AN: Another chapter! About time, right? :P

LW

LW

LW

Aphrodite was absent from the last four weeks' banquet and again for this week.

Hephaestus showed up for this week, as he was not in favor of angering Zeus or Hera with his absence. While his wife had the excuse of having given birth, he had no such thing to say if he had disappeared for too long.

Ken "oomphed" as he was patted on the back, yet again.

If he had known how often he would be thumped on the back in congratulations he would have probably have been less inclined to impregnate his wife or at least be sure to avoid the attention surrounding the news. He was not one for being the center of attention for several reasons, stemming from the fact that his deformed foot often brought him negative attention and usually unwanted pity or derision.

He was not used to positive attention and the presence of it now made him uncomfortable.

The nymphs at least he knew they liked him and wanted him around, especially the one with the midnight blue hair and stunning blue eyes...

She was his favorite.

He hobbled to his forge in Mount Olympus, letting the gossip and praise go over him. Too busy walking, he didn't notice the god of war watching his progression.

Ares laid a hand on his almost healed side, feeling the leather covering that stood in place of his armor. He had not seen Sora for she was busy tending to her babe, but he did not want to rouse suspicion by visiting them without a reason to. From what Sophie told him, Ken was at the forge in Lemnos frequently as he had many orders to do in both forges.

He thought over what he could do.

LW

Some days later in Lemnos, Sophie squished her cheeks together with her hands and made strange sounds.

The little baby gurgled from her crib as Sophie continued to make funny faces.

"Who's a good little girl?" Sophie gushed. "Who has her mama's red hair," Sophie's hand reached down and touched the soft baby hair, "and her papa's eyes?" She lightly tapped the baby's nose, causing the big, curious eyes to blink at the touch. "You do," Sophie cooed, "yes you do!"

Sora softly laughed from the doorway to the nursery as Sophie leaned down to blow a raspberry on the baby's tummy. The baby squealed with the ticklish action, making Sophie do it again. Sora was glad that her friend came in often to help out seeing as this was her first child. Artemis may be a maiden goddess but she had plenty of experience when it came to children. The goddess watched over them as faithfully as she did her adult followers - if not even more.

The baby's giggles continued as Sora's smile waned a little, her thoughts moving on to another topic when she spotted the now empty basket of fruit holding some linen on the table near the crib.

Judging by his continued gift baskets - brought over by Sophie - she thought that he would be visiting her more frequently, but he hadn't. Leon only came that one time; she had yet to see him after that. Several others had come to pay her and the baby a visit, but not he.

Sophie told her what the others were saying about her child on Mount Olympus. They described her baby with cherry red hair and her eyes being pale blue, several shades lighter than Ken's.

Does he no longer want anything to do with me? She swallowed hard at the thought.

She didn't want to think that was it but she could not see any other logical reason for his lack of presence near her. True, it might come off as odd that the god of war was showing an interest in a birth but he had the ability to shrug off gossip and questions without losing his demeanor. Not that the others had the guts to question him directly, except for maybe Artemis and Athena.

In any case, she felt that if he truly wanted to see her and the babe, he would have found a way by now.

A little despondent, Sora sighed. Sophie, having been in the process of picking up the baby, caught the sound. She tsked to herself, having an idea of what had brought the sound about. There really wasn't anything more Sophie could do; she talked to him about the issue already and he told her to mind her own business. They were going to have to wait and see, she supposed. But in the meantime...

Sophie picked up the baby and walked over to Sora. "Here's your mama!" she gushed, "You want your mama, don't you?"

Sora blinked at the sudden baby talk, but then smiled when her baby reached out a tiny, chubby hand to her.

"Mm-mm-aaahh..."

Her smile bloomed big and wide. She lifted her hands up for her little girl and Sophie readily handed her over.

"My little girl," Sora cooed, "my beautiful pearl..."

LW

Nearly a week later, Ken withheld the urge to gulp as the overwhelming presence of the god of war made him tense. Although Ares was without his armor and weapons, he still was fearsome with his arms crossed over his chest and his tall form towering over Ken even more so because of the blacksmith's bent form over by the anvil.

"I, er, apologize for the wait," Ken started in a high voice, but then cleared his throat and straightened up, "I can now take on whatever you need me to do."

Ares had half a mind to glare at him, but restrained himself. He waited for no one; regardless if it was a god or an immortal. However, scaring Hephaestus might make him too afraid to take on his request and then all of that waiting would have been for naught.

How far gone he was to do this for her...

With that, Ares slung his rather large bag from his back to the front. Undoing the rope, he swiftly pulled out his broken breastplate and the metal clanged as he placed it on the worktable.

"A half mortal was able to do this damage," he lowly said with a piercing stare, "That should not be possible to the armor of a god."

Ken did gulp this time.

Zeus' thunderbolts, Hera's golden throne, Poseidon's trident, the twins Artemis and Apollo's bows and arrows, Ares' armor... he left the minutest of weaknesses in all his pieces. It was a precaution and a secret; his helpers didn't know since Ken only had them help keep the bellows going. The final touches of all of his pieces were solely done by him. Some were able to find the weaknesses on their own, but they were not aware that Ken purposefully had them there...

He wasn't about to let that tidbit of information be known, ever.

"See that it does not happen again," Ares rumbled out.

Ken fiddled with the hammer in his hand. "I shall try," he choked out. "There is still much for me to learn about metallurgy, god or not."

Steel grey eyes narrowed slightly, gauging whether Hephaestus spoke the truth. Ken could feel some sweat form along his temples as Ares looked over him.

Ares relented, turning on his heel. He started to walk out of the forge and Ken couldn't help but feel relieved. However, when Ares leaned against the wall of the forge, he felt his shoulders tense once again.

Does he plan to wait in here?

He hadn't done that before. Then again, his armor hadn't broken before so it may be that Ares had some misgivings about Ken's abilities. Ken looked over the breastplate and tapped some parts with a smaller hammer in a show of testing the metal even though he already knew what went wrong with the design.

I'll have to make the metal sturdier, but still vulnerable in another spot.

It took skill to know how thin the metal could be to keep it strong and light, but then have one part slightly thinner and weaker than the rest. However, Ken couldn't work with Ares in the forge.

What can I do to get him out without it being obvious or offensive?

"You have a daughter."

Ken started upon hearing the voice of Ares. He supposed that was a question, but it didn't really sound like one. "Ah, yes, I do." He twirled the hammer nervously; he just wanted Ares to leave...and the question of his daughter seemed to be the answer.

Aphrodite's pleasant enough.

He felt like she could handle Ares better than he could, especially since Artemis was with her at the moment. Although Apollo was her twin, Artemis was seen hunting with her half brother Ares more often than she was around Apollo. The more Ken thought about it, the more appealing the idea was to him.

Yes, let Aphrodite and Artemis entertain Ares...

"You are more than welcomed to stop by the house. My wife is very accommodating," Ken kept his tone casual as he continued on, "she will not mind, not even if -" he suddenly cut off, thinking that if he said, 'not even if it's you,' would more likely offend the god than entice him to leave the forge instead of staying here.

"N-Not even at this time of day," he weakly finished, "waiting there will be better than around the forge."

Ares appeared to be considering the offer, though Ken wasn't quite certain. The man's stony face was difficult to read.

When Ares nodded, Ken inwardly rejoiced.

LW

Leon kept his pace normal as he walked away from the forge.

When he was out of sight of the helpers, the smirk that had threatened to appear on his face inside the forge was finally let loose. Things were going as planned despite the long wait it took to actually get his order in.

Unfortunately, there was only one blacksmith of the gods.

Fortunately, Hephaestus was intimidated by him so the odds of him coming to the main house were slight, which meant that he will have a good amount of time with Sora.

Finally.

For once, he was glad that the oaf Heracles had bested him in a fight.

The stone house was not too far from the forge, it being several yards away but it was close enough that Leon could smell the furnace of the bellows. Some olive trees were around the house as well as some bushes with some sort of wild berries in its short branches.

Ares arrived at the front door and tugged on the rope with the bronze bell. It clanged and then he waited for a bit before he heard some scuffing of sandals and the door opened, revealing the form of his half-sister, Sophie.

"About time you came," she stated with a grin.

He nearly rolled his eyes at her, instead choosing to step inside; he didn't feel like explaining to her the level of patience and planning he took to get here. He looked around the place, spotting some tapestries, vases, and intricate metalwork about the area as Sophie closed the door.

"She's in the nursery," Sophie said in a whisper, not wanting to spoil the surprise. "The servants only come in the mornings and then again around dusk."

Leon nodded his thanks and walked in the direction Sophie pointed to. Though, he really didn't need the aid as he caught Sora's humming. Soft and slow, the humming became clearer as he came closer to the nursery, finally standing by the doorway.

She sat on a wicker chair angled towards the window with her head looking down. He saw two little feet and chubby legs, letting him know that the babe was on her lap. Quietly, he walked further into the room, the little feet wiggling from time to time and catching his attention for some strange reason.

The toes were mere pebbles and the size of the feet...why, they were probably only half the size of her palm, if not smaller. He had fathered a few children before but he had not seen them as babes. Seeing one now, only a few feet away from him made something stir inside of him, even though he knew not if the child was his.

She continued humming, her gaze on the babe's face as the child suckled from her breast. He watched as her fingers trailed over the rosy cheek and how she rocked ever so slightly as she hummed.

"...Motherhood suits you," he murmured, finding his voice after watching them for a moment more.

Sora abruptly stopped humming which also halted the rocking. Her brown eyes were wide as she stared at his form in the nursery and breast bare save for her child feeding.

"Leon..."

He inclined his head. "Sora."

They stared at one another, words stuck in Sora's throat while Leon looked over her and then the babe. Said babe whimpered a little, missing the soothing rocking motion and the touch of her mother. Sora snapped out of her daze as a tiny, soft fist lightly bumped her chest. She tutted, taking a gentle hold of the fist and continuing the rocking.

The babe calmed down, her little hand now wrapped around her mother's thumb.

Sora looked up at Leon again to see his eyes roaming the babe. "She has your hair," he quietly said, his eyes following the slight curl that lay along her temple.

His comment about her hair made her think about the talk on Olympus. She had thought he did not come because the child was thought to be hers and Hephaestus's...

"You can come closer," she said.

He took a look at her face and her encouraging smile and then moved until he was right next to her. Sora stroked her cheek, trying to get the babe to look up, but she didn't. Leon's hand came forward and his forefinger touched the chubby cheek Sora just did, wondering how the babe felt.

He was amazed by how delicate and soft the babe was - the skin softer than even Sora's which blew his mind. He touched the red curl along the temple, once again amazed by the softness of the babe. In the corner of his eye, he noted that the babe was now looking up, the movement of her eyes making him look at them.

He stilled upon seeing their color.

On Mount Olympus, he heard that the child had pale blue eyes. With that information, he had thought it meant that Ken was the father of the babe after all, however, Sophie had laughed when he had brought that up with her, but she had refused to explain. Ever since her strange response, he wondered.

Now though, he understood.

He supposed that those who were not aware of the affair would assume that the babe had pale blue eyes, but for those that knew of it could tell.

She had grey eyes.

Granted, they were not the exact shade as his own, instead being a more vibrant color - something he had not thought was possible for the color grey - but they were definitely grey.

Sora's eyes held a tint of laughter and relief as she saw the marvel in his gaze.

She had been afraid that the talk on Olympus would keep him away without him ever knowing that it wasn't true. She supposed that people didn't dare look into the eyes of the god of war, so their lack of knowledge was understandable. Artemis knew because she looked at people's eyes when she talked to them; Athena knew because of the conflict between herself and Ares - both gods of war, but their views completely different from one another- so she has confronted with him face to face before.

It was rather obvious why Sora would know. She has looked into his eyes often during their time together; she was probably the only person - mortal or god - that has seen so many emotions color his eyes.

"Look up," Sora sweetly cooed to the babe, "let your papa see you."

Sora's voice filtered into his mind, breaking through the shock. His eyes connected with hers, steady and with some warmth entering into them.

"What is her name?"

She smiled and leaned up carefully, mindful of the babe in her arms. He saw her move, bringing his head down for her to tell him, thinking that she wanted to murmur it in his ear.

Instead she kissed him, the light touch sending a strong thrill down his spine. Her eyes lidded as she finally kissed him again, having been longing to do so for weeks and weeks. He felt her tongue slip past her lips for a brief brush against his lips, teasing him with the sensual touch before slipping back into her mouth. She withdrew a little, letting her lips tickle his as she spoke.

"Harmonia," she warmly replied, ending their contact with a peck.

He raised a brow at the name, at first thinking it strange. However, he looked back down at her, seeing her grey eyes slowly close as sleep started to come even though she continued suckling. His forefinger and thumb rubbed a lock of red baby hair and he realized that the name rather fit her.

She was the harmony of Love and War.

"It is a good name." His large hand came up to rest on her head of messy curls.

Sora felt her heart stir at the image of father and daughter.

LW

Sophie came in to announce the soon to be coming servants to make their night meal.

Harmonia had finished feeding a while ago and simply lay asleep in her crib, however, Sora and Leon still sat close together in the nursery - he, unable to look away from his daughter's small form and she, unable to stop the fluttering in her heart as he showed interest in their daughter. Sadly, Sophie's information meant that they would have to relocate to the general meeting room.

It was not proper for a married woman to be alone with another male.

If she wanted Leon to stay, they were going to have to at least pretend to follow the codes of conduct, seeing as they already broke the biggest one with the affair. She did not like pretenses - and neither did Leon - but it was a small concession they were going to have to make.

The servants came in just as Sora was refilling Sophie's wine goblet as she was hostess to both her and Ares. They started at the presence of the god of war, though also a little flustered by him. His handsome features were well known as well as his brutal fighting.

He excelled in both sexual and military prowess, from what they've heard.

As Sora filled his goblet, he caught the stares of the servants. I believe they're nymphs. Their exotic coloring of their features made him think so, having come across their kind in the past.

Amorous, flirtatious, and annoying...

He did not think much of them, though the other gods seemed to have a taste for them. His goblet paused in mid-air as he wondered at their presence here in Hephaestus's home. He took a look at Sora's face, noting the slight downturn of her lips as the nymphs giggled and one dared a wink at him - though he missed the wink, having been watching Sora.

With nymphs and the goddess of love on Lemnos, it was no wonder Hephaestus only left home when he needed to.

The thought angered Leon, making him tightly grip his cup.

LW

When their meal was made, Ken came in and sat at the head of the table. The nymph with the blue eyes poured his wine, letting her arm rub against him.

He had been prepared to work through the night to finish Ares' order, but with that playful action he changed his mind. There were other things he wanted to do this night instead.

"God of War," Ken formally addressed, "I'm afraid that I will need another day with your breastplate."

Ken's authoritative tone had everyone looking at him. Sophie was amused, Sora surprised, Leon couldn't decide if this was a chance for him to stay longer or if he should be upset with being told something instead of asked, and the nymph pouring his drink found it attractive. Ken saw the admiring look from the nymph, and he puffed himself up.

However, his courage faltered upon seeing Leon's frown.

Fortunately for him, Sora realized the opportunity at hand, thus inadvertently causing her to come to his aid. "Well, in that case, Ken and I will like to extend our hospitality, Ares, God of War," she gave a demure nod of her head towards Leon.

Ken opened his mouth to object, not feeling comfortable with Ares being their overnight guest, but Sora caught his hesitance, adding in, "Artemis is staying; it should not be any trouble to set up another room for you as well, Ares."

Sophie blinked, she hadn't planned on staying but she was quick to catch on. "Yes," she said, "stay a while longer, brother of mine. It has been too long since you have relaxed."

The women turned to Ken, the nymph included.

Nervous, he nodded his head and then took a long sip from his goblet. "You do us honor to stay," Ken finally said after putting his cup down. He hoped he did not regret the decision.

Ares forced himself not to look at Sora as he accepted the invitation.

LW

After the night meal Ken went back to the forge, the nymph soon following after him.

Sophie and Leon had been talking while the nymphs cleaned up and eventually left for the night. Sophie bid them a good night, telling them to come later tomorrow morning as she was feeling especially tired tonight and doubted the others would wake up early tomorrow either. Leon caught the mischief in his half sister's eyes as she looked over at him and then back at the nymphs.

It was slightly unnerving how well she knew him.

He would not deny that he would be visiting Sora's chambers this night, but he had something other than lovemaking that needed to be done while he was there.

What follows after he has done what he needed to will depend upon Sora.

"Good night, brother," Artemis said with a yawn as she stood up and stretched. "I wish you a pleasant night."

She gave him a grin and then walked off to her room. He stayed seated, listening to her footfalls as she found her room and then opened the door. She loudly yawned, making him roll his eyes and then the door finally closed.

He waited a few moments and then stood up, making his way up the wooden set of steps to Sora's room.

LW

AN: I've been called a tease before on ff. I wonder why...XD

Seriously though, the chapter was getting pretty long and the main focus was Ares meeting Harmonia. I will post another chapter a lot sooner than this one was! I wanted the first female child of SXL to show up in another story before Harmonia showed up here, so that's what took so long.

Harmonia is really one of their children in Greek mythology if you're wondering.

As for Hephaestus purposefully having weaknesses in his creations, I had heard that from an episode of Justice League Unlimited when he told Princess Diana (aka Wonder Woman) that there was a weakness in her suit, but he wasn't going to tell her what it is.

I don't know if that's true in Greek mythology that Hephaestus did that, but I thought it was a cool idea.