"Murderer," the villager yelled, "you killed my brother. You don't deserve to live."
The so-called murderer ran on thinking back on the past few days. She was a healer by trade, trained by Prometheus himself. She should have been able to save her patient; but she had miscalculated, and he had slipped away in the early hours of the morning. She should have used her 'gift', but by the time she realized that, it was too late. The family blamed her for the death.
She knew she was being herded towards the abandoned mine, but there was nothing she could do about it. She prayed to Asclepyus and Prometheus for guidance as she ducked into the mine.
The angry villagers stopped in front of the entrance. A large man pushed his way to the front of the mob and turned to face them, a smaller man at his side.
"Now that she has nowhere to run but out, we'll go in a talk to her."
"You'll havta do more than talk to her, Hercules, she's a murderer," an angry villager yelled.
Hercules looked at Iolaus, who shook his head. "She's a healer, for Gods sake. Her life is dedicated to helping those in need. I'm sure she did her best to save your brother. Why not let her tell her side of the story."
"She had the power to save him and she didn't use it. She's as guilty as if she'd stabbed him," the dead man's brother, Parnus, retorted.
Hercules threw a confused glance at Iolaus, who shrugged to indicate he had never heard of this mysterious power either. He turned to the mob, "All the more reason to find out why she didn't. She must have had a reason why she did what she did."
His reasoning seemed to mollify the crowd. The dead man's brother spoke up. "Alright, you and Hercules go talk to her and bring her out. Then we'll hang her."
That did little to reassure Iolaus. Well, at least Herc and he could confront the girl alone. Before anyone could voice a reason not to, he turned and headed into the mine followed by Hercules.
As their eyes adjusted to the dim light, they saw a defiant figure standing in the shadows. "Come on out, we wouldn't hurt you," Hercules called.
The healer hesitated a minute before stepping into the torchlight thrown from the torch Iolaus carried. She was petite, with shoulder length blond hair, and green eyes. She wore a simple grey dress and had a small brown bag hanging from her belt.
Iolaus smiled reassuringly at her. "My name's Iolaus and this," he gestured toward the big guy at his side, "is Hercules. And you are...?"
She returned his smile shyly. "My name's Michelle and I'm a healer."
"Yes, we know," Hercules replied. "Why don't you tell us your side of the story?"
Before Michelle could utter a word, a deep rumbling sound filled the cavern. With a loud crash the roof caved in.
CRASH
BOOM
THUNDER
Hercules was the first to come to. He rolled the rocks off him and stood up shakily. When the world stopped spinning enough for him to focus, he looked around. He spotted the healer getting to her feet, but there was no sign of Iolaus.
"IOLAUS, WHERE ARE YOU?"
Only silence answered.
By this time Michelle was able to make out more then just stars. She gasped when she spotted a scrap of purple sticking out from under a large pile of rocks. "Hercules, over here."
Hercules attacked the offending rocks, flinging them aside like they weighed nothing. "Iolaus, can you hear me? Come on buddy, hang in there. Don't you even think about leaving me." Memories chased each other inside the demigod's mind. Of twice before holding Iolaus in his arms as he died. Of Iolaus, bloodied and bruised, stumbling into his arms to warn him about the Fire Enforcer. Of going to Hades to get Iolaus back. He didn't want to think about going through that again.
Michelle helped to move the rocks. Hearing the demigod's plea to his friend, her eyes filled with tears. It was obvious even to a stranger that the demigod was deathly afraid of losing his friend. Then and there, she vowed that she would give her all to make sure that Iolaus lived.
Hercules removed the last few rocks and was shocked by what he saw. Iolaus' whole body was one big bruise. He was covered with numerous cuts. His arms and legs were bent at odd angles. The only consolation was that he was still breathing. Barely.
Michelle had knelt by Iolaus' side and placed a golden crystal on his forehead. A soft golden glow enveloped the injured man.
Hercules frowned and made to snatch the crystal away. The glow spoke of the Gods and he wasn't willing to trust his best friend's life to the Gods. Michelle caught his hand before it reached its goal. "Don't. That stone is the only thing keeping him alive. Look."
Hercules looked at Iolaus as the glow started to fade away. The first thing he noticed was that Iolaus was breathing easier. The second thing he noticed was that some of the bruises were fading.
Hercules looked at Michelle. She had a smile on her tear-streaked face. "The stones were a gift from Prometheus himself. They contain the power to heal." She gazed down at Iolaus. "I can heal him, but I need help."
"Tell me what you need me to do."
The first thing that Iolaus heard was a soft voice calling to him. It probably belonged to the healer that forced those awful broths down his throat when his mind had the audacity to wake him up. He struggled to make out what the voice was saying, but his head felt like a hive of noisy hornets had taken up residence. He vaguely registered that he was laying on a soft bed.
When she received no response from Iolaus, Michelle sighed. What was she going to tell Hercules when he returned? He had been demanding to know why Iolaus wasn't staying awake. She couldn't tell him the horrid truth about the stones, for fear he'd try to stop her, which could be fatal for both patient and healer.
She sighed again as she rose and went over to the shelf that held the stones in their bag. Time to step up Iolaus' treatment. After selecting a deep blue one, she returned to the bedside and placed it on his forehead with a shaking hand. She returned to her chair and closed her eyes.
She opened them to find Iolaus staring at her. He was holding the stone in his hand. She smiled at him. "Welcome back to the land of the living."
"Thanks, I think." A thoughtful expression crossed his face. "The last thing I really remember is the cave-in." His eyes franticly searched the room. "Where's Herc? He's alright, isn't he?"
"He's fine. He's out being a hero, but I expect he'll be back anytime now. Boy, will he be glad you're awake."
"I suppose that some village was being destroyed by a rampaging monster." It was more a statement than a question. "So, how long have I been out of it?"
Michelle chuckled. "Oh, not long. Only about seven months." The seven longest months of my life, she added silently.
"Seven months!?" Iolaus squeaked. "How, what, where...?"
"Iolaus, your body was crushed in the cave-in. I put you in a deep healing sleep that kept you alive until your body healed itself. The stones have healing power. They were a gift from Prometheus, who trained me."
"Oh, so that's what the villager meant when he said you had 'a gift'." Iolaus ran his hand through his hair. "How did you manage to get past them? I mean, Parnus wanted your blood."
"Well, when Hercules finally dug us out and made sure you were still alive, he took Parnus aside and had a 'loud' discussion with him."
Iolaus tried hard to repress a giggle. He failed.
Michelle grinned at him. "I'm so glad you're awake. Hercules is beginning to believe that I said I could heal you just to save my own hide."
Iolaus frowned at this. That didn't sound like Herc.
Michelle shifted uneasily. "I know this is going to sound stupid but you really do need to rest."
"I've been asleep for seven months! Haven't I slept enough?"
Michelle gave him a dirty look and sighed. "A natural sleep and being unconscious are two different things. Your body used up its energy healing. You need to rest, eat, and regain your strength."
"Now that you mention it, I do feel as weak as a newborn kitten." Iolaus snuggled under the covers. "Night Michelle."
"Call me Mic."
Mic filled an earthenware cup with water from a bucket and added some crushed herbs. She barely got it hung over the fire before the trembling started. She hobbled over to the table, sat down, and pulled the blanket around her. It wasn't that she was cold, but that was the excuse she gave Hercules. She laid her head on the table and waited for the trembling fit to pass. Soon it would be all over and the pain would go.
There was a noise outside and Mic raised her head as the door opened. "Close the damn door. It's cold enough in here without you letting all the heat out." Mic snapped as Hercules entered and brushed the snow from his cloak. He hid a smile as he turned to shut the door. Over the months he had learned to ignore the healers waspish comments.
Hercules draped his cloak over a chair and went to warm himself next to the fireplace. "I take it from the snow you dragged in the storm has hit in earnest now." The healer did her best to look angry at him.
Hercules ignored her. "How's Iolaus?"
Mic glared at him. That was getting to be the established routine. Not even a "hello", just a "how's Iolaus". She contemplated not answering him, but discarded the idea. "He was awake for a little bit, but he went back to sleep."
As Hercules disappeared into the bedroom, Mic released the breath she had been holding. It was increasingly hard to hide her weariness from Hercules. If he knew he'd try to stop her. She envied Iolaus. She would have given anything to have a friend like that.
Hercules closed the door softly behind him. He crossed the room to where Iolaus was sleeping comfortably in the room's single bed and eased into the chair by the bedside. He brushed a stray golden lock from Iolaus' forehead.
Iolaus opened his eyes and smiled. "Hi."
"Hi yourself."
"I guess I have been out of it." Iolaus struggled to sit up. Hercules helped to prop him up on some pillows. "Mic mentioned something about seven months."
"So, you get to call her Mic."
"You two don't exactly get along, do you?"
Hercules looked startled. "How do you know?"
"Well, once in a while I was aware of what was going on around me. I could hear you and Mic arguing. A lot."
"Michelle doesn't seem to like me much."
Sometime later, Mic stopped trembling enough to retrieve her tea from the fire. She stuck her head in the sickroom. Hercules had fallen asleep in the chair. Iolaus was curled up under the covers. She smiled as she quietly withdrew. It was time. At least she could spare them the bitter end.
She sat down at the table and pulled the quill and ink pot within easy reach. She searched amongst the scrolls on the end of the table. She finally found a blank piece to write a message on.
Hercules, I know that I have been snappish towards you. You might even think I hate you. I don't. I did it for a reason. I knew if you ever found out you'd try to stop me. For as long as Iolaus has been healing, I've been dying. That's the nature of the stones. They draw their power from me. In short, I'm giving my life so that Iolaus may live. It is a willing gift. I gave it freely. The friendship you and Iolaus share touched me. I just couldn't stand there and let it end. Iolaus is healed, he just needs to regain his strength. He'll be up and dancing with all the girls at the Solstice festival. Now I must go, the end has come. At least I can spare you the pain of watching me die. Take comfort in knowing I feel no pain. I will just slowly fade away. I only hope both of you will accept the gift I have given you.
Mic had tears in her eyes as she stood up. She left the note where Hercules would be sure to see it. She folded the blanket over the back of the chair and drained the last of her tea before she headed out into the storm.
The end.
Epilogue
Hercules opened the door of the small cabin and stepped inside. Iolaus looked up from where he was sitting by the fireplace. "Did you find her?"
"Not a trace." Hercules moved to stand beside Iolaus. He took off his mittens to warm his hands. Iolaus frowned as he handed Hercules a mug of tea. The storm had intensified during the hours that had passed since Hercules had found the note. Both knew that a person would quickly freeze to death, especially if they didn't have heavy clothes on.
"Why did she go out in this storm?"
Hercules sipped his tea while he regarded Iolaus' question. "I think she didn't want to confront us when we found out."
Iolaus tried to repress a shiver. He failed.
Hercules frowned at his stubborn friend. "You should be in bed. You're going to catch a chill if you stay out here."
Iolaus stopped in mid-sniff. He nodded and let Hercules herd him back to the bedroom.
Hercules waited patiently while Iolaus undressed and crawled under the covers. Hercules sat on the edge of the bed.
"I could have stopped her if I had been thinking clearly."
Iolaus regarded Hercules silently for a moment. "What do you mean?"
"Well, I remember the story Zeus told me about the Prometheus Stones. How Hera was jealous of their ability to heal and she cursed them so that every time they were used, they'd rob the healer of a little bit of their lifeforce."
Iolaus looked up at Hercules. "So the stones didn't always work that way?"
"No, they were designed to channel a body's natural healing energies."
"No wonder I had never heard of them before."
"Yes. Zeus said he destroyed them all. I guess he missed a set."
Hercules laid a hand on Iolaus' shoulder. "I can't say that I'm all that upset that he did."
Iolaus couldn't believe what he had just heard. "Even though it cost Mic her life."
Hercules sighed. "Like she said in her note, it was her choice. We would be dishonoring her memory if we don't accept her sacrifice."
"She could have asked."
"You were unconscious."
"Want about you? Would you have agreed if you'd have known the cost?"
Hercules became real quiet. Iolaus had backed him into a corner. To tell the truth he wasn't sure of his own feelings. "She took the decision out of my hands."
"That still doesn't answer my question."
"No, it doesn't. I'm just know I'm glad I didn't have to chose."
"Isn't that being a little bit selfish?"
Hercules shrugged. "So I'm selfish." He looked into Iolaus' clear blue eyes. "I need you to be by my side. Beside she was well aware of what she was doing."
Iolaus didn't know what to think. He was confused. He wasn't having very good luck at sorting his feelings out.
At the look of confusion, Hercules continued. "If your positions had been reversed, you wouldn't have hesitated to try and save her life. She did the same for you."
Iolaus looked at Hercules with awe-filled eyes. "She really did give me a precious gift, didn't she?
"No Iolaus, she gave *us* a precious gift."
Disclaimer: Iolaus regained his strength in time for the festival. On a sad note, Michelle's body was never found.
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