Re: Vampires, Gods and Time 15 of ?
From: Mysterious Millicent
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 19:39:06

Mount Olympus-- Royal Judgement Chamber

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

Hercules looked at Hera and then back to his Father. "Hera came to me and took me to Mount Olympus and to the Royal Bedchamber. She told me that she grew tired of the fighting and wished to make peace. But that she had not forgiven you for your infidelity. She told me that if I would make love to her that she would forgive all the crimes and leave me in peace. Although I did not believe her, I thought that there might be a chance that she might, just might be telling the truth. So I accepted her proposal, for the sake of the people on the earth.

"My son, you have defiled the Royal Bedchamber, don't you know the punishment for that is death?"

"Yes, Father. But the people of the earth, are my people. Hera has threatened, hurt, and killed many of my kinsmen and friends through her hatred of me. If I could stop that I would do it at all costs. I beg forgiveness from you Father. But I did what I had to do in order to try to stop the madness that has overcome Hera since my birth."

Zeus was very proud of his son. He had spoken only in truth. "Well said, my son. And do you have anything to add?"

"Yes, Father. I wish to ask Hera a question." Hercules replied.

Zeus nodded and said, "Ask." And Zeus made a gesture to release Hera from her mute status.

"Hera, all powerful Queen of the Gods, you have a son, Barabbas. I know you love the child dearly and you will do all in your power to protect him. Answer me this, how would you feel if that son was suddenly ripped from you?"

Hera now looked totally bewildered. All of this was going tooo fast. She was now not even certain what she had done. Had she really bedded Hercules? Then why had she not remembered this? With that body, surely she would have remembered.

"Hera, respond to the question." Zeus pressed.

Finally, Hera looked at Zeus and said, "I would feel great sorrow, the same as I felt when you betrayed me, my Lord and Husband."

"Silence!" Zeus shouted standing. And then he looked at Hercules and said, "You may step down my son."

Then looking at the lesser judges, Zeus bellowed, "Judges what is your sentence?"

The lesser judges talked amonst themselves for a brief moment and then Hades approached the throne. "We feel that Hera is guilty of infidelity of the Royal Bedchamber and of cruelty unbecoming of a goddess."

Hera started to say something but again was prevented not only from speaking but from moving.

Zeus nodded at Hades who then took his place back at the judges seat. For a few minutes Zeus looked at Hera not only in contempt but in pity. Finally he spoke.

"Hera, Queen of the Gods and my wife. You know that it is treason of the highest degree to defile the Royal Bedchamber. It is one thing to have an affair with a mortal or a god in any other setting. But to take a mortal to the Royal Bedchamber is Treason. And yet you did this anyway. For all the evil you have inflicted on mortals and my son Hercules, and for defiling our bedchamber, I sentence you to the life of a peasant woman for a period of 5 years. Perhaps in that time you will learn to be less jealous and more kind and compassionate as a goddess should be. I forbid any god or goddess to harm you, or any mortal in this room. But you shall have no friend, save those poor souls who come to you aid. Treasure them, my wife. For they will be few and far between. Now leave this Chamber.

Hera suddenly found herself transformed to that of a peasant woman, stripped of all powers and all wisdom. She then was suddenly whisked away from the Chamber.

"Ares, God of War, come forward." Zeus again bellowed.

Ares slowly stepped forward. "Ares, my son, you dared to defy my decree and harm my son, Hercules. Even if you were doing the bidding of your mother, you could have drawn the line when asked to defy my decree. Am I not King of the Gods and that last word?"

Ares nodded--"Yes, my Father. Forgive me."

"Because you chose this path, you will be punished. But. because you were following the orders of your Mother, your punishment will not be as severe as that of Hera's. I sentence you to 5 years in the service of Hades in the Underworld. Perhaps you can help him with the inventory that you have caused to get out of hand because of your incessant wars. Go! And do not return until the 5 years are over.

Ares bowed low before Zeus and walked towards the door, but not without a last look at Hercules. He really was sorry for killing his brother, but this punishment was not as bad as it could have been. Perhaps Hercules had interceded for him. He would have to ponder that. Then he left the Chamber.

"Drakon, the shadow of this world, come forward." Zeus again bellowed.

Drakon stepped forward and Zeus said to him.

"Because you chose to follow my son Ares and my wife and did not heed my warnings I ban you from this time for eternity. You may live in your own time and do as you please, with one exception. You, under no circumstances are to harm Barnabas Collins, nor any of his kinfolk. Return to your own time and never again show your face in our world."

Drakon bowed before Zeus and then was suddenly whisked away in a flash of light.

At last Zeus was able to show kindness.

"Barnabas Collins, mortal man, come forward."

Barnabas slowly stepped forward and approached the throne. Zeus looked at Barnabas with a kind expression and said, "You have shown bravery, courage and intelligence in all this, mortal man. You have been kind to all and have spoken the truth. I find no fault in what you did and I hereby dismiss you from any guilt. You are free to come and go as you please. If you wish to return to your own time, I will help you. The choice is yours."

Barnabas smiled at Zeus and said, "Thank you, my Lord Zeus. I am grateful for your kindness." And then he backed away and stood beside Iolaus.

"Hercules, my son, come forward."

Hercules stepped forward as his father descended from the throne to come to his son. Putting his hand on his son's face he said, "I am so sorry, my son that my wife caused you such grief. And I am so sorry that I, King of the Gods never really came to your aid in times of trouble. You have shown compassion and kindness to all and your judgement is just. You have been a wonderful son and I have neglected you, let you be hurt, damaged and even killed. That will go on no further." Zeus took a long look at his son, who was studying his Father's face.

Then Zeus returned to the throne, turned around and said in a loud voice, "From this time forward, no god or goddess will harm my son, nor any of his family, friends or people. If you want to amuse yourselves with mortals do so, but cause them no harm. If you do, your punishment will be as great or greater than Hera's."

"Hercules, it is the judgement of this court that you are innocent of any crimes and should be given a rest from all the labors and responsibilities that have plagued you for so many years from Hera. I hereby decree that your wife, Deianeira, your children, Klonus, Aeson and Ilea be restored to you as they once were. That you may live with your family in the world above in peace and prosperity. This is my gift to you, my son.!"

Hercules looked at his Father with tears in his eyes. "Thank you, Father!" And then turning to the other gods and goddesses he added, "And thank you to all the rest of the mighty gods of Olympus!"

Then Hercules went to his Father and they embraced as Father and son. For the first time in may years, both Zeus and Hercules felt total love. Something that they had lacked from the time Hera had sent Pyro to kill his family.

And from this gesture there came a mighty shout and all the gods and goddesses shouted the joy that all of Olympus felt. For now the war between Zeus and Hera was over, (for a brief time anyway).

Iolaus and Barnabas came to Hercules as he left his Father's embrace and they shook hands.

"Congrads there Herc! This is really great news! I'm so happy fer ya I can't tell ya!" Iolaus said, with a tear in his eye.

"Yes, I wonder how long Father will wait before I can see them?" Hercules replied and then looking at Barnabas he said, "You really did a great job there buddy! You are one heck of a good friend. I hope that you can stay for a bit before you go back to your own time. But if you do have to leave soon, I will miss you my friend."

Barnabas took Hercules hand, and said, "I may stay for a few weeks, Hercules. And besides, I have never met your family, except of course your daughter, Ilea! I should like to see them, if you don't mind?"

"Of course. You have got to see my son, Klonus. He is getting so strong. When I went to the Underworld, -------- " and the conversation continued under the shouts of praise and laud to Zeus the King of the Gods who had finally given a Royal Decree that was well accepted by ALL the gods. Well, all except of course Hera, Ares, And Drakon!

As Iolaus, Barnabas and Hercules walked out of the Chamber, Zeus watched them smiling. Then motioning for Hades who came quickly to his side he said, "I think you can restore the family to Hercules tonight, Hades."

Hades smiled, "That will be one decree of yours that I will be most happy to honor, my Lord Zeus. Well done, brother!" And the two gods embraced.

HERA WAS NOT DAMAGED TOO BADLY IN THE TRANSFORMATION FROM GODDESS TO PEASANT IN THE MAKING OF THIS CHAPTER

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