Joxer and the King

Argo was getting worried. It had been weeks since she'd seen her mistress. When he'd come to get her, she knew Joxer had tried to tell her what had happened, but she just couldn't understand him as she had her mistress. She now carried him, taking him wherever he needed to go, knowing he was as desperate to find her mistress as she was.

However, she knew something was wrong. His grip on her reigns was not as strong as it usually was. He had been stopping less and less often to eat. Most importantly, he hadn't sung that song of his for days now.

Argo's suspicions were confirmed when she felt Joxer slide off her back. She stopped immediately and nuzzled him. There was no response. She didn't know where to go, to whom to turn. She felt quite lost without her mistress and was afraid that might cost the man his life.

She heard the sound of a horse and wagon coming around the bend behind them, and she whinnied to get the horse's attention. The brown mare continued until she was right next to Argo, then stopped next to her. The driver began yelling at the mare to go on until he took a glance next to Argo, seeing the man that lay on the ground.

He quickly disembarked and rushed to Joxer's side. Within moments, he had placed the warrior into the back of the wagon and was hitching Argo to its back. Then, shaking the reigns at the mare, the driver took them off with him.

Argo only hoped the man would get Joxer the help he needed to continue on his quest.

* * *

King Iphicles of Corinth was looking over some of the latest petitions he had received from his subjects. They were matters easily taken care of, but the paperwork was tremendous. His reading was interrupted at the sight of Fruvus running into his chambers and trying to gasp while catching his breath.

"Sire!"

"Fruvus, slow down. What's wrong, did you run all the way back from Athens? Or did something occur in the treaty negotiations?"

"No sire <gasp> not that <gasp> on road <gasp> found unconscious <gasp>."

"Who are you talking about? Who did you find unconscious on the road? Come on, catch your breath first."

Fruvus finally got his gasping under control and was able to get out a sentence. "I found Joxer on the road next to his horse unconscious Sire."

Iphicles practically jumped out of his seat. "Where is he now?"

"I had the servants carry him to his usual room, then came immediately to see you."

"Let's go."

Iphicles had to make a conscious effort not to run down the palace hallways. His mind was occupied with many different scenarios which would lead to Joxer's lying unconscious on the road to Corinth from Athens. It could have been almost anything: thieves, bandits, warlords, Gods. His worry carried him to the guest room that he'd always kept for Joxer's visits.

There Joxer lay on the bed, his face drawn, his skin tight as if he hadn't eaten for days, his lips parched... The only thing normal about him was his armour -- normal for Joxer that is. Iphicles perched on the edge of the bed and placed a hand on the man's forehead.

"Does anyone have any idea what's wrong, Fruvus?"

"Not that I can tell, Sire. There is no sign he was in any kind of fight."

"Have the head priest at the temple of Asclepius sent for."

"Yes Sire."

As Fruvus left to send a messenger, Iphicles heard a strange commotion outside the window. He looked and saw a number of his men attempting to pull a beautiful horse away from the palace wall.

"What's going on down there?"

"Your Highness, Fruvus told us to put this horse with the others in the barn, but it refuses to leave from it's place below that window, Sire."

"Where did it come from?"

"Fruvus brought it back with the man he found, Sire."

Iphicles took a closer look at the animal. Argo? He recognized the horse, but was shocked to see her without her mistress.

"Let her be. She's worried about our guest." As am I, he thought as he saw the men back away from Argo. Something must have happened, why else would Joxer be riding Argo. He was distracted from his thoughts by mutterings from the bed.

"Ares, no!...I should have done something...Where...Xena...Gabby..."

Iphicles returned to Joxer's side and held one of the man's hands in both of his. "It's all right my friend, I'll make sure you get better, and then you can tell me all about it.

Shortly, the Asclepian priest arrived and told Iphicles what he'd already suspected. Joxer was suffering from malnutrition and overexertion. All he needed was food, water, and rest. Iphicles thanked the man, then went to work trying to get some food and water into Joxer's system.

* * *

Joxer awoke to see sunshine streaming through his bedroom window. Bedroom window? His eyes opened with a snap to see he was in the bedroom he often occupied when he visited King Iphicles. But how did he get there? He looked towards the door as he heard voices in the hall.

"It's been three days, Fruvus. I don't know why he hasn't woken up. I'd hate to think of what might have happened to him if you hadn't found him."

Joxer assumed they were talking about him. If Fruvus had found him somewhere on the road, he would have brought him immediately to Iphicles. He strained to remember what had happened, but only succeeded in giving himself a headache. As he rubbed his temples, he heard the door open. As Iphicles looked over to the bed and saw his friend awake, a smile spread across his face.

"Joxer! Thank the Gods, you're awake! I've been so worried about you!" The King came over and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out a hand to place on Joxer's forehead.

"I'm a little weak, but I think I'll be fine."

"What happened to you, my friend? Fruvus found you unconscious on the road next to Argo, and you kept mumbling about Xena and Gabrielle in your sleep."

Joxer's memories came back to him in a rush. The attempts to save Eve, Xena and Gabrielle's apparent 'death', Ares taking them away, and Joxer's journey to find them -- all of it. He wasn't aware that he was crying until Iphicles reached out to brush away his tears. He looked into the eyes of his friend and told him everything. Iphicles wrapped Joxer in his arms and held him.

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea. Had I known I would have sent for you immediately. You shouldn't have to go through this alone."

"It's ok, Iph. I'm strong. I can handle it."

"I know Jox, but even the strongest of us need a friendly shoulder every now and again."

Joxer pulled away and looked at Fruvus. "Where's Argo?"

"She's in the stable."

"Could you please have her saddled and ready to leave?"

"No!" Iphicles shook his head. "You need your rest."

"But I have to find them."

"Not until you're in the proper condition." The King sighed. "I'll send out some of my troops to start searching and gathering information, and you can continue once you're better."

"No, I can't let you do that Iph. This is my responsibility."

"I'll have you shackled to the bed if I have to. And if you don't like that, I can always send you into the dungeon with your father." Iphicles saw the look of resignation that meant Joxer was finally listening. "Jox, you can't help them if you kill yourself."

"It just hurts so much, Iph."

"I know. That's how I'd feel if anything ever happened to you."

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking."

"It's ok. You just get some rest and we'll talk later, all right?"

Joxer nodded as he lay back. Once he'd closed his eyes, Iphicles got up to speak to Fruvus. "Post a guard outside the door to make sure he doesn't leave. Oh, and post some by Argo below the window. He may try to get out that way."

Fruvus watched the King's back as he walked away from his friend's room. "So that's how they got out? There was no way they could hide that much alcohol in their rooms without us knowing"

* * *

Joxer dressed himself in a pair of brown leather pants and a white tunic that he'd taken out of the closet of clothes Iphicles always kept for his visits. He'd spent a week recovering in the palace, and was tired of staring at the same four boring walls day after day. It was time to leave the room, if only for a few minutes.

He opened the door and was immediately stopped by the guard.

"I'm sorry Sir, but I cannot let you leave. King's orders."

"He just wants to make sure I don't leave the palace, which I won't. If you don't believe me, you can always come with me. Either way, I'm leaving this room and getting some exercise." As Joxer pushed his way through and made his way down the hall, the guard decided it might be best to follow the man.

Joxer's first stop was the older wing of the palace where he picked up the lyre Iphicles had given him. Carrying it under his arm, he made his way outside to the gardens. It was a beautiful day, there being no clouds in the sky to filter the sun's rays. Birds were singing sweet songs and all in the world seemed right. However, Joxer couldn't share in that perfection. His spirit still ached. What does a person do when they lose their family? They were in fact more important than his actual family, because while he was born into his biological family, he chose and was chosen by his newest one.

And now they were gone.

He refrained from sending a prayer to the Gods for Eve's safety lest they follow Octavius to try and murder that sweet child. Joxer had wanted to take care of her himself, but he knew that the best thing he could do for her would be to find her mother.

He sat on a nearby bench and cradled the lyre in his arms, much as he would Eve. Once more, he felt his face grow wet as his fear and despair filled him. His fingers strayed to the lyre's strings and began wrenching from them one of the most beautiful yet saddest melodies that anyone had ever heard.

The guard, who had remained standing behind Joxer, soon found himself to be so effected by the song that he quickly moved to hide the tears that welled up in his eyes. A gardener who was tending to some of the flowers paused in his weeding to wipe away a tear. The birds seemed to have stopped singing, knowing their song could not compete with that they now heard. Even the flowers and other plants in the garden seemed to sway to the melody, crying tears of morning dew.

A figure watching the scene from one of the palace window's felt his heart tighten and fought off the tears that threatened to overwhelm him.

"I hate to see him like this, Fruvus. In the last couple years that I've known him, I've never seen him so distraught. What's worse is that I have no idea how to help him."

"He is a good man, and stronger than he is given credit for. He will come through this. He just needs to know he's not alone, that he hasn't lost everyone he cares about."

Iphicles nodded. He left his chambers and made his way outside. As he approached the garden, he dismissed the guard with a signal from his hand, then settled down next to Joxer on the bench. Joxer's song soon came to an end.

"That was beautiful Jox, but it was so sad."

"That's how I feel, Iph. I just don't know what to do, how to find them. I feel so lost."

"Do you remember where you were going before you passed out on the road?"

"No, I just remember following my instincts."

"Then maybe it wasn't a coincidence that you were on the road to Corinth. I'm always here for you, you know that. Let me help you find your way."

"I can't let you do that. This is my fight."

"Wrong, Jox." Iphicles placed one of his hands on Joxer's shoulder. "Your fight is my fight, whether it's finding Xena and Gabrielle or escaping a couple of barroom bullies."

Joxer chuckled at the memory of one of his last visits to Iphicles. They had made one of their usual nighttime escapes to the local taverns and had met up with a couple of men who seemed obsessed with beating them up. Luckily, thanks to speed, a little cunning, and the intoxicated state of the men, Joxer and Iphicles had easily evaded them.

"I know, that's what you need. I bet it's been a while since you've had a night out. We can have a few drinks, sit back and relax, take some time to forget"

"But I don't want to forget, I can't. I have to"

"Jox, sometimes you need to take some time out to forget so that you can go back to your problem and see it in a new light."

"And it works?"

"Yep. I learnt that lesson from a wise man."

"Oh, yeah? Who?"

"You."

Joxer looked away. "I'm no wise man, Iph. I can barely defend myself."

"You've done more to help me than most of my advisors. Now, I'm going to help you. We're going out tonight, no arguments."

"Can we leave the guards behind? I'm getting tired of being escorted everywhere I go."

"No problem. Can you stay out of trouble for one night?"

"Me stay out of trouble? Who was it who told that warrior that the reason he wasn't dead yet was because even Hades didn't want him? And what about"

They spent the rest of the afternoon laughing and reminiscing about their past visits, then Iphicles caught Joxer up on his brother's recent adventures with Iolaus. Soon it was dinner time, and they headed in in a much better mood than they'd been in earlier.

* * *

Iphicles and Joxer were already on their third tankard of ale and were definitely feeling the effects. Iphicles kept pointing out various patrons at the tavern, and he and Joxer would make up some sort of story as to why they were drinking themselves to oblivion.

"What about that redhead over there?"

"Let's see She definitely doesn't look happy. I bet she just got dumped by her lover."

"Probably. You see the way that guy over there is looking at her? I bet you anything he'll make a pass by the end of the night."

"Well, then I guess he's getting lucky tonight. With the amount of mead she's had tonight, she won't be able to say no even if she wanted to."

Iphicles began to giggle when he saw someone enter the tavern. He couldn't see the person's face, but he was definitely wearing some of the flashiest and gaudiest clothes he'd ever seen.

"Hey Jox, look at that character!"

Joxer groaned. "Umm, Iph"

"Have you ever seen anyone dressed so strangely?"

"Iph"

"I mean, come on!"

Joxer hit Iphicles on the arm to get his attention. "Cut it out. He's coming this way."

Iphicles turned back to where the man was coming from and his draw dropped when he saw an all-too familiar face.

"Joxer! Imagine seeing you here!"

"Hi Jace!"

"Jace?" Iphicles remembered Joxer telling him about his family, including his 'other' brother. He began feeling really bad he'd been laughing at the man.

"Si, the one and only. And whoever you are, I see my brother has good taste, even though he's still got that thing for blondes."

Iphicles looked over to see Joxer hide his face in his hand and growing red with embarrassment. "This is my friend Iphicles. He's the King of Corinth, but don't tell anyone. We don't want to attract any attention."

"That'll be hard to do with a stud like that, but whatever you say dear brother."

Joxer moved over to let Jace sit next to him and poured him a mug of ale. "So what are you doing in Corinth?"

"Me and my boys are performing. They tired too quickly after practice and went right to sleep, so I was left to entertain myself for the evening." He turned to Iphicles. "You see, I am a performer. We sing and dance. It's absolutely marvelous! The two of you will have to come see us while we're here."

Joxer grinned over at his friend. "We'll see if we have some spare time."

Iphicles watched as the brothers took some time catching up on family and each others' lives. He saw Jace blanche at the mention that their father was in Corinth, but the colour returned when Joxer reassured him the man was in the jail. His guilt gradually receded and he was soon laughing as hard as them at childhood memories.

As Iphicles finished off his mug of ale, he noticed a large shadow covering the table. He looked up and saw a very large armed man who was looking straight at Jace.

"Hey, you."

"What do you want?" Jace looked indignant.

"We don't like your kind around here. This is OUR tavern. Get out!"

An angry Joxer tried to stand on his seat, but was held down by his brother. "He has as much right to be here as you do."

"Oh, he does, now does he?" The big thug took out a dagger from his belt. Iphicles decided he'd had enough and stood up.

"Put away your blade and leave the tavern immediately."

"And why should I do that?"

The thug took a swing at Iphicles with the dagger, which he dodged. He shoved a fist into the man's stomach, leaving him breathless. He motioned to the brothers to leave and followed them towards the door. He didn't hear the thug come up behind him, but knew he must have when he felt a blinding pain in his side.

Joxer turned at the painful sound behind him, and saw Iphicles drop to the ground, his side red with blood. He ran over to where the King lay and saw the thug stand over him laughing. Filled with rage, Joxer caught him unawares with a right hook that sent the giant to the floor, unconscious.

He bent over his friend and saw nothing but red. "Iphicles! Talk to me!"

If the thug's actions had not been enough to attract the crowd's attention, the mention of their monarch's name was. Everyone quieted and stared at the figures on the floor, finally recognizing the man who'd been stabbed.

"Somebody get a healer! NOW!" Joxer cradled his friend in his arms, rocking him gently. "Don't you dare leave me now, Iph." He mumbled the words over and over, conscious only of himself and the man lying in his arms. He was barely aware of the healer coming in and pulling him away, the trip to the palace, Fruvus taking his arm and leading him off to get cleaned up and tucking him into his bed. The rest of the night seemed to pass without him. He lay almost catatonic until after the morning sun shone through the window.

* * *

Iphicles weakly opened his eyes to see Joxer puttering around the room, picking up this and straightening that. But since when did Joxer have such long hair.

"Ah, you're finally awake. For a King, you must have some lazy servants. Even Jett kept his room cleaner than this. How are you feeling?"

"A little weak and a little sore, but I'll be fine. You're not Jox, are you?"

The man smiled lightly. "No. He was very upset when that thug stabbed you and one of the servants took him to his room. I'm here to make sure you're ok. That wound of yours looked a lot worse than it really was." He grabbed a chair and placed it near the bed. "You know, you mean a lot to my brother. You gave him quite the scare. I wouldn't like to see him hurt."

"Me neither."

"As long as we understand each other. Now, one more thing." He looked down at his hands, then back up at Iphicles. "Thank you for defending me. I could have defended myself, you know. Despite the way I act and dress, I'm almost as good with a blade as my assassin brother."

"I couldn't risk it. He's been through so much already." Iphicles proceeded to tell Jace about what had happened to Xena and Gabrielle, as told to him by Joxer.

* * *

Joxer didn't react when his door opened to admit a man carrying a tray of food.

"Good Morning, Little Brother!" Joxer always hated when Jace called him Little Brother, and Jace had hoped it would get a reaction, which it didn't. "Come on, Jox. I've got a little bread and jam, a little cheese, some fruit and some juice." Joxer still didn't react, and Jace placed the tray on a nearby table and moved to sit next to Joxer on the bed.

"Iphicles told me about Xena and Gabrielle, and I'm really sorry. I know how much they meant to you."

"Don't!"

Jace was pleasantly surprised, but didn't let it show. "Don't what?"

"Don't talk about them as if they were dead. They're still alive out there, and I'm going to find them -- eventually."

"Well, at least you're talking. Now tell me where you've been the last while."

"I almost lost him too, Jace."

"Iphicles."

"Yeah. I don't know what I'd have done if"

"But he isn't. He's going to be fine. I've been watching over him for you."

"Thanks Jace. I'm sorry, I should have done that."

"Nah, you'd only worry him. Now, why don't you rest up, have a little to eat, then you can see for yourself how he's doing."

Joxer nodded. "Thanks Jace."

Jace leaned forward and hugged his brother. "Anything for you, Jox."

* * *

The door to Iphicles' room cracked open and a head poked through to see if the King was awake.

"Come on in Jox."

He walked in, closing the door quietly behind him, and walked over to the bed. He had difficulty meeting the King's eyes.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better. If you hadn't been so quick to call a healer, I might be worse."

"If you hadn't taken me out to cheer me up, you wouldn't have been hurt in the first place."

"Well, it's a little late for 'what ifs'. Why don't you sit down so we can talk a little?"

Joxer walked over and perched on the side of the bed next to Iphicles, but kept his eyes on his hands folded in his lap.

"Jox, something's bothering you. What is it?"

"I don't want to bother you with my problems, Iph."

"Joxer."

Joxer looked up and finally met Iphicles' eyes.

"I could have lost you last night, Iph. I've lost too many people in my life. I don't want to lose you."

"Nothing's going to happen to me, Jox."

"Well, that's what we thought last night, and look at what happened. I was so scared"

Joxer began shaking and Iphicles reached out to pull him against his chest, wincing at the tightness in his side. He held the thin warrior, stroking the side of his face comfortingly, resting his cheek against the man's silky hair.

"We've both had our share of scares recently. Now you know how I felt over a week ago."

"But I just need you so much, Iph. You're too important to me." It was hard for him to say the words, but he meant every one.

"I need you too, Jox. I can't imagine what my world would be like without you."

Joxer heard sincerity in his friend's voice, but there was something else. He raised his head to see his King's face. The man's normally dark eyes had grown even darker. Joxer could feel himself falling into those eyes. He felt so strange. He had no idea what was happening to him.

Iphicles could feel himself responding to the feel of Joxer in his arms. Where along the line had his feelings for this man changed? No, they'd never quite changed, they'd just grown beyond what he thought they were. As their eyes locked, Iphicles saw Joxer's go from brown to black.

Instinctively, their faces moved closer together until their lips brushed against each other, sending sparks throughout their bodies. They pulled back a moment, looking for identical expressions of need. Joxer wrapped his hand in Iphicles' hair and pulled him in for a heart-stopping kiss. Iphicles ran his hand along Joxer's back, reveling in the feel of his muscles under the silk shirt. As they leaned onto the bed, Iphicles let out a little yelp and Joxer broke away immediately.

"Oh my God! Iph, I'm so sorry. I"

"It's ok, Jox. I guess I'm not as well as I thought I was."

Joxer could see the affection shining from the man's eyes and couldn't help but smile. "Well, then I guess you should get some rest."

Iphicles returned the smile. "Under one condition."

"And what would that be?"

"That you come visit later."

"Of course."

Iphicles reached out a hand to cup Joxer's face and pull it towards him for a gentle kiss. Joxer pulled away, smiling, and left the room for a walk. An identical face broke into a knowing smile of its own at Joxer's grin. Apparently, he and his brother had something in common after all.

* * *

Joxer lay outside in the gardens, content for the first time in his life. He looked over the clouds in the sky and thought he could make out a bow and arrow in one particularly fluffy cloud. How appropriate, he thought. The love he felt shining inside him might as well have come from Cupid's bow.

Wait a moment, he thought. What if this was the effects of one of Cupid's arrows? It wouldn't be the first time he'd be victim to the winged God. He began to worry. Perhaps it wasn't Cupid, but Aphrodite who was responsible. He should have known better. Someone as handsome, kind, compassionate -- all around wonderful -- as Iphicles surely couldn't love a klutz like Joxer.

"All right! Aphrodite! Cupid! The game's up." He stood up and began shouting at the heavens. "I'm on to you now! I thought you said you were going to stop messing with me?!"

"Since when do you talk to Cupid and Aphrodite? I know you used to talk to Ares when you were younger"

Joxer practically jumped out of his skin at the unexpected voice behind him. "Jace! Don't sneak up on me like that! I almost had a heart attack."

"What's got you so upset? You seemed so happy when you left the King's room earlier."

Joxer looked over at his brother. He really needed to speak to someone, and the Gods certainly weren't answering.

"I think I'm falling in love, Jace."

"And that makes you upset?"

"No. It's just, he can't possibly feel the same way, at least not about me."

"And why not? Jox, you've always thought so little of yourself, though that isn't entirely your fault. When I think of what Dad did to us all, it makes me want to just spit." Joxer couldn't help but smile at his brother's funny expressions. "You're a damn fine man, and anyone should consider themselves lucky to be loved by you."

"Thanks Jace."

"Anytime. Now, there's a rhumour about the palace that you've taken up the lyre again. Mom would be so happy"

* * *

Iphicles raced on his powerful steed into the palace courtyard and leapt from the saddle.

"Fruvus. Come, man. I came as soon as I heard."

The two men rushed down the palace hallways. Fruvus kept trying to speak to the King, but he would not listen. They finally came to the royal bedchamber and Iphicles pushed open the door. There on the bed was a body completely covered by the bedsheet.

"Sire, I tried to tell you. It's too late. Neither she nor the child made it."

Iphicles slowly walked up to the side of the bed, then collapsed onto his knees. He reached under the cover for that all-too-familiar hand and pressed it against his tear-stained lips.

"Oh, Rena. I'm so sorry. I should have been here."

He reached up to pull down the sheet, wanting to place one last kiss on his wife's beautiful red lips. As the sheet slowly pulled away, he let out a yelp. The figure beneath the sheet was no longer Rena.

"Joxer!" Iphicles turned to face Fruvus for an explanation.

"You were too late, Sire. Not even your love could save them."

"No." Iphicles turned to look once again at the still figure of his dearest friend. "Noooo!!!"

* * *

Iphicles sat up in bed in a cold sweat. It had been a dream, just a nightmare. He looked up as Fruvus came running into his room.

"Sire, are you all right? I heard you screaming from down the hall."

"I'm all right. I just had a nightmare."

Iphicles could hear more running in the hall and soon Joxer and Jace came running in much as Fruvus had.

"Iph. Nothing's wrong, is it? Jett isn't back or anything, is he?"

As his eyes met Joxer's, Iphicles immediately calmed down. "Just a bad dream, Jox. Nothing to worry about."

"Sire," Fruvus interrupted. "I have some business to attend to. However, you still need your rest."

"I'm not tired anymore, Fruvus."

"But Sire"

"It's all right, Fruvus," Joxer broke in. "I'll stay here and make sure he gets his rest."

The manservant looked over at the would-be warrior and nodded. As he headed out the door, Jace began to follow. "I should get back myself. My boys still need to practice before our show tomorrow night. I'll see you later, brother."

Joxer simply nodded as his brother closed the door. Suddenly he felt nervous. He looked over at Iphicles who was grinning at him. He took a deep breath and made his way to the side of the bed. Iphicles pushed over towards the other side, making room for Joxer, who then lay down next to him. They laid there on their sides, face to face, in silence for several moments.

"Jox?"

"Hmm?"

"What if I can't be there for you?"

"What are you talking about, Iph?"

"What if you need my help, and I can't get to you in time?"

"I wouldn't worry. Remember, nothing can harm Joxer the Mighty."

"Jox, I'm serious."

"I know. You can't be everywhere at once. Only Gods can do that, and I'm not even completely sure if they can. If the fates decide something will happen to us, we cannot avoid it. All we can do is make the most of the time we have."

Iphicles smiled at the man next to him. He reached out a hand to touch a soft cheek. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?" Not waiting for an answer, Iphicles leant over and took Joxer's lips with his own. Their arms wrapped around each other as the kiss deepened. Iphicles let out a small moan of disappointment as Joxer broke the kiss.

"Iph, you're never going to get any sleep at this rate."

"Sleep is overrated."

"Come on, I made a promise." Joxer pulled the king down so that his head lay on the man's chest. Joxer began humming a tune almost as soothing as the songs he played on the lyre. Wrapped in the arms of the man he loved, Iphicles soon fell into a thankfully dreamless sleep.

* * *

"Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"But you're not completely healed yet"

"That's why a guard's coming with us."

"But"

"No more buts. I'm coming and that's that."

Joxer heaved a sigh and rolled his eyes. "All right. Let's hurry up then. We don't want to be late for the first number."

"We wouldn't have to hurry if you wouldn't argue with me."

"I'm not arguing. I'm just worried about you."

"You're too overprotective."

"I'm not the one who got stabbed."

The guard tried to hide his face from his two charges as he rolled his eyes. They'd been going at it since before he'd come to escort them out of the palace, and he was worried they would continue arguing all night.

They walked through the Corinthian streets until they reached a particularly large tavern. They made their way through the crowd to the seats in the front row, which had been reserved just for them. Everyone could hear whispering and instruments being tuned as they awaited the performance. Within moments, the lights dimmed and the stage was lit from behind the great red curtain. The musicians began playing and the curtains parted.

A number of half-dressed men began dancing from one side of the stage to the other in a well-choreographed pattern. A tower of feathers rose at the back of the stage. As the music rose to its crescendo, a spotlight shone on the tower which turned to reveal a golden throne which was occupied by none other than Jace. A number of the men danced before the tower and landed on their hands and knees as Jace rose from his position and began walking over them as if they were part of the floor. He began singing and dancing to the music as the audience howled their appreciation.

Joxer and Iphicles watched the performance with smiles on their faces. Joxer had had a lot of difficulty understanding Jace at first, but now he was proud of his brother. He looked beside him and was happy to see that Iphicles was enjoying the show. As he turned back to the stage, he felt a hand wrap possessively around his. He leaned a little against the shoulder next to him simply to be closer to the man he'd come to love. He heaved a sweet sigh and briefly wondered if life could get any better.

The smile fell off his face as he realized that one thing would make his life any better, and that was the return of his friends. He'd become swept away in this budding relationship with Iphicles, and now felt guilty about having forgotten about his friends' predicament.

Iphicles noticed that Joxer was no longer smiling and squeezed his hand a little tighter to comfort the man. He was going to have to speak with Joxer after the show to see what was bothering him.

Once all the performances had finished, Joxer and Iphicles, with guard in tow, walked backstage to congratulate Jace on a good show. Jace had noticed the men holding hands in the front row, and was pleased to notice they had not yet let go. Iphicles invited Jace to stay overnight at the palace, but Jace refused, preferring to spend the night with his dancers.

The guard left them the moment they entered the palace gates, and Iphicles walked with Joxer to his bedroom.

"Jox, is everything ok? I noticed you were looking a little down earlier."

Joxer walked over to his bed and sat down. "I think it's almost time for me to leave."

"What do you mean, leave? I love you. I thought we might have something here, or was I wrong?"

"Please don't make this any harder than it already is, Iph."

"Hard? It doesn't look all that hard to me."

"Damn it, Iph, I've fallen in love with you, all right! I love you!"

Iphicles let out a held breath at the words he'd waited so long to hear.

"But I have to go back on the road. I have to keep searching. With all that's been happening, I'd forgotten all about them."

The king couldn't keep away the worrying thoughts in his mind. "You don't regret anything, do you?"

Joxer looked up at him, startled. "Of course not! Never think that!" He got up from the bed and held his love in his arms. "But, I'll never really be able to rest until I know I've done all I can."

Iphicles reluctantly pulled away. "All right. We'll talk about it tomorrow, okay?" Joxer nodded. "Good night Jox."

Joxer placed a gentle kiss on the King's lips. "Good night, Iph."

* * *

Joxer had waited until he could speak to the healer to make his decision. He didn't want to leave Iphicles' side when he was needed, but the King was almost fully recovered. He'd made his decision, and now Iphicles paced across his throne room, unable to think of anything but the fact that the man he loved would leave at dawn the next morning.

Out of the corner of his eye, the King could see someone walk into the room. "Yes?"

"Your Highness," Jace walked up to him with a smile so like Joxer's. "I came to visit my brother."

"He's upstairs, packing." The King's dislike of the idea was obvious. "He's leaving first thing tomorrow morning."

"And you're not very happy about that, are you."

Iphicles bit his tongue before he could make a sarcastic comment the man didn't deserve. "I love him. I don't want him to go."

Jace nodded in understanding. He walked up to the throne and sat on the dais. "You know, I wasn't always a travelling performer. I used to live at home with my family, trying to be what was expected of me, even if it never made me happy."

Iphicles nodded and sat down in his throne.

"Then one day I met this man, Stephane. Oh, he was so handsome, still is. We fell in love immediately. He was a dancer and traveled all over the known world, and soon after we met he had to leave. The stage was his life, and I never even dreamed of asking him to give it up. However, I didn't want to lose him. The day he was to leave, I walked up to my father and told him I was leaving home to be a performer, to join Stephane on the road. My father said that if I left, I was to never come back, and he and the entire family would disown me. It was a hard decision to make, but every time I look into Stephane's eyes, I know it was worth it."

"So you see him often then?"

"Of course. Now he's one of MY dancers, and we travel together." Jace rose from the dais and started walking out of the room. "I think I'll go find Joxer. If I don't see you later, it was a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

"Jace?"

Jace stopped before he reached the door and turned around. "Yes?"

"Thank you. And it was a pleasure meeting you as well."

Jace smiled as he headed off in search of his brother.

* * *

It was dawn, and Joxer gathered his things. He'd said his goodbyes the night before so he wouldn't wake anyone too early this morning. He heaved his pack onto his shoulder and softly padded down the hall. He paused before Iphicles' bedroom door, resisting the urge to go in there and watch the King sleep. He forced himself away and made his way out to the stables.

He led Argo out of her stall and outfitted her with her saddle, harness, and lead. Just as he was about to mount her, he turned at a noise in the back of the stable.

"You didn't think you were going to leave without me, now did you?"

Joxer could feel his heart about to burst. "Iph, I could never ask you to give up Corinth."

"Then don't. I'll give it up anyway."

"But you're the King. They need you."

"They can always find another King, but I'll never be able to find another Joxer." Iphicles walked over to the stunned man and pulled him into a kiss. "I love you. From now on, wherever you go, I go."

"Are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

Joxer placed a foot in one of Argo's stirrups and lifted himself into the saddle. He reached down a hand which Iphicles took, swinging him up behind him. Taking the reigns in his hands, Joxer urged Argo into a gallop. With Iphicles holding him tightly from behind, they made their way off the palace grounds.

"So, where are we off to first, Jox?"

"I don't know, Iph. Wherever the wind takes us."

* * *

Fruvus watched the two men ride away from Corinth. He knew he'd miss his King, but he was glad to see Iphicles so happy. Wiping a tear from his eye, he turned away and began thinking of how he was going to explain the King's absence to the people of Corinth.

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