Title: Returning Home
Authors: Phoenix_cry and VirKatJol
Rating: NC-17 (most chapters are PG-13)
Summary: Richard returns to Hartland, can Kahlan follow? What goes down in the village when Richard returns?
Pairing: Richard/Kahlan
Type: Alternate Universe, Romance, Angst
Spoilers: Anything up to Reckoning
Disclaimer: We aren't really that nuts... wait you want me to say that we don't own these characters. We don't.
Special thanks to trochilidae17 for the Beta! Lovest you!
A/N: Phoenix_Cry - I'd like to thank my brain!twin Azeri for agreeing to write this (once seemingly) crazy idea with me. I am not sure I'd have been able to do that alone. Glomps Without further ado, I hope you have fun reading this version of our favorite couple's journey. :)
A/N: Virkatjol - Cross posting to LJ and CSS gives me a spit personality... I knew we'd be pretty epic when PC brought this plot to the table. But I never expected 27K+ words. I had lots of fun taking them on this journey, especially with PC by my side. I really hope that everyone enjoys the ride. Angst + Romance + Family + Happy + Sad + Love + Smut = WIN y/y? hehe
Chapter 1
Watching the people's reactions to their presence the first time they entered Aydindril, wandering the grand street leading up to the Confessor's Palace, made Kahlan Amnell feel a little uncomfortable. It was the first time she had set foot in Aydindril since being named the Mother Confessor. This was now her official seat in the Midlands, the place where she presided over the people, guiding the hands of Kings and Queens. Leading the cultures to the right decisions and hopefully ending injustice and war. Kahlan forced herself not to wring her hands, giving away the nervousness she felt inside. Was she really ready for this? Even if she wasn't, she had no choice. She was the last living confessor, after all. The weight of that fact settled itself heavily onto her shoulders.
The people were falling to their knees on the streets, bowing their heads in respect as she approached. Some greeted her with joyful words, some with only respect, even a slight fear in their voices. Such was the standing of the Mother Confessor. Even though the people loved and respected her, most also feared her. A Confessor had no friends, other than her sisters.
Such was the life of a Confessor.
She was glad that Richard and Zedd were by her side, the only true friends she'd ever had. But soon, they would be leaving her to go on home to Hartland. Kahlan banished those thoughts from her head and concentrated on the way in front of her, where the Confessor's Palace, in all its white grandeur was standing. Behind it, made from the mountains themselves, the Wizard's Keep towered. Both combined to be a truly imposing presence.
It had been a long time since she'd set foot inside the Palace. The huge, white, marble pillars supporting the entrance hall and the glossy floors were blinding in their intensity. It was built with intimidation in mind and it worked. No one could set foot inside its gates and not feel the power that the Palace exuded.
Stepping inside, the same was now happening to Richard, who had never been here before. Having been born and raised in Hartland, where no magic existed, he hadn't expected such a sight as greeted him now. Smiling at his wide-eyed expression, they only now noticed the footman that had appeared from thin air, it seemed, to greet them. Upon the realization that the Mother Confessor was back home, he gave a deep bow and broke the silence.
"Oh dear, we had no idea when you'd return Mother Confessor, all the staff held hope that you would be back when word that Darken Rahl had been defeated spread up this way."
Kahlan smiled at the mention of their victory, "Fortunately, your rooms are always kept at the ready," the footman continued. He than turned his attention to her friends, "This must be Richard Cypher, the Seeker!" Kahlan saw Richard give a quick nod in acknowledgment. "And Wizard of the First Order as well, Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander. What an honor it is to meet you." He gave another bow, although this one not as deep as its predecessor. "Oh my, this is even more reason for celebration. Welcome everyone, we all owe you a great deal of thanks." They all just smiled at him, still unused to all the gratitude that people pushed on the trio. "I'll show you all up to the Mother Confessor's suite of rooms while we prepare two more for you." The group followed promptly behind him.
"Kahlan, you never mentioned how big this place really was," Richard observed. He looked over at her to see a smirk cross her lips. "I can see how ruling the Midlands from here is very effective. Anyone who crosses in through that doorway has a feeling of being very small and unessential to you." He felt a touch on his hand; instinctively he opened his and their fingers tangled together.
"Don't you ever feel that way, Richard. You are very essential to my life." Kahlan leaned over into him, lightly bumping their shoulders together. "If you think the entrance is large, wait until you see my huge, comfortable, warm bed." She turned to look at him and saw his mouth gaping open. A huge smile rose to her lips and she gave him a mischievous wink. They continued to follow the footman, their hands never parting.
After what felt like miles of hallways winding through the catacombs of the Palace, they arrived at Kahlan's suite. The footman held the door open. "Your maid will be up in a minute to see to your needs. I'll be back when the rooms are done being readied." He began to retreat so he could get the guests taken care of.
"Wait!" He paused and turned back to find out what Kahlan might need. "We only need a room readied for Zedd, preferably on the other side of the palace." She glanced at Zedd and saw him frown. "The Seeker will be staying in here, with me." Seeing the footman nod at the instructions she turned to see Richard's reaction. The look on his face made a happy giggle escape her throat. "I just seem to keep shocking you today."
Recovering from the initial shock Richard replied, "I'm not complaining, I don't want to be apart from you before I have to." He saw a slight wrinkle pass over her brow. "We shouldn't be even thinking about that right now though. We need to enjoy these days and deal with the tomorrows when they arrive." At her nod he added, "Plus I was just thinking how nice this bed looks and how disappointed I was that I wasn't going to get to test it out. Since you now seem to prescribe to my theory that we can be together?"
"We'll talk about your theory later. For me, it still sounds too good to be true." Kahlan hoped he was right, but had never heard of anyway around the magic. She was just hoping he would hold her all night.
He pulled Kahlan over to face him. Reaching up with his other hand he cupped the side of her head, caressing her hair. Unlocking their hands he reached up and did the same on the other side. Before she could protest that they had an audience, he pulled her in for a kiss. Richard felt her melt into him and kiss him back immediately. The kiss was quickly moving from sweet to heated when Richard heard a throat clearing. Zedd was still in the room.
"Could you two at least wait long enough for me to clear out?" Zedd asked, not really perturbed at them. He was very happy that his grandson had found love in such a strong, beautiful and intelligent woman. He didn't know if they would be able to work everything out but he held a strong faith that they would. "What time do they serve supper around here anyway?" He heard his stomach growl followed by a chorus of laughter. Hearing a knock, followed by a door opening, Zedd looked up to see Kahlan's maid walking in.
The maid assessed the situation. She wasn't too happy about the word that her mistress would be sharing her quarters. "Mistress, my name is Sarah, I'll be tending to your needs while you're here." She gave a quick curtsy in Kahlan's direction, and then focused her eyes on Richard, looking him over. Sarah decided that he was easy to look at but that didn't make him good for her mistress. When she made it back up to his face she saw that he was smiling at her and then gave her a nod asking if he passed the inspection. She just scowled at him and turned to see to the fire and other essential duties to ready the Mother Confessor's room for occupation.
"I don't think Sarah likes me much, Kahlan," Richard said with a chuckle.
"She's not supposed to like any man that is staying in a bed with me." She leaned in and gave him a kiss. "However I love this man staying in my bed, and in the end I am the one in charge around here. At least I was the last time I looked." Kissing him quickly again then continuing, "It's fun to be the boss, it means I get to tell you what to do for once." She saw his smile widen. "My first order for you is to tend to my every whim and to not leave my side while you're here."
"I shall try my very hardest to do as my lady pleases," Richard teased and followed it with a deep bow, his gaze never leaving hers. When he returned to standing he pulled her in for another kiss. "However your orders are following my plan of action to perfection so I can't see that I'll have a hard time following them." He looked over at the maid, then glanced to the ground and frowned. He knew what he said next would disappoint Kahlan. "Maybe your maid has a point." He noticed her good mood seep out of her face. "I mean perhaps we shouldn't share an official bedroom yet. Even if we are just holding each other."
"Richard we're adults, consenting adults, I think that we can sleep next to each other and not worry about what the staff thinks of us." Kahlan protested the new development, her face showing how unhappy she was with it. "I agree we should wait to be together completely, but I just don't want to be apart from you..."
"I want nothing more then to hold onto you forever as well," he reassured her, "but I don't know if I can sleep next to you and not try to take it to the next level." He saw the understanding flash across her features and a slight nod in agreement. Before she could become too melancholy over the turn of events, Richard reached up to pull her to him for another kiss. Pulling back after a minute he rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling. "I want to do this right. I don't want anything between the two of us to ever feel like it was wrong."
She reluctantly agreed, "You're right, Richard. However you're not going to get that far away from me." The chuckle that came from him lightened the mood a little. "I'm putting you in the adjoining bedroom." She smiled and pulled his lips to hers for another kiss. The knock on the door interrupted them. Kahlan turned to look and saw the footman entering again.
"The room for Wizard Zorander is prepared. Also supper is ready to eat. I can show the three of you down to the dining room." He bowed slightly and held the door for everyone to exit the Confessor's suite.
Zedd went first, always eager for a meal, followed by Richard. Kahlan stopped by the footman on her way out, "We'll need the room adjoining mine readied for the Seeker." Not giving him time to ask questions she continued on her way. She quickly rejoined Richard, grabbing for his hand and entwining their fingers. The footman came out and hurriedly led them to their meal. Richard and Kahlan continued on to dinner never letting go of one another. "After we eat, we can bathe and get a good nights sleep. You'll need to be rested before you begin your journey." Her voice choked up at the end of her sentence. Just the thought of Richard leaving was heartbreaking. Speaking the words out loud was akin to physical pain.
"Lets not talk about it right now. Lets just enjoy our meal, which we get to eat at a table, and in each others company." He smiled at her trying to make the weight on her heart lift, if only a little. "We'll deal with tomorrow, when it arrives." He pulled her into him for a hug, releasing her when he felt her sigh and relax. Then he led her into the dinning hall, to eat one of the last meals with her before they had to part ways.
