Reactions And Resolutions
Chapter 7
by DQiscool
Iolaus was glad that he had been able to convince his friend to stop in town for some decent food and rest. Hercules had bags under his eyes and seemed to be in a daze. Still, women came on to him and flirted. Iolaus couldn’t help feeling jealous and then scolded himself for doing so. His friend couldn’t help it and wasn’t welcoming all the extra attention. Iolaus ordered some food and mead to drink, not wanting to upset his friend balance with ale.
Hercules could be different kinds of drunk. When in a good mood, he could be pleasant, it almost didn’t affect him, but when he was upset or mad, let’s just say you wouldn’t want to be on the side of Olympus when he was drunk.
Hercules seemed different when Iolaus returned to the table. Edgy, as if he had to leave that very moment or be too late. Like he had a plan and was set on it. Iolaus remembered the idea of raising Xena from the dead. He couldn’t believe that he hadn’t figured out his friend’s plan before. He had been so wrapped up in his own feelings and Hercules’s that he hadn’t thought about how his friend would handle it. He thought back, how when Hercules was looking upset, he would think about how bad his friend must feel. Suddenly he realized that somewhere inside of him, somehow, he was glad she was dead. He realized that he still hurt, those wounds she gave him were so deep, they hadn’t quite healed yet. He looked into his friend’s determined eyes and suddenly, he began to forgive. He finally understood that Xena was more than just a fling to his friend. Sure, he knew that he had loved her. But, he didn’t think it was that big a deal. When someone asked, he would say it was. But, he had truly thought that his friend would get over her. He thought she would be out of sight and out of mind. But he figured out right then, in that bar, looking into his friend’s eyes, that Hercules would never ‘get over’ Xena. His friend truly loved her. And if Hercules loved her, then she was all right with him. He didn’t notice it but, he was forgiving her with every moment after that, a little bit at a time. Just by looking into Hercules’s eyes. Hercules smiled at his friend, as if knowing that a change was happening.
Suddenly Iolaus was in a hurry to save Xena too. He felt it was his fault as well, maybe he drove her away. Iolaus had never thought that way before. He had always been so quick denying that he was mad and thinking that she should leave. It was best for Hercules, he always told himself. But, did he drive her away? Was he the cause of this unhappiness? Hercules turned away for a moment and Iolaus knew that he wasn’t. But, now, he had something else to think about. It wasn’t all her, it was him as well. He glanced at his friend one last time before going outside to be alone and think. Hercules smiled at his friend, as if understanding that Iolaus needed some time alone.
Xena clicked her tongue and seemed to fly down to the village. She remembered the path to Alcemene’s house as if she had travelled it yesterday. People looked up at her as she rode and backed away frightened. Normally she would have smiled at them to put them at ease, but now she was glad of their fear. She could ride quicker with them parted. Gabrielle held on for dear life as they flew over the landscape on Argo. Xena pushed forward and they soon reached the lone house, she smiled at the wall, knowing too well who had built it. Suddenly a pang of guilt hit her as she remembered what had happened while he built that fence. She remembered how she had taken Iolaus... her thoughts trailed off as she dismounted her horse and helped Gabrielle down. She spotted Alcemene walking around the house. Hercules’s mother held flowers in her hands and then dropped them. She had never seen such women before. And having never met Xena, thought them enemies at first. Xena smiled at the woman and slowly approached her. "Alcemene!" She exclaimed. "I’m glad to see you. I thought you might be gone. Is Hercules here?" She asked. Alcemene seemed to sense her as a friend and not foe and sighed relieved.
"You know my son?" She asked.
"We’re good friends," Xena replied. Gabrielle came up from behind and for once remained silent letting her friend receive her reply.
"No," Alcemene said.
"Where did he go?" Gabrielle asked.
"Why, to Amphipolis, he heard that Xena had died," Alcemene trailed off, looking the two women over. "Wait a second. Iolaus had described Xena as a tall raven haired beauty with blue eyes. She wore leather and carried a round weapon at her waist," She said spotting the chakram. "He said she traveled with a girl who wore a green top and a brown skirt who carried a staff," Alcemene backed up a few steps.
"That would be us," Xena said. Alcemene backed into a log and sat down. She looked up frightened. "I died, like you heard. Then I was fed ambrosia and came back to life. It’s a long story, I’m sure Gabrielle would love to tell you. Right now I need to find Hercules. Before he does something he’ll regret," Xena added.
"He’s on his way to Amphipolis at lightning speed. He said he had to go there and then on to someplace else," Alcemene said letting out a breath she had been unconsciously holding.
"Gods, I was right," Xena exclaimed.
"What?" Gabrielle asked confused.
"He’s going to try and bring me back," Xena said.
"How can you be sure?" Gabrielle asked.
Xena was about to answer when Alcemene broke in. "Because he loves her," She replied staring at Xena. Xena almost blushed but was too worried to bother. "Very much," Alcemene added.
Yes," Xena breathed. She looked into Alcemene’s eyes trying to read her but couldn’t. "I was afraid he would try and do that. He probably blames himself," Xena said. Alcemene merely nodded. "Let’s go," Xena said. Gabrielle groaned unconsciously at the idea of getting back on that horse.
"No, you should rest. One more day can’t kill you. Please, I want to know the woman my son loves. Besides," She added. "You owe me a story" She pointed out. Xena smiled gratefully at the woman and then her expression turned to doubt.
"All right," She said slowly. " I know some shortcuts. Still we’ll have to leave tomorrow. In the afternoon," She said to her tired friend.
"You look like you haven’t had a decent sleep in days, please rest," Alcemene offered. Gabrielle gladly accepted but Xena declined. She instead walked out to the wall and sat down. She traced the stones in the wall with her finger and imagined him. She could almost feel him. Suddenly she felt someone approaching cautiously.
"Hello Alcemene," She said smiling.
"He sat there before he left," Alcemene said.
"I know," was Xena’s only reply. She looked up at the woman and Alcemene could tell that she did indeed know.
"May I?" Alcemene asked motioning to the space next to Xena.
"Be my guest," Xena said. "It’s your wall," She added.
Alcemene sat and they were silent for a while, just staring into the distance. "He really loves you you know," Alcemene said.
"I know," Xena sighed.
"You sound upset," The older woman said. Xena turned to Alcemene.
"He shouldn’t love me. I’m not worthy of his love. You know about my past life, he must have told you about me and what I did to Iolaus. I don’t deserve him," Xena said then turning away, she had never felt so ashamed.
"He still loves you," His mother replied.
"I know, that’s why I had leave," Xena replied.
"Is it really?" Alcemene asked. Xena jumped at the question and quickly looked at Alcemene cocking an eyebrow.
She just looked at his mother for a while and then spoke. "How do you know that?" She asked.
"I can tell," Alcemene replied.
"You’re the only one," Xena replied.
"What is it?" She asked the warrior.
Xena wasn’t good with words. She wasn’t good at opening up to anyone but somehow she could talk to this woman, almost better then Gabrielle. "I’m afraid," Xena admitted suddenly fascinated with her boots.
"What of?" Alcemene asked confused.
"Every man I get close to either dies, or leaves," Xena admitted. Alcemene turned Xena’s face to look into it.
"Xena, Hercules isn’t going anywhere," Alcemene replied.
"Tell me about it," Xena replied fighting back the threatening tears. She wouldn’t cry.
"It’s all right to cry," Alcemene said. Xena shook her head no. Knowing that if she spoke the offending tears would break free from her eyes. Alcemene embraced the warrior and then went back to the house, excusing herself to check on Gabrielle, knowing that Xena needed some time to be alone and sort out her thoughts. Xena looked up at the sky. "Please Hercules wait, I won’t leave this time," She said quietly to the sun. She then stood up and went to feed Argo.
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