Please work.
Kahlan holds her breath; watching as the sky grows ominously darker.
Please work.
She feels her nails digging into her palms, as lightening arcs across the sky.
Please work.
All she can hear is the rush of blood in her ears although, distantly, she knows that Zedd is shouting fiercely over the crash and roar of thunder and magic.
In an instant it's over. Zedd drops to one knee, wearily taking in the scene as Richard goes to his side. Kahlan watches out of the corner of her eye as Cara strains against the ropes that bind her. She feels her chest tighten as Cara's lips draw into a smirk.
"Is that all you've got, Wizard?"
As the words roll off the Mord'Sith's tongue, Kahlan's heart drops.
It didn't work.
"It didn't work," Kahlan voices her thoughts as she rushes to Zedd's side, helping Richard get the wizard to his feet.
"No...it worked." Zedd's voice is tired and raw.
"What do you mean?" Richard asks, his forehead furrowing. "Nothing happened. Cara's still broken."
Zedd takes a few moments to collect himself, breathing deeply. "What I'm about to tell you may come as quite a shock," he says slowly. Richard nods urging him to continue. Kahlan glances at Cara, who is being unusually quiet, trying to listen in on their conversation she assumes. "The spell worked and I was taken to a world where Cara had never been broken by the Mord'Sith."
"You mean...she wasn't taken as a child?" Kahlan asks.
Zedd shakes his head. "She grew up on her farm, took a husband and had two beautiful children."
Kahlan can't contain the gasp that escapes her lips.
How wonderful that must have been.
"Was she happy?"
Zedd regards her curiously, "that remained to be seen."
"Were we there, Zedd?" Richard asks. "Kahlan and I? How did Cara not being broken affect us?"
Zedd glances over at Cara before smiling sadly at the Seeker and Mother Confessor. "You were married," he says, almost wistfully. "The Boxes of Orden were not separated. We'd come to the conclusion that without Cara, Rahl couldn't reach you in time. The spell worked and you, Richard, had the power of Orden."
"But he could control it, because the power was tempered by the Confession, correct?" Kahlan asks, smiling at Richard, who appears to be momentarily speechless. Zedd nods.
"You said we were married." Richard speaks finally. Zedd nods again.
"Yes, and you, Kahlan," he turns to the Mother Confessor, "you were with child."
Kahlan's heart flutters at the notion.
"Zedd, I don't understand," Richard says, looking over his shoulder at Cara, who glares firmly back at him, "this world you speak of sounds like a much better place. What happened? Why are we here?"
Zedd sighs heavily. "It would seem that I was not the only being with knowledge of what had happened. The Keeper was quite angry; after all, things are looking rather bleak for us at the moment aren't they? He devised a plan to regain control over you Richard. While you were drawn away from the People's Palace, three Sisters of the Dark managed to infiltrate the walls and separate the boxes. You lost your power and were taken captive by your brother, no longer under the influence of the power of Orden. He somehow came into possession of the boxes and used them for himself. He became all-powerful, he controlled you Richard. You must understand that no matter how dismal it may seem in this reality, it is infinitely better to have you on our side."
Richard nods slowly, once again turning to observe the Mord'Sith. "We have to bring her back," he states.
"Richard, I do not think that-"
"Kahlan saved me Zedd!" Richard snaps, cutting the Wizard off, "we know it can be done!"
"Richard, that was different," Kahlan says, gently placing a hand on his arm. "You love me deeply."
"Cara loves!" Richard retorts, frustration etching his features, "I know she does."
Kahlan and Zedd remain silent, allowing Richard a few moments to think.
"Do what you need to do." Kahlan says finally, but Richard shakes his head.
"It can't be me."
"But Richard, you have the closest bond with Cara." Kahlan says, her brow furrows in confusion and again Richard shakes his head.
"The bond that Cara and I have...it's about loyalty, pride, honor. She obeys me because she still holds me to be The Lord Rahl."
"Richard that's not true. Cara cares for you, for us," Kahlan says softly.
"The old Cara did. But this Cara will explain away anything I try to say to her because of our bond."
"I believe I understand what Richard is trying to say," Zedd interjects, turning a weary eye to Kahlan. "This re-broken Cara will not be affected by any sort of bond she might have had with Richard because it was her duty. We need to present her with feelings that cannot be attached to her duty to serve The Lord Rahl."
Richard gently grasps Kahlan's arms, turning her to him. "It has to be you Kahlan. Cara has fought for you, defended you, protected you, with and without my order. If anyone can reach her, I think it's you."
Kahlan nods slowly, before smiling worriedly towards Richard, seeking strength from his gentle gaze. She turns to the Mord'Sith, still bound and struggling against the tree.
Cautiously, Kahlan approaches her, tossing her daggers aside. If there is one thing that makes Cara uncomfortable, one weakness she has, Kahlan knows it's having her personal space invaded against her will.
Kahlan steps up to the Mord'Sith, so close she swears she can feel the energy radiating from the leather-clad woman. Kahlan realizes too late that the reason Cara had been so quiet, was that she'd been freeing her wrists from their bonds. The Mord'Sith's hands are at her throat in an instant, but Kahlan's hand is at Cara's just as quickly.
Kahlan vaguely registers Richard being held back by Zedd on the outer grip of her vision. She blocks them out, knowing that if she has any hope of bringing Cara back; she needs to be completely focused on the blonde.
Cara quirks an eyebrow, her grip is tight, but just warningly, as is Kahlan's.
"Come for your revenge, Mother Confessor?" Cara's voice sounds like a hiss to Kahlan's ears; it brings about a flood of emotion. Kahlan's eyes flutter shut momentarily as she fights to maintain her composure.
"I know you're in there Cara," Kahlan whispers gently.
"You know nothing about me," Cara grinds out, letting one hand fall to her side, mimicking Kahlan's stance.
Kahlan smiles sadly, "Do you really think you can crush my windpipe before I can confess you?"
Cara's grip tightens uncomfortably, "Care to give it a try?"
Kahlan's throat burns, both from Cara's grip and frustration. "Please Cara..." She whispers.
The Mord'Sith twitches just the slightest bit, but Kahlan feels it. She meets Cara's gaze, "remember Richard's birthday party?" She says softly, "Do you remember the tomb?"
"I have not gone dumb, Confessor. I still have my memory." Cara snaps. Kahlan inclines her head slightly, nodding as best she can with her throat in the vice-like grip of the Mord'Sith.
"I guess it just seems like you don't remember," Kahlan murmurs, "because you said, you considered me a friend. Offered to take your own life to save mine-"
"I told you I was delirious!" Cara snaps again, tightening her grip even more. Kahlan visibly winces, her eyes begin to burn and tear.
"And you remember Nicci? When she placed the maternity spell on me?"
"Of course I remember!" Cara's frustration mounts, becoming more and more visible.
"You were always by my side. You comforted me, you protected me, you worried over me!" Kahlan feels a few hot tears make their way down her cheeks.
"I was ordered to serve you as I would serve The Lord Rahl!"
"Do you inspect Richard's wounds? Do you lay his head on your lap? Do you take his hand and lead him away from danger?" As Kahlan says this, she finally and completely understands why it has to be her to unbreak Cara. The Mord'Sith finally breaks eye contact, turning her head away angrily. Her chest heaves with emotion kept locked tightly away.
"That is what Richard would have done for you."
Kahlan slowly brings her free hand up, gently cupping Cara's cheek and turning the blonde's head back to look at her. Kahlan should be surprised when the Mord'Sith doesn't resist, but for some reason she's not in the least.
"Richard does those things because he loves me."
"I love you!" Cara's voice rings out through the trees. Birds that haven't already taken their leave take flight, scattering across the now blue sky. After that, the clearing is eerily silent.
Cara hangs her head, her chin heavy against the back of Kahlan's hand, still wrapped around her neck. Kahlan ducks her eyes, trying to meet the Mord'Sith's.
"Cara?" Her voiced cracks, as she searches the face of the woman in front of her. Cara's eyes remain firmly shut but she relinquishes her hold on Kahlan's neck, her hand slips down Kahlan's chest and comes to rest gently, just above her heart.
Slowly, tears start to trickle down Cara's face, but those tears become sobs and the sobs become gut-wrenching screams.
Kahlan thinks that Zedd must have magically removed Cara's bonds because suddenly she is falling, heavily into Kahlan's arms. Kahlan guides them down to the forest floor so that they are kneeling, facing one another.
Cara's head is buried in Kahlan's shoulder and, after the screams turn back into sobs, it is a long time before Cara takes a shaky breath, finally lifting her head to look the Mother Confessor in the eyes. Her forehead crinkles and her eyes well up as if she's about to start crying again, but she doesn't. Recognition flickers there.
"Kahlan?"
Kahlan can't help the joyous laughter that escapes her lips as she too begins to cry.
Suddenly, Cara is pulling her to her, grasping at her in a fierce hug. Kahlan clings to Cara, relief flooding through her body.
"Please, forgive me," Cara says into Kahlan's hair, her voice barely a whisper.
"I do, Cara." Kahlan murmurs. "I do."