After Xena tells the tale of how Grendel was created, when the valkeryie Grunhilda put on the Rheingold ring, she, Gabrielle, and two Northern warriorshug the creature, only to learn it wasn't the one they thought but her child instead. It's mother, Grunhilda, has the power of the ring and is bent on destroying Xena and anyone who gets in her way.
Xena is as an infamous warrior on a quest to seek redemption for her past sins against the innocent by using her formidable fighting skills to now, help those who are unable to defend themselves. Xena is accompanied by Gabrielle, who during the series changes from a simple farm girl into an Amazon warrior and Xena's comrade-in-arms.