Published June 8, 2021
"Hope"
Hercules did not write often, which made his letters all the more special. Amphitryon and Alcmene saved every scroll, and each secretly reread them on days when they particularly missed him.
His tone was generally happy. Even when he experienced failures and frustrations in his training, he remained optimistic and determined to keep trying. Alcmene attributed his perseverance to Amphitryon's mentorship on the farm.
When Hercules reached a new record or milestone in his training, he excitedly sent off a letter to tell them about it—not bragging, but bursting to share the good news with his parents.
He also wrote of his budding relationship with his biological parents, and his hopes for the future.
I keep thinking of all the things I'll be able to do when I become a god. I wonder if I'll have the same powers as my parents, like controlling the weather. If I do, I'll make sure there's always enough rain for the crops. I'll talk to the other gods and make sure that things go well for you two.
Some years went by before Hercules shared some truly life-changing news: I finally convinced Phil to let me test my skills in the real world. So tomorrow we're going to Thebes! I'll let you know how things go there. Wish me luck!
Amphitryon was dismayed by the choice of city. "They couldn't stick to Athens? What has Thebes got that Athens doesn't have—aside from natural disasters, poverty—"
"I think that's the point, Amphitryon," Alcmene said. "A place like that would need a hero more than anywhere else. That's where he'll be needed most."
Amphitryon scowled and walked away, muttering anxiously under his breath. That night, they both prayed for Hercules' safety and, gods willing, success.
Surely the gods must will it, Alcmene thought, since they were the ones who sent Hercules on his quest to become a hero. But Hercules also had will, and could make mistakes like any other fallible, mortal human being.
Hercules' next letter came just a few days later, and immediately changed their fear into rejoicing.
Dear Ma and Pop: So much has changed so quickly! On the way to Thebes, I met a girl named Megara. I kind of saved her from a monster, only she didn't seem to think she needed to be saved. She wasn't at all like I expected a damsel in distress to be. But it was good that we met, because after we got to Thebes, Meg let me know when someone else needed help. I saved two kids from a rockslide, but when I moved the rock I accidentally freed a monster called the Hydra. I won't scare you with the details. All you need to know is that I killed the monster, and a lot of people saw me do it, and now the people of Thebes see me as a hero! It looks like I'm going to be busy here for a while.
"Can you believe it?"' the married couple cried, addressing the same words to each other at the same moment.
"He saved a city!" Amphitryon exclaimed.
"He met a girl!" Alcmene gushed.
Her husband frowned, looking back at that part of the message with new eyes. "I'm not sure he cares much about that, if he's set on getting to Mount Olympus."
"Oh, but we don't know how long that will take—it could be years. What's to stop him from having relationships in the meantime? Maybe even a family?"
Amphitryon scratched his head. "Hmm. Might make it hard when the time finally comes for him to go."
In his next letter, Hercules wrote about his financial situation: I'm earning a lot of money, between rewards for saving people and royalties for merchandising. I'm buying a villa for myself here, and I'd like to get something for you too. I could buy a house for you or have one built, on the farm or wherever you want. And I could get you a real chariot for Penelope. You did so much for me all my life, I'd like to do something for you now that I have the means.
"That sweet boy!" Alcmene said, pressing her hand to her chest. "What do you think, dear?"
Amphitryon looked out the window at the fields. "Well, I'm not leaving this land after working on it for so long." He turned his gaze to the interior of their cottage. "But a bigger house would be welcome."
Once the addition was built, Hercules came to personally help furnish their newly expanded home, and to say goodbye before he returned to his old home.
After years of rigorous training, he was truly transformed—no longer a gangly teenager, but a fully-grown man, and an impressively built athlete. His appearance was like an idealized version of manhood—certainly more like how one might imagine a god. And now he said the time had come for him to take his rightful place on Mount Olympus.
This goodbye was more joyful in one way: Hercules was no longer embarking on a quest of discovery, but rather setting out for a particular destination. On the other hand, this parting was also sadder, because this time his earthly parents were not to hope for his return. He might speak to them, as gods sometimes did, but he would not live with them again.
Hercules took each of their hands and looked fondly between them. "I can't thank you enough for everything," he said. "Taking me in, and letting me go."
"Hercules," Alcmene said, touching his face. "It's been our joy and privilege."
"You've been a good son," Amphitryon said, patting him on the back, "and we're proud of you."
He hugged them both; professions of love were exchanged; and then Hercules mounted Pegasus, who flew off in the direction of the Temple of Zeus. They waved until he was out of sight, once again leaning on each other for support.
Then they went inside the original cottage, and looked at all the vases and other memorabilia with Hercules' image now lining their shelves—some they had bought themselves, and some Hercules had given them, to remember him by.
"We raised a hero," Alcmene marveled.
"We did good," Amphitryon agreed.
They high-fived each other in congratulation, feeling like they had accomplished their mission in life. They were happy that they had not only seen Hercules off as he began his journey, but also lived to see its completion.
But just days later, Hermes delivered a short note: Father says I'm still not a "true hero" yet. I don't know when I will be, or how I'll know. I guess there's something more I need to do. But I'm not sure I can stand not knowing.
"Poor kid," Amphitryon said, shaking his head in sympathy. "He must be so disappointed."
But Alcmene took the news in stride, and even saw a bright side. "He might come back! And there's still a chance we could have grandchildren!"
Amphitryon thought about telling her not to get her hopes up. But so many unlikely, unexpected, and improbable things had happened to their little family, anything seemed possible. So he kept his cautious realism to himself, and let her go on hoping.
Author's Note: I decided to leave out any mentions of the animated series, since I'm not familiar with the entirety of it, and it seems only semi-canon since it openly contradicts some aspects of the movie. (Plus I don't like how Amphitryon and Alcmene were depicted in it.) I know Hercules and his adoptive parents sometimes visit each other in the show, but I couldn't decide whether that felt true to the story. I think it might have made sense for Hercules to stay on Phil's island the whole time, for more focused training, so that's what I was going for here, though it's open-ended enough that Hercules might have visited them occasionally.