Love's Learning Curve
Chapter 2 - Wounds of the Past
Author's note The story Morrigan relates is from Hercules The Legendary Journeys and is not mean to infringe on the copyrights of that shows writers or producers."
Morrigan had given Phoebe a guided tour of her home ending in the master suite. Her great granddaughter in law had been here before but had never had an opportunity to see the whole castle. "Wow," she exclaimed, "this place is truly incredible. It is straight out of a fairy tale. I almost feel like sitting down and writing one right now about a kingly ghost who haunts the hallways searching for his lost queen.
"I've heard you've got quite an imagination and a talent for writing. Any time you want to come and get inspired in these walls feel free. We love to have you visit you know. One of these days I hope to introduce you to my daughter Bridget. She fell in love with and married a mortal but comes home to visit on occasion," Morrigan said with a slight catch in her voice. She was happy for her daughter but she missed her a great deal as well.
"I'd like that very much," Phoebe said. Morrigan nodded and walked over to a small vanity with a green velvet jewel box on top. "I've brought you in here for a reason," she said. From the box she pulled out a beautiful gold- chained medallion with a large green emerald in the middle of it and handed it to Phoebe who gasped at its beauty. "This was the very first gift Erin ever gave me. Corny I know but he called it a lucky charm. I've talked it over with him and we have decided that we want you to have it. I would have given it to you sooner but we've all been a little busy," she laughed.
Morrigan saw the stunned look in Phoebe's eyes and expected the protest that followed. "I can't possibly accept this, it is too valuable both sentimentally and no doubt financially as well." "Nonsense," Morrigan replied. "What good is a family heirloom if it is not passed down to successive generations. Besides we want you to know how much you mean to us my dear. You literally fought the devil and helped my great grandson win back his soul. You also make him so tremendously happy. We owe you this and so much more."
"That is so sweet of you but you don't owe me anything. I had to help save Cole. He is the other half of me. I don't need gifts or accolades for doing it. His love and our marriage is reward enough. None the less if you insist I will accept the medallion for the recently begun Turner family heirloom collection." The two women hugged.
"Now I have a favor to ask of you," Morrigan continued once she pulled away. Could you help me find something that your sister Prue might like because I want to her to have something too for showing her how glad we are she's Johnny's bride." "Sure," Phoebe said. "I also wanted to ask you something." "Could you teach me some of fighting moves because they are so cool? "I'd be honored and I could use a few tips from you on how to get gussied up. Normally it isn't something I do but I thought it would give Erin a shock. I like to keep that boy on his toes you know." "Agreed," Phoebe said and they shook hands.
Just then Erin orbed into the room. He had a strange guilty look on his face, which Morrigan was glad that Phoebe probably wouldn't recognize but one Morrigan herself was all too familiar with. Morrigan gave him a single glaring glance and then made sure it was quickly vanished from her eyes before Phoebe could see it.
"Morrigan dear you are monopolizing all our dear great granddaughter's time. I want an opportunity to spend some time in her company tonight and I think you should do the same with Cole. So I think we should trade now." "Why certainly darling, I just need to talk to you for one second out in the hall," Morrigan replied. Phoebe dear would you excuse us." "Of course," Phoebe said.
Once Morrigan and Erin were safely out in the hall she shut the door behind them. Honesty she loved her husband but he could be dreadfully daft at times. "You did it didn't you even after I told you, you shouldn't? You've pushed Cole to confront what's bothering him before he was ready." "All right I did but I was only trying to help the boy. It is not good to keep such pain bottled up inside that is something everybody says and knows."
"Yes but all in good time. You shouldn't have tried to bull doze him into the conversation. I told you we needed to guide him gently step by step into talking to us about this. Where is he?" "On the grounds I still sense his presence, I'm just not exactly sure where. He was very angry and stormed out on me." "Can't say I blame him," Morrigan said. "You just should have been more patient. I'll go find him and see if I can fix this. In the meantime you keep our Phoebe company and make sure you don't slip that there is anything wrong. We don't want to upset her too with that comment Morrigan vanished.
It didn't take long for Morrigan to find Cole. It nearly broke her heart to see him in such deep sorrow. It awoke every ounce of her strong maternal instincts. She quietly approached him and softly touched him on his shoulder. When he looked up at her she could see his blue eyes were flooded with tears even though he quickly tried to wipe them away when awareness of her presence broke through the sorrow induced haze.
"Look great grandmother, I don't want to fight with you too. I told great grandfather I didn't want to talk about any of this." Morrigan knelt down to him. "I'm not asking you to my boy. Come with me I want to tell you a story. She offered him her hand and he took it. Once he was on his feet she led him deeper into the glade.
They ended up settling on a small hillside that over looked a verdant green valley filled with all sorts of grasses and wild flowers. They just sat there together looking at it for a few moments. Morrigan needed to gather her courage. This wasn't easy for her. She knew for Cole's sake though she had to do.
Once upon a time in the land of Ere, there was an evil god named Kronunous. He even had the horns on his head to boot. There was also a young demi- goddess and like many a naive young lass she was attracted by his power and even more so by the fact that he showered so much attention on her. You see it wasn't easy for her to be raised a half mortal amongst the gods. When he invited to her to have an affair with him she was flattered and even fancied herself in love. She had no idea what was to come.
She became pregnant with his child and this made her ecstatic but then everything changed. He started revealing the true side of his nature to her in the most horrendous way. He took their child and held it hostage. He informed the mother that unless she became his hit woman he would harm their daughter. He also told her that she would be required to drink chalices of his blood each day to gain strength enough to defeat his enemies. She was left with little choice if she wanted to protect her daughter.
This half woman half god ended up viciously and cold bloodedly slaying druids right and left because they were preaching against the selfishness of the gods. They, however, had called out to the universe to send them a "Chosen One" to protect themselves and soon a half man- half god arrived on their shores. He wasn't experiencing the best of times himself. His best friend had just been murdered by Dahok who was in a similar position to that of the being you know as the "Source of All Evil" and the Chosen one had given up on the notion that he could save anyone, himself included.
To make a long story short the Druids taught him some of their ways and helped his soul to begin healing. In his early confrontations with Kronunous' hit man he lost and she kicked his hide. He finally found himself again and once he did she did not stand a chance. He defeated her easily but unfortunately not before she had managed to kill one of the Druid priests.
Unbeknownst to her there was a Druid practice so to speak of which she wasn't aware. They had used their powers to ensure that if anyone took the life of a Druid priest they were meant to fill the role he occupied and gained his virtue. She found this out when a huge rock was almost about to crush her and the Druids yelled to the Chosen One that if this happened the virtue she represented would be lost forever in Ere. He saved her off course and very reluctantly was appointed her baby sitter and healer. He was to help her go through the withdrawal she would experience when they forced her to stop drinking Kronunous' blood, kind of like what an alcoholic goes through
Of course she was nasty as all get out to him. She told him he was making a mistake if he thought there was good in her. She said the reverse was true because every man had a touch of evil in him even the Chosen One himself. For some reason he was stubborn enough to keep helping her even though she was driving him crazy.
He ended up helping her completely kick her addiction to the blood, helped her defeat Kronuous, and got her daughter back. In case you haven't guessed by now that half woman –half goddess was I and the Chosen One was Hercules. He helped me to find my way back from the dark side.
"You were a hit woman for the gods?" Cole asked shocked. "Yes and the only reason I never told you before was because it isn't easy for me to face what I was back then just as it isn't easy for you to face the issue of Belthazor. I mean we can both tell ourselves that we were possessed and brainwashed and accept that as the honest truth but it will never fully be able to wash away the tainted feelings and the guilt we feel."
"Thanks for trying to cheer me up great grandmother, I feel so much better after hearing it," he said glumly. She gripped his shoulder tightly but gently. The reason why I am telling you now is this. Hercules and I had a rather in depth discussion back then about that whole good verses evil theme.
We came to the same conclusion as the Greek scholars did in their polarity of being and duality of nature theories. Everything in nature has a good side and a bad side. Water can quench your thirst and cleanse you but it can also cause floods and drown you, fire can give you heat but burn you, and we all know about the rose and the thorns. Hercules and I decided that it makes sense when applied to humans and gods too. There is good and bad in everyone, it is just which side you chose to nurture. When you were finally given your right to choose freely you chose to nurture your good side just as I did all those years ago. That is what matters Cole, not who your father was or your time under Belthazor's thumb. Does that make sense to you? Does it help?"
"As you said yourself great grandmother it doesn't take away the guilt or even the fear completely but you are right. Thinking about it that way does help. Also I'm sorry you were forced to endure the same kind of hell I was." Morrigan gave him a weak smile and touched a hand to his face. At least it helps to have each other to understand what so few can. Oh there is also Iolaus." "Iolaus?" Cole asked surprised. "Yes, Dahok possessed him." "Maybe we should start a club," Cole suggested trying to inject a little levity into the situation. He and his great grandmother shared a hug and a laugh, and then Morrigan jumped to her feet. We'd better be getting back. Cole slapped his forehead. Damn it what time is it. Phoebe's probably starting to worry we'd better hurry." Love's Learning Curve
Chapter 3
Chapter 2 - Wounds of the Past
Author's note The story Morrigan relates is from Hercules The Legendary Journeys and is not mean to infringe on the copyrights of that shows writers or producers."
Morrigan had given Phoebe a guided tour of her home ending in the master suite. Her great granddaughter in law had been here before but had never had an opportunity to see the whole castle. "Wow," she exclaimed, "this place is truly incredible. It is straight out of a fairy tale. I almost feel like sitting down and writing one right now about a kingly ghost who haunts the hallways searching for his lost queen.
"I've heard you've got quite an imagination and a talent for writing. Any time you want to come and get inspired in these walls feel free. We love to have you visit you know. One of these days I hope to introduce you to my daughter Bridget. She fell in love with and married a mortal but comes home to visit on occasion," Morrigan said with a slight catch in her voice. She was happy for her daughter but she missed her a great deal as well.
"I'd like that very much," Phoebe said. Morrigan nodded and walked over to a small vanity with a green velvet jewel box on top. "I've brought you in here for a reason," she said. From the box she pulled out a beautiful gold- chained medallion with a large green emerald in the middle of it and handed it to Phoebe who gasped at its beauty. "This was the very first gift Erin ever gave me. Corny I know but he called it a lucky charm. I've talked it over with him and we have decided that we want you to have it. I would have given it to you sooner but we've all been a little busy," she laughed.
Morrigan saw the stunned look in Phoebe's eyes and expected the protest that followed. "I can't possibly accept this, it is too valuable both sentimentally and no doubt financially as well." "Nonsense," Morrigan replied. "What good is a family heirloom if it is not passed down to successive generations. Besides we want you to know how much you mean to us my dear. You literally fought the devil and helped my great grandson win back his soul. You also make him so tremendously happy. We owe you this and so much more."
"That is so sweet of you but you don't owe me anything. I had to help save Cole. He is the other half of me. I don't need gifts or accolades for doing it. His love and our marriage is reward enough. None the less if you insist I will accept the medallion for the recently begun Turner family heirloom collection." The two women hugged.
"Now I have a favor to ask of you," Morrigan continued once she pulled away. Could you help me find something that your sister Prue might like because I want to her to have something too for showing her how glad we are she's Johnny's bride." "Sure," Phoebe said. "I also wanted to ask you something." "Could you teach me some of fighting moves because they are so cool? "I'd be honored and I could use a few tips from you on how to get gussied up. Normally it isn't something I do but I thought it would give Erin a shock. I like to keep that boy on his toes you know." "Agreed," Phoebe said and they shook hands.
Just then Erin orbed into the room. He had a strange guilty look on his face, which Morrigan was glad that Phoebe probably wouldn't recognize but one Morrigan herself was all too familiar with. Morrigan gave him a single glaring glance and then made sure it was quickly vanished from her eyes before Phoebe could see it.
"Morrigan dear you are monopolizing all our dear great granddaughter's time. I want an opportunity to spend some time in her company tonight and I think you should do the same with Cole. So I think we should trade now." "Why certainly darling, I just need to talk to you for one second out in the hall," Morrigan replied. Phoebe dear would you excuse us." "Of course," Phoebe said.
Once Morrigan and Erin were safely out in the hall she shut the door behind them. Honesty she loved her husband but he could be dreadfully daft at times. "You did it didn't you even after I told you, you shouldn't? You've pushed Cole to confront what's bothering him before he was ready." "All right I did but I was only trying to help the boy. It is not good to keep such pain bottled up inside that is something everybody says and knows."
"Yes but all in good time. You shouldn't have tried to bull doze him into the conversation. I told you we needed to guide him gently step by step into talking to us about this. Where is he?" "On the grounds I still sense his presence, I'm just not exactly sure where. He was very angry and stormed out on me." "Can't say I blame him," Morrigan said. "You just should have been more patient. I'll go find him and see if I can fix this. In the meantime you keep our Phoebe company and make sure you don't slip that there is anything wrong. We don't want to upset her too with that comment Morrigan vanished.
It didn't take long for Morrigan to find Cole. It nearly broke her heart to see him in such deep sorrow. It awoke every ounce of her strong maternal instincts. She quietly approached him and softly touched him on his shoulder. When he looked up at her she could see his blue eyes were flooded with tears even though he quickly tried to wipe them away when awareness of her presence broke through the sorrow induced haze.
"Look great grandmother, I don't want to fight with you too. I told great grandfather I didn't want to talk about any of this." Morrigan knelt down to him. "I'm not asking you to my boy. Come with me I want to tell you a story. She offered him her hand and he took it. Once he was on his feet she led him deeper into the glade.
They ended up settling on a small hillside that over looked a verdant green valley filled with all sorts of grasses and wild flowers. They just sat there together looking at it for a few moments. Morrigan needed to gather her courage. This wasn't easy for her. She knew for Cole's sake though she had to do.
Once upon a time in the land of Ere, there was an evil god named Kronunous. He even had the horns on his head to boot. There was also a young demi- goddess and like many a naive young lass she was attracted by his power and even more so by the fact that he showered so much attention on her. You see it wasn't easy for her to be raised a half mortal amongst the gods. When he invited to her to have an affair with him she was flattered and even fancied herself in love. She had no idea what was to come.
She became pregnant with his child and this made her ecstatic but then everything changed. He started revealing the true side of his nature to her in the most horrendous way. He took their child and held it hostage. He informed the mother that unless she became his hit woman he would harm their daughter. He also told her that she would be required to drink chalices of his blood each day to gain strength enough to defeat his enemies. She was left with little choice if she wanted to protect her daughter.
This half woman half god ended up viciously and cold bloodedly slaying druids right and left because they were preaching against the selfishness of the gods. They, however, had called out to the universe to send them a "Chosen One" to protect themselves and soon a half man- half god arrived on their shores. He wasn't experiencing the best of times himself. His best friend had just been murdered by Dahok who was in a similar position to that of the being you know as the "Source of All Evil" and the Chosen one had given up on the notion that he could save anyone, himself included.
To make a long story short the Druids taught him some of their ways and helped his soul to begin healing. In his early confrontations with Kronunous' hit man he lost and she kicked his hide. He finally found himself again and once he did she did not stand a chance. He defeated her easily but unfortunately not before she had managed to kill one of the Druid priests.
Unbeknownst to her there was a Druid practice so to speak of which she wasn't aware. They had used their powers to ensure that if anyone took the life of a Druid priest they were meant to fill the role he occupied and gained his virtue. She found this out when a huge rock was almost about to crush her and the Druids yelled to the Chosen One that if this happened the virtue she represented would be lost forever in Ere. He saved her off course and very reluctantly was appointed her baby sitter and healer. He was to help her go through the withdrawal she would experience when they forced her to stop drinking Kronunous' blood, kind of like what an alcoholic goes through
Of course she was nasty as all get out to him. She told him he was making a mistake if he thought there was good in her. She said the reverse was true because every man had a touch of evil in him even the Chosen One himself. For some reason he was stubborn enough to keep helping her even though she was driving him crazy.
He ended up helping her completely kick her addiction to the blood, helped her defeat Kronuous, and got her daughter back. In case you haven't guessed by now that half woman –half goddess was I and the Chosen One was Hercules. He helped me to find my way back from the dark side.
"You were a hit woman for the gods?" Cole asked shocked. "Yes and the only reason I never told you before was because it isn't easy for me to face what I was back then just as it isn't easy for you to face the issue of Belthazor. I mean we can both tell ourselves that we were possessed and brainwashed and accept that as the honest truth but it will never fully be able to wash away the tainted feelings and the guilt we feel."
"Thanks for trying to cheer me up great grandmother, I feel so much better after hearing it," he said glumly. She gripped his shoulder tightly but gently. The reason why I am telling you now is this. Hercules and I had a rather in depth discussion back then about that whole good verses evil theme.
We came to the same conclusion as the Greek scholars did in their polarity of being and duality of nature theories. Everything in nature has a good side and a bad side. Water can quench your thirst and cleanse you but it can also cause floods and drown you, fire can give you heat but burn you, and we all know about the rose and the thorns. Hercules and I decided that it makes sense when applied to humans and gods too. There is good and bad in everyone, it is just which side you chose to nurture. When you were finally given your right to choose freely you chose to nurture your good side just as I did all those years ago. That is what matters Cole, not who your father was or your time under Belthazor's thumb. Does that make sense to you? Does it help?"
"As you said yourself great grandmother it doesn't take away the guilt or even the fear completely but you are right. Thinking about it that way does help. Also I'm sorry you were forced to endure the same kind of hell I was." Morrigan gave him a weak smile and touched a hand to his face. At least it helps to have each other to understand what so few can. Oh there is also Iolaus." "Iolaus?" Cole asked surprised. "Yes, Dahok possessed him." "Maybe we should start a club," Cole suggested trying to inject a little levity into the situation. He and his great grandmother shared a hug and a laugh, and then Morrigan jumped to her feet. We'd better be getting back. Cole slapped his forehead. Damn it what time is it. Phoebe's probably starting to worry we'd better hurry." Love's Learning Curve
Chapter 3