Disclaimer: The characters of Hercules and Iolaus are owned by Renaissance Pictures. This story is written for entertainment purposes only. No money is being made from this story.
Summary: Hercules tells his mother about a new friend he met at school.
Author’s Note: I wrote this story in response to the September 2001 story challenge..that is to write a 750 word story that begins with “It was a dark and stormy night”. Word Count came out to roughly 739 words. The story takes place when Hercules is five years old
To all you Iolausians: Little Iolaus does NOT make an appearance in this story..he is however, the main topic of Hercules conversation! No surprise there! (hehehehehe!)
A New Friend/ September Challenge/ by Skylark
CHAPTER 1
It was a dark and stormy night. Thunder rolled across the sky as Zeus sent angry bolts of lightening to light up the night sky. Achemene tucks little Hercules into bed. The thunder roars across the sky and little Hercules huddles closer to his mother.
“Mother..don’t leave..ah..tell me a story PLEASE!” Hercules pleads. Another bolt of thunder clashes in the sky causing little Hercules to shiver under his bedcovers.
Seeing her son in so much distress, Alchemene puts her arms around her shivering son. Hercules feels his mother’s warmth and nestles his head on her warm chest. Hercules is reassured as he hears the steady heartbeat of his mother’s heart making him feel safe and sound despite the loud thunder and rain outside.
“Ah..Hercules..don’t be afraid of the thunder and lightening..it’s just your father Zeus throwing one of his temper tantrums..that’s all..” Alchemene soothes the small demigod.
“Is Zeus mad at me?” Hercules whispers fearful that his angry father Zeus would pop in any minute to fry him with lightening bolts.
“Oh no..Zeus loves us..he would never hurt a hair on your head..” Alchemene tousles the chestnut blonde wisps of hair on little Hercules head as she thinks Zeus stop your tantrums can’t you see you’re scaring Hercules..stop acting like such a child and act like the king of Gods..’
“Hercules..would you like to sleep in my bed tonight..we can play the ‘secrets game’..you know I tell you my secret and you tell me yours..okay?”
“Oh boy..that would be fun..Mom..” Hercules grabs his favorite blanket and doll and takes his mother’s hand and jumps onto his mother’s bed. Meanwhile the thunder and lightening outside subsides and a clear night full of stars appears.
“So Hercules..” as Alchemene lies next to her son and puts her arm around his waist “What secret have you got for me tonight?”
“Well..Mom..I miss Iphicles…he used to tuck me in..on nights like this..I wish he were here..”
“I know..Hercules..but it’s not your fault that Iphicles is gone..but Iphicles still loves you..he is your brother and he will always be there for you no matter what..and so will I..” Alchemene gives her small son a protective hug.
Hercules sits up in his mother’s bed as he prepares to tell his mother his secret “Okay Mom..are you ready for my secret?”
“Yes..Hercules what is your secret? “
“I met a new friend at school today. His name is Iolaus. When the other kids made fun of me, Iolaus well..he stuck up for me”
“Tell me more about Iolaus..” Alchemene is glad that her shy son has finally found a friend he can rely on.
“Well..Iolaus lives in Thebes..he’s just moved in so he doesn’t know anyone else.. I can’t believe I have a friend.. ..Iolaus doesn’t care that I am the Son of Zeus..he is the only kid in town not to make fun of me..and he doesn’t care that I’m a freak…”
Alchemene stops Hercules in mid sentence “Now Hercules..you know better than to talk about yourself like that..you are NOT a freak
Hercules lowers his eyes as he responds “Yes, Mom..but why do the other kids make fun of me?”
Alchemene responds “Iolaus does’t make fun of you...friends don’t make fun of friends..”
Hercules looks into his mother’s azure loving eyes so identical to his own “I love you Mom..I can’t believe Iolaus wants to be my friend..I can’t wait to hunt with him tomorrow! “
“I know Hercules..now get to sleep”
Hercules yawns sleepily “See Mom..I have a new friend..Iolaus..” Hercules closes his eyes and falls asleep in his mother’s arms.
Alchemene looks up to the sky and whispers “Thank you Zeus for allowing Hercules to have a friend..”
Alchemene closes her eyes and she remembers the day when a wild blonde haired man saved her and her unborn child from certain death from an evilly crazed woman. Alchemne smiles in her sleep as she realizes what an important role Iolaus will play in Hercules’ life and that it will be Iolaus who will eventually become Hercules’ second heart...and thank you for saving my life...Goodnight..Iolaus..my son of the heart…
From somewhere on Olympus, Zeus places a protective spell on that little blonde boy destined to become Hercules’ best friend. “May you and Hercules have a safe childhood....Don’t worry Iolaus..I will protect you both..as I am the King of the Gods..sleep well..my son of the heart..little Iolaus”…
THE END
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