Once, on the way to the Canary Islands, where the hero, tired of the feats, was directing to a local resort, looking forward to the two week relaxing stay, on the right appeared the outlines of the picturesque island. Since the yacht belonged to Hercules, he had absolutely no reason to be in a hurry, and by nature he was very curious, so at the very moment he ordered to captain Grant to beach. Grant began to bicker, but several sensitive slaps vividly reminded him who the chief was.
- I'm sorry, great Hercules, your worthless captain had forgotten who he was talking to.
- That's right; know your place, nasty dog.
Knowing who came to visit them, the chief of the port received him with due honors.
- Oh, great Hercules, King Admetus is immensely proud to provide you hospitality.
- What? Is it the island of my closest friend Admetus amigo? (a month before the hero performed feats in Spain, where he learnt the local sayings).
- Yes, my lord.
The King met with the royal Hercules with true hospitality, immediately ordered his servants to fry kebabs, cook dumplings and other delicious dishes. From cellars was extracted a variety of drinks- French champagne, Italian chianti, Jamaican rum and Hyperborean vodka.
King called his faithful close vassals and they began to feast, to make toasts in honor of the hero, glorified his feats and numerous awards and medals. However, Hercules was a man by nature observant and sensitive, thus noticed that there is something false in their speeches, which simulated some gaiety. Asking for the toilet, the hero grabbed a servant by the scruff.
- Answer me, what happened here and take care that your story looks persuasive. You're not ready for the life beyond the grave yet, are you?
- Yes, great Hercules,- replied the servant,- I am not ready for the life beyond the grave, but lovely Alcestis, the wife of our king-father Admetus is preparing to go underworld, Olympic gods bless him.
- Well, well, tell me more.
- Tomorrow our beloved king Admetus was supposed to go to Hades, but the gods were keen on delaying his death, if someone would do it instead of him.
- What's the problem let some slave give his miserable life to save the king.
- It's not that simple. The gods have already cared for it so that no force can be applied.
- And the parents of Admetus? The old Admetus and his old wife Admita? Wouldn’t they want to go there instead of their son?
- Alas, great Hercules. Admitus and Admita unanimously said that their skin is closer to the body and it doesn’t matter whose life it is, even their son's life, even though they will live less than a month.
The hero got sad. It turns out that while he was feasting and Admetus didn’t want to share with him his grief, his wife was preparing for death. Indeed, Alcestis had a bath, wrote his will, assuring it in the notary of the island, said goodbye to young children and sitting on a stool in the yard she was crying and waiting for the sinister god of death Thanatos fly for her.
Poor Alcestis was sitting on her favorite stool and was bitterly mourning.
- Oh, I see the dark rook Charon. He is getting prepared to carry my poor soul somewhere from where there is no way back. Ominously were shining the waters of Styx, over them is flying unforgiving Thanatos. Farewell, young kids. Farewell, husband, instead of you, I’m going down to the dungeon, but do not regret it. Oh la la, oh la la. I’m asking you just one thing, Admetus, don’t bring a stepmother to the house so that you don’t offend our kids. Have a mistress, but don’t marry, I adjure you with the thorns of Amalthea, the divine goat.
Hercules went into the yard just on time - the god of death flew up, silently flapping its wings, with sinister smile on his face and wildly rolling the eyes. Hercules ran up to him, grabbed him with his powerful arms, but without any luck. Thanatos was not a fool and he had strength enough. In the dead silence the strongmen were fighting. Finally Hercules managed to defeat Thanatos and tightly bind him with clotheslines.
- What do you want? What right do you have to interfere the natural course of events? I will write a report to the gods’ council and to Hades.
- Just reach pen and paper. And you’ll lie tied around here.
-Specifically, what do you want?
- Let Alcestis free. Let her live as long as sheis supposed to, while Atropos will do his dirty job.
- Okay. Let me go.
Hercules untied Thanatos. Flexed his stiff limbs the god of death, spat in the direction of Hercules and flew away.
Hercules took Alcestis by hand, told her to pull on black veil on head and led her into the hall where the king was supposedly having fun with vassals.
- Admetus, do you respect me?
- I don’t respect anyone in the world like I respect you, great Hercules.
- In this case, do not refuse to take from me your wife.
Admetus paled and he doesn’t know what to say. His beloved wife has just stepped into another world and walking down the aisle with an unknown woman was strange. Then he wondered.
- I wonder where Hercules has found her from. Maybe he has brought with him?
Then obscene thought flashed in his brain actually.
- I wonder if she is beautiful. If only she was bright blonde...
However, the king was ashamed in front of the vassals...
- Dear Friend. Let's wait a little bit; you can also have a rest. Morning, you know, is wiser than the evening.
Nevertheless, Hercules decided to pin to the end.
- Okay. Then I beg you, kiss this woman.
In an inexplicable agony, but not daring to refuse the hero, the king threw the veil - and what a miracle! In front of him was standing his lovely Alcestis and devotedly looking at him with her dark eyes.
The king burst into tears of joy, he didn’t know how to thank Hercules. He wanted to offer him a bag of money, but was too shy – the hero may be offended.
- I owe you forever and if you need something- I'm at your service.
Hercules, however, did not need anything. Having some feast days, the hero said goodbye to the king and his loyal vassals, ready at any moment to give him his life and ordered to captain Grant to sail.