A/N - This is a transitional chapter. The plot will begin to move more quickly beginning with Chapter 8. Again, thanks to all of you who are reading this. I know that this story is not the usual on this site in terms of pairing and genre.
Responsibility
It was the earliest, warmest spring in memory. The lengthening days were full of sunshine and activity as everyone in the palace sought an excuse to spend as much time outside as possible.
Although her father took his stallion out for a vigorous ride every day, Rachel rarely accompanied him anymore. He occasionally reminded her of the importance of the next Mother Confessor being visible to her people, but usually made no comment.
Her father had never mentioned Richard, nor made any reference to their conversation of the previous winter, treating her with the same affection and warmth he had always displayed. The same could not be said about his attitude toward her mother. Rachel's sixteenth birthday celebration two months earlier had been excruciating. The occasion always required a joint appearance by her parents and the vibrating tension between them had been palpable.
Her father would once have complimented her mother's appearance and inquired after her health. This year he had barely acknowledged his wife. It was impossible for Rachel to ignore the hooded glances her father cast at her mother, but Kahlan appeared to be totally unaware than anything might be amiss.
Rachel feared her verbal blunder with her father last winter had put her mother in jeopardy. And yet, her father's warnings from that same encounter added to the young woman's growing doubts about her mother.
Navigating the emotional distance between Darken and Kahlan had become second nature to Rachel. It was an instinct honed since childhood. But, with every passing year, each parent demanded more of her at the expense of the other. She didn't know how long she could maintain the delicate balancing act.
Today, Rachel was determined to put such worries aside. The day was just too lovely to be shadowed by the simmering discord between her parents. Grabbing a tome of epic poetry from the library, she wandered outside, looking for a quiet spot where, at least for a few hours, she could lose herself in another world.
Seeing her mother, Rachel walked over to her. Kahlan, accompanied by Alice, was in the garden, cutting flowers to fill her chambers. "Mother, it's so good to see you outside. The garden has been so beautiful this spring. I'm glad you are finally able to enjoy it."
Kahlan had been confined to her rooms with a mild fever over the past three weeks. Even though she had visited her mother daily, Rachel was still shocked to see how pale and wasted she looked in the bright sunlight. Her long, once lustrous hair was now dull and lifeless.
While still a striking woman, the years had turned Kahlan's beauty brittle and sharp.
Rachel felt a surge of guilt. She had avoided being alone with her mother during the past few months. She couldn't explain why, although disconnected fragments of her nightmare still haunted her.
She knew it was silly.
Her mother returned her daughter's smile, holding out a welcoming hand. "Darling, it's sweet of you to worry about me, but I'm fine. It is good to feel the sun though." Turning to her companion, she handed her the basket of flowers. "Would you mind leaving us for a few minutes?"
As Alice retreated to the other side of the garden, Kahlan turned to her daughter. "It seems as if I never see you anymore. Now that I am feeling stronger, we need to resume your instruction. I think we should start again tomorrow not that I am feeling better."
A wave of exhaustion swept over Rachel. Her uncomplicated joy in the spring day vanished.
"Also, you have to start thinking about taking a mate. You will be seventeen in nine months. Continuing the line of Confessors depends on you." Her mother glanced at the book in her daughter's hands. "What is that foolishness you are reading? Have you finished the Commentaries of Mother Confessor Magda Searus yet? If not, don't you think that is what you should be studying instead?"
Suddenly angered, Rachel turned away. Since it would be highly discourteous to walk away from her mother without a response, she nodded wearily.
Her mother had never been one for small talk.
Finally permitted to leave her mother's presence, the young woman held the precious book of poetry to her chest. It was only a tiny rebellion, but the rest of the day was hers and hers alone. Old boring Magda Searus could wait.
oOo
After she re-joined Alice on the other side of the garden, Kahlan expressed her concern. "That girl is almost seventeen and still acts like a child. At her age I knew what it was like to brave the world alone".
"My Lady, at her age you had your sister and your fellow Confessors to help you, did you not?" Alice, who rarely disputed her mistress about anything, felt compelled to put in a supportive word for Rachel. "She is still so young".
During the past few years, the Queen's certainty of impending death had abated. For whatever reason Rahl seemed content to let her live. She knew her husband felt complacent in Rachel's love for him. But, he was wise enough to know that any action he took against Kahlan could destroy that devotion. While the Queen enjoyed the secret sense of power she held over Darken Rahl through his own child, she was aware of the need to be vigilant in maintaining Rachel's loyalty.
"There isn't time for the luxury of indulging her. Rachel has responsibilities and she has neglected them for too long." Kahlan nervously ran her fingers under the rada'han. "There are forty-one years left. We have to make sure that Richard has a Confessor to help him return, whether that Confessor is my daughter, my granddaughter or even my great-granddaughter".
Kahlan met Alice's gaze. "I may not be around to instruct my granddaughter. Everything hinges on Rachel knowing every step of the ritual as if she could do it in her sleep."
Walking back toward the Palace, Alice regarded her mistress with admiration.
She was so brave.
In seventeen years, Queen Kahlan had never wavered in her determination to be reunited with the Seeker.
Alice could only be in awe of a love that strong.
A love that refused to recognize any obstacles.
A love that would let nothing get in its way.
