This story is not intended to violate any copyrights held by MCA, Universal Studios, or Renaissance Pictures concerning Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. This story is for fun and no money was made from it.
“Hercules, what makes you think this will work?” Iolaus spared a look around to glare at the demigod. Hercules had him by the ankles, holding him as he dangled above a bottomless crevice. He could feel cold air blowing upward into his face. His eyes stung from its force and his head was starting to pound from being upside down for so long.
“It always works. We’ve done this dozens of times. You’re the hunter. Use your old tricks.”
“Ha! Ha!” Iolaus answered sarcastically. “Just don’t drop me!”
“When was the last time I dropped you?”
“Well, there’s always a first time for everything!”
“Ha! Ha!” This time Hercules was being sarcastic. “Well, do you see anything?”
Iolaus squinted into the darkness and answered, “No. Just a lot of nothing. A lot of black nothing. Hercules, will you please pull me back up? I’m starting to get a headache.”
“Oh, sorry! Hang on! Coming up!”
Hercules hauled Iolaus over the lip of the crevice and let him drop unceremoniously to the ground. Iolaus flopped like a fish out of water for a few seconds before righting himself and pulling himself to a sitting position.
“I was sure they dropped the loot down there,” Hercules said as he came to sit beside Iolaus.
“Well, Herc, I can assure you. If they dropped anything down that hole, it’s in Tartarus by now and I’m not fighting Hades over stolen money. He likes me and I want to keep it that way. He might not let me come back the next time I end up there!”
Hercules laughed, despite himself. They both knew that Iolaus had allies in high places, that almost all the gods, with the notable exception of Hera and Ares, had a soft spot for him. Iolaus never understood why, but Hercules did. They admired his spirit and energy and the fact that he was totally committed to his friendship with Hercules. If nothing else, the gods admired someone who had the courage to commit himself to something could very well cost him his most precious possession, his life.
He was also a lot of fun to be around and, in particular, Hermes and Aphrodite loved fun. Hercules knew for a fact that Aphrodite thought of Iolaus as a sort of wayward brother and looked out for him. Perhaps the fact that Iolaus had the favor of so many of the other gods kept Hera from striking at him. Whatever the reason, Iolaus had never been the victim of a direct assault by Hera. Ares even tempered his strikes at Hercules by leaving Iolaus alone.
Hercules stood up and stretched his long legs. He extended his hand and pulled Iolaus to his feet.
“Well, I’ve done my part. I said we’d look. We looked. If it is down there, there’s no way to get it out.”
Iolaus looked befuddled. Hercules usually didn’t give up this easily.
“What, you giving up? Hercules, you never give up.”
“Hey, look, I’m not giving up. I just don’t think we should waste our time on a lost cause, that’s all.”
Iolaus shrugged. He always told Hercules not to take everything to heart, so now he argues with him when he does just that? He shrugged again and picked his sheathed sword up from the ground.
“Ok. So where do we go now?”
Hercules looked around and smiled briefly.
“Home, Iolaus. Why don’t we go home?”
Hercules put a firm hand on Iolaus’ shoulder. He needed to hear if Iolaus wanted to go back. The last time they had been home was when Alcmene had died. They both had avoided even talking about going back for there was no one there now except Jason.
“Sounds really good to me. I’d like to go home.” Iolaus answered, already starting off. He was nothing if not consistent. Once he made up his mind, he went forward with a tenacity that was frightening.
It was looking to be an uneventful journey home. They had walked in companionable silence after Iolaus’ last story. He had been talking almost non-stop since they had started out and Hercules suspected Iolaus had finally run out of steam. A rare occurrence that, nevertheless, happened from time to time.
“Mouth get tired?” he finally asked his blond companion after the silence got to be too much, even for him.
“Hmmm? What? Oh, no. I was just thinking about something. Not important.”
Hercules stopped and looked at Iolaus as he continued down the road. So lost in thought, he hadn’t even realized Hercules had stopped. Hercules crossed his arms across his chest and waited. Iolaus came to an abrupt stop and turned.
“What?” he questioned.
“You!” Hercules shot back. “If you’re so lost in thought you become silent, than it is important. Can I help?”
Iolaus hesitated for a moment, unsure himself what was bothering him. He knew he could tell Hercules anything, but, this time, he was a loss of what exactly to say.
“I don’t really know,” he answered honestly. “I’ve had this feeling for a while, of something waiting for us, for me. I can’t explain it except that it scares me. Crazy, right?”
Hercules knew Iolaus well enough and had known him long enough to know that his “feelings” usually were a prelude to something that usually did happen.
“No, Iolaus. Where you’re concerned, feelings are not crazy. I’ve learned that the hard way.”
Iolaus grinned and turned. He began to walk slowly away, knowing Hercules would soon follow. Catching up, Hercules put a hand on Iolaus’ shoulder.
“Let’s just go home. Things always seem better when you’re home.”
Iolaus agreed with a shake of his head.
It was an uneventful trip home. They made good time. As they grew nearer the homestead, Iolaus became more animated, Hercules more subdued.
“It’ll be good to see Jason again. I hope he’s kept the flower garden up,” Iolaus said excitedly.
Hercules shrugged.
“I don’t doubt he did. Mother taught him well.”
“Yeah,” Iolaus answered. “Alcmene always had a way with her garden. I don’t think I ever saw one anywhere as beautiful.”
“No,” Hercules agreed. “It was a sight to behold. I remember when she started it. When Jason brought word Amphitrion was dead. She went at it with a single-mindedness I didn’t know she had. She changed after that. She got stronger, in some ways wiser.”
“I know. I remember coming over and she’d be up to her elbows in dirt, planting. It was as if by creating life, she could deny death,” Iolaus said.
“She loved Amphitrion. When Zeus came to her as him and she became pregnant with me, I think she felt guilty. She had always been faithful to her husband and to be tricked like that, I can only imagine how betrayed she must have felt.”
Iolaus stopped and circled around to face his friend.
“Hercules, she told you that that betrayal gave her you. You were the reason for her life, you know that.”
“I know. But, it was bought at a great price. It put a wall between my brother and me.”
Iolaus sighed. He thought about all the years Iphicles and Hercules had been estranged. How Iphicles couldn’t get past Hercules’ heritage, even the jealousy he had felt toward Hercules and himself. Iolaus became the brother Hercules longed for Iphicles to be. All the years he spent resenting Hercules, Iolaus had been there.
Of course, that was a thing of the past now. Hercules and Iphicles had worked through the difficulties that had separated them. They had a good relationship now, even a close one. But it would never be as close as the one Hercules shared with Iolaus and they all knew it. Iolaus turned and looked at Hercules.
“That wasn’t your fault. You know that. Iphicles put that wall there. You spent a good part of your life trying to scale that wall. Its in the past. Let it go.”
Hercules took several steps away from Iolaus before he turned and looked at the blond. He had never said the words, but he loved Iolaus and trusted him. This man knew him better than anyone alive and understood him. He could not conceive of his life without Iolaus.
“Since when did you become so wise?”
Iolaus just giggled softly and shuffled his feet. Hercules motioned to him as he began walking again.
“Are you coming? We’re going to have to camp soon and you still have to trap a rabbit or two for supper!”
Iolaus grinned that brilliant grin of his and ran to catch up.
They camped in a grove of large fir trees. There was a fast running spring nearby and a plenty of wild berries and apples around. Iolaus managed to trap quail for supper instead of rabbits and they now roasted on spits over an open fire. While Iolaus had been hunting, Hercules had picked wild onions and mushrooms and some wild berries for dessert. They both sat before the fire, watching the quail cook, waiting. Iolaus chewed on a mushroom, his stomach growling loudly.
“Iolaus!”
“What? I can’t help it. I’m hungry!”
“You’re always hungry. You eat more in one day than most people do in a week. You should weigh 400 lbs by now.”
It was a running joke between them about the way Iolaus was always eating on something.
“I wish we had some of your mother’s bread. She could make the best bread in the world.”
Iolaus had gone to bed early, saying he was too full and needed to sleep it off. As Hercules watched, Iolaus turned once on his side and went to sleep almost immediately. Hercules sat quietly for a long time, watching the fire, listening to the night sounds. It was full moon-rise, when he heard the soft giggle. Looking around, he smiled despite himself.
“All right, sis. I know you’re there. Come on out.”
With a sparkle of pink and gold, Aphrodite appeared, seated next to Hercules.
“Hi, little bro. Just touching base with my favorite relative.”
Hercules leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
“Hi, sis. What’s wrong?”
“Hercules, you wound me. Why do you think anything’s wrong?”
Hercules sighed deeply and put an arm around his sister’s shoulders.
“Because, when you show up, if there’s nothing wrong, there soon will be.”
“I just wanted to see you. I’ve missed you... and Iolaus. I haven’t seen you or Curly in months.”
Hercules smiled.
“You really shouldn’t call him that. You know he hates that name.”
Aphrodite replied, all innocence, “Why do you think I do it?”
Hercules hugged her.
“It’s good to see you. Iolaus will be sorry he missed you. Want to wake him up?”
“Nah, let him sleep. He’s so cute when he’s asleep.”
Hercules knew Aphrodite cared for Iolaus. He had never questioned how far it went between them and he really didn’t want to know. As long as neither of them were hurt and he wasn’t caught in the middle, he was fine with whatever relationship they might share.
“I thought I might drop in to let you know something is going on in Olympus. I don’t know what, I’m not really around that much. But even Ares is nervous. Just take care of yourself and Curly, ok?”
“I will. You know I will.”
Aphrodite let her breath out slowly. She watched as Hercules shifted his gaze toward Iolaus, who had settled into a deep sleep. Aphrodite looked at these two men she trusted above all others, perhaps the only people she trusted, mortal or immortal, at all. Hercules laughed a short, small laugh and looked at his sister.
“Remember the first time we ever met?”
Aphrodite smiled to herself.
“I remember. I had watched you for all the years since the day you were born. You intrigued me. I had never seen anyone who was half-god embrace his mortal side so fiercely. One day, I decided to introduce myself. I really wanted to get to know you and your mother and, I’ll admit, Iolaus.”
Hercules reached over and took her smaller hand in his own, larger one.
“I remember. It was a Spring day, beautiful. Like you.”
**Fifteen Years Before**
It was Spring. The air was full of the smell of renewal. The birds were back, it was warm enough to venture out and Mother was digging in her garden. Hercules stood on the porch of his Mother’s home, watching her dig in her flowers. Iolaus stood beside him, absently chewing on a piece of beef jerky, his restless energy radiating from him.
“Well, Herc. Are we going to this festival or what?” He pulled a chunk of jerky off and chewed hard.
“We’ve got all week, Iolaus. Stop and smell the roses.”
“Your mother doesn’t grow roses. She’s allergic,” Iolaus answered, irritation in his voice.
“It’s a metaphor, Iolaus. Life’s too short to rush it along.”
Iolaus grunted. “For some of us, maybe. But you’re half-god. You’ll probably live forever.”
Hercules shoved Iolaus, a slight smile on his lips.
“We don’t know that. Anyway, I’ll have to figure out a way for you to live with me. Immortal life would be a crashing bore without you!”
“Ha! Ha!” Iolaus snapped. “Sometimes, I wish Jason was still here. At least, he liked to go places.”
“Well, he’s not. And being King of Corinth, I doubt he’s going to e doing a lot of going.”
Iolaus left the porch and started toward Alcmene. Hercules watched as he kneeled down next to her and started digging in the dirt. He loved the way his mother and Iolaus got on. She thought of Iolaus as her third son and treated him accordingly. Many times she had sent them both to bed with no supper. Hercules had never been sick but he remembered once when he and Iolaus had been small and Iolaus was staying with them while his mother was away. He had fallen ill to a strange fever and had been sick for days. Alcmene had sat with Iolaus for the whole time, bathing him with cool water, talking to him, crooning to him or just holding his hand. She never left his side and, after the fever broke, her love for the little blond was cemented in granite.
He stood watching them for a moment, Iolaus saying something to his mother and Alcmene throwing her head back in laughter. Iolaus could always make her laugh. Finally, Hercules left the porch and started for the field behind his mother’s house. He walked slowly, his mind wandering, thinking disjointed thoughts about his past, his future, his mortal relatives, his immortal ones.
He wondered again about Zeus. He had never met his father face to face and wasn’t sure what he would do or say if he ever did. He also wondered about his other family, the one his mother had told him about. He, of course, knew about Hera. She would dog him to Hades door and beyond. He knew that. But what of Ares, Hermes, Artemis, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite. Would he ever meet or know them?
As if in answer, there was a shimmering light almost directly in front of him and then the form of a woman began to materialize. Hercules stood open-mouthed at the blond vision before. She wore a thin, see-through gown of some fragile-looking material.
“What’s shakin’, little brother?”
Hercules quickly shut his mouth and found his voice.
“Little brother? Are you talking to me?”
“None other, bro. I’m Aphrodite. I thought it was time we got to know each other.”
It was later in the evening while Aphrodite sat at Alcmene’s kitchen table. She had changed into a more modest outfit in deference to Alcmene and, also, because of Iolaus. She had watched him along with Hercules and she knew the boy had run-away hormones. After all, he’d lost his virginity at thirteen and Aphrodite had seen, even then, a lover of great potential in the boy. If he wasn’t Hercules’ best friend, she’d be sorely tempted, indeed.
Alcmene sat a platter of fruit, cheese, and freshly baked bread on the table. She hesitated slightly, not sure where to begin. Aphrodite, sensing her unease, smiled and took a piece of fruit from the platter.
“I usually don’t eat mortal food but this is a special occasion and I’ve heard wonderful things about your cooking, Alcmene.”
Alcmene sat down and rested her arms on the table.
“Thank you.”
Aphrodite took a piece of bread and bit into it. Her face, always open and truthful, showed her pleasure at the taste. Hercules put a bowl down next to the platter.
“Butter,” he said. “I churned it myself.”
She tried it on the bread and grinned.
“Ambrosia doesn’t compare, Hercules.”
She turned her attention to Iolaus, who had been sitting silently on the fireplace hearth. He hadn’t been very friendly when he found out who she was and she knew he was suspicious of her motives for her sudden interest in his best friend.
“So, Iolaus. You don’t like me, do you?”
Nothing, if not blunt, Iolaus thought.
“I don’t know you. How could I not like you?”
“But, you don’t trust me, do you? You think I’m here for some ulterior motive, don’t you?”
Alcmene and Hercules sat, watching silently the interaction of these two. Hercules wanted to come to Aphrodite’s aid, but Iolaus was his best friend and Hercules had learned Iolaus was a very good judge of character. Alcmene touched his arm and nodded silently. Hercules decided, at his mother’s prompting, to let the tug-of-war between his sister and Iolaus play itself out.
“Herc tends to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I’ve learned that’s not always the wisest way to be.”
“You’re right, and very wise for your age. I’ve watched you both over the years. I know you’ve appointed yourself your brother’s protector. But Hercules has nothing I want, except maybe his love if I can earn it. He’s not like any of my other brothers and sisters. I’m curious about why.”
Iolaus shrugged. “Maybe because he has special people in his life who keep him grounded. Maybe being half-god doesn’t impress him. It never has me.”
“I know. I’ve watched you both long enough to know you have an extraordinary friendship. It’s based on respect and, yes, love. You’re not impressed easily and Hercules’ godhood has never been a part of your feelings for him. He’s just a good person, plain and simple. He is who he is and will change very little over the years. But, you, Iolaus. Ah... there lies a different story. You’re a warrior by birth and nature yet you hate killing and violence. You’re strong-willed yet there’s a gentleness about you, a good heart that will be Hercules’ talisman much as the talisman you wear around your neck is yours.”
Iolaus absently touched the medallion around his neck, rubbing the cool stone. Hercules went to sit beside Iolaus on the hearth. Iolaus moved over slightly, giving the larger boy a little more room. He waited for Hercules to say something and when he didn’t, Iolaus turned once again to Aphrodite.
“So, after all the years you’ve spied on us, why turn up now?”
Aphrodite smiled, her face radiant and, even Iolaus would admit, beautiful.
“No great reason. I’ve developed a great respect for all of you, a feeling rare to me. I had to meet the woman who raised a half-god in the mortal world and had him turn out like Hercules. I admire you, Alcmene. I wish I’d had the same ability with my own son.”
Alcmene reached over and touched Aphrodite’s hand gently.
“You, Iolaus, are a rarity, even in my world. Even Ares has a healthy respect for you. You will be formidable in the future.”
Iolaus nodded slightly at the compliment. Hercules smiled broadly, so proud of his friend he could have burst.
“Thank you. Maybe you are here only to get to know Hercules. For his sake, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. He’s always wanted to know your side of the family, and from what I’ve heard, it took real courage for you to come here today.”
Aphrodite smiled broadly. Yes, Hercules was indeed lucky to have Iolaus.
**Present**
It was early the next morning. Hercules had been up with Aphrodite for several hours when she finally decided to leave. Iolaus had already been fishing and had breakfast underway when Hercules finally groaned and opened his eyes.
“You should have woke me when you got up. You know I hate sleeping late. It makes me feel bad.”
Iolaus grinned. “I thought you could use the extra sleep. You talked in your sleep a lot last night.”
“I thought you were asleep.”
“I was. Doesn’t mean my ears were.”
Hercules took the waterskin next to him and drank deeply.
“I wasn’t talking in my sleep. Aphrodite dropped in. Some one should tell her not to pay social calls so late.”
Iolaus smiled. He had a soft spot for the goddess of love.
“What did she want?”
Hercules yawned and ruffled his hair with his hands.
“Nothing really. I think she gets lonely sometimes. She puts up a good front, but she misses having someone who’ll just sit and talk to her. She’s really a lot more intelligent than she lets on.”
Iolaus turned the fish on the coals of the fire. He was suddenly aware Hercules was watching him.
“What?”
Hercules shrugged. “Just something she said. That there was something going on on Olympus. That the other gods, especially Ares, were very nervous. She told me to take care of you, to tell you she cares for you and has faith in you.”
“Strange, even for Aphrodite,” Iolaus answered.
“Maybe. Let’s eat so we can go home. Maybe with good time, we’ll get there by tonight.”
Homecomings are always joyous for all involved. Iolaus and Hercules enjoyed theirs more than usual this time. It was the last homecoming before Dahok. Aphrodite had been right. Hercules tried but couldn’t keep his brother safe.
In the end, all that mattered was the love between the two of them and the bond that transcended even death.
Melinda is not online at this time, but if you would like to give her feedback on this story, send it along to me, Quiet Wolf, and I'll pass it along to her.
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