A/N: Hokey dokey. Suddenly lost complete interest in writing this but was
inspired by something that I read. Kurt Vonnegut Jr.'s 'Long walk to
Forever'. If you haven't read it then, you've missed out on a better part
of life. Anyway, this is closely based on it. Practically a rip off the
exact same text with some extremely slight differences. This is after all
the (somewhat altered) events in the movie.
Child of a Different God
Last Chapter
by pOtHeAd
They grew up together. Closer than best friends could ever be. In the outskirts of the city where sheep grazed and fields and forests seemed blended into a sea of green. He was the mortal son of Zeus. And she the daughter of questionable origins, found in the woods by an old peasant woman.
Now they were eighteen, had not seen each other for more than two years. There had always been a playful, comfortable warmth between them, but he never talked about love. Neither did she, but that didn't mean she did not think about it. Often.
Her name was Helen. He was the great hero Hercules. One early afternoon, Helen came to visit Hercules in one of his great villas in Athens.
Hercules was talking to one of his servants. Giving orders on hiring the best bakers and artists in town. She was announced as a visitor and had to wait a while before he was done and was able to look up at her. "Helen!" he said. He was surprised to meet her and enveloped her in a huge hug whilst spinning her around in circles. She laughs. After a while, they get dizzy and he settles her down.
"I haven't seen you in months" he exclaimed.
"About two years, actually" she replied, still smiling.
"You look great" he said
"And so do you." she said. "Finally become the hero you always wanted to be, I see"
"Oh, it's nothing" he said, slightly embarrassed.
"If you say so..." she said. "Could you come for a walk?"
"A walk?" he said.
"One foot in front of the other" said Helen "Through leaves, over bridges-"
"I know what a walk is Helen." said Hercules.
"I know." she said.
He looks at her curiously.
"I'm getting married, Helen." he said.
"I know," she said. "Let's go for a walk."
"I'd love to but I have a lot of things to do, Helen." he said. "The wedding is only a week away"
"If we go for a walk," she said. "It will allow the sun to give color to your pale skin. It will make you a bronze God." She looks at the pieces of art around her. "A bronze God like him-, like him-, like him-"she said, pointing to statues of bronze men.
"That is me Helen" he replied smiling.
"Oh." she said
Hercules' eyes sparkle with amusement as he looks at her.
"Well then that will be my present to Megara," said Helen. "By taking you for a walk, I will be giving her a bronze God."
"You know her name?" said Hercules.
"How could I not?" she said. "Everyone is talking about her."
"Really?" he said.
"Yes." she said.
"You'd like her." he said.
"Maybe" she said.
"Can you come to the wedding, Helen?" he said.
"That I doubt." she said.
"Going back home to Thebes so early?" he said.
"Thebes?" she said. "I don't live there anymore."
"Oh?" he said. "Why did you leave?"
"Mother was upset about something," she said. "She didn't want me around anymore"
His forehead wrinkles in concern.
"What happened?" he said. Upset.
"Someone came. He told me that he was my father. Mother would not admit it at first but at the end she confessed that she did not give birth to me. She said she just found me in the woods when I was young and decided to take care of me." she looked down as a tear started to form in her eye. "He said that I was his daughter, that he was glad that he finally found me." she said. "Mother was shocked, told me to leave. So now I'm staying with father."
"Are you okay?" he said. Wrapping his arm around her waist and using his other hand to wipe the tear away.
"I guess." she said.
"Are you happy?" he said.
"I don't know." she said.
"Who is he?" said Hercules.
"Who?" said Helen.
"Your father." he said.
"Hades" she said.
He lets go of her and steps back.
"Pardon?" he said.
"Hades" she said.
"That's not funny Helen," he said.
"No, it's true." she said.
"Are you joking?" he said.
"No." she said.
Hercules' eyes narrow and looks at her suspiciously "What are you doing here?" he said.
"Visiting you," she said.
"Why?" he said.
"Because I love you." she said. "Now can we take a walk?" she said. "One foot in front of the other-through leaves, over bridges-"
They were taking a walk now, were in the gardens, perfectly manicured, all green.
Hercules was angry and rattled. "Helen," he said. "this is absolutely crazy."
"How so?" said Helen.
"What a crazy time to tell me you love me," he said. "You never talked about it before." He stopped walking.
"No. No, I haven't, have I?" she said. "Let's keep walking."
"No." he said. "So far, no farther. I shouldn't have come with you at all," he said.
"You did," she said.
"To try and understand why you are telling me this," he said. "To understand why you are acting so crazy-"
"Crazy?" she said "Oh."
Hercules took a deep breath, made a speech. "Let me say that I'm deeply honored by this crazy thing that you've done," he said, "I cannot believe that you really love me, but maybe you do. But-"
"I do," she said.
"Well, I'm deeply honored," said Hercules. "And I'm care much for you as a friend, Helen, very much- but it's too late" he said and looked down. "I don't mean you should do it now. I mean this is all so odd and unexpected. I have no idea how to respond."
"Just walk some more." she said. "Have a nice time."
They started walking again.
"What do you expect me to do?" he said.
"How would I know what could I expect you to do?" she said. "I've never done anything like this before."
"Did you think that I would just run to you and take you in my arms?" he said.
"You did." she said.
"That's not what I meant". he said.
"Well then, maybe." she said.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you" he said
"I wasn't disappointed" she said "I wasn't counting on it though. This is very nice, just walking"
Hercules stopped again. "You have any Idea what happens next?" he said.
"No" she said.
"We shake hands." he said "We shake hands and part as friends" he said. "That's what happens next."
Helen nodded. "all right." she said. "Remember me from time to time. Remember that I love you."
A wave of sadness came upon Hercules. Along with a pang in his heart. He looked at the white marble fountain near the end of his estate. Its sparkling waters, glittering in the dark.
"What does that mean?" said Helen.
"Rage-"said Hercules. "You should never have-"
"I had to find out" she said.
"If I loved you" he said. "I would have told you earlier, would have let you know "
"You would?" she said.
"Yes" he said facing her. "You would have found out"
"How?" she said.
"You would have seen it" he said "I'm not very good at hiding what I feel"
Helen looked closely at Hercules now. To his dismay, he realized that what he said was true. He couldn't hide love.
Helen thought she saw love now.
And she did the only thing she thought was right. She kissed him.
"What was that?" he said when she finally let him go.
"A kiss. Don't you know?" she said.
"You should not have done that." he said.
"You didn't like it?" she said.
"What did you expect" he said "for me to kiss you back and never let go?"
"I keep telling you" she said "I don't know what happens next."
"We say good-bye," he said.
She frowned slightly. "All right" she said.
He made another speech. "Look. I do not regret that we kissed," he said. "That was nice. We should have kissed, we've been so close... I'll always be your friend Helen, and good luck."
"You too," she said.
"Thank you, Helen." he said.
"Never." she said
"What?" he said.
"Never." she said "I may never see you again after all this."
"Why?" he said.
"I don't think you would want to associate again with the child of the person who wished for your death and the downfall of your father." she said.
"I don't mind." he said.
"I do." she said. "Hero's must live the life of a hero, happily ever after."
"That only happens in fairy tales and legends." he said.
"Living a fairy tale life is good," she said. "Is Megara worthy to be a part of you legend?"
"Of course she is," he said. "She has been through quite a lot."
"Tell me," she said. "What has she done?"
"She almost died trying to save my life." He said.
"And did she?" she said. "Did she save your life?"
"Yes." He said.
"Save your life from what?" she said.
"An ogre." He said.
"Why?" she said.
"Why what?" he said.
"Why did the ogre want to kill you?" she said.
"Because your father ordered him to." He said.
"Oh." She said.
Hercules frowns. "Can we not talk about this?" he said
"Why not?" she said.
"It brings bad memories." He said
"Okay." She said, she noted that they began to walk again. The farewell had been forgotten.
"You really love her?" she said
"Surely, I love her." He said. "I would not have given up my Godhood and marry her if I did not love her."
"You gave up your Godhood for her?" she said.
"I most certainly did." He said.
"What's so good about her?" she said.
"Really, Helen." He said. "Do you have any idea how annoying you are being? A lot of things are good about Megara! Yes," he said. "And there are some things I'd rather not talk about. But that is none of your business. I love Megara, and I don't have to argue her merits with you!"
"Sorry," Helen said.
"Honestly," said Hercules.
Helen kissed Hercules. She kissed him again because she wanted to. And he wanted her to.
They were now in the woods outside his villa.
"How did we get here Helen?" said Hercules.
"One foot in front of the other- through leaves, over bridges." Said Helen.
"They add up- the steps" he said.
They hear the roaring sound of a river.
"A river," said Helen. "Like Styx"
"You've seen it?" said Hercules
"I crossed it to get here." She said. "I cross it again to get home."
"You call Hades home?" he said
"I have nothing else" she said.
"I should head back" he said.
"Say good-bye." She said.
"Every time I do," he said. "I seem to get kissed."
Helen sat down near the trunk of a large oak tree. "Sit down?" she said.
"I'm not tired." He said.
"I don't believe you." She said.
Hercules sat down under another tree, across hers. He leans back and closes his eyes.
"Dream of Megara" she said.
"What?" he said.
"Dream of your betrothed, your wife to be." She said.
"All right, I will" he said. He closed his eyes tightly, caught glimpses of his wife to be.
Helen yawned.
The bees were humming in the trees, and Hercules almost fell asleep. When he opened his eyes, he saw that Helen really was quite tired for she fell asleep.
Helen had curled herself up to a ball. Her cheek rested on the back of her right hand.
Hercules let Helen sleep for an hour, and while she slept he adored her with all his heart. Drinking in the picture of her slumbering form, so peaceful, as tranquil as the dawn that was taking away the darkness that surrounded them.
A few strands of her hair fell at her face and he reached out to tuck it behind one ear.
"H'm?" she said. She opened her eyes.
"It's late." He said.
"Hello Hercules." She said.
"Hello Helen." He said.
"I love you." She said.
"I know." He said.
"Too late," she said,
"Too late." He said.
She stood, stretched groaningly. "A very nice walk." She said.
"I thought so." He said.
"Part company here?" she said.
"Where will you go?" he said.
"Back to Hades, home." She said
"Good luck." He said,
"You too." She said. "Come with me Hercules?"
"No." He said.
She looked away.
He stepped back and stared at her for a moment, then quickly began to walk back.
He felt every inch of the distance that was growing between them. He knew that if he stopped walking, just for the slightest moment. She would call him. If she called him, he would turn and run back to her. He would have no choice.
Hercules did not stop.
But Helen called. "Hercules" she cried.
He turned and ran back to her. He took her in his arms, kissed her, and could not speak.
Child of a Different God
Last Chapter
by pOtHeAd
They grew up together. Closer than best friends could ever be. In the outskirts of the city where sheep grazed and fields and forests seemed blended into a sea of green. He was the mortal son of Zeus. And she the daughter of questionable origins, found in the woods by an old peasant woman.
Now they were eighteen, had not seen each other for more than two years. There had always been a playful, comfortable warmth between them, but he never talked about love. Neither did she, but that didn't mean she did not think about it. Often.
Her name was Helen. He was the great hero Hercules. One early afternoon, Helen came to visit Hercules in one of his great villas in Athens.
Hercules was talking to one of his servants. Giving orders on hiring the best bakers and artists in town. She was announced as a visitor and had to wait a while before he was done and was able to look up at her. "Helen!" he said. He was surprised to meet her and enveloped her in a huge hug whilst spinning her around in circles. She laughs. After a while, they get dizzy and he settles her down.
"I haven't seen you in months" he exclaimed.
"About two years, actually" she replied, still smiling.
"You look great" he said
"And so do you." she said. "Finally become the hero you always wanted to be, I see"
"Oh, it's nothing" he said, slightly embarrassed.
"If you say so..." she said. "Could you come for a walk?"
"A walk?" he said.
"One foot in front of the other" said Helen "Through leaves, over bridges-"
"I know what a walk is Helen." said Hercules.
"I know." she said.
He looks at her curiously.
"I'm getting married, Helen." he said.
"I know," she said. "Let's go for a walk."
"I'd love to but I have a lot of things to do, Helen." he said. "The wedding is only a week away"
"If we go for a walk," she said. "It will allow the sun to give color to your pale skin. It will make you a bronze God." She looks at the pieces of art around her. "A bronze God like him-, like him-, like him-"she said, pointing to statues of bronze men.
"That is me Helen" he replied smiling.
"Oh." she said
Hercules' eyes sparkle with amusement as he looks at her.
"Well then that will be my present to Megara," said Helen. "By taking you for a walk, I will be giving her a bronze God."
"You know her name?" said Hercules.
"How could I not?" she said. "Everyone is talking about her."
"Really?" he said.
"Yes." she said.
"You'd like her." he said.
"Maybe" she said.
"Can you come to the wedding, Helen?" he said.
"That I doubt." she said.
"Going back home to Thebes so early?" he said.
"Thebes?" she said. "I don't live there anymore."
"Oh?" he said. "Why did you leave?"
"Mother was upset about something," she said. "She didn't want me around anymore"
His forehead wrinkles in concern.
"What happened?" he said. Upset.
"Someone came. He told me that he was my father. Mother would not admit it at first but at the end she confessed that she did not give birth to me. She said she just found me in the woods when I was young and decided to take care of me." she looked down as a tear started to form in her eye. "He said that I was his daughter, that he was glad that he finally found me." she said. "Mother was shocked, told me to leave. So now I'm staying with father."
"Are you okay?" he said. Wrapping his arm around her waist and using his other hand to wipe the tear away.
"I guess." she said.
"Are you happy?" he said.
"I don't know." she said.
"Who is he?" said Hercules.
"Who?" said Helen.
"Your father." he said.
"Hades" she said.
He lets go of her and steps back.
"Pardon?" he said.
"Hades" she said.
"That's not funny Helen," he said.
"No, it's true." she said.
"Are you joking?" he said.
"No." she said.
Hercules' eyes narrow and looks at her suspiciously "What are you doing here?" he said.
"Visiting you," she said.
"Why?" he said.
"Because I love you." she said. "Now can we take a walk?" she said. "One foot in front of the other-through leaves, over bridges-"
They were taking a walk now, were in the gardens, perfectly manicured, all green.
Hercules was angry and rattled. "Helen," he said. "this is absolutely crazy."
"How so?" said Helen.
"What a crazy time to tell me you love me," he said. "You never talked about it before." He stopped walking.
"No. No, I haven't, have I?" she said. "Let's keep walking."
"No." he said. "So far, no farther. I shouldn't have come with you at all," he said.
"You did," she said.
"To try and understand why you are telling me this," he said. "To understand why you are acting so crazy-"
"Crazy?" she said "Oh."
Hercules took a deep breath, made a speech. "Let me say that I'm deeply honored by this crazy thing that you've done," he said, "I cannot believe that you really love me, but maybe you do. But-"
"I do," she said.
"Well, I'm deeply honored," said Hercules. "And I'm care much for you as a friend, Helen, very much- but it's too late" he said and looked down. "I don't mean you should do it now. I mean this is all so odd and unexpected. I have no idea how to respond."
"Just walk some more." she said. "Have a nice time."
They started walking again.
"What do you expect me to do?" he said.
"How would I know what could I expect you to do?" she said. "I've never done anything like this before."
"Did you think that I would just run to you and take you in my arms?" he said.
"You did." she said.
"That's not what I meant". he said.
"Well then, maybe." she said.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you" he said
"I wasn't disappointed" she said "I wasn't counting on it though. This is very nice, just walking"
Hercules stopped again. "You have any Idea what happens next?" he said.
"No" she said.
"We shake hands." he said "We shake hands and part as friends" he said. "That's what happens next."
Helen nodded. "all right." she said. "Remember me from time to time. Remember that I love you."
A wave of sadness came upon Hercules. Along with a pang in his heart. He looked at the white marble fountain near the end of his estate. Its sparkling waters, glittering in the dark.
"What does that mean?" said Helen.
"Rage-"said Hercules. "You should never have-"
"I had to find out" she said.
"If I loved you" he said. "I would have told you earlier, would have let you know "
"You would?" she said.
"Yes" he said facing her. "You would have found out"
"How?" she said.
"You would have seen it" he said "I'm not very good at hiding what I feel"
Helen looked closely at Hercules now. To his dismay, he realized that what he said was true. He couldn't hide love.
Helen thought she saw love now.
And she did the only thing she thought was right. She kissed him.
"What was that?" he said when she finally let him go.
"A kiss. Don't you know?" she said.
"You should not have done that." he said.
"You didn't like it?" she said.
"What did you expect" he said "for me to kiss you back and never let go?"
"I keep telling you" she said "I don't know what happens next."
"We say good-bye," he said.
She frowned slightly. "All right" she said.
He made another speech. "Look. I do not regret that we kissed," he said. "That was nice. We should have kissed, we've been so close... I'll always be your friend Helen, and good luck."
"You too," she said.
"Thank you, Helen." he said.
"Never." she said
"What?" he said.
"Never." she said "I may never see you again after all this."
"Why?" he said.
"I don't think you would want to associate again with the child of the person who wished for your death and the downfall of your father." she said.
"I don't mind." he said.
"I do." she said. "Hero's must live the life of a hero, happily ever after."
"That only happens in fairy tales and legends." he said.
"Living a fairy tale life is good," she said. "Is Megara worthy to be a part of you legend?"
"Of course she is," he said. "She has been through quite a lot."
"Tell me," she said. "What has she done?"
"She almost died trying to save my life." He said.
"And did she?" she said. "Did she save your life?"
"Yes." He said.
"Save your life from what?" she said.
"An ogre." He said.
"Why?" she said.
"Why what?" he said.
"Why did the ogre want to kill you?" she said.
"Because your father ordered him to." He said.
"Oh." She said.
Hercules frowns. "Can we not talk about this?" he said
"Why not?" she said.
"It brings bad memories." He said
"Okay." She said, she noted that they began to walk again. The farewell had been forgotten.
"You really love her?" she said
"Surely, I love her." He said. "I would not have given up my Godhood and marry her if I did not love her."
"You gave up your Godhood for her?" she said.
"I most certainly did." He said.
"What's so good about her?" she said.
"Really, Helen." He said. "Do you have any idea how annoying you are being? A lot of things are good about Megara! Yes," he said. "And there are some things I'd rather not talk about. But that is none of your business. I love Megara, and I don't have to argue her merits with you!"
"Sorry," Helen said.
"Honestly," said Hercules.
Helen kissed Hercules. She kissed him again because she wanted to. And he wanted her to.
They were now in the woods outside his villa.
"How did we get here Helen?" said Hercules.
"One foot in front of the other- through leaves, over bridges." Said Helen.
"They add up- the steps" he said.
They hear the roaring sound of a river.
"A river," said Helen. "Like Styx"
"You've seen it?" said Hercules
"I crossed it to get here." She said. "I cross it again to get home."
"You call Hades home?" he said
"I have nothing else" she said.
"I should head back" he said.
"Say good-bye." She said.
"Every time I do," he said. "I seem to get kissed."
Helen sat down near the trunk of a large oak tree. "Sit down?" she said.
"I'm not tired." He said.
"I don't believe you." She said.
Hercules sat down under another tree, across hers. He leans back and closes his eyes.
"Dream of Megara" she said.
"What?" he said.
"Dream of your betrothed, your wife to be." She said.
"All right, I will" he said. He closed his eyes tightly, caught glimpses of his wife to be.
Helen yawned.
The bees were humming in the trees, and Hercules almost fell asleep. When he opened his eyes, he saw that Helen really was quite tired for she fell asleep.
Helen had curled herself up to a ball. Her cheek rested on the back of her right hand.
Hercules let Helen sleep for an hour, and while she slept he adored her with all his heart. Drinking in the picture of her slumbering form, so peaceful, as tranquil as the dawn that was taking away the darkness that surrounded them.
A few strands of her hair fell at her face and he reached out to tuck it behind one ear.
"H'm?" she said. She opened her eyes.
"It's late." He said.
"Hello Hercules." She said.
"Hello Helen." He said.
"I love you." She said.
"I know." He said.
"Too late," she said,
"Too late." He said.
She stood, stretched groaningly. "A very nice walk." She said.
"I thought so." He said.
"Part company here?" she said.
"Where will you go?" he said.
"Back to Hades, home." She said
"Good luck." He said,
"You too." She said. "Come with me Hercules?"
"No." He said.
She looked away.
He stepped back and stared at her for a moment, then quickly began to walk back.
He felt every inch of the distance that was growing between them. He knew that if he stopped walking, just for the slightest moment. She would call him. If she called him, he would turn and run back to her. He would have no choice.
Hercules did not stop.
But Helen called. "Hercules" she cried.
He turned and ran back to her. He took her in his arms, kissed her, and could not speak.
