Sweet Sacrifice
Nicci never regretted all she gave up for Kahlan and Richard. After all, Richard was the one who had opened her eyes, who had given her the gift of life. He made her feel respected and beautiful, clever and kind, and everything else a woman wanted to feel. She knew she would never stop loving him, even though he would never see her as more than a close friend. Richard belonged with Kahlan, and she knew now, without a doubt, that Kahlan was right for him. Kahlan was the one who was destined to be the woman who stood at Richard's side as an equal. She was a creature of exquisite beauty and benevolence, of sharp wit and unwavering spirit. Nicci knew now she was right to deny Cara's matchmaking, for though the Mord-Sith meant well, Nicci knew that she was not the one for Richard. Even though Cara's words made hope flutter weakly in her once-black heart, Nicci's destiny was to faithfully aid the young couple with all her skills, and watch their happiness through eyes unclouded by the fog of envy. If Kahlan was the one who made Richard's life complete, if he could not live without her (which he had already made clear that he couldn't), then Nicci would be happy just knowing Richard was happy too. The only thing Nicci regretted was the first part of her life; those numb, uncaring, lifeless years when she had tried to serve the Creator, then turned to the Keeper out of hatred for herself. That life was gone now, thanks to Richard. And her life would be complete as long as she could always see the vitality and fire in his raptor-like grey eyes.
For one so perceptive, Richard never knew just how much he had melted the icy heart, or how much he meant to the woman who had selflessly and cheerfully given him everything she had; the woman who had believed in him always, her always unwavering faith a comforting rock to him. Although she had her doubts, and although her common sense and rationale advised her to dissuade him from his crazy dream, she believed in him still. And she would until the end. Thus was her love, and her sweet sacrifice. Because for those you love, no sacrifice is too great.