and their eyelids were drooping heavily. They were put to bed and the Lady Theano gently tucked them in, wrapping them in soft and warm furs and blankets. The kittens slept in Hephaestion’s arms as usual and the squirrels went to sleep in their wicker basket. Sirius and Procyon curled up beside Alexander, warming him under the soft quilt. All the animals were snoring softly, all but little Hypnos who was merrily coiling around Alexander’s upper arm. The Lady Theano asked with mild disgust:
”My little dear one, must you really have that one with you in bed?”
”Yes, of course I must. He has always been sleeping with me. Mother gave him to me when I was just an infant!”
”Your Mother is a strange one, indeed. ”
The small boys were almost asleep, but they were still talking and Hephaestion adamantly asked:
”Please, Father, tell us a bedtime story! What about Achilles and Patroklos!”
Alexander agreed:
”Yes. They are my favorites, too!”
The house snake hissed, together with Ladybug and Bumblebee who were buzzing in their sleep:
”We mussst have a bedtime story. We cannot go to sssleep without it!”
The puppies and kittens agreed and yelped and meowed in unison.
The Lord Amyntor gave a great sigh:
”Oh, my. Now I have got myself a very large audience, indeed. ”
He sat down in a chair between the two beds and started to tell the old and well known tale from the Iliad, all until the small boys went to sleep, softly snoring. He carefully rose and put his arm around his wife in a loving embrace. Together they looked at the boys, their own Hephaestion with his fiery auburn hair, sleeping in calm stillness - and the golden haired Alexander, always restless and fidgeting even in the deepest sleep. The Lady Theano said with great love and concern:
”How beautiful they are. I think they will be friends forever - and I wish we could adopt little Alexander! You told me about him going through rough times at the Palace with that stern tutor of his - but I didn’t realize it was all that bad!”
”Yes, from what you tell me it must be even worse than I realized, my dear one. I will have a talk to the Queen when she comes for Alexander - and another talk to King Philip when he comes back from the wars. It simply isn’t right treating a small boy that way, Spartan upbringing or not!”
A Guest From The Castle
Now they heard shouting from the gateway. The servants sounded frightened and as if in deep trouble.
”My Lord Amyntor! There are some visitors from the Castle. The Queen herself......”
The gateway opened with a moaning and creaking sound. Then they heard the clattering of hooves and the shouting of worried voices. The Lord and Lady hurried downstairs and out into the courtyard. Dawn had come during their ministrations to the boys and animals. The glorious morning sun was sending its golden rays through the rose colored outstretched fingers of some light clouds. It formed a halo around the Lady with her glossy red hair and deep blue cloak who came riding through the gateway on a fine dappled mare. She brought a party of eight stern Guards in the bright red mantles of the Royal Guard. An enormous sand colored she dog ran at the side of the mare.
It was Queen Olympias! She sat off her mare, giving her a gentle stroke on her withers.
// ” My brave Diamond, thanks for carrying me so fast to this friendly Keep. ” //
// ” No trouble, my Lady. Now we must hope it really is the Truth that our dear Alexander is safe!” //
Pandora jumped up to the Queen’s ear, softly barking:
// ” Good news, my dear Mistress. I can smell Alexander and my dear puppies inside. They are alive and well!” //
Queen Olympias gently patted the faithful dog on her great furry head before striding towards The Lord and Lady of the Keep. They bowed their heads in reverence.
”My Queen, we have good news. Your little Alexander is safe inside our Keep!”
”Yes. Your man Hecaetus told me so - but why is he here? And - how did he come to your Keep?”
”It is a long and strange story, my Queen. Please come inside and see for yourself that your son is well. Then we might have some refreshments and talk things over. ”
They entered the Keep and were quickly brought to Hephaestion’s room. Queen Olympias could scarcely believe her eyes when she saw little Alexander sleeping in a soft bed, wrapped into a warming quilt and a red woolen blanket. His dear puppies were sleeping together with him and they all seemed to be in good health. Then she saw another bed standing close by. There slept another little boy with glossy auburn hair and strong but fine features. Two small kittens were resting in his arms, softly purring in their sleep. The Queen knew that the Lord Amyntor had a little son the same age as Alexander - but she didn’t know he was such a dear little one.
Little Hypnos came coiling merrily towards her:
//” Dear Missstresss, your son is sssafe. Thisss isss a fine place for us to be in!” //
She hurried to sit down at the bedside and embraced her sleeping son. Olympias was a determined woman. She never gave in to weakness - but in this moment she stared to cry and drenched his soft golden hair in a shower of hot tears of joy and relief. Alexander woke up immediately and put his arms around her neck.
”Mother! I knew you would come for me! Don’t cry anymore. I’m safe here with Phai!”
”Yes, I can see that. Oh, Alexander. I’m so glad you are safe and alive! You must promise never to walk away from me on your own again! ”
”Yes, Mother. I’ll wait until I’m big enough to hunt down the big, bad wolves all by myself!”
She gently hugged him for a very long time, and then started to wrap him into the warm red blanket. At the same time Pandora had a happy reunion with her dear little puppies. Sirius and Procyon were merrily yelping and telling her of all their brave adventures. She heard with great astonishment how they had saved Prince Alexander and his new found friend from a whole pack of ravenous wolves, all by themselves!
Queen Olympias told them all:
”Now, my little dear ones, you must follow me back to the Castle. ”
Alexander tried to escape her determined embrace and wriggle back to his warm and soft bed. Now Hephaestion woke up and saw his Beautiful Golden One being carried away by the most impressive woman he had ever seen. Her hair was a glorious flaming red, her robes and mantles a shining midnight blue -- and her eyes had the same beautiful gray radiance as those of his new found friend. He instantly knew who she was - and his instincts told him he had to be very careful about her. Alexander’s Mother was no ordinary woman! He jumped out of bed and told her with bold determination:
”No, my dear and kind Lady. You must not take him away from me, not yet! His foot has been badly injured and he must not be moved from here for a very long time!”
The Lady Theano interfered:
”Yes. My son is right. Little Alexander was in a bad way when they arrived. Please, let him stay here for some time and enjoy the hospitality of the keep of Amyntor! We’ll return him to you when his foot has mended properly. ”
Alexander agreed:
”Yes, Mother. Please, let me stay here with Phai until my foot is better. We had such a good time together, before the wolves tried to eat us!”
Now Ladybug and Bumblebee woke up and started talking, their voices tinkling like little silver bells:
// ”Yes, Dear Mistress. Please, let us stay here in this fine place for some time. Phai has told us that he ALWAYS gets enough to eat and that his tutor NEVER beats him!” //
The Queen gently patted their tiny heads and told them:
”Yes, since you all seem to have set your minds so intently to it I’ll let you have your way, this time!”
She put little Alexander back to bed and gave Hephaestion a warming hug.
”You are such a little dear one. I’m sure my son will have a good time staying with you - and his smallest pets are right. Your tutor seems to be far kinder than Master Leonidas!”
She took both boys in her lap and sat back on the bed, wrapping them into the warming red blanket. She held them in a kind but firm embrace and told them in a voice and manner that couldn’t be called in question:
”Well, now I really want you to tell me whatever you did all day and night, being alone out in the forest!”
The small boys were eager to tell her all about their day out in the forest and their frightening adventures. They talked in unison, often interrupting each other, all until their voices became all drowsy. Queen Olympias listened with great interest, feeling amazed at their many adventures. She knew some things just were meant to be, like precious gifts from the Gods. This budding friendship was one of them, and it just had to be encouraged.
Alexander and Hephaestion fell asleep in the Queen’s lap and she gently put them to bed, seeing that the puppies and kittens were resting easy in their small but strong arms. She stayed for a long time, watching the little dear ones in their sleep. Before she went from the chamber she heard Ladybird and Bumblebee once more, the Little Ones’ sleepy voices tinkling like little silver bells:
”Good night, Dear Mistress. ”
Parental Guidance
A servant was waiting outside Hephaestion’s chamber. When he saw Queen Olympias he came up to her, bowing and scraping.
”My Queen, my Lord and Lady wants to invite you to breakfast,” he politely beckoned. ” You sure must be hungry after all this. ”
”Yes, I gladly accept your kind invitation. ”
She followed him to the great Hall in the Keep, in the company of her own guards. The Lord Amyntor and the Lady Theano was sitting in the high settle, waiting for her. The enormous table was generously decked with a delicious breakfast. Hot herbal tea simmered in a big kettle, newly baked bread fresh from the oven waited in a plaited basked, swept in a shining white napkin, and there were all sorts of jam and preserves to accompany it. An appetizing smell of fried ham and egg rolls came from a richly adorned silver tureen. There were also some pancakes with golden honey to come along.
The Lord and Lady rose and bowed in reverence to the Queen.
”My queen,” the Lord Amyntor addressed her as he pointed to a very fine chair with soft cushions, ”You must be very hungry after this anguished night. You are most welcome to share our humble breakfast. ”
”Many thanks, saviour of my dear son. This looks like a meal worthy of the Royal household. ”
She sat down and was immediately offered tea, bread and jam by a polite servant girl.
”Yes, I helped out in rescuing our dear boys,” the Lord Amyntor answered, ”but they were most resourceful on their own. It was real clever, climbing that stout old oak, saving themselves and all their animals in the process. ”
They talked about the boys’ adventures all through breakfast, going over events time and time again. When they were satisfied with all the delicious food servants came with lavender water and towels. After washing the Queen prepared to rise from her chair. The Lady Theano gently beckoned her to stay.
”My Queen, I’m worried for the Crown Prince,” she stated with deep concern in her warm hazel colored eyes. ”Little Alexander came to us all covered in welts and bruises, and he is far too small and thin for his age. He is a brave little warrior and he doesn’t complain - but he told us things about that tutor of his and the Spartan upbringing he is getting that make us ordinary subjects of the realm shudder!”
”This starving and beating must be stopped immediately!” the Lord Amyntor told the Queen with great determination. ” Prince Alexander must have proper food and tutoring! He is intelligent and curious, and I’m sure he can learn all he needs without being beaten on his knuckles, and worse, all the time!”
”Our Hephaestion never gets beaten up by his tutor,” the Lady Theano stated, ”and he is doing great progress in all subjects. ”
Queen Olympias blushed from hearing this stern rebuke, but she quickly found her composure.
”My gracious Lord and Lady, I appreciate your concern for my son’s welfare,” she answered, looking at them with new found respect, ”I’m well aware that Master Leonidas has been far too zealous with his Spartan upbringing, but I can reassure you that this outrageous behaviour will not be repeated. I’ve appointed a most able tutor, teaching Master Leonidas better manners at this very moment!”
The Lord and Lady shivered when they considered the fate of Master Leonidas.
Queen Olympias rose from the table.
”Now I must thank you for your hospitality and this delicious meal. You have mine and the King’s eternal gratitude for saving Alexander from this ordeal.” She gave them a surprisingly kind look, telling them, ”Since my son is in good hands here with you I must now return to Pella. Two of my guards will be staying and see to Alexander’s safety. ”
Queen Olympias left with her guards, riding her dappled mare straight on to the road to Pella.
Dungeons Of Despair
Master Leonidas was shivering with cold and hunger deep in the dungeons under the Royal Castle. Glaucos coiled all around him, hissing spitefully into his ear.
”Massster Leonidasss, now it’sss time for you to get a piece of your own Ssspartan upbringing. I hope it will amussse you......”
A piece of very hard and dry bread, a bowl of cold and meager porridge and a jug of water was brought by the jailer. Master Leonidas looked at it with disgust - but since he was very hungry he soon started eating all the same. The bread was so hard that he almost broke several teeth when he tried to chew it. He also found that it was so dry not even all the water in the jug sufficed to gulp it down. The porridge tasted like boiled glue. Its consistency was so awful that he choked on it. As he sat there choking and retching he saw his reptilian jailer enjoy a delicious meal consisting of milk with honey and some boiled chickens that smelled strongly from fragrant herbs. When Glaucos was satisfied he started coiling around the prisoners feet and legs.
”Does it tassste nice, Massster Leonidasss?”, asked the Queen’s favorite snake in a spiteful manner. ”Do you really think it is posssible to rear a young, growing boy on thisss kind of food?”
”No, you horrid snake, ” the stern tutor replied. ”If only young Alexander were back again he would get soft bread, warm and rich porridge and all of his favorite dishes every day!”
Master Leonidas wiped his mouth with his hand, feeling it getting stuck in the sticky porridge. Then he wiped the tears from his eyes.
”Oh, little Alexander”, his bad conscience spoke out loud, ”My very best and dearest pupil. I wish that I could have given you a kinder and better treatment while I still had the chance. ”
He hid his head in his hands, sobbing once more from bitter remorse. His moment of repentance was interrupted by a commanding hissing.
”Well, now it’sss time for your morning bath, Masster. The moat really isss looking cold and refressshing today!”
The jailers dragged Master Leonidas away to the Palace moat. He started screaming even before his feet reached the ice cold water.
Nighmares And Sweet Dreams
Alexander curled up in the warm and comfortable bed, gently cuddling his small puppies. Sirius and Procyon were snoring softly, their tummies round with all the delicate food they had been served. Little Hypnos was coiling merrily in his sleep, clinging fondly around the Prince’s arm. Ladybird and Bumblebee sat sound asleep in the middle of a plate with some remaining honeycake crumbs. At his right side he saw Hephaestion and his kittens already sleeping in their bed. The little Prince felt calm and secure in the midst of so many good friends. Soon sleep came to him, immersing him in a golden cloud of warmth and kindness.
// The wolves were howling and chasing him, hungrily nibbling at his heals.
Master Leonidas scared them away, bravely swinging his cruel cudgel. Alexander saw them running away with their tails between their legs. He gave up a great sigh of relief, but now Master Leonidas turned on him instead.
”My young ward. You have misbehaved in a most inappropriate manner. Now you must be punished!”
The cudgel was raised once more, swinging in a cruel and threatening arch right towards him. He started screaming as he raised his hand to ward it off. //
Hephaestion was sound asleep, wrapped into warm furs and blankets. He was very tired after this extraordinary day of hard work. It had been too good to be true, finding and saving his Beautiful Golden One from injury and loneliness, surviving the anguished night in the old oak - and now being rescued to the safety of his own home. His kittens were safely resting on his arm, fidgeting in their sleep, sometimes giving away little pleased meows.
At first he had had some troubled thoughts about the wolves. They followed him into his dreams, but his beautiful Golden Achilles chased them away and wrapped him in a safe embrace. He fell into a deep and dreamless sleep, feeling warm and secure.
”No! NOOOO! You must not beat me with that cudgel again!”
Hephaestion woke up to the sound of anguished screaming. He rushed out of bed, dropping little Achilles and Antigona on the soft pillows. They sat there staring and wide awake, giving away some frightened meows. The night lamp shed its golden light on a scene of fear and anguish. Alexander was sitting up in bed, his beautiful gray eyes wide from terror and his golden hair standing on all ends. He was awake, but lost in a world all of his own making, filled with unknown terrors. His puppies were sitting in his lap, miserably yelping and trying to offer some futile comfort.
Hephaestion quickly put his arms around his new found friend, embracing him and at the same time trying to shake him back to sanity.
”Alexander! Please, stop all of this! There are no cudgels here! I’ll protect you from all dangers. I’ll always be there for you!”
Alexander felt warm and reliable arms close in around him. They dragged him back to sanity once more. He found himself staring into a pair of beautiful blue eyes. Now he knew where he was and returned the embrace.
”Phai. My friend. Yes, you must stay with me, always!”
They remained like this for a long time. Alexander closed his eyes and fell asleep in Hephaestion’s arms. He had never felt so comforted and secure in his whole life, not even when he was still sleeping in his Mother’s chambers. As he sank deep into a sound and dreamless sleep, a friendly hissing voice stated the obvious.
”Phai, you are far better than me in chasssing away hisss nightmaresss!” little Hypnos kindly commented as he coiled merrily around Alexander’s upper arm.
Hephaestion gently patted his tiny head.
”No, my Little One. You sure have been good for him, too - but he needs a human friend to be here for him. ”
The puppies and kittens came back to sleep with their dear masters, cuddling into their arms with small pleasurable sounds. Hephaestion gave his Beautiful Golden One a fond look before he wrapped them both into the warming furs and blankets. Alexander looked so very strong and vulnerable at the same time. He needed someone, something. Hephaestion didn’t know what - but he intended to do his very best to find it for his new found friend. He drifted into sleep holding on to Alexander, feeling a wonderful warmth engulf them.
Surprise Awakening
Now it was evening at the Keep of Amyntor. The Lady Theano came with little Baby Helen in her arms. Her servant girls brought a delicious evening meal. It consisted of hot posset, newly baked bread, fresh fruit, raspberry juice and honey cakes. They all stood looking at the small boys for a long time. Alexander and Hephaestion slept in the same bed now, closely huddled together with their puppies and kittens. They looked so very lovely in the golden shine of the night lamp. The shiny golden hair was mingling with the glossy auburn like a shining and precious fan. Hephaestion was holding his right arm protectively around the Prince, as if he wanted to shield him from all the worlds dangers and despairs.
”Oh, how sweet they are. I wish they could be like that forever, ” the Lady Theano told her handmaidens as she gave her beautiful son and his new found friend a fond look.
Little Baby Helen gave her big brother a close watch. When she saw him holding on to a new friend she gave away a loud and jealous squealing. The boys immediately woke up and looked up at the Lady Theano and the crying baby.
”Oh, Mother. What have you done to her now ? ”, Hephaestion adamantly asked. ”Are you sure she has had enough milk to drink today?”
”Yes, of course she has, my darling boy”, the Lady Theano told him as she put the baby into his lap. ”She has been missing you all day long, and she’ll be just fine if you play with her a little before her bedtime. ”
Hephaestion immediately started to lull and coddle his little sister. Baby Helen looked up at her big brother with a sweet smile, giving another, even sweeter smile to Alexander when he gently stroke her soft auburn hair. The Lady Theano saw that the Prince’s eyes were a bit too bright and shining. She put her hand upon his brow, finding it a bit hot and dry.
”Oh, my little dear one, I think you are running a fever”, she told him with deep concern. ”I’ll get you something for it. ”
”Don’t you worry, kind Lady”, Alexander told her with reassurance. ”I’m feeling fine. I’ts just my foot aching again. ”
He looked with a frown upon the annoying right ankle. It was swollen and throbbing with pain under the splints and wrappings. He winced as he tried to move his leg. The Lady Theano immediately saw to it, administering a new healing poultice and new dressings. She then sent for a herbal remedy, hot elderberry and willow bark, sweetened with honey and a little laudanum to ease the pain. Alexander drank it with some reluctance, but Ladybird and Bumblebee crept into the bowl and licked up the last drops.
”Good medicine, good medicine”, they buzzed before falling asleep on the bedside table.
”Oh no. Whatever has gotten into them?”, Alexander wondered. ”They just woke up, together with us. ”
”Perhaps the medicine was too strong for the Little Ones, Alexander”, the Lady Theano reassuringly told him. ”They’ll wake up when we bring them some new honey cake crumbs. It’s time for your evening meal now. ”
The servant girls went away and returned with some trays loaded with all kinds of delicacies for the boys and their pets. Alexander was very pleased with all the varied and delicious food.
”How come your bread is so very soft and sweet?”, the young Prince curiously asked. ”And, where is the thick and gluey porridge? Have your cook forgotten it?”
”No, Alexander, ” the Lady Theano gently told him. ”We don’t practice Spartan cooking here in our Keep. ”
”Oh, I don’t mind that your food is not the same as at home, my Lady”, the young Prince politely told her as he grabbed an extra honey cake. ”It’s a bit too soft and sweet, but I like it all the same!”
The Lady Theano smiled with pleasure at the thin looking golden haired boy.
”I’m so glad you like our cooking, Alexander. We’ll see to it that you don’t starve while you are under our roof!”
The boys played for some time with little Baby Helen and their pets, having a good time crawling around on the soft rugs on the floor. The baby got sleepy and her mother nursed her before taking her to the crib in the nursery. Hephaestion followed, leaving Alexander alone with the small pets. He sat in the bed with the puppies and kittens curled up in his lap.
”Oh, this sure is a fine place for us, my little dear ones”, he stated as he gently patted their tiny furry heads. ”I wish I could stay here forever - but - I must return to Mother when I’m well again. ”
The puppies yelped merrily and the kittens purred with pleasure. When Hephaestion returned all the small animals had fallen asleep. He slipped inside the warm furs and blankets, holding his new found friend.
”I’ll better stay with you tonight”, he kindly told them. ”Someone has to help you calm the little ones down if they should suffer from bad dreams. ”
Alexander gave him a fond smile and welcomed him into the bed.
”Yes, Phai, but I think I’ll sleep all right this night. I’m feeling much better already. ”
When the Lord Amyntor and the Lady Theano came to see them and tell them their favourite goodnight tale they were already asleep in each other’s arms. They pulled the furs and blankets closer over the small boys, giving them a fond and curious look.
”I’m so glad Alexander has come to us here”, the Lord thankfully told his wife. ”He really needed some respite from that stern Spartan tutor of his - and our son have found a new friend thanks to it. I think they will be good for each other. ”
This is my Golden Treasure, Novel length version, kept here at my LJ account as a safety copy.
Royal Castle At Pella, 349 BC
Dungeon Of Despair
Master Leonidas sat lingering in the deepest dungeon of the Royal Castle. It was so small he felt its thick stone walls were almost suffocating him. They were covered with moss and mould, reeking of an old, musky smell. Rivulets of fluorescent greenish water slowly dripped down the rugged boulders. Some of them flowed down his back, giving him severe chills. He was chained, hands and feet, to a cold stone bench, and there were no comforts at all. An oil lamp in copper lit up the dreary dungeon, it’s flickering orange golden flame waving to and fro from the cold draughts passing through.
Glaucos was coiling in his wicker basket, rearing his head up towards Master Leonidas. His cloven tongue was flickering as he hissed at the tutor:
”Masssster Leonidas, how do you like thesssse Spartan quarters? They are better than you desssserve, if I might have some ssssay to it!”
Glaucos slithered closer, coiling around Master Leonidas’ feet and legs. The frightened tutor tried to shoo him away, but his shackles kept him closely chained to the wall. He was unable to avoid the giant snake’s cold,unmerciful embrace.
”In the morning I’ll have my bowl of milk, as usual - but you will have to do without. The Queen told the guards you won’t even get the thin gruel you serve young Alexander. ”
Master Leonidas realized that he was both hungry and thirsty, and his stomach audibly growled, filling the dungeon with an uncanny noise.
”How do you think it would feel, being a young, growing boy, being subjected to stern exercises and lessons with just cold water and meager gruel to sustain yourself? And what of all your beatings with that pointer of yours? ”
Master Leonidas started sobbing:
”If only young Alexander were alive again, I would never ever beat or starve him again!
He slumped forward, hiding his graying head into his hands, shaking from silent, remorseful sobs. The Queen’s favorite snake continued slithering around his legs, tickling him with his cold, cloven tongue. Master Leonidas thought he would never find any sleep and comfort in this dreadful dungeon, but he managed to doze off despite Glaucos’ spiteful ministrations.
// He was stumbling around on a battle field, after a recently finished and most bloody and cruel encounter of war. The ground was filled with the corpses of the slain and drenched in blood, entrails and foul smelling substances. He slipped all the time, and at long last he fell amongst the dead and dying. He was both hungry and thirsty. His stomach growled and his mouth was parched with thirst.
The ground was shaking from heavy, marching steps. He looked upon a pair of iron studded army boots, continuing into brightly shining greaves and flashing golden armour. A purple cloak was blowing in the wind, around a giant, golden haired warrior wearing a helmet with two white ostrich plumes. He was holding a long spear in his hand. Blood dripped from its sharp, leaf shaped point as the warrior pointed it towards him. A voice filled with anger and authority boomed at him:
”You damned Spartan! Now you will get your just punishment for starving and manhandling innocent children!”
The spear point came hissing towards him, intended to plunge right into his chest..........//
He awoke screaming, his throat all raw. His stomach was still growling from hunger and he was suffering from an all consuming thirst. Glaucos lay sleeping in his wicker basket, his cloven tongue flickering in soft, hissing snores. An empty bowl rested on the floor beside him. Master Leonidas saw some remaining drops of milk in it. He carefully reached out and slowly dragged it towards himself.
HZZZZZZZZ!!!
Glaucos sank his giant fangs into the stern tutor’s hand, without releasing any poison.
”NO! You’ll have nothing at all to eat or drink! My dear Misssstressss wants you to truly feel the agonies of thirst and starvation!”
Master Leonidas screamed his throat all raw once more.
A Queen’s Lament
Queen Olympias sat in her chambers, wringing her hands, crying silent tears of sorrow and bereavement. Hyrmina from Epirus was keeping her company, and also Hellanike, the Prince’s former nurse, was trying to give some futile comfort. Both women were weeping uncontrollably, and the flickering oil lamp basked them in orange and yellow light, reaching into the shadows of the Queen’s opulent chambers. They were filled with finely adorned furniture and the very finest fabrics, but no riches in all the wide world could make up for her tremendous loss and grief.
Pandora sat howling at her feet.
//” My Lady, let me devour the Evil Man! It’s his fault your son and my puppies are gone forever!” //
Queen Olympias gently patted the she dog’s furry head.
”I’ll think about it, my dear friend. Perhaps I’ll let you have him when Glaucos have scared him out of his wits! It might be too good a fate for the likes of him, though.......”
The gray shades of dawn crept through the windows, changing into a rose colored morning glory. No rising sun could restore the joy to the mourning ladies and their faithful she dog.
Then there was someone urgently banging at the door.
”My Queen. There is a messenger from the Lord Amyntor at the hall. You must see him immediately. He has urgent news about Prince Alexander. ”
The Keep Of Amyntor, 349 BC
Safe Return To The Keep
The Lady Theano sat close by the nursery windowsill watching the mountain slope. There was not much to see in the dark and her eyes were getting sore from crying. She wrung her hands in despair, her tears dripping down on little Baby Helen who was crying inconsolably in her lap.
Some strange lights were flickering deep into the forest. They were getting closer. It must be the rescue party returning to the Keep! Soon the torches were flowing like a stream of fire up the hill and the men and horses became visible in their warm, orange glow. The Lady Theano wrapped herself tightly in a warming, blue woolen mantle before she embraced Baby Helen and took her in a close and secure grip. Then she ran down the spiral stone stairs and into the courtyard.
The guards opened the gateway and let the party inside. The Lord Amyntor rode in the front, and her heart made a great leap from sheer joy when she saw little Hephaestion safe and secure in his arms. When she had wiped out her tears with a fold of her woolen cloak she saw there was another little boy sitting in front of her husband. He was the most beautiful child she had ever seen, golden haired, fair skinned and holding on to her own son with a warm and protecting embrace. She immediately knew the identity of her unexpected guest and thought in her own mind:
//”How come the Crown Prince is out in the dark in the deep forest, with MY son?”//
The Lord Amyntor jumped down from Thundercloud. The fierce war stallion was calm and stood utterly still when he lowered his precious burdens from his back. Hephaestion immediately leaped to his mother and embraced her. He then took Baby Helen in his arms, gently lulling her.
”Oh, dear me! Why is she crying so hard? She never does that when I am at home!”
His loving Mother told him, as she gave him a warm and loving hug:
”She was missing you so very badly, as we all did. Wherever have you been? You don’t know how worried we have been!!!”
The tiny baby looked up into the wonderful blue eyes of her big brother and gave up a gurgling sound of pleasure before she stopped her desperate wailing. Alexander came limping to them. He looked down on the beautiful girl child and gently stroke her peach soft cheek. At the same time he tersely stated:
”You have a sweet little sister, Phai - but just wait til’ she grows up! Mine was small and sweet, just like that, but now that she’s five she is teasing me all the time!”
”Oh no, little Helen will never ever tease me! She is the sweetest little one you’ve ever seen!”
Now Alexander collapsed in a heap on the courtyard, gasping out from pain and clutching at his right foot. The Lady Theano fell to her knees and embraced him:
”Oh, my little dear one, what’s the matter with you?”
Hephaestion followed his mother down on the cobbled stones and tried to give comfort to his new found friend simultaneously as he was lulling his little sister.
”Alexander fell in the forest, hurting his foot something awful. My kittens told me and we rescued him. Please, Mother, let him stay here with us! ”
”Yes, of course. You both need a nice hot bath and some warm supper - and then you must go to bed immediately. ”
The Lord Amyntor carried Alexander inside the Keep. Hephaestion went at a brisk pace at his father’s side, carrying his little sister in his arms. Rascal and Rosie were sitting at his shoulders, merrily tittering about their adventures. The kittens and puppies ran merrily yelping and meowing beside and Ladybird and Bumblebee flew over the party, happily buzzing to each other:
”Well, we made it to the Keep at long last! ”
The Lady gave several orders to her handmaidens. When they reached Hephaestion’s room two tubs with steaming, rosemary scented water were waiting for them, together with warm, woolen chitons that had been laid out on the bed. Another bed had been brought into the room and was standing close by Hephaestion’s own. He handed little Baby Helen over to her nurse before he got out of his clothes and climbed into the warm water.
”Now you must take real good care of her so she doesn’t start crying again! She never cries that much when I am at home!”
The Lady Theano undressed Alexander herself, seeing to his injured wrist. She looked with great astonishment to the carefully adjusted splints.
”Oh dear, this must have hurt you a lot - but how did you manage to get it so well taken care of out there in the forest? ”
Alexander pointed at Hephaestion and kindly stated:
”He helped me with it. He says he has practiced on his kittens - and he managed to fix me up, too! You know, he is almost as good as our doctor at home!”
The Lady Theano gave her young son a warming smile, as she continued undressing Alexander. Suddenly she gave up a horrified scream:
”IIIIIIIIIIIHHH! A nasty SNAKE! What is he doing on your arm?”
Little Hypnos had been coiling merrily around his young Master’s arm, knowing they were in safety. Now he was being badly upset by the Lady’s outburst and he fell to the floor and slithered into hiding under one of the beds. Alexander tried to calm the Lady.
”Don’t be afraid, my Lady. It’s just little Hypnos, my tame house snake. He is quite harmless. You must not scare him so. ”
He called out:
”Hypnos! You can come out from there! We are in no danger in this friendly house!”
The little house snake sullenly answered:
”No. I’ll stay just where I am! My earsss are still sssore from all that ssscreaming! No one behavesss like that at home!”
The small boys were put into the tubs and were being gently washed and scrubbed by the Lady Theano and her handmaidens. It was well needed since they were covered from top to toe in mud, grass, sprigs and leaves. The Lady Theano saw to Alexander herself. She was most upset by how very thin he was. The young Prince’s ribcage was clearly visible and all his bones was knobbly, sticking out through his bright skin. His fingers were all swollen and bruised and when she rubbed his backside with fine lavender soap she saw several welts and bruises, some still raw. She asked with deep concern:
”Oh, my little dear one, what have they done to you? ”
”Spartan upbringing! My tutor beats me with the pointer all the time. Sometimes he even uses a cudgel! He thinks I will learn faster and better that way!”
The Lady Theano shuddered and said with determination:
”Oh, dear me! I think I would like to have a word with your parents about your tutor and his methods!”
She gently rubbed all the welts and bruises with a paste of rosemary and camphor. Alexander winced but soon he felt the constant, dull and throbbing pain in his backside go away with her careful ministrations. The small boys relaxed in the warm, sweet smelling water and had almost fallen asleep when they were lifted up and rubbed with soft towels. The Lady Theano took care of Alexander’s injured wrist, anointing it with comfrey and camphor before she adopted the splints once more. Then the boys had the warm woolen chitons put on and were seated together at Hephaestion’s bed, wrapped into a warming blanket made from red wool.
The handmaidens came with a tray laden with mulled, well watered red wine, a bowl with hot posset, soft bread with a jar of honey and some sweet smelling honey cakes. The boys had a roaring appetite after their adventures in the wood and they ate it all. Their puppies, kittens and squirrels were looking and making hungry sounds on the floor, before the handmaidens came and brought some meat stew in separate bowls. Rascal and Rosie got a bowl filled with nuts and figs. The kittens got their own milk bowl and when Alexander saw them lap it up he told the handmaidens:
”You must give little Hypnos some, too! He is used to have his own bowl. ”
The house snake got his bowl of milk and when he saw it he slithered forward from his hiding place under the bed and started drinking immediately. Alexander put some honey cake crumbs in a heap on the bedside table and Ladybird and Bumblebee came merrily buzzing, eating it all up.
The Lady Theano asked with great interest:
”How sweet they are. But, how come they are so much bigger than ordinary ladybugs and bumblebees?”
”They have eaten too many honey cake crumbs! But - they are fine and brave Companions, indeed. ”
The little ones buzzed merrily before going to sleep on the bedside table. Alexander and Hephaestion now were very sleepy and their eyelids were drooping heavily. They were put to bed and the Lady Theano gently tucked them in, wrapping them in soft and warm furs and blankets. The kittens slept in Hephaestion’s arms as usual and the squirrels went to sleep in their wicker basket. Sirius and Procyon curled up beside Alexander, warming him under the soft quilt. All the animals were snoring softly, all but little Hypnos who was merrily coiling around Alexander’s upper arm. The Lady Theano asked with mild disgust:
”My little dear one, must you really have that one with you in bed?”
”Yes, of course I must. He has always been sleeping with me. Mother gave him to me when I was just an infant!”
”Your Mother is a strange one, indeed. ”
The small boys were almost asleep, but they were still talking and Hephaestion adamantly asked:
”Please, Father, tell us a bedtime story! What about Achilles and Patroklos!”
Alexander agreed:
”Yes. They are my favorites, too!”
The house snake hissed, together with Ladybug and Bumblebee who were buzzing in their sleep:
”We mussst have a bedtime story. We cannot go to sssleep without it!”
The puppies and kittens agreed and yelped and meowed in unison.
The Lord Amyntor gave a great sigh:
”Oh, my. Now I have got myself a very large audience, indeed. ”
He sat down in a chair between the two beds and started to tell the old and well known tale from the Iliad, all until the small boys went to sleep, softly snoring. He carefully rose and put his arm around his wife in a loving embrace. Together they looked at the boys, their own Hephaestion with his fiery auburn hair, sleeping in calm stillness - and the golden haired Alexander, always restless and fidgeting even in the deepest sleep. The Lady Theano said with great love and concern:
”How beautiful they are. I think they will be friends forever - and I wish we could adopt little Alexander! You told me about him going through rough times at the Palace with that stern tutor of his - but I didn’t realize it was all that bad!”
”Yes, from what you tell me it must be even worse than I realized, my dear one. I will have a talk to the Queen when she comes for Alexander - and another talk to King Philip when he comes back from the wars. It simply isn’t right treating a small boy that way, Spartan upbringing or not!”
A Guest From The Castle
Now they heard shouting from the gateway. The servants sounded frightened and as if in deep trouble.
”My Lord Amyntor! There are some visitors from the Castle. The Queen herself......”
The gateway opened with a moaning and creaking sound. Then they heard the clattering of hooves and the shouting of worried voices. The Lord and Lady hurried downstairs and out into the courtyard. Dawn had come during their ministrations to the boys and animals. The glorious morning sun was sending its golden rays through the rose colored outstretched fingers of some light clouds. It formed a halo around the Lady with her glossy red hair and deep blue cloak who came riding through the gateway on a fine dappled mare. She brought a party of eight stern Guards in the bright red mantles of the Royal Guard. An enormous sand colored she dog ran at the side of the mare.
It was Queen Olympias! She sat off her mare, giving her a gentle stroke on her withers.
// ” My brave Diamond, thanks for carrying me so fast to this friendly Keep. ” //
// ” No trouble, my Lady. Now we must hope it really is the Truth that our dear Alexander is safe!” //
Pandora jumped up to the Queen’s ear, softly barking:
// ” Good news, my dear Mistress. I can smell Alexander and my dear puppies inside. They are alive and well!” //
Queen Olympias gently patted the faithful dog on her great furry head before striding towards The Lord and Lady of the Keep. They bowed their heads in reverence.
”My Queen, we have good news. Your little Alexander is safe inside our Keep!”
”Yes. Your man Hecaetus told me so - but why is he here? And - how did he come to your Keep?”
”It is a long and strange story, my Queen. Please come inside and see for yourself that your son is well. Then we might have some refreshments and talk things over. ”
They entered the Keep and were quickly brought to Hephaestion’s room. Queen Olympias could scarcely believe her eyes when she saw little Alexander sleeping in a soft bed, wrapped into a warming quilt and a red woolen blanket. His dear puppies were sleeping together with him and they all seemed to be in good health. Then she saw another bed standing close by. There slept another little boy with glossy auburn hair and strong but fine features. Two small kittens were resting in his arms, softly purring in their sleep. The Queen knew that the Lord Amyntor had a little son the same age as Alexander - but she didn’t know he was such a dear little one.
Little Hypnos came coiling merrily towards her:
//” Dear Missstresss, your son is sssafe. Thisss isss a fine place for us to be in!” //
She hurried to sit down at the bedside and embraced her sleeping son. Olympias was a determined woman. She never gave in to weakness - but in this moment she stared to cry and drenched his soft golden hair in a shower of hot tears of joy and relief. Alexander woke up immediately and put his arms around her neck.
”Mother! I knew you would come for me! Don’t cry anymore. I’m safe here with Phai!”
”Yes, I can see that. Oh, Alexander. I’m so glad you are safe and alive! You must promise never to walk away from me on your own again! ”
”Yes, Mother. I’ll wait until I’m big enough to hunt down the big, bad wolves all by myself!”
She gently hugged him for a very long time, and then started to wrap him into the warm red blanket. At the same time Pandora had a happy reunion with her dear little puppies. Sirius and Procyon were merrily yelping and telling her of all their brave adventures. She heard with great astonishment how they had saved Prince Alexander and his new found friend from a whole pack of ravenous wolves, all by themselves!
Queen Olympias told them all:
”Now, my little dear ones, you must follow me back to the Castle. ”
Alexander tried to escape her determined embrace and wriggle back to his warm and soft bed. Now Hephaestion woke up and saw his Beautiful Golden One being carried away by the most impressive woman he had ever seen. Her hair was a glorious flaming red, her robes and mantles a shining midnight blue -- and her eyes had the same beautiful gray radiance as those of his new found friend. He instantly knew who she was - and his instincts told him he had to be very careful about her. Alexander’s Mother was no ordinary woman! He jumped out of bed and told her with bold determination:
”No, my dear and kind Lady. You must not take him away from me, not yet! His foot has been badly injured and he must not be moved from here for a very long time!”
The Lady Theano interfered:
”Yes. My son is right. Little Alexander was in a bad way when they arrived. Please, let him stay here for some time and enjoy the hospitality of the keep of Amyntor! We’ll return him to you when his foot has mended properly. ”
Alexander agreed:
”Yes, Mother. Please, let me stay here with Phai until my foot is better. We had such a good time together, before the wolves tried to eat us!”
Now Ladybug and Bumblebee woke up and started talking, their voices tinkling like little silver bells:
// ”Yes, Dear Mistress. Please, let us stay here in this fine place for some time. Phai has told us that he ALWAYS gets enough to eat and that his tutor NEVER beats him!” //
The Queen gently patted their tiny heads and told them:
”Yes, since you all seem to have set your minds so intently to it I’ll let you have your way, this time!”
She put little Alexander back to bed and gave Hephaestion a warming hug.
”You are such a little dear one. I’m sure my son will have a good time staying with you - and his smallest pets are right. Your tutor seems to be far kinder than Master Leonidas!”
She took both boys in her lap and sat back on the bed, wrapping them into the warming red blanket. She held them in a kind but firm embrace and told them in a voice and manner that couldn’t be called in question:
”Well, now I really want you to tell me whatever you did all day and night, being alone out in the forest!”
The small boys were eager to tell her all about their day out in the forest and their frightening adventures. They talked in unison, often interrupting each other, all until their voices became all drowsy. Queen Olympias listened with great interest, feeling amazed at their many adventures. She knew some things just were meant to be, like precious gifts from the Gods. This budding friendship was one of them, and it just had to be encouraged.
Alexander and Hephaestion fell asleep in the Queen’s lap and she gently put them to bed, seeing that the puppies and kittens were resting easy in their small but strong arms. She stayed for a long time, watching the little dear ones in their sleep. Before she went from the chamber she heard Ladybird and Bumblebee once more, the Little Ones’ sleepy voices tinkling like little silver bells:
”Good night, Dear Mistress. ”
Parental Guidance
A servant was waiting outside Hephaestion’s chamber. When he saw Queen Olympias he came up to her, bowing and scraping.
”My Queen, my Lord and Lady wants to invite you to breakfast,” he politely beckoned. ” You sure must be hungry after all this. ”
”Yes, I gladly accept your kind invitation. ”
She followed him to the great Hall in the Keep, in the company of her own guards. The Lord Amyntor and the Lady Theano was sitting in the high settle, waiting for her. The enormous table was generously decked with a delicious breakfast. Hot herbal tea simmered in a big kettle, newly baked bread fresh from the oven waited in a plaited basked, swept in a shining white napkin, and there were all sorts of jam and preserves to accompany it. An appetizing smell of fried ham and egg rolls came from a richly adorned silver tureen. There were also some pancakes with golden honey to come along.
The Lord and Lady rose and bowed in reverence to the Queen.
”My queen,” the Lord Amyntor addressed her as he pointed to a very fine chair with soft cushions, ”You must be very hungry after this anguished night. You are most welcome to share our humble breakfast. ”
”Many thanks, saviour of my dear son. This looks like a meal worthy of the Royal household. ”
She sat down and was immediately offered tea, bread and jam by a polite servant girl.
”Yes, I helped out in rescuing our dear boys,” the Lord Amyntor answered, ”but they were most resourceful on their own. It was real clever, climbing that stout old oak, saving themselves and all their animals in the process. ”
They talked about the boys’ adventures all through breakfast, going over events time and time again. When they were satisfied with all the delicious food servants came with lavender water and towels. After washing the Queen prepared to rise from her chair. The Lady Theano gently beckoned her to stay.
”My Queen, I’m worried for the Crown Prince,” she stated with deep concern in her warm hazel colored eyes. ”Little Alexander came to us all covered in welts and bruises, and he is far too small and thin for his age. He is a brave little warrior and he doesn’t complain - but he told us things about that tutor of his and the Spartan upbringing he is getting that make us ordinary subjects of the realm shudder!”
”This starving and beating must be stopped immediately!” the Lord Amyntor told the Queen with great determination. ” Prince Alexander must have proper food and tutoring! He is intelligent and curious, and I’m sure he can learn all he needs without being beaten on his knuckles, and worse, all the time!”
”Our Hephaestion never gets beaten up by his tutor,” the Lady Theano stated, ”and he is doing great progress in all subjects. ”
Queen Olympias blushed from hearing this stern rebuke, but she quickly found her composure.
”My gracious Lord and Lady, I appreciate your concern for my son’s welfare,” she answered, looking at them with new found respect, ”I’m well aware that Master Leonidas has been far too zealous with his Spartan upbringing, but I can reassure you that this outrageous behaviour will not be repeated. I’ve appointed a most able tutor, teaching Master Leonidas better manners at this very moment!”
The Lord and Lady shivered when they considered the fate of Master Leonidas.
Queen Olympias rose from the table.
”Now I must thank you for your hospitality and this delicious meal. You have mine and the King’s eternal gratitude for saving Alexander from this ordeal.” She gave them a surprisingly kind look, telling them, ”Since my son is in good hands here with you I must now return to Pella. Two of my guards will be staying and see to Alexander’s safety. ”
Queen Olympias left with her guards, riding her dappled mare straight on to the road to Pella.
Dungeons Of Despair
Master Leonidas was shivering with cold and hunger deep in the dungeons under the Royal Castle. Glaucos coiled all around him, hissing spitefully into his ear.
”Massster Leonidasss, now it’sss time for you to get a piece of your own Ssspartan upbringing. I hope it will amussse you......”
A piece of very hard and dry bread, a bowl of cold and meager porridge and a jug of water was brought by the jailer. Master Leonidas looked at it with disgust - but since he was very hungry he soon started eating all the same. The bread was so hard that he almost broke several teeth when he tried to chew it. He also found that it was so dry not even all the water in the jug sufficed to gulp it down. The porridge tasted like boiled glue. Its consistency was so awful that he choked on it. As he sat there choking and retching he saw his reptilian jailer enjoy a delicious meal consisting of milk with honey and some boiled chickens that smelled strongly from fragrant herbs. When Glaucos was satisfied he started coiling around the prisoners feet and legs.
”Does it tassste nice, Massster Leonidasss?”, asked the Queen’s favorite snake in a spiteful manner. ”Do you really think it is posssible to rear a young, growing boy on thisss kind of food?”
”No, you horrid snake, ” the stern tutor replied. ”If only young Alexander were back again he would get soft bread, warm and rich porridge and all of his favorite dishes every day!”
Master Leonidas wiped his mouth with his hand, feeling it getting stuck in the sticky porridge. Then he wiped the tears from his eyes.
”Oh, little Alexander”, his bad conscience spoke out loud, ”My very best and dearest pupil. I wish that I could have given you a kinder and better treatment while I still had the chance. ”
He hid his head in his hands, sobbing once more from bitter remorse. His moment of repentance was interrupted by a commanding hissing.
”Well, now it’sss time for your morning bath, Masster. The moat really isss looking cold and refressshing today!”
The jailers dragged Master Leonidas away to the Palace moat. He started screaming even before his feet reached the ice cold water.
Nighmares And Sweet Dreams
Alexander curled up in the warm and comfortable bed, gently cuddling his small puppies. Sirius and Procyon were snoring softly, their tummies round with all the delicate food they had been served. Little Hypnos was coiling merrily in his sleep, clinging fondly around the Prince’s arm. Ladybird and Bumblebee sat sound asleep in the middle of a plate with some remaining honeycake crumbs. At his right side he saw Hephaestion and his kittens already sleeping in their bed. The little Prince felt calm and secure in the midst of so many good friends. Soon sleep came to him, immersing him in a golden cloud of warmth and kindness.
// The wolves were howling and chasing him, hungrily nibbling at his heals.
Master Leonidas scared them away, bravely swinging his cruel cudgel. Alexander saw them running away with their tails between their legs. He gave up a great sigh of relief, but now Master Leonidas turned on him instead.
”My young ward. You have misbehaved in a most inappropriate manner. Now you must be punished!”
The cudgel was raised once more, swinging in a cruel and threatening arch right towards him. He started screaming as he raised his hand to ward it off. //
Hephaestion was sound asleep, wrapped into warm furs and blankets. He was very tired after this extraordinary day of hard work. It had been too good to be true, finding and saving his Beautiful Golden One from injury and loneliness, surviving the anguished night in the old oak - and now being rescued to the safety of his own home. His kittens were safely resting on his arm, fidgeting in their sleep, sometimes giving away little pleased meows.
At first he had had some troubled thoughts about the wolves. They followed him into his dreams, but his beautiful Golden Achilles chased them away and wrapped him in a safe embrace. He fell into a deep and dreamless sleep, feeling warm and secure.
”No! NOOOO! You must not beat me with that cudgel again!”
Hephaestion woke up to the sound of anguished screaming. He rushed out of bed, dropping little Achilles and Antigona on the soft pillows. They sat there staring and wide awake, giving away some frightened meows. The night lamp shed its golden light on a scene of fear and anguish. Alexander was sitting up in bed, his beautiful gray eyes wide from terror and his golden hair standing on all ends. He was awake, but lost in a world all of his own making, filled with unknown terrors. His puppies were sitting in his lap, miserably yelping and trying to offer some futile comfort.
Hephaestion quickly put his arms around his new found friend, embracing him and at the same time trying to shake him back to sanity.
”Alexander! Please, stop all of this! There are no cudgels here! I’ll protect you from all dangers. I’ll always be there for you!”
Alexander felt warm and reliable arms close in around him. They dragged him back to sanity once more. He found himself staring into a pair of beautiful blue eyes. Now he knew where he was and returned the embrace.
”Phai. My friend. Yes, you must stay with me, always!”
They remained like this for a long time. Alexander closed his eyes and fell asleep in Hephaestion’s arms. He had never felt so comforted and secure in his whole life, not even when he was still sleeping in his Mother’s chambers. As he sank deep into a sound and dreamless sleep, a friendly hissing voice stated the obvious.
”Phai, you are far better than me in chasssing away hisss nightmaresss!” little Hypnos kindly commented as he coiled merrily around Alexander’s upper arm.
Hephaestion gently patted his tiny head.
”No, my Little One. You sure have been good for him, too - but he needs a human friend to be here for him. ”
The puppies and kittens came back to sleep with their dear masters, cuddling into their arms with small pleasurable sounds. Hephaestion gave his Beautiful Golden One a fond look before he wrapped them both into the warming furs and blankets. Alexander looked so very strong and vulnerable at the same time. He needed someone, something. Hephaestion didn’t know what - but he intended to do his very best to find it for his new found friend. He drifted into sleep holding on to Alexander, feeling a wonderful warmth engulf them.
Surprise Awakening
Now it was evening at the Keep of Amyntor. The Lady Theano came with little Baby Helen in her arms. Her servant girls brought a delicious evening meal. It consisted of hot posset, newly baked bread, fresh fruit, raspberry juice and honey cakes. They all stood looking at the small boys for a long time. Alexander and Hephaestion slept in the same bed now, closely huddled together with their puppies and kittens. They looked so very lovely in the golden shine of the night lamp. The shiny golden hair was mingling with the glossy auburn like a shining and precious fan. Hephaestion was holding his right arm protectively around the Prince, as if he wanted to shield him from all the worlds dangers and despairs.
”Oh, how sweet they are. I wish they could be like that forever, ” the Lady Theano told her handmaidens as she gave her beautiful son and his new found friend a fond look.
Little Baby Helen gave her big brother a close watch. When she saw him holding on to a new friend she gave away a loud and jealous squealing. The boys immediately woke up and looked up at the Lady Theano and the crying baby.
”Oh, Mother. What have you done to her now ? ”, Hephaestion adamantly asked. ”Are you sure she has had enough milk to drink today?”
”Yes, of course she has, my darling boy”, the Lady Theano told him as she put the baby into his lap. ”She has been missing you all day long, and she’ll be just fine if you play with her a little before her bedtime. ”
Hephaestion immediately started to lull and coddle his little sister. Baby Helen looked up at her big brother with a sweet smile, giving another, even sweeter smile to Alexander when he gently stroke her soft auburn hair. The Lady Theano saw that the Prince’s eyes were a bit too bright and shining. She put her hand upon his brow, finding it a bit hot and dry.
”Oh, my little dear one, I think you are running a fever”, she told him with deep concern. ”I’ll get you something for it. ”
”Don’t you worry, kind Lady”, Alexander told her with reassurance. ”I’m feeling fine. I’ts just my foot aching again. ”
He looked with a frown upon the annoying right ankle. It was swollen and throbbing with pain under the splints and wrappings. He winced as he tried to move his leg. The Lady Theano immediately saw to it, administering a new healing poultice and new dressings. She then sent for a herbal remedy, hot elderberry and willow bark, sweetened with honey and a little laudanum to ease the pain. Alexander drank it with some reluctance, but Ladybird and Bumblebee crept into the bowl and licked up the last drops.
”Good medicine, good medicine”, they buzzed before falling asleep on the bedside table.
”Oh no. Whatever has gotten into them?”, Alexander wondered. ”They just woke up, together with us. ”
”Perhaps the medicine was too strong for the Little Ones, Alexander”, the Lady Theano reassuringly told him. ”They’ll wake up when we bring them some new honey cake crumbs. It’s time for your evening meal now. ”
The servant girls went away and returned with some trays loaded with all kinds of delicacies for the boys and their pets. Alexander was very pleased with all the varied and delicious food.
”How come your bread is so very soft and sweet?”, the young Prince curiously asked. ”And, where is the thick and gluey porridge? Have your cook forgotten it?”
”No, Alexander, ” the Lady Theano gently told him. ”We don’t practice Spartan cooking here in our Keep. ”
”Oh, I don’t mind that your food is not the same as at home, my Lady”, the young Prince politely told her as he grabbed an extra honey cake. ”It’s a bit too soft and sweet, but I like it all the same!”
The Lady Theano smiled with pleasure at the thin looking golden haired boy.
”I’m so glad you like our cooking, Alexander. We’ll see to it that you don’t starve while you are under our roof!”
The boys played for some time with little Baby Helen and their pets, having a good time crawling around on the soft rugs on the floor. The baby got sleepy and her mother nursed her before taking her to the crib in the nursery. Hephaestion followed, leaving Alexander alone with the small pets. He sat in the bed with the puppies and kittens curled up in his lap.
”Oh, this sure is a fine place for us, my little dear ones”, he stated as he gently patted their tiny furry heads. ”I wish I could stay here forever - but - I must return to Mother when I’m well again. ”
The puppies yelped merrily and the kittens purred with pleasure. When Hephaestion returned all the small animals had fallen asleep. He slipped inside the warm furs and blankets, holding his new found friend.
”I’ll better stay with you tonight”, he kindly told them. ”Someone has to help you calm the little ones down if they should suffer from bad dreams. ”
Alexander gave him a fond smile and welcomed him into the bed.
”Yes, Phai, but I think I’ll sleep all right this night. I’m feeling much better already. ”
When the Lord Amyntor and the Lady Theano came to see them and tell them their favourite goodnight tale they were already asleep in each other’s arms. They pulled the furs and blankets closer over the small boys, giving them a fond and curious look.
”I’m so glad Alexander has come to us here”, the Lord thankfully told his wife. ”He really needed some respite from that stern Spartan tutor of his - and our son have found a new friend thanks to it. I think they will be good for each other. ”