The Trial Part 2
Disclaimer: The characters Hercules and Iolaus belong to Renaissance Pictures. No money is being made from this story!
Summary: Will Iolaus get a fair trial?
Author’s note: This story is a sequel to The Trial Part 1.
CHAPTER 1
THE TRIAL
“Iolaus of Thebes..you stand accused of trespassing on Farmer John’s land..how do you plead?”
Hercules stands up and speaks for Iolaus “Not guilty your honor.”
The opposing counsel stands up “Objection, your honor..I say that Iolaus must plead guilty.”
Hercules motions to the judge “Objection, your honor..your honor asked IOLAUS how he pleads..not anyone else!”
The judge responds “Objection noted, but overruled. I’m sorry, Hercules but here in Plymouth..the defendant is guilty before declared innocent..”
Alright Farmer John..let’s hear your case against the defendant.
“Last night, I saw Iolaus of Thebes..totally disregard the NO TRESPASSING sign that I have on my land..and I saw Iolaus trespass my land in total disregard of the law. I say that Iolaus disobeyed a law and therefore deserves to be executed.”
“Iolaus of Thebes..what have you to say in your defense?”
“Your honor, I respectfully disagree with Farmer John..I honestly didn’t see the No Trespassing sign..I mean it was pitch dark..I was chasing the soccer ball..we were in the middle of a soccer game..I meant no disrespect of the law..this was simply a human error..come on isn’t it one of the commandments of Eli..forgiveness is divine..to err is human?”
The judge regards Iolaus as one would a disobedient child as he corrects Iolaus “Because you are an outsider to this village, I will correct you..it’s actually to err is human..forgiveness is divine..”
Hercules gets up in Iolaus’defense “Your honor, may I say something in Iolaus’ defense?”
The judge nods his head at Hercules and adds “Just because you are outsiders..I am giving you and Iolaus more latitude..do not abuse my generosity..Son of Zeus”
Hercules continues in Iolaus’ defense “Iolaus is the most honest person I know. I believe Iolaus when he says that he meant no disrespect of Plymouthian laws..I’ve known Iolaus all his life and Iolaus would never purposely disobey the law.”
Farmer John stands up to object “I object, your honor..I have here on this scroll evidence that Iolaus is a criminal..a thief..Iolaus was arrested for trying to steal jewelry from a jeweler..in Corinth..”
Hercules interrupts Farmer John with “Iolaus has already paid his debt to society..he has a clean slate..Iolaus successfully graduated from one of the most noble institutions for warriors..Cheiron’s Academy..He has saved my life countless times throughout the years..No matter what the Gods threw at Iolaus..Iolaus has already remained at my side despite danger to his own life..why he was even granted the status of Guardian of the Light by Michael himself..and Michael is the servant of Eli..you can’t put one of Eli’s heavenly servants to death..your honor!” Hercules wants to use the fact that Iolaus is Guardian of the Light to sway the judge and the rest of these Eli worshipping villagers.
Farmer John gives Hercules and especially Iolaus a thoroughly disapproving look “This Guardian of the Light allowed himself to be possessed by Dahak! Then he let this Dahak use his body to run rampant throughout Eire,Sumeria and Greece..and in Eire and Sumeria..this Dahak killed all their Gods..what kind of Guardian of the Light is he if he lets an evil being possess his body!”
At this statement, the whole village stares at Iolaus in sick fascination. Iolaus puts his hand through his curly blond hair as he reddens in shame at the memory of having let Dahak kill so many innocent lives while in his body..shame at letting himself be tricked..shame of betraying Greece, his family and his best friend Hercules.
“That’s where you’re wrong..Farmer John…Iolaus and I both killed Dahak together..it’s true that Dahak tricked Iolaus..Dahak dazzled Iolaus with power..Dahak promised to give Iolaus more power to help people..the only reason Iolaus let Dahak in was because he was under the false belief that Dahak would help him help the world..I’d say that Iolaus’ only crime is being too naïve!..once Iolaus discovered Dahak’s evil plan..Iolaus fought with every ounce of his soul to weaken Dahak..and he did..that’s how I was able to find Iolaus..Dahak kept Iolaus’ soul prisoner..that’s how Dahak gained entry into this world..by emprisoning an innocent soul..that innocent soul..and I emphasize the word INNOCENT..is Iolaus..in the end Iolaus went into the LIGHT..because the LIGHT agreed with me that Iolaus is innocent!.”
Farmer John points an accusing finger at Iolaus as he thunders “ As followers of Eli, I know what kind of Guardian of the Light, he really is..tell me, Iolaus..isn’t it true that you sneaked out of the Light to be with Hercules’ again? Just answer Yes or No.”
Iolaus gulped as he pushed a stray lock of golden hair out of his forehead before answering “Yes, I snuck out of the Light.”
The entire room of Eli worshippers gave a collective sigh of surprise at this statement. As the whole room thought at the same time “Iolaus is truly evil..nobody sneaks out of the Light..why that’s sacrilegious..people spend their entire lives to deserve the light..no Iolaus must have been somehow unworthy..maybe he was kicked out of the Light thinks the crowd.
Farmer John triumphantly says to the judge “You see your honor Iolaus shirked his duty as Guardian of the Light by sneaking out of the Light to be with Hercules..and Iolaus can never go back into the Light because he has been deemed unworthy to return..so he must spend the rest of eternity on the mortal plane. That’s why I judge Iolaus to be guilty and to be inherently evil. An evil being such as Iolaus must be put to death for the safety of all concerned..for he lies..that’s all Iolaus does is lie..he saw the No Trespassing sign..anyone can see it..Liars must be put to death!”
Hercules shakes his head at this ridiculous proceeding “Yes, Iolaus snuck out of the Light..but he did it..to warn me about the coming of the Four Horsemen. Iolaus should be deemed a hero because he risked his mortal soul to save this realm..if it hadn’t been for Iolaus’ bravery..” Hercules pauses dramatically to point to each of the villagers “you..you and you..would not be alive now..if Iolaus had not warned me of the Four Horsemen..this whole realm would have been decimated by the four horsemen of Death, Hunger, Plague and Despair..Iolaus not only kicked these Horsemen ass..he saved all of us from the Four Horsemen..from total destruction and annihilation and from the darkness of Dahak..So I say that Iolaus is telling the truth when he says that he did NOT see the No Trespassing sign..Iolaus should be released and hailed a hero!”
Farmer John continues on his track “Isn’t it true that the only reason Iolaus attended Cheiron’s Academy is that the magistrate gave him the choice..the Academy or jail?” Once again Farmer John waits for Iolaus to answer the question.
Iolaus gulps and answers “Yes, the judge said if I didn’t attend the Academy, I’d go to jail. But I did graduate so now I’m in the clear..my record was expunged.” Despite the gravity of his situation, Iolaus manages to give Farmer John a defiant stare—his cerulean eyes flashing at the absurdity of the whole trial..to be put to death for trespassing on the land of this narrow-minded cowardly farmer..
Farmer John gives Iolaus an angry glare “You were supposed to have answered only Yes or No..your honor..for the record..let the record state that the witness is a hostile witness..”
The judge stamps his mallet and says “Duly noted counsil..”
Hercules continues “Even at the Academy, Iolaus showed his heroic heart. Ares and Discord were constantly attacking me or the Academy..Ares enjoyed harassing or harming anyone that I cared for. When Ares attacked the academy, Iolaus stood by my side and defeated Ares..he fought by my side and watched my back..Iolaus and I promised each other from childhood that we would always watch each other’s back and Iolaus has been watching my back from Gods, monsters, evil warlords ever since..I’d be long dead by now if it weren’t for the heroics and bravery of my best friend, Iolaus. I owe my life and my sanity to my best friend. After Hera killed my family, it was Iolaus who brought me back from the brink of madness..after Strife killed Serena..Iolaus was there to catch me..I owe everything to Iolaus..he is truly my hero.”
“Farmer John..do you have anything more to add?”
“Merely my closing statements your honor.”
“You may proceed”
“In conclusion, Iolaus of Thebes who has a record of being a thief..who only went to Cheiron’s Academy to avoid a jail sentence..Iolaus ran with a known gang..Cradus’ gang who terrorized the countryside with their violent acts of robbery..Iolaus..who allowed his body to be consecrated and possessed by Dahak..and then Iolaus..who committed the darkest of all crimes..the murder of the Eire druids..the senseless rampage of Greece as he proclaimed himself the Messenger of the Light..false God of hope..a natural blasphemy to all of us here in Plymouth as followers of the true God of Light, Eli..Iolaus who shirked his duty as the Guardian of the Light to be with Hercules..and then last night..lying about the fact that he did not see the No Trespassing sign on my land..clearly posted in huge letters for the whole village to see..clearly defiling my land with his vile presence..I declare that Iolaus, the thief be put to death. I rest my case, your honor.”
“Hercules, do you have anything more to add?”
“I merely want to reiterate what I’ve said before. Iolaus bravely defended the Academy saving many cadette’s lives. When Cradus’ gang attacked the Academy, it was Iolaus who fooled Cradus and had the gang arrested by the magistrate..it was Iolaus who saved the Academy from attack many times..Iolaus is a proven warrior..through the years..he has saved many villages from rampaging Gods, evil warlords, bloodthirsty flesh-eating hydras, dragons, ghidras, even a vampire or two. It was Iolaus who killed Dahak..It was Iolaus who killed the Four Horsemen..it was Iolaus who saved this realm from certain utter destruction..it was Iolaus who as I said before..risked his soul as Guardian of the Light to warn me about the Four Horsemen..and Iolaus is NOT being punished by Michael for an eternity on the mortal plance..rather Iolaus has been given the gift of life to spend eternity by my side because Michael was so impressed by Iolaus’ bravery and by his loyalty and love to me..I don’t know what I’ve ever done to deserve such love and loyalty” Hercules pauses to look at Iolaus who gives Hercules a most affectionate and brotherly look of love as Hercules continues “from such a brave man like Iolaus..Iolaus could have had an ordinary life..but he chose the more difficult road to be best friend to a demigod which is no small deed..my stepmother, Hera..as you all know was responsible for the deaths of my wife and four children was also responsible for the deaths of Iolaus’s only wife, Anya and their son, Telemachus..I owe Iolaus so much..I don’t know where to begin.. I declare that Iolaus be released on his own recognizance..I believe that Iolaus did NOT see the NO TRESPASSING sign..I declare that Iolaus be set free..I rest my case your honor..A hero should not be put to death.”
CHAPTER 2
“I don’t know Herc..I still think that this bigoted village is going to hang me..I always figured that I’d either die on the battlefield..or of old age..not because I was chasing a soccer ball across the field..” Iolaus exclaims.
“You know Iolaus..we have to be optimistic..the judge will see how petty that farmer was and he’ll rule on our side and let us go..we have to have faith in the system.”
“I don’t know Herc..sometimes I think you can be so naïve..so idealistic..didn’t you look into those villager’s eyes..they just see me as the reincarnation of Dahak..you know Herc..maybe they’re right..I did do a lot of damage as Dahak..” Iolaus puts his head down in shame “I don’t blame them for hating me so..it was stupid of me to believe Dahak’s lies..maybe Farmer John’s right..maybe I do deserve to die!”
Hercules grabs Iolaus by the shoulders and forces Iolaus to
look Hercules straight in the eyes as Hercules exclaims “I do not believe that
you are destined to die a meaningless death for such a meaningless crime. You
are a hero..in my eyes..you will always be a hero..I will not let some two-bit
lawyer in a cheap suit make you think otherwise..Dahak was the evil
incarnate..and it was Dahak who deserved to die and we killed him..back to back
heroes like we promised..we watched each other’s back..no you will NOT
die..Michael promised me that you will walk by my side as long as I live..I
have no intention of letting you die..get that through your thick head..”
Hercules gives Iolaus a desperate bear hug “You do believe me don’t you?”
Iolaus gasps for air as Hercules sometimes forgets his own strength as tears of
gratitude and love run down Iolaus’ face as he gasps “I…believe..Herc..”
cough..cough..”I can’t breathe..”
“Iolaus..I am not letting you go..I won’t let them do this to you..you are TOO important to me..heroes like you can’t die..noooooIolaus noooo I will not go through grieving for you again..” Iolaus can feel the demigod’s tears on his head as he realizes that Hercules is crying..as hot tears invade his head as Hercules cries, he releases his hold slightly on Iolaus giving Iolaus a chance to breathe again.
Iolaus elects to hold on tight to his emotional friend as he comforts Hercules “You were right, Herc..I will believe in the system..after all they will see the truth..Eli won’t let them get away with this..come on Herc..calm down..”
Hercules heaves “I can’t live without you Iolaus..you..are my family!”
“I know Herc..” Iolaus crosses his fingers as he hopes Hercules believes him when he says “I believe in the system..it won’t let us down..neither will Eli..Herc..just pray to Eli..it’ll make you feel better..after all I am Michael’s favorite Guardian of the Light and so are you..after all..they are all impressed by our bond..our friendship..they won’t do anything to screw that up..right ..Herc..have some faith!”
The messenger from the court enters the Iolaus’ jail cell only to find Hercules’ head buried in Iolaus’ shoulder. The messenger stands momentarily shocked. He is touched by the depth of love and loyalty between Hercules and Iolaus and as he thinks..Iolaus can’t be guilty to warrant such love from Hercules..the Son of Zeus..no the judge must be wrong..in a sad voice..the messenger says “Hercules, Iolaus..the judge has reached a verdict.”
The messenger holds Hercules’ hand and looks straight into Hercules’ sad azure eyes as the messenger whispers “Not everyone in Plymouth believes Iolaus is guilty..we have all been a witness to a miracle..the miracle of your friendship..now that I”ve just witnessed how much you two really love each other like brothers..let me be the first to say that I believe in you..Iolaus of Thebes..I believe Hercules when he says you are a hero..for Iolaus..you truly are a hero to think more of everyone else than yourself..”
Iolaus gives the messenger from the court a grateful look “Thank you..I think I needed to hear that just now..” Iolaus squeezes the man’s shoulder in a gesture of support and comfort and he whispers “Take care of Hercules for me..when I’m gone..he’s going to need a sympathic ear..” Iolaus walks towards the courtroom without a backward’s glance. Hercules follows suit although he didn’t hear the whispered exchange between the messenger and Iolaus. The messenger thinks “truly a remarkable man..no wonder the Gods fight over this remarkable blond whirlwind..as the messenger shakes his head in wonder.
The judge enters the courtroom. The bailiff motions for everyone to be seated.
“I have reached my verdict. After careful consideration of the testimonies of both sides of this case, I have decided, that this decision was a very difficult one.” The judge looks directly at Iolaus in the face “Iolaus of Thebes, I have heard that on the one hand, you are evil incarnate” The judge looks at Hercules..”And I have heard that you are a hero”
The judge proceeds to read his scroll as he announces his final verdict “but after careful consideration, I’m afraid that I have to follow the letter of the law..Iolaus of Thebes..you will be sentenced to death at noon today..do you have any last words?”
Iolaus is so shell shocked that he is rendered temporarily speechless but quickly comes to his wits “If I am to die, then I am to die..do me a favor..find someone to take care of Hercules..I’m worried about Hercules’ sanity after all of this..I worry that he will have to go on without me alone for all eternity..he is truly the only member of my family left..just make sure Hercules is alright..that’s all I ask your honor.” Iolaus sits down with tears in his eyes as he starts to react to his verdict.
Hercules in a beserker fury yells to the heavens “ELI, YOU CAN’T LET THIS HAPPEN. IOLAUS CANNOT DIE JUST BECAUSE HE WAS CHASING A SOCCER BALL ONTO SOMEONE’S LAND. LIFE IS NOT SO BLACK AND WHITE. IF THERE’S ANYTHING YOU’VE TAUGHT ME, MICHAEL IT’S THAT LIFE IS A NUANCE OF GRAYS..THAT THERE ARE NO ABSOLUTES IN THIS WORLD…NO LETTER OF THE LAW CAN BE SEEN AS AN ABSOLUTE..FOR LAW LIKE LIFE ITSELF IS MEANT TO BE INTERPRETED..PLEASE ELI HELP US..THERE ARE NO ABSOLUTES..except death itself and taxes!”
The only answer comes in the form of a blinding shaft of light appears out of the heavens and envelops Farmer John. The light is so intense that it blinds everyone in the courtroom. Farmer John cries as the intense beam of light tells the truth about Iolaus “Farmer John, I have allowed this proceeding to go on to see how my followers are following my precepts. It is true that in my teachings I told my followers to be truthful and honest or else risk death..but this is not how I meant for my rules to be followed. Hercules is correct..my rules were not meant to be so inflexiblely followed. Life is truly not so black and white..but nuances of gray..if there were any person who represented the grayness of humanity, it’s Iolaus..in him..are the best and worst of man..just like each of us carries the light and the dark within us..Iolaus has had his share of the darkness..but he has learned to overcome his dark side to live in the light..each human chooses to nurture either his dark side or his light side..the side you choose to nurture is what determines who we are. So Farmer John..I ask you this question..which side do you choose to nurture?”
“Eli, my master..of course I choose to nurture the light!” Farmer John cries.
“So to take a good man’s life..is that nurturing the light, Farmer John?”
“I don’t understand”
“Iolaus has chosen the path of the Light when he could have chosen the darkness. So I ask you the question again, to take a good man’s life for a crime he did not commit..is that nurturing your light side or your dark side, Farmer John? Be careful how you answer this question. Remember which side we choose to nurture defines who you are.”
“Iolaus is of the Light. I choose to release him.” Farmer John answers.
“Really? Even though he broke the law and trespassed on your land? “Eli asks to test Farmer John.
“Iolaus didn’t mean to break the law..it was an accident..” A light dawns in Farmer’s John’s head. “Is that what you mean, Master when you say that Life has no absolutes..that it is not always a matter of success or failure..good or bad..just the in-between that makes us human?”
“That’s right..Life has no absolutes..so what will become of Iolaus, Farmer John?”
“No harm will come to Iolaus..I promise Eli..I understand now..”
The blinding shaft of light dims as everyone opens their eyes and is surprised to see Farmer John lying in a fetal position on the floor with tears coming out of his eyes saying out loud “Iolaus, forgive me..you are released..Eli has spoken..I took the letter of the law too literally..”
Hercules gives Iolaus an incredulous look of happiness as both heroes give each other a big bear hug of relief. “Iolaus..Eli..he’s given you back to me again..Oh Iolaus..my brother..I love you” regardless of the other people in the room..Hercules gives Iolaus and everyone around him a big group hug as Hercules’ hug grows to include the messenger and all the bystanders who cheered Iolaus’ on and who believed in Iolaus’ innocence.
Farmer John goes to Hercules with a new light in his eyes, a new light of compassion of mercy replaces the greedy selfishness of the other day as Farmer John begs Iolaus for forgiveness “I was wrong..I promise from now on..our laws will be more wisely interpreted..we will not read them so literally..”
The judge looks at Farmer John and agrees with him “It is the will of Eli that we are to learn that life has no absolutes..that humans are allowed to make mistakes..we will no longer put people to death..unless the crime is more grevious..I declare from now on..we have a jury of 12 people decide the fate of the accused..in that way the verdict will be more equitable to everyone..12 people..equals 12 nuances of gray..12 people must come to one decision..of innocence or guilt..before a sentence can be passed down..” The judge hammers his mallet on his table as he says “As is the will of Eli, Iolaus, you are now a free man..” Case dismissed.
Epilogue
Iolaus munches on a piece of bread and cheese as he bounces Ilea on his knee. Hercules is profoundly touched that Evander would name his baby daughter after his dead daughter.
Evander frowns as he tries to understand the story of Iolaus brief imprisonment, trial, and miraculous release.
“So what exactly happened when that shaft of light burst upon Farmer John?”
Hercules shrugged “Some kind of epiphany experience for Farmer John..he realized Iolaus was innocent all along?” as Hercules like Iolaus munches on a piece of bread.
Evander shakes his head in disagreement “No, I think Farmer John realized the truth of your words, Hercules..that life is not a matter of just success or failure..good or bad..one person is not ALL good or ALL bad..that we are all a mixture of the two..that the world is not all BLACK or all WHITE..that all interpretation of what happens to us in life are all nuances of many different colors..it’s properly bringing a balance to these colors..a balance of good and evil..a balance of black and white..that’s what life is..the ability to balance..the ying and the yang..the light and the dark..I think that’s the profound lesson that not just Farmer John, but that whole village learned.”
Hercules gives Evander a thoughtful look and says “You know Evander, I didn’t know you were such a philosopher!”
The world returns to normal as both men laugh..and little Ilea laughs too.
That night as Hercules thinks about the events of the past few days, he begins to have a new respect for Evander as he thinks..life is indeed a balancing act..I think that’s what Mavin, the Druid was trying to teach me..about balance..
Iolaus sees that Hercules is still awake as the moon shines on Hercules’face “A penny for your thoughts, Herc”
“Without you in my life, my life is out of balance. I become all too serious. Everything becomes a matter of life and death..it’s all or nothing..but you Iolaus..you add humor..YOU are the nuances of grey..when I am with you..I am more patient..less temperamental..less apt to judge people badly or fly off the handle..I don’t understand it..somehow I think Iolaus we balance and complement each other..”
“That makes sense..I’m the impulsive head-strong one..you’re the cautious/shy one..without me there to balance you..we become incomplete..life requires balance..when Dahak came into this world the delicate balance between creation and destruction was disturbed..with Dahak gone..that balance was reestablished…as for Plymouth..it just reinforced the importance that every decision we make in life requires a certain balance..in this case..deciding guilt or innocence..I’m just glad that Eli was there for me in the end to restore the balance..of good and evil..of rash thought..”
“Farmer John” Hercules interrupts..
“…or rational thought..in this case you Herc..thanks for sticking up for me..and for telling those villagers that I’m a hero..”
“Iolaus..you truly are a hero in my book..I think you are creation..while the rest of us are destruction.”
“Herc..you’re not destructive..”
“Yes, Iolaus..I am..I would have destroyed all the temples of Hera..but when your wife died..you didn’t become destructive..”
“So, Herc, you’re telling me that I’m the creative force while you’re the destructive force?”
“No, I think we each have a creative and a destructive force inside of each of us and we must each learn to balance these forces inside of us..and each realize that every decision we make requires us to balance and weighs these forces.”
“You know, Iolaus..this whole philosophy discussion is getting way over my head..why don’t we just get to sleep..Mr. Creative force or I’ll be forced to be destructive tomorrow due to lack of sleep!” yawns a sleepy Hercules.
“Goodnight Herc..love ya like a brother!” Iolaus closes his eyes and begins to snore.
“Goodnight,Iolaus..wish I could doze off as fast as you!” Hercules closes his eyes and for once falls asleep instantly.
THE END