Ares paced nude across the bedroom floor of his Olympian Estate. He couldn't believe this day had finally arrived. Xena was going to be his bride, his immortal partner. He hadn't seen her since sundown yesterday, the need to go to her was overwhelming. He hoped she wasn't getting cold feet. It would kill his soul if she stood him up at the altar. She had spent her last night as a free woman at Aphrodite's place on Olympus, along with Eve and Gabrielle. He worried that they would try to talk her out of marrying him. He reminded himself that he had to believe in Xena and their love. Xena loved him, she had chosen him, he smiled at his reflection in the mirror.

Cupid tapped twice then opened the bedroom door. "Hey Ares, you're gonna need this." He handed Ares a skirt dyed in deep purple. Ares held the garment up and looked at the God of Love with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey, at least she's letting you wear something. Some mortal men get married in the nude." Cupid reminded him.

"True," Ares answered and started to step into the skirt.

"Not so fast." Cupid stopped him.

"No, why not?" Ares was anxious, ready to get dressed even though he didn't have to be at the altar for four more hours.

"You have to be oiled down."

"Oh yeah," Ares remembered. "Okay, send the girls in."

"Uh-uh, Xena said to send them instead," Cupid pointed to the two male youths who walked in the door on his prompt.

"No way, Ares ain't getting rubbed down by Aphrodite's little twink boys."

"You want to look your best, don't you?"

"Yes," Ares grumbled.

"Well, the girls are rubbing Xena down, so you get these two."

"This is sooooo not fair! Oh and I bet Xena is just loving her rub down!"

"Just relax, you'll enjoy yours too."

The boys nodded eagerly.

Ares pointed at them. "No funny business, you got it?"

Cupid laughed at the boys' dejected faces.

AXAXAXAXAXAXAXAX

Aphrodite fussed over Xena's hair. She couldn't decide if she wanted to leave it all down or fashion an up do and just let a few wisps frame Xena's face. "Let me try something," she squealed and with the waggling of her fingers, she transformed Xena's hair into a mess of curls that looked just like her own, only raven.

"No, absolutely not," Xena cringed at the image in the mirror.

"I don't know, I kinda like it," Gabrielle played with a springy curl.

"No, Xena's right, It's just not her!" Aphrodite zapped Xena's hair back the way it had been before the perm.

"He likes my hair down," Xena grabbed a brush off the vanity, ran it through her tresses a couple of times curling it at the ends, "there, that'll do."

The three other women looked at Xena's reflection in the mirror. They all agreed that it was the perfect do.

When Hestia arrived, the girls moved to a sitting area for the presentation of the wedding gifts. Xena took a sip of her white wine. She never understood why one had to go through all these ridiculous traditions just to get married. Aphrodite had insisted that it all must be done, so Xena decided to grin and bear it.

Hestia presented Xena with an intricately carved ebony box. "Something old, Xena."

"Thank you," Xena took the box, sat it on her lap and opened the lid to reveal a diamond necklace and matching teardrop earrings. Xena knew that men would kill for such riches. There was a time she herself would have killed to possess stones this magnificent. "Hestia, I can't these. . .these are. . ."

"They are yours Xena. The were Rhea's, they passed to Hera, and then her first born, Ares. They are meant for his bride."

Xena touched the delicate jewels in awe.

"Here, let me help you." Aphrodite moved in behind Xena and clasped the necklace around her neck.

"They look lovely on you," Hestia exclaimed. "Now, Demeter will present the next gift."

Demeter glided gracefully into the room. As her sister had done, she placed an ebony box in front of Xena. "Something new."

Xena lifted the lid and eyed the gift curiously. It was a spearhead featuring an engraving of an owl sitting inside a unbalanced chakram. A servant brought in the spear onto which it was to be mounted, after the gift was revealed. "I don't understand, it's beautiful but I fear there is some symbolism that I am missing."

Demeter took the spearhead and attached it to the shaft and handed it back to Xena. "Xena, following the wedding, you have agreed to become a goddess."

"Yes." Xena nodded.

"The Major Council has chosen to bestow upon you the mantle of the Goddess of Wisdom. We wanted to give you a symbol that merged you and Athena into one deity. You will be knows as Athena Promachos."

"She who fights in front." Gabrielle clarified. "Fitting."

"This way Athena's legacy will continue with you in the position." Demeter added.

"I am honored," Xena answered honestly.

"My turn," Aphrodite announced and reached under her seat pulling out a cardboard box tied with a silk ribbon. "Something blue."

Xena undid the ribbon and opened the box. Giggles filled the room at the skimpy bra and panty set that Aphrodite had given Xena.

Xena held up the g-string. "What am I supposed to do with this? Use it as a slingshot?"

The room erupted in laughter.

"Oh, I am sure Ares will find plenty of uses for it," Aphrodite leered.

"Hey, didn't you forget something borrowed," Eve chimed in.

"Not forgotten," Demeter responded, "We just saved the best for last."

Xena wasn't sure how things could get better. Olympic jewels from the dawn of creation, a goddesshood, and Aphrodite's Secret underwear were going to be hard to beat.

"This is actually Ares' gift to you, Xena but he couldn't be here to present it because of the restrictions against seeing the bride before the wedding," Hestia nodded to Demeter.

"You can come in now, Persephone," Demeter called.

Persephone slowly pushed open the door but Xena never saw the goddess. Once her eyes landed on Cyrene's blue orbs she bounded from her chair and ran to her mother.

"Mother?"

"Oh, Xena. I am so happy for you. I can't believe you are getting married. And to a god?"

"Mother? How?"

"Ares has asked Persephone to allow me to spend the day with you."

"You have until after the wedding, Xena." Persephone informed.

"Thank you," Xena hugged the Goddess of the Underworld.

"Don't thank me, thank Ares. He wanted this for you. You are a lucky woman, Xena. He loves you dearly.'

"And I him," Xena whispered and grabbed her mother in a strong embrace and gave a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to hold back her tears.

"No, no, no, no crying! You'll ruin my masterpiece!" Aphrodite freaked but Xena wasn't listening. She was walking hand in hand with her mother out to the portico. She wanted her mother to experience all the joys of Olympus, if only for a day.

.