Chapter Eight
"Where are we going?" Solan asked from a top Argo.
"Amphipolis to see your grandmother." lied Xena. They weren't headed there just yet. Xena and Solan were headed for the underworld.
"How come Hercules, Gabrielle, and Iolaus aren't coming?" Solan asked.
"They've already gone ahead we'll catch up by tomorrow." Xena said.
"And if we don't?" Solan asked.
"They'll be waiting for us I assure you." Xena said. Finally they came to the opening that Hercules had convinced Hades to open temporarily.
"We're here." Xena said.
"Here where, I thought Amphipolis was in Northern Greece." Solan said.
"It is, but we have to make a stop first before we can progress." Xena said. She led through the cave and Solan was surpised that Argo could even fit inside. He was alarmed when the opening of the so called cave disappeared.
"Where are we?" Solan asked.
"Shhh...we're in the underworld," Xena said,"your going to see your dad."
"And mother." Solan said again putting a sad look in Xena's eyes, but she kept on moving towards the fake elysian fields. Solan talked with Borias who was so happy to see him and get to know him, and he was even happy to see Xena. He kissed her like he'd never kissed her before. She didn't know who was more stunned Solan or herself
"Father why hasn't mother come?" Solan asked. He wanted to see his mother more than anything.
"Because she's not dead." Borias said. He understood what was going on and as much as he would have preferred to raise his son with Xena he understood why she did what she did and agreed it was for the best at that time in their lives.
"Where is she I'll run away and find her." Solan said.
"Solan you don't need to run away Xena is your mother always has been and always will be."
"But she killed you, there's no way." Solan said. Borias sighed.
"I'm sorry for the lies you've been told, but Xena did not kill me that night." said Borias.
"Who did?" Xena asked.
"Dagnine, I was coming to get you and Solan when Satrina betrayed you, she planned on killing Solan, but since you gave him away she didn't." Borias said.
"I'll kill that bastard." Solan said.
"No, you won't." They both said.
"You will not have him or anyone else's blood on your hands." Xena said sternly. Solan said nothing.
"Xena." They heard someone say.
"Let's walk we don't have much time." Xena said taking up Argo's reins again. Borias nodded and stood up along with Solan. Borias let him lean against him and take the weight off his broken leg, he didn't want to injure it further; Xena also gave him support. They walked towards the exit.
"Why did you say your story for the lies I was told?" Solan asked Borias.
"Kaliepus lied to you about Xena he shouldn't have lied to you like that especially if he planned on giving you back to her should something happen to him like it did." Borias said.
"He didn't lie to me." Solan said.
"My point is he shouldn't have told you she killed me when he himself was not sure and he should have left your opinions of her neutral rather than give you the opinion of those who have lived through a bad time in her life, our life especially when he knew she was your mother. To slander the family of one, who doesn't know them is just unacceptable."
"You mean you killed people too." Solan said. He couldn't think about Kaliepus betraying him such a manner right now, now was time for his father. He didn't know if he'd ever get this chance again. He hoped Xena could pull it off again.
"Solan, the past doesn't matter, what counts now is the present and the future." Xena said when she saw Borias about to admit it and the hopeful look that he had not in Solan's eyes. It was her subtle way of saying yes, but he changed or the centaurs wouldn't hold him in such high regard.
"Yes, and your present now is with your mother and she'll excuse your behavior towards her in the past." Borias said. Xena was happy that Borias was getting to see his son and talk to him. Solan was very happy to see him she could tell even if he was disappointed that Xena really was his mother. They could just barely see light up ahead. It was nearly over, and Solan never wanted it to end, but he knew they couldn't stay here forever.
"Solan, I love you, and I wish you success in life, and take care of my sword." Xena frowned now it was going to be harder to get rid of the sword. Borias saw the look on her face and waited for Solan to finish saying he would always take care of it.
"But don't use it ever, the only time your allowed to use that is if you have no choice, but to protect yourself with it or your family." said Borias.
"Of course father." Solan said as they reached the end of their journey.
"I love you son, always think of me and I'll hear you." said Borias. Solan nodded and Xena could see him holding back tears. They hugged and his tears spilled out of his eyes. He wiped them away.
"Solan go wait outside for your mother." Borias said.
"Yes, father, I promise I will see you again." Solan said. Borias nodded and hugged him one last time before putting him a top Argo. Xena moved to let Argo pass with Solan safely on her back. Once he was far enough away Xena turned towards Borias.
"What didn't you want him to hear?" Xena asked.
"I want you to take a message to Belach." Borias said.
"Belach?" Xena asked.
"My son, the one I left behind remember."
"Oh you mean your wife's son." Xena said a little sadly.
"Yes, I just want you to tell him that I love him and I'm sorry for leaving him like that." Borias said.
"I'll make sure he gets the message." Xena informed him.
"I want you to know I love you and I hope your relationship with Hercules goes well he needs a father figure in his life, and Hercules is a good man." Xena nodded.
"I'm sorry I tried to push you away when you told me you loved me before."
"Its fine with death came a lot of clarity." Borias said.
"Still, I loved you then and I'm sorry I couldn't admit it." said Xena. Borias nodded and kissed her.
"Xena!" Hades shouted.
"Before I go what happen to the ixion stone?" Xena asked.
"Why?" Borias asked.
"Because Dagnine is after it and rumor has it that he hid it on one of the kids, but I checked the kids at the orphanage. None of them had any sort of stone on them or anything." Xena said. She saw him starting to fade and knew they had to hurry. Borias saw too and kissed her one last time.
"The stone is inside the..." Borias started to say, but he disappeared completely.
"Hades bring him back!" Xena shouted. There was no answer and finally after trying everything she could possibly think of to say to him she left and the cave closed.
"What's wrong?" Solan asked.
"Nothing, it seems our search for the stone is going to be harder." Xena said.
"Why should it be hard, the stone is in the cave." Solan said.
"No, Dagnine was looking for the stone and it wasn't in the caverns, besides I know now for a fact that your father found the stone and hid it." Xena said as she climbed onto the horse behind Solan. He turned, so he was sitting side saddle it was less movement for his leg and Xena nudged Argo into a trot.