Best for Last by Rielle

Disclaimer: I want to state clearly and for the record that my muse
simply would not leave me alone until I put this down into pixels. On that
basis, and with the caveat that it is only meant to be enjoyed ... I hope ...
not take seriously, and most especially as only the 'sincerest form of
flattery' to one of my favorite and first-reads amongst HtLj ff let me offer this
ficlet:

Part One
"If I could be as young and strong as you fellows, again, but go on
knowing what I know now ... " Iolaus laughed, shaking his head at the leaders
amongst the small army that had somewhat arrogantly named itself 'The Sons of
Hercules'.

"You'd still make a fool of yourself trying to lead these young fools
into another battle." a familiar, clear voice interrupted. "And if I had even
one dinar for every time I've heard you say that in the past 100 years or so

"Her... Hercules!" Iolaus cried out in real joy, and then began to cough
again, his lungs feeling like lead balloons, too heavy to fill with
breath. As he had so many times before the demigod caught his friend trying to
sit up and held him in a sitting pose until the wracking cough faded again.

"Haven't you had just about enough of this aging-nonsense?" the son of
Zeus demanded. He was smiling at the hunter, but his wide blue eyes were
shining with sorrow at the mortal's obvious illness.

"Well, yeah, buddy, but as we used to say ... consider the alternative."
Iolaus managed to whisper back when his ability to breathe and speak at
the same time returned.

"I have, Iolaus and enough is enough! You're coming with me, now. These
lads are grown, some of them have sons of their own, now ... They'll do just
fine. C'mon, then."

"Wait, you have considered, and I'm coming with you and these lads ...
Herc, you asked me to look out for them. I'm doing my best to keep my word,
where in Hades do you want me to go now?"

"Well, we have a quick stop or two to make in Elysium and then you're
coming back to Olympus with me. We aren't going anywhere near Hades, unless he
decides to come to the party that's going to be held, there."

"Wait ... Elysium ... a quick stop ... back to Olympus ... why? You've
been up on Olympus, doing whatever full gods do up there almost 75 years,
Herc. unless I totally lost track of time. Stop, for a moment and tell me what
I'm going to Olympus for, a party? No offense, but I'm sure your .. family
can celebrate without me, just fine."

"It has been a hundred years, Iolaus. And maybe they can, but I can't.
I'm ... being married ... Iolaus ... I need you there. C'mon, you came the
first time, but almost missed the second ... Third times a charm, they say.
Besides which, before we even get into that, I guess I forgot to mention :

You're becoming an immortal, my friend. "

Before Iolaus could even think what that would mean or how to respond,
the air about himself and his life long friend brightened fiercely for a
moment and the solid earth fell away beneath his feet.

After that, events and surprises came thick and fast, too fast for the
hunter to take in, at first. Clearly, they were first in Elysium, being happily
greeted by dozens of friends, and a handful of former foes, as well.
Amazon queens and warrior women, beloved kings and their gently laughing
consorts surrounded the heroes, welcoming them warmly. The news of Olympian
nuptials soon to be held was shared and Hercules endured a great deal of friendly
hazing on the subject before he took Alcmene, Jason and Iolaus off to
one quieter corner to explain what was about to happen on the mountain that
dominated Elysium even as it did the living world below.

"It will be more like concluding a peace treaty than celebrating a
wedding."

Hercules told his family. "Zeus finally got Hera to concede on certain
issues, but her 'price' is that I wed one of her daughters ... No, not
one of my full sisters, for the gods sake, that sort of thing went out with
their generation.

This is a half-mortal woman, I think, I've never met her and she's never been powerful

 enough to get involved with the kind of trouble making the rest of the family likes so well.

I've never seen her. Hera had her hidden away for a long time, because it seems Zeus is just

as jealous of her affairs as she always has been of his. Her name, I think, is Hebe,
Hermes says she very much the quiet type, You know, I almost feel sorry for
her. This is nothing less than a political marriage. No one asked the girl,
and no one asked me."

"Then, Hercules, why did you agree?" Iolaus insisted, feeling some of his
old curiosity return with the ease and health Elysium brought. "You're a full
god, now. They can't kill you and they surely must know they couldn't
change your mind now anymore than they could while we were fighting them
together. Tell them to take their arranged marriage and, well you get my meaning.
Take me with you and we'll fight the lot of them one more time! It will be
great! It will be the best time I've had in 100 years! C'mon!"

Hercules shook his head no. "I can't do that, Iolaus. I gave Zeus my
word. And even if he never once kept his vows and promises, by all the gods, I
intend to keep mine!"