Blessed by the gods

Once upon a time, years and years ago, in the middle of the highest mountains of Ancient Macedonia there was a little kingdom. One day, during a hot summer night, while the Artemis temple was burning, a little boy came to life, and his name was Alexander. The prince was beautiful, he had those mesmerising eyes, blonde hair and a very light skin. Someone said that when his mom gave birth to him, he didn't even cry, but he just smiled softly instead.

His father was King Philip II, so this meant that at his death the boy would have become the next king to reign over there. But since he was at a very young age, Alexander knew he was meant for something even more greater than the stories of heroes that he liked hearing. He knew he was just different from the other children of his age, that he had something special. He liked playing the lyre, acting, he was good at singing too. He loved reading the ancient poems like the Iliad, and other tragedies. Alexander admired Achilles, not only for his brave behaviour, his hundred people killed on the battlefield, worthy of glory, but also for the unconditional love he showed to his beloved companion Patroclus. He was a good student too, he was brilliant. But the prince hd not any close friends since something happened when he was 6 years old.

One day, when the spring arrived, a tall and muscular man, a close friend of the King, came to the palace of Pella, and brought with him his little son. They came here not just to visit the royal family, there was something they want to discuss about.. something was on its way to happen! "So, are you ready to stay here without your family, my child?", King Philip asked to that tiny boy. "I think so..", he answered in a shy tone. "Well, see you the next year my boy.", his father said touching gently his head with one hand. The little boy had dark straight hair, and two wide dark brown eyes, his skin was dark too. The child seemed speaking only Greek, he didn't know how to comunicate properly with the royal family. Alexander was admiring the scene sat on the little throne next to his father and his mother, the captive Queen Olimpia. Alexander was beautiful as the sun coming  suddenly in a boring rainy winter afternoon. The prince was mesmerised by the fascinating child he was in front of. He felt embarrassed for the first time. Suddenly the dark eyed child came close to him, he bowed at his feet to show his respect even to the prince. "Hi..", Alexander said smiling, but the boy didn't answer anything, he was talking to the prince at all, he didn't know how to act properly, if he had to seem friendly or just distant. He smiled anyway, then returned next to his father, "My son and yours are gonna spend so much time together, like we also did..", Amyntor said. The King was smiling too, "I'll come back here to bring my son home when he will be ready."

"So, what's your name?", Alexander asked in a soft tone, "Hephaestion.. I already know what's yours.", "Such a strange name..", Alexander said frowning a little, and titling his head to the left as he usually did when he was lost in thoughts. "I know, my parents wanted to be original and gave me this horrible name.", the child said in a hilarious soft tone. "I like it.", "Do you?", they were walking around the royal palace but Alexander actually forgot where they had to go exactly. "How old are you?", Alexander said, "I'm 7 years old, since yesterday.", "Oh we could have spent your birthday together if you would have come here before.", "I was just too scared, and you know what? I still am.", Hephaestion said. He was so different from the other children of his age, he terribly shy."You won't be alone. Oh and hear me, you'll sleep with me tonight, even tomorrow night, if this may help you not be afraid anymore.", "I can't..you're the prince and we only know each other since few minutes.", "I am the prince, yes you're right. I can decide everything i want. You'll sleep with me, H..Hephaestus.", "Hephaestion.", the prince laughed, he didn't even remember his name.

They both had dinner together that night, then they came out in the garden of the palace to talk quietly, without the laughters and the jokes of the other boys that still were in the kitchen. "Did you like living in Athen?", "Not at all. I had not so many friends.", Hephaestion said in a sad tone. "Why?", "The other Athenians thought I was boring and less cool as them.", "I can't believe they thought this way about you.", Alexander said titling his head again. "I'm happy to stay here, at least I'm even protected here.", "I'm happy to have you with me.", Alexander tried to say without embarrassment, but whit scars results. Alexander usually loved admiring the night sky, looking at this infinite motives, the shape of the constellations. "There are a lot of stars tonight..", Hephaestion said captured by beauty of them. "Why aren't you looking at them?" Hephaestion asked, "Why? I'm seeing the brightest ones!", Alexander answered smiling widely. Hephaestion was confused, he didn't fully understand what he just said. "Come in boys, or you'll get ill. It is getting colder here.", Queen Olympia brought the children back in the kitchen. "Mom..please, can we just-", Alexander asked trying to convince her to let them talk alone a little more. The answer she gave was "No."

Years passed so smoothly. Something happened between the two boys, a sort of beautiful strange magic called love. Even their teacher, Aristotle said they were like the same soul living into two different bodies. The boys were now recently living in Mieza to study with the philosopher. Alexander and Hephaestion were only 15, and they were still "the best of friends", they were so close that their friends already knew what was going to happen in the future. After they dined all together they both went for a walk in the little town of Mieza. "Alexander.. look up your head. The sky is filled with stars.. It reminds me the first night I spent with you home.", the boy turned silent, the said, "You never told me, which one of them are the brightest ones! You might have known this by Aristotle.", "You never understood.", Alexander laughed. "Are you serious?", "So tell me.", Alexander took a deep breath then spoked calmly. "Your eyes..they are.. You know, I see the stars in the reflection of your eyes, and it is just magical, like two entire universes met." Hephaestion was now smiling, he felt the urge to search for a physical touch, he really wanted to kiss him on his lips. "I will only look at the stars at night when I would not be able to see those eyes anymore. Then I'll remember everything of you, of us..", he said, of us , Hephaestion now felt like he reached the stars himself. "But don't you like Leptin?", "No, it wasn't completely true, I mean.. yes I like her, but not as much as I do for you. I would die for you.", Alexander said.  "But she's prettier, and smarter, even funnier than me.", the dark headed boy answered. "No, she isn't. No one could ever be compared to you, my love."
"When I'm with you I feel excited, I feel like nobody could ever hurt me, like I've already conquered everything on Hearth.", the prince continued saying smiling, "Alexander, I love you too but..you.", Haphaetsion said starting trembling, "I sincerely love you with all my heart.", Alexander said smiling.  He came closer to the prince, their lips met for the first time. They felt invincible, they felt like they have just been blessed by the gods, they felt like two heroes, like Achilles and Patroclus once did.