Chapter Text
Waiting for Destiny
calikocat
Word count: 5324
Disclaimer: Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess do not belong to me. No money is being made.
A/N: Things may get easier to follow at this point. I've deviated from the plot of the shows so much that it’s time to throw a lot of canon out the window.
A/N 2: I'm very fond of Atalanta...so this chapter happened.
XXX
Atalanta stepped back to look at her work, a new statue of Hephaestus, that she had made wasn't quite as big as the old one, but the detail was far greater. It was perhaps one of her greatest works and she was proud of it. She smiled at the statue. “Hope you like it Hephaestus, just don't go bringing anything to life. I don't want to rebuild everything again. Once was enough.”
“You say something Aunt Atalanta?” Damon asked, walking in through the open barn door, Brontus right behind him. They stood at ease with one another, two former enemies now friends, and probably much more if the looks they gave each other meant what she thought they did.
“Oh, just talking to Hephaestus, asking him not to cause anymore chaos for a while. You boys ready to head home?”
Damon nodded. “The fields won't tend themselves.”
Brontus looked worried. “You sure you don't need anything Atalanta?”
“I'll be fine guys, don't worry about me.”
“You could always come back with us.” Her nephew offered. “I don't like you living alone like this.”
“I can look after myself, you know that.” She laughed. “Besides, three is a crowd, and I'm sure you two don't need an old maid like me interrupting your cozy nights at home.”
Both young men blushed and Damon coughed a bit. “How did you know?”
“I'm not blind Damon, and I'm happy for you both, but like I said, I don't want to interrupt anything.” She grinned. “Now go on home, but come visit whenever you can pull yourselves away from the fields or each other.”
Brontus grinned back and accepted the hug she gave them. “You're welcome to visit us any time, Atalanta.”
She watched them leave the barn and let her smile fall. Atalanta was happy for Damon, glad he was done fighting for the sake of fighting and that he had settled down with Brontus. The fact that they'd helped rebuild her barn roof was a plus, but seeing how happy they were made her heart ache. Her boys were all grown up, Damon, Brontus and little Ximenos.
Atalanta sighed, made her way to her forge and picked up her hammer. “Working always does make me feel better.” In no time she lost herself in her work, letting her thoughts drift as her hammer shaped the metal in her grasp.
She thought of Damon and Brontus happy and in love working the fields. She pictured Ximenos, the orphan she had taken in years ago and treated like a little brother. Now he was a capable blacksmith in his own right with a business and a sweetheart ready to settle down as well. And here she was, successful, and alone.
Hours later when she was done, as she wiped the sweat from her brow she stared at her work in surprise. The metal she had started out with a piece that was clunky and cold had become something so beautiful. She'd hammered it into a thinness that was dainty, something she had never done before. It curved now, so that it could rest upon a head, a crown that glinted and shined.
She smiled at it, though it wasn't made from something precious like gold or silver it was beautiful. The engravings though...were some of the best she'd ever made. “Now what made me put butterflies on this?” Atalanta glanced at her altar to Hephaestus. “Are you trying to tell me something? Care to give me a hint?” The statue remained motionless, thank goodness and she shrugged. “Maybe it will come to me.”
Atalanta glanced outside and saw she still had a bit of daylight left and decided to get some real work done. After all the villagers always needed nails and tools.
xxx
Hephaestus watched Atalanta work from his forged throne, her image cast upon the opposite wall of the cavern. He had messed up when he had given her statue of Hercules life. It hadn't been his intention, and he was ready to admit his mistake and make it up to her. If only he knew how.
She was so lonely and so beautiful. Not her golden muscled body, but her kind heart and gentle soul. Her true beauty shined through when she made something beautiful at her forge.
“Hephy?”
Hephaestus blinked and looked away from the scene playing on the wall to his wife, his beloved Aphrodite. “Yes?”
“Should I be worried about you watching the muscle chick?” She smiled, her voice gentle and he could tell she was teasing him.
“No, Atalanta is beautiful but you hold my heart Dite.”
The Goddess of Love settled herself on his lap, head on his shoulder and joined him to watch over Atalanta. “She's one of your favorites huh?”
“As is Iolaus.”
“Speaking of Sweet Cheeks, you know he finally broke free of Hera's curse. Heck he even knocked her into the same pit the Titans are locked in. All to save Herc.”
He smiled and ran his hand down her bare arm in a caress. “I know. I felt it. I suppose our prayers worked.”
“You think?”
“We prayed for a dragon to help him, and along came Joxer the Good. And Lesedi, daughter of Aaru and Pyrrhus.”
Aphrodite sighed. “I'm never gonna live down the thing with Joxer am I? I was being shallow that day and almost cost a Star Dragon his life.”
“Even gods aren't perfect Dite. I made a mistake recently.”
“Yeah I heard. Why did you bring that statue to life anyway?”
Hephaestus smiled sadly. “I understood and felt her loneliness. Atalanta is beautiful and strong, but men see her as competition, not as a woman full of warmth and love.”
“I'd suggest she lose the muscle and try to be more feminine, but then she wouldn't be herself so that's no good.” Aphrodite sat up a little. “What's she working on?”
“I'm not sure she even knows.” Hephaestus frowned. “Though she's making something more decorative than functional.”
“It could be crown or a tiara or something...” She sat up and looked closer. “Hey, can you guide her hand a little?”
“Why?”
“Just with the engravings...maybe we can steer her in a different direction. To a god and goddess who can help her find love and happiness.”
Hephaestus thought about it. “Cupid and Psyche?”
“Joxer and Autolycus went to them recently and found out one of their descendants has a pretty important destiny. Maybe if she's pointed in their direction, they can give her a hint about her own soulmate.”
“Alright, but only a nudge. I don't like interfering when she or any smith is working, and she has more of an artistic flair than most.”
“Just a teeny tiny nudge, to make her think of Psyche.”
He nodded and concentrated on the image before them, and gave Atalanta the barest of nudges. She never even blinked as she started to engrave butterflies on the crown she had forged. “There. Now we wait.”
“She is something of an artist, isn't she?”
“Yes.”
Aphrodite snapped her fingers. “You know what else would help her?”
Hephaestus looked at his wife warily. “What are you thinking Dite?”
“Nothing bad I swear, just...if she knew for certain that Herc is taken forever maybe she can stop carrying that torch for him.” She grinned. “Maybe if she knew he'd bonded with his soulmate she might start to wonder about her own.”
“So, you want her to know about Hercules and Iolaus?”
“Yeah. Baby Bro and Sweet Cheeks should pay her a visit. Its crueler to Atalanta, to keep pining after him when she has no chance.”
“Agreed. I'll see you later then?”
“Yep.” She leaned in to kiss him. “Be back soon.” Then she disappeared in a flurry of rose petals and Hephaestus smiled.
xxx
The next morning Atalanta was back at her forge, hammering out another piece of metal, making it curve. Another crown, she thought in the back of her mind, wondering just who she was making it for. This one, when it was done, wasn't as delicate but still had some of her excellent engraving work. She'd put a heart on the front, with wings supporting it. What on Earth? Atalanta shook her head and put the second crown with the first, hidden in some straw, as she heard someone coming.
The butcher needed some new knives and she was glad she had a few in stock. After selling them to him and pocketing the coins she went back to her forge. She was going to need more knives now, not to mention a few ax-heads. So, she got to work, prettier things were only for those that could afford them. It was the more practical things, tools and nails that kept food in her pantry.
xxx
Aphrodite watched her younger brother and his soulmate for a time, grinning at the happiness they emitted. It had been a long time since she had seen Hercules so happy, so worry free. He was with his soulmate; they were bonded and no one could ever take Iolaus from him again. She wiped away a happy tear and put on a smile before she appeared to them.
Hercules groaned, not exactly happy to see her. “I was wondering who was watching us?” He looked up at her from the ground where he was lying beside Iolaus on a blanket letting the sun dry them after the swim they'd had.
Iolaus didn't budge. “Enjoy the show Aphrodite?”
“Totally. You two are always fun to watch, though after all that you should probably take another swim to clean up.” She winked at them.
“She's not wrong.” Iolaus grumbled. “If we're going to sleep in a bed tonight, we should clean up.
“Is that so?” Hercules grinned before picking up Iolaus and tossing him into the lake. Iolaus shrieked and cursed as he hit the water.
“Oh, just you wait buddy, I'll get you back for that.”
“I'm looking forward to it.” Hercules laughed before diving in after him.
Aphrodite giggled as she watched them splash around, content to let them play for a bit before they talked. She summoned a low couch to rest on while she waited and eventually, they climbed back out of the lake to dry on their blanket once more.
As they settled, lying naked in the sun, Iolaus glanced at her. “So, is this a social visit or do you need a favor?”
“Well, it’s not so much a favor for me, but more for Hephaestus and Atalanta.”
Hercules sighed. “He didn't bring another of her creations to life, did he?”
“No, but he's trying to make up for that...incident.”
“Aphrodite its better when the gods don't interfere.” Her brother scolded her.
“As if! You know Hephy and I prayed for a dragon to come along and help Iolaus break that curse Hera had on him. Even Hades helped wear it down a little. Sometimes the gods can do good things bro.”
“So, what are you and Hephaestus doing for Atalanta?” Hercules asked, suspicion in his voice.
“Just giving her a nudge to look for happiness in a direction that's not yours, which is where you two come in.”
“Just who is this Atalanta?” Iolaus asked, giving his mate a poke in the ribs.
“She's a friend, a blacksmith.” Hercules caught Iolaus' hand and held it. “Nothing ever happened between us.”
“Exactly!” Aphrodite exclaimed. “She's been carrying a torch for you for too long. Herc you need to let her know you've found and bonded with your soulmate so she can really move on.”
“I don't want to hurt her.” He admitted to her.
“Baby Bro, nothing hurts quite like unrequited love. So, let her know, introduce her to Iolaus so she can let the dream of you go.”
“That sounds pretty wise Herc.”
Hercules nodded. “It does. So what direction are you trying to nudge her in?”
“Well, recently Joxer and Autolycus went to see Cupid and Psyche. They'd been talking about whether or not to have kids.”
“I don't follow.” Iolaus frowned.
“Joxer asked if any of their descendants were important. Psyche looked into it, and found one of their line has a pretty important destiny. He and his soulmate are gonna do great things.”
“And you're hoping Atalanta will go to Psyche?”
“I just want to give the girl hope, maybe if she can hold out for her own soulmate, she won't be so sad?”
Iolaus looked sad himself, he knew how painful it was to pine after Hercules. “Herc?”
Hercules sighed and nodded. “We'll go see Atalanta.”
“Thanks baby bro.”
xxx
“So, what's Atalanta like and why haven't I met her before?” Iolaus asked as they left the village. “And why can't we stay at the inn here?”
“You were never with me when I ran into Atalanta, and she lives outside the village and we'll be staying with her tonight.”
“She has a spare room?”
“She has a barn.”
Iolaus sighed. “So much for a bed tonight.”
“It has a loft with hay.” He smirked at his lover who looked interested now. “That is if it’s been repaired since Discord went a little wild and caused her trouble.”
“So, we may not be rolling in the hay tonight after all.”
“I think we will. When I left her former apprentice Ximenos and his betrothed had shown up to help her rebuild.”
“Hmm. So, what's she like?”
“Salmonius thinks she’s perfect.”
“Oh, come on! Salmonius has met her?”
“Yep. He'd probably marry her if she was interested in him.”
“Huh.”
The rest of their walk passed in comfortable silence as they made their way to Atalanta's home and business. As they finally turned the bend in the road that revealed her house and barn Hercules smiled. “See, the roof is all fixed. You'd never know there was a fire the last time I was here.”
“How did the fire start?”
“I'll tell you later.” He held up his hand. “Hear that?”
Iolaus nodded. “Sounds like a blacksmith hard at work.”
Hercules smiled and took Iolaus' hand in his. “Come on, I'll introduce you to Atalanta.” He led Iolaus, who always went willingly to the barn doors and pulled one open. He glanced at his best friend and his smile stretched to a grin when the shorter man's jaw dropped.
“You turned that woman down?” Iolaus asked, his voice a hushed awe. “Are you crazy?”
Hercules let his eyes fall on Atalanta in all her glory. She was lost in her work, her golden skin shimmering under a sheen of sweat from hard and honest labor. Hammer in hand she shaped a plow blade at her forge. Her leathers, as revealing as ever, accented all her attributes and Hercules couldn't deny her beauty or strength, but his heart had never yearned for her. “Yeah, more than once.”
“I think you were crazy.” Iolaus shook his head. “If you had introduced me before...well...”
“Iolaus?”
“I'd still be yours Herc, even if I spent days in those arms. You never wanted to lead her on huh?”
“No.” Hercules schooled his face, making it a happy smile again. “Atalanta, you busy?”
She looked up, startled, and her face changed from one of concentration to happy surprise. “Hey Herc!” Her brown eyes saddened though when she caught sight of their joined hands. “Who's your friend?” She put down her hammer and stepped away from her forge. “And why haven't I met him before?”
“This is Iolaus, my best friend and my lover.”
Atalanta looked devastated for a second, but then she smiled and it was honest. “So, you kept the cute one for yourself and only let me meet Salmonius?”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Iolaus raised a brow Hercules. “How come Salmonius got to meet her and I didn't?”
Hercules laughed. “I wasn't keeping you two away from each other on purpose.”
“So, you say.” Iolaus pulled away from Hercules and offered his arm to Atalanta. “I'm glad to finally meet you.”
She clasped arms with him. “Same here. So how long have you two been best friends?”
“Since we were kids.” Iolaus answered.
“And lovers?”
“Off and on since we were at the Academy together.” Hercules told her, even when we were both married.”
“Oh really?” She looked intrigued and Iolaus reclaimed his arm.
“Deianeira and Ania knew of course.” Iolaus assured her. “And got a kick out of catching us playing around more than once.”
Atalanta smirked then. “I bet that was quite the sight. And now?”
“There was a fight with Hera...and Iolaus came into his power.” Hercules told her. “He'd been fighting against a curse Hera had put on him years ago and it finally gave way.”
“What kind of curse?” She asked.
“Let me show you.” Iolaus exited the barn and they followed, once she could see him again Iolaus shifted to his true form. That of a Celestial Dragon.
“Oh Herc, he's beautiful.” She nudged him with her elbow. “In either form.”
“Yes, he is.”
“So now that this curse is broken, what does it mean for you two?”
“Dragons like Iolaus only take their true form for their soulmates Atalanta.”
Her brown eyes were sad again, even though her lips were curved into a gentle smile. “I get it, but I'm so happy for you Hercules.”
“Thank you.”
Iolaus shifted back and looked up at her. “You know everyone has a soulmate Atalanta, maybe you just have to be a little more patient.”
“I'll keep that in mind. So, you boys have a place to stay tonight? Or plans for supper?”
“Are you inviting us to dine with you?” Hercules countered.
“Of course. Not only am I an excellent blacksmith, but I'm not bad in the kitchen either.” She looped an arm with each of them. “I only have one bed so you'll have sleep in the barn.”
“That's fine.” Iolaus assured her.
“How did you get a new roof on there so fast?” Hercules asked as she led them to the house.
“Oh, Ximenos helped a bit, and then Damon and his boyfriend came around and helped me finish it.”
“Damon has a boyfriend?” Hercules grinned. “Anyone I know?”
“Brontus.” She laughed. “Now that they're not enemies on a battlefield they're very interested in making love not war.”
“Good for them.”
xxx
“Did you know she could cook like that?” Iolaus groaned and patted his full stomach.
Hercules laughed and shook his head. “No, this is the first time I've had her cooking. Not bad huh?”
“Any man who doesn't want to marry her is crazy.”
“That include you Iolaus?”
“I'm already married, to you, big guy. Besides, you're a good cook too.”
He laughed and turned so he could curl around Iolaus on their blanket. They had settled in for the night in the loft of Atalanta's barn. “Well thank you.”
“No problem. Hey, you think she'll go to Psyche and ask about her own soulmate?”
“I don't know. I hope so. If anyone deserves to be happy its Atalanta. Now come on, let’s get some sleep, unless you're up for a roll in the hay?”
“Ugh, not after all that food. Wake me up early and ask again.”
xxx
Atalanta held up the two crowns she'd made, some of her finest work if she was honest with herself. They glinted in the morning light and she wondered what had guided her to make them. Had Hephaestus helped her along, or would she have gotten to this point on her own. She smiled as an image of Hercules and Iolaus appeared in her mind, happy and in love and joined together.
“Soulmates huh?” She asked aloud. “I guess that means a trip to one of her shrines.” Then she frowned. “Wait.” Carefully she put the crowns away and went to her forge. She had one thing left to make, and this time it wasn't a crown.
In no time she lost herself as she hammered the metal, heating it and giving it form. Eventually as it started to take shape, she was surprised that it looked like...a dog? Huh, that might be just perfect.
By the time her newest sculpture was finished it was late and she cleaned up her workspace for the evening. Carefully she wrapped the crowns and statue in clean cloth and took them into the house. Tomorrow she had a short pilgrimage to make.
xxx
It was a beautiful day for a walk, even one as long as hers. She had packed a satchel just after dawn with food, a bedroll and her latest works. Once she had a waterskin filled with fresh water she had been ready to go. The nearest temple to Cupid was half a day's walk so she had wanted to start out early. There were no temples to Psyche yet, though she'd heard rumors that a few were under construction.
However, about halfway to her destination she came upon something she hadn't expected. Three shrines by the side of the road, side by side. They were new, none of them had been changed by the weather yet and the stonework was beautiful.
The first was to Cupid and there was a statue of the God of Love on top of it. His bow in his hand and his feathered wings spread out behind him. The statue gazed to its left, to the shrine beside it.
That shrine was to Psyche, Goddess of Soulmates. Her statue wore a flowing gown, butterfly wings on her back as if only paused for a moment. She looked ready to take flight on the next breeze. The statue looked back at Cupid with love.
The third shrine had a statue on top of a child picking flowers, a young boy with chubby cheeks, beautiful feathered wings on his back. Bliss, the young son of Cupid and Psyche. Whoever had made these shrines had done so with great care and love. Obviously a very devoted worshiper.
Making a decision Atalanta took off her satchel and opened it up, retrieving the crown with the winged heart first. She unwrapped it and carefully placed it on the head of Cupid's statue. It fit perfectly. Next the more delicate crown came out and she put it on Psyche's statue, breathtaking. Finally, she pulled out the metal dog she had made and put it beside the small stone statue of Bliss.
Then she stepped back and clasped her hands together to pray. The air seemed to shift, charged with a strange energy, not unlike when Hephaestus had brought her Hercules statue to life.
“Hello Atalanta.”
Atalanta jumped back a bit, surprised when Cupid and Psyche appeared beside her in a sprinkling of gold sparkles. “By the gods.”
Psyche smiled and took the crown from her statue and placed it on her head. “This is beautiful Atalanta. Thank you.”
Likewise, Cupid took the crown from his own statue and put it on. “You do good work.” He waved his hand at the metal dog and brought it life, giving it the appearance of a real animal. “A playmate for Bliss that will never age.” The dog wagged its tail and Cupid made it disappear. “When Bliss wakes up from his nap he'll be delighted. Thank you.”
Atalanta knelt before them. “I'm glad you're pleased with my offerings.”
Psyche smiled at her. “You want to know about your soulmate.”
“Please.” She looked up at the Goddess with longing. “I need to know I'm not meant to be alone.”
Psyche knelt in front of her, surprising Atalanta, though maybe her actions shouldn't. Psyche had once been human after all. She took Atalanta's hands and closed her eyes, as if looking into the blacksmith's future. A frown marred her beautiful face for a moment. “Cupid?” She pulled one hand away and offered it to her husband. “This confuses me.”
Cupid knelt beside her, taking Psyche's hand, closing his own eyes and joining her in her vision. “Huh. That doesn't make sense.”
Atalanta felt despair fill her heart. “I don't have a soulmate, do I?”
“You do.” Psyche insisted. “It’s just...he won't be born for more than a thousand years.” She opened her eyes. “And you won't even meet him until two-thousand years from now.”
“So, I'll be alone in this lifetime.” Atalanta's voice broke on the last word. “We won't even meet in his first life.”
“Now hold on, that's not what she's saying.” Cupid gently lifted her chin to meet his gaze. “I can see him, and I can see you. You as you are now. Reincarnation is a mixed bag. Sometimes people never change, no matter how many times they're reborn. Others change during every transition.”
“I don't understand.”
“When we see you in that far away future,” Psyche said “You look as you do now, but with centuries of knowledge in your eyes. We see him, dying his first death...and then never changing.”
“In other words, your soulmate is an immortal.” Cupid tried to clarify.
“A God?” Atalanta asked, confused.
“No, since before the time of the gods there has been a race of immortals.” Cupid's voice changed, as if he was reciting a legend that had been passed on to him by another. “Thousands and thousands of years ago a man had a wife. His wife could not bear children so he took a second wife. In no time the second wife became pregnant, and the first wife became hateful, resentful. The first wife had powerful magic, and that magic grew the more her hate festered. The first wife was so hateful that the night the second wife went into labor she cursed the child to die. However, the second wife also had magic and loved her child so much she sacrificed herself, as mothers often do and scattered the curse of the first wife. The magic went wild and drifted all around the world. Both women died when their magics clashed. The baby, a boy, was both blessed and cursed, he lived...until he died from a fall when he was a young man. But he came back from the dead and was run out of his tribe. He was the first immortal, his name lost to time.” Cupid shook his head. “Actually, all of their names have been lost.”
“And my soulmate is like that? He'll be an immortal?” Atalanta asked.
“And so will you.” Psyche nodded. “Or you will be.” Her hands shimmered and a golden apple appeared in them. “I'm sorry you'll have to wait so long for him, can you do that? Can you wait two-thousand years for him?”
Atalanta thought about that long and hard. She was so lonely now and she was barely thirty. Could she wait two-thousand years? Hercules and Iolaus came to mind, the two of them happy and smiling at one another at her table. Yes. She could wait for happiness like that.
“I can do it...but...what's his name?”
Cupid and Psyche shared a look, coming to a decision before smiling at her. As Psyche placed the golden apple in her hands Cupid spoke his name. “Connor MacLeod.”
Atalanta smiled. Connor MacLeod. Obviously, the man wasn't Greek, but she was okay with that. Psyche smiled back. “When you find him, let us know and we'll give you another apple. So, he'll be an immortal like you, and no longer part of The Game.”
She frowned. “What Game?”
Cupid sighed. “When the magic of the two women collided and scattered about the earth it affected other women. Women who gave their lives to bring their children into the world. So, all pre-immortals are foundlings, lost in the world until someone takes them in and shows them the way. To show them how to live since they cannot die.”
“That doesn't sound so bad.”
He shook his head. “Sometime later, no one knows when, a group of mystics, the Shadow Men, came together to try and save these cursed souls. They twisted the magic so that the immortals could be killed by beheading. It’s all they could do, it’s a curse after all, it’s not meant to be sunshine and flowers. If they are killed by another immortal of their ilk, their powers and skills go to the victor. The last immortal standing will gain a great power. The power to break the curse forever, they will become mortal and such a curse can never be created again.”
“And a golden apple will turn him into a different kind of immortal, so that no one will be after his head?”
“Exactly.” Psyche agreed.
“Individuals can break the curse on themselves, such as eating a golden apple.” Cupid added. “There are a few other exceptions, but that takes powerful magic and not something you'll need to worry about.”
Atalanta nodded. “So, when I find him, I'll just need to let you know.”
Psyche giggled. “Well, get to know him first and fall in love before you decide to commit to him eternally.”
Atalanta laughed back. “Good plan. May I?” She held up the apple.
“That's why we gave it to you.” Cupid assured her. “Go ahead.”
She took a bite of the apple, chewed and swallowed, feeling a change come over her. Magic rushed through her and she took another bite, and another until she'd eaten every bit. “Oh wow.”
“How do you feel?” Psyche asked her.
“Strange, but good. Thank you.”
“You're welcome Atalanta.” Cupid grinned. “Now, what are you doing tonight? We'd love to have you as our guest in my nearest temple.”
She grinned back. “My schedule is pretty free for the next two-thousand years.” She accepted their hands as they helped her up. Atalanta grabbed her satchel from the ground before it could be left behind just before they whisked her away from the roadside shrines.
XXX
Extra Disclaimer: Highlander (the original movie) and Highlander the Series does not belong to me.
Notes: It took me forever to decide who Atalanta's soulmate should be. No one really seemed to fit until I thought of Connor, so there we go. The man's laugh gives me happy chills okay.