Author's Note: This story refers to events that happened in the television series and takes place around the middle of season 3. And as the writers seem to have ignored the fact that Iolaus ever had a family in the TV movies, I figured it was OK if I did, too:)
"I don't have ten dinars," Iolaus said quietly.
"Then I can't help you." The man tried to shut the heavy wooden door, but Iolaus blocked it with his boot.
"I'm good for the money," he protested. "Or I can work it off. Please, you have to help me." Iolaus was a proud man, and he hated to beg, but this was an emergency. His pleas went unheeded though. The man was looking at him as if he were a pesky insect.
"Ten dinars," he sneered. "THEN you may have my help." He slammed the door in the hunter's face. Iolaus kicked the wood savagely, tempted to break the door down and give that worm a ten dinar beating. But now was not the time, so he swallowed his anger and turned back to the street to find a kindly old woman watching him.
"I saw the whole thing," she clucked. "Hylas always was a horse's behind. But there's another healer that sometimes lives in the big stone house just outside of town."
"The one with the tree growing out of the rock in front?" That house had been hard to miss.
"That's the one."
"Thank you." Iolaus flashed her his best grin and started back out of town. Gently, he shifted the child in his arms and tried to soothe her. "Hang in there," he whispered. She didn't stir. He quickened his pace, and it wasn't long before he was at his destination. He passed by the boulder that spouted the large tree and turned down the path toward the house. He knocked on the door, and when no one answered, knocked again a little more urgently. Iolaus was about to give up hope when he heard a soft voice from behind.
"Can I help you?" The hunter turned to the girl who had come up the path behind him.
"We need to see the healer. Is he home?"
"HE'S not, but SHE is," the girl smiled. Iolaus began to stammer an apology, but she waved it away and led him into the house. "Now," she said, setting down the basket of plants she had been carrying, "What can I do for you?"
Iolaus indicated the child he was cradling in his arms.
"Set her up here on the table and I'll have a look. What's her name?"
Iolaus busied himself with arranging her on the table for a moment before speaking. "I don't know," he finally replied. She shot him a puzzled look, and he began to explain. "I found her on the road to Samos. She was just sitting in the grass all by herself. I tried talking to her, but she wouldn't, or couldn't answer me. I stayed there with her for awhile, thinking that maybe she was accidentally left behind, but it was pretty obvious no one was coming back for her."
"When did this happen?" The healer's voice was full of concern.
"About a week ago. I've been taking her around to all the neighboring villages, but nobody seems to know who she is or where she came from. I didn't know what else to do with her."
Iolaus looked sadly at his foundling. She was a beautiful child, with long golden curls and big brown eyes. He had tried to find someone to leave her with while he searched for her family, but because of the vacant look in her eyes and the fact that she didn't talk, he couldn't find anyone willing to care for her. "I'm a hunter, a warrior," he'd thought to himself. "What do I know about kids?" He'd even considered taking her to Alcmene while he searched, but then decided it was too far. By the time he got there and back he would have lost several days and he didn't want to risk that. He did the best he could with her and had made out all right, but he couldn't help wishing that Hercules had been with him to help him out.
"When did this fever start?" Iolaus answered her, and even though he was worried about the child, he found his gaze drifting from her to the healer. She was very pretty, with rich auburn hair and brilliant green eyes. But there was something else about her. She had a goodness about her that radiated from her being. Her kindness and purity shone from her like a light, and the sight took the hunter's breath away. He tried to quiet the old familiar feelings that were welling up in him as she finished examining the child and turned to him.
"Well, she has a very serious illness. The good news is that it responds very well to medicine. She should be fine in a couple of days." Iolaus started to beam at her, but his smile faded as he remembered something. He hated to bring it up, especially now.
"There's just one thing," he began. "I don't have any money right now, but I can get you whatever you ask, I promise."
"I'll tell you what," she smiled. "There's a woodpile out back. Split a few logs for me and we'll call it even." Iolaus sighed in relief. If she hadn't agreed to help them, he didn't know what he would have done. The healer frowned slightly as something occurred to her. "Do you have somewhere to stay?"
"We've pretty much been camping it," Iolaus admitted. He'd had a few dinars when he found the child, but they'd gone through them quickly.
"Then you must stay here," the healer offered. "I have lots of room and that way I can keep an eye on her."
"I don't know how to thank you," Iolaus said sincerely.
"Your name would be a start," she said with a wink. Iolaus introduced himself and bowed with a flourish. When he straightened, he found her decidedly nervous.
"Is something wrong?" She didn't answer for a moment, her eyes fixated on the floor. Finally she looked up at him.
"I'm Elissa," she said quietly. Iolaus was confused for a moment. That name sounded familiar...Then it hit him and his heart sank. He couldn't believe it. This kind, gentle girl just couldn't be Elissa.
"Well," he said weakly. "This is awkward." She giggled nervously.
"Small world, huh?" They stood in uncomfortable silence for long moments before she turned and gathered the child in her arms. "I'd better get her settled."
"I guess I've got some wood to chop." Iolaus turned and fled out the door. His mind was in turmoil. He remembered Hercules telling him about this girl, how dangerous she was.
"She seems innocent, unthreatening. She gets you to let your guard down, gets you to trust her. That makes her the most dangerous enemy you can have."
No, Hercules had to be wrong about this one. This girl was kind and sweet. Or was he just being suckered? Again. She HAD escaped from Hercules not once, but twice. As the demigod's best friend, Iolaus knew how near impossible that was. He didn't know what to think, so he decided not to think at all and to lose himself in his work.
Iolaus rounded the right side of the great stone house and went towards the back. He let out a soft whistle of admiration at what he saw. A great garden filled the area, bordered by forest on either side. It was blooming with vegetables and plants, half of which Iolaus didn't recognize. Vines climbed over rows of lattice arches, and the whole thing had a wild, untamed, jungle feel. A stone path wound through the garden, and Iolaus followed it. In the middle of the garden was a large pond, fed by a spring which trickled out of the ground, with several brightly colored fish swimming lazily around. Iolaus had seen some of them before, in his eastern travels, but he didn't recognize the others. He stopped to watch them for a moment, curious about where they had come from, then continued through the garden along the stone path. The garden ended and a steep slope began a rapid descent. Iolaus could see for miles, down into the fertile valley below and beyond. Quite a view, he thought. He turned back toward the house, walking along side the garden instead of through it. He heard the burbling of a stream coming through the woods beside him and went to investigate. The hunter had only gone a few steps into the woods when he came upon the stream. It was small, but an area had been dammed to provide a quiet pool of water for bathing or swimming. Iolaus stooped and scooped up a handful of the clear water. As he drank, he saw a flash of sliver. The hunter grinned. THESE fish he recognized! Iolaus turned back to the house again, flushing a deer as he left the woods. This is my kind of place, he thought contentedly, before remembering whose place it was.
Iolaus finally found the wood stacked against the left side of the house. He began to work, but couldn't quite shut out the conflicting thoughts that were rolling around in his head. So, he worked harder. Iolaus kept splitting logs until his arms ached and he had blisters from the ax. But he didn't stop. He couldn't go in and face her until he knew what to say. In the end, she came to him.
"I have dinner ready if you'd like to come in and eat." Iolaus nodded his thanks.
"Just let me finish this last log." He raised the ax for another swing and she started to go back to the house, but paused and turned to him.
"Iolaus, I just want you to know that I'll help you and the child. You do what you have to do."
"I don't have to do anything," Iolaus said slowly. Without realizing it, he had made a decision. He hated betraying Hercules, but he couldn't betray her, either. Not when she had offered help and kindness so freely. Maybe he was being played for a fool again, but despite Hercules' warning, Iolaus felt he could trust her. Someone that shone with the light of goodness just couldn't be much of a threat. "When this is over, we can go our separate ways and forget it ever happened."
"OK." She smiled a relieved smile and went back to the house. Iolaus was surprised to find he also felt relief instead of guilt. Must be doing the right thing, he thought. With a mighty swing of the ax, he split the last log. He stacked the two pieces onto the pile he'd made and hung the ax on the house where he had found it. Pausing to clean up quickly at the rain barrel, he went inside.
He found Elissa perched precariously on the back of a chair trying to reach the ceiling.
"What are you doing?" he cried as he ran to steady the chair.
"I heard thunder outside and was just trying to patch the roof. It leaks," she told him, blushing. Iolaus watched as she reached up and worked a bit of moss into the crack in the ceiling. "It's temporary, but it works."
"Isn't there anyone in town who can fix it for you?"
"I can take care of myself," she said defiantly, ignoring his outstretched hand and leaping lightly to the floor. Iolaus smiled to himself. He knew what his project for tomorrow would be, no matter how independent she wanted to seem.
"How's the little one?"
"She's sleeping." Elissa led him into the room where she had placed the child. The hunter reached out a hand to gently brush a strand of hair from the little girl's face. She stirred slightly but did not awaken.
"How old do you think she is?"
"I'd say five or six," Elissa replied after studying the child for a moment.
"Why can't she talk?"
"I think she can, physically," the healer whispered. "My guess is whatever happened to her that left her abandoned sent her into shock. Her only defense against the trauma was to shut down emotionally."
"I figured it was something like that. Will she ever get better?"
"Maybe, in time. She responds to you now, so I would say there's hope." Iolaus looked at her, confused. "She does respond to you," Elissa affirmed. "It's subtle, but I noticed it." The hunter wasn't sure why, but that statement made him happy. He looked again at the child. She was so beautiful and innocent, and looked so tiny and fragile in the large bed. As he turned to follow Elissa out of the room, his normally cheery features turned decidedly dark.
"If I ever find out who did this to her..." Iolaus left the statement unfinished, but his tone left Elissa with no doubt as to what the villain's fate would be. But as quickly as it had come, his fierce look vanished by the time they reentered the main room of the house, due in part to the food he spied on the table.
"I'm sorry I don't have much to offer," Elissa apologized as they sat. "I only got back into town yesterday and haven't had the chance to get any supplies yet." Iolaus' jaw dropped as he surveyed the feast set before him. Fish from the stream, fresh bread, beans, olives, grapes, and a few honey cakes. If this was meager eating, what in the name of Zeus did she do when she went all out? His stomach advised him not to waste time asking that question, so he dove into the meal zestfully.
In a few minutes, he began to get his hunger under control enough to begin a conversation. Deep down inside he could hear Herc's voice warning him not to get too friendly with the girl, but he couldn't help it. He hated silence and loved to talk. So he asked her about the magnificent place she called home.
"My grandfather built it. He worked in stone and labored for years to fit them all together just right to build the house." Iolaus had been impressed at the master craftsmanship. The stones making up the floor were highly polished and shaped to fit together so perfectly it was difficult to distinguish the lines between them. They were also of different colors and textures and arranged to form various patterns. Iolaus had never seen this level of quality, not even in any of the great castles he'd visited. A giant marble fireplace was the showpiece of the room, and his eyes went to the detailed pottery that adorned it. "My grandmother made those," the girl said, following his gaze. "She was from Rome. Grandfather met her there and brought her here to Greece after he had finished the house. I'm named after her." Iolaus considered her name. Elissa. It really was a beautiful name. The hunter frowned as he realized where this train of thought was leading him. I'm *not* going there, he thought to himself. Not with this girl.
"So how did you become a healer?" he stammered, trying to distract his mind from the path it was starting down.
"My father was a healer. I learned everything from him. He was taught by Aristaeus, who was taught by the muses. Well," she said frowning, "that's where my education comes from. As far as being a healer, you don't really become one. You're born one. I guess it's kind of like being a hero. You don't really learn it, you either are or you're not." Iolaus blushed slightly from her teasing smile. By the gods she was beautiful when she smiled. Iolaus sighed. The next couple days were not going to be easy.
"What about your mother? I suppose she's a famous bard or something?" He was joking, but Elissa's burst of laughter startled him.
"Well, your half right. She was a bard, but not very famous outside of Acheron. My brother Cimon takes after her. He's a bard and minstrel. My other brother, Argeon, chose the path of adventure and became a sailor. He travels all over the world and always brings me back things from places he's been. Spices and fruits and plants, jewelry and fabrics, sometimes even animals." Well, thought Iolaus, that takes care of the mystery of the strange fish in the garden pool.
"Where are your parents now?"
"Dead," she said with a sad smile.
"I'm sorry," he began, but she cut him off.
"It's all right. They were old and it was their time. They both went peacefully. So this house belongs to my brothers and I now, but none of us are here very much. It's still home, though." She rose and began to clear the table. Iolaus tried to help her, but she waved him away. So he went to check on the child, then came back to sit at the table. He couldn't help but watch her. She had a light grace to her movements that made her seem delicate and extremely feminine, and the radiance that shone from her made it impossible for him to look away. A flutter caught her eye, and she turned to the moth which had been circling dangerously close to the flame of the candle on the table. She gently cupped it in her hands and released it outside the door, sending it off with a gentle smile. Iolaus had never been more confused in his life. How could this sweet, beautiful, kind girl who couldn't even let an insect die be capable of the things Hercules had told him about? Well, it was time to find out.
"Elissa, what happened in Pylos? Hercules never really told me the whole story."
"He doesn't know the whole story. Not my version, anyway."
"Will you tell me?"
"Yes," she said after a moment of silence. "Just let me finish up here." It didn't take her long and soon she set two mugs of hot cider on the table and slid into the seat across from the hunter. She was quiet for awhile, sipping her drink, then finally she took a deep breath and began.
"I spend a lot of time traveling, helping people where I can. I usually only stay in a town for a few days, but I had been in Pylos for about a month. There was a fever epidemic and the town was a mess. Anyway, I was getting ready to move on when two guards approached me. They said that King Neleus had fallen ill and asked if I would see him. So of course I went with them to the palace." Elissa closed her eyes and was silent for a moment, remembering. When she spoke again, Iolaus heard a quiver in her voice.
"The king had obviously been very ill for a period of days. He was completely emaciated and unconscious. His eyes were rolled back and blood was pouring from his nose and mouth. I knew I couldn't save him. He was just too far gone," she whispered.
"What did you do" Iolaus asked after it appeared she wasn't going to continue. Elissa jumped slightly at his voice. She shook her head slightly to clear away the memories. The hunter could see how the story was upsetting her, but he needed her to go on. He had to know what happened.
"I gave him medicine anyway. I knew it wouldn't help him, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to try. In less than an hour he was dead. Before I knew what was happening, Alcestis, the king's advisor, started yelling that I had murdered the king and that I was under arrest. The guards that were there were looking at him like he was crazy, but they obeyed his orders and locked me in the dungeon."
"How did you escape?"
"One of the guards freed me. He said the order had come from Alcestis that I was to be executed for assassinating King Neleus and that he couldn't let that happen to me. Apparently his mother was one of the people I had treated in the village. He told me that I had saved her life, and he couldn't live with himself if he didn't return the favor. So he unlocked my cell and helped me get out of the castle gate."
"Why would Alcestis accuse you of such a thing, especially if it was obvious the king was dying before you even got there?"
"I don't know," she sighed. "The only thing I can think of that remotely makes sense is that Alcestis wanted to assume the throne. Neleus had no heirs, so the next king would most likely be someone from the council chosen by the subjects. Alcestis would have been a logical choice, but he was not liked by the people. By turning their beloved king's death into a murder, he could then gain the people's support when he heroically caught and executed his killer."
Her explanation was logical. Iolaus had witnessed the evil that power-mad men could do more times than he cared to think about. That had to be why Alcestis had accused her of murdering the king. If she was telling the truth. He was positive that she was, but then again, he was not the most reliable judge of character when pretty girls were involved. But Elissa was different. Iolaus just knew it. Well, he thought, there's one way to be sure. He had always been taught to look his opponent in the eye. Eyes cannot lie, he had been told repeatedly. And it was true. In fights, the opponent's eyes almost always gave away his next move. The hunter used this trick in battle, but seldom in life, although it was a technique that could have spared him a lot of heartache and trouble over the years. Now he decided to try it. He locked his brilliant blue eyes onto hers and gazed into their emerald depths.
"Do you believe me?" she asked, as if reading his mind.
"Yes," he said sincerely. Her eyes had shone with truth and all doubt was erased from his mind. But something else was there, too. There was something warm and familiar in her eyes that excited him and comforted him at the same time. Iolaus didn't know what it was, but he knew he should recognize it.
"Something is still bothering you though." It was a statement, not a question.
"The second time you escaped from Hercules," Iolaus began, then hesitated. She nodded for him to continue. "Anything could have happened to him while you left him drugged in the forest."
"I didn't leave him," she replied. "I did drug him. I had to. It was the only way I could escape. But I was worried about what would happen so I sat with him while he was unconscious. When he began to come out of it, I climbed a tree. He woke up, naturally thought I was long gone, and left. But really I was only five feet above his head." Iolaus snickered at this bit of ingenuity. He would have to add it to the bag of Old Hunter's Tricks. "I never meant to hurt him, Iolaus. He's just so insistent about taking me back to Pylos. I CAN'T go back there. It means my life."
"I understand," Iolaus told her. "And I know Hercules isn't taking you back for an execution. He believes in justice, fair trials, and all that other legal nonsense that looks good on scrolls but rarely makes it into the real world. I believe you did nothing wrong, so that's good enough for me. But Herc... It doesn't matter what he believes. As long as you are accused of this, he'll try to take you back to Pylos."
"Well," she said with a sly smile. "He'll have to catch me first." Iolaus couldn't help but laugh. He wished that he would be able to tell Hercules about his acquaintance with Elissa. The demigod had quite a bit of teasing due. He could slay monsters, take down warlords, outwit the King of Thieves, and yet couldn't handle this diminutive, gentle girl. Yes, it would take all of his willpower to keep this one to himself.
"It's late," she said rising. "I need some sleep." She showed him a room that she had prepared for him and bade him to make himself at home. Iolaus yawned a goodnight as she disappeared into the room where the child was still sleeping. He was tired after a long, eventful day and curled up in the soft, warm bed. He had been camping for so long he had almost forgotten what a real bed was like. The hunter yawned again and buried his face in the pillow. For a day that had started so badly, it had turned out all right.
"Iolaus, you're driving me crazy," Elissa moaned.
"Sorry," the hunter said, looking anything but. He put down the fire poker that he had been using to vanquish an invisible enemy and scooped up a handful of olives. Winking at the child who was watching him, he began to juggle, occasionally popping one in his mouth. Elissa sighed and turned back to her work. She began counting stitches to try and figure out where she had left off, but hadn't gotten very far when an olive pelted her in the back of the head. Exasperated, she turned in her chair to glare at him. He was standing with his hands behind his back, whistling, looking for all the world like innocence personified. The healer tried to keep a stern face but his charm was too much to resist and she broke down laughing.
"If you're bored, there's still some Asafetida roots to grind," she teased. He made a face and shook his head violently. He had tried grinding them the day before, but the stench had been so bad he hadn't gotten many done. Even in the open air the smell was revolting. He didn't see how they could be medicinal. But she was right - he was bored. He had fixed the roof and half a dozen other broken objects around the house, chopped enough wood for a year, hunted until she told him to stop bringing meat home, and countless other tasks until there was nothing left to do.
"Why don't we go on a picnic?" he suggested suddenly.
"Trust you to come up with an activity that involves food," the healer wryly commented.
"How can I help it when you are such an incredible cook." Iolaus gave her his most irresistible grin. She rolled her eyes in disgust, but realized that she wasn't going to get anything done with the hunter restlessly prowling around the house.
"All right, just go outside and give me a few minutes peace and I'll see what I can throw together." Iolaus let out a whoop and hurdled the table, pausing to scoop the child up as he went out the door. Elissa shook her head, laid her sewing aside, and went to gather the food. It wasn't long before she was ready. As she left the house, she stopped to watch Iolaus with the child. He was crouched beside her, showing her something on the ground. The sun was shining on them, illuminating his golden form. He was magnificent. The picture the two of them made melted her heart, but she also felt a bit sad. Elissa had grown very fond of the hunter and the child over the last several days and she knew it was almost time for them go. She sighed as he looked up and beamed at her.
"Ready?" She didn't trust her voice at that moment, so simply nodded her answer. He strode toward her and took the basket from her hands. With his free hand, he effortlessly swept the child up to ride on his shoulder and they started off into the woods. They hadn't gone far when they came to a quiet clearing, filled with flowers. Elissa spread a blanket over the soft grass and they settled down to enjoy the afternoon. The healer and the hunter talked for awhile as they watched the child move among the flowers. Iolaus couldn't help smiling as he watched her. She had completely recovered from her illness, but she was also getting better psychologically. Although she still did not talk, the vacant look had vanished from her eyes and she had begun to take an interest in her surroundings.
"What are you going to do with her if you can't find her family?"
"I don't know," Iolaus replied. He didn't like to think about it. "I don't want to leave her with strangers, but I can't keep her." He caught the healer's eye. "Well I can't," he repeated forcefully.
"I didn't say anything."
"Look at the life I lead. That's no life for a little girl. And I don't know anything about kids. What kind of father could I be?"
"I think you would make a great father," she said gently.
"Yeah, I had a great role model to follow," Iolaus muttered bitterly.
"If your father made mistakes, then you know what NOT to do," she rationalized. When he didn't respond, she continued. "Iolaus, you are kind and gentle with her. You treat her with patience and love. You protect her. You provide for her. What more can you ask of a father?"
"Maybe." He was blushing and decided to change the subject. "C'mon, let's eat!" Elissa gave him a smile and began to lay out the food as he busied himself starting a small fire.
After their meal, Iolaus stretched out on the blanket and patted his full stomach. He thought it seemed a little softer than usual and frowned. The way the healer had been feeding him, it was no wonder. Time to start training again, and definitely time to cut back on those honey cakes. His thoughts were interrupted by the child trying to climb into his arms. He sat up and gathered her into his lap.
"I'm sorry, Little One. I forgot." He saw Elissa had her medicine ready and he reached out a hand for it. The child hid her face in the hunter's chest. She didn't put up too much of a fuss at having to drink the bitter tea, provided Iolaus gave it to her.
"Cheer up sweetie, this is the last one," the healer told the child. It was good news, but it made Iolaus' heart sink.
"She doesn't need any more?" Elissa shook her head. "Then... I guess we should be leaving soon." The hunter didn't know what kind of a hold this woman had on him, but he had been dreading this day since the first night they had spent in the great stone house. They were quiet for a long time, each one thinking of things they didn't dare say. The child had come back from chasing a butterfly and had fallen asleep on the blanket, using the hunter's leg for a pillow. He carefully disentangled himself and stood, stretching.
"Want to take a little walk?" Elissa nodded and rose. They didn't go far from the child, just a little way into the woods. The healer stopped abruptly as her skirt snagged on a fallen branch. Iolaus picked up a nearby stick and leapt in front of her.
"Never fear, fair maiden! I will save you," he cried, bowing grandly. He began to wage a fierce battle with his opponent.
"My brave warrior," she said mockingly as he parried and thrust with the stick. Finally he subdued the enemy and freed her, returning to kneel before her.
"You are such a goofball," she laughed. "I'm going to miss you." Her voice held a touch of sadness behind the giggles. Iolaus looked up at her. He was drawn to her radiance, to her beautiful smile, and to those brilliant green eyes that held that familiarity that he couldn't place. It took all of his control not to take her into his arms. As much as it hurt him to walk away from her now, he knew it would be worse if their relationship were to advance. And he did have to walk away from her.
"I wish I didn't have to go," he said softly.
"Maybe you shouldn't go just yet," she began as the idea hit her. "Next week is the festival to Demeter in Acheron. It's a small festival, but lots of people come from the surrounding villages. Maybe someone will know something about the child. Oh, and my brother Cimon is coming. He's a bard and minstrel, so he may have heard something about a lost child in his journeys." Her enthusiasm was contagious, and Iolaus felt relief that he would be able to stay with her a little longer. A little voice inside him warned him that he should go now. That in another week he would just be that much more attached. The hunter scoffed at the voice and dismissed it. Anyway, he thought, I'm doing this to help my Little One.
"Are you sure you can put up with me for another week?" he joked.
"I'm sure you'll have driven me completely insane by then, but I'll give it a try," she sighed. As the two headed back to their picnic spot, neither saw the god and goddess watching them.
"Well," Aphrodite challenged her companion. "Do we have a bet?"
Iolaus was disappointed to see that his snares were empty. I'll have to move them, he thought to himself as he turned back. He didn't have time now, as they would be going to the festival soon. Just the thought made him smile. He loved festivals. The food and drink and dancing and games and ... girls. Somehow the thought of scores of pretty girls didn't interest him very much this time.
"Iolaus," he said out loud. "You have GOT to get over her!" But that was impossible. He had sincerely tried over the past week, to no avail. They had been busy, so the time had passed quickly. Once word had gotten around that Elissa was back home, she had several people coming to her each day for help. For those who could afford it, she charged a dinar or two for her help. For those that couldn't, she took whatever they offered in trade, or merely helped them for free. Iolaus wondered how Hylas, the healer who had turned him away when he first came to Acheron, could make a living while competing with Elissa.
"I'm not here all the time," she reminded him. "Sometimes they have no choice. But confidentially, Hylas couldn't tell an asafetida root from an arnica leaf. He talks the talk, but has no idea what he's doing."
Iolaus, on the other hand, had been learning quite a bit from the healer, helping her with whatever he could. Being an experienced woodsmen, he knew of the medicinal value of a few plants. Hercules had shown him a couple others. But Elissa was a wonder. She had a remedy for everything, and a use for every weed she came across. His medical knowledge had tripled in the short time he'd been with her. And his love for her seemed to triple by the day. Yes, he finally had to admit it to himself. He was hopelessly in love with the beautiful healer with the familiar eyes who was wanted for murder by his best friend. He remembered a conversation they had had a few days ago. They usually spent their evenings by the fire, swapping stories, and Iolaus had been telling her about taking his cousin's place as king in Attica, including the part about falling in love with Niobe.
"I get the feeling you fall in love with every pretty girl who crosses your path," she had said. Iolaus couldn't tell if she was joking or not, but he could not respond, because it was true. He did have the reputation for falling for girl after girl. Hercules often teased him about it. And even though leaving Niobe had broken his heart, it was not long at all until he rebounded after the next girl. But as he looked at Elissa in the firelight, into those soft green eyes that reflected the flames along with that other familiarity that he couldn't place, Iolaus was certain that he had never known what love was until he had met her. He almost told her that night, but instead excused himself and went to bed, not allowing himself to think about how wonderful it would have been to hold her in his arms and share their first sweet kiss. Iolaus had already needed to jump into the icy stream more times than once that week, and did not desire to do it again.
A smile lit the hunter's face and a warm feeling washed over him as he caught sight of her upon approaching the great stone house. She was walking toward the road with Cimon, who was carrying the child on his shoulders. Iolaus had been a little nervous concerning Cimon's arrival. From his vast prior experience with protective brothers, he doubted that this one would take kindly to a strange man in the house alone with his sister. But Cimon had shaken his hand and greeted him warmly when Elissa introduced them. He was slight and fair with his sister's smile, and was extremely easy-going and charming. Iolaus had liked him right away. And Cimon was thrilled to meet Hercules' partner. The hunter was able to give him a wealth of new material for his songs and stories.
I ought to get him together with Gabrielle, Iolaus thought. After a moment he discarded the idea. Cimon was far too laid back. He'd never be able to keep up with her. The hunter shook his head. It was not so long ago that envisioned himself with the beautiful blond bard. Now he was trying to fix her up.
"What is wrong with me?" he moaned softly. His eyes went to the answer. Her vibrant radiance was almost blinding as the sunlight illuminated her. Iolaus watched as she deftly climbed up the boulder by the road and broke a small twig off the tree that sprouted from it. She jumped gracefully down and handed the twig to her brother. He tucked it into his lyre strap and lifted the child down from his shoulders. Elissa hugged him, then took the girl's hand and headed back down the path as Cimon started down the road toward town. The child waved at the minstrel's departing figure. They had taken an instant liking to each other, and Iolaus felt a little stab of what he could only classify as jealousy. It only lasted a moment, as the child began to run when she caught sight of the hunter by the house. He held out his arms to her and she leapt into them. "There's my girl," he laughed, tossing her high into the air.
"Are you sure you don't mind going to a festival that honors one of the gods?" Elissa asked as she approached them.
"I've got nothing against Demeter," Iolaus shrugged. "At least she's never tried to kill me. Yet." He set the child down gently. "Am I late?"
"No, not really," she answered. "Cimon wanted to go in early and get a sense of his competition."
"What was the twig for?" Iolaus nodded in the direction of the tree.
"My grandfather was always impressed with trees that could grow out of the debris that collects on the rocks. He considered them lucky. That's why he built the house here. He said that was the biggest, strongest tree he'd ever seen grow on rock. And he also told us that if we carried a small piece of such a tree with us, we would always have good luck. My brothers never really believed that, but I say a little extra luck never hurts." She gathered the child to her and went inside to get ready for the festival.
Iolaus sat in the shade to wait. The wait turned out to be well worth it. The hunter's jaw dropped as the healer finally emerged from the house. She was wearing a beautiful green dress that matched her eyes and made them glow even more brightly. The dress clung to her shapely form, and bared a little more cleavage than she normally showed. His eyes were riveted there for some time, before he was able to drag them upwards past the delicate silver pendant around her neck. She had woven tiny blue flowers among the soft waves of her rich auburn hair, which fell loosely below her shoulders. It was awhile before he could find his voice to speak.
"You look stunning," he was finally able to stammer out. It was a complete understatement. He had never been filled with such love and desire before, and he had a feeling he would be making another trip into the icy stream before the day was over.
"Let's go have some fun," she said, blushing at his compliment. Iolaus scooped up the child with one arm and took the healer's hand with the other, and the three set off for the festival.
It was a beautiful day and they were enjoying the walk until just outside of town. They came upon four men in the process of robbing an elderly couple. Iolaus quickly pushed the child into Elissa's arms and advanced.
"Well, well. Iolaus. What a pleasant surprise," the leader sneered.
"What happened Ephialtes? Someone finally run your sorry hide out of Thrace?"
"Let's just say I've moved on to greener pastures."
"Why don't you just keep moving? I like this town, and I don't want the likes of you tainting it."
"You think you can stop me without your buddy Hercules?" Ephialtes tried to sound menacing, but there was a touch of nervousness to his voice. Iolaus silently stood his ground until one of the thugs attacked. The hunter ducked the wild swing easily and felled his opponent with one hard punch. He took the second one out with a whirling spin kick. Ephialtes came next. He feigned a right punch but struck with his left. Iolaus had seen it coming and countered with a low sweeping kick that knocked the thug off his feet. The hunter turned to the last man. They locked eyes for a moment, then he took off running into the woods as Ephialtes struggled to his feet.
"You should pick your enemies carefully, Iolaus," he warned, staring lecherously at Elissa. "Those are two nice looking girls you have there. I'd hate to see anything happen to them." He instantly realized it was the wrong thing to say. Before he even knew what hit him, Ephialtes was lying on his back on the ground with Iolaus on top of him. Wildly, he clawed at the hand around his throat, but the hunter had him in an iron grasp. The blue eyes that drilled into his panic stricken ones were cold and hard and seethed hatred.
"If anything happens to either one of them," the hunter began in a quiet voice that filled the thug with terror. "I'm coming after you. And before I'm done with you, you will wish that I had killed you today. So you had better pray to the gods that nothing ever happens to them. Do you understand me?" Iolaus squeezed even tighter. Ephialtes was beginning to turn blue from lack of air, and he nodded as best he could. The hunter released him and left him coughing and gasping for breath. He approached the old couple.
"Are you all right?" They were, and thanked him exuberantly.
"May Hera smile upon you," the woman called out to him as they set off again.
"Well, I won't hold my breath waiting for that," he declared, rolling his eyes.
"You enjoyed that little skirmish, didn't you?" Elissa accused him teasingly.
"You bet. I haven't had a good fight since I came here. Not that this one was a good fight. Too easy and over far too quickly." Nevertheless, Iolaus was feeling good about his victory.
"My brave warrior," the healer murmured, a little less mockingly than usual. He took the child from her again.
"Come on, or we'll miss Cimon."
They arrived in plenty of time for the bard competition. Iolaus had to admit that Cimon really was very good. His easy charm immediately ingratiated the audience, and he was very animated and passionate on stage. He definitely had a way with a story. The judges thought so too, and awarded him first prize. Elissa decided to congratulate him later, after the mob thinned out, and they set off to enjoy the rest of the festival.
They wandered around the stalls, looking at the wares people were selling, then went to the stables to see the animals on display. Cimon caught up to them and convinced Iolaus to enter some of the games. The hunter won the archery contest and the sword exhibition, and came in second in the foot race. Iolaus had entered for fun, but he was very pleased to get a few dinars for his winnings. Money was scarce to him since he had given up the blacksmith's life for adventure. Being a hero was not a very lucrative business, so he was glad to pick up dinars wherever he could. He never really needed much, but it was nice to have a little for emergencies. But the life of the bard, on the other hand, had the potential to be very lucrative. Cimon had gotten quite a large purse for his winnings, and he insisted on buying them all dinner.
"I've asked all the other bards and no one has heard anything about the child. I'm sorry, Iolaus," Cimon said as they sat down to eat in the tavern. The hunter didn't know if this was good news or bad news. As much as he wanted to find the girl's family, he hated the thought of letting her go. "I'll keep asking around though," Cimon continued. "Maybe you could stay with Elissa for a little bit longer? That way I know where you are if I find anything out."
"Well," Iolaus sighed. "Living with her is pure Tartarus, but I guess I can stick it out for a little longer." The healer made a face and tossed a chunk of bread at him. "That's real nice. Now look what you've taught her," Iolaus complained as he dodged a second piece of bread thrown by the child. For such a little girl, she had remarkable aim.
As they ate, or tried to in between the laughter that permeated the meal, a burly man approached their table and congratulated Cimon on his win.
"How much longer are you going to be in town?"
"Just tonight. I'm leaving in the morning," Cimon told him.
"I'm trying to recruit a team to rebuild Polymede's house. I was hoping I could get you on board."
"I'm sorry," the bard replied. "I have to be at another festival day after tomorrow." The man ran an appraising glance over Iolaus.
"How about your friend?"
"Sure," the hunter replied. "I'd be glad to help."
"Here." Cimon handed him the bag of dinars he had won. "My contribution. For supplies." Elissa smiled proudly at her brother and Iolaus. The big man grinned his thanks and told the hunter he'd be in touch when they were ready to begin, then went off to solicit more helpers.
"The band's starting," Cimon declared. "And I would like to dance with the most beautiful girl at the festival." He picked up the child and skipped outside. Elissa and Iolaus followed him and watched him dance in circle, spinning the girl around. "Well, come on you two," he yelled impatiently. They looked at each other shyly for a moment, then the hunter took her hand and they joined Cimon.
They were both excellent dancers, very graceful and fluid. But there was also a connection between them. They moved as one, never out of sync, and the chemistry between them crackled electrically in the air. Great applause greeted them when they left the dance area after only a few songs. Iolaus wanted to take the child from Cimon to free him for the crowd of pretty girls that were waiting their turn. He was also afraid of losing control if he danced with Elissa much longer. The movement, the closeness, and the touching was killing him. So, they sat and watched the others.
This was the time when the festival normally got really interesting for Iolaus. Darkness had just fallen, the wine was flowing freely, and the pretty village girls were all looking for a companion for the night. But now he was ready to go. The child had already fallen asleep in his lap, and he wasn't interested in any of the girls except the one by his side. Elissa waved at Cimon and caught his attention. When he came over, she told him they were leaving. He tried to persuade Iolaus to stay and join the fun, but Iolaus refused.
"Well," the bard said, holding the twig the healer had given him that morning. "This brought me luck today. Now let's see if it can help me get lucky tonight." He winked at Iolaus and went off to rejoin the dark hair beauty who had captured his fancy. Elissa just shook her head at her brother.
"You can stay if you want to," she told the hunter as they started down the road.
"I can't let you walk home in the dark alone," he admonished. "Besides, I really don't mind leaving." He cradled the sleeping child in his arms gently and looked at Elissa. Iolaus didn't know which was brighter, the moon that shone in the night sky or the light that glowed from the healer.
When they arrived back at the house, Iolaus tucked the child in bed as Elissa took two glasses and a flask of wine out to the wild garden. The hunter joined her on the stone bench by the fish pond. They sat in silence for a long time. Longer than Iolaus would have thought possible. Neither wanted to disturb the atmosphere that filled the night. Everything was bathed in soft moonlight, giving the world an ethereal feeling. A soft breeze gently caressed them as they listened to the sounds of the frogs and the insects and basked in the calm peace that surrounded them. Iolaus knew there would never be a more perfect time or place for him to confess his feelings for her. He yearned to tell her how much he loved her, to take her in his arms, to kiss her gently yet passionately, and to make love to her in the grass under the moonlight.
"I had a really good time today," he said softly. He could not allow himself to say any more.
"Me too." Iolaus was lost in her eyes. Even in the pale moonlight he could glimpse that... what WAS that he saw in her eyes? It was driving him crazy that he couldn't remember where he had seen it before.
"Iolaus," she whispered.
"Yes?"
"Nothing," she said after a long pause. "Let's go in." He followed her back into the house. It was for the better. He knew if they had stayed out there much longer, he would have fallen under the moonlight's spell and done something he would regret later. But he wished she would have said what she wanted to say. The hunter sighed heavily as he flopped onto his bed. His loyalty to Hercules knew no bounds, but that did little to comfort the ache in his heart.
"There HAS to be a way to work this out," he whispered to himself. He laid awake most of the night, trying to think of a way that he could be with Elissa without betraying his best friend. Hercules had told him about what he went through to take the mercenary Derk back to Sparta for trial, and Iolaus knew the demigod's sense of justice would plague him if the hunter and the healer were to form a relationship. And although he had made his peace with Xena, the memory of that betrayal was still fresh in his mind. He just couldn't do that to Hercules again. But the hunter's love for Elissa was overwhelming, and he simply refused to give up hope that someday they would be together. There had to be a way, and he wouldn't give up until he found it.
Iolaus was tired, but happy, as he started off down the road. The guys had asked him to the tavern to celebrate the completion of the house they had rebuilt for the widowed Polymede, but he had declined. It was getting to be late afternoon and he knew that Elissa would have dinner ready before long. "I'd like to come," he had told them. "But I'd better go home."
Home. That is how he had come to think of the great stone house. And he had begun to think of Elissa and the child as his family. Some home, a nasty little voice whispered in his head. Your "child" is mute and your "wife" is wanted for murder. Iolaus began to whistle to try and shut out the voice. He knew the voice came from his head, but inside his heart, he was content. The hunter liked Acheron. It was a peaceful, friendly town. The villagers had accepted him, partly because of Elissa and partly because of his willingness to help. They were inviting him to the tavern and to join in their games, and Iolaus was pleased to be able to call many of the men his friends. And he was at home in the great stone house. But the main source of his happiness came from his girls. Iolaus was no longer driven to find the little girl's rightful family. He would be it from now on. Last night he had lain awake thinking of names for her. After all, he couldn't call her "Little One" forever. Nothing he thought of seemed quite right, so he thought he would ask Elissa for suggestions. A dreamy smile floated across his face as he thought of the healer. His love for her seemed to grow tenfold each day. She was beautiful, and intelligent, and full of life. But there was something else. They shared a connection. From the first day they had met, Iolaus felt like he had known her forever. They seemed to read each other's mind, and there was nothing he couldn't tell the healer. His heart told him that he belonged here with them. He loved Alcmene dearly, and she always made him feel welcome, but this was the first time in his life he ever felt like he had a real home and family. And surrogate as it might be, Iolaus was happy.
He quickened his pace along the road, swinging his arm in a broad circle. It was sore from hammering, but he knew Elissa could work that out for him. Although, feeling her soft hands on his bare skin could present a problem. Iolaus was sometimes driven to near madness at not being able to express his love to the young healer. Having her massage his shoulders would not help him keep his feelings in check at all. If only he could make Hercules understand the situation. But even if he could convince the demigod that this time his love was real, Herc would never be at ease with having the matter of her trial unresolved. Iolaus sighed and tried to put the thoughts out of his head and enjoy the rest of the time he had with her. He knew he would have to leave soon. The hunter couldn't stand the thought of leaving her, but he also knew he couldn't stay forever. He had commissioned a runner to deliver a note to Hercules, saying that he was fine and would catch up with him after he had settled some business. As of late, the partners had never been separated for very long, and the last thing Iolaus needed was for his friend to get worried and come looking for him. It bought him some time, but he knew Herc would be expecting him eventually.
The sun was beginning to set as he arrived at the house. Iolaus was not surprised to see a wagon sitting out in front. He assumed that it was someone needing Elissa's help, and trotted inside to see if he could do anything. When he entered the house, he saw the healer sitting at the table with a young couple. She turned to him and gave him a sad smile. Then he saw his Little One sitting on the lap of the strange woman. The hunter felt a sharp pain flood through him as he fully grasped the situation.
It all happened so fast. Elissa introduced the couple as the little girl's aunt and uncle. They told him that their village had been destroyed by a warlord while they were away, and when they came back, they found the girl's father dead and her and her mother missing. Later they had found her mother's body not far from where Iolaus had found the girl. They had assumed the child was also dead, until they heard Cimon's story at a festival. Iolaus didn't want to believe them. He wanted to challenge them, but the way the girl was clinging to the woman, he knew they were telling the truth. Elissa invited them to stay, but they were in a hurry to be going. Before he knew it, the hunter was standing in the doorway watching them drive away with his Little One.
"I'm going out for a walk," he finally said in what he hoped was a steady voice.
"I'll have dinner ready soon," she replied, brushing a hand across her eyes.
"I won't be gone long," Iolaus told her, and went out the door. He walked out through the garden until he came to the sloping drop off. The pain and sadness of losing her was hitting him in waves. He stared out through the dusk into the valley below, trying to convince himself that it was for the best. After darkness had fallen, he heard Elissa come through the garden looking for him. She stood behind him and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I know you loved her," she said softly. He nodded, not trusting his voice to speak. The healer slid her arm around him and he turned and let himself be drawn into her warm embrace. Iolaus had spent so much of his life helping other people, he had forgotten what it was like to have someone hold and comfort him for a change. He hugged her tightly to him, breathing in the sweet fragrance of her hair, and some of the pain evaporated.
"They're nice people, Iolaus. They'll take good care of her," she whispered in his ear. He backed off a little to smile at her.
"Aurora. That's a good name for her, isn't it?" It was a beautiful name, fitting for her, and better than anything he had come up with. She agreed with him, then asked if he felt like eating. Of course, the hunter always felt like eating. Even the loss of his Little One couldn't change that.
They shared the meal in silence, and when they finished, Elissa looked at him sadly.
"You're leaving tomorrow, aren't you?" She had read his mind, like always.
"I have to," he said quietly.
"Yes, I guess there's no reason for you to stay any longer." The words hurt him. She was reason to stay, but he couldn't tell her that. It would only make leaving that much harder. Iolaus helped her clean up, then went to bed with a heavy heart. He wasn't able to sleep, so when dawn broke, he rose and went to chop wood. The hunter wanted to leave her with a good stack before he left. When he finished he entered the house for the last time. Elissa was awake and was packing him a bundle of food.
"I can't take all this," he protested, but she shoved the bundle into his hands. They stood staring at each other awkwardly, much as they did on their first meeting.
"I'll miss you," she whispered. He wanted to tell her how much he'd miss her, that he'd be thinking about her, and how much she meant to him. But he didn't.
"Thanks for everything," he said lamely. He turned to go.
"Iolaus."
"Yes," he said, turning back to face her.
"Tell Hercules I said hi." He grinned at her joke and lifted his arm in a wave. Then he left the stone house.
He knew she was watching him go, but he didn't allow himself to look back. Each step away from her was like a knife in the heart, and if he looked back at her, he might not be able to keep going. He tried to tell himself that it would be all right once he got out of Acheron. He would rejoin Hercules and get his old life back. It would be good old carefree Iolaus with no responsibilities and lots of women. Elissa and Aurora would fade into memories as all his other loves had, and he would forget about them and move onto the next.
But that's not exactly what happened.
Disclaimer: Despite the length of this story going wildly out of control, no one was hurt during it's writing.
Home
Chapter Two: Melancholia
The Ioluasian Library