Author's note: This story doesn't recap, so it is recommended that you read the first chapter to understand this one. The setting is at the beginning of season 4. There is a scene of violence, but it is not graphic and is nothing that couldn't be shown on the series.
To read a summary of the previous chapter, click here
Iolaus didn't really mind the gray skies and the drizzle that had been falling all day. The weather fitted his mood. He knew that Hercules was concerned about him, and the last thing he wanted to do was worry his best friend, especially after all that he had been through lately. When they were busy fighting the gods and being heroes, Iolaus was all right. But on quiet nights and slow days, when he didn't have the adventure to occupy his mind, he suffered with bouts of depression and sadness. And all of his days were cloudy because he had left his blue skies and sunshine behind in Acheron, along with the girl he loved.
The hunter had told himself that she would be like the others. Once she was out of sight, she'd be out of the picture. But it wasn't like that. Elissa had gotten inside his heart, and his thoughts were filled of her. He dreamt of her every night, and when he awoke in the morning, it was all he could do not to start running for Acheron. So many times he almost told Hercules about her, but he couldn't. Iolaus had a suspicion that Hercules didn't really believe she had murdered King Neleus, because the demigod wasn't overly concerned with finding her. But then again, they had been busy lately with a large number of monsters and warlords to deal with. The hunter sighed. Even if Hercules didn't believe she was guilty, it still wouldn't stop him from taking her back to Pylos for trial if he ever found her. So Iolaus kept quiet about the woman that had stolen his heart. He knew that Hercules was hurt because he wouldn't tell him what was wrong, and the hunter hated not being able to confide in his best friend, but this was one burden he'd have to shoulder alone.
Iolaus sighed again and allowed thoughts of her to fill his mind. As if he could keep from thinking of her. He could picture her perfectly, and even though it had been months, he could still vividly smell the sweet fragrance of her rich auburn hair. When he closed his eyes, he could see her emerald ones sparkling at him, shining with warmth and that familiarity that he never could place. He could see the radiance shining from her, and he wished with all his heart that he could be near her once again.
His wish was granted. As the hunter turned the bend in the road, he saw Elissa standing there. He closed his eyes and shook his head quickly, wondering if desire was causing him to hallucinate. But when he opened them, she was still there, and Iolaus recovered from the shock of finding her as he realized she wasn't alone. Five men had her surrounded, and none of them had seen him yet. He crept closer.
"How about a real man?" the leader asked, running a finger along her arm. Iolaus shook his head. Was there some bandit school that these goons went to in order to learn these horrible lines? Why else did they all constantly say the exact same things? Couldn't he ever run into one with some degree of originality?
"I'll let you know when I find one," Elissa snapped, tossing her head defiantly. As she glared around the circle of men, she caught sight of Iolaus for the first time and a smile crept across her face. "Oh look. There's one now."
Before they could turn and look, Iolaus had taken two out. The others were pretty easy to fight off. They were relying on force rather than skill, and the hunter was easily able to dodge their clumsy blows and sneak in some of his own. The fight was over before he even broke a sweat. He surveyed the bodies littering the ground with a degree of satisfaction for a moment before remembering the reason he was fighting. He turned and drank in the sight of his beautiful lady.
"Friends of yours?" Iolaus indicated the fallen men.
"Something like that," she said, as he walked over to her.
"Are you all right?" Iolaus took her hands and studied her eyes. Despite her brave front, she had been frightened. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her close.
"My brave warrior," she whispered into his ear. He remembered those words often spoken in jest, but this time she was serious. Elissa clung to him for a moment, before stepping back to look at him.
"Are YOU all right?" The healer lightly touched the cut on his arm.
"It's nothing," Iolaus assured her. One of the thugs had gotten a nick in when he had slipped a little in the muddy road, but the hunter wasn't concerned with that. The last few minutes had unleashed a torrent of emotions within him, the strongest one being joy at seeing her again. Her eyes still held that familiarity, which comforted him even though he couldn't place it. And the light that he loved so well still shone brightly from her. It took him a moment to get control of himself.
"It's so good to see you again, Elissa. You don't know how much I've missed you." He hadn't planned on saying the words, but they had slipped out all the same.
"Probably about as much as I've missed you," she said, giving him a brilliant smile. Iolaus decided to change the subject before everything came spilling out.
"What are you doing here?"
"I've been staying in Epidaurus," she replied.
"I'm going past there," the hunter told her, glancing at the darkening sky. "I'll walk you home." She gathered up her satchel and took his arm, and the two set off down the road. Robbers and bandits along the road were such a common occurrence, Iolaus had instinctively attacked the men without even thinking. But now it was dawning on him what might have happened to her if he hadn't come along. The thought terrified him.
"Now do you see why I warned you about traveling alone?" He tried to keep his tone light.
"I can take care of myself." It was her standard response whenever he questioned her competence. "Besides, those men weren't bandits. They're from Epidaurus."
"Why were they after you?"
"It's a long story," she sighed. "Let's just say that Epidaurus isn't the friendliest of towns."
"Then why do you stay?"
"There's a man here named Endymion. He once sailed with my brother… Wait a minute." The healer went to the edge of the road and began picking the leafy plants that were growing there. Iolaus watched her with a pain in his heart so intense he didn't think he could stand it. She was in love. That was what kept her in Epidaurus. In all the time that he had loved her, he never questioned whether she also had feelings for him. His heart told him that she did. But what did he expect? He couldn't ask her to wait for him for the rest of her life. She rejoined him on the road, displaying one of the plants.
"I've been looking for these. Usually the herbs I need are always deep in the woods, through swamps and over hills. But these little guys are happy growing by the side of the road. I wish all my plants were that considerate." She turned to smile at her companion, but stopped when she saw his face.
"What's wrong?" Just my world falling apart, no big deal, the hunter thought as he unconvincingly told her he was fine.
"So, what brings you to these parts?" She had given up trying to find out why he suddenly looked so miserable.
"I'm meeting Hercules in Corinth. And I'm a little surprised to find you this close to where he's bound to be sooner or later. Or do you want him to find you and cart you back to Pylos?"
"Sometimes the best hiding place is right out in the open," she answered, puzzled at the harsh tone that had crept into his voice. The walked in silence for a moment.
"It's starting to get dark," she remarked, glancing at the sky. "You won't reach Corinth until late. Why don't you stay with me tonight and you can get there in the morning?"
"I don't know if that's a good idea," Iolaus told her sadly. She looked hurt, but nodded.
"At least come in so I can take care of that wound."
"It's nothing, just a scratch," he protested.
"Please, Iolaus. It's the least I can do for you. Indulge the healer in me." He couldn't say no to her, and when they got to town he allowed himself to be led into the small cottage that she was staying in. It was small and very drab compared to her great stone house, but it was clean and warm. Iolaus sat at the table as she cleaned and bandaged his cut. The feel of her gentle fingers on his skin, the sweet scent of her, the closeness overwhelmed him.
"Is he good to you?" the hunter blurted out. She looked at him in confusion. "Is Endymion good to you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you and Endymion. If he doesn't treat you right…" He paused as Elissa burst out laughing.
"Where did you get the idea that I was with Endymion?"
"Well, I thought…When you said you were staying here because of him…"
"Oh, Iolaus," she giggled. "Endymion is married with six children. His wife is very ill and I'm trying to help her. That's why I'm staying in Epidaurus. Not because I'm in love with him." Iolaus began to laugh with her. He was embarrassed about having jumped to conclusions, but mainly he was relieved that his love was still HIS love.
"That's why those men were after me," she said, becoming serious. "Epidaurus has a healing shrine in the center of town. The people pray to it, believing that only the gods can cure them. They also believe that they will be punished for seeking healing from mortals. Naturally, I'm not very welcome here."
"You're not safe here," Iolaus rationalized.
"I can't leave. I can't just abandon Endymion and his family. They need my help. Those men on the road, they were just trying to scare me. I don't think they would've hurt me. But…" she trailed off, looking a little worried.
"But?" Iolaus prompted her.
"Periphetes. He's the town thug. He carries a big club and enforces the law. Of course, he breaks more rules than he enforces, but he could cause trouble."
"Elissa, you have to leave here," Iolaus tried to reason with her.
"Look," she smiled reassuringly. "I'm not stupid. I'm keeping a low profile here. Once things are better for Endymion, then I'll go. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."
"Where have I heard that before?" Iolaus muttered under his breath.
"So are you anxious to be on your way in the rain, or do you have time to stay for dinner?" His mouth watered at the thought of her cooking and he knew he couldn't refuse the offer.
As they ate, Iolaus finally consented to spend the night. He really didn't want to walk the rest of the way in the rain and the dark and arrive at the palace in the middle of the night. And despite the pain that leaving her in the morning would bring him, for now he was content to be with her in the little cottage. After the meal, the hunter helped her clean up, then they made themselves comfortable in front of the fire and began to talk, just like they used to in the great stone house. Her stories were not nearly as adventure filled as his, but she had a way with words and a skill that ran in her family. He caught her up on what had happened since he had left Acheron, including Hercules' tragic love affair with Serena. What he didn't tell her was how he had acted like a jerk when his best friend announced his plans to wed the golden hind. Iolaus was glad that Hercules had found love and happiness, but a tiny part of him was also angry. He had been missing Elissa terribly and he ached to be able to be with her and love her as the demigod did Serena. The hunter knew it wasn't rational, but in a way he blamed Hercules for depriving him of that and couldn't bear to see his friend so happy when he felt such loss and loneliness. In the end he realized that Hercules wasn't to blame, that this was just the way things were, and he was able to be happy for his friend.
"Is he all right?" Elissa asked in a voice trembling with sorrow.
"Yes," Iolaus answered, startled out of his memories. "It wasn't an easy time for him. I think the hardest part was trying to understand how his own father could let his family be destroyed for the second time."
"I can't even begin to imagine what he must have went through," she said softly. "And I know you were in pain, too, watching him go through that."
"I thought I was going to lose him," Iolaus whispered, taking comfort from her glowing eyes.
"I'm glad you didn't," she said sincerely. "Both for you and Greece."
"Are you always so forgiving of your mortal enemies?" he teased.
"Hercules is not my enemy," she replied. "Your best friend could never be my enemy. I prefer to think of our situation as a difference in opinion." Iolaus didn't think it was possible to love her any more than he did, but her words filled his heart. Don't think about leaving in the morning, he told himself. Just enjoy tonight, enjoy what you have. And he did. They talked late into the night, laughing and joking and teasing.
Iolaus told her about the death of his cousin Orestes and how he had assumed the throne of Attica once more. But again, there was a part to the story that he kept to himself. Niobe. He really thought he loved her, and he did in the same way as all of the other women he'd fallen for. But Iolaus had used the beautiful queen. He'd used her as a substitute for his beloved healer to try and ease the pain of being separated from her. She reminded him of Elissa. They both had the same gentle kindness, serenity, subtle humor, underlying passion, and a quiet dignity that commanded respect. All of the things that he'd said to her were the words he longed to say to the healer. In his mind, he'd convinced himself that he loved Niobe, but his heart knew the truth, and in the end, that's why he left Attica. The whole mess had served one purpose, though. There was no longer any doubt in his mind that Elissa was his true love and if he couldn't be with her, he would be alone.
He smiled at her and twined his strong fingers around her delicate ones. "I'm glad I ran into you today," he told her.
"Me too." She smiled back and squeezed his hand before getting up to fix him a palate in front of the fire. The healer apologized for not having a bed for him, but Iolaus didn't mind. Anyplace warm and out of the rain was good to him. They bid each other goodnight, and he nestled down into the blankets. He sighed heavily. The girl he loved was only in the next room, but she may as well have been in Crete. He thought of what Hercules had said to him before he'd left for Attica about the hardships of facing a love you can't have. If he only knew. There had to be a way to resolve this with Hercules. If he didn't find it soon, he was going to go crazy. The hunter sighed again and let the patter of the rain on the roof lull him to sleep.
Iolaus awoke to hushed voices. He opened his eyes, and in the dim candlelight saw a shadowy figure at the door. His first thought was that Elissa was in danger, and he began to stumble to his feet.
"I'm sorry we woke you," she whispered, coming to him. "Iolaus, this is Endymion." The figure at the door nodded at the hunter. "His wife is dying. I need to go with him."
"I'll come with you," Iolaus said behind a yawn. But the healer shook her head.
"There's nothing you can do. Stay here where it's warm and dry and go back to sleep. I won't be gone long." The hunter tried to protest, but she was insistent and he was exhausted. Iolaus hadn't been sleeping well lately, and the fatigue was catching up to him now, so he agreed to stay at the cottage while Endymion took her to his wife. I don't envy the life of the healer, he thought to himself, forgetting how many times the call for help had stolen him from slumber. Wearily, he stirred up the fire before drifting back to sleep.
When Iolaus awoke, he was surprised to see how late it was. He was also surprised to see that Elissa wasn't back yet. The hunter didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to her, but soon he was antsy and tired of waiting. He decided to take a walk into town and see if he could find her.
The rain had passed and the sun shone brightly as he stepped out of the cottage. The house was on the outskirts of town, so he turned and headed into Epidaurus. He and Hercules had passed by the town many times, but had never gone through. So far, Iolaus was not impressed. It was a very poor, drab town, and the few people he passed stared at him with suspicion. Combined with what Elissa had told him, he didn't think he would be in any hurry to come back. The hunter became aware of a commotion going on in the center of the town and was filled with a sinking feeling as he headed in that direction. He wasn't sure why, but he had a hunch that it had to do with Elissa and that it wouldn't be good.
His fears were confirmed. The healer was standing on a platform in the town center with her hands tied in front of her. Endymion was next to her, in the same plight. A man in magistrate robes and a large brute clutching a lethal looking club were scowling at them, and an angry mob surrounded the platform, jeering at the two captives. Endymion looked terrified, but Elissa stood proudly with her head raised high. Her courage only added to her beauty, but now was not the time to stop and stare. Iolaus fought his way through the crowd and leapt onto the platform.
"What's going on here," he demanded in an authoritarian voice. Over the shouts of the crowd, the magistrate coldly explained that the practice of healing was forbidden in Epidaurus, and since these two had been caught, they must be punished with ten lashes. Iolaus had never heard of anything so insane.
"Healing isn't a crime," he reasoned. "She's trying to help you. You can't punish her for that."
"Only the gods can heal," the magistrate intoned. "They are angered by mortals who try to emulate this power. The gods will plague us if we don't punish this girl for her heresy."
"The gods don't need a reason to plague mortals," Iolaus spat angrily. "They amuse themselves by playing games with our lives. You can't depend on them for protection, or help, or healing, or anything. We have to take care of each other, because they certainly don't give a damn about mortal life." The hunter knew firsthand the cruelty of the gods, but his words only incited the mob.
"You'll bring the wrath of Zeus upon yourself," someone in the crowd screamed at him.
"Yeah, well, he'll have to get in line," Iolaus said disdainfully. The gods had done nothing but wreck havoc in his life and the lives of those he cared about, and he was not going to let these people with their twisted ideas hurt an innocent girl. But, as he surveyed the crowd, he knew his options were limited. He couldn't fight them all, there were just too many. Reasoning with them hadn't worked. That only left one other solution, and he was not looking forward to it.
"I'll take their punishment," he said, looking the magistrate in the eye.
"Iolaus, what are you saying?" Elissa had been silent up until now.
"I want to take their punishment in their place," he repeated evenly.
"This isn't your fight. Just stay out of it, Iolaus. I can take care of myself."
"So you keep telling me." He finally faced her. "But then why do I have to keep getting you out of trouble?"
"I won't let you do this," she said forcefully.
"You don't have a choice," he whispered, giving her a small smile. "Well?" he challenged the magistrate. The man merely laughed.
"Get him out of here," he said, a trace of irritation on his face.
"Wait," Iolaus commanded hastily as the club-man advanced. "If you're so intent on pleasing the gods, you'll take me instead. I can't tell you how much they would love to see me punished." He wasn't convincing them. The brute tried to grab him but the hunter ducked away.
"Hera," he called desperately to the sky. "Hera! I know you can hear me. This is your big chance. You've got me right where you want me. Come on you ugly old witch, don't blow it!" The crowd gasped. Iolaus didn't know if it was because of his words, or the fact that bright sky began to grow dark. The familiar evil eyes appeared in the sky above them and seemed to glare at the hunter with pure hatred. A lightening bolt split the sky and the apparition vanished, except for a single peacock feather that drifted lightly down to land at the magistrate's feet. He picked it up and stared at it in awe.
"We have Hera's approval," he called out joyously to the crowd, holding the feather aloft. Amidst the cheering, he ordered Iolaus tied to the pole in the middle of the platform. The hunter was roughly stripped of his vest and bound tightly to the pole. He could hear Elissa screaming and crying behind him, but couldn't see her. For the first time, he began to think about what he had done and became more than a little nervous. He had suffered eight lashes once before, and while it hadn't been fun, he had gotten through it. Ten lashes he could handle. The magistrate went through the big ceremony of reading the charges, then announced the punishment: twenty lashes.
"Wait a minute! Twenty lashes? You said the punishment was ten," Iolaus called out.
"Ten lashes apiece. Two punishments, twenty lashes," the magistrate informed him with a cold smile. The hunter began to panic. He could take eight, even ten, but twenty lashes? This was not going to be good.
He resisted the urge to scream as the first lash cut into his flesh. Iolaus refused to give them the satisfaction. Instead, he gritted his teeth and looked for Elissa. He figured she was hysterical, and he had to try to let her know that he was ok. When he finally spotted her, he saw that Endymion was holding her back. Tears were coursing down her cheeks, but she was calm. They locked eyes, and Iolaus was surprised to find that she was consoling him. Her emerald eyes comforted him and drew him out of himself, away from the pain. She spoke to him with her eyes, and he held her gaze until the last lash fell and he slumped against the pole.
Iolaus tried to hold onto consciousness and to resist the darkness that was closing in on him, but the pain was so intense. He heard voices all around, but he couldn't focus on the words. Finally he got the general idea that the magistrate wanted him to hang there as an example and Elissa was fighting to take him down. He didn't know what she said, but eventually she won and he felt his bonds being cut. The ropes had been holding him up, and without their support he slid to the ground. Blackness was threatening to claim him as he lay shivering on the platform. Voices were all around him, and he felt gentle hands stroking his hair. Instinctively, he knew it was Elissa. His last thought before consciousness slipped away was that despite all the pain, it was worth it to spare her.
The pain of moving brought him back. He was being carried, and he couldn't suppress a moan at the fire shooting through his back, caused by the motion. Elissa was murmuring to him soothingly, but he didn't have the strength to open his eyes and look at her. Gently, he was placed in a wagon, which caused him more pain as it set off down a bumpy road. He heard angry voices, getting louder, and dull thumps along the side of the wagon. The crowd apparently still was not satisfied, and was throwing rocks at them as they left. He sensed Elissa next to him, shielding him from the flying projectiles. Every so often, he heard her whimper as one connected with her body. He wanted to tell her to protect herself, that a few rocks were the least of his problems at the moment, but he couldn't form the words before the blackness claimed him once more.
Thankfully, he didn't wake again until they were back at the cottage. The pain still coursed through him, but he found it was bearable if he lay completely still.
"Tell me the truth," Elissa said. "This was all an elaborate plot to get into my bed, wasn't it?" Iolaus chuckled, then winced at the pain the small movements had caused.
"Believe me, if that was my motive, I would have at least tried asking nicely first." She had been joking, but now she turned to him in tears.
"Iolaus, why did you do it?"
"I know a girl," he began, closing his eyes and picturing Gabrielle. "When I first met her, she shone with the light of goodness. She had a pure heart, an innocence about her. It was a beautiful thing to be around. But so much has happened to her. She's seen so much evil, experienced things I can't even imagine. Now there's a shadow to her. Sometimes it's hard to see, but it's there. It breaks my heart to see it." Iolaus ignored the pain to reach out a hand to the healer. "You have that same light, Elissa. Only yours shines ten times more brightly. I wouldn't be able to stand seeing you lose that."
"How do you think I feel?" she whispered. "Seeing you here in pain, knowing it was meant for me?"
"This doesn't matter," Iolaus told her, shaking his head. "It's only physical pain. It will go away in a few days. If I had to see this happen to you, see that radiance fade, the emotional pain would last forever. Which just goes to show you how stupid Hera really is. She actually helped me today. If she really wanted to see me hurt, all she would've had to do was stay out of it. I need to see that light, Elissa. It anchors me, keeps me sane. If it takes twenty lashes to protect you, then I'll take them gladly with no regrets." Gently, the healer brushed her lips across his forehead.
"Thank you, my brave warrior." She rose and went back to the fire, and Iolaus knew for sure what he'd done was worth it.
"Did you love that girl?" Elissa asked after a period of silence, attempting to sound casual.
"You know me," the hunter told her, remembering one of her earlier observations. "I fall in love with every pretty girl I meet." Her back was to him, so he couldn't see her reaction, if she had one. She was quiet for a few minutes before she spoke again.
"The funny thing is," she said softly. "I almost don't blame those people for what they did. I'm not saying it was right," she added hastily after Iolaus gave her a sharp look. "But if you think about it, that's exactly the kind of thing the gods would do. Wipe out their town and tell them it was because they went to a healer instead of having faith in them. Or some other petty reason." He had to admit she had a point. Before he could respond, though, she came back to him carrying a bowl.
"I have to clean the wounds," she said apologetically. Iolaus nodded his understanding and steeled himself for the pain.
"If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?" It was an out of the blue question, but Iolaus only had to think for a moment.
"The festival of Lenaea," he answered.
"I want you to tell me about it," she said, carefully sitting next to him. "Close your eyes, picture it in your mind, and tell me what you see." Iolaus did as she asked, and began to describe the festival. Elissa prodded him for more details until he began to lose himself in his descriptions. He couldn't help smiling to himself. Whether she knew it or not, the healer was inducing a form of meditation. Iolaus let himself be led there, because it allowed him to distance his mind from the pain of her ministrations.
"Are you in much pain?" she asked him.
"I've had worse," he replied.
"But you'll never have better," she murmured seductively, kissing him full on the lips.
Iolaus gasped and tried to sit up before he remembered his injury. He wasn't aware that he had fallen asleep, but thanks to the pain riveting through his back, he was now wide awake. Elissa had been back at the fire, but she came to him as she saw him bolt up.
"Are you in much pain?"
"I've had worse," he said slowly, wondering if the dream had been a premonition. He had to go for it. But the healer merely smiled a gentle smile.
"As someone who has been to the other side on more than one occasion, I don't doubt it. Here, this will help." Iolaus drank the tea she offered, and despite the pain he was in, gave her a brilliant grin.
"Even after everything, I'm still glad I ran into you."
"Me too," was all she said, but the hunter read everything else in her eyes.
Over the next couple of days, Iolaus acted quite unlike himself. He managed to curb his restless energy and lie still to let his wounds heal. Elissa fussed over him relentlessly, but he didn't really mind. Endymion came to see him and almost broke down thanking him for what he'd done. His wife was better, but still incapacitated, and if Endymion had been whipped there would've been no one to take care of her or their children. Iolaus was suddenly glad he'd been able to help. The man worked in leather, and gave the hunter a water skin and a new sheath for his sword. It was excellent craftsmanship and the detail on the sheath was exquisite. Iolaus tried to tell him that the gifts weren't necessary, but Endymion insisted.
His wounds were healing quickly, thanks to Elissa's constant attention. And Iolaus was happy just to be with her again. It was like they had never been apart. He was late getting to Corinth, but he figured a few more days wouldn't matter. The hunter needed the time to heal, but he was also excited to spend the time with Elissa. As it turned out, he didn't get those few days.
"Iolaus," the healer whispered as she gently shook him awake.
"What's wrong?" he yawned, trying to clear the cobwebs of sleep from his mind.
"We have to go," she said urgently. "Endymion's here. He told me that Periphetes was stirring up trouble at the tavern. He's gathering a mob to come here after us." Iolaus remembered Periphetes as the big brute with the giant club, and in his current condition he had no desire to face off with him. "Endymion's waiting outside with his wagon. He'll take us out of Epidaurus, but we have to leave now." The hunter rose and dressed as carefully as he could, moving as little as possible. Elissa gathered up a few things, and they fled the cottage quickly. She and Endymion helped him into the wagon, and they went off into the night. They could hear faint shouting in the distance, and they knew they had made it out just in time. Endymion took them several miles out of town before stopping.
"I wish I could take you further," he told them. "But I have to get back before anyone misses me." Elissa gave the frail man a warm hug.
"Thank you, Endymion, for everything." Iolaus echoed her sentiments, and clasped the man's arm in a warrior's shake.
"Do you think he'll be all right?" he asked, watching the man head back to Epidaurus.
"I don't know." The healer's face was troubled. "He's already outcast for asking me to help his wife, and they'll have to realize it was him that tipped us off."
"He risked his life for us," Iolaus said quietly, impressed with the man's courage. He hadn't thought much of Endymion at first, but now he was proud to call him friend. The pair watched the departing figure in silence until he was out of sight.
"How are you doing?" Elissa asked, turning to the hunter. He tried to protest, but she insisted on checking his wounds. Apparently, she was satisfied by what she saw, and the two headed down the road to Corinth. They walked slowly, taking their time, stopping to rest often as Iolaus was still weak and stiff from his injury even though he tried to pretend he was fine.
Shortly after dawn, they came across two bandits demanding their money. Iolaus sighed heavily. They were scrawny, weasely men. Normally, he wouldn't have any problem handling them, but there was no way he could fight them now without tearing open his healing wounds. He started to step forward, but Elissa held him back.
"I've got this one," she told him. The two men jeered at the small girl that advanced on them. She reached into her satchel and removed a pouch. Ignoring their taunts, she extracted a small bag from the pouch. It was tied to a string, and she began to swing it in large, lazy circles.
"I strongly suggest you gentlemen let us pass, before someone gets hurt," she said calmly. The men hooted with laughter and teased her some more.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Iolaus whispered, more to himself than to her. He stayed back, though, and let her handle the situation. The men began to saunter toward her, obviously seeing no threat. Elissa kept swinging the bag, and when they were a few feet away she let it fly. It hit the first robber in the face and he fell to the ground, screaming in pain. The healer pulled the bag back to her, but before she had a chance to swing it again, the second man had grabbed her.
"Now what are you going to do?" he sneered at her. Iolaus started to rush forward, but Elissa simply brought her knee up. Hard.
"Come on," she said, taking the hunter's hand. He gave a backwards glance at the two men writhing on the ground and followed her.
"What was that?" he asked incredulously as she tucked the small bag back into its pouch.
"My father made it for me," she told him, letting him look at it. It was a small cloth bag, filled with fiber, and it was saturated with liquid. "That solution is very painful to the eyes and causes temporary blindness. It wears off after a few hours, but you can see how it serves it's purpose."
"You're amazing," Iolaus said sincerely. She never ceased to astound him.
"I told you I can take care of myself," she said smugly.
"I'll never doubt you again," he laughed. She put the pouch back into her satchel and they resumed their journey. They reached the city limits of Corinth late in the afternoon.
"This is as far as I go," she said sadly. She pulled out the salve that she had been using to treat his wounds and handed it to him.
"I'll be fine," he reassured her, and was rewarded with her bright smile.
"I know." The healer drew him into a hug, careful not to touch any of the wounds on his back.
"Take care of yourself," he whispered into her ear.
"You too," she said, releasing him. "See you around." Another smile and a wave, and Elissa turned and started back down the road. Iolaus quickly walked into the city, afraid he'd chase after her if he watched her go. The pain in his heart outweighed the pain of his injuries. All the happiness he felt at seeing her again was starting to evaporate, and the depression began to come back to leaden his steps. Sighing heavily, he turned toward the castle. He'd go meet his friends and try to convince them he was all right, and he'd hang on to the memories of the love that just couldn't be.
Hephaestus watched the warrior walk dejectedly into the city and turned to his companion.
"Well?"
"It's not over yet," Aphrodite told him, the pout on her lips turning into a sly smile.
Disclaimer: No club wielding maniacs were harmed during the writing of this story, although Periphetes was thoroughly distraught over the lack of something to smash.
Home
Chapter Three: Girl's Eyes
The Iolausian Library