Cyrene held her baby daughter in her arms and sang softly, yet the child didn't cease to wail. Not far away, in the Temple of the God of War, Atrius and Ares sat in council, debating the placement of Atrius's troops. "What is that gods-awful noise that disturbs you, Atrius? I have heard it all night. Not only that, you came before me both harried and distracted. This is not acceptable." The God of War growled at the mortal man.
"I apologize, my lord Ares, my wife gave birth to my daughter several hours ago, and the girl hasn't stopped crying. My wife thinks that she will not live out the night, and in preparation for that eventuality, will not let the babe be named." Atrius explained to the god, "I know neither how to stop the child from crying nor how to comfort my wife."
Ares sat pensively in his chair for a time he had gone to Cyrene in she shape of Atrius and enjoyed the love that she felt for her husband. It seemed that she had, now, begot a child. Ares waved his hand and both he and Atrius were in the bedchamber of the dark-haired Cyrene. Ares went to the awed woman and took the child from her arms Pity, he thought, had it been a boy I might have been able to train him. Girls are too week to train in the arts of war.
Is that so, brother? Chimed two female voices in his head. Athena and Artemis appeared so that only Ares could see them. I will be in share this child with Artemis then. She will belong to Artemis until she turns eighteen, then I will take her as one of mine. The gray eyed goddess announced to her now furious brother.
Scowling Ares spoke, "She will be mine, and her name will be Xena." he said kissing he on the forehead. To the amazement of three gods and the child's two mortal parents, Xena stopped crying as soon as his lips touched her. Shocked, Ares's voice drifted to the minds of his sisters, To keep Xena safe, she will belong to the two of you until she kills. If she hasn't killed by her eighteenth year, then Xena is fair game for any of the gods or goddesses who want her. As soon as she kills, she is mine.
Athena heard the protectiveness in her brother's voice and mistook it for possession. She will never kill, Ares. She will be mine. I will make sure that she never honors you, never serves you, and most importantly never ever loves you! Athena snapped as she and Artemis disappeared. There was another goddess listening, though, one not blinded by hate for her brother, perhaps the only god or goddess who cared about Ares.
Aphrodite smiled as the child's crib turned into a giant, gossamer-feathered, snow-white swan. The swan's wings made the walls of a tiny bed for Xena, who was instantly dressed in a pink silk dress, "Dite?" Ares growled affectionately, "This is not acceptable." The dress turned the same crystal blue of Xena's eyes and the room was overtaken by draperies, rugs, and an assortment of other finery in the same crystal blue, that offset the ebony wood, matching the girls hair.
Ares smiled, silently thanking the bubbly Goddess of Love, and lay Xena in the new swan-crib. He kissed her on the head once more and, with a flick of his hand and a loving smile, conjured a black, thorn-less rose. He put the rose on her pillow whispering, "Thou art Xena Enyo, and thou art mine." He waved his hand turning her dress form crystal blue to amethyst. "Goodnight, my princess," Ares whispered into the child's ear, then he disappeared in a flash of splintered blue lightning.