TITLE: Home

AUTHOR: LOTSlove®

CHARACTERS: Richard / Kahlan

RATING: PG-16 / T (R / M later)

TIMELINE: Anything up through S2 season finale (Tears)

STORY TYPE: Angst / Romance / Adventure

SPOILERS: Anything from Seasons 1 & 2

DISCLAIMER: I love them and love to write about them even though I don't own them or make a dime.

SUMMARY: Richard, Kahlan and the gang are almost to the People's Palace in D'Hara and Kahlan is pregnant with twins. Will they be able to pull a crumbling territory together before Darken Rahl takes control again?

Chapter 1

Standing high atop the ridge overlooking the Mord'Sith Temple at Sharna, Richard felt his anger begin to awaken deep within his core, threatening to unleash itself at the slightest provocation. They were two days away from finally reaching the People's Palace, had survived being attacked and held hostage by Sisters of the Dark along with a mercenary created by the Keeper only to find themselves now looking down upon a hundred Mord'Sith standing in seamless formation awaiting their arrival.

Things had just gone from very bad to much worse.

They were all exhausted from the long journey as well as battling with the evil sorceresses they had already had to contend with. Now they had over a hundred Mord'Sith waiting to either welcome them or slaughter them.

Richard didn't know how much more of this he could withstand. He just wanted to get Kahlan to safety where they could spend some time together before their daughters came. He wanted this time with his wife to be so special. It wasn't everyday that they were given the gift of becoming parents. He wanted for them to have time to prepare and enjoy their daughters' arrival without having to contend with all of the chaos that followed them everywhere they went.

He had hoped to be able to quietly arrive at the People's Palace, take control and begin the restoration process without too much turmoil. Deep in his heart, Richard knew, though, that a smooth road was not something that lay ahead for them…if ever.

Things were about to drastically change in their lives, not just in the world around them as they fought to bring two territories together in peace, but in their personal lives as well. It was no longer going to just be the two of them, not just one other person for him to love with all his heart and protect with his life, but soon there would be three…and he couldn't be happier.

Staring out over the mass of Mord'Sith that spread out like a sea of red before him, Richard watched as his life began to flash before his eyes, becoming a blurry wash of memories both past and yet to come – the first day he met Kahlan, his wedding to his soul-mate, the impending birth of his daughters, two lands uniting in peace and prosperity, growing old with Kahlan as his daughters' assumed rule.

How could he have risked so much when the price was so very high? More than he was willing to pay? Just when he wanted to give up and turn around to head home to Aydindril, Richard turned to look at Kahlan sitting on her horse beside him. Her brilliant blue eyes were so full of faith and love, her special smile suddenly touching her lips and providing him the strength and the resolve to push on. He just prayed to the spirits that he would not have to pay that price with the lives of his wife and daughters.

Richard smiled softly back at her, his eyes reflecting the love that consumed him heart and soul. Drawing a deep breath, he forced himself to turn his attention away from his wife in order to talk to Cara who was on his other side. They were going to have to come up with a plan if they were going to get through this alive.

"Cara, it might be a good idea if you go first. Maybe one of them will remember you," Richard decided, feeling that he should lead them since he was the Lord Rahl, but also not wanting to provoke them into attacking.

"As if my red leather won't alert them to the fact that I'm one of them," she retorted with a smirk on her lips.

Her sarcastic comment immediately broke through the suffocating tension that hung so thickly in the air. Richard couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief at her retort, trying to keep the grin from his face. Leave it to Cara to find a way to break the stress of a potentially deadly moment such as this in a matter of a heartbeat.

"I'll go with her," Garren immediately informed the Seeker. The determination in his words left little room for doubt that anyone was going to be able to stop him from going with her at that point.

Looking from Garren to Cara, Richard could have sworn that he saw a flicker of a smile pass across her face, breaking through the fierce façade of the Mord'Sith at his commander's insistence to accompany her. It warmed his heart to known that there was someone who cared about his friend, who loved her and wanted to protect her. She deserved to know love, a future full of happiness after having her life taken from her for so long.

And how could he argue with true love? He couldn't even force his own wife to stop risking her life for him. How would he ever be able to prevent Garren and Cara from wanting to protect each other as well?

"Fine, just keep your eyes open. We'll be right behind you. Give the warning signal if you suspect trouble. I don't want to provoke an attack, but I'm not about to sit back and be massacred either."

"Yes, Lord Rahl," Garren readily replied, relieved that he hadn't ordered him to stay back.

Garren was afraid that would have been one order that he would have had to disobey. The thought of disappointing him or defying one of his Lord Rahl's orders sickened him, but it suddenly paled with the thought of losing Cara.

"Zedd, I want you stay close to Kahlan just in case things get ugly, but be careful not to use your magic against them," Richard instructed him, knowing that his grandfather really didn't need the reminder.

"I will do whatever I can to protect my favorite granddaughter," Zedd replied with a reassuring wink at Kahlan. "She is carrying my great granddaughters, you know," he teased, attempting to lighten the mood.

"Richard, I'm not…"

"I know, Kahlan, but just humor me…please?" he softly pleaded with her, his eyes begging her to let him have this.

He'd been through enough anguish the last few days to last him a lifetime. He was in no frame of mind to be able to handle anything close to that again. He internally shuddered, becoming almost physically ill every time he remembered just how close he'd come to losing everything.

Seeing the torment that passed through his eyes, Kahlan felt heartsick knowing that she had been the one to put that fear in his heart, but she would much rather have to endure that than living in a world without him in it.

"It'll be alright, Richard," she reassured him, reaching over to grasp his hand and giving it a squeeze.

He brought her hand up to his mouth, brushing his lips along her fingers. "As long as you're always by my side it will be," he murmured, kissing her hand one last time before releasing his hold on her.

"Are you two done making eyes at each other?" Cara asked, interrupting the tender moment.

Garren stifled a chuckle as he turned his horse to follow Cara, sharing a knowing look with Lord Rahl as he nodded to him in respect and understanding. They both knew that they would protect the women that they loved with their lives. Of that, they were certain.

Riding down the grassy slope towards the temple, Cara and Garren led the way, followed by Kahlan, Richard, and Zedd. Aydindril soldiers flanked them on either side, their uniforms glinting brightly in the sun, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords in preparation for an attack.

Richard kept his steely glare focused on the woman who sat upon a horse before the army of the Mord'Sith. She was obviously the leader, her self-assurance and authority obvious even from this distance. Her dark red hair shone brilliantly in the sun, her single braid hanging over a shoulder. Her slender frame sat upon a horse as she waited fearlessly for them to arrive.

She made no movement to reveal their alliance with or opposition to the new Lord Rahl as she studied the approaching party. The scarlet uniform of the Sisters was like a vast bloody stain in the valley, their posture fierce and unwavering. They were not about to reveal their true servitude until they were good and ready. And evidently, they were not ready yet.

Richard felt his skin prickle, knowing that his magic would be useless against the Mord'Sith. They had the ability to capture a foe's magic and turn it against them. He couldn't risk unleashing his Han upon them. He would have to trust his sword and his skill to get them out of this if it came down to it.

Casting a sideways glance, he could see Kahlan's face now wore the authoritative mask of the formidable Mother Confessor. Her word was law, to be obeyed without hesitation or question. He feared, however, she wouldn't carry very much weight here. Confessors were despised in D'Hara, hunted ruthlessly like animals.

The thought alone made Richard shudder, causing his blood to pound through his veins. That was the very first thing that was going to change when he took control of the throne. The position of Mother Confessor as well as all Confessors after her was going to be viewed with the utmost respect, her word final.

He was not about to allow his daughters to be hunted down like their mother or killed for who they were. It had been terrifying enough to think of what could have happened to Kahlan had he not been in the woods that fateful day, how she could have been murdered without him ever knowing her. That was another life he never wanted to experience or comprehend.

Looking at her now, there was not a shred of fear, not an ounce of dread. There was only the stunning air of confidence in the way she held herself with such virtue and grace. It caused even him to take pause in the wake of her commanding presence and power.

And despite the warrior he knew her to be, she was very much a woman, full of such exquisite beauty. She was the very embodiment of love and compassion, never ceasing to amaze him or steal his breath away. There was such a strength about her that contrasted so gracefully with the tenderness that resided in her heart.

Moving to ride closer to his wife, he watched as she continued to stare at the foreboding scene before them. She absentmindedly rubbed her every-growing belly, soothing her babies in the midst of the storm. She was so striking to behold. He could just sit and watch her forever and never grow bored.

Bracing himself for the unknown that awaited them, Richard turned his attention back to the situation about to unfold before him. He knew they were in trouble. Unable to use his magic, he would have to depend on Cara's position as Mord'Sith as well as their steel to get out of this if they chose to attack them and even then the odds were not in their favor.

The closer they got, the more Richard could make out their features. Their stance was set like lifeless statues, their faces expressionless divulging neither friendliness nor deadly intent to kill. His eyes drifted over the women standing so threateningly before him, knowing they were severely outnumbered and would be taken prisoner to be broken and trained if these Mord'Sith still swore allegiance to Darken Rahl.

The thought further unleashed his anger as he imagined Kahlan subjected to such brutality, suffering the torture and torment that he had endured. He would do everything in his power to prevent that from happening.

Pondering the scene before him, Richard began to imagine how much different these women's lives would have been had they escaped this fate. Each one of them had had their dignity, their self-respect and individuality stripped away from them so that they could be broken and molded into the image of a ruthless, cold-hearted weapon. They had been created to do nothing more than the Lord Rahl's bidding.

His heart hurt for these poor lost souls, grieved and angered by the sheer arrogance of his brother for carrying out this ritualistic practice of enslaving young women against their will, to treat them so sadistically. No one deserved to be treated like this, like their lives were meaningless, worth no more than what they could do in the name of the Lord Rahl.

Rage burned fiercely in his chest as his compassion for them flooded his soul. The sooner he got to the People's Palace, the sooner he could abolish this brutal practice and start tearing down the Mord'Sith temples scattered throughout D'Hara. He would fight for these women's freedom whether they wanted it or not.

They deserved a life just like everyone else; a life lived out of their own free will, to have a husband and not a mate, to have children without fear of them being slaughtered, to not be forced into violent sexual relations with the Lord Rahl against their will.

Looking to her left, Kahlan's eyes softened as she gazed at her husband. He looked so handsome as he rode his black horse, a quality of nobility and power surrounding him. He was so unassuming, never truly comprehending the full extent of the influence and authority that he actually carried.

The hilt of his weapon flashed in the afternoon sun. The longer strands of hair that framed his tanned face fluttered softly in the breeze. His gaze was hardened like stone on the scene that spread out before them, knowing the potential danger that he could be leading them all into.

His jaw was set with steadfast determination as he sat proud in his saddle. He truly was the Lord Rahl, ruler of D'Hara in every sense. She knew that claiming the throne was just a formality at this point. He was by all rights the true leader of the territory no matter what Darken Rahl had planned in a futile attempt to try and stop him.

Watching him now, her heart flooded with the familiar rush of warmth that consumed her every time that she looked at him, every time their eyes met. She loved the way he looked at her, heated desire for her so evident in his stare, reflecting what she felt in her heart as well.

Her brow creased as she noticed a tear suddenly fall from the corner of his eye and trickle down his cheek. It caused an ache to erupt beneath her breast, wanting to take away the hurts that held him in its grip now.

She so desperately wanted to reach out to him, to tell him that everything was going to be alright. As long as they had each other, they could survive anything. She wanted to kiss him, to hold him, to just love him. But she couldn't do that right now. They had to bury their feelings and desires safely behind that appearance of complete control and authority.

Later, she told herself, later she would be able to talk to him, to sooth what was tugging so anxiously at his heart. Right now, though, it was time to perform her duties, to do what she had been trained all of her life to do, to be. She was the Mother Confessor, ruler of the Midlands and wife of Lord Rahl of D'Hara.

Steeling herself, Kahlan reined in her concerns and fears, committing herself to do whatever it took to diffuse a possible volatile situation, to protect her husband and children, her friends.

The Mother Confessor's eyes fell upon Garren and Cara leading them into Creator knew what. She was so happy for her friend, but even more to think that Cara had picked Garren. She had known Garren since they were kids. Since her return to Aydindril, their friendship had been renewed just as if she hadn't been gone for the last two years.

Kahlan began to wonder what Cara was thinking about right now. It had to be both unsettling as well as comforting to finally be home after all of this time. She had to be conflicted, though, seeing her former Sisters as they awaited their arrival, her so called "Sisters" who had beaten her and left her to die.

This time, though, Kahlan swore to be there for her, supporting her through this time.

When they had first found Cara, Kahlan hadn't trusted her at all. Richard's absolute faith and trust in her had only intensified her dislike for their newest companion. With the Mord'Sith's presence came feelings Kahlan had never experienced before – jealousy, resentment, insecurity. They all mingled and swam together in an ugly pool of frustration and heartrending pain for what her lineage had denied her – the chance to love and be loved without the touch of magic.

Kahlan suddenly found herself hating who and what she was, wanting to find anything and anyone who could relieve her of this curse that she had not asked to be born with.

Cara had been a threat to her love for Richard. She could have given him everything that Kahlan could not, increasing her pain and widening the aching abyss she felt that separated her from the man she loved with her whole being.

No one had ever come close to creating such intense feelings and love in her until Richard; no one had dared to fall in love with a Confessor until him. Cara was everything that Kahlan thought Richard would have wanted. She was so beautiful and seductive, aggressive and flirtatious. Most of all, Cara could have given Richard what he wanted most – a wife who could meet his every need in every way, giving him the children that she knew he wanted so badly, the family that she couldn't have with him.

And the more that Richard stood up for Cara, defended and believed in her, the more Kahlan's heart broke. She found herself feeling so insecure, so unsure of herself. Cara's presence had become a visible, tangible reminder of what she could not have, could not receive or give to Richard.

But watching Cara riding in front her now, Kahlan suddenly felt so foolish for ever questioning Richard's love her or Cara's intentions. Because Richard had believed in their love so steadfastly, she was now carrying his daughters.

Kahlan felt very vulnerable as she looked out over the countless faces staring back at her. The Mord'Sith were the only ones that she could not read, could not tell whether they were telling the truth or lying through their teeth. She was useless to Richard, helpless to advise him. The only thing she had left was the ConDar and even that was erratic and unpredictable at best. If she did go into the Blood Rage, everyone within her reach including her friends could possibly be confessed.

Staring at the Mord'Sith now, it suddenly felt very strange to her. She had been trained all of her life to hate these women who had always been her enemy. Now, coming to a stop before them, Kahlan found herself quite possibly on the same side…