The large foreboding temple seemed to shake and shudder as its owner shot forth from his throne as though from a slingshot. Ares, The God of War, dressed in black leather from head-to-toe, was angry. The object of his rancor, instead of cowering in the corner and pleading for his miserable life, just stood his ground, leaning nonchalantly against the side of the ornate ebony carved throne.
"C'mon unc!" persisted Strife, his pale face and black hair clashing wildly with each other, giving his visage a wan, sickly pallor. "I did my best I tell ya! But for the love of Zeus, man, you think it's easy to pull one over on that brother of yours?"
"Half-brother," murmured Ares under his breath as he continued to pace along the cold stone floor of his temple just outside of Thebes.
"I mean, there he is, in all his demi-god glory," Strife continued, plopping down easily in his uncle's throne, not noticing the other figure emerging from the shadows, "saving mankind from the evils of this world, yadda, yadda, yadda! Everybody loves Hercules."
"Strife," Ares replied tersely in a low grumble, "One, you have failed me yet again, and two, get your sorry excuse for a god's rear end off my throne!"
"Hey, sure, sure, whatever you say unc," the younger man said propelling himself from the throne. "And besides, that lousy runt Iolaus is always in the way!"
"Iolaus…is but a mortal," offered a new voice, its source emerging from the shadows completely.
"Discord," Ares acknowledged the black-clad goddess as she sauntered into the room.
"Hey, Dis, what's shaking, baby?" Strife was at the girl's side in three quick strides. "You're looking extra yummy today."
The black-haired goddess' green eyes never left Ares' face as she continued to approach the war god. "As I always say, Ares, never send a man, and I use that term lightly, to do a woman's job."
"Now that's kinda harsh!" Strife offered, hands on his hips. "Ya know, I'm getting some pretty negative vibes from you two! Maybe I oughta just split!"
"Strife, I have no idea what you just said," Ares began as he eased himself back into his throne, "and what's more, I really don't care! You've failed me for the last time. Now get out!"
"Ah, man, that does it!" Strife almost pouted. He snapped his fingers dramatically and said, "I'm outta here!"
With a flash of incandescent light he was gone.
"Sometimes I wonder if that boy is actually from this planet," Ares said slowly, turning his attention back to the goddess.
"Strife is an inconsequential speck in the scheme of your plan great Ares," purred Discord as she slowly neared the throne.
Ares laughed. "Inconsequential, yes. But correct on one count."
"As I said before, Iolaus is just a man. A mortal man. We both know mortals are stupid," Discord continued as she managed to curl herself up in Ares lap like a cat. "And mortal men, well, they can be very stupid, when it comes to women."
"Are you saying that you could lure my half-brother's little friend into some sort of trap, my dear? Maybe use him as leverage or something like that?"
"Oh, yes, Ares," she said determination and amusement both present in her eyes. "I could definitely lure Iolaus away from Hercules. Which would be an enormous favor to you, now wouldn't it, great Ares?"
Ares ran his finger along the goddess' jawline. She was cold to the touch, but then so was her heart. But she just might be able to do what she said. "Are you trying to make a deal with me, my pet?"
"No, not at all," she replied innocently, reaching up to grasp his hand in hers. "I only wish to help you destroy Hercules once and for all. Now do you want my help…or not?"
She lightly rubbed her pale lips against his fingertips.
"Discord, you are an evil young woman. I like that."
As she removed herself from his lap, Ares asked, "Please forgive me, my dear, for, ah, pressing the issue, but I find it hard to believe that one so…determined as you, would agree to further my cause without some sort of…payment."
Discord absently twirled a long strand of her night-black hair around her finger as she watched the war god with discerning eyes.
"Well, great Ares, perhaps there is one thing that you could do for me in return for helping you destroy Hercules."
Ares waited. He knew all along she wouldn't do this for nothing. He shifted in his throne.
"And that one thing would be?"
"Power."
"Power?" Ares questioned with an almost relieved laugh. "But my dear, power is the one thing you have. You're a goddess, remember?"
Discord quickly strode back to the throne, placed her hands on the arms of the chair and leaned in close, her face only inches from Ares'.
"The power that I want can only come from you Ares! Because the power that I want is to walk at your side in battle!"
Ares wasn't sure what he more surprised by, what Discord said or the way she said it. He watched her green orbs and swore he saw an orange flame dancing within.
"Battle is no place for a lady," he answered simply, waiting for her response before he refused her outright.
"Oh Ares! Give me just a little break here!" the goddess replied, her voice rising but still controlled. "I'm so disappointed in you! May I remind you that your own sister is the original warrior-goddess?!"
"Yeah, Athena always was a bit of a tom-boy, wasn't she?" he said casually. "But then, so was Artemis. Now Aphrodite, she--."
"Enough! I offer you the one thing that you've yet been able to accomplish, destroying Hercules, and you're acting as though you're at a family reunion!"
She pushed herself away from the chair, took a few steps, then stopped and spun around to face the god.
"I guarantee to get Iolaus out of the way long enough for you to get at Hercules. And you allow me to accompany you into battle-an honor, may I point out, that you have several times over bestowed upon that inconsequential speck, Strife."
Ares could tell she was through bargaining. He had to ask himself, what did he really want? To destroy Hercules of course. Had Strife been able to help him do that? Hell no. Would he actually let Discord stand by his side in battle if she succeeded?
"So, great Ares," the goddess extended her hand toward the dark god. "Is it a deal?"
He stared at her and then at the offered hand. What the hell, it just might work. He took her pale hand in his large one and brought it to his lips. Cold.
"My dear, it's a deal."
The young goddess let her hand fall from his and watched him, triumph written in her every feature.
"One thing, my dear Discord," Ares added, leaning back in his throne. "Exactly how do you plan to do this? Don't take this the wrong way, but, you aren't exactly Iolaus' type."
"Not a problem," she said simply, as an evil smile curled about her lips.
Then Ares watched merrily as Discord metamorphosed before his eyes.
"Oh, yes," the war god laughed grimly. "I like this. I like it very much."
Outside of Thebes, the sun had long since disappeared. The storm clouds overhead promised a very heavy rain. The scent of it already hung in the air like dew.
"Thanks again, Herc."
"Are you kidding? You know how much I love cleaning out barns," the tall, tanned demi-god chuckled, waiting for his friend's retort.
He was not disappointed.
"Well, if that's the way you feel about it," Iolaus replied, tossing the last bit of junk from the barn into a wagon, "I won't ask for your help again."
"Promise?" Hercules grinned, his blue eyes dancing with mischief.
"Are you kidding?" his friend replied with an infectious giggle. "You know how much I hate cleaning out barns!"
The two friends finished the job just as the rain started to fall.
"You sure you don't want to stay here?" Iolaus asked, heading for the cover of his porch.
"Thanks, Iolaus, but I should probably check out my place," his friend replied, walking backwards down the road. "It's been a while, ya know. Now with this rain. We'll probably be patching my roof in the morning!"
"Great!" Iolaus yelled after his friend as he pivoted and broke into a run. "You know how much I love patching roofs!"
Iolaus shook his head laughing and entered his modest but comfortable home. He was rarely here, himself. When he wasn't off on some adventure with Hercules he was usually at Alcmene and Jason's in Corinth. But every now and then, he always felt the need to return. Even though long-ago memories of Ania and his son were still tucked away in small, dusty corners of these rooms, he had to return.
Iolaus lit some candles and watched as the sprinkle became a downpour. He watched the shadows play on the walls and decided he might as well just go to bed. The rain he could handle, but the rain and thoughts of Ania in this house, in this room, in this bed…yeah, he might as well just turn in for the night.
Iolaus heard the pounding on the door and thought he was still dreaming. Images of Ania had been floating mercilessly through his sleep-clouded mind ever since his head had hit the pillow. The pounding continued and then a familiar voice called his name.
"Iolaus!"
The voice was insistent. Did Ania need him? Was she in danger? He finally wrenched himself from the arms of Morpheus to find himself sitting up in bed. The pounding having ceased, he looked out the window. The rain had stopped, but the moisture still hung thick in the night air.
When the pounding at the door began again, Iolaus nearly jumped out of his skin. Had he been dreaming or not? He quickly reached for his pants thrown across the back of a chair and wriggled into them.
The pounding on the door was even louder now.
"I'm coming already!"
Iolaus dashed to the door and swung it open.
"Iolaus! Thank the gods you're here!"
For a moment he couldn't think, let alone speak. For what seemed an eternity Iolaus just stood there in the doorway, one hand firmly braced against the doorframe, the other at his heart. Gods! Was he having a heart attack? His heart certainly ached enough to feel as though it were about to stop. When he finally regained the ability to speak, his near-trembling lips formed the only word they could.
"Niobe."
"Iolaus!" the Queen of Attica said, relief and fear evident in her sweet voice. "I never thought I'd see you again. I can't believe I made it here!"
And with that, the slender woman with the long chocolate-colored curls flung herself against Iolaus' bare chest and entwined her willowy arms about his neck.
The hunter couldn't believe what was happening. Here she was, the woman who had so stolen his heart. He had pretended to be her husband, his cousin, Orestes; had pretended to be prince, then King of Attica; the love he had displayed for this woman, however, was anything but pretense.
Gods, she felt so good in his arms. His muscled arms slowly slipped up around her waist and then tightened ever so gently. Her damp hair was cool against the warmth of his chest, and his hands found her skin to be slightly cold beneath the lightweight, red muslin she wore. How long had she been out in the rain? And what was she doing here?
His questions and the need to know their answers gave him the strength to pull away from her so he could look into her face. She was so beautiful, even with the damp ringlets of hair that fell loosely about her now-smiling face.
"Niobe! Wh…what are you doing here?" the hunter asked, taking her small hands in his and pulling her inside the cottage. "Is something wrong? Is it Hector? Did he come with you?"
"No, Hector, he's fine," she assured him as he shut the door and led her to a chair by the fireplace.
The fire had all but died, and Iolaus used an iron poker to re-spark the flames.
"I…I allowed Hector to follow me as far as Thebes. Actually, he wouldn't have it any other way."
"Hector's a smart guy," Iolaus said kneeling by the fire.
"But then I sent him home. Someone after all has to take care of things in Attica," she continued ruefully.
"That should be you, Niobe!" he replied. "You're the Queen, remember?"
"Sometimes I wish I could forget Iolaus."
He knelt by her chair and reached up to push a stray curl behind her ear.
She suddenly grasped his hand and repeated in a strained voice, "I wish I could forget!"
Iolaus was getting more worried by the minute. Surely, something devastating had to have happened for Niobe to leave the palace and her kingdom to brave the night and the rain to see him. What she said next nearly convinced him that she could read his very thoughts.
"Iolaus, surely you can't not know how much you mean to me," she said, still holding his hand in hers. "You are, and always have been, the most wonderful, passionate…incredibly handsome man I've ever known."
Iolaus lowered his gaze to stare at their entwined hands and was overwhelmed at how much joy and pleasure and happiness that he'd found in the arms of this woman. Before he could look into those eyes once more, she had risen from the chair and now walked towards the window.
"I tried so hard when you left me the first time," Niobe began, her back to Iolaus, who still knelt by the fire. "Orestes tried too. Had he lived, I'm certain he would have been an excellent king."
"So do I," Iolaus replied, seeing his cousin's face as he died in his arms in the forest that day.
"But no matter how hard I tried, I could not give what he desired most-my heart," she said, now turning to face him. "Because that, Iolaus, I had already given to you."
Even in the darkness of the room, he could see the tears begin to well up in her eyes and he realized his heart was hurting again. He rose from the fireside to go to her. When he stood before her, his one-time queen, he slid his hand like a velvet glove over her cheek and used his thumb to stem the tide of tears already skimming down her face.
"Iolaus, when you left me the second time, I thought I'd die!"
"But your kingdom, your people, they need you Niobe!" he said in what he hoped was a comforting voice. "You're all they have."
"But I have no one!" she cried, and the dam of her tears finally burst.
Iolaus pulled her quickly and protectively against him and smoothed her hair as she continued.
"I thought at first that ruling a kingdom and caring for my people could fill the emptiness in my heart and soul. But I was so wrong! Nothing could fill that void, and no one could make me feel the way you did when it was you, Iolaus, not Orestes, that shared my bed…"
She finished quietly, her words trailing off into the darkness that seemed to settle more heavily in the little room with every passing moment. Iolaus could feel her body begin to relax as he held her close, like he had done before, in Attica.
"Niobe," he began, still caressing her hair and gently rocking her, "When Ania died, I never thought I would be able to love anyone ever again. Only you, my queen, have been able to prove me wrong."
Niobe pulled back just enough to see his face, his golden hair like a halo from the fire glowing behind him. His blue eyes were both tender and intensely passionate as he said, "Know this. The pleasure I found in your arms in Attica was unlike any I have ever known. I think about you still. Your image is never far from my mind. But when I left Attica that last time, I had accepted the chance that I might never see you again, let alone re-ignite any of the passion we gave to each other when the Kingdom of Attica believed me to be Orestes."
At this Niobe raised her head to his and lightly brushed her lips against his. It was the softest touch but it quickly brought the hunter back to the place where he'd found love and passion with this incredible woman. He tightened his hold on her and returned her kiss, equally gently at first, but as he felt her slightly chill lips melting against his, he reached his hand up into that gorgeous brown hair, letting it entwine itself around his fingers and allowed his kisses to say what he hadn't. He loved her. He needed her. He wanted her.
A tangle of arms and hands and quickly beating hearts, they fumbled through the darkness until Iolaus felt the bed touch the back of his legs. He crumbled down onto the bed pulling his queen down with him.
Some time later, spent but elated, Iolaus slept. And beside him, her arm flung casually across his chest, Discord, her emerald eyes wide with pleasure and triumph, smiled an evil smile. And somewhere, high over head, Ares laughed.
Hercules awoke with a start.
The demi-god had slept very little last night. A peaceful slumber was nearly impossible for him due to several vivid and dark dreams filled with nightmarish shadows and peals of triumphant laughter. Whose laughter? He didn't know, but his restless night troubled him deeply and as soon as he'd dressed and had breakfast he anxiously made his made to Iolaus' cottage.
When he came upon the house, he was surprised to find it quiet. Usually, Iolaus was an early riser and he'd already be out working in the barn or at the forge. And yet now the house seemed still, as if the structure itself were still in some hazy dream-state.
Hercules sensed something. What it was he couldn't tell, but whatever it was it gave him the same uneasy feeling as his sleepless night had. He walked up to the porch and knocked on his friend's door.
"Hey Herc!" the bright and cheery face of his best friend greeted him as the door swung wide. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Yeah, Iolaus. It's very nice," Hercules replied, relieved to see his friend was definitely not the cause of his uneasiness. If anything, Iolaus beamed like a child with a new toy.
Then Hercules crossed the threshold and saw her. She had just emerged from the bedroom, looking as regal and graceful as his friend had described. Even against the backdrop of Iolaus' simple house, there was no mistaking she was royalty. And he could see why his friend had become so enamored of her; she was stunning.
Iolaus could see the thoughts forming in his friend's eyes, and he quickly made the introductions.
"Herc, there's someone I'd like you to meet," he said, taking Niobe by the hand and leading her toward the demi-god. "This is Queen Niobe of Attica. Niobe…this is Hercules."
"Hercules, son of Zeus," Niobe replied smiling, extending her hand to him. "Iolaus has told me much about you. You are the measure of all heroes in this land, and I'm glad to finally meet you."
"As am I, Your Highness," the demi-god said as he took her offered hand. He was strangely surprised by its coolness. "Iolaus talks often about you and his stay at the palace in Attica. Seems to me he was quite the hero himself."
"That he was," Niobe continued turning her eyes to Iolaus. "Orestes would have been very proud. I'll never forget what Iolaus has done for me."
Hercules suddenly realized he was only half listening to the queen's tale. He was still bothered by what he had felt when he took her hand. Not just how cold it was, but something else. What could it be? He knew how Iolaus had felt, and still did feel about this great woman. He'd heard all the stories of intrigue, conspiracy and unbearable, heart-breaking choices on both their parts.
He shook himself mentally and saw that Iolaus and Niobe now stood next to each other, hands and arms entwined. The look on his friend's face was unmistakable. Gods, how he loved this woman!
"Niobe showed up on my doorstep last night," Iolaus was now saying, his gaze never leaving her face.
"Somewhat like a drenched cat," the queen added laughing good-naturedly.
"Is something wrong in Attica?" Hercules asked trying to shake the bad vibes that were coming from this woman that Iolaus loved. "Is that why you've come to find Iolaus?"
Hercules knew good and well that, whatever the cause, Niobe's visit had been more than an innocent sleepover. Both their faces and actions betrayed that particular theory.
"Perhaps I could be of some assistance," he continued. "I know Iolaus worked solo last time but I'd be happy to--."
"I appreciate your offer, Hercules, really I do," Niobe said, "but, truly, the kingdom of Attica is in fine shape. Unless, of course, you count the absence of their queen…"
At this Hercules shot a dubious glance in his friend's direction.
Iolaus forestalled the explanation by offering, "Have you eaten yet, Herc? Niobe and I were just about to head into town for breakfast. Want to join us?"
"Uhm, thanks Iolaus, but, I ate something before I came down here," he replied, trying to hide his growing wariness of the whole situation.
"You could still come with us. C'mon Herc!" Iolaus persisted, leading Niobe toward the door.
"It's okay," he protested, holding up his hands with a smile. "I'll be fine. I've still got some work to do back at my place."
"The roof?" Iolaus suddenly remembered.
"Yeah, the roof," he lied. He couldn't believe he had lied to his best friend. In fact maybe he should go with them the way he was feeling. Oh, what was he thinking? How could there be anything wrong with this royal woman, for whom Iolaus cared very dearly? Maybe he was still just out of sorts from his nightmarish nocturnal visit from Morpheus. That had to be it. So he added, "You two go, it's been a while since you've…talked. I'm sure you've got a lot to catch up on."
"Thanks Herc!" Iolaus beamed as he headed out the door after Niobe. "When we get back I'll come help with that roof, deal?"
"Deal," the demi-god replied, watching them make their way out into the sunshine.
Helios had just driven his chariot farther into the western sky when Hercules finished repairing the loose hinge on his front door. His satisfaction was evident; he'd just finished the last of a long list of repairs. He decided he needed to come home more often. This place was falling apart. He heard himself chuckle out loud, but his mirth didn't last long. Iolaus and Niobe had yet to return. Apparently breakfast had become lunch as well.
Hercules plopped down onto his porch and instantly began to chide himself. Well what was wrong with that? Why shouldn't Iolaus be happy? He certainly deserved it. He knew how much his friend loved Niobe. He should be congratulating Iolaus instead of silently berating him for finding joy in her company.
And he would have been happy for his best friend, if he could only rid himself of the constant nagging feeling within him that something just wasn't right.
"Brother, you always were pretty observant."
Hercules heard the voice before he saw its owner. But he'd know that voice just about anywhere. The air before him was suddenly lit with bright sparks and points of light, as Ares materialized before him.
"Greetings, brother!"
"Half-brother," the demi-god reminded him. He then stood to face the war god and continued, the hint of sarcasm very evident in his deep voice. "Isn't this odd? All day I've been having these bad, disturbing feelings, and who shows up but you, Ares!"
"Nice attitude," Ares replied. "So. Where is the happy couple?"
Hercules was on instant alert. He always was when Ares was around, but this time his caution was even greater.
"What?"
"Oh, come on now, Hercules!" Ares said with a smile, and a knowing wink. "Don't play games with me! Looks like Iolaus has found a new…partner."
"And if he has, what's it to you?" the demi-god asked, his attempt to sound casual slightly thwarted by the sudden feeling that Ares indeed was the source of his foreboding, or at least part of it. "Are you becoming a gossip in your old age?"
Ares laughed joylessly. He could take on his half-brother right now if he so chose. Hand-to-hand combat. They'd done it several times before. But as much as the war god hated to admit it, Hercules' strength was a force he could not quite overcome…on his own. No, if and when, he destroyed him, and he would, he'd have to have at least one other god as powerful as he on his side. As things stood, no one on Olympus but he and Hera harbored such dislike for the demi-god. And working with Hera, well that was something not even Ares could stomach. But there would come a day, and Ares was certain that the wait would be worth it.
But today wasn't that day, and Ares was sure that Discord, evil little goddess though she was, was not that god.
"Perhaps, brother," he now replied with a smirk, "but if I have become a gossip, do I have a little tidbit for you!"
Hercules watched him, muscled arms folded across his big chest. His expression displayed the innate dislike and distrust of Ares that it always did, but in his heart there was fear. Not fear of Ares. Fear for Iolaus-wherever he was, and what kind of evil plot he had innocently stumbled into. He wanted to bolt, wanted to run and find his friend right this minute. But he had to hear Ares out. He needed more information. He leveled his benevolent but piercing gaze at his half-brother and said tersely.
"Say what you came to say, Ares."
The war god was thoroughly enjoying himself, and it showed in dancing dark eyes. Torturing Hercules was almost as much fun as destroying him…almost.
"Let's just say that Iolaus' queen is not quite what she appears to be."
"Enough with riddles Ares! Tell me!"
Ares laughed a wicked laugh and replied, "Now that would be giving away the plot to a fantastic tale! But, since you are my brother--."
"Half-brother."
"Whatever. I will give you a hint," he beamed as he prepared to savor the moment. "Surprise! Niobe, Queen of Attica, is not Niobe, Queen of Attica."
"What are you talking about? Who is that woman with Iolaus then?" Hercules demanded taking a step closer to Ares.
"Look, if you're gonna interrupt-"
"Who is she?!"
"This is a great guessing game, isn't it?" he remarked a snarl tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Here are your clues, brother: short, thin, black hair, evil…immortal."
Hercules stood frozen in place, his whole body rigid with tension and his mind reeling.
Ares burst into laughter as he watched the questions and fears build up in his half-brother's eyes.
"Aww, being the softy that I am, I'm gonna give you one last hint: it ain't Strife!"
And again the war god burst into peals of hysterical laughter. Casting one last triumphant glance at Hercules, he disappeared in a shower of light.
Hercules hardly noticed the war god's exit. He was repeating Ares' words in his mind over and over. Who was it? Black hair…evil…immortal…has to be a goddess….
Suddenly he felt the blood drain from his face as the realization hit him like a felled tree.
"Discord!"
The afternoon was turning the skies overhead a beautiful, brilliant picture of pinks and purples. Breezes chased each other in and around the giant trees that lined the dirt path which Iolaus and Niobe traveled. He felt her grip tighten around his waist, and on an impulse born of his extreme happiness, he pulled her with him off the path and into the forest.
She giggled as he gently pressed her back against the nearest tree and found her lips with his. He felt her run her hands up his back beneath his vest, and he broke off the kiss only to explore her neck with his mouth. When his lips reached her throat, he heard her let out a soft moan and he pulled back to see her face.
"By the gods…Niobe…you are so beautiful. What in the world did I ever do to deserve you?"
"Guess you've just been a good boy, uh?" she replied, her hands still moving slowly under the vest.
"But that's just it," he said with his irrepressible laugh. "I haven't always been such a good boy. At least not until I met Hercules--."
"Hercules," she repeated, her hands coming to an abrupt halt. "Iolaus, we need to talk…about you and me, and Hercules."
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