Subj: Vampires, Gods and Time 16 of 17
Date: 11/19/99 5:38:53 PM Central Standard Time
From: Mysterious Millicent

Hercules home, near the city of Athens.

The citizens of Athens and Thebes were very elated to have their hero and son back. Hercules had been restored to the land of the living by his Father, Zeus, as had his family from the Underworld by Hades. All were extremely happy for the mighty warrior.

On this day, Iolaus had come to Hercules home to pay a visit on his best friend. As he neared the home, he saw Hercules with his son Aeson in a chariot drawn by two beautiful black stallions. Iolaus smiled. He remembered when Hercules had told him of his time with his family in the Elysian Fields and how Aeson had said he wanted to drive chariots. It seemed that Hercules had lost no time in starting that training for his son.

“No, Aeson. You can’t keep the reins drawn that taunt. If you do the horses will rear back and the chariot may turn over. Keep the reins tight, but with a little bit of slack. And remember, you must not be cruel to them or they will not obey you. Be sure that they knew you are the master, but their friend. If you do, they will work hard for you and follow all your commands.”

The young boys hands were wrapped around the reins and he was struggling to control the horses. But he was managing to keep a good grip on them. And he showed no fear. Hercules, standing in back of Aeson was ready at a moments pause to take over should his son falter. But the smile on his face showed the joy in being able to teach his son what he had always wanted. Hercules looked up and saw Iolaus approaching. He bent down and whispered something to Aeson who pulled the reins forwards shouting, “Whoa! Whoa.” Gradually the chariot came to a stop.

Aeson let go of the reins and moving quickly behind his father, left the Chariot and ran to the approaching man.

“Uncle Iolaus. Did you see? I was driving my father’s chariot.” Aeson shouted with joy as he came close to Iolaus and hugged his favorite uncle.

Iolaus embraced the lad and then letting go put his hand on his head, tossling his hair said, “Yes, I saw, Aeson. You are really becoming a man. And you did a very good job. I’m proud of you.”

“Tomorrow, father promised we could drive to Thebes.” Aeson said proudly and then he ran towards the house to announce the visit of Iolaus to his mother.

Hercules had stepped out of the chariot and began walking to his best friend. “Welcome, Iolaus. What brings you here?”

Iolaus chuckled and said, “Oh, I dunno. Just missed ya, big guy.” And he and Hercules shook hands. Then Iolaus looked into Hercules eyes and said, “It is so wonderful to see you able to enjoy the family that means so much to you my friend. At last you can have the simple pleasures you should have had all along.”

Hercules smiled, shaking his head. Looking back at the chariot he said with a voice full of pride and happiness. “Aeson is learning the chariot well. He is much more skilled than I first thought he would be.”

Iolaus nodded. “Yes he is.”

Then Hercules put his arm around Iolaus and said, “Come, let’s go into the house.” and the two old warriors walked arm in arm towards the front door.

Deianeira, fixing lunch looked out the window and saw Iolaus and Hercules laughing and heading towards the house. She smiled. It was so good to be back on earth among the living and to see her husband so happy. They had experienced so much grief and sorrow at the hands of Hera, and now that would all be behind them and they could enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

Deianeira went back to preparing the food and glanced up towards the living area. There, Barnabas, the new stranger she had recently met was sitting in a chair with Ilea on his lap telling her a story about dragons and dungeons. The little girl was fascinated and listened carefully to his every word. This strange man was so kind, understanding and she liked him very much. Hercules was right, he was a good friend. She did not understand that he was not of their time, but she didn’t care about that. One thing that was a comfort to her is that the children liked him immensly.

Barnabas, for his part had spent the last two weeks at Hercules home following the trial of Hera and the returning to the land of the living of Hercules family. He had been having a wonderful time talking about all his trials with Hercules and Hercules telling him of all his adventures. They shared so much in common. And he found Deianeira to be a charming woman, loving, kind, funny, witty, and an excellant cook. She was a wonderful mother and devoted wife to her husband Hercules.

The children were wonderful. Klonus was a true gentleman, protective of his younger siblings, with a wit and humor that matched that of his father. Aeson was more emotional, yet obediant, kind and a bit shyer than the others. And little Ilea was a total delight. She reminded Barnabas so much of his sister Sarah. With Ilea he had a chance to sort of relive his days when he told stories to Sarah and her delight in hearing all about the same tales he now told Ilea.

“What did the princess do when the dragon started to spit fire, Uncle Barnabas?” Ilea said, her eyes large and questioning.

“The princess had a special gift. That of music.She began to sing a song that was so soothing and so beautiful that the dragon paused and stared at her. Then a tear came to the dragon and he sat down near the Princess and listened to the music. The dragon made no attempt to harm the princess.” Barnabas continued with the tale.

“That was a nice dragon!” Ilea said, just as her father and Iolaus entered the house. Ilea jumped off Barnabas’ lap and ran to her father. “Daddy! Uncle Barnabas told me a good story about a kind dragon and a princess!”

Hercules smiled at Barnabas and picked up his daughter. “He did? Did you thank him for telling you the story, sweetheart?”

Ilea put her hand up to her mouth in a gesture of forgetfulness and then looked at Barnabas and said, “I forgot. Thank you Uncle Barnabas for telling me the story!”

And all in the room laughed.

Later in the day Iolaus, who had helped Aeson get the chariot unleashed and the horses brushed and groomed walked out the stables with Aeson on his heels. He looked over towards the meadow and again smiled. There was Hercules with his eldest son Klonus. He was teaching his son to fight with a sword and as Iolaus watched he was somewhat amazed. For Klonus was indeed getting very strong. Perhaps he had inherited some of his father’s strength.

“Yes, he has. He is the only sibling who possesses the immortal blood. He will be the one to take the place of my son, when he can no longer fight.”

Iolaus looked over his shoulder and saw Zeus watching Hercules and Klonus sparing with the swords. Klonus had gotten his sword knocked out of his hand by his father but in one swift movement managed to throw his father off guard and tossed him to the ground. When Hercules landed he looked up at his son with a surprised look and then smiled. “You really have gotten stronger, Klonus!” And laughing they both began to fence once more.

And so it was for another month. Barnabas had a wonderful time living with Hercules and his family that he almost forget that he did have to get home.

One afternoon, Barnabas stepped out of the house just as Hercules was coming up the path. He was caring a very dirty Ilea who had fallen in the mud trying to wrestle with her brother Aeson and had, of course lost. She had skinned her knee but was not crying. For as Ilea had said, “Warriors do not cry” and there was no way she was going to let tears be seen. But it was apparent that she wanted to for her lower lip trembled.

“Hercules, who is that mud-wamp you have with you?” Barnabas said, chuckling to himself.

“Well, ya know Barnabas,” Hercules said as he looked down at Ilea, “I’m not really sure. I thought that it might be my daughter, but she wouldn’t be this dirty, so I am not sure who I have picked up.”

Ilea pulled away a bit from her father and looking into his eyes said, “Daddy, you know it’s me. I belong to you!”

Hercules smiled and said softly, “Yes you do, Ilea. And I will never let anything happen to you again.” Then after a moment’s pause he said, “But for now, I think we had better get off all this mud and see if we can fix that knee.”

Ilea, Hercules and Barnabas went into the house where Hercules handed off his daughter to his
wife who grimaced and then took her off to clean her up.

ILEA WAS NOT HURT BADLY AND WAS NOT PERMANENTLY STAINED BY MUD DURING THE MAKING OF THIS CHAPTER