I've already commented on ff.net, so here I'll comment on your comments to me. :D
Non-canonical stuff is completely fine in a work of fiction, like this scenario of the meeting of A and H, especially since we really don't know when, how, where they really did meet. And of course, as long as it is believable. And I think that's where you've done an wonderful job in tying Xenophon -> riding master ->Hephaistion -> amazing horse skills so very well. Sometimes it becomes too incredible when one reads in some fanfic stories that Hephaistion was born as a paragon of talent, virtue, intelligence, beauty and charm! Here, the ending is perfect... Alexander, already intrigued and awed by this "groom", now learns he is a socially acceptable peer, and will presumably learn about the connection to his hero, Xenophon, and will be totally converted.
As to why Amyntor lets his son participate with the rest of his staff, Macedon seemed to be a place where strict social mores were not followed. Alexander himself was receiving a Spartan training; they were taught as young boys to be self-reliant in a war situation. I can see Amyntor taking advantage of this Macedonian informality and having a little joke on Philip, something he would never even have thought of in his native Athens. And if Macedonians had an opinion of Athenians as "flighty idealists and complacent snobs", wouldn't it be prudent to kill that opinion in the bud as far as his son was concerned, by a display of his skills?
The end: I think all the nobility would be shocked at Amyntor's revelation, but my feeling was that something would immediately click in their heads, and they would at once FEEL that this was right. I can see Philip having a loud laugh, and getting REALLY fond of Heph, something I always feel in my bones, historically (btw, "fond" as in "affectionate to his son's friend"; not the usual melodramatic horror of "fondness" that um.. well, you know!)
Simply wonderful chapter.... looking forward to the "bowling over".....
I agree completely about Hephaestion portrayed as a "paragon of talent, virtue, intelligence, beauty and charm." Sounds too close to a Mary Sue! (Someone, anyone, please virtually hit me if I do that to Hephaestion!) I've tried not to do that, even in this fic that got kicked off with Moon71's "love at first sight" perception of the book's scene. Though, my own bias for Hephaestion often gets in the way...
I happen to think questionable morality and silly mishaps, and even a temper, rather fun - in fictional characters, anyway. ^_^ Hm, could one survive in Macedon back then without something of a temper? ...
Thanks so much again for all your lovely comments - they're encouraging and they make me think!
Non-canonical stuff is completely fine in a work of fiction, like this scenario of the meeting of A and H, especially since we really don't know when, how, where they really did meet. And of course, as long as it is believable. And I think that's where you've done an wonderful job in tying Xenophon -> riding master ->Hephaistion -> amazing horse skills so very well. Sometimes it becomes too incredible when one reads in some fanfic stories that Hephaistion was born as a paragon of talent, virtue, intelligence, beauty and charm! Here, the ending is perfect... Alexander, already intrigued and awed by this "groom", now learns he is a socially acceptable peer, and will presumably learn about the connection to his hero, Xenophon, and will be totally converted.
As to why Amyntor lets his son participate with the rest of his staff, Macedon seemed to be a place where strict social mores were not followed. Alexander himself was receiving a Spartan training; they were taught as young boys to be self-reliant in a war situation. I can see Amyntor taking advantage of this Macedonian informality and having a little joke on Philip, something he would never even have thought of in his native Athens. And if Macedonians had an opinion of Athenians as "flighty idealists and complacent snobs", wouldn't it be prudent to kill that opinion in the bud as far as his son was concerned, by a display of his skills?
The end: I think all the nobility would be shocked at Amyntor's revelation, but my feeling was that something would immediately click in their heads, and they would at once FEEL that this was right. I can see Philip having a loud laugh, and getting REALLY fond of Heph, something I always feel in my bones, historically (btw, "fond" as in "affectionate to his son's friend"; not the usual melodramatic horror of "fondness" that um.. well, you know!)
Simply wonderful chapter.... looking forward to the "bowling over".....
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I happen to think questionable morality and silly mishaps, and even a temper, rather fun - in fictional characters, anyway. ^_^ Hm, could one survive in Macedon back then without something of a temper? ...
Thanks so much again for all your lovely comments - they're encouraging and they make me think!
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