The Twelve Labours of Hercules

by Joe Corcoran

didn’t mean to harm you,” said Hercules, “look where the arrow has gone.”

  Hades turned his misty form, and saw that the arrow had flown straight through the split in the rock and into the Underworld. Glinting in the eerie red light, he could also clearly see the emerald, which Hercules had pushed into the shaft of the arrow when Hades was distracted.

  “Nooo,” wailed Hades as the wisps of darkness that made up his body started to be drawn back towards the cave.

  “Your property is returned,” growled Hercules, “you have no more hold over me, or over Iolaus. You have no further business in this world and no right to remain. Return to Tartarus!”

  As he watched, Hades was drawn back through the entrance to the Underworld and back down into the depths of the earth.

  Hercules ran back to the body of his friend, but Iolaus showed no change.

  “I know your spirit is free now,” Hercules whispered, “and I know it will return soon. In the meantime I will stay here and protect your body from harm.”

  The people of the city found him still there in the morning. They brought him food and water, and they also sent a messenger to their king. Pittheus arrived soon after and offered what words of comfort he could, but in the end he said that Iolaus might never return and would it not be best to bury the body. Of course Hercules refused this advice, and insisted on staying at his friend’s side all that day and the following night. Impressed by his devotion and his refusal to give up hope, the people constructed a shelter to keep off the rain. As more days went by, plans were made to build a temple on the spot where Iolaus’ body lay so that, if necessary, he should have a permanent resting place fit for a hero.

  On the tenth night, when all others had given up hope, and even Hercules was beginning to doubt himself, the hero was awakened by something wet on his face. He sat up with a start, amazed to find that it was the Ceryneian Hind licking him. More amazing still, he saw that there was a shimmering figure riding on the back of the animal. It was certainly the figure of a man, but so faint and indistinct as to be unrecognisable as any particular person. Nevertheless, Hercules was sure that it was the spirit of Iolaus, and this seemed to be confirmed as the figure dismounted and moved towards the body on the ground. Like a sleepwalker returning to bed, it walked once round the body, sat and then lay down, its form disappearing into, or maybe joining with, the features of Iolaus. For three long heartbeats nothing happened, then with a suddenness that make Hercules and the hind jump, Iolaus sat up. He looked around him with a puzzled expression on his face, as if trying hard to remember something. The look soon turned to fear, then to panic. A panic that almost spread to Hercules, but he kept calm. Looking at Iolaus, who was now clutching at his throat, Hercules suddenly remembered something about new born babies. Jumping to his feet, he hoisted Iolaus over his shoulder and delivered a huge slap to his bottom. Iolaus opened his mouth to cry out and there was a loud sucking noise as his lungs filled with air. Gasping, he struggled and kicked, until Hercules laid him back down on the ground, where he soon regained his breath. Now some of the colour was returning to his face, and he even ventured to try a little water, followed by a little bread. Still, it was not until morning that Hercules thought his friend well enough to be carried back to the city, and it was two days after that before Iolaus had recovered sufficiently to tell his story.

  “I’m afraid that I don’t remember very much,” said the young man, “it’s like a dream to me now, and the longer I’m back in this world the more the memory fades. I remember that Hades returned from the surface in a terrible temper, he took my uniform from me and forced me out of the palace, calling on his demons to come and claim me as a lost soul. For days I ran, hiding whenever the demons came near. They had blocked the secret way to the surface, but Meleager helped me and together we managed to trick the ferryman. Once across the river, I unharnessed the Ceryneian Hind and she allowed me to ride her through the tunnels of Hades, searching for an exit. I lost track of time in those tunnels, and it felt like I was losing myself as well, getting thinner and more transparent as each hour passed. How we got to the surface I don’t know, I just remember suddenly wanting to lie down and go to sleep, and the next thing I knew I was back in my body.”

  Being young, Iolaus was soon fully recovered from his ordeal, and the people of Troezen held a huge celebration to honour both him and Hercules. There were tables heaped with food and drink, musicians encouraging people to dance and all kinds of games going on. At the height of the party, Pittheus called for silence. Everyone was expecting a long speech, but instead the king just said thank you, thank you for saving the world. Then he asked the crowd to follow him up into the city, to the square outside the public baths where he unveiled a statue. The statue showed two men, two friends - two heroes - riding in a chariot drawn by an enormous deer, off to face unknown dangers. Hercules admired the statue over the next few days, as he made his frequent visits to the baths, and Iolaus enjoyed some time spent with the many interesting people who visited Pittheus’ palace. But neither of them could stay in one place for long. The call of new adventures was strong in their ears, and soon they had made their plans, packed their provisions and set off to win new glories. There would be many more stories told of Hercules and Iolaus, but when they grew old and talked of their past deeds, their thoughts would always return to their greatest triumph - when they completed twelve great labours and saved the world from Alcyoneus.