TITLE: Revelation

AUTHOR: LOTSlove®

CHARACTERS: Richard / Kahlan

RATING: R / M

WARNINGS: Author Chooses Not to Use Warnings

TIMELINE: Anything up through S2 season finale (Tears)

DISCLAIMER: I'm completely obsessed with the show Legend of the Seeker and all things Richard and Kahlan. I love to write about them even though they cancelled my show and now I'm fighting to get it back!

SUMMARY: A sudden appearance from an unexpected visitor completely throws life into a tail-spin for everyone.

Chapter 1

"The time has come. You need to prepare to leave soon."

Deryn could only nod her head as excitement suddenly sparked to life like wildfire inside of her. It was finally time, the moment that she had been waiting for so long to arrive. She had missed him fiercely since he had left so long ago, breaking her heart in the process. But she had never given up hope.

She was only half listening to the instructions that were being given to her, her mind buzzing with memories from the last time that she had seen his handsome face. She felt a heated flush wash over her, her insides quivering with the love that still burned in her heart for him.

She felt as if she was suddenly floating through a beautiful dream, the edges of her vision almost a hazy blur, the things being said to her nothing more than a low whine parading through her ears. Her thoughts were soaring in a thousand different directions and all of them taking her back to him…always him.

It had been him ever since she first saw him that fateful day that the Creator saw fit to drop him into the center of her life.

Everything around her unexpectedly seemed so alive, so full of color and warmth once more.

She could hear the rain as it rapped against the windows, the wind lightly jostling the glass in the frames. The candles and torches lining the room hissed and popped, the sound of voices in the other room a distant hum, the woman walking back and forth before her creating a clipped sound as her boots struck the marble floor.

Every since he had left, all the color had drained from her world, everything so muted and dark. Now, just the notion that she would be seeing him again soon seemed to bring life roaring back into everything.

But the woman's words…they were important. She needed to pay careful attention.

Deryn mentally shook herself, knowing that what she had been chosen to do was of vital importance. Not to mention, this was all about him and she wouldn't let him down no matter the consequences. She would do anything in this world for him, anything he asked of her.

"Do you understand how critically important this is? The future is resting on you now."

"Yes, I will do my best to make him accept the truth," Deryn solemnly replied despite the hint of a smile that touched her lips.

As Deryn turned to leave, her mind was a whirlwind of activity, thoughts and emotions all battling for prominence in her forethoughts. There was much that had to be done before leaving for the long journey that would take her away from her home.

She hadn't been able to stop thinking of him since he had left. Did he ever think of her after he had left, think of her at all like she relentlessly did of him? Would he still find her as beautiful as when he had last seen her?

Deryn felt a wave of nerves erupt inside of her, causing her to shiver despite herself. She knew that she was being foolish. He was married now, but it did little to deter her hopes of being reunited with him again.

Once he saw her, had a chance to learn all that had happened since he had left, he would no doubt leave his wife for her. That was all she had dreamed about ever since learning of his nuptials.

She had been so heartbroken at first, devastated in fact by the news that he had wed another, had taken another woman to his bed. It had left her feeling abandoned and distracted, but she had managed to keep functioning because she knew deep down he would have wanted her to. She had truly hoped that he would eventually return to her after he had so unexpectedly left, but he never had.

He never came back for her.

Now, though, now she knew she could win him back. He would be more than overjoyed to see her again especially once he knew everything. She would be his once again and his wife…well, she would learn to live without him, adjusting to the fact that he truly loved another.

Deryn was certain of her future now more than ever as she left to prepare for her departure.

XXX

Kahlan spread her hands around her large belly, forcing herself to breath evenly. She winced as the baby kicked again, causing her to shift her position uncomfortably in her chair for the hundredth time.

"You can come any time now, my little one," she wearily sighed, rubbing her hand over her swollen abdomen in an attempt to settle him.

She was more than ready for this baby to make his big appearance. She was anxious to see the face of the little body that was making her so uncomfortable, exploring her insides with his tiny fists and feet in a flurry of almost constant movements now.

She couldn't wait to look into the beautiful eyes that would hopefully belong to Richard, to see the smile that was identical to his father's. She wanted him to be like Richard in every way.

Finding a comfortable position was a thing of the past as her son continued to squirm and wiggle. Now only one week till the baby was due to arrive, she felt as huge as a male gar and as graceful as a lumbering ox.

And yet, Richard still looked at her with those striking eyes so full of love and desire for her that it never ceased to set her heart to pounding every time. What he ever saw in her when she looked like this was beyond comprehension, but she loved him even more for it.

"You love to see just how much trouble you can get yourself into, don't you?"

Kahlan looked up from the journey book before her to see Mistress Rachel leaning against the doorframe, a knowing smirk on her red lips. She smiled back at the woman who had become not only her friend, but her personal guardian angel.

"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about," Kahlan innocently replied, returning to her task.

"You know Lord Rahl is not going to be very happy with you for being down here," Rachel shook her head as she entered the office of the Mother Confessor.

"But Lord Rahl is not going to find out about it, is he?"

"Do you really think I'm going to be the one to tell him? I value my life a little more than that," Rachel replied with a frown. "You've dragged me into enough trouble with you the last several months without adding to it now."

"And yet you have still managed to live to tell about it."

"For now," she snorted. "I'm not expecting my luck to last with the rate that you're going."

"I just needed to talk to Edmund in Aydindril. As soon as I get a reply, I'm heading back to my suite."

"Just see that you do. I'm not about to be the one to help deliver this baby down here in your office."

"I still have another week to go so I think you're safe for the moment," Kahlan replied as the Mord'Sith exited her office, lightly laughing at Rachel's aversion to birth.

Rachel may have just left her office, but she knew that the Mord'Sith was lingering somewhere close in the shadows in case she was needed. That was one of the things she appreciated most about her.

Shifting again, Kahlan tilted her head to rest against the back of her chair, fatigue pulling at her senses as she waited for Edmund to reply. She hated how easily exhausted she became now and even more she hated admitting that she was. She knew that Richard would be none too happy with her if he found out she had snuck down here to her office to do some work, but it couldn't be helped right now.

There were things here in D'Hara that required her attention, matters in Aydindril that she had to address. Word had spread about the impending merge of the Midlands and D'Hara into the D'Haran Empire. It had been met with very mixed reactions which really hadn't been unexpected.

Some regions had welcomed the Lord Rahl's decision, confident that they was doing what was best for everyone, believing that it would lead to even greater prosperity for all. There were others that met the decision with great skepticism, wondering if she and Richard truly knew what they were doing by creating such a union between two enemy territories.

And then there were other regions that responded with great outrage and refusal to accept the terms. Kahlan wasn't certain if it was the idea of change or the thought of being united with a territory that had long been considered the enemy.

Either way, they had no choice. They would accept their decision or it would be considered treason against the D'Haran Empire as well as the House of Rahl.

She and Richard had been spending weeks meeting with dignitaries from various regions in order to fully prepare them for the changes that were about to come. Richard had wanted to make the transition as smooth and painless for everyone as possible. He understood how difficult this process was going to be for some, but he needed them to know how vitally important it was.

Richard had officially banned her from attending these meetings a couple of weeks ago, insisting that she needed to rest before the baby came. She hated to admit it, but she almost welcomed the break. It was beyond exhausting trying to convince people that what they were doing was truly for the good of the two territories. Not to mention sitting there for hours on end had become more than uncomfortable so she hadn't put up too much of an argument.

Today was thankfully the last day of these meetings for a few weeks. Richard had insisted on spending uninterrupted time with her and their children after the birth of their son. He was equally passionate about her and the family they were creating as he was about how he ruled D'Hara.

Closing her eyes, Kahlan couldn't help the smile that curled the corners of her mouth. Richard had been growing more and more excited with every passing day, a huge grin a permanent fixture on his handsome face. It melted her heart like only he ever could.

Their little family was already growing so fast and it felt like they had only just begun. She could scarcely believe that Paige and Priya were almost a year old now. It seemed not so long ago that they were just tiny infants in her arms. Now, they were learning to walk and would be talking any day now.

Richard swore that Priya had said "dada" the other day, but Kahlan still wasn't entirely convinced. She thought it sounded more like their daughter's normal babbling, but she couldn't erase the sheer joy that had lit his face with the thought.

"What exactly do you think you're doing down here?"

Kahlan peeked through her eyelashes to see Richard standing on the other side of her large desk, his arms folded across his chest and irritation written all over his stern face. There was no mistaking the hint of anger that laced his words.

"I just came down here to check on a few things," she sheepishly replied, closing her eyes again to avoid his heated glare.

She was in trouble and she knew it. Richard didn't get angry with her about much, but this was one of the few things that usually managed to stir it. She felt he worried too much; he felt he was just being a protective husband. They rarely met on common ground on this point, she always coming out the loser in the argument somehow.

"Kahlan," he sighed heavily, dropping in frustration into a chair before her desk. "You know I don't want you down here working so close to giving birth. You don't need any added tension right now."

"I was just checking in with Edmund," she admitted, finally opening her eyes to judge exactly how angry her husband was with her. "He was concerned about some riots that had unexpectedly broken out in Aydindril the last several days. I wanted to see if they had been able to settle things."

"Riots? Over what?" he asked, sitting up a little straighter and momentarily forgetting his irritation.

"The impending union with D'Hara," she replied, shifting again with a grimace.

"It shouldn't be a surprise. They had to know it was coming when we left for D'Hara so I could claim the throne," he scowled. "They couldn't possibly think for one moment that I'd ever let you stay in Aydindril to rule while I stayed in D'Hara."

"I know," she agreed. "Some will fight change no matter how or when it comes. The majority of Aydindril is happy about it. It's just a handful of extremists who want to keep things the way that they were."

Kahlan suddenly lurched forward, grabbing the sides of her belly. She breathed deeply in and out through the pain while also trying to catch the breath her baby had just taken away.

"What is it?" Richard immediately leaned forward, worry creasing his brow.

"Nothing…it's just your son… playing Ja'La…with my kidneys again," she managed to bite out between exerted pulls of air. "I think he's going to be just like you someday."

Richard's heart constricted at the sight of her in pain because of the baby. Every stab of pain or twinge of discomfort never ceased to create a wave of guilt inside of him knowing that it was his fault she was in this condition no matter the joy that came with it. He wished their son would come already so she wouldn't have to endure this any longer.

"I'm sorry," he frowned as he made his way around the desk. "I think it's time I take you back to our suite. You look exhausted."

"And what exactly would you like to do when we get there?" she coyly smiled, trying to lighten his agitated mood.

Richard quickly grasped her forearm, helping her up to her feet. He pressed an apologetic kiss to her temple, his arms snaking around her large middle. He nuzzled her ear with his lips and nose, breathing her in and savoring her scent.

"I can think of a few things I'd love to do with you…or to you…now that you mention it," he murmured against her ear in a sinful tone.

Richard felt her shiver in his arms, loving how he always affected her. His lips brushed her earlobe, teasing it again before slowly descending down her neck.

Kahlan's eyes fell closed with the sweet warmth that was suddenly sweeping through her. He always managed to make her feel such amazing things. She sighed softly as she tightened her grip on his forearm.

"You better stop now or I'll have to force you to take me right here," she breathily warned him.

"Fine with me," he whispered before moving behind her and pressing himself fully against her back. He brushed her hair aside to continue his heated assault on the slender column of her neck, fully knowing what he was doing to her.

"Richard…" she gasped at the feel of him so firm against her. She gripped the edge of the desk, her body quickly growing weak with the things that he was beginning to do to her, with the knowledge of what he would do.

"I'm just trying to help you relax…help the baby come sooner," he innocently told her.

Kahlan could barely make her brain work with the way that he was gripping her, pressing his hips against her. She knew that she needed to stop this now before they got carried away, but she so desperately wanted for him to get carried away with her.

"What?" she finally managed to utter the word rolling around in her mind that was becoming clouded with lust.

"They say that making love can induce labor," he huskily murmured in her ear, his hands so gentle and tender and yet so urgent in their pursuit of her. "I don't know if I believe it, though, especially as insatiable as you've been. This baby should have been here over a month ago."

Kahlan chuckled lightly as she leaned her head back against his shoulder, arching her back and pushing herself more fully into his hands. Turning, she brushed her lips against his throat, her tongue sneaking a taste of him.

"If you weren't so handsome and completely irresistible," she pointed out, her hand sliding up into his hair and gripping it firmly. "You have never been unwilling, you know."

Richard chuckled softly against her throat, pausing to nip at the sensitive flesh behind her ear. "And how could I resist when you've got me pinned to the bed?" he teased. "Besides, how can I not want you when I'm married to such a breathtakingly beautiful woman?"

"I don't know which wife you could possibly be referring to now," she laughed. "I don't think that you are talking about me anymore."

"You…all you…" he kissed her again. "Only and always you."

"You've always somehow held my heart, Richard," she softly admitted. "Even before I met you, you somehow already owned it."

"I feel the same way," he confessed, his nose brushing tenderly against her cheek as he wrapped his arms around her, his hands splayed over her abdomen. "Let me take you back to our bedchambers where I can show you again how I feel about you… exactly what you do to me."

"I would love nothing more," she turned, finding his lips. "I guess Edmund can wait until tomorrow."

"We'll talk about tomorrow later," he grimaced with an agitated huff, knowing it was going to be a battle keeping her from returning to her office again before their son was born.

Kahlan smirked as he released his hold on her, knowing that it was going to take some work to get back down here again. Maybe she could coax him into bringing some of her work back to their suite instead. How much trouble could she get into there?

Leaning forward, she began to stack her papers into neat piles, wondering when she would actually get to see them again. If Richard had his way, it would be months.

Picking up the journey book, she began to close it when she noticed crimson writing beginning to magically scroll across the cream colored page. She hoped that Edmund had been able to settle the riots before anyone got hurt. Aydindril always had been and would always be very close to her heart.

She tightened her grip on the book, her knuckles turning white with the words that she read. It felt as if all the air had just been sucked out of the room.

Watching all the color drain from her face, Richard gripped her tightly. "Kahlan, what's wrong? What did Edmund say?"

"My father…" she murmured in shock. "My father is on his way to D'Hara to see me."