It's A Hard Life

This story answers the December 2003 Challenge, which was to write a Hercules style version of "It's a Wonderful Life". As always, comments welcome!

Hercules stepped outside, pausing for a moment to take in a few deep, cleansing breaths of the cool night air before he turned and walked slowly down the street. He made his way through the deserted marketplace, skirting quickly by the raucous tavern and moving past the few houses that dotted the opposite end of town. The demigod found himself leaving behind the warm, inviting firelight shining through their windows in favor of the darkness that wrapped comfortingly around him, cloaking his pain in the folds of it's blackness. He leaned up against a tree, listening to the insects calling all around him, a gentle breeze stirring his hair as the tears that had been threatening to fall for some time finally made good on their promise. And the welcome darkness shielded him, at least until a soft glowing light appeared beside him.

"You are one of the last people I want to see right now," the demigod announced, turning his back on his visitor and quickly wiping his eyes.

"Don't say that," the god chided gently. "After all, it is the eve of Solstice. Isn't this when you're supposed to spend time with your family?"

"The only family that matters to me is back at the inn, fighting for his life," Hercules spat, whirling around to face his father, his blue eyes blazing intently through the dark night. "Thanks to what your son did. And you can spare me the apologetic 'I can't interfere with another god' crap. I've heard it all before. Just do me a favor and leave me alone."

"I will, if that's what you really want," Zeus said softly. "But I came here to help you."

"Help me?" For a moment, the demigod's face lost it's scowl and he looked at his father eagerly.

"No, you were right," the king of the gods told him regretfully with a small shake of the head. "I can't heal Iolaus. I can't very well go against the rules that I set in the first place..."

"I said I didn't want to hear it," Hercules interrupted, holding up a hand.

"And I said I came here to help YOU. That means you, no one else."

"I don't need any help," the demigod shouted angrily. "I'm fine. I'm always fine. Iolaus is the one..."

"You're not fine," Zeus cut him off sternly before gentling his tone. "I know you think that I've been a lousy father. And I guess in some ways, I have been. But Hercules, you have to believe that I've always been a part of your life, whether you knew it or not. Hardly a day has gone by since you were born that I haven't looked in on you. I've watched my strapping young boy grow up into a man that has never failed to make me proud. I've been there cheering all your triumphs, and I've witnessed with a breaking heart your greatest sorrows. And I have seen you beaten down before, my son, but this is the first time I've ever seen you defeated."

"What do you want from me?" Hercules whispered bitterly.

"I want to know what's going on with you," the god prodded. "Iolaus is still alive, but you're acting like he's already on the boat to Hades. He's made it through worse than this. After all, any man who can come back from the dead is surely able to survive..."

"That's just it," the demigod burst out. "He has been through worse. And he has been killed. Iolaus has endured a lifetime of suffering, and it's all my fault."

"Why do you say that?" Zeus asked. "You didn't knock him off a cliff with a fireball."

"No, that was Ares. But he did it to get to me. And Iolaus wouldn't have even been there if it wasn't for me. 'We're partners, Herc.' 'You need me to watch your back, Herc.' 'We can take that posturing pansy god of war, Herc'."

The king of the gods bit back a smile at his son's dead on impression of his rambunctious best friend.

"But was he right?"

"That's not the point," Hercules sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"What is?"

"I've spent my entire life fighting the gods," the demigod murmured sadly. "And I always thought I managed to escape their fire. But what I'm realizing now is that they've been hitting me for years. What good would it do to kill me? I'd go on to an eternity of happiness in the Elysian Fields with my family. Ares and Hera... they don't want that. They want me to suffer. And they've made sure I have, and they've done such a good job I haven't even realized it. What has a lifetime of battling evil gotten me? Nothing but the heartache of a string of losses. And after all these years, nothing has changed. The gods are still running rampant, toying with the lives of mortals as they see fit. All the work, all the sacrifice, all the pain... And all it boils down to is that I'm tired and I'm frustrated and I'm in danger of losing the last person that I love. And I can't do this anymore."

"What are you saying?" Zeus demanded. "That you're going to turn your back on those that need your help?"

"I'm saying that I'm sick of waging war on the gods," Hercules said stubbornly. "Let them target somebody else for awhile. I'm tired of risking my life on a losing battle, and I won't risk Iolaus' anymore."

"You're entitled to your opinion," the god told his son. "But do you really think Iolaus is going to share it?"

"Iolaus," the demigod laughed humorlessly. "He would have been better off if he never would have met me."

“You’re sure about that, are you?”

“How could he not?”

“Well,” Zeus said slowly, now knowing the course of action to take. “There’s one way to find out.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Come with me, Hercules. I want to show you something, and then I promise I’ll leave you alone.”

“Where are we going?” the demigod demanded suspiciously.

“We’re going to take a journey,” the king of the gods replied. “Into another world. One where you and Iolaus never met.” With a wave of his hand, Zeus opened up a glowing portal in the dark field. He started toward it, but turned back when he realized his son was not following. “Well, come on then! If you’re so sure Iolaus would be better off without you, what will it hurt to look in on him?”

Hercules hesitated for long moments, not sure he wanted to venture into another world, not having had good experiences with them in the past. But curiosity finally got the better of him, and he stepped forward, following his father through the luminous portal. There was a rush of air and a brief sensation of weightlessness, then the demigod found himself standing in the twilight before a rather expansive, elegant abode.

“Here?” he asked in disbelief, looking to his father for clarification. “Iolaus lives here?”

“Yes, he does,” Zeus answered, cocking an appraising eyebrow at his son. “Are you surprised?”

“Well, no,” Hercules stammered, glancing away. “Of course not.”

“Your humbleness is one of your most endearing features, my boy,” the old god chuckled. “Don’t give in to your ego now. You were wondering if Iolaus would have fallen victim to the streets if you weren’t there to influence him.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” the demigod muttered, blushing furiously, both out of anger at himself for having been so quick to believe the worst about his noble friend, and out of humiliation for having been caught.

“Iolaus did take to the streets for a time,” Zeus explained, still highly amused. “And he was a thief briefly, to survive. But then his life took a different path, without you to guide him to yours.”

“What happened?” Hercules asked, eager to know.

“He never went to the Academy. Instead, he went off with his Uncle Flatus and became a great hunter.”

“He must be, to live in a place like this,” the demigod mused, his eyes roaming the intricate carvings and marbled columns of the large house.

“Hunting did not lead him here,” the king of the gods continued. “Well, not directly. Iolaus was out tracking stag one day and he came across three bandits who had kidnaped the daughter of a nobleman. He’d had no formal training, but he’d learned how to brawl on the streets, so he took them all on to save the girl. His courage and compassion was never in question. Iolaus won, but he was gravely wounded in the battle. The nobleman took him in and got him the best healers, and his daughter took care of him while he recovered from his injury. During that period, they fell in love. Well, the nobleman couldn’t deny the brave man who had saved his daughter’s life, and she and Iolaus were married shortly after. He taught Iolaus the family business, and he took it over when the nobleman died. Now he’s the richest man in the city.”

“I guess that just proves me right,” Hercules said quietly. “Iolaus really would have been better off if we had never met.”

Zeus sighed, fighting off the urge to cuff his son on the back of the head. But he couldn’t just shout out the answer, for it was a lesson Hercules had to learn for himself. It was a time for subtlety.

“Do you want to go in?” the god asked. “We’ll be able to see him, but he won’t see us.”

Strangely, Hercules wasn’t really excited about the prospect, but his father was already heading inside and he had no choice but to follow. They entered the great house, and Zeus led the way to a large dining room. Iolaus was seated at the polished table, looking almost regal. His clothes were cut from the finest cloth, his boots from rich leather. With his wild curls combed and tamed, he gave off a dignified, important air. The woman across from him, his wife, was strikingly beautiful with long, dark hair and deep brown eyes. And though he knew he should celebrate his friend’s good fortune, somehow, the sight made the demigod’s heart ache. They watched in silence for a time, until the meal was finished and the lovely young woman excused herself. Iolaus rose from the table and went out to the balcony, leaning against the railing as he looked out into the dark night.

“I’ve seen enough,” Hercules told his father. “Can we go now?”

“Are you sure you’ve seen everything?” Zeus asked cryptically.

“What do you mean?” the demigod demanded impatiently.

“Hercules, you know Iolaus better than anyone,” the god sighed, deciding he’d give him one more chance before he took to cuffing his obstinate son. “Better than you know yourself, in some ways. Go out there. Look at him. And then tell me what you see.”

The demigod narrowed his eyes, studying his father, trying to work out his motives. Then he finally shrugged and ambled out to the balcony to stand next to his friend, finding it a little creepy that he could be spying on Iolaus unawares. He looked his partner up and down critically, failing to see what his father could be getting at. Hercules was just about to go back inside and tell him he suspected senility was creeping in when Iolaus turned slightly so that he was facing him. The demigod stared into those blue eyes, which had always been a mirror into the hunter’s soul.

“He’s not happy,” he blurted out, seeing the restless longing shining from his friend’s eyes. There was no light, no laughter, no joy. Just a hollow emptiness, and it was enough to chill the demigod to the core. “I don’t understand,” he said, going back into the dining room to face his father. “What’s wrong with him?”

“What indeed?” Zeus murmured. “Iolaus has riches and privilege. He’s used his fortune to build schools and he gives generously to the poor, earning him the respect of the town. He’s in the highest standing, and is able to buy anything his heart desires. He’s pampered and protected and safe. So what could be wrong?”

“He never wanted any of that,” Hercules declared, shaking his head as he finally started to catch on. “None of that ever mattered to Iolaus.”

“What did matter?” the god prodded. “What did he want?”

“He wanted...” the demigod trailed off, then cleared his throat. “He wanted adventure. He wanted to be a hero and help people. Help those that couldn’t help themselves. He wanted to be....my partner.” He looked around the fancy house, at all the decoration and finery that had seemed so impressive at first glance, realizing what it was that was unsettling him so. “He’s trapped here. And no matter how much you dress it up, a prison is still a prison.”

“He spends hours out there,” Zeus told him, nodding at the balcony. “In all sorts of weather. Just staring off in the distance. Trying so desperately to figure out what it is he’s missing. You know what that is, don’t you?”

“Me?” Hercules whispered.

“His destiny is intertwined with yours,” the god explained. “For better or for worse, he belongs at your side. In this world, he doesn’t know you, but nevertheless he feels the loss of not being beside you. And he can’t ever be whole without that. You might not want it for him, but he wants it for himself. He is fated to stand with you and face your trials.”

“The price for that is too high,” the demigod argued.

“For you, maybe. But Iolaus is still willing to pay it. If he decides the price is too high, then he will be the one to walk away. But you can’t decide that for him. He’s a grown man who knows his own mind. Physical pain fades quickly. But the pain of loss and longing is an ache that never fades. Is this really how you want to see him, Hercules? Out of danger, safe...but a shell of a man? Is this what you prefer?”

Hercules moved back to the entrance of the balcony, looking at his friend leaning against the railing. It tore his heart to see those strong shoulders slumped in misery, those twinkling blue eyes devoid of life.

“His wife is spoiled and frivolous,” Zeus continued in his ear. “She married too young and quickly fell out of love. She stays with him for the money, and he stays with her out of duty. But their marriage has long since been over. Iolaus spends his days immersed in commerce and trade and income, and his nights dreaming of an escape that’s beyond his reach. So tell me, my son. Do you still think it better for Iolaus if you had never met?”

“No.” The answer was a mere whisper, but that didn’t mute the strength of conviction behind it.

“Then it’s time to go,” the god told him, proud that Hercules had learned the lesson without getting his ears boxed. Maybe that meant there was hope for Ares...

“Zeus,” the demigod called, following his father back to the waiting portal after taking one last look at the sad figure on the balcony. “Since we’re already here, aren’t you going to show me what my life would be like without Iolaus?”

“There’s nothing to show, Hercules,” Zeus finally replied. He didn’t elaborate, but his meaning was clear. The demigod was stunned for a moment, but then he quickly shook it off and followed his father through the portal, back to his own world which suddenly appeared much less bleak than it had earlier. “So,” the god began as they arrived back in the field. “Do you still want to give it all up, or do you still have some fight left in you?”

“I can’t give up,” the demigod responded with a grin. “Iolaus would never let me.”

“I know it doesn’t always seem like it, but the amount of good you and Iolaus have done in this world is insurmountable. Greece would be lost without you, remember that. You take care of yourself, Hercules, and keep making me proud.”

“Father!”

Zeus turned back at his son’s call, surprised to find himself pulled into a bear hug.

“Happy solstice. And thank you.”

“Happy solstice to you, my son,” the old god whispered warmly. “And you’re welcome.”

He vanished quickly, embarrassed by the moisture welling in his eyes. When he was gone, Hercules turned and began loping back toward the inn as the first rays of sunlight started creeping over the horizon.

“There you are,” the healer cried, meeting him at the inn door. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“Why, what’s wrong?” the demigod demanded, cold fear closing in around his heart.

“Nothing’s wrong,” the healer assured him with a smile. “Just the opposite. Iolaus is awake.”

Hercules bolted past him into the inn and dashed to his friend’s room, throwing the door open to see that the hunter was, indeed, awake.

“Hey,” Iolaus said weakly, greeting him with a faint grin.

“Hey yourself,” the demigod replied, sliding into the chair next to the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“Never better,” the hunter proclaimed. “Just as long as I don’t move anything.”

“Don’t tell me,” Hercules teased fondly. “All this drama was to get out of buying me a solstice present, right?”

“No,” Iolaus protested. “I’ve got one for you. It’s just going to be a little late, that’s all.”

“Yeah? And what might that be?”

“Ares’ head on a platter.”

The demigod burst out laughing.

“How about you just promise not to get hit with any more fireballs for a period of six months, and that’ll be good enough for me.”

“Deal,” the hunter agreed.

“Iolaus,” the demigod began, ducking his head and sobering. “I’m sorry...”

“It’s ok, Herc. It’s not your fault.”

“I know, but...”

“Listen, it’s just a hazard of the trade,” Iolaus placated him. “Don’t worry. We’ll get him next time, right?”

Hercules looked deep into his friend’s eyes. A pair of shining blue eyes that were dancing with warmth and humor and happiness, despite the pain he was in. Eyes that were full of life and love. Eyes that were content and secure in the path they had chosen. Eyes that were comforted by the fact they never needed to look past his side to find what they sought.

“Herc? You all right?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” the demigod replied, giving his partner a reassuring grin. “I was just thinking. This really is a wonderful life.”

“You sure you’re ok?” Iolaus asked, fixing a concerned gaze on his friend.

“I’m sure,” Hercules told him. And he was, thanks to an unexpected solstice gift from his father.

“Ok.” The hunter shifted slightly, wincing as he tried to find a more comfortable position. Then he looked up at his friend with a cheeky smile. “So what did you get me for Solstice?”

“Ah. That would be my solemn vow never to let you near a nobleman’s daughter.”

“What kind of a gift is that?” Iolaus demanded.

“Trust me, my friend.”

“Why do I feel like I got gypped?”

“Well, it does come complete with a bowl of hot rabbit stew.”

“Now that’s my kind of present,” the hunter exclaimed, his frown turning back into a sunny grin. “And you don’t even have to wrap it.”

“I thought you might like that.”

“I’d like it even more if I actually had it here.”

“Ok, I can take a hint.” The demigod rolled his eyes, but obediently rose and started heading for the kitchen. But he was halted in the door way by his friend’s voice.

“Hey, Herc? It IS a wonderful life.”

Hercules turned around to face his partner. The path they traveled together was never easy, and it was full of pain and heartache. But as long as they journeyed it side by side, all the suffering was worthwhile because the good times far outweighed the bad. The demigod knew he’d never want to do anything else, for he had willing chosen his own destiny and it was one that he loved. Facing down evil, protecting the innocent, and fighting the good fight. And all he could do was thank the Fates that his irrepressible friend felt the same way, for now, more than ever, he was certain he could not do it alone. Hercules leaned against the doorway of the room, favoring his partner with a fond smile.

“Happy Solstice, Iolaus.”

Finis

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