Summary: October Challenge response, to write a h/c story that includes the following: 1) Drum; 2) Soft blanket; 3) A trip to the healers; 4) Haggis
Dear Herc,
Your mother and I hope this letter finds you healthy and happy. I know you're probably beginning to worry and that you're asking yourself why you'd be getting a letter from me because I never write letters. Well, I want to tell you, don't. Worry that is. Don't worry. Everything is under control here.
You'll also probably be hearing rumors that your mom is either very sick or dead or something in between. Don't worry about that either. Alcmene wants to let you know that she isn't. Dead that is. She was sick for a while and that's probably how the rumor got started but she's on the road to recovery.
It all began around this time last week. I noticed that your mom hadn't come to the market for two days straight. You see partner, ever since you left me here last year to go off alone on your labors, your mom has been stopping by my forge almost every day on her way to the market. She usually brings me some of those delicious raisin cakes she makes and we talk for a few minutes. I knew something wasn't right when she didn't come by, so I went to the house right away.
When I got there I found your mom unconscious in her bedroom. From the evidence, I could tell she had been having some pretty bad stomach-related problems. I bundled her up in that nice, soft blanket that was on your bed (sorry buddy, but you'll have to get a new one when you come home next time.) Then I hitched up the wagon and took her on a trip to see the healer. It's a good thing I did too, it seems that a bunch of people in town were also sick. Mendus the Healer had his hands full. One of the new food vendors was selling poisoned mushrooms by mistake.
Your mom is an amazingly strong lady and she made it through some very tough times. Several of our friends haven't been so lucky. I'll catch you up on that the next time I see you.
Mendus and I have been taking very good care of your mom. She's still weak though and tires easily but I'm working with her on some of the exercises Cheiron taught us to build back strength after an injury. We are all hopeful she'll be strong enough to walk again soon. Alcmene is a real trooper!
So, if you hear the rumors, I just want you to know that you don't have to drop what you're doing immediately to run home. You can go ahead and finish slaying whatever monster you're fighting at the moment, or finish performing whatever labor that jerk Euretheus has you doing. Then, if it's possible, your mom would like you to come home for a visit. She misses you and she was really sick. I think it would help her recuperate a whole lot faster if she could see your face.
Your mom says to tell you I love you. I mean…you know...she loves you. Not that I don't. Love you that is. It would just be so much easier for us to tell you all this stuff if you were here, in person, to hear it. Now you know why I don't write letters.
Take care of yourself, buddy. We'll see you when we see you.
Your pal,
Iolaus
Iolaus sprinkled sand over the parchment to make the ink dry faster, then he walked to the back door to shake off the excess sand into the breeze. He pulled open the door and shivered as he was caught by the wind that whipped around the side of the house and blew strongly across the length of the porch. They were just a few days short of the vernal equinox and winter hadn't yet let go of its hold on the land.
After only one quick shake of the scroll, he closed the door against the chill air and returned to Alcmene's bedroom to melt the sealing wax for the scroll.
Alcmene smiled as he entered the room. The sight of Iolaus sitting at her desk, writing a letter to Hercules sparked fond memories, less than a decade old, of two young boys sitting together at the same desk doing their homework. She missed those days more than anything. Seeing Iolaus in her house these past two weeks, without Hercules, only made her nostalgic and her feelings of loneliness more acute. It also made her anxiety about her son's safety more focused. She knew she wouldn't feel half as frightened for Hercules' safety if Iolaus were still traveling by his side.
In her weakened state, Alcmene felt the need to be constantly reassured. She'd always been so very independent. Having to rely on someone else for every detail and function of her life disturbed her to the very core of her being.
"Iolaus, do you really think Hercules will be home soon?" Alcmene asked.
"Trust me, Alcmene. If I know Hercules he'll be here before the passing of one moon. Make that a moon and a half, at the most, if he's outside of Greece," replied the blond with a broad reassuring smile of his own for this woman who was his surrogate mother.
"With your help and care I should be up and around by then, Iolaus. I'll cook you both a big dinner celebrating our good fortune and good friendship. I'd also like to do something special to pay you back for all the help you've given me since I've been sick. If it weren't for you…"
"Alcmene, there's no need to thank me. I'm so happy to see you getting better every day. That's enough of a payback for me. You know I'd take care of you forever if I had to. You and Herc have always been there for me, for as far back into my childhood as I can remember. Just concentrate on getting well. We'll worry about cooking another time."
Iolaus heated some of Mendus' healing tea for Alcmene and he watched as she drank, urging her to finish the whole draught. They laughed when they both realized that Iolaus had been using the same words to urge her on to finish the tea that Alcmene had used on him so many times in the past when she'd had the occasion to take care of him.
Iolaus bathed her fevered brow for what seemed the thousandth time in the past two weeks, fluffed her pillows and covered her well with several heavy blankets before leaving her with an admonition to take a good rest so they could do some exercises before dinner.
He went out back and cut some chunks of venison from the side of deer he'd bagged earlier in the week and presently had hanging in the storage shed. He felt that the time for plying his patient with weak broth and bread had passed. He wanted to make a hearty stew for Alcmene to help build up her strength.
Just as he'd gotten the last ingredient into the pot over the hearth fire, Iolaus heard the sound of approaching hooves. The sound heralded the arrival of the messenger he'd hired the previous day to track Hercules and deliver their message.
He wiped his hands on a towel, picked up the scroll and went outside to meet Fedixperus.
"Hey Fedix, old friend, how are you," Iolaus called out in greeting.
"Fine, just fine Iolaus. You have your epistle ready for me I see," the smiling messenger said as they shook hands.
"Of course, I wouldn't want you to be waiting around here when you could still use part of the day for traveling," answered Iolaus with a broad smile of his own.
"It seems I'm not here today just to make this pick up. I'm also dropping something off for you. Wait. I'll get your delivery out of the back of the wagon," Fedix said as he walked away.
Iolaus' curiosity was fully piqued. As far as he knew, Alcmene wasn't expecting anything to be delivered. But then, something may have slipped her mind while she was dealing with her illness.
"Time to wake up! We've arrived. You're safe and sound at Alcmene's house just like I promised you," Fedix called out as he unhooked the back panel of the wagon.
"Oh, that was fast. I didn't get much of a nap," came the muffled, sleep-laden female voice from the back of the wagon.
Fedix offered his hand to help the woman down but his aid was sharply rejected. "Do I look helpless to you? I don't need any assistance, thank you very much," came that female voice, a lot stronger and definitely more awake.
The diminutive figure, draped in an ankle-length buckskin coat, hopped off the back of the wagon. She seemed very familiar to Iolaus. The hair was longer and just a tad darker than he remembered but all in all unmistakably his old friend and fellow cadet.
"Lilith!" Iolaus called out excitedly while quickly pacing towards his old friend.
The former cadet and budding Amazon turned towards Iolaus, shock and surprise plainly written all over her expressive features.
"Iolaus! By the gods! I didn't expect to see you here," Lilith cried out. The look of surprise instantly changed to one of anger as she rounded on the messenger Fedix and growled, "You swore that Hercules wasn't home. You lied to me. I never would have let you bring me here otherwise."
"Whoa, whoa! Calm down lady. I haven't lied. Hercules isn't here. Hasn't been for almost a year. Isn't that right Iolaus?" soothed the messenger.
"He's right, Lilith. Hercules isn't here. It's just me and Alcmene…" Iolaus' voice trailed off as shock and surprise began to register on his own features. "Oh gods! Lilith you're pregnant! When did you get married? Who???" he sputtered in his amazement.
"It's not something I want to discuss right now. Maybe later," Lilith replied curtly. "Alcmene is here though?"
"She sure is, come on in and you can talk with her as soon as she wakes from her nap," Iolaus replied. He offered his arm to his friend but instead of taking it, she threw her carry sack at him and preceded him to the front porch.
Iolaus grabbed the heavy carry sack before it hit the ground, threw it over his shoulder and exchanged a sheepish grin and shrug of the shoulders with the messenger.
He handed over the scroll for delivery and bid Fedix farewell before turning to join his friend on the porch.
Lilith put her hand on top of her belly and rubbed at a spot where the baby was kicking. She took this time to assess her old friend, liking what she saw of this all grown up Iolaus but curious as to why he was home.
"Why aren't you with Hercules?" she blurted out.
"It's not something I want to discuss right now. Maybe later," Iolaus replied curtly but followed up his words with a warm chuckle and wide smile. Lilith blushed as she mumbled, "okay, I deserved that." But her eyes sparkled with mischief as she returned his smile two-fold. She threw her arms around her old friend and gave him a fierce hug. "I've missed you, Iolaus. I promise I'll be in better shape after I've had some more rest. It's been a long trip and pregnancy makes me crabby sometimes."
"Really, I didn't notice any difference," Iolaus joked, receiving a cuff on the back of the head in return.
"Come on in. I'll pour you a cup of apple cider, you can finish your nap up in my room, and by the time you wake up the stew will be ready for dinner," Iolaus said as he steered her towards the stairs to his room. "Go on now, get upstairs. Make yourself at home and I'll bring you the cider in a few minutes."
"Thank you. I'm really grateful. We'll talk tonight," Lilith promised as she ascended the stairs.
Iolaus watched her go and shook his head as she rounded the corner towards the bedroom and could no longer see him. 'I have a feeling it's going to be a long complicated story if I know Lilith,' he thought as he turned towards the hearth fire to give the stew a good stir.
"Oh Lilith, it's so good to see you again! And look at you dear…you're going to have a baby. That is so wonderful!" exclaimed Alcmene who was truly excited to see the young woman again.
The two of them had grown close during the time Lilith trained as a cadet with her son. Being the only female cadet at the Academy carried with it some special trials and certain level of loneliness that wasn't shared by the male cadets. Hercules had recognized this in his fellow cadet very soon after she had joined them at the school. He had made it a point of inviting Lilith to come home with him and Iolaus whenever they visited the demigod's mother.
Lilith would be forever grateful to the older woman for taking her in and treating her as if she were one of the family.
"I would rise to give you a hug but it seems that my legs aren't cooperating much these days. My arms are working just fine though," Alcmene said as she opened her arms up wide to enfold the Amazon.
Lilith knelt next to Alcmene's chair, rested her head on the older woman's chest and returned the hug. She felt the thinness of the older woman and loosened her embrace, afraid to inadvertently inflict any damage upon Alcmene's diminished frame.
"How did this happen to you Alcmene?" asked Lilith.
Over dinner, Alcmene explained about her recent illness and the wonderful things Iolaus had been doing; first to save her life and then to help her recover.
Iolaus blushed heavily under the praise from the woman he loved most in the world. His eyes filled with unshed tears of relief that Alcmene was now well enough to sit with him and have a meal. It was something that, two weeks ago, he thought would never happen again.
Iolaus quickly grabbed the empty plates and bowls, taking them to the kitchen to be cleaned. The past two weeks had been an emotional time for him and he didn't want the two ladies to see him unnerved. Doing dishes was the perfect excuse to get away from the table for a little while, just until he'd regained control. But Lilith saw. She read his heart which was so plainly displayed in his eyes, in his speech and in his manner when dealing with the demigod's mother. Again, it registered in Lilith's mind that she liked the young man her irrepressible, irresponsible friend had grown into. She promised herself to make this visit a lighthearted one, and to help Iolaus as much as she could in caring for Alcmene.
Iolaus returned to the table with piping hot mugs of tea for the women and a goblet of wine for himself. Lilith turned to the demigod's mother and said, "That was a fine dinner you cooked for us Alcmene."
"I didn't cook dear, Iolaus did. He's done everything around here since I took ill," Alcmene replied.
"Oh, Iolaus cooks now and there's no campfire in sight? What's he been serving? Burnt venison? Charcoaled rabbit? Blackened fish?"
"No dear, Iolaus cooks really well when he puts his mind to it," Alcmene answered.
"Really?" Lilith asked. "Iolaus, can you really cook? Oh, this IS a day of surprises all around. Could you cook something especially for me if I asked you nicely? I've been having such cravings lately."
Iolaus was warming up under this attention from his friend so he replied enthusiastically, "whatever you want, Lilith. What is it you're craving?"
"Haggis! I've been dying to eat it for weeks now!" answered Lilith.
"Haggis? What's that?" asked Iolaus who was very sure he'd never heard of that dish before.
"Um, we've just eaten Iolaus. Don't ask. Please don't ask. I'll give you the recipe tomorrow morning and you'll see then if you can do it," Alcmene interjected as quickly as possible. Her stomach was still in a very delicate condition and just the thought of what Lilith craved made her a bit queasy.
In an effort to change the subject, Alcmene asked to hear Lilith's story.
The young Amazon sobered quickly. "I will tell you the whole story…the whole truth…but you both must swear to me that what I tell you goes no further than the three of us. You can never tell a soul, not even Hercules. If anyone finds out about this, I'll be forced to leave Greece and never return, if I'm still alive, that is. Swear to me that you'll never betray my trust."
Iolaus was about to object. He didn't like the idea of swearing to something blindly but Alcmene stopped him with a look -- a look that meant to follow her lead. So, Iolaus kept his objections to himself.
When she received assurances from her two friends, Lilith began to tell them her story.
"After we graduated, I left the Academy and went straight into the mountains to live with the Amazons. Cyanne opened her tribe to me and made me feel welcome. In return, I taught the young girls who were still too small to learn battle skills how to read and write as well as some basic history and geography. Cyanne also used me as an envoy whenever diplomatic missions were dispatched to make trade or peace treaties. My experience with the world of men and centaurs was an asset she prized."
"Last year, during the Summer Solstice celebrations, I accompanied a trade delegation to Corinth. Cyanne wanted to take advantage of my friendship with Jason to push through a particularly difficult negotiation with the oil merchants. It was a successful visit for the Amazons."
When the delegation returned home, I didn't go back with them. I told them I had been invited to stay in Corinth with friends for Solstice. It was the truth. Jason asked me to stay."
"It was also a good visit for me on a more personal level. Jason and I renewed our friendship. I could tell right away how lonely he was. He rules the whole city of Corinth with an even hand. He brought peace and prosperity not just to his city, but also to the whole region. He gave up his own chance at a normal life just to keep it that way. Jason has so many good, close advisors; but he didn't have one close friend he could rely on or open up to at the time. He thought you were still traveling with Hercules, Iolaus. Otherwise he would have sent for you."
"He told me that the city council was pushing him into a political marriage. He had to go through with it too. Jason told me, on his honor, and for several reasons he could never mention not even to me, that the woman he was really in love with…the one who held his heart…would be forever forbidden to him. He said it had taken him a couple of years, but that he'd finally come to terms with it. That's why he caved in and married Medea last autumn. It was the only way to save his city from the threat of war with Troy and with the gods. The cost, in lives, of a war propagated by the gods was unbearable for him to even consider. Jason was sure it was a plot by Hera and Ares to gain control of his city from Poseidon."
Alcmene, who had been holding her breath during that part of Lilith's revelation, let out an almost imperceptible sigh when she realized that her own secret was still safe.
"Iolaus, you know that I had a rather big crush on Jason when we were cadets together. Well, that crush has grown into full-blown love. Pure and simple. At least it has on my part. One thing led to another and Jason and I…we, uh…made a baby during the Summer Solstice celebrations at the palace. It will be born in six week's time."
"Oh man!" Iolaus exclaimed. "Jason is going to be a daddy!"
"No!" Lilith all but shouted. "No, he isn't. I'll get to that part in a minute."
"You both know what type of woman Medea is. If she were to ever find out that Jason had a child out of wedlock, especially a boy child, it would be a death sentence for the baby and for me. Any firstborn child of Jason's would be a threat to her claim on the throne through any children she might eventually have with Jason. So, there you have it. My baby would be under constant threat of assassination from Medea if she were to ever find out. Not to mention the threat posed by the gods. An Amazon can only have children with those who worship Ares. Jason worships no gods and only pays homage to Poseidon because he's the patron of Corinth."
"I came here to speak with you, Alcmene. As the time of my delivery approaches I've wanted to ask your advice on being a single mother. I wanted to ask if I could come to you if I mess things up or need someone to talk to…someone who knows the whole story."
Alcmene stopped Lilith with a gentle shushing. "Of course you may come to me whenever you wish. And I promise, I will always be here for you and for your child.
"Alcmene I really think Jason should be told that he's going to be a father," Iolaus said. "A child must grow up between a father and a mother. It's so very important. You know yourself how much less trouble Hercules would have gotten into in his earlier years if Zeus had been part of his life. And look at my mother. She wouldn't have had such a hard life if only my father had been present. Life wore my mother down as she tried to raise us single handedly."
"Iolaus, I can and will do this by myself." Lilith argued. "Women, from the dawn of time, have been raising children on their own. It might be a little more difficult, but it's not impossible. You've known me for many years now. Do you think I 'need' a man?"
"When I returned to my tribe, about a month following the Solstice, Cyanne called me in to meet with her. She correctly surmised that I'd stayed in Corinth to spend time with a man. She doesn't know it was Jason. Cyanne went over the Amazon rules with me and I agreed to live by them in exchange for some concessions. Cyanne deeded a large piece of land to me. It's in a very fertile valley between two tall mountains. In return I agreed to raise sheep for her tribe to use as food and for trade. I've agreed to continue teaching the young ones to read and write, and I've agreed to continue working with them on peace and trade agreements."
"That sounds like a good life you've carved out for yourself and for your child, dear. Perhaps we can speak about this some more tomorrow. I'm beginning to tire and I don't want to miss anything," said Alcmene as she looked to Iolaus for some assistance in rising from her chair.
Lilith gave the older woman a kiss on the cheek goodnight and excused herself to them both saying, "I'd better go to bed myself. There's another reason why I came here. I have to purchase 100 ewes and 2 or 3 rams, then get them back to my land before I have this baby."
"Cutting it a little close, aren't you Lilith?" asked Iolaus.
"Yes dear, that's a difficult task you've set for yourself," Alcmene chimed in.
"Nah, everything will be just fine. Now that I have Iolaus here to help me, things will go twice as fast and I'll be home in no time. See you in the morning," Lilith said as she took the stairs up to Iolaus room.
"I guess I'll be sleeping by the hearth tonight," Iolaus said as he steered Alcmene towards the privy.
When she was finished he plied her with the healing tea then he tucked her in.
She caught his arm before he turned to leave her side, "You do know, Iolaus, if it's a boy child, the Amazons won't let her keep it. I think Lilith may want something else from me and she may not want to speak about it in front of you."
"I know, Alcmene. We were given some lessons about the traditions of the Amazons while we were at the Academy. It must be tearing Lilith up inside," Iolaus said. "I don't understand how a woman could willfully think of doing such a thing? She really must be experiencing some desperate times. What can we do? Can you think of any Theban families who might be willing to take in a baby boy?"
"I believe we might be able to come up with something." said Alcmene while giving his arm an assuring squeeze before adding, "listen to me, Iolaus. You'll have to trust me on this. It's not just about Lilith, it's the ways of gods and kings that we're dealing with here. I am much more experienced in this area than are you and my son combined. Lilith's doing the right thing for her child and for herself. We have to stand by her and keep this terrible secret."
"Now, I want you to swear to ME that you will never reveal this to anyone. Lilith is right to be afraid for herself and her child. What she doesn't know is, Jason's life will also be in mortal danger if the secret is ever revealed."
Iolaus hadn't thought of things from that angle and was grateful that Alcmene was thinking clearly for both of them right now. He took Alcmene's hand between both of his and swore himself to secrecy.
Alcmene smiled at the man she considered to be her third son and said, "you know, there is a 50-50 chance the child will be a girl and she'll be welcomed and raised in the Amazon tribe. That would make things so much easier for everyone. Good night, Iolaus. I'll see you in the morning."
Iolaus returned the smile and said, "you're right, as always Alcmene." Then he blew out the candle and turned in for the night himself.
In the morning Iolaus woke to the enticing aroma of freshly baked bread. He sat up, stretched and yawned then he opened his eyes to the wonderful sight of Lilith being domestic. He knew better than to laugh or make jokes about her efforts. Knowing Lilith, he might not get fed.
"Rise and shine sleepy head. Alcmene and I have been up for hours already. She wanted me to let you sleep. She said you've exhausted yourself these past few weeks caring for her," the blonde Amazon told her still yawning friend as she carried him a cup of honeyed tea. When she neared his bedroll, she knelt next to him and continued, "I could see how tired you were yesterday and how raw your emotions are. What you've done here is amazing. It's a miracle. Alcmene owes her life to your care. You're a good man, Iolaus. I'm proud to have you as my friend." She ruffled her hand through his already unkempt curls, stood and made her way back to the kitchen slowly. Iolaus noticed a slight waddle in her step that wasn't there the day before but again he decided to say nothing.
Just then, Lilith turned around and Iolaus got a really good look at her. It appeared to the young man that his friend's stomach had dropped several inches overnight. Maybe it was just the angle he was viewing her from. Maybe he would ask Alcmene later.
'And maybe…just maybe I have grown up. Three years ago I would have been all over her for something like this - making jokes and teasing.' Iolaus thought as he rose from his spot on the floor and worked out the kinks in his back. 'Heck, three years ago I would have wrestled her for the bedroom.'
After breakfast, the two friends helped Alcmene with her exercises. The plan for the day had Lilith staying with the demigod's mother while Iolaus went into town to arrange for a day nurse for Alcmene. This way Iolaus would be free to travel around with Lilith to the outlying farms to make the livestock purchases.
As Iolaus left Mendus' home he was contemplating whether he should do a bit of hunting or fishing on the way home to cover them for the evening's meal. That was when the thought hit him. Lilith had asked him to make something for her to ease her cravings. It was something called haggis if he remembered correctly. But he hadn't remembered to get the list of ingredients from Alcmene before he left the house.
He stopped by the tavern where his old friend Brachus was the proprietor. Iolaus felt certain that if anyone knew what haggis was it would be Brachus and the man didn't fail him. Although the proprietor didn't have all the details he seemed to remember it had something to do with sheep and that Iolaus should be able to find the rest of his answer at the butcher's shop.
The butcher was more than accommodating. "Haggis…sure I know what it is. It's a favorite of the wife and mine. Sheep's stomach all filled up with dry oats, mutton suet, lamb's liver, heart and lungs. Throw in some chopped onion, hot pepper and salt. Just thinking about it is making my mouth water, friend. I'll put one together for you then all you'll have to do is take it home and boil it in some broth. Takes a lot of boiling though…maybe three or four hours."
Iolaus remembered eating something very similar that his uncle Flatus made. His uncle, however, had used deer meats. He remembered liking it very much. He wondered if Lilith had cravings for anything else this delicious. As he sat in the shop and watched the butcher work, Iolaus plied the man with questions about who the best livestock suppliers were and what he thought were the best breeding stock animals in the area.
Alcmene excused herself from the dinner table that evening, asking Iolaus to bring her a bit of leftover stew so she could eat it as she rested in her bed. Her stomach was still in a weakened condition and she just couldn't bring herself to sit at the same table as the haggis.
The next ten days flew by quickly. The equinox came and went, but the winter chill continued it's prolonged visit. Each day when the nurse arrived Lilith would give her instructions for Alcmene's care while Iolaus hitched up the wagon. He and Lilith rode around to the outlying farms. They haggled with the dealers over their prices, made some very shrew purchases, and then they would load the sheep into the wagon for the drive home. On the tenth day they purchased the 100th sheep and arranged for two drovers to accompany Lilith and the herd back to her land.
Iolaus and Lilith enjoyed each other's company tremendously during these peaceful, carefree days. They talked, joked and reminisced during the purchasing trips and around the hearth fire every night after dinner. Iolaus was becoming tenderhearted about his old friend and her baby. One evening while they were enjoying an after dinner tea, he took Lilith's hand and told her that he remembered Cheiron's lessons in Amazon traditions. He knew she wouldn't be able to keep any boy-child and that he would like to take the baby, if it were a boy and raise the child as if it were his own. He looked to Alcmene who sat on the other side of the room and saw her nod in agreement. He pledged that he and Alcmene would work up some kind of plausible story to tell Hercules to explain where the child came from.
Lilith was overjoyed. This way she would at least be guaranteed that, if she had a son he would be in a loving home, surrounded by good people. Best of all, she would be able to see her son occasionally even if she could never claim him as her own.
The Amazon was too choked up at first to get any words past the lump in her throat, but her eyes spoke in volumes of her gratitude.
Finally, she gave a little sob and whispered, "I didn't think you paid that much attention to any of your lessons Iolaus."
"They were lessons about Amazons, Lilith -- my favorite subject. Remember who you're talking to," he replied with a broad smile for his friend.
In the quiet times, each night before he fell asleep, Iolaus admitted to himself that, if he thought Lilith would accept him, he would ask her to marry him and go back to Amazon territory to live with her. He felt certain that they could work something out with Cyanne. Especially if she thought the child was his. It was getting to be obvious to him that Hercules no longer needed him as a partner. His friend had probably outgrown their partnership, being a famous, celebrated demigod and all. As much as it hurt, it was about time he realized this and got on with his own life.
At breakfast on the twelfth day of Lilith's visit, she announced that she was ready to return to her land. She asked Iolaus if he would go into town and notify the drovers that they should be ready to leave from Alcmene's home at dawn. Iolaus agreed and as he walked into town he decided that he would ask Lilith to marry him. He would wait until after dinner that evening, while he, Lilith and Alcmene were sitting around the fire. This way he could ask for Alcmene's blessing at the same time. He knew he wasn't in love with Lilith. But he did love her as a friend. He would do anything for her and they got along really well with each other. He knew they had grown so much closer during the past several days together. He was sure that Lilith would accept his proposal. No matter what she might say, she had to realize that her child would be better off with both a mother and a father. 'I know a marriage between us would work. After all,' he thought, ' people enter into arranged marriages all the time, where the husband and wife don't even know each other and they have long, successful lives together. Why can't Lilith and I?' He weighed his money pouch, removed a couple of dinars and headed straight to the jewelry dealer to purchase a ring and a bracelet for his intended bride.
With Iolaus off in town with the drovers, Lilith made preparations for her departure the following day. She sat with Alcmene in the main room of the house, making light conversation as she packed her carry sacks. Alcmene pointed to a shelf that was high up on the wall near the kitchen door. "Lilith, there's an old rag doll up on that shelf. My children used to play with it when they were babes. It would mean so much to me if you would take it and let your child play with it too."
Tears sprang to the Amazon's eyes as she walked over to the shelf and reached up to take the doll. A pain-filled, stunned look came over her face the minute she reached her arms over her head. She immediately brought her hands down, grabbed hold of her stomach and began massaging it gently. The pain increased and she doubled over, groaning loudly.
One minute later, when the pain subsided, Alcmene called Lilith over to her side so she could examine the girl more closely. "You're not going anywhere tomorrow Lilith. You're going to be a mother sometime during the next twenty-four hours, if I'm not mistaken."
"But it's a month too early. This can't be happening!" exclaimed the suddenly frightened Amazon.
"Anything and everything can happen Lilith, especially where children are concerned. Four weeks is early…but not too early. The child should be just fine, and so will you. You've been overdoing yourself these past few days when you should have been resting.
Iolaus returned to the house early, only to be sent immediately back into town to find Mendus or the midwife. Neither of whom were anywhere to be found. After leaving messages for them, Iolaus ran home with the bad news.
Lilith was still not in full-blown labor but Alcmene assured Iolaus it would be coming soon. The demigod's mother had Iolaus carry Lilith down stairs to her bed which was much bigger. Once Lilith was settled in, surrounded and propped up by every pillow in the house, Alcmene had Iolaus set her up towards the bottom of the bed so she could help deliver the baby.
She told Iolaus to sit at the top of the bed and hold Lilith's hand when she had contractions. She taught them both about managing the contractions with controlled breathing and she gave Iolaus instructions on how to massage the Amazon's back in between each pain.
Alcmene had been right. Lilith's labor progressed rapidly. Another strong contraction had just passed. Iolaus was bathing the Amazon's brow with a cool, damp cloth when she shot up into a sitting position exclaiming "Oh gods! I almost forgot. The first sound an Amazon's baby is supposed to hear is the beating of the war drums. It's a very strict tradition and I want to keep it. Iolaus…Iolaus, help me please. I purchased a small drum in town before I headed out this way. Could you get it out of my carry sack?"
Iolaus, eager to comply, ran to the main room and dug in the carry sack. He brought the drum back to Alcmene's room and started to beat on it in a mindless rhythm matching it as best he could to Lilith's breathing.
Lilith's labor intensified but nothing was happening. Alcmene still couldn't see the baby's head and it was way past midnight. The young Amazon was tiring, sobbing softly now when the pains hit. Alcmene was also exhausted. She could no longer hold herself sitting erect and collapsed onto the bed at the Amazon's feet.
Iolaus released Lilith's hand and hurried to the bottom of the bed. He gently turned the older woman onto her back, feeling for a pulse and watching the rise and fall of her chest. Satisfied that she had only fainted, Iolaus picked Alcmene up and held her in his arms as he called her back to awareness. She was beginning to rouse from her fainting spell when another contraction struck Lilith.
Iolaus quickly placed her on the bed and hurried back to Lilith's side so he could take her hand and breathe through the pain with her.
When Alcmene regained her senses, she told Iolaus that she was too weak to continue and that he must deliver the child. She explained to him over and over how it was supposed to happen; running through the steps he must take from the minute the child's head appeared to the cutting of the cord.
Iolaus settled Alcmene more comfortably at the top of the bed, all the time talking to Lilith. He assured her that he wouldn't let her down. After another hour of intense labor, Lilith was almost ready to push. Alcmene took over the beating of the drum. They no longer spoke; things had become too intense for speech. In the darkest hour before the dawn they were all so exhausted, and Iolaus so empathetic with his friend's pain, that there were tears running freely down his cheeks, tears that he made no effort to stop or to wipe away.
When he thought Lilith couldn't take it any more, he took one last peek under the sheets and he saw the baby's head.
"Yes, Lilith! Yes! That's it! I can see the baby's head. It won't be long now. Hold in there!" Iolaus excitedly exclaimed. Alcmene renewed, with vigor, her beating on the drum.
After a minute, Lilith growled from deep within her throat, and began pushing in earnest. Iolaus realized that it would soon be over and they would have a new life to care for. He was a bit stunned by it all. Things were going so fast now…barely registering in his brain. Then time seemed to freeze as the baby's head began to slide out of the birth canal. Iolaus realized it was time for Lilith to stop pushing and let things go naturally. He also realized something else. The beating of the drum had a distinct, unique rhythm. It was one that Iolaus had heard on hundreds of occasions. Alcmene was determinedly busy beating out the song heard at all official functions…at every kingly appearance. On Lilith's little drum, Alcmene was playing the Corinthian city anthem. Iolaus found it almost impossible to stifle the laughter that was building up in his nerve-wreaked body. As the baby's head came out, the first sound it heard was the beating of the "war drum" mixed with the uncontrolled giggling of one very giddy, but relieved uncle.
He caught the baby in a warm blanket and hurriedly clamped and cut the cord. Then he took inventory. "It's a girl! Lilith, you have your daughter! She's perfect!" Iolaus exclaimed feeling both exhilarated and excited for the new mother and just a little something that felt a bit like loneliness for himself. He didn't know where those feelings were coming from and chalked it up to being tired.
Iolaus bundled the baby in the blanket and handed her to Lilith then he prepared to deliver the afterbirth according to Alcmene's instructions.
"What's her name?" he asked the new mother as he finished the delivery and began cleaning up.
"I don't know. The Amazon queen is the one responsible for naming the babies born into her tribe, but she's not here. Iolaus, you delivered my baby. What name do you like?"
"Seska." Iolaus replied without hesitation.
"That's a beautiful name, Iolaus," said Alcmene. "But why that name in particular?" she asked.
"Because it's an ancient, honorable Amazon name," Iolaus replied. "It means 'princess of the pleasant face' and she is a beauty, just like her mother," he added with a blush.
"He's right, Alcmene. That's exactly what the name means," Lilith said as she gazed adoringly at the beautiful baby who slept so peacefully in her arms. Then turning to Iolaus she asked, "but how did you know that, Iolaus?"
"Remember that time Cyanne came to the Academy and we had the party with the bonfire and all the dancing?" Iolaus asked the new mother.
Lilith nodded and Iolaus continued. "There was an Amazon who drew those pictures all over my chest with the war paint. I don't really remember her face, or much else about her except for her name. It was Seska. She told me what it meant and I remember thinking that it was appropriate."
"That's it then. We have baby Seska," said Lilith with a yawn. Iolaus helped her settle down on one side of the bed, Alcmene on the other side and the baby between the two of them. It had been a very long day and Iolaus gratefully collapsed on his bedroll next to the hearth, hopefully praying that they wouldn't need his assistance again for at least a few hours.
During the week following the baby's birth, Iolaus spent his time taking care of both the new mother and the demigod's mother.
Having Lilith and the baby in his life made him feel as if he'd found a new purpose, a new direction. He was sure he wanted to go back with them into the mountains and make a life for this little family. He held off proposing marriage to Lilith though. He wanted to wait until she felt well enough to travel. Then he would offer her the ring and the bracelet and let his intentions be known.
Lilith, on her own, had come to pretty much the same conclusions that Iolaus had. His words from the first night of her visit rang over and over in her head -- especially during the baby's feeding times, when she held that tiny body so close to hers and felt the pull of her child's lips as it took her milk -- that a child should be raised between a mother and a father.
She would try to find some private time with Iolaus when she could approach him with her proposition. That he accompany her back to the valley and that they live together as man and wife. And there would be no strings. If Iolaus ever found that he wasn't happy, or wanted out, he could leave. She wouldn't put any claims on him. She was fond of Iolaus; after all, he was her best friend. She'd seen how Iolaus has taken care of Alcmene. And marveled at the way he'd taken care of her while she was in labor. And no one could miss how loving he's been towards the baby.
Cyanne couldn't object to Iolaus living with her. The queen of her tribe actually liked the blond man. He could set up a forge and make things for the tribe and for trading. She argued with herself that Iolaus belonged with Hercules. They were a team. But then, again, Hercules hadn't been around for a year and if he ever wanted Iolaus' help all he would have to do is send for him. She would never hold him back from joining the demigod in his heroic deeds.
By the time the baby was ten days old, Lilith felt strong again. She was almost as good as new. It was time for her to be leaving. It was the right time now for her to speak with Iolaus, to let him know what was on her mind.
She rocked the baby to sleep in her arms and waited patiently while Iolaus helped Alcmene with her bedtime preparations. The demigod's mother had also been getting stronger by the day. She could get around the house by herself now, with the aid of two sturdy canes that Iolaus had fashioned for her. She still tired rapidly towards the end of the day, but that too would soon change for the better.
An unusual amount of time had passed. Lilith began to worry that something was wrong with Alcmene. She rose very gently and very quietly from her chair, not wanting to wake the baby who finally slept peacefully in her arms. As she approached the bedroom she could hear Iolaus' voice, nervously babbling away about anything and everything.
She heard Alcmene's knowing chuckle and the woman's soft voice asking, "Iolaus, do you have something you want to discuss with me?"
Iolaus gave a relieved, self-deprecating laugh and said, "you can read me like a book, Alcmene. Yes, there is something. I've come to ask for your blessing. I've decided to ask Lilith to marry me. The time is coming for her to return to the land her tribe gave her. I thought we could go together. We've grown closer these past few weeks and I think Lilith may feel the same way. Then Seska could grow up between the love of her mother and her father…"
"But you're not the baby's father!" Alcmene growled at him in a voice he'd never heard her use before. The tone shocked him and he raised his head and stared at her open-mouthed. "Jason is the baby's father! Although we're all going to keep that secret, bury it so deep that it will never see the light of day and take it with us to our graves, we must never forget it ourselves."
"You and Lilith are both like my children. If I thought you really loved each other, I mean really loved each other, I would be the first one to give your union my blessing. And although I can barely walk, I would find a way to dance at your wedding."
"Answer my one question truthfully Iolaus and you will have my blessing. Do you love Lilith? Do you truly, deeply love Lilith?"
"Alcmene, I do have love for Lilith. We're the best of friends, we have so much in common…" Iolaus faltered in his speech.
"That's not what I asked you, my son. Do you love Lilith?"
"Not like you mean, Alcmene, but we're comfortable with one another. We have deep affection for one another…"
"Being comfortable with each other won't get you through the hard times and the temptations, Iolaus. And you will have them, believe me. Every relationship does. Lilith told us when she first got here that she's deeply and passionately in love with Jason. His marriage to Medea didn't change that. She loves him so much that she's sacrificed any chance at a happy, normal life for him. Do you think that's changed? Do you think she's stopped loving Jason after the baby was born? Could you live in a marriage where you knew that you weren't your wife's first choice, and never would be? If she married you she'd be settling for second best and that would do the both of you a great disservice."
"I can't give you my blessing but I won't try to stop you from doing what's in your heart, son. All I ask is that you please consider my words."
"I promise you that I'll think about what you've said, Alcmene, but I'm probably going to wind up disappointing you," Iolaus replied with sadness.
"You could never disappoint me, Iolaus. Just think about it, please," Alcmene said one more time before she let Iolaus tuck her in for the night.
Lilith backed away from the door slowly as she heard Iolaus blowing out the candles in Alcmene's room. When she was far enough away not to be heard, she turned and ran up the stairs to bed with tears streaming down her face. She'd listened to the logic in the older woman's argument. Although Iolaus seemed prepared to ignore Alcmene's advice, she wasn't -- no matter how much it hurt her right now.
Iolaus was surprised that Lilith wasn't waiting for him in her regular chair next to the hearth fire. He didn't think he'd spent that much time with Alcmene. He ran his fingers gently over the small bulge that the ring and the bracelet made in his shirt pocket. Tomorrow morning would be time enough. He'd make his proposal then.
All of the members of the little household were up early the next day and prepared to work. For the first time in almost a month, Alcmene cooked breakfast. She insisted on carrying the dishes to the table herself.
Iolaus cleared the table when they were done. He washed the dishes, dried them and put them away. Lilith asked Alcmene to mind the baby for her. She wanted to check on the sheep that they'd been keeping in the pen next to the barn.
When Iolaus was finished, he excused himself to the demigod's mother and went outside to join Lilith. He softly called out her name as he neared the barn and she turned to him with a warm smile.
Encouraged, he approached with his hand held out to her, silently motioning for her to join hands with him. She laced her fingers with his and he gently pulled her towards the barn. Once inside, he sat Lilith down on a bale of hay, then he dropped to one knee before her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring and the bracelet and handed them to the Amazon. "Um…Lilith? Lilith…uh…would you marry me?"
She looked at Iolaus with genuine surprise written across her pretty features. Then she pulled Iolaus to her and gave him a big bear hug. "I don't know what to say…Iolaus…Iolaus…" She pushed him back so she could take a good look at her dearest friend, then she smiled, just a little sadly. She took Iolaus' hand, opened it and placed the ring and bracelet back into it.
"Iolaus, I came to town to acquire ewes and rams…not a husband. This is totally unexpected. Don't get me wrong. I am honored. I am deeply and truly honored by your love." When she saw the look of confused hurt in his eyes she continued, "I know I haven't been acting like one lately but you have to remember that I am an Amazon. Amazon women don't get married…ever."
"But you and the baby could stay here with me. You wouldn't have to be an Amazon any more," Iolaus reasoned.
"Would you ask me to change who I am for you. I would never do that to you. You're Iolaus. You're a hero, the mighty partner of the mighty Hercules. You may have forgotten that for just a little while. I guess love can do that to a person. But I haven't forgotten and I'm sure Hercules hasn't either."
"I do love you, Iolaus. And if I were the kind of woman who married, you'd be right up there at the top of my list," Lilith added before she kissed him on the cheek and held him in her arms. She didn't know she could be such a good actress. Her emotions were just about eating her up inside.
Iolaus broke the embrace and returned to the house without saying another word. Getting through the rest of the day was an ordeal, with both of the young adults already feeling so very much alone.
Lilith and the drovers were ready to leave the next morning as the sun came peaking over the ridge to the east. There were hugs all around, whispered renewals of their oaths of secrecy, mumbled words of thanks, promises to write. As Lilith hugged Iolaus, she felt something being pressed into her hand. It was the bracelet.
"Iolaus, what is this?" asked Lilith.
"It's a present from me to the baby. Keep if for her for when she grows up and if you still can't tell her that Jason is her father, please tell her that there once was a man who loved her like a father," replied Iolaus before he turned on his heel and walked rapidly back to offer his support at Alcmene's side.
He was doing mindless work in the field next to Alcmene's barn, turning over the land in preparation for planting of the early vegetables. Yet Iolaus was even finding it hard to concentrate on turning the shovel correctly. That was the second time he'd hit himself in the foot with the spade.
Lilith had only been gone two days but he missed her company terribly. Thinking about her had him totally distracted. Otherwise he would have seen the approaching figure of the demigod before Hercules made it through the gate.
It appeared that the year had added height and broadness to his friend's frame. He earnestly hoped those were the only things about his buddy that had changed.
Iolaus folded his arms and rested them on top of the long handle of the shovel as he watched his friend stride down the path towards him.
"Iolaus! Iolaus! It's great to see you buddy! Where's my mother? Is she okay?" Hercules asked as he approached his friend with eager affection shining from his bright blue eyes and with arms opened wide to grab his partner up into a bear hug.
Their sounds of laughter and joy blended together as they hugged, each pounding the other on the back in their happiness. Then Hercules set his friend back on the ground so they could each give the other a quick head-to-toe evaluation.
"Ah, sheep dip," the demigod observed, pointing at the ground next to his buddy's feet.
"Ewe pooh by any other name would still smell like crap," replied Iolaus with a small grin and a warm handshake for his friend.
"Your mother is taking a nap. And she's much better since I wrote to you. She's been up with me since early morning doing her exercises and trying to teach me the proper way to cook a pot of oatmeal," he advised. The small grin turning into a large, fond smile for the big guy.
"Good, that will give the two of us some time to talk. I have some great news! Euretheus has given me six months off before he'll call me again for another labor. Even better than that, he said you could come with me. The gods no longer care if I have help from now on. And get this, he's going to give us a chariot and two powerful war horses to get around Greece with so we don't have to walk so much. Isn't that great Iolaus!"
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait…hold on Hercules," Iolaus turned to face his life-long friend, holding up his hand in an effort to stop the demigod's message. "Do you mean to tell me that you think I've been sitting around this past year just working the forge and waiting for you to come for me. What if I told you I met someone, asked her to marry me and started a family all while you were gone. What would you have to say to that?" Iolaus asked with an air of seriousness that almost rendered the demigod speechless.
Hercules stood stock still, looked into his friend's eyes and took the lesson Iolaus was trying to teach him to heart. He rested his hand on his friend's shoulder and said, "You're right Iolaus. I should never have assumed that you'd be waiting for me. I'd just hoped…"
"It's okay, Hercules," he said with a heavy sigh. "I didn't get married or anything," replied Iolaus with a small grin. "Of course I want to travel with you again. In fact, there's nothing I'd like better."
The two men turned towards the house, Hercules draping his arm around his partner's shoulders as he said, "I knew that you were pulling my leg Iolaus."
"Oh yeah, how's that?" Iolaus replied.
"Easy. If you had gotten married I would have known it right away because all the rest of the women in the world would have immediately gone into mourning," he joked. "Besides, I know you'd never get married without the best man being present."
"You're right. I would never do anything like that," replied Iolaus jaws clenched but with a tight smile on his lips.
"Me neither Iolaus…me neither. Um, Iolaus? I didn't stop for breakfast this morning. Is there anything in the house to eat?" asked the demigod.
"Yeah…sure, there's a lot of haggis left over from last night's dinner. Your mother didn't eat any. I think her stomach is still a bit uneasy from the illness. I could heat it up for lunch," replied Iolaus.
"What's haggis?"
"It's ewe"
"It's me?"
"Nah…it's ewe…as in female sheep…ewe. It's made from ewe…"
"Do I really want to know this?"
"Nah."
"Got any of that oatmeal left from breakfast?"
FINIS
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