Title: The Board Is Set

Author: Cat

Rating: T (Possible Language and Situations)

Status: In Progress

Summary: Events following A Friend In Need...

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the Xena Warrior Princess show or Hercules the Legendary Adventures. I do however own the story line.

He took her to a place, a place that was in her memories, his hidden cavern at the top of Mount Edna. It was an ice cavern where he kept treasures close to his heart and of only personal value. With a thought, a fur lined bed appeared and he laid her down. His mind was reeling in confusion at the memories she passed, the visions of a life he had led, she had led. Now all was changed, she had changed the future by coming here and sharing this with him. He could take that knowledge, forget the path she chose and take all of the known world, but that look in her eyes, the feelings she had shared, he had to see this through.

His eyes traced down her limp form and rested on her slightly swollen stomach "Solan" he said softly as he rested his hand upon her "We shall change your path son" he looked back to her face to see her looking back at him "I see you have decided to wake up" he offered a slight smile "That was quite a bit of information you shared."

"Yes" she managed as she pushed herself up "Are you kidding me?" she asked as she took in her new surroundings "Really Ares the ice cave" rubbing her arms to ward off the chill "Could we go somewhere, oh I don't know, warmer?" she asked.

"I wanted to speak in utmost privacy and I believe this to be the only place" he motioned around the ice cavern "I have protection wards surrounding us, no God or mortal can access without my approval" with a wave of his hand a heavy fur cape appeared on her shoulders "I forget how delicate mortals can be to temperatures."

Pulling the cape around her, she sat up "fine and thank you for this" taking a deep breath, she relaxed for the first time since waking up "I gave you most of the details through the transfer, but I believe I have figured out a few more since waking up here."

With a wave of his hand a steaming mug appeared "warm cider" he said as he handed it to her.

"Thank you" she smiled a bit "I believe that the dark one is not of this world and cannot keep a firm grip on this plane of existence, but in fact he has an anchor here, someone holding him and pulling him through to our world" she stared down at the steaming liquid "I believe Alti is his link and by the killing of the Amazon Elders, I would set off the chain of events that almost led to his domination" she looked up to him "you see Ares, it is my understanding that we have done this many times before and he has failed each time, but that last time, he nearly succeed, he has sort of reset the motion of the game and now we are waiting for the first move."

Ares stood "well first thing is first we need to have you Not kill the Amazon then, and then we will take care of this Alti" he reached out to help her up "you need to become my official Chosen again" his eyes fell to her stomach "and there is the matter of your son, we will need to ensure his safety this time."

"How do you suggest that, as long as he is my son he will be a target" she sighed "I cannot bare to lose him again, and we have to find a way to keep Gabrielle safe as well and then there is Eve, will she be since I have altered the timeline?"

"I will claim him, mark him as my son" he raised his hand to stop her protests "if he is the son of War, the son of the Chosen of War and my heir, he will be protected by the Olympian Order and as far as Eve, I believe she was always meant to be, who knows maybe it will be just her Father that changes" he smiling he winked at her.

"But Ares, he is not your son and surly he other Gods would be able tell just that simple fact" she shook her head "it is not possible and as far as Eve, we shall see" she smiled a small smile while taking a sip of the steaming cider allowing it to warm her cold body. She set the mug down and looked up to him "I just don't' know, for the first time I just don't know."

"But it is my sweet" he pulled her to him, laying his hand upon her stomach, it began to glow a soft blue haze. The light appeared to be absorbed by Xena and suddenly she felt a kick "What?" she looked at him "how is that possible?"

"Solan is now the son of Ares and as so your pregnancy will advance rather quickly" he held her face in his hands "months will become weeks Xena and he will be here."

She looked down at her hand on her stomach "But Borias" she said softly as she looked back to Ares meeting his gaze "Solon was his son."

"Borias needs to go home to be safe" he pulled her to a hug "his life is in danger as long as he stays here, you know it an I know it. It might not be the best solution, but right now it is all we have" he kissed the top of her head "he will still be your Solan, just that the Gods will see him as my son and heir."

Accepting what he said, she pushed back, trying to suppress her emotions "We have much to do."

"I must go to the Amazons" she looked up at him "and immediately we must take care of Alti."