To have a Friend3
Disclaimer: The characters of Hercules and Iolaus belong to Renaissance Pictures. The characters of Monica belongs to Martha Williamson and CBS Productions from the hit CBS show Touched by an Angel. No money is being made from this story and this story is written for entertainment purposes only.
Summary: How did Iolaus spend his time while in the Light?
Author’s Note: This story takes place between the episode where Iolaus dies which I believe is the Hercules episode named “Faith” and before the episode “Revelations” where Iolaus comes back to life to help Hercules fight the Four Horseman. This story attempts to describe what Iolaus was doing in the Light while Hercules traveled alone during much of the 5th season to Eire, Norseland and helping the Jester adjust to Greece. This story in many ways is a sequel to To have a Friend Part I and To have a Friend Part II where Jester and Hercules become friends after Iolaus’ death. To have a Friend Part III is my rendition of how Iolaus might have spent his time in the Light away from Hercules before he came back to life after Best Man’s Wedding when Jester marries Nautica.
CHAPTER 1
“Alright, Anya..don’t play on the main road..you know there’s too many travelers there. Yes, Mommy..I won’t cross the road unless Daddy holds my hand. Can I go to the meadow and pick some flowers?”
“Yes, honey..you can go to the garden and pick some flowers..I don’t want you going to the meadow by yourself..”
“You know Mom, I’ll take Anya to the meadow..don’t worry I’ll watch over her” responds Daniel her 8 year old brother.
“Alright, Daniel..be back in ten minutes..I’ll have supper ready by then and don’t forget to wash your hands before supper..make sure Anya does NOT wander away from you..you know how fascinated she is of the horses..”
Daniel rushes up to his harried mother who is covered with flour as she is preparing desert for dinner and he kisses his mother on the cheek “Don’t worry Mom, Anya is in good hands.”
Daniel takes Anya by the hand and both kids skip to the meadow. Like a good boy, Daniel looks both ways before crossing the road and he makes sure that his little sister, Anya has her hands around his. Anya looks up to her big brother with her hands in her mouth. “That’s a good girl, Anya..once we cross this road..we can pick some flowers for Mom’s..” Before Daniel can finish his sentence, a runaway horse runs down the road. Daniel manages to shove Anya off the road but he cannot move away in time to save himself.
Daniel watches in fear as the horse comes barreling towards him. Paralysed by fear like a deer caught in headlights, Daniel remains frozen in the middle of the road. The horse approaches at a rapid rate..the driver tries unsuccessfully to rein the horse in. The driver yells “Get away boy..from the road..I can’t control my horse..move..oh dear the Gods..the boy is frozen..heavens help me!”
The driver calms his horse down and when he looks up..he sees a angel with a blinding white aura dressed in a white toga carry the boy to the side of the road. The driver rubs his eyes because he can’t believe what he has just seen as he exclaims “By the Gods, I have just witnessed a miracle!”
Once the driver has his horse under control, he checks to see if Daniel and Anya are alright. “Little boy..are you hurt?” Daniel shakes his head.
Anya takes the driver’s hand and responds “Oh no the nice blond angel saved my brother’s life. The angel said to me everything alright. No worry.”
“Gosh, I’m so sorry about the runaway horse..something spooked him..listen my name is Ariel..why don’t I take you home?”
Daniel is still too dazed to speak so Anya speaks in his stead “Okay mister..the angel says we can trust you..Anya puts her hand in Ariel’s hand and takes the children home.
“Thank you so much for saving Daniel’s life..” exclaims the grateful mother.
“Daniel, are you alright?” the worried mother asks.
“Mom, there was this angel..he saved my life..he looked so sad mother. Mother, who is Hercules? The angel was worried about someone named Hercules.”
The mother looks to the driver in hopes of an answer and the driver has no idea who Hercules is or why an angel would be worried about the half God.
“In any case, thanks for bringing the children home!”
“No problem m’am. By the way..my name is Daniel..I’d best be getting back to the wife..nobody will believe this..it’s a miracle..a blonde angel saves a child from being crushed by a horse!” Daniel tips his hat to the astonished mother and leaves the hut.
Before returning home, Daniel goes into a tavern for an ale for he is still too wound up from seeing a real live angel…save a life.
“Hello, Parkins..get me a real strong ale..in fact get me the strongest stuff you have in the house!”
“Are you sure Daniel..you still have to drive you know!” quips the bartender.
“Parkins, you’ll never believe what happened today..well it started when something spooked my horse..I was trying to get control of the horse when I saw this little boy and girl trying to cross the road..well the horse went crazy..I couldn’t stop the horse in time..the little boy pushed his sister to the side of the road..but the little boy..poor thing was too scared to move out of the road himself..I yelled at the boy to MOVE that I can’t control my runaway horse..then out of the blue this angel came and lifted the boy in his arms and took him out of harm’s way..it was a miracle..I couldn’t believe it..”
“You know Daniel..I’ve been hearing tell of these miracles also..my husband..we took him to the infirmary..he was really sick with the fever..healer said that my husband wasn’t going to make it..anyway it was the middle of the night..I couldn’t leave my Henry’s side..knowing he was going to die..so I prayed and prayed..I asked God to take me instead..and then this angel came..he was dressed all in white..he glowed in the dark..I was scared at first..thought the angel came to take me to heaven..or to take Henry to heaven..anyways this angel he had the most darling blond hair and cerulean blue eyes..I looked into those eyes..they were so kind..this angel then placed his hands on my husband’s head and chest..then I saw the angel heal my husband..the angel put some kind of light into Henry..then Henry woke up..then I swore the strangest thing happened!”
“Well, Emma..you’ve told the story this far..don’t keep us waiting..so what happened?”
“The angel looked straight at me for a spell..I don’t know how long..those cerulean blue eyes held joy..he was glad that Henry was going to be alright..I mean I heard his thoughts in my head..I got the sense that he loves tohelp people..save people’s lives..but there was something else..I could feel a sadness in his heart too..like a part of him was missing.”
At this point, the driver interrupts “Yeah, I got that same sad feeling..he was thinking about Hercules..he was worried about this Hercules’ safety..”
Emma nods her head “Yes, worried..and I also sensed guilt..he’s feels guilty and it has something to do with Hercules..like he’s responsible or something..I couldn’t shake it..he was trying really hard to bury his feelings..I don’t think he really meant for me to know all his emotions..but I got the sense that this angel has trouble keeping his feeling inside him..”
“I agree with you there..it’s like this angel wears his feelings on his sleeve..he’s very passionate..emotional..”the driver adds.
“..yeah..kind and giving..like he’s used to sacrificing himself for others..” continues Emma.
Another tavern patron answers “Okay..I heard this story on my way here..you know Pyria..that fishing village that got flooded not too long ago?”
The others nodded “Well, the village elder took a nap..he says that he saw a blonde angel in his dream..the angel warned him of the flood..and that’s why when the flood came..everybody had already evacuated the outlying areas and they even had time to batten down the hatches and shore up their homes so that the water from the floods would not destroy their homes..this angel of mercy saved a lot of lives..”
Emma looks incredulously to the driver and asks “Do you think it’s the same angel?”
The tavern patron remarks “Sounds like it too me. Oh yeah..this village elder well h e went to the oracle at Delphi..it seems that he also dreamed about Hercules..Hercules being in grave danger…the elder didn’t understand his vision which he was sure was sent by this blonde angel so he went to consult the oracle”
Emma asks “So what did the Oracle say?”
“Well, it seems that the Oracle has been having visions of Hercules fighting off these huge monsters to save the world..but Hercules doesn’t know that the world is in danger..and Hercules isn’t even in Greece right now..last I heard Hercules had gone off to Norseland to help the Norse Gods..so no one has been able to contact Hercules since this happened..but the oracle says Hercules will be back to Greece soon..he needs to be warned of this danger whatever it is..”
The bartender, Parkins continues the miracle story “Last week, there was another traveler with a similar story..seems like this blonde angel really knows how to get around. This fellow was all the way from Chin!..So the story goes, his sister has been really depressed. His sister was about to commit suicide. She was about to stick the dagger into her chest when she felt the presence of this angel and dropped the knife..and then she heard the angel’s thoughts..this blonde angel tells her how precious life is..that committing suicide is not the answer..that if she killed herself..she would bring pain and grief to her family and friends.. and that’s not all” Like the other storytellers before him, the bartender pauses for dramatic effect as he reels the other listeners in “She felt the angel’s sadness..that the angel died before his time..making his best friend..very very sad..”
“Ya know I wonder who is this angel?”
“I don’t know, but I know he’s a hero.”
“Yeah, only heroes hang around Hercules..so that makes sense!”
Xena and Gabrielle sit by these patrons and Xena shakes her head as she remarks to Gabrielle “Can you believe this nonsense?..who’s ever heard of miraculous angels?”
Gabrielle sits with her ale evidently deep in thought..
“Xena, this blonde angel that worries about Hercules..do you think it could be Iolaus?”
“Well, Hercules did say that when he killed Dahak..he did say that he saw Iolaus go into the Light..I guess it could be Iolaus..”
“I thought angels are not supposed to make themselves visible?” asks Gabrielle.
“Yeah, but most angels don’t worry about Hercules either..it has always amazed me, Gabrielle, the deep bond of friendship those two share..maybe for some reason, Iolaus cannot let go of Hercules..maybe that’s why he’s so visible..”
“Iolaus always did love to save lives and help people when he was alive..so kind of makes sense that that’s what he’d be doing as an angel!” Gabrielle reasons.
“Makes sense..Iolaus dedicated his life to helping people..”Xena says thoughtfully..
“..And Iolaus also spent his life worrying about Hercules..and watching Hercules’ back..” Gabrielle interjects as she takes another sip of ale.
“..Seems like Iolaus’ afterlife is just like his life..do you think Hercules has any idea that Iolaus is the blond angel?” Xena asks as she finishes her mug of ale and wipes the froth from her mouth with her leather gauntlet
Gabrielle returns the finished mugs of ale to the bartender and prepares to pay the bartender and exit the bar as she shrugs her shoulders and says “I don’t know, Xena..I just get the feeling that we haven’t seen the last of Iolaus..”
“Gabrielle, I know you loved Iolaus..but you have to be realistic..Iolaus is dead..”Xena gives her best friend a worried look.
“Don’t look at me like that, Xena..I know how that sounds..but you never know with Hercules and Iolaus..like you said they share a rare bond of friendship..who knows what can happen?” Gabrielle reasons.
“You’re right..with Hercules and Iolaus nothing is ever the way it seems.” Xena and Gabrielle exit the tavern.
CHAPTER 2
Michael talks to Raphael about Iolaus.
“You know Raphael, I think Iolaus is doing a very good job as Guardian of the Light. He has saved many people’s lives.” Michael exclaims proudly.
“But Michael, Iolaus does not look happy..I agree with you..Iolaus seems only happy when we send him out on assignments to save lives and help people..but sometimes Iolaus saves those we don’t assign..doesn’t that worry you?”
“No, Michael, the PowersToBe are giving Iolaus a lot more leeway..after all Iolaus spent his whole life saving people..it’s what comes naturally to him..that’s why the PowersToBe decided that Iolaus is to spend eternity in the Light rather than in the Elysian Fields..Iolaus is where he is supposed to be, Raphael.”
Monica appears “No, Michael..that’s where you’re wrong. Didn’t you hear those mortals talk about Iolaus’ exploits?..The mortals all claim that they could sense Iolaus’ sadness..how much Iolaus misses Hercules..some of the more perceptive mortals even felt Iolaus’ worry for Hercules’ safety..I think Raphael is right, Iolaus is not happy..”
“Well then, Monica..if you are so concerned about Iolaus..why don’t you go talk to him? Ahm Iolaus should be right nearby..he’s being fitted for wings..after all the lad has earned them..Iolaus is truly a hero to everyone!”
Monica then transports herself in front of Iolaus. Iolaus is admiring his newly acquired wings. Iolaus’ curly blond hair glistens in the Light and he is truly a handsome Guardian of the Light. Iolaus’ eyes widen in recognition and gladness when he sees Monica materialize in front of him. Iolaus runs to Monica and gives her a big bear hug.
“Monica..I’m so glad to see you! You’re looking great!”
“Iolaus, I’m so proud of the man you’ve grown up to be! You’ve become a real hero..true friend to Hercules! Now that you’ve become Guardian of the Light..I admire the way you’ve been saving lives as an Angel..the mortals think you are some kind of blond angel miracle!”
“You know I haven’t seen you since I thanked you many years ago for helping me when I was a child! I want to thank you all over again..Skouras was not exactly a kind father..and he scared the s—t out of me when I was a kid..if you hadn’t been there Monica to tuck me in every night..and to tell me stories about Hercules..I don’t know what I would have done!”
“Oh Iolaus..you were such a cute 4 year old..I just couldn’t stand by and watch Skouras hurt you so..both physically and emotionally!..I came because you needed me..you were always praying to God for help..so God sent me to help you..”
“You’ve truly been there for all of us..you gave hope to Jester after the Sovereign beat him to an inch of death..you prevented Hercules from jumping to his death while he was shipwrecked off the coast of Eire..Herc took my death badly..and the world still needs Hercules..no way can Hercules die..otherwise there’d be noone to defy the Gods..to protect mortals from their wrath..when the Gods are petty and cruel..only one man stands up to them..one man whose heart is stronger than his strength and that man is Hercules!”
“No, that man is also Iolaus..you’ve also helped the world rid itself of those petty Gods, warlords, monsters alongside Hercules and you did all these heroic deeds without the help of Olympian strength..you did it through the power of your good heart..only you, Iolaus has a big enough heart to care more about others than for yourself..”
“Well..now it’s just Hercules who’s saving the world from petty Gods, warlords, monsters and the like..I’m kind of dead..Monica!” Iolaus says bashfully as he does not take compliments well.
“Have you looked in on Hercules recently, Iolaus?”
“Yeah, I see that after you gave Herc the courage to live again..I want to thank you for saving Herc’s life..sometimes I still worry about him..but I’m glad that he’s bonding with that little Jester..!”
“Iolaus, that’s why I’ve come to talk with you. I’m worried about you..you haven’t completely broken your ties with the mortal world..I see that you are still linked to Hercules..”
“Monica..we’ve had this discussion before..and you know what I’ve said..Hercules will always be my best friend..we pledged that we would watch each other’s back and that’s all I’m doing now..I simply gave Hercules hope when he was beating himself over his head about my death..all that guilt he accumulates..he thinks that just because he’s a demigod that it’s his duty to put the world on his shoulders and shoulder the problems of the world the way Atlas shoulders the weight of Olympus..I’m glad that Herc got to talk his problems out with the Jester and realize that he’s also half mortal too..all I did was to help Herc see the truth..that in reality..it was my fault..for what happened in Sumeria..not Herc’s. I take full responsibility for my own actions..after all like Jester so passionately said to Hercules..I am a grown man..capable of making my own decisions..and I decided to throw myself in front of that dagger to save Nebula’s life and I do not regret my sacrifice..no need for Herc to tear himself apart for my actions..”
“Like..it is admirable Iolaus that you still care about Hercules so much..but like I said in our previous discussion (see the previous story, To have a Friend Part I)..you need to let Hercules go..you’re Guardian of the Light now..”
“I’m sorry Monica..like I said before..I will warn Herc about the dangers of the Four Horsemen..as soon as I figure out when these Horsemen will descend upon Earth..I will warn him..no one can dissuade me of that..not even you, Monica..” Iolaus pouts.
“Listen, Iolaus..I know your feelings for Hercules run deep but..”
“You were the one, Monica..who told me about Herc..you were the one who instilled in me the importance of loyalty and love in friendship with those bedtime stories you told to a frightened 4 year old..I’ve taken them to heart..if anything Monica..this deep friendship that I have with Herc..is your fault..I learn from the best” Iolaus gives Monica an impish grin as he knows he has just told Monica off successfully.
“You know, Iolaus..I hate it when you throw my own words back at me!”
“You just hate it when you know I’m right..that deep down you agree with me that Herc needs to be warned so that he and I can fight side by side again and save the world..I can’t just stand by and knowingly watch Hercules and all the people that I care for be swept away by those Four Horsemen. Even if that means I have to defy Michael and give up being Guardian of the Light..I will..Monica it has never been for me about power or prestige..it’s about saving people..and if that requires me sacrificing all of this” Iolaus points to his newly acquired wings “then I will..Herc is more important to me than all the powers of the Light put together.”
Iolaus tilts his head as if listening to some unknown danger “Since I don’t know yet when the Horsemen will arrive to plunder Earth, I will stick around the Light and use these angelic powers to help as many people as I can..and then as soon as the Horsemen arrive, I’m off to warn Herc..and you can’t stop me..I’ve got to go..someone’s life is in danger. We’ll talk later.”
Iolaus uses his newly acquired wings to fly down from the heavens to the lower planes. Iolaus feels the victim’s life essence flowing out of her. Without thinking, Iolaus heads straight for the victim’s body and he puts his hands on her chest and revives the victim.
Aphrodite has a hard time breathing and her body feels cold. Suddenly she feels a presence in Hephaetus’ cave. Warm hands caress her chest and send waves of healing light into her cold body and Aphrodite feels her godly powers being restored and her life essence feels stronger. Dite opens her eyes and sees Iolaus surrounded in a golden aura of Light with cute Cupid-like wings attached to his back.
“Sweetcheeks..thanks for saving my life..you look so adorable as an angel..I..”
“Dite..what did you do to yourself? You’re a goddess..you’re not supposed to die?”
“Oh, I missed Hephie..and I was just putting away some of his weapons..and well this blade had alittle ugly yicky blood on it so I was just trying to clean the blood off when I accidentally pricked myself..as soon as I felt faint I knew that it was Hind’s blood..I guess this is where Hercola hid the Hind’s blood dagger..with Serena’s blood all over it..I had no idea Hephie had it in his cave! Oh Iolaus I still miss Hephie after all this time! and I miss you too!” Aphrodite cries as she is held by Iolaus’ strong arms once again.
“Hercola misses you something awful..he’s so sad and empty inside..I’ve visited Hercola a couple of times but he’s not the same without you!” Aphrodite looks into Iolaus’ blue cerulean eyes and she notices his sadness too. “Oh, and you miss Hercola too!”
“Dite..do me a favor..look in on Hercules for me..make sure he’s alright..please Dite..I worry so much about him..”
Dite gives Iolaus a puzzled look “I thought when you become you know of the Light..you’re not supposed to care about the mortal world?”
Iolaus gives Dite a mischevious smile “Well, you know Herc is a half-God..so I make exceptions..” With that naughty wink Aphrodite knows that Iolaus still cares about Hercules and all the mortals just as much as when he was alive.
Dite nods “Alright, Sweetcheeks, I’ll check on Herc something often..I promise..”Aphrodite gives an astonished Iolaus a full-blown passionate kiss. She giggles and says “I’m free now..I can kiss you any way I want..oh Sweetcheeks if only you were alive..we could make such passionate love..it’s too bad you’re no longer available. You still are the most handsome..”
Iolaus interrupts her “No, Dite..it can’t be..I’m an Angel now..oh I’ve got to go..I’ve got to warn this village about the avalanche..I can’t let those people die..gotta go Dite..remember check in on Herc..”
Dite blows Iolaus a kiss as Iolaus flies away in a hurry to save another village from destruction. Dite sits at Vulcan Mountain and looks around and sees Hephie’ s empty throne and sighs with loneliness. Iolaus is right..I need to get out more..I think a visit to Hercules will do me some good..after all we can talk about Iolaus..the cutest angel in the world.
Raphael shakes his head in wonder as he questions Michael about the fate of Iolaus.
“So Michael, what will become of Hercules and Iolaus? Their bond of friendship seems to transcend even death!”
“I don’t know, Raphael..the 4 Horsemen approaches..the time for the test is soon. This test will evaluate whether mankind deserves to live or not..it will also decide the fate of both Hercules and Iolaus..are they worthy to live or not!”
Michael disappears from Raphael’s sight leaving Raphael to ponder alone the fate of Hercules and Iolaus..and Raphael thinks..if I were a betting man..I would put my money on Hercules and Iolaus..their friendship..their love..Poor Hercules, he must be so lonely without Iolaus..Hercules and Iolaus, together they are strong and brave..but separated as they are lonely and sad..Raphael sighs as he opens the window to the mortal world to watch over Hercules…
Hercules walks along down the dirt path. The Jester no longer travels with Hercules now that he has married Nautica. Hercules misses the Jester’s good natured teasing; his funny stories; his fantastic waffles; his strange inventions for Jester was always inventing something new and most of all Hercules misses the Jester’s company..the Jester helped Hercules bear the grief of Iolaus’ death..as they traveled the Jester became dear to Hercules’ heart. Hercules will miss the many fireside chats that they had together in particular the chat where Hercules bore his heart and revealed the anguish and guilt Hercules felt at the passing of Iolaus in Sumeria..and he had to thank the Jester for allowing Hercules the privilege of unloading his grief for Iolaus on him. Now, Jester is happy with Nautica..and Hercules reminds himself to be happy for the little blonde guy from the other world who finally has found his niche in the world..the little Jester with the heart of Iolaus..
“Nautica..you make me feel complete..will you marry me?” asks the Jester in his singsong voice giving Nautica the most incredible look of love and vulnerability..
Nautica looks straight into Jester’s incredible blue eyes and answers most enthusiastically “Yes, Jester I will marry you!”
Hercules smiles as he remembers the look of sheer happiness on Jester’s face as he swims into the ocean with his beloved Nautica..that golden smile as he waved goodbye to Hercules one last time..putting forth all his love..his gratitude to the demigod for allowing him to come to this world to find the woman of his dreams.
Hercules chuckles as he remembers Jester’s smile and his goodbye wave as he chases his wife, Nautica, the mermaid into the ocean. Yes, Jester my friend I am glad that you have finally found someone to love and someone to love you back. Hercules painfully closes his eyes as he remembers his own two wedding to Deinadara and to Serena and he remembers how happy he was when he finally realized that he had found someone to love and how it was Iolaus who wished Hercules all the happiness in the world as Hercules had wished Jester all the happiness in the world..Iolaus..how the world seems so empty without his most cherished childhood friend..Iolaus..how is life in the light treating you my friend?
Hercules also misses Iolaus..he misses Iolaus’ bawdy songs; offkey singing; mindless chatter; his love stories of girlfriends in every villages; his everyday energy and bounce; his propensity for getting into trouble; and most of all Hercules misses Iolaus’ laugh and wonderful giggle. Iolaus was like the other half of Hercules’ soul and ever since Iolaus’ death, Hercules has felt empty and alone..Iolaus was his heart..his center..his world.
Thirsty and hungry, Hercules walks into the village tavern. Hercules orders an ale and some beef stew. He sits down with his meal and sighs. Sure misss watching Iolaus eat..now that was a spectacle in itself..not even Jester could match Iolaus’ enormous appetite for food..Jester would nibble at his food..too shy to show the world how hungry he really was..no Iolaus would eat half of Greece and still be hungry for seconds..Hercules closes his eyes as he takes in the aroma of the beef stew and let memories of Iolaus wash over him; the time during the Academy when Iolaus dared two giant Satyrs to a food-eating contest. These Satyrs were both twice the size of Hercules and yet Iolaus ate more food than two giant Satyrs that’s like eating enough food to feed three big men. Hercules remembers with a smile how bloated Iolaus looked after the contest as Iolaus waddled out of the restaurant like a fat duck proudly telling everyone within hearing range how he had out-eaten two giant Satyrs. “See Herc” Iolaus pointed to his bulging stomach “I can outeat anyone..even Satyrs!” Iolaus points to his stomach and remarked “It’s a bottomless pit!”after which Iolaus let out one loud belch. Hercules shakes his head at this memory as he remembers to eat his food.
Just then a wild-eyed old man and his granddaughter walks into the tavern and in a loud voice starts the most incredible yarn.
“Oh..bartender..you’ll never believe what happened to me today! I was taking my wagon to the village..these thugs came and tried to take my merchandise away..I’m an old man..I was outnumbered..I knew I could never fight my way out of this..I begged them not to hurt us..just to take whatever they wanted…then those foul creatures started to grab my granddaughter..just when I thought it was all over..a blond angel appeared out of nowhere..
“Take your hands off that little girl you filthy piece of trash!”
Thug#1 froze as he saw the blond angel appear in a flash of light. The other thugs started to converge on the little girl and the old man “We are slavers..we take what and whom we want and nobody can stop us!”
“You boys need to be taught a lesson” The blond angel then kicked the thugs and with a wave of his hand threw the thugs into a tree.
The old man continues the story “It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen..he had..eyes the color of the sky..hair the color of golden wheat..and he had this blinding white aura and angel wings..like Cupid’s wings..well I thanked the angel with all my heart..but my poor granddaughter..well the thugs had knocked her unconscious..this angel touched my granddaughter’s head..I swear..she came awake..he healed her or something..then my granddaughter gave the angel a hug and said “Thank you for saving us..I love you..as much as you love Hercules..don’t be sad angel..I’ll kiss the boo-boo away..don’t worry..Hercules won’t get hurt..I’ll tell Hercules..and he will be alright..everything and everyone will be okay..” and then my granddaughter fell asleep..when she woke up..she says she doesn’t remember anything..it’s a miracle..an angel ..a golden angel from heaven..rescued me from certain death..I just can’t believe it.”
Hercules, intrigued by this story, walks over to the old man “That’s truly a miracle..I’m glad you and your granddaughter are alright..hello..I’m Hercules.”
“Wow! You’re THE Hercules?”
“Yes, I am.” The old man gives Hercules a look-over as he assesses “I always thought you’d be taller..bigger somehow..oh..I’m sorry where are my manners? My name is Horace..and this is my granddaughter, Clara..” Hercules gives the old man a warrior handshake and he gives Clara a wave as shy little Clara hides behind his grandfather’s pant leg.
“I couldn’t help overhear your story, Horace. Are you sure that this angel had ah blond hair..blue eyes?”
“Oh yeah” continues Horace “He also wore an amulet broken in half around his neck..funny that amulet looked familiar to me somehow..when I was young I used to fight in Skouras’ army..could have sworn that General Skouras wore that same amulet..but I can’t be sure..my memory is not what it used to be” Horace exclaims apologetically..
Hercules gives Horace a stunned look as he tries to absorb this information. So, Iolaus is this how you’ve been spending your time in the Light..saving people’s lives..what did Clara mean when she said that I’d be hurt? Can this blond angel truly be Iolaus? Hercules wonders as he puts his hand through his chestnut hair.
Meanwhile the bartender, Parson, tells Horace another story about the blond angel that he had heard earlier that day.
“You know Horace” continues Parson as he serves Horace another round of drinks “Other people come by earlier today talking about this blond angel..it seems this angel saved a little girl from being run over by a chariot..he healed some people in a village from some plague..warned a village of a flood..and now he saves you and your little girl from slavers..I’d say that this angel is a hero..”
Hercules rubs his chin thoughtfully as he considers the bartender’s words. So Iolaus, still being a hero in the afterlife like you were in life..not surprising! The old man says you have wings..you sure have earned them Iolaus..”
Parson continues his tale as Hercules sits quietly listening with every fiber of his being to the bartender’s next words “..the strange thing about all these stories is how everyone says that this blonde angel is sad..seems he misses Hercules..and is worried about him..I wonder who this angel is…I mean why would an angel be worried about a demigod? You know that’s the part I don’t understand..”
Hercules hangs on to every word of the bartender’s story never doubting for a minute that it wasn’t true. Iolaus, my friend..why are you so worried about me? Are you worried about my well-being..my safety? I wish I could talk to you Iolaus and you could tell me what’s wrong..so that I could help you..you’re in the Light now..you should be happy..not sad..please Iolaus..tell me..I can’t help you..oh Iolaus..I just wish you were here..Tears fall down the demigod’s face as his heart constricts with sadness as he misses Iolaus all over again. To prevent the others from seeing his sadness, Hercules quickly exits the tavern leaving his food untouched.
Hercules decides to sit down under a tree to absorb what he has heard. I can’t believe Iolaus is now a blond angel saving everyone’s life. Why is Iolaus so worried about me? Feeling a wave of fatigue come over him, Hercules stretches his arms, yawns and takes a nap. In his dreams, Hercules sees Iolaus constantly getting hit by the dagger in Sumeria..he sees Iolaus jump in front of Nebula and take the dagger in his chest..then he sees Iolaus fall to his death over and over again..next he sees Iolaus as the Guardian of the Light..warning Hercules of danger..of the Four Horsemen..of danger in the Peloponetian plains..” Hercules bolts awake as he realizes that Iolaus has just tried to talk to him from the beyond to warn him of a grave danger. Hercules wipes the beads of perspiration from his forehead as he tries to remember the rest of the dream but as Hercules awakens all he can feel is this horrible feeling of dread..and he can’t shake the feeling that Iolaus wants very much to talk to Hercules..Hercules shakes his head and looks around..Iolaus my friend..what are you trying to tell me? Where are the Peloponetian plains?
Hercules bathes and decides to walk into the marketplace to clear his head and try to remember the rest of what Iolaus was trying to tell him..as Hercules walks down the path to the marketplace, he spots Falafel.
“Falafel, my friend long time no see”
“Good to see you, Hercules. I’m sorry about what happened to Iolaus. He was a good man. Want to buy this golden plate? It’s new. It’s from Persia.”
Hercules looks down into the golden plate and he can see his own sad reflection..then suddenly the face he sees in the plate morphs into that of Iolaus..as Iolaus continues to warn Hercules of danger “Hercules..beware..danger..four Horsemen..beware of the Pelopenetian plains”
Hercules pales under his tan and backs away from Falafel suddenly as he angrily exclaims “That’s not funny Falafel!”
Falafel gives Hercules a puzzled stare as he shakes his head to Hercules retreating back “What’s got into Hercules..has he really gone crazy since Iolaus’ death..he backs away from my plate as if he’s seen a ghost!”
Hercules walks away from the ghost of Iolaus too confused to think clearly. Was that really Iolaus I saw in that plate? If so what did he mean by his message? Who are the Four Horseman? What’s going on?
Hercules feels compelled to stop by the body of water. He sees Iolaus’ reflection in that water and to his amazement he sees Iolaus begging him to pull him out of the water. Hercules sticks his hand into the water and the next thing he knows he is tugging on Iolaus’ hand..and Iolaus himself appears out of the water. Too stunned for words, Hercules stands in front of Iolaus for a good two minutes with his jaw hanging open not sure if this apparition is not another trick of Dahak.
Glad to be back on the mortal plane with his best friend, Iolaus gives a whoop of happiness as he gives his best friend and the other half of his soul, a giant bear hug. Still stunned into inaction, Hercules refuses to believe that this blond angel..this blonde man..is really Iolaus..
“Come on Herc, it’s really me! Iolaus!” Iolaus sticks out his tongue and acts silly.
Finally, Hercules snaps out of his shock and mouths incredulously “Iolaus, you’re dead..how did you get here? Iolaus is it really you?” Hercules gives his own whoop of happiness as he gives Iolaus the most incredible bear hug as Hercules wraps his enormous arms around his best friend. Iolaus acknowledges Hercules’ happiness “It’s good to be back Herc!”
(The rest as you can say..is history..)
THE END