The Crown

THIS STORY OCCURS RIGHT AFTER THE DEATH OF ALCMENE IN HER ROOM.

Alcmene lay silent and still, her face serene in her passing. It was as if she had known her time was at end and dressed in her finest gown of blue in celebration.

Jason reached out and gently caressed her hand in both of his. Tears that were poised in his dark eyes, now spilled freely down his cheeks. Hercules' numb expression mirrored Jason's, his blue-gray eyes glistening as well in his grief. How he loved and admired her courage in raising two small boys alone, after losing both of their fathers- Amphitryon to war and Zeus to Olympus. She taught them both to be strong and honest, although they were as different as night and day. Even though she lived modestly, she nonetheless, found room in her heart and home for one more.

Hercules glanced across the bed at his long time companion and dearest friend.

Iolaus' head was bowed, his face buried behind his hand, trying to stem the flow of his own tears without success. Alcmene had welcomed into her generous heart this miniature whirlwind, grown fond of him for his wit, and the loyalty he lavished on her demi-god son. Hers was always a comforting shoulder to cry on whenever the troubled boy came around to visit. And even in his adulthood, she did not hesitate to gently chasten him if he faltered along the way. 'Independent that he is and was, Iolaus, nevertheless, respected her reprimands humbly. Knowing Iolaus' temperament, Hercules could truthfully say that she was probably the only person who he would defer to without resentment. Being the oldest of several children and the only son, Iolaus was left with the manly responsibilities of the household after his father's death, having been forced to grow up far more quickly than his tender years. He became the hunter and the handyman. His mother, Arathea had her hands full providing for them all. Iolaus became resentful and rebellious, not at her, but at his father for going off to war too frequently.

Without a male presence to guide her restless boy, Iolaus became reckless and stole things, just to impress the bigger kids. The path Iolaus was following would surely have been his undoing, had he not met and became friends with Hercules. Alcmene understood, in her own way, the potential for their friendship and discreetly encouraged the bond.

Iolaus found a sympathetic ear in Herc's mother and a razor sharp wit to match. She was the surrogate mother when his own mother was too busy with nurturing her many daughters' needs, unable to control her wild son. That he was here, now, at this most trying time, seemed natural and right to Hercules. Alcmene loved him like a son and Hercules loved him like a brother.

Sensing his friend's eyes on him, Iolaus lifted his golden- haired head and gazed at Hercules with moist, cerulean eyes. The pain in them spoke volumes of the loss he also felt and the empathy for both Herc and Jason was clearly evident. The two men had already lost their first families and a second wife. Iolaus understood their grief, having lost his wife and family as well.

He knew that this time, however, he had to be the strong one, to take charge and make the arrangements for the funeral. He watched as Hercules placed his hand over his step-father's hands, as much to comfort Jason as himself.

Iolaus wiped away the tears on his cheeks with the back of his hand and moved to stand between the two men. He placed his palm atop theirs, completing the circle of sorrow.

"I'll go and fetch the healer- for the final preparations. You both stay here, take the time you need." he murmured softly, gently squeezing their hands. Jason looked up at him and nodded his gratitude. Hercules just stared at his mother' s face longingly, not hearing his friend's offer. Iolaus lifted his hand from the pile and placed it on Herc's back, trying to convey through that contact, all his love and compassion. He could feel Hercules trembling with his grief, but he did not turn his head. A flood of tears welled up in Iolaus' eyes again. He kept his hand in place a moment or two longer, then quietly turned away towards the door. With a last look at the two men and his 'other mother', Iolaus mouthed a silent farewell and slipped out.

He walked stiffly at first, then began to run to the village healer, trying to control the wild grief infusing his tightly wound body. NO!. his mind screamed angrily to himself, I have to be strong for them! He dashed away the few tears that had managed to escape and hurried on. Upon arriving at the healer, Menelos's, door, Iolaus was surprised to see his mother and sister, Ericas, exiting the building. They were laughing and hugging each other when his mother spotted him and smiled.

"Iolaus, there you are! Ericas was in to see the healer and there is to be a baby soon: You must come to-" She stopped in mid-sentence, noting Iolaus' red-rimmed eyes and grim expression. She reached up and touched his cheek.

"Darling, what's wrong?" she asked. When he couldn't speak, she added, "Has something happened to Hercules?"

In answer, his face seemed to crumble and he embraced both her and his sister, letting the tears come unashamedly. The two women let him weep and returned the embrace, exchanging an alarmed glance between them. Menelos had followed them out into the sunlight and paused at the tableau. Disengaging themselves after a moment, Arathea took her son' s face between her hands and gently coaxed him to look in her eyes. It was a long time since he had come to her, baring his soul as he surely was about to now. Arathea would grasp this rare opportunity, knowing with regret, how little time she had devoted to him. She had taken a new husband, a fine poet, whom Iolaus appeared to approve of. At least the man tried his best to be friendly and Iolaus had come home more to visit.

But she wasn't naive enough to know that the time she could not give him in his younger days, could be recaptured at this moment. But he had a gentle and forgiving soul as well as an understanding of the effort it took for her to raise her family without a husband around to help. Iolaus would be surprised to know that his father Skouros, was as restless as he, in his years prior to their marriage. How much alike and yet different they were; Skouros was a good man who tried to provide on a soldier's salary but who could not express that love with his family. Iolaus, on the other hand, was full of expressions and emotions his father could not except nor embrace.

She stood quietly, staring at-his face, with genuine sincerity and seemed to see him for the first time. A child's eyes in a man's face.

"Iolaus," she asked again, "What has happened?". He swallowed hard, trying to get his voice to work. It came out broken and choked.

"Mother- Alcmene has died. I've left Herc and Jason to get the healer. I must hurry and get back." Arathea's eyes grew round with shock.

"Alcmene- dead?" she gasped. Ericas caught her shoulders for support. She too was visibly shaken.

"How, Iolaus?" she asked of her brother. Iolaus bowed his head.

"Her heart. It just gave out on her. But she- she went peacefully in her sleep." Arathea stared at her son once more. Suddenly she felt his grief. She was. aware how Alcmene had won her son's heart and she secretly thanked the woman for her ability to do so. She also was grateful to the gods for Alcmene's son, who was the first real friend her small son was able to or allowed himself to make. They had grown together, reinforcing that bond to this day. And it had changed her son, allowing him to gain more confidence in himself and to open up himself for the first time. To Iolaus she stated,

"Son, I am so sorry! By all means, do as you must. If there is anything I can do-." He took her hands, squeezed them briefly, then nodded

"Thank you." he whispered and turned to go. He took two steps and stopped. Iolaus gazed at his mother's worried expression, then quickly moved closer, hugging her tightly to his shorter frame. Her grey-streaked honey blond hair, brushed his cheek like a fragrant breath.

"I love you so!" he said with feeling. "I'm so sorry I've caused you so much trouble before." She felt his soft tears dampen her shoulder. Her throat tightened as she laced her fingers into his silky, tousled hair. Unlike his sisters, who had darker or similar hair to his mother, Iolaus' remained pale and golden like his father's. After what seemed an eternity, she released him, kissing his cheek. Iolaus turned to Ericas and embraced her with equal affection.

"I'm sorry to you, also. It is wonderful news of the baby. I hope all goes well. You know I love you, little one !" Ericas smiled at his pet name for her, ironic as it was, considering that she, as well as her other sisters, were all taller than their older brother. She kissed him tenderly and touched his face.

"I've always known that, big brother. We'll talk later when my time gets nearer. Do what needs to be done. Hercules and Jason need you now." Iolaus hugged her tightly, returned the kiss, then turned to inform the healer. Menelos was standing a respectful distance away. Sensing that their reunion was over, he stepped forward and proffered his hand to Iolaus.

"Come along, lad. My wagon is already set. I overheard the message you gave to your mother and immediately fetched my things. Ride with me now."

Iolaus nodded gratefully and climbed aboard the wagon. Mother and daughter waved after them as the healer clicked his tongue at the horse and the wagon moved out.

They reached the house a short time later and Iolaus ushered the healer into the room. Hercules and Jason were as Iolaus had left them, sitting silently by the woman they had both loved. The healer glanced at the somber little hunter beside him.

A poignant sadness shown in the man's blue eyes and it tugged at the healer's heart profoundly. Menelos realized that the love shared by this family was evident in all three men's faces. He thought 'How terrible a loss has already come with Alcmene's passing' He moved to the side of the bed, expressed his deep condolences to Hercules and Jason after confirming what they had already known. He began the preparations of the body and stopped. He did not ask the men to leave as was his normal custom. Examining Alcmene's serene form propped against the pillows, he decided that she had already prepared herself in her beautiful clothing and left well enough alone. Iolaus, on the other hand, edged to the head of the bed, leaned over and kissed Alcmene's forehead, as she had done so may times to him.

Sparing a last glance at Hercules' stoic visage, he clasped the big man's arm briefly, touched Jason's slumped shoulder lightly, then exited the room with the healer trailing quietly behind.

Menelos bid him a solemn farewell, mounted his wagon and rode slowly away. Iolaus' throat seemed to close up with a lump that hurt and threatened to urge more tears from his eyes. He felt as if he couldn't breathe, fleeing the confines of the house into the garden. Its fragrances assailed his senses, wrapping him in their sweetness. The myriad colors blinded him. He recalled Hercules saying that the flowers always reminded him of his mother whenever he had returned home. The little warrior strode through beauty surrounding him, sniffing a blossom here, touching another there. An element of peace settled over him and he smiled. Yes, it would be perfect, he thought. Iolaus rose from the stone bench he'd settled on and made for the shed.

Hercules and Jason had retired into the next room and spoke quietly of arrangements for the burial. Though they knew that Iphicles would be upset for not being present at his mother's death, the two men could not wait. The king of Corinth was still reeling from the recent death of his wife Rena, leaving him the sole parent to raise his small son. Hercules would have wanted his brother close by, but the man had been out to sea, inspecting his navy. Too many losses plagued the family it seemed.

Coming to a conclusion of their conversation, they re-entered Alcmene's room to resume their vigil. When a substantial amount of time had passed, Jason softly announced that the time had arrived to lay her to rest. Hercules nodded reluctantly, but carefully wrapped her in the burial shroud. He gently lifted her in his arms and kissed her cheek. Jason, in turn, did the same.

It took a few moments to register for Hercules that Iolaus was conspicuously absent. He turned a questioning eye on Jason.

"Where' s Iolaus?" he asked. "He should be here. He's as much a part of this family as any of us." Jason lifted a shoulder thoughtfully, as confused as his stepson.

"I don't know, son. Maybe he's gone to prepare her- her gravesite." he stated. Hercules frowned slightly and sighed. He didn't think Iolaus was present when they'd discussed the location. Without another word he led Jason out the door and into the sunlight. They proceeded down the path that led through the glorious gardens.

In the center, near a clearing arranged with stone benches that was reserved for viewing, stood the slight figure of Iolaus, waiting, a shovel clasped loosely in his hand. As the two men approached he stepped aside, revealing a large hole. Hercules moved up to his golden-haired friend, staring at Iolaus with a mixture of shock and confusion.

"Iolaus, what have you done?!" he demanded in a tightly controlled voice. "The garden-:" Iolaus' calm expression slowly changed to nervous, his fingers toying with the shovel. He glanced at the hole, then back to his friend. He tilted his head a bit.

"It's- for her. I-I thought that- that you'd approve." he replied in his soft tenor. Then he added quickly so that he didn't lose his resolve," I thought that because she was so careful growing and nurturing them and that they meant so much to her, why not let her continue to do so, even in her death. That way, every time they bloom, we'd be reminded of the beauty that was in her." Iolaus paused, unable to read the expression on the demigod's face.

Hercules glanced at Jason. The ex-Argonaut's face was lit with a simple joy, tears again sparkling in his eyes. He Met Herc's gaze and nodded. Hercules' face softened then, again finding Iolaus'. The little man's expression was contrite, but his moist blue eyes held Herc's steadily. To himself, Hercules thought, 'How could he have known?' He had taken it upon himself to make Alcmene's passing as gentle and as easy for Herc and Jason as possible. Showing his gratitude, love and sorrow, Iolaus had given the best, but simple tribute to the lovely lady who loved him as her own.

Hercules looked into the opening more closely. He was suddenly overwhelmed with both grief and joy. He beckoned Jason to look also. Jason stepped forward and gasped.

Lining the bottom were thousands of multi-colored petals, their fragrance wafting up to permeate their senses.

Hercules once more found Iolaus' face. Tears were sliding down the hunter's cheeks unchecked. Hercules wanted to wipe the pain he saw there away. He smiled, then, with real feeling, to reassure this cherished friend of the gratitude he most certainly felt.

"I approve." he replied in his rich baritone. Iolaus' easy smile spread across his tear-stained face and he let out a sigh of relief and content. Together they arranged the deceased woman' s body on the bed of flowers and filled in the grave, their hearts not quite so heavy. That job completed, Iolaus went to one of the benches and reached behind it. Hercules and Jason exchanged puzzled glances.

Iolaus brought forth a garland of many-colored flowers which he'd painstakingly woven together. He draped it over the freshly turned mound of soil.

"A crown for our queen." he whispered reverently. This second gesture was too much for Herc. His tears flowed, renewed, and he pulled Iolaus to him in a tight hug for a long moment. Then he stood him slightly away from himself, but his arm remained across the smaller man's shoulders.

"My mother was right, Iolaus. You really are a joy to behold." Jason couldn't agree more.

Finis

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