Subj: Vampires, Gods and Time 14 of ?
Date: 11/18/99 9:02:24 PM Central Standard Time
From: Mysterious Millicent

Mount Olympus-- Royal Judgement Chamber

Shortly before noon all the gods and goddesses had gathered for the trial of Hera. On one side of the chamber were rows and rows of seats on which most of the gods and goddesses were already seated. some were simply looking about, appearing somewhat bored, and others were engaged in lively conversations or arguements. On the other side of the chamber were six gods and goddess that served as the lesser judges in this trial. There sat, Hades, Aphrodite, Athene, Artemis, Poseidon, and Apollo having been relieved of his role as caretaker by Zeus.

In the center of the room stood Hera, regal robes adorning her shapely figure, and a golden crown on her head. She was inside a small, golden cage that had bars on all sides, and was trapped with no escape. She stood there glaring at everyone. Knowing full well that she would not be held accountable for her deeds and that Poseidon, Athene and Aphrodite would never consider her guilty of ANYTHING. She suddenly began to smile a smug smile and made it clear that she felt she was in no danger, but that there would be Hell to pay when this so called trial was over.

Towards the back of the Chamber stood, Iolaus, Hercules, Ares, Drakon, Barnabas and Alcmene. All players in a game that was about to end.

At the appointed time, Zeus appeared in a long flowing white robe, wearing his golden crown, and walked up the steps to the throne. Seating himself, he nodded to Hermes to call the Court to order.

"Great Gods and Goddess of Mount Olympus. We are gathered here to the trial of Infidelity. Our Queen, Sister and Mother stands before this court guilty of defiling the royal bedchamber. How plead you, Hera, Queen of the Gods?"

Hera, standing proud, defiant and angry said in a loud voice, "I am innocent of these charges! And I am your Queen. How dare you bring me in the court?"

"Silence, Hera." Zeus shouted from the throne. For the first time in her life, Hera became suddenly mute. Not that anything had caused her to grow silent, but she suddenly realized just how sincere Zeus was at punishing her. And she also slowly began to realize that she might be in a bit of danger.

"Step forward, Ares, God of War." Zeus bellowed.

Ares walked forward and stood on the stone step near the throne.

"Ares, my son, Did you know of your Mother's treachery? That she lusted after a mortal man, that she intended to take him to her bed, not on earth, or anywhere else, but in the Royal Bedchamber?"

"Yes, my Lord Zeus. I knew of Mother's plan."

"And did you not also, as per your Mother's instructions, try to kill my son Hercules?"

Ares lowered his head and said in a soft voice, "Yes, my Father. My Mother bade me trick Hercules into a sense of false security and then kill him."

"That is a lie! My son! How can you lie to your own Father?" Hera shouted in a loud voice.

"There will be no more outburst from you, Hera." Zeus said and letting a small lightning bolt fly he struck Hera who now was unable to speak.

"You may step down, Ares"

Ares obeyed and walked to the back of the chamber.

"Step forward, Drakon, shadow of this world." Zeus said in a loud voice.

Drakon stepped forward and took his place on the stone step near the throne.

"Drakon, were you not instructed by Hera to capture Iolaus, best friend to Hercules and force him to betray his friend?"

Drakon looked at Zeus and said, "Yes, my Lord Zeus. Hera told me that if I did as she instructed she would bestowe upon me immortality. If I failed she will destroy me."

"Were you also involved in the plot to kill my son, Hercules?" Zeus continued

"No, my Lord Zeus. That was a plan to which I was not allowed to participate. But it was a secret one between Hera and her son Ares. I witnessed the secret conversation between them, and knew what was planned, but was not involved, my Lord."

Zeus frowned at this last statement and then waved his hand saying, "You may step down, Drakon of the Shadow."

Drakon looked at Hera for a brief moment and if looks could kill, he would have been dead that very instant. He too, took his place beside Ares at the back of the chamber.

"Barnabas Collins, mortal man, step forward." Zeus again bellowed.

Barnabas looked at Hercules and Iolaus a bit in fear, but Hercules put his hand on Barnabas' shoulder and nodded his head. Barnabas smiled briefly and then walked to the stone step near the throne.

In a softer voice than he had used with the others, Zeus said, "Barnabas Collins, I know that you are mortal and much of this is beyond your control. So tell me the truth and you have nothing to fear."

Barnabas nodded his head and Zeus continued, "Barnabas Collins, mortal man, did Hera, Queen of the Gods come to you in disguise and entice you to her bedchamber?"

Barnabas looked briefly at Hera who watched his every expression. Then turning to the King of the Gods and the Royal Throne he said, "I found a peasant woman who appeared to have been robbed and beaten and I stopped to help. It was only after I offered that help that Hera revealed herself to me and took me to Mount Olympus and the Royal Bedchamber. I had no choice but to do as she commanded, for if I had refused her I would have lost my life. I beg forgiveness, my Lord Zeus."

Zeus frowned and then looked over to his right. "Bring in the infant child."

A woman slowly walked towards the throne carrying a small baby to the throne.

Zeus picked up the child and held it high in the air. "Is this your child Barnabas Collins. Yours and my wife Hera's?"

Barnabas looked up at Zeus and said softly, "Yes, my Lord Zeus. The child is mine."

Zeus gave the infant back to the woman and waved the child away. The woman walked out of the Chamber. Then Zeus looked at Barnabas and said, "Do you love my wife, Barnabas?"

Barnabas looked briefly at Hera who was now studying his every expression. Then Barnabas looked back at Zeus and said, "I am afraid to answer that question, my Lord Zeus for fear of my life."

Zeus nodded and then said, "You have nothing to fear from Hera, she can do you no harm. But you do have me to fear, mortal man. Answer the question, Do you love my wife, Hera?"

Barnabas said in a clear voice with no emotion whatso ever. "No, my Lord Zeus. I was a plaything to your wife, and I was ordered to obey. It was only because of that order that I bedded your wife. I beg forgiveness."

Zeus smiled and then said, "You have nothing to fear from me mortal man. You may step down Barnabas Collins."

Barnabas gave a small sigh of relief and walked to the back of the room.

"Hercules, my son, step forward." Zeus again bellowed.

Hercules looked at his Father and began to walk towards the stone step. Although he knew that his Father had planned most of this, some of what had happened had not been to his liking. He hoped that he would be able to answer truthfully. For he did not want to incur his wrath. Especially not now. Slowly he moved up on the stone step and faced the throne.

"Hercules, my son. Did you willingly come to my wife's bedchamber and bed your stepmother in the Royal bedchamber?"

"Yes, my Father." Hercules replied.

"And did you do this of your own accord? Of your own thoughts, or were you forced?"

Hercules looked at Hera who now was uncertain what was going on. Hercules was a total surprise to her this morning. She had absolutely NO IDEA how he had gotten into her bedchamber. But now, she began to doubt her own sanity. How could she possibly have expected to bed the bastard son of her husband? The warrior whom she hated with all her being. The mighty fighter who she had tried to destroy so often in the past. But then, the thought of seeing his naked body suddenly sent chills down her spine. He was one handsome male, with more to offer than any god, even Adonis! {Hera, get a grip. Your losing your mind}

BARNABAS COLLINS' INFANT CHILD WAS NOT HARMED DURING THE MAKING OF THIS CHAPTER. BUT PERHAPS HERA MIGHT BE FEELING A BIT OF------REMORSE?????????