Because these are all extemporaneous written pieces, I am going to share these on this blogspot. I have already placed three of the conversations of the gods here as eventually after all is written in first draft form I will determine how to weave these conversations in and out of the story.
I am sharing these for a variety of reasons, none of which I will explain now. I call them writing attempts. So writing attempt I is first.
Olympias held the crying child in her arms, and gazed at his tiny cherubic face, rocking him to sleep. She sang a song quietly as he nestled deeper into her arms.
She sang. "Oh, Little son of Zeus, child of mine, golden haired wonder, you are with me now. Little Son of Zeus."
"I will name you for your grandfather, Alexandros. She began to chant: You are my darling angel, you have come to me now. Oh, Little son of Zeus, child of mine. How I love thee, Wondrous joy of my life."
She held the babe in her arms, leaned back agains the soft pillow, prayed to herself, and to her deity. "Oh dear wondrous Creator, bless my child, protect him, take him into your care, and le me live through his greatness, his mystery, his wonder, his deeds. Thank you for bringing this joy to my life, and may he live to be a blessing for me and my countrymen.
Gently, she carried the babe to a waiting cradle where she lay him down to sleep. She could hardly pull herself away from the babe that lay soundly asleep, a small half smile curving his mouth upward. "I love thee, dear child, " she murmured again.
She then softly walked to her own chamber, where she lay down upon the warmth of her own bed and fell soundly to sleep.
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Following will be two versions of Alexander at a young age.
A year later, Alexander celebrated his first birthday with his mother, father, and his nurse Lanike whose milk had fed him throughout his first months. He clung to her hand as he walked to the gardens where a banquet and festival had been prepared for the young prince and his guests, members of the court and countryside. Nearly everyone had been invited, from far and wide, to attend this first birthday celebration.
Philip came over to Lanike,,and said to her," Thank you, Governess, I shall take him from here to the special table that we have prepared just for him." With that he threw young Alexander high into the air, where he squealed happily and loudly, crying out, "Papa!" so everyone could hear. Philip laughed heartily, and announced, "Here we have the young birthday child! Alexander, our future, is here at last!"
Everyone cheered loudly in total merriment at seeing the first sight of Alexander at the age of One.
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"Here's to Alexander," a voice cried out. "Hail Alexander!" another followed. Everyone broke in to loud praise of Alexander, all shouting, " Yeah! Alexander!"
Alexander had truly amazed his mother and proud father with his robust health, his innate curiosity, as he quickly grew and became a strong and sturdy infant. He had aroused the envy of everyone in the court when at six months he had stopped crawling, began to stand on his sturdy legs, and tried to walk. At nine months, he walked on his own. He studied everything that he could see, touch, and find in his room.
His mother had prepared a very special room for young Alexander. She had fitted it with a cradle that was made of cypress wood, curved wooden slats to enable it to rock to and fro, filled it with soft ccushions ujpon which his head could rest, and ribbons, ornaments, and charms. A dozen candles were lit day and night, sending out a fragrance that would both calm and soothe the babe whenever he was placed in the cradle to sleep or rest.
Small chairs were set about the room, busts and statues of Zeus, Apollo, Poseidon, dionysus, Hera, and Athena, and Aphrodite adorned the entryway into the room. The room was kept airy and light.
Alexander had developed quickly so that by the time he reached his first birthday, he had already conquered not only his mother and father, but also every member of the court. His golden curly locks fell gently around his shoulders. Though his father Philip was a dark haired man with a curly beard and curly hair, and his mother was fair skinned, who hair was thick and long, auburn colored, Alexander tended to favor his mother with his light complexion and golden locks.
Olympias daydreamed all the time about her beautiful son. Her dreams for him were magnificent. She would imagine that he would be endowed with a great talent, that he would be a great leader amongst men. Her hopes and dreams were such that she would often speak of them to him. Whispering in his ear, she cooed, " You, my son, are the son of Zeus, the highest god in the Heavens. You will achieve much. You will overcome every obstacle in your path. Zeus himself will guide you."
Tiny Alexander would smile and laugh at his mother, reaching up with his tiny hand to touch her mouth, and say," Mama!" This made Olympias laugh out loud. "Oh, my darling, you are so wonderful to me." she cried, as she squeezed his leg and kissed his stomach. "My little Zeus!", she laughed aloud.
Later, when Philip entered the room to see his son, he would pick him up and throw him high into the air. Alexander squealed with glee. His father's massive hands were far stronger than those of his mother. "Papa!", he cried out. "Again!" Philip would throw him even higher, at which Alexander would squeal louder and louder. "More!" he shouted, and laughing. Philip cradled him into his arms when he caught him. "You love thrills, don't you?" he exclaimed. Alexander laughed happily as his father, giving him a nod with his head.
Philip had been as proud of Alexander as Olympias had been. He had yearned for a son who would follow in his path for so long that when he finally appeared he was overwrought with joy and wonder at the blessing that the gods had bestowed upon him.
He confided to Olympias. "I saw Apollo who has told me that great things are in store for Alexander. We have a special son, dear wife.!"
"Yes, Philip, I believe you," she returned, smiling softly.
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