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Iolaus and
Gabrielle announced their engagement with great excitement. To
their relief their best friends revealed their joy at the news and
all were present at the simple outdoor ceremony, held only a few
weeks later. Their marriage was a truly happy one, although there
were still interuptions when one or both of them were called away
by their warrior friends. But the days of the adventures eventually
slowed down for the couple, as they became succesful land owners
and proud parents.

It was their
eldest son, Gabriel, who would once again show the warrior's
spirit. He had inherited his father's blonde hair and his
mother's green eyes, and was very much like Iolaus – he dreamed
of one day joining his Uncle Hercules in his adventures. Isa was
Gabrielle and Iolaus's second child, born during their fourth
year of marriage. She inherited her mother's red hair but not
her brother's wandering spirit. She was always content to stay
home and live a quiet life. But the twins – Lida and Tarek –
couldn't have been more different. Both very strong and
creative, they acted so much like their aunt Xena that Iolaus often
found it a little unsettling.

Xena and
Hercules visited the family often – every winter solstace would see
the return of both legendary heroes to the small farm just outside
of Thrace. Xena found endless laughter with the twins, who were
born dramatists. While he enjoyed their playacting, Hercules's
special favorite was always Gabriel. He hoped that someday, when
the boy was older, his parents would allow him to join Hercules in
his journeys.

On his
seventeenth birthday Gabriel asked if he could leave home and join
his Uncle Hercules. The departure was hard on Gabrielle, but rather
expected on Iolaus's side. He saw a lot of himself in his young
son, and was able to ease his wife over to the idea. Hercules swore
that he'd watch over the boy, and the two departed on a new
series of adventures together.

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It was while
Hercules and Gabriel were in their second year together that they
stayed a night in Argos, en route to Sparta. They were having
dinner at a local tavern and Gabriel was already off flirting with
one of the barmaids – just like his dad – Herc thought as
he ordered some food.

It was then
that Hercules noticed the two people sitting to his left. A man and
a woman who both looked very familiar.