18
MEG stood at the edge of the gardens, the scent of the rose blossoms she and Hercules stood in front of was overwhelming and nearly making her dizzy.
Strangely enough, she felt as though someone had hollowed her out since her soul had been returned to her body, but thankfully, after being allowed a few days to rest, she wasn't so tired anymore. Despite Meg's repeated attempts to tell Wonder Boy that she was okay, Hercules insisted that she take a few days to rest. She had wanted to argue, but the look of daggers he'd pinned her with when she'd tried to protest made her think otherwise.
She had assented to his request and had taken the opportunity to rest, much to her chagrin, wanting to help, while Hercules aided Hades in whatever way he could to help repair Thebes. The people prayed to whatever god they could think of for help, and those who had taken Hercules' word on Olympus thoughtfully answered their prayers.
The repairs to the city and the surrounding areas where the Titans had wreaked their havoc upon the land had taken days, even with the assistance of the gods and goddesses magic aiding the people in rebuilding efforts.
Still, the result was well worth it. One could hardly tell Thebes had been a victim of the colossal beasts that were now back in the depths of Tartarus where they rightfully belonged.
She had slept for most of the time while Hercules had been off helping Thebans rebuild not only the city but their lives as well, though, during the brief interludes when she was awake and aware enough to hold a conversation, she was visited by Adonis and Medusa. Meg was pleased to see that the two were becoming closer since Medusa's curse was lifted. She hoped that fate or the gods had a plan for her friends.
She harbored no ill will in her heart towards Adonis, and Medusa had been nothing but kind to her.
She would not be surprised if, in the not-so-distant future, the two entered into a proper courtship. She hoped so, as the two would not be coming with them to wherever it was that Hercules had in mind to go. Hercules had let it slip last night that there was someplace special he wanted to take her, but he would not say where it was, or who she was meeting. His Nanny Goat, Phil knew, but the cantankerous and talkative old Satyr was remaining tight-lipped.
There was a soft sound coming from behind Meg, and she turned to find Hercules staring at her, a fresh and beautiful white lily flower in his hands, the delicate petals fluttering in the breeze. He came up to her shyly and handed her the flower that he looked to have picked from this very garden and pressed a gentle and chaste kiss to her cheek that made her blush as she held the lily close to her chest. It was beautiful.
"Pegasus is ready if you are, Meg, do you feel ready to go?" Hercules asked as he brought a hand to rest on her shoulder and gave the appendage a delicate little squeeze. He had to chuckle at seeing the way Meg's face turned a shade of green at the thought of flying on Pegasus to get to their destination Hercules had in mind for the better part of two days and could talk to Phil of little else to the point of vexing him. "It's the fastest way," he pointed out.
She let out a frustrated whine and buried her head in Hercules' muscular chest.
"Oh, gods, I guess, if I have no choice since you won't tell me where we're going, just don't let him drop me," Meg bemoaned.
To try to comfort herself, she slipped her hand through Hercules' warm hand and allowed Wonder Boy to lead her toward his winged beast of a horse. She swore the horse's beady black eyes were narrowed in mischievousness.
Thankfully, she detected no malicious intent as she let Hercules help her up onto his back before situating himself behind her, one hand snaking around her waist and the other holding the reins of his horse's bridle rather tightly.
Though before he could order the winged beast to take to the skies, they were interrupted by the sound of Medusa's pleasant voice wafting through the air.
Meg turned and found Medusa and Adonis approaching, a small smile playing on her lips as she noticed the two seemed to be holding hands.
She twisted her neck and looked towards Hercules and was pleased to see a similar hope igniting in Wonder Boy's captivating baby blue eyes.
It seemed then that he held the same hope for their friend as she did.
Meg felt a sudden warmth rush to her heart as she looked at him, in awe of his selflessness. She supposed it would have been easy for Hercules to be jealous of Adonis, and the history they had once shared, but he wasn't at all.
Meg turned her gaze back toward the young woman in front of her. Medusa's long dark brown hair was pulled up into a thick ponytail that swished with her movements, and the dark purple dress she now wore highlighted her comely slender figure. She would make the right man a fine wife someday if she was ever married.
Meg found herself hoping it was Adonis. She could think of two people who deserved such peace and happiness any more than the two who now stood in front of them, apparently holding hands. It was Medusa who first broke the silence between the four of them, her shy voice still sounding slightly awkward, but Meg knew it was simply because the young woman did not know how she could ever fully express her gratitude for what Hercules had done for her.
"Leaving without saying goodbye?" she asked, her voice sounding slightly teasing as she pretended to feign hurt feelings, sticking out her lower lip in a slight pout and resting her head against Adonis's shoulder.
Meg was pleased to see the man light up and did not pull away.
Meg laughed and looked toward Hercules. She could tell Wonder Boy, as well as Medusa and Adonis, was dreading their goodbye as much as she was, though the two friends had made mention of wanting to go to Sparta, and perhaps after that, travel the world, and see other lands, other cities, other oceans.
"Of course not, Medusa," Hercules answered warmly, his grip around Meg's waist tight. Medusa nodded, and Meg could only watch as her shy smile faltered somewhat.
"I…I wanted to thank you, Hercules, for…for everything," Medusa said humbly, suddenly too shy to meet the man's gaze.
Hercules shook his head, sending away the young brunette's thanks and pursing his lips. "There was nothing else I could do, Medusa. You've saved Meg's life and Hades saved yours. I did what anyone else would have done," he mumbled, a light pink blush gracing his cheeks embarrassedly as he looked towards Meg, who playfully socked him in the arm.
"Just take the compliment, Wonder Boy, you're far too modest. Give yourself a bit more credit, won't you?" she teased.
Hercules took Pegasus's reins and began to guide his winged steed towards the pathway that would take them out of Thebes. Of course, they would be flying and he had no need of the road intended for travelers and merchants, but somehow, he thought it would be easier to say goodbye to their friends as they were moving.
As he forced Pegasus into something of a lazy walk, enough that Adonis and Medusa could keep up with as they walked alongside the horse, Meg continued.
"You two seem to be getting rather close, aren't you?" Meg asked, chuckling under her breath as Medusa and Adonis abruptly broke away from one another, their faces matching as deep cherry-red blushes speckled along their cheeks.
Both of them were looking rather flustered.
"Meg, that was cruel," Hercules only lightly chastised but as Meg turned to look at him, he was smiling.
It was Adonis who grunted and waved her off, leaning heavily against his walking stick for support.
"Could you blame us if we are, Meg?" he snorted, making an odd noise of dissent through his nose.
"No," Meg admitted, her teasing smile faltering slightly. She paused to clear her throat before continuing. "Where will the two of you go? Will you stay in Thebes?" she questioned, certain she already knew the answer, but still wanted to hear it for herself.
"Sparta, then maybe Rome," Adonis said. "I'm glad that I got to see you again, Meg, well, figuratively speaking, at least," he said, forcing down the lump in his throat. "I owe you the greatest debt."
He did not even need to refer to the fact that, while Meg had healed, he had given his former lover the space and time she needed with Hercules and was developing an increasingly warm friendship with Medusa.
There was a part of him that hoped someday, if she was agreeable, that she'd let him court her. He also did not tell Meg or Hercules that for some reason, he felt as though he and Medusa would never see them again. They had their own lives to live now, as did they, and he could not and would not stand in the way of their happiness. Meg smiled, a bit confused. Adonis's smile twitched. He could not see it, but he could hear the confusion seeping into Meg's voice.
"Adonis. You're talking like Hercules and I will never see you two again."
The look on Adonis' face told Meg that her former lover feared exactly that.
"Listen. We'll be back in Thebes in a few months at the most." Meg smiled. "Then we'll be seeing you both again," she told their two friends jokingly.
"A-absolutely." Adonis nodded, still trying to shove down the uncertainty welling within his chest that Meg and Hercules would not be able to keep their word. Meg quickly nodded in agreement.
"Then…this isn't goodbye," Meg swore. "We'll see you again in a few months," she vowed as Pegasus flapped his wings and Meg let out a moan and closed her eyes tightly shut, not wanting to look.
"Until then," Medusa chirped, smiling, and moved to take Adonis's hand and pulled the blind man back. She watched as Hercules clucked his tongue and dug his heels into the animal's side and the horse took to the skies.
Both Medusa and Adonis chuckled as they could hear Meg's scream filling the sky. Medusa would watch their friends depart into the clouds until she could no longer see them before she tugged on Adonis's hand and began to lead the man away. She was looking forward to Adonis taking her to Sparta, to seeing other parts of the world with him.
But as they left, she tried not to give too much heed to the notion that she would never see Hercules or Meg again.
MEG'S stomach rolled as she allowed Wonder Boy to help her off of Pegasus and she clung to a tree for nearby support. She gagged but could not bring anything up and then remembered she'd not eaten anything yet today and was grateful for it. She straightened her gait with the help of Hercules, who was looking worried, the skin of his brow pulled tight in fear.
"Meg, a-are you alright? Is flying too much?" he stammered, the look on his face sure that it was. He rubbed her shoulders, trying to do what he could to help the woman he loved feel better, though the greenness of her face alarmed him.
"I-I'm fine, Wonder Boy," she gasped, though she didn't feel it. Beads of sweat were starting to gather on her forehead and bile was rising in her throat. She breathed deeply and slowly as she tried to settle the queasiness in her stomach. She squinted her eyes struggling to see where they were. "Where are we?" she asked him, confused.
This was not a city or farming village she recognized, and they had been flying on his horse for hours.
Meg's eyes landed upon the glimmer of a fire in the hearth of a small and modest farmhouse.
She turned towards Hercules, confused, who was grinning from ear to ear and had such an excited look on his face that she could not help but shoot Wonder Boy a funny little smile.
"Where are we?" she repeated, not protesting as Hercules took hold of her hand and began to lead her forward.
"Somewhere special, Meg," was all Hercules would say to her. "This is where I grew up. I'd like for you to meet my parents." The excitement in Wonder Boy's voice was unmistakable.
Hercules and Meg made their way toward the door.
Hercules raised a knuckle to lightly knock on the oak panel. He waited impatiently, practically rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet in excitement, hoping that his mother and father would like Meg.
Finally, the door opened, and the drawn and wrinkled face of his thin and elderly adoptive father appeared on the other side. The old man's eyes were narrowed in suspicion, but once Amphitryon saw it was his son, he opened the door wider.
"Hercules! Oh my goodness, what a joy it is to see you!" he exclaimed with relief, happy and proud tears finding his eyes as he called for his wife. A short plump woman who was the farmer's wife, her gray hair swept up into a high ponytail appeared beside Hercules' adoptive father, tears trailing down her cheeks. The farmer gave his wife a loving nod and relinquished Hercules from his arms to allow his wife a moment to hug their son.
"Oh, my darling boy," Alcmene gushed as she pulled Hercules close.
"Mother," Hercules exclaimed with relief, wrapping his strong arms around her waist, yet careful to hold his mother gently, not wishing to hurt her.
Meg backed away a few steps. She would let Hercules have his time with his parents. She could understand their desire for a reunion. She was more than content to stand quietly in the background, simply enjoying seeing Hercules so happy. As far as she was concerned, these were his true parents, not Zeus and Hera.
"We're so proud of you, son, and all that you've accomplished," his father said, coming to stand by his wife and holding Hercules even tighter. "We always knew that you were a hero. You never had to prove yourself to the gods," he lamented painfully, squeezing his eyes shut and trying to force away the horrific image of Hercules getting hurt in his efforts to prove himself to Zeus.
Hercules smiled and pulled apart, looking over his shoulder towards Meg. He was more than eager to introduce the woman he loved to his loving and doting parents, certain that Mother and Father would instantly be fond of her.
"Mother, Father, I'd like you to meet Meg," Hercules proudly smiled. His parents followed their son's line of sight towards the red-headed young woman whose hand he had been holding not moments ago. They turned Hercules around in their arms and proudly regarded Meg. His parents exchanged a knowing look with one another and smiled. They were a couple, and they wanted to make this girl, Megara, feel welcome in their home.
"It's an honor to meet you. Please, won't you come in out of the cold? We were just about to get supper on, it will not be much, I'm afraid, but it will be hot."
Hercules and Meg smiled at one another. Hercules was eager for his parents to get to know Meg and happily accepted.
"Thank you, Mother. We'd love to," he acknowledged gratefully and moved away to take Meg's hand and began to lead her inside the home where he had grown up.
"It's not much, but it's home," Hercules laughed, though Meg could hear the note of pride in his voice as he led her inside.
His parents' one-room hut was rather sparse and free of unneeded things, though Meg could greatly appreciate that. Thick furs strategically placed along the floor and wall ensured the warmth of their home. A small narrow wooden sideboard was crafted alongside one edge of the wall, next to the fire in the hearth, over which a pot of something truly delectable, that smelled like a stew, was cooking. A small wooden table sat near the fire. It had already been set with two plates, two cups, eating utensils, and a small makeshift blue clay vase filled with flowers.
Spare cloaks hung along various pegs on the walls. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light of Hercules' childhood home, Meg turned her bashful gaze to the floor, wanting to help but not knowing how.
"May I help you?" she asked, eager to do whatever she could for his mother, who was already shuffling towards the pot of stew that was cooking over the fire and dishing out the hearty-smelling soup into a few chipped bowls and bringing them to the table. His mother shook her head and motioned for Meg to sit down.
"Oh no, I wouldn't hear of it. Please, won't you sit? The two of you must be exhausted," Alcmene pleaded quietly.
Meg could only comply and moved to sit in the chair Hercules pulled out for her, trying to shoot him a grateful look with just her eyes. The look he gave her in return told Meg that there was no need. She smiled, squeezing his hand as Hercules took the seat next to her and joined her, the two of them now seated across the table from his parents.
Dinner with his parents was a light and pleasant affair. As the light outside gave way to nightfall, Meg and Hercules sat at the table laughing and talking and enjoying his mother's delicious soup.
Hercules amused his parents with tales of his now-legendary heroic deeds. His parents then begged Meg to tell her something about her life, which she agreed to. She had grown up in Thebes, the daughter of a spice merchant.
She painted for them a rich picture of the bustling city, what you could buy there, and what you could sell in the marketplace, and the woods and meadows that rested on the outskirts of the lavish city.
Enchanted by the faraway place, his parents made Hercules promise to take them there one day very soon. Hercules smiled at Meg in agreement and she could only return his gaze with a hopeful one of her own.
Though the next time he hoped to return to Thebes with Meg, it would be with her as his wife. He had hoped to ask her while they were here in the countryside and had a moment to breathe now that Thebes was fully rebuilt.
As the group finished their dinner, Meg and Hercules both were stricken with a familiar wave of icy cold air that made them shudder. They looked at one another, worried. The sudden drop in the temperature could only mean one thing.
Hades was here.
She felt Hercules stiffen beside her upon hearing his parents speak up in alarm.
"Well, isn't that just the strangest thing!" Alcmene chirped, Hercules' mother's kind green eyes slightly unfocused as she looked towards their window, unnerved. "The temperature was quite lovely outside and now this bitter cold!"
Hercules half-rose from his chair and was of a mind to confront his uncle waiting for them outside but was halted when Meg rested a hand on his thigh and lightly shook her head.
"Let me. You stay here and enjoy your time with your parents," Meg whispered, lowering her voice low enough that only Hercules heard her.
Hercules' mouth pinched down into a frown, but upon seeing a look of fierce determination flash behind Meg's lavender eyes, he nodded.
He leaned forward and placed a chaste and gentle kiss on her temple.
"Very well, Meg, but...do not go far from me,' he whispered, smiling softly at seeing Meg's face turn bright pink as she quietly nodded.
"I won't, Wonder Boy, I swear it," she promised, and before her courage and resolve could falter, she quietly slipped out of the house to greet her former master and see whatever it was the Lord of the Underworld wanted with her.
Once outside, Meg caught sight of Hades standing in front of Hercules' parent's house, surveying the small farmhouse with no small amount of disgust. She hated that the god's features were so like Wonder Boy's, and striking even in the moonlight as she gathered the skirts of her dress and stomped her way down the steps of the house to meet the Lord of the Dead. The god's jaw and cheekbones were surprisingly sharp, even when slightly hidden underneath his closely cropped blue beard, and his demeanor was now strangely quiet and contemplative.
He was certainly the quietest god Meg had ever encountered, when not losing his temper, but his thoughtful expression now did little to assuage her worry about why he was here.
Had he come for Wonder Boy's parents, was that the reason? His parents were not exactly in their prime anymore.
Meg felt something come over her the longer she looked at him as she struggled to find the right words. She would have thought that, considering how Hades had hurt her and killed her, she would have been angrier with the god, but she wasn't. Hades had simply been blinded by grief in missing his queen.
She was sure her face held a dumbfounded expression with the realization she wasn't. Hades simply nodded to her but a hesitant smile played on Meg's features as she was the first to speak, having found her voice.
"Why are you here? Is it his parents?" she questioned, immediately alarmed and worried.
To her relief, he shook his head, keeping his arms folded across his broad chest.
A small smile danced on the god's blue lips just then, and he let out a morose chuckle.
"No, Meggie, their threads of life will not be cut for another ten years, though I cannot tell you exactly when. It is against my nature and the Fates won't allow it," he muttered. "And I did not come for you or my nephew. Or the mortals within your dwelling. I come to you tonight for a different reason altogether, though I cannot stay long, I must be getting back. I come to atone for my actions and Persephone has asked if you and my nephew inside will be godparents to our daughter. We've named her Melinoe. Persephone quite agrees, we can think of no one better."
It took Meg a moment to comprehend the god's words.
"Wha—Persephone has had the baby? Already?" she squeaked, feeling her eyes go wide and round in surprise.
Hades scowled, slightly annoyed by Meg's elation but nodded.
"Yes, yes, she's had the baby, she couldn't tolerate the normal length of time for your mortal pregnancies and asked the goddess of fertility for a potion to…speed the process along," he muttered, a blush darkening his blue face. "Our daughter was born in the early hours of yesterday morning. Per has spent most of the day sleeping and recovering. Pain and Panic are looking over her and my daughter," he added, sensing Meg's worried expression.
She noted how he stood a little taller and prouder now that the Lord of the Dead was a father to a healthy little goddess in the making.
Meg was quite flabbergasted and did not know what to say except, "I…y-yes, of course," she stammered, wondering what Wonder Boy would say to this, but perhaps that was a conversation best saved for later.
Tidings of new life, even amongst the gods, were exhilarating, and now that Hades had his wife returned to him, even Meg could see that he was growing more strong and confident, and smiled more.
A tiny smile danced on Hades' lips just then, proving Meg's point, and Hades nodded.
"We're glad. Persephone will be relieved, she would accept no other answer. We will try to bring her to you in a few days, a girl should know her uncle. Zeus may still rule Olympus, but my family will live on in the Underworld, growing stronger."
Meg had to smile at that and when she did, she felt a weight lift off her chest as she understood that Hades was attempting to make the best of his circumstances and the second chance given to him.
As she stood alongside the god who had been her former master, a strange sense of peace washed over Meg, and suddenly, the entire world seemed to fade. A strange sort of silent understanding passed between the god and the mortal woman. Meg finally reached out to pull Hades into an affectionate hug, shocking the god as she wound her arms around his shoulders. Hades looked stunned for a moment but quickly embraced her in return.
"Thank you, Meg, you've truly gone the distance for my nephew. For me," he breathed against Meg's neck. Meg's slender arms squeezed Hades a fraction tighter for a moment and she smiled over his shoulder, having forgiven him.
"And I thank you, Hades. If you hadn't tried to get me to coerce Nessus, I wouldn't have met your nephew," she replied. "But I believe we have family waiting for us," she muttered, pulling apart and looking over her shoulder towards the house.
Hades was looking a little shocked that Meg had forgiven him so easily but less so than he expected to be and nodded as the two of them stood outside the simple farmhouse for a moment, neither wanting to be the first to break away and leave. Both had hesitant little smiles on their faces.
Though this time, they did not stand side by side as master and slave, but as the beginning of two friends.