TITLE: Hope

AUTHOR: LOTSlove®

CHARACTERS: Richard / Kahlan

RATING: R / M

TIMELINE: Anything up through S2 season finale (Tears)

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

SUMMARY: Sequel to my fic Finally, Kahlan's magic is still missing. Will Richard be able to get it back for her or will she be forced to live without it?

Chapter 1

Shafts of sunlight broke through the dissipating clouds, warming his face and helping brighten his brooding mood. Momentarily closing his eyes, he drew a deep breath, the smell of spring filling his lungs. The scent of rain still lingered in the air. Puddles from the rainstorm and the melting snow were scattered here and there, creating thick patches of mud.

He glanced down at the mud now caked on his once polished black boots. Despite the mess on his boots, he loved spring. It meant the beginning of all things new, rebirth and revival, everything fresh and beautiful.

It meant work could finally resume.

Standing on the lip of a ledge, he stared intently at the work being done below in the valley, admiring the progress as another wagon exited the cavern. Even from this distance, he could hear the steady creak of the wooden wheels as they struggled through the mud. He made a mental note to speak with the supervisory chief that he had put in place during winter's solstice. They would need to see about repairs to the supply wagons as well as other equipment.

Although pleased that work was finally underway, he was most unsatisfied with the enormous amount of work still left to do. Clasping his hands behind his back, his gaze narrowed further as he paced back and forth along the ledge, pausing to kick a loose stone out of his way. His mind was a constant whirlwind of plans and schemes, ideas on how to bring about the greatest productivity and change.

He had brought about so much prosperity to the city. The name of Kandahar was already becoming known in D'Hara. It was slow in coming but still it was growing. Soon, though, it would be known throughout all three territories as well as the Old World.

All that he had accomplished thus far was just the beginning of what he had in mind. His eyes flashed brightly, his lips curling into a smirk as his future plans began to roll through his head. Many sleepless nights had been spent thinking through every single detail, every possible outcome.

Now, the time had finally come. And still it was not soon enough for his liking.

He wanted to make the best impression for the guests that he had invited. He had yet to receive confirmation of their arrival, but he expected it to come nonetheless. How could they possibly turn down such a magnificent invitation?

He wanted them to delight in all that Kandahar had to offer, to be in awe of its splendor and opulence. He wanted them to form a close alliance with them, to come to count on his city as their greatest supporter in all of D'Hara. But again, that would just be the very beginning of what he had in mind.

"I know that look."

He didn't even bother turning at the sound of that voice so familiar that it reminded him of his own. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest, his lips twitching with underlying excitement as his eyes continued to survey the scene below him.

"You should," the man commented without making eye contact. "It runs in the family."

After several moments, he at last cast a long look at his companion who had come to join him on the ridge. He watched as a sudden wind caught the ends of his shoulder length blond hair, causing it to flutter lightly in the breeze. His blue eyes were focused as well on the work progressing below, his brow furrowed in that familiar way that his father always had when he was concentrating on something important.

His cousin's presence had brought him an unexpected sense of comfort, providing him some much needed support to continue his work. His destiny had placed him on a lonely path, one that he had come to accept that he would traverse alone. Having his cousin along on this journey now brought him a measure of reassurance in the work that he was doing.

"So what glorious thoughts could possibly be spinning around in that head of yours, Iowan?" the young man asked with a knowing gleam in his eye.

"Nothing we haven't already discussed, cousin," Iowan ominously replied, his intent stare not missing one moment of what was transpiring below. He would definitely need to talk to Duncan about maintaining the wagons more properly. They could not afford to lose any precious cargo because of poor equipment.

Nolan chuckled softly as he smoothed a hand over his cloak. "I highly doubt that. I know you too well. You never were able to get anything past me."

"That is true," Iowan sighed thoughtfully. "I'm just running through a list of things that I want taken care of before their arrival."

"Have they even responded yet?"

"No, but they will. I sent the invitation to them just a couple of days ago, but rest reassured that it's an invitation that they can't refuse," Iowan confidently informed him, pausing to kick one boot against the other in a futile attempt to loosen the hardened mud that had crusted over the leather.

"You certainly have thought of everything, haven't you?" Nolan responded. It was more of an observation than a question, one that did not need answered.

Nolan knew his cousin all too well. Iowan was meticulous about details, practically to the point of distraction, obsessing both day and night about every minute point that seemed completely trivial to anyone else. He supposed, though, that was what made him such an excellent leader.

Iowan had completely turned around a crumbling city that was headed for ruin, bringing it to the magnificence that it was finally becoming today. And Nolan knew that this was only the beginning. His cousin never did anything small nor did he ever stop at the best.

The best to Iowan was never good enough.

Everything had to be better than the rest, more advanced than others, outshining everyone and everything around him. He would never settle for what Kandahar had become under his rule. When all was said and done, it would be the crown jewel, not only of D'Hara, but of all three territories. Everyone would look to them for ideas, how best to model their towns and culture, the most lucrative forms of business and trade.

Only then would Iowan be satisfied – at least for the moment.

They stood there for several moments in companionable silence, each one obsessed with his thoughts. They each had their own plans, an agenda that at times were parallel while other times diverted in opposite directions. On the whole though, sticking together would accomplish much more than working apart right now.

Nolan's eyes drifted to the darkening clouds growing in the distance, a faint rumbling sound softly echoing, signaling another storm's rapid approach. It matched the violent storm that had been steadily brewing in his heart, one that he couldn't bear to dwell on right now. Swallowing back his emotions, he shoved those dark thoughts away, knowing they would only distract him from his goal.

There would be plenty of time to deal with it later. All he needed to do right now was bide his time.

Clearing his throat, Nolan turned towards his cousin. "I hope everything goes as you planned, Iowan," he told his cousin, placing his hand on the man's shoulder and squeezing it.

"Thank you, Nolan," he solemnly replied with a thoughtful nod. "So do I."

XXX

Standing beneath an elm with its limbs heavy with buds, Richard cooed softly to his daughter as he held her in his arms. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. It amazed him every day how much she looked like her mother, her blue eyes staring at him with rapt attention.

He leaned down, pressing his lips to her forehead. He loved the smell of her, the softness of her skin and the wonder that filled her bright blue eyes when she looked at him. He couldn't believe how his twin daughters could be so much alike and yet be so very different.

Priya was feisty and stubborn like her Confessor mother while Paige possessed a more tranquil, gentler spirit that equally reminded him of Kahlan. His wife swore with a shake of her head and a lilting laugh that they were both just like their father, but all he could see and marvel at was how much they were like their beautiful mother in every way.

And it couldn't have made him any happier.

Kahlan smiled as she approached, the scene before her lifting her heart. She loved watching Richard as he held their daughters, savoring the love that she could see flowing between them. It was so touching to see the mighty Seeker and Lord Rahl as a loving father, so tender and affectionate with his baby girls.

There was just something so special between a father and his daughters, something that Kahlan almost envied and yet was thrilled to witness. These girls were a product of their profound love for one another. To see Richard like this, the joy that lit his eyes as well as the extreme pride that beamed on his face when he was with his family meant more to her than just about anything in this world.

"So when do I get to hold my great-granddaughter?" Zedd grumbled impatiently.

"Not until the ceremony is over," Richard told him, turning to see Kahlan walking towards them with Paige in her arms.

Richard felt a warm stirring in his heart at the sight of his wife. She was breathtaking in a champagne colored gown, her raven hair curled and pulled up to frame her face. Her special smile saved for him touched her lips, her sapphire eyes focused solely on him.

Spirits, what this woman could do to him by doing practically nothing at all but walk towards him.

Memories of the day that he had married her quickly surfaced in his mind. It was one of the most wonderful days of his life, comparing only with the day that he had met her and the day that she had given birth to his daughters. He knew that many more days like that lay ahead for them.

"You look so beautiful, Kahlan," he murmured, leaning in and kissing her lightly on the lips.

"Thank you," she replied, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. "And you look very handsome, Lord Rahl."

He smiled brightly at her compliment, loving it when she told him how desirable she found him. It also made his heart soar when she used his title, her faith in him giving him the confidence and strength of a thousand warriors.

"Where is Garren?" Kahlan suddenly asked, looking around.

"He's over there pacing," Richard told her, nodding his head in the direction of the Aydindril Commander several feet away walking back and forth by a row of bushes.

"Is he that nervous?" Kahlan lightly laughed.

"That's nothing," Zedd interjected with a knowing smile. "You should have seen Richard just before he married you."

"Zedd, you weren't supposed to tell her," Richard exclaimed in mild embarrassment. "I like the idea of Kahlan thinking that I was perfectly calm the day we married."

"He was a nervous wreck," the Wizard informed her with a chuckle. "Pacing and wearing a path in the grass. I thought he was going to pass out."

"Richard, is that true?" Kahlan questioned him, stunned by the revelation.

"Only because I was marrying the most beautiful woman I had ever met. I didn't want to disappoint you."

"You could never disappoint me," she told him, touched by his admission, the palm of her hand finding his cheek. "If truth be told, I wasn't much better."

"Why?" he asked with surprise.

"I was worried that you wouldn't like my dress or that I wasn't beautiful enough for you. You're very handsome, Seeker. You could have had any woman you wanted and yet you chose me."

"Kahlan, you captured my heart the day I met you. I knew then that I'd love no other except you for the rest of my life," he said. "When I looked up and saw you walking towards me on our wedding day, I felt a sudden peace, reminding me that we were meant only for each other."

"I felt the same way," she admitted, leaning in and kissing him slowly.

Zedd clearing his throat quickly brought them back to the moment at hand. "You two do remember this day is about Cara and Garren, don't you?"

They both smiled at each other, each telling the other with their eyes how much they secretly wished they could be alone right then, but knowing they would have to wait until later.

"What could be taking her so long?" Garren asked as he finally joined them.

Turning, Garren suddenly noticed Cara walking towards them. His breath vanished as his eyes locked with hers. Dressed in white leather, he was taken aback once more by her stunning beauty. Her blond hair was pulled back and secured at the nape of her neck, her green eyes shining with love. He didn't even notice the Sister of the Dark following behind her.

Cara smiled softly at the sight of her future husband, the look of longing that filled his entire countenance. She stared at the handsome Commander, his gray eyes like twin thunderclouds full of intensity and such strength that it made her knees weak.

It never ceased to amaze her how deeply he affected her, not only physically, but emotionally as well, affecting the way she thought, the way she acted and reacted. She had never allowed a man to influence her so wholly, to have gotten hold of her heart so completely.

And she never wanted her life to be any different than this.

Kahlan watched as Cara and Garren stared intently at each other, reciting the vows that would bind them together as one forever. It reminded her of the love that she and Richard shared, the deep bond that so obviously flowed between them like a beautiful glimmering thread. She imagined that was what others saw when they looked at her and Richard, witnessing that intimate cord of love that connected them to one another.

Richard watched as Garren took Cara's hands in his, his attention completely consumed with her. He remembered well that feeling as if no one else was present except for him and the woman that he loved. It made him smile to see his friends as happy as he and Kahlan were.

Cara deserved this more than any other person he could think of. He felt his throat tighten as he thought about how far she had come since he had first met her, how cold and callous she had once been. It had truly been a beautiful transformation.

Casting a glance at Kahlan standing behind Cara, the Seeker lost himself again in the stunning beauty that was his wife. He watched as she tilted her head, brushing her cheek softly against Paige's forehead as she soothed their fussy daughter, her eyes focused on the ceremony.

It was warmed his heart to see the soft smile on her face. It had been over two months since Darken Rahl had stolen Kahlan's powers and he had yet to find the Quillian. His chest tightened with the frustration and anger that had become his constant companion. He had promised her that he would not give up until he had gotten her Confessor's magic back.

And he had failed her.

They had searched the Palace and yet the Quillian could not be found. It was maddening to search for something that seemed to have disappeared out of thin air, something that he had promised to return to her.

Kahlan had never once blamed him, instead only kissing him and telling him that she understood when he would tell her that they had not found it yet. There was a sense of sadness that had settled over her, the light gone from her eyes since he had saved her from Rahl, reminding him that something had been stolen from her and he had been unable to fix it.

Kahlan had confessed to him that she had spent so many nights begging the spirits to take her magic from her those first two years after meeting him, to make her a normal woman so she could be with him the way that they both so desperately wanted. Now that it was gone, she felt as though she had lost such an important piece of herself.

He had tried to reassure her that she was still the same woman that he had fallen in love with, but she would only nod and smile that special smile that belonged to no one but him. It was meant to reassure him, but it always left him feeling even worse, knowing that she was forced to endure such emptiness because he had let her down.

Kahlan looked up to find Richard staring at her. She felt a fluttering in her core that always reacted to him whenever he looked at her, touched or kissed her. There was a sense of grief that suddenly veiled his eyes, causing her forehead to crease with concern.

They held each other's gaze in a brief exchange of unspoken words, their eyes conveying what they couldn't with words at that moment. Kahlan finally broke the moment, knowing that she'd have time later to talk to him about what had caused him to become so sad all of the sudden.

Standing off to the side, Nicci couldn't help but notice the look of love that filled the Seeker and Confessor's faces. It was something that neither of them could ever hide whenever they were together. It tugged painfully at her heart, her throat tightening over something that would never be.

She would forever love a man who could not love her in return. Having pledged her life and loyalty to him, she knew that his friendship would have to sustain her, fulfilling her more than she could have ever hoped for.

Returning her attention to the ceremony, Nicci couldn't help but feel a sense of peace with the acceptance that had been afforded her despite the ache that permanently lived in her heart. To be accepted as a friend, invited to join the small private ceremony suddenly meant more to her than she had realized.

Softly shushing Paige, Kahlan listened as Garren pledged his love, his deep voice holding such devotion for his new wife. Even though he possessed such a foreboding appearance, she knew the gentleness of heart that beat in his chest, the warmth that flowed through his blood, the humor that filled his spirit.

She cast a furtive glance at her husband, reminded of all the amazing qualities that had so powerfully drawn her to him, traits that had caused her to fall deeply in love with him. Richard Rahl was truly a rare person and he was hers.

Richard gently bounced Priya in his arms, watching as Cara pledged her love to Garren. He could have sworn that he saw tears threatening to fill her green eyes. It was so unlike the Mord'Sith to show this side of her, to open her heart up like this for everyone to see. It was a beautiful scene, one that he was proud to witness.

"I now pronounce you bound as one heart and one spirit," Zedd happily announced.

With his final declaration as husband and wife, Cara suddenly kissed her husband, an act that took everyone by surprise. Garren quickly responded, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her close and lifting her off of her feet.

Zedd smiled proudly as he watched them, taking great joy in the fact that Cara had found a love like this. Although not his granddaughter by blood, he couldn't help but feel a certain protectiveness towards her as if she truly was his relation.

Cara and Garren's life together was just beginning, Darken Rahl was dead and things were finally looking brighter than they had in ages.