Chapter Six
"I hear crying." Xena said as they hurried along. It was the next morning and Xena was sure they were closing in on them now.
"Same." Solan said.
"Come on it might be Charity." Xena said. Solan nodded and they ran towards the crying. There was a piercing scream and a loud crunch that made them run faster. Xena took out her sword. The sight they came upon a giant. He had squashed Felicity with his hand and proceeded to drop her body right in front of Solan blood getting all over him. He started crying like a little baby. Xena was almost just as freaked out as she threw her chakram cutting the hand of the giant that held Charity. Charity fell fast towards the ground. Xena was sure they would hear her screams back at the village. She caught Charity and ran back to Solan who was in shock.
"Solan run." Xena said. He didn't run, so she pulled him along and got him started. She caught her chakram as the giant persued them. Why didn't she bring Argo. Charity screamed and cried in fear. Solan was crying and the giant was very close behind them screaming with rage. Xena found a small cave that Solan and Charity would be safe in. She handed Charity to Solan and pushed them in.
"Do not come out until it is safe." Xena ordered. Solan only nodded holding Charity close and moving back to the wall and into a corner. Xena took out her sword again and moved away from the cave.
"Over here big foot!" Xena yelled. The giant in a rage tried to stomp her. He kept missing until finally she put her sword through his toe. He jumped up and down on foot making the earth shake. Xena struggled to stay on her feet. She threw her chakram and caught him in the bridge of his nose. He sunk like a rock in water. Xena jumped as his body caused the earth to vibrate once again. Rocks started to fall and once particularly large rock covered the entrance of the small cave cutting off all light and air for Solan and Charity.
"Solan, Charity!" Xena called. She could hear muffled crying and screaming. The giant's head was in the way and it seemed impossible to get them out. Xena called for help as she tried to push the bolder out of ther way. When all hope seemed loss and the kids were near passing out from lack of air Hercules came running. Xena had never in her life been more happy for his help.
"Move his head hurry!" Xena shouted. Hercules said nothing, and moved the giant. Xena was able to push the boulder out of the way without much difficulty. She reached in and pulled them both out.
"Mommy." Charity cried taking a deep breath. Solan just took death breaths and clung to her as much as Charity. Hercules made sure the cave was clear and that they were safe.
"Come on let's get you both cleaned up." Xena said. Hercules helped her get them to the river. She cleaned them up and they made the long trek home after burning Felicity's body. Solan wouldn't go near the sight though and Xena didn't blame him. She let him keep Charity while Hercules and herself gave her a proper burial.
"Thank you, I don't know what I would have done if I had of lost them." Xena said.
"No problem." Hercules said. Charity and Solan came over. Xena took Charity in her arms and Solan leaned against her.
"Hercules this is Charity and Solan my kids." Xena said. Hercules could clearly see that Charity was adopted and she had already told him about Solan.
"Nice to meet you I hope we can meet again under better circumstances." Hercules said. Solan merely nodded and Charity just watched him as tears rolled down her eyes.
"Nice seeing you again, hope we cross paths again." Xena said. Hercules nodded and they seperated.
"Oh Gabrielle what if that Giant I heard is coming this way is already here?" Cyrene asked.
"Giant what giant?" Gabrielle asked alarmed.
"I just heard today from a traveler that he saw a giant headed this way." Cyrene said.
"Oh no what if Xena doesn't catch up to Felicity and she runs into the giant."
"Oh no Charity." Cyrene said.
"No, no let's not get hysterical now, Xena's a great warrior I'm sure she has Charity with her right now and the Giant is miles away." Gabrielle said trying to reason with herself and Cyrene. It didn't do any good, because soon they were running down the rode Xena had taken. Cyrene and Gabrielle met Xena halfway back to the village with Solan and Charity walking beside her. Since the incident they had calmed down now and Charity seemed to have forgotten where as Solan after a talk with Xena was feeling much better about what he saw.