WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE RALTIONSHIP BETWEEN HERA AND ARES, DEAR READERS? HAVE YOU IMAGINED IT DIFFERENTLY ?

''Are you out of your mind?" the War God barked at the top of his lungs, heading menacingly towards the sofa where Hera was lying comfortably, eyes closed, while her most trusted servant was gently massaging her temples.

''What has gotten into you, son ?!" the Queen burst out, obviously scandalized by the God' s intolerable attitude, jumping to her feet ready to face him, only to be brutally shoved back down with a completely unexpected force.

''Are you out of your freaking mind?!" he once again growled, his eyes darkened with fury and before Hera could answer, her servant was already flying across the room, the raging violence of his gesture leaving the Queen speechless for a few moments.

''How dare you speak to me like that, Ares?! I am your mother!'' she finally protested, signaling the terrified young woman to leave the room once she was back on her feet -which she gladly did, without hesitation.

''Why did you do it, huh? Look me in the eyes and tell me, 'cause I sure think I deserve an explanation!" the raging God demanded to know, breathless with anger.

''Why did I do what ?!" Hera gravely replied, doing her best to remain calm given her son's terrible temper.

''Did you really think that you being my mother would stop me from cutting you to little pieces?! Or has your memory started to fail you ?! She is my Chosen!"

''Oh….Xena…..'' she murmured, as she finally realized what he was talking about.

''Yes, Xena !''

''Is she alive ?"

''Yeah she's alive and not thanks to you!'' he acidly spat, as the image of his protegee bleeding to death, once again crossed his troubled mind.

''That's true…..Still….she does owe me her immortality…..''

It took a few seconds for the War God's foggy brain to actually decode his mother's message.

''How do you know she's immortal?''

''I happen to be the Queen of the Gods- all Gods, just in case that little detail has slipped your mind….'' she harshly retorted, on the same tone she usually used when Ares was merely a child and would get into trouble- which did happen with a concerning frequency at the time….

The Olympian gulped nosily, lowering his gaze for a moment, as if ashamed for his uncalled for audacity.

''Come….sit with me for a little bit…'' she invited, patting the sofa next to her.

Surprisingly, for once, Ares did as he was told.

''Now. About Xena….I think we can both agree on the fact that you would have never turned her immortal against her will , right ?''

The God half shrugged, half nodded his agreement. There was no point in denying the obvious.

''Which, would have eventually led to extremely unpleasant consequences …'' the Queen continued, her gaze never leaving her son's.

''Not necessarily. I would have protected her with ,my life .''he fought back, although it was clearly not the case.

''And that is very magnanimous of you, my dear. But no one can possibly protect a person every waking moment for the rest of eternity, isn't it? And by Gaia, you do have more enemies than the entire pantheon put together. One of them would have eventually gotten to her before you …and then what ?How long have you waited for her to be born ? For her soul to receive a human form ?''

''Forever…..'' he replied, his voice barely above a whisper… As always, his mother was right and he knew it.

''And …? Were you actually willing to throw it all away simply because the concept of immortality doesn't sit well with her?!''

''It was her right….''

''Oh please! '' she bluntly contradicted. " Mortals can barely tell left from right, Ares, let alone appreciate the importance of such important status !''

The War God didn't say anything but judging by his expression, they did share common ground on the subject.

''Anyway….at least her early demise is out of the question now….''

''Why did you do it?'' he suddenly heard himself asking- a useless question that didn't precisely need an answer. He knew it far too well….

"Isn't it obvious? You are my son, Ares! I hate to see you sad. And you were so disappointed when she refused eternity, my dear boy. I just couldn't stand aside and do nothing….''

'' Actually, that's exactly what you should have done. But thank you- I owe you one….'' he added. At the end of the day she did solve a pretty tricky situation for him.

''Nonsense. You don't owe me anything. All I want is to see you happy. And that smile...I haven't seen it in ages! It's worth any effort, really !'' she said, gently caressing his cheek.

In return, Ares placed a respectful kiss on the top of her silky hand.

''Sorry for my outburst earlier...''

''You have always been such an impulsive child! But neverminded that, we have more important matters to discuss! I want to hear all about her !''

Despite himself, the War God couldn't stop a proud ear to ear grin from beaming on his face.

''She's stubborn…..'' he began.

''Obviously ….''

''And witty….Definitely too smart for her own good !''

''Challenging , huh? ''

''Oh yeah! Challenging is indeed the perfect word to describe her ! Just my type of girl! And surprisingly level-headed too, given her young age…''

''And drop dead gorgeous ….'' Hera laughed, delighted to see her son actually ecstatic about something that didn't involve blood and mayhem.

'' To think I actually believed no one would ever notice that insignificant detail...''

''Right...'' the Queen laughed, sensing his sarcasm.

''Well, I don't know about the others, but your father sure did !''

''Don't even go there!'' War threatened in a grave voice, profoundly disgusted by Zeus' countless infidelities.

''So...where is she now ?''

''At one of my temples. With Dite ….''

"I would have never imagined those two could actually have anything in common …"

''As shocking as it might sound, Dite can be quite versatile when she wants to…''

''Don't I know?''

''By the way...Have you managed to talk to the Fates about what I asked you to ..?''

''Yes ...'' Hera briefly answered, suddenly sunk in thought.

''And?" the God inquired almost instantly, anxious to hear their answer.

''My guess was right. She's off limits. She's part of her destiny, son, whether you like it or not .''

Suddenly, The War God's expression change into a blank, inscrutable one. His mother's firm touch on his arm brought him back from his reverie. His sharp mind had already started weaving one scenario after another, all designed to fix this slightly imperfect inadvertence of the Fates - as he liked to think about it -.

''Let it go Ares ! If you try anything and your father finds out about it, you will be history. You know how he feels about us Gods messing around with the threads of life! I don't even want to go there. So please...as your mother, I'm asking you...'' she begged, concern in her eyes.

''Don't worry, Mom.'' he reassured, a small smile playing on his lips. ''I'll play nice...''

''Promise me you'll stay out of it...'' she insisted, part of her aware that was a promise he was definitely going to break.

''I promise.''

''Good...''

''Well, if there's nothing else Mom, I should get going. I have some important matters to attend to."

''I'm sure you do …..''Hera chuckled, winking at him . ''Ares…one last thing, darling. ''

''Yes?''

'' Keep in mind the fact that even immortals can be killed though. Ok? Don't let her out of your sight.''

''Sure thing, Mom.''