CHAPTER 17

 

Hephaistion, Berenike and Netikerty arrived at their house to find that their grandfather had just arrived, after a long trip to Illyria and to Athens to see his sister.

 

Oh this was getting worse. It was one thing to talk with their parents alone, but apparently the Gods had a very twisted sense of humor, because Amyntor, grandfather Demetrios and Nikandros were at home.  

 

- Phai, why don’t we do this tomorrow? –asked Berenike, she didn’t want to talk to her entire family at the same time.

 

- Eni, they all are going to know sooner or later, it’s better this way, they need to hear it from you –said Hephaistion very serious, and his sister sadly nodded. He was right.

 

And 15 minutes latter, all the family was comfortable seated in the garden, facing Berenike and Hephaistion.

 

- Well, what do you want to tell us? –asked Amyntor, and Berenike felt like fainting. Hephaistion took her hand tightly.

 

- Eni has something to tell you –said Hephaistion and six pairs of eyes settled on her, even Lysanias and Cadie were there.

 

Berenike tried to swallow but she found her throat suddenly dry.

 

- Well? What is it, Eni? –asked Demetrios when nobody spoke. 

 

- Yes, well, I… I want to tell you that… –she saw her mother’s concern in her eyes and felt she couldn’t do this, but then, she remembered that she was Amyntor’s daughter, she was a Macedonian noble and she had to be brave. So, she took a deep breath and said—I’m pregnant.

 

There! It wasn’t that difficult –thought Berenike, until she saw the expressions of her mother and father.

 

Antigone covered her face with her hands and Amyntor clenched his jaw. Nikandros was in shock the same as Cadie, Lysanias didn’t understand and Demetrios was very serious.  

 

- Who is the father? –Amyntor asked in a dangerous calm.

 

- Paris son of Nikolaos –answered Berenike, quickly.

 

- Who is he? –he didn’t know that name.

 

- A Theban…he was one of the Theban hostages –now Berenike knew why was she so scare in the first place. 

 

- You slept with a Theban hostage… HOW?

 

Hephaistion had never seen his father this angry.

 

- I-I bribed the guards…

 

- You bribed the guards and sold yourself like a whore to one of the enemies of your kingdom? –Amyntor was angry, sad, disappointed, concerned… and these emotions exploded at the same time. He stood up and walked to her—How could you do this to us?

 

- I’m sorry –Berenike started to cry.

 

- You dishonored my house Berenike, and as your father I could kill you or sold you as a slave if I wanted to (1)–those words alarmed the rest of the family—You disgraced yourself in the most despicably way.

 

- Dad, you are very hard with her –said Hephaistion, for the first time in his life contradicting his father—She made a mistake, all of us have made mistakes.

 

- This is not a mere mistake Hephaistion –oh, yes, Amyntor was angry, he was calling them by their entire names—Who will want to marry your sister now?

 

- We can go to Thebes, I can go to Thebes and drag this son of a bad mother here –said Nikandros furious—And I will make him wish he had died in Chaeronea.    

 

- And what are you going to say to this Paris, Nikandros? –asked Amyntor—Aren’t you listening to your sister? She bribed the guards, she went after him, what can we possibly ask for this Theban when it was Berenike the one who sold herself?

 

Everybody fell silent.

 

- You are going to stay in your room and I forbid you to leave the house or I swear to the Gods that I will kill you –again nobody said a word. Amyntor left the garden and Antigone went to embrace her daughter.

 

This is the worst week of my entire life –thought Hephaistion.

 

XXX

 

At night, Alexander and Leonnatos went to Amyntor’s house. The Prince wanted to know what had happened, and the second wanted to deliver the kitten he had caught on the tree. 

 

- What happened to you, Leon? –asked Hephaistion when he saw his friend covered in scratches.

 

- Oh! These? Is nothing, I caught a cat –said Leonnatos proudly, as if he had caught a lion, and they heard a meow from under Leonnatos cloak. 

 

- A cat?

 

- Yes I heard your cat died, and also heard that your sister was very sad, so I thought to bring you a new cat –said his friend with simplicity.

 

- Do you think my sister was sad because of the cat? –Hephaistion was moved.

 

- Yes, am I wrong?

 

- No, no, no –Hephaistion lied—Why don’t you give her the kitten?

 

- Me? –Leonnatos was in panic. His idea was to give Hephaistion the kitten and so Hephaistion could give her to her sister.

 

- Yes, after all is for her, isn’t that right?

 

- But-but-but…

 

- She is in her bedroom.

 

- Her bedroom? –Leonnatos blushed.

 

- The last door in the corridor, good luck –Hephaistion pushed him, and his friend walked as if he had stone feet. 

 

- What are you planning? –asked Alexander when Leonnatos was far enough.

 

- I want to cheer Eni up.

 

- What happened to her?

 

- Oh you will never believed me, come to my room.

 

XXX

 

Leonnatos knocked at Berenike’s door feeling his heart beat savagely against his chest. This was a bad idea. He started to think the possibility of running away when Netikerty opened the door.

 

- I-I… come to see Berenike –said Leonnatos, feeling like an idiot.

 

- Who is it? –asked Berenike, brushing aside her tears, sitting on her bed.

 

- It’s one of master Hephaistion’s friends –answered the Egyptian slave.

 

Berenike stood up and saw Leonnatos. It was clear to everyone that she had been crying, her eyes were red and puffy.

 

She must be still sad about the cat –thought the young man.  

 

- Leonnatos? –that was weird, she had seen Leonnatos many times but they had never speak before.

 

- Joy to you Berenike! I-I have something for you –said Leonnatos gathering all his courage, it was easier to fight against the Sacred Band than to speak to her.

 

- Nety, leave us –asked the girl.

 

- But… I don’t think master Amyntor would approved…

 

- Honestly Nety, do you think I can be in a worst condition? –the slave didn’t say a word and left the room.

 

If Leonnatos was nervous before, now he felt like fainting. He was alone with Berenike in her room. Oh sweet Aphrodite!

 

Berenike sat on a chair in her small living room, and invited her guest to do the same.

 

- What brings you here? –asked her, and Leonnatos had to clear his throat several times before answering.

 

- I heard about your cat’s demise… and I’m very sorry for your lost –he added quickly— And I have noticed that you are very sad these days, so I decided to bring you a kitten –he took out the kitten from under his cloak, carrying her clumsily.

 

The orange kitten with big uneven eyes, one blue one brown saw Berenike.

 

- You… you thought I was sad because of Mr. Hermes?

 

- Yes –she started to cry and Leonnatos panic again. He kneeled at her side, putting the kitten on the floor—I’m very sorry… I’m an idiot, I thought you would like another cat and…

 

- You are very sweet –now he was confused—And you got yourself scratched…

 

And she didn’t know why but she told him everything. Everything about the handsome Paris, about his charming voice, how he had ignored her with his father there, about her pregnancy and the words of her own father that day. To say Leonnatos was in shock was a very kind way of putting things, it was as if he was dreaming and could believe half the things she had said.

 

- Dad is right –she cried—I’m a disgrace, who would want to marry me now? 

 

- Well, I’m very bad at these things –said Leonnatos, scratching his head, still on his knees at her side—And probably I’m a fool, but I would love to marry you.

 

Berenike saw him with big, crystalline gray eyes and for the first time in days she smiled, a beautiful smile that made him felt like he was in heaven.

 

XXX

 

- Oh dear Zeus! You do have problems –said Alexander after hearing all that had happened that day in Amyntor’s house—And what now?

 

- Now? I don’t now, Eni is grounded, dad doesn’t want her to leave the house –said Hephaistion lying at the Prince’s side, his eyes on the ceiling and his arms crossed behind his head— Mom spent the afternoon with her, she is very concerned for Eni and grandpa talked to my dad, I don’t know what he told him, but dad seems more calm now. Nick is furious, but not with her, he wants to kill Paris, he is trying to convince me to go with him to Thebes, and I’m considering it.

 

- Do you really think is a good idea to go to Thebes? –it was selfish but Alexander didn’t want that Hephaistion left Pella, he too had a lot of problems and wanted to have him at his side. Besides, he sincerely thought it was a very bad idea to go to Thebes—Phai, don’t get mad, you know I like your sister as if she was my own, but I agreed with your father. What are you and Nick going to tell Paris? After all it was Eni the one who was after him, not the other way.

 

- Yes, but he knew she was pregnant and he left to Thebes ignoring her, I cannot accept that, and I agree with Nick, we should do something… –Hephaistion sighed—But you are right, we can’t go now… I can’t leave you, not with the King’s weeding next month.

 

Alexander kissed his shoulder.

 

- Don’t worry, I promise you that I will think of something to help Eni –said the Prince.

 

- Thank you…

 

Somebody knocked at the door.

 

- Come in.

 

- Phai, I’m leaving –said Leonnatos in a hurry, entering the room. Hephaistion and Alexander sat on the bed.

 

- Did something happen with Eni? –asked Hephaistion, his voice full with concern.

 

- No, not at all, but I have to go, I have to write to my father –said Leonnatos confusing them.

 

- Your father?

 

- Yes, I will explain latter.

 

And Leonnatos left. They didn’t hear from him in days, and then, suddenly a week latter, Leonnatos’ father: Anteas, appeared with his son at Amyntor’s house. He had come to Pella from Lynkestian in record time after the shocking letter he had received.

 

- Amyntor I’m deeply sorry and ashamed for my son’s behavior towards your daughter –said Anteas to a very confused Amyntor.

 

Anteas was a big, tall man with a thick bear and severe expression. He had brown chocolate hair like his son and dark green eyes. Anteas was first cousin of Queen Eurydice, the King Philip’s mother and a member of the Lynkestian royal house. Leonnatos was his only son, the Gods, in their twisted humor, had given him 6 daughters. He talked as if he was always angry and appeared to be stricter than he really was.

 

- Your son’s behavior? –Amyntor saw Leonnatos, sitting at his father’s side with a very serious expression.

 

- He tells me that he is going to have a child with your daughter –Amyntor had never before been so surprised in his life.

 

XXX

 

- Leon did WHAT? –asked Hephaistion in the palace gardens. Berenike had run to the palace as soon as she could to tell her brother and Alexander the news.

 

- His father must be furious –said Alexander, arms crossed over his chest, standing at the side of the bench were Berenike and Hephaistion were sat—Leon is his only son and since he is part of the Lynkestian royal house, Anteas must have wanted to…

 

Hephaistion cleared his throat and the Prince saw his mistake.

 

- What? Do you think I don’t know he can do better than me? –said Berenike sounding more like her old self—I’m not that stupid. I told Leonnatos that I don’t need his pity, but he said that it was not pity and that he loved me, but if his father knew the truth he would never consent our marriage.  

 

- And what did dad say? –asked Hephaistion, extremely happy with this situation.

 

- Dad asked to talk with Leonnatos in private, and he told him that he couldn’t allow this marriage because he didn’t want to lie to Anteas –said Berenike—Dad insisted in telling Anteas the truth but Leonnatos begged him not to do it. So, at the end dad accepted –it was obvious that she was happy—Anteas is so embarrassed believing that his son leave me pregnant that he insisted in paying all the wedding expenses and to buy us a house, but as you can imagine dad refused.

 

- And when are you getting married? –asked Alexander, amused with all of this, and happy for both parts: Leonnatos and Berenike.

 

- That’s the funny part, Anteas and dad wanted a very simple and discreet ceremony, if they could they would marry us this afternoon –said the girl—But mom and Leonnatos’ mother: Iokaste, complained. You see, I’m mom’s only daughter and Leonnatos is Iokaste’s only son, so they are planning a huge wedding –Berenike jumped on her seat, too happy to be true, she couldn’t believe that her luck had changed so much in a week.

    

- Eni, I’m very happy for you but I need to ask you something –said Hephaistion suddenly serious—What do you think of Leon? I know Leon liked you but…

 

- You knew? And why didn’t you tell me?

 

- It wouldn’t be right, and you are changing the subject –his sister took a moment before answering.

 

- Well, I don’t know him, except for the things you told me, but I like him, he is very sweet –Berenike smiled— When he said that he would love to marry me, I thought he was being nice to me, and that night when he brought me Alexandra…

 

- Who? –asked the Prince.

 

- Alexandra? Is my new cat –said the girl with calm.

 

- Why did you name the cat Alexandra? –asked Alexander.

 

- Because she has your eyes: one blue and brown –Hephaistion laughed ignoring the shocking expression on his beloved face.  

 

- It’s good to have you back, Eni –said her brother.

 

Days passed, and luckily Berenike’s problems were solved, Antigone was preparing her to be a good housewife and had her on an intensive cooking program. No daughter of her would be accused of not knowing how to cook. Iokaste, Leonnatos’ mother arrived at Pella the following days and contrary to everybody guesses, she was delighted with her son’s wedding, she had always wanted grandchildren and was extremely happy with the situation. Iokaste fell in love with Berenike the same moment she saw her, the only inconvenient, at least for Berenike, was that Iokaste was a very noisy woman; she talked too much and always shouted. It was funny to see her at Anteas side; they were exactly the opposite.

 

Now the only concern left for Hephaistion was the King’s wedding with Cleopatra.

 

Weeks latter, the day of the King’s weeding arrived. On the wedding feast, Perdikkas, Leonnatos, Ptolemy, Harpalos, Nearchos and Koinos sat together, all of them wanting to know the same thing.

 

- You slept with Phai’s sister and you didn’t tell us, you dog –exclaimed Perdikkas, trying to sound offended but he was laughing.

 

All Pella knew by now that Leonnatos was going to marry Amyntor’s daughter because she was pregnant, nobody, except Amyntor’s family, Alexander and Leonnatos knew the true.

 

- Leon you surprised me, I thought you were more innocent –said Ptolemy and his friends roar with laughter—Hephaistion’s sister, I have to say it, you have good taste. 

 

Leonnatos blushed, he knew this was going to happen but it was more embarrassing that he had thought.

 

- And when are you getting married? –asked Koinos, drinking from his cup.

 

- Next month, my mother didn’t want me to get married at the same time the King was –said Leonnatos—In her words, she doesn’t want to outshine the King’s wedding. I’m afraid she thinks she is planning the Great King’s wedding; she is spending too much. My mother is even thinking in hire a group of Indian acrobats: INDIAN ACROBATS! She is insane.

 

- And speaking about the royal house, where is Alexander? –asked Ptolemy, surveying the hall.

 

- Is he coming? –asked Leonnatos, he didn’t think the Prince would be present, after all this was a great insult to his mother.

 

- He has to, he is the Crown Prince and if you haven’t notice this place is full with delegates from all Greek cities, with the exception of the Spartans of course –said Nearchos.

 

- Is it true what people said about the Spartans? That the King sent them a letter asking them how should he go to them as a friend or as an enemy, and they answered “Neither”? –asked Perdikkas.

 

- Oh yes, that’s true –said Ptolemy, devouring a piece of meat.

 

- And why aren’t we at their gates demanding a more respectful treatment? –asked Harpalos.

 

- Do you really want to fight against the Spartans? –asked Nearchos—Besides, they are far from Macedonia, we don’t need to worry about them.

 

- There are Alexander and Phai! –exclaimed Perdikkas and the group turned to the entrance.

 

Alexander didn’t want to attend to the weeding party but he had to, after all he still was his father’s heir. He arrived late with Hephaistion, who didn’t want to come either; he didn’t want to see Philip but he wasn’t going to leave his best friend alone in this.

 

Hephaistion went to sit with his friends and the Prince sat at the right side of his father, the place of honor.

 

- About time! –said Philip watching his son, the pink color on his cheeks told the Prince that his father was drunk—What took you so long?

 

- I had things to do.

 

- Better things to do than to attend to MY wedding? –the King was getting mad.

 

Alexander didn’t reply. Philip surveyed the place and saw Hephaistion on one couch talking with his friends. The King swore. Hephaistion looked absolutely beautiful, he made one wish to sell one’s soul to have one kiss from him. Why did he have to be thinking about him when he had just married a lovely woman? Cleopatra was a very young and beautiful woman, the completely opposite of Queen Olympias: blond, green eyes, white skin, slender figure and docile as a lamb. She was every man’s dream… but Hephaistion was Hephaistion and Philip couldn’t get him out of this head. 

 

- Phai, we thought you wouldn’t come –said Perdikkas to his friend.

 

- I have to come, I couldn’t leave Alexander alone –Hephaistion brushed his hair behind his ear, he was nervous, and he had a very bad feeling about this banquet. 

 

- Where is Philotas? –asked Harpalos.

 

- At the other corner with gloomy Amyntas –said Perdikkas and they laughed, they liked to called poor cousin Amyntas: gloomy Amyntas.

 

- Who is Attalos? –asked Hephaistion. 

 

- Oh! The one at the left side of the King –said Leonnatos. Hephaistion had never seen him before but he immediately thought that he was the must hideous person he had ever seen.

 

- I don’t like him.

 

- Nobody likes him –said Ptolemy—I heard that Attalos is taking very seriously his roll as the King’s father-in-law; he is bossing everybody around at the palace as if he own the place, and that’s not all, the other wives of the King made a common front against him with Queen Olympias as their leader.

 

- You are kidding! Even Philinna? –asked Hephaistion. Philinna was the mother of Arrhidaeus and everybody knew she was afraid of Olympias, blaming her for her son’s condition.

 

- Even Philinna and the naïve Nicesipolis, the mother of Thessa –said Ptolemy—That gives you an idea of how hideous is Attalos, he achieved the impossible, he reconciled Philinna with Olympias. 

 

- Wait a second, but Cleopatra is not Attalos’ daughter –said Leonnatos—Isn’t she his niece?

 

- Yes, but the girl is an orphan, and Attalos is her legal guardian –Ptolemy explained—He is as good as her father. 

 

They fell silent and Alexander’s voice floated to them…

 

- “When my mother remarries I’ll invite you to her wedding”(2) –said the Prince, and that was the worst thing he could have said. The King was enraged.

 

No please Alexander, please control your temper –thought Hephaistion, turning to see his best friend. Philip’s face was getting purple. It was late and all the guests had drunk a lot of wine, and wine was always the best fuel for trouble. Hephaistion swore, he was unarmed and that feeling of fatality didn’t leave him. 

 

Then Attalos rose and proposed a toast.

 

- Macedonians! Let’s ask the Gods to bless this marriage and pray that from our beloved King and her beautiful wife, Cleopatra, might be born a legitimate successor to our kingdom –said Attalos in a clear, strong voice.

 

Hephaistion and the rest of Alexander’s friends were stun. What had he just say?

 

- “Are you calling me a bastard?”(3) –the Crown Prince was on his feet, and he threw his cup to Attalos’ face.   

 

Hephaistion was on his feet too, ready to intervened if things got worst, and things did indeed get worst. The King draw his sword with all the intentions of attacking Alexander, not Attalos who had been the offender, and as drunk as he was he stumbled over a stool and crash on the floor.

 

- “That, gentlemen, is the man who’s been preparing to cross from Europe into Asia, and he can’t even make it from one couch to the next”(4) –said Alexander, his voice full of contempt.

 

Next thing I knew was that Alexander was leaving the hall. Next morning he and his mother left Pella, me and some of our friends accompanied them to Epirus where Olympias stayed with her brother. After that Alexander and I went to Illyria on a voluntary exile, just the two of us, alone for almost a year… and that was one of the happiest moments of my entire life…

 

XXX

(1) I know, this was a very Roman speech. In ancient Rome the pater familias or the leader of the family, had all the right to do as he pleased with the members of his family, but I don’t know how families were in ancient Macedonia so, I took this borrowed from the Romans. I’m sorry.

(2), (3) and (4) Peter Green. Alexander of Macedon, p 89

Note: I know that Leonnatos never got married, but I like Leonnatos so I decided to make his life a little more romantic ^_^