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Reborn (Chapter 10)

Following Zedd through the dismal central corridor of the Wizard's Keep, Richard couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. He hadn't been this happy in almost three months now. Even despite the dread that swarmed in his heart over Kahlan and the children she carried, he still felt a sense of peace that flickered in the midst of the firestorm inside of him. He was back home with his Kahlan and they were going to have twins. He couldn't help but feel overjoyed by it, but he couldn't be truly happy or at peace until the person who was after Kahlan was captured.

Spending the day with Kahlan in their suite yesterday had been better than he could have ever dreamed. The feel of her in his arms, making love with her, feeling her skin against his, just enjoying being with each other had been a better remedy for his wounded heart than anything that any healer could have ever concocted.

Cara had already rolled his eyes upon seeing him this morning, noticing the smile that was plastered on his face. He hadn't realized how much he had missed the Mord'Sith until he had returned to Aydindril. He had missed her sarcastic comments, her little expressions of exasperation and annoyance, the way she argued about everything.

He had told Cara to stay at the Palace and watch over Kahlan while he and Zedd went to the Keep to look into the dream he'd had. He had been somewhat surprised by Cara's willingness to stay with Kahlan while deliberations resumed among the Council of the Midlands instead of accompanying him and Zedd to the Keep. He had been prepared for a full head-on argument reviewing all of the why's she needed to stay with Kahlan, but instead had been met with a quick readiness to follow his request without the slightest argument.

After recovering from his initial shock, Richard had later realized that Cara had grown rather protective of Kahlan in the wake of his absence the last two months. He wasn't certain if it was because Kahlan was with child or if it was related to his being gone for so long, but whatever it was, he couldn't have been happier.

He knew that, because she was the Mother Confessor, Kahlan didn't have close friends outside of him, Zedd, Cara, Aggie, and Edmond. And now with Dennee gone, the number had dwindled even further. Kahlan needed a friend like Cara, someone who was just as stubborn as she was if not more so who could fearlessly go toe-to-toe with his wife and hold her own.

Richard also knew that Cara needed a friend, someone who could help her in embracing her humanity and there was no one better for the task than his wife. Kahlan was the most compassionate, selfless person he had ever known. She had a way about her that made a person want to be better than what they were, to strive for so much more in life instead of settling.

He understood that first hand because Kahlan did the same thing for him. She made him want to be so much for than what he was because of her. He wanted to be the man and husband that she truly deserved. And she deserved no less than the very best he had to offer her.

Thinking of her now, Richard still found himself concerned about her appearance. He had not expected her to have almost completely shut down like she had when he had left. While he could not erase the past, he knew that he certainly had a say in the present. Aggie had seen to it that food had been brought up to their suite periodically throughout the day yesterday. Richard had made sure that Kahlan had eaten like she was supposed to.

The morning had been touch-and-go with breakfast not sitting very well. He had held her hair and rubbed her back as the morning meal had made a rapid reappearance. It had brought him a great deal of worry having witnessed her morning sickness first hand, especially knowing that he was indirectly the cause of it, but it seemed to subside as the day wore on, allowing her to enjoy lunch and dinner with no reoccurrence of the morning's events.

Richard had also been relieved that she had gotten some much needed sleep. The exhaustion that filled her face tugged at his heart. He had not been happy at all about her sleeping on the floor since he had been gone, but Kahlan had quickly reminded him that he had done the same thing when she had been trapped in that timeless void with Brey, bringing that argument to an abrupt end.

While he had also been able to catch up on some of the sleep that he had missed while he had been away, he had also spent hours just watching her sleep. She was just so beautiful that he could hardly take his eyes off of her let alone close them. It had brought him a measure of comfort to lie in their big bed, holding her close while she slept contentedly in his arms, knowing that his babies were growing in her womb. He felt as if he were holding them as well, keeping them safe from the wickedness outside the Palace that was bent on taking their girls away from them.

Richard could still feel that old familiar stirrings of rage inside his soul with the thought of someone plotting to take Kahlan's life, of harming his unborn children. They would have to kill him first before they ever laid a hand on Kahlan. It brought him a sense of peace knowing that Cara and Zedd felt the same way.

Following Zedd into an unfamiliar room, Richard immediately began scanning the numerous books that surrounded him, confusion wrinkling his brow. "I don't remember being in this room before."

"That's because you've never been. This is the library where books containing prophecy are kept," Zedd told him as he set to work searching the books along the wall on the far end of the room. "Just don't pilfer any books from the Keep and take them back to the Palace with you this time."

"Very funny," Richard huffed in annoyance as he moved to the other side of the large room. It had been an honest mistake, one that he was still trying to come to terms with in his heart. The guilt would linger there for a long time, no matter how much Kahlan forgave him.

Standing with his back to his grandfather, Richard crossed his arms against his chest as he began scanning the spines of numerous volumes of work. "What exactly are we looking for?"

"We'll know it when we see it," Zedd absentmindedly replied as he continued his search, his bony finger running along the spines of the texts that he examined.

"That's helpful," Richard grumbled under his breath with a frown. They didn't have time for 'we'll know it when we see it'. They needed the information now before it was too late.

"How is Kahlan feeling this morning?"

"Better. Still struggling with morning sickness, but she insists that it's improving which I fail to believe. I got her to eat better yesterday afternoon and she finally slept. I just hope that she'll be alright. I'm not very happy that she wasn't taking better care of herself while I was gone especially with carrying the twins."

"Well, I seem to remember a certain Seeker who slept and ate little the entire two months that we were gone from Aydindril," Zedd reminded him, turning to cast a look at him over his shoulder, his eyebrows raised in rebuke.

"That was different. I wasn't hungry and I couldn't sleep because someone had to watch over you," Richard sheepishly replied with the reminder, knowing that he too had lost weight while he had been gone.

"Yes…so very different," the Wizard mocked his grandson with a roll of his eyes.

"I'm not with child like she is," Richard defensively pointed out. "Kahlan has little ones that she needs to be eating for."

"Face it, Richard. You two are just not meant to be apart. It's unnatural. Like a flower needs rain, you two need each other to survive."

"I know," he softly admitted, his eyes unexpectedly growing moist. "I couldn't live without her in my life."

"And that's why we need to get to the bottom of this whole prophecy business, figure out who is after Kahlan and the babies."

Taking a deep breath, Richard began replaying the horrifying dream over in his mind, concentrating on each and every detail no matter how unimportant or minute it may seem. They were missing something, something that possibly held the key to the whole prophecy.

Images began to flash through his mind. Kahlan standing before him, the special smile held only for him lighting her beautiful face…Kahlan heavy with child…Kahlan holding their twin daughters…her white Confessor's dress beginning to turn red with blood, a Dacra protruding from her stomach…her telling him that she loved him forever…the doves…

Richard suddenly froze as the tiny hairs on his neck began to prickle with realization. There hadn't been a Dacra in his vision that night that he'd had the dream. Why did he see it now? Rubbing his eyes, he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Maybe he had added it to the vision because Cara had told him about the Dacras in the first attempt on Kahlan's life. But why insert it now and why was it in Kahlan's stomach at that specific part of the dream?

Something had changed, something was altering the prophecy. He needed to find the answers they were searching for soon before prophecy changed again.

XXX

Opening the door to exit her suite, Kahlan was startled to find Cara waiting for her in the hallway, leaning against the far wall with her arms crossed against her chest. Dressed in her Mord'Sith red leather, she always looked intimidating despite her petite stature. She had a mischievous glint in her bright green eyes and a knowing smirk on her lips.

"Good morning, Cara," Kahlan warily greeted, somewhat concerned about what the Mord'Sith was up to. Richard had obviously talked to her this morning and some sort of decision had been made regarding her without her knowledge or consent.

"Morning," Cara replied. "So, I take it you've decided to forgive Lord Rahl?"

"Yes, he is my husband and the father of my daughters. How could I not?"

Cara quickly fell in step beside the Mother Confessor as they made their way down the hall. Walking in silence for several moments, Kahlan could take it no longer. She had to know what Richard and Cara were up to.

"Alright…out with it," Kahlan began, coming to an abrupt stop, her hands finding her hips as she stared at her friend. "What are you and Richard up to?"

"Whatever do you mean?" Cara replied in mock surprise.

"Don't play innocent, Cara," Kahlan replied with a light chuckle. "It doesn't fit you very well. I know Richard and I know you. Richard ordered you to follow me everywhere I go, didn't he?"

"Well, not in so many words…"

"I'm not a child!" Kahlan huffed in annoyance as she resumed walking. "I'm already staying locked up in the Palace like Richard wanted."

"Just think of me as a personal escort," Cara volunteered with a small smile.

"Cara, I practically grew up here. I think I know my way around here better than you do," she told her. "So, where am I being 'escorted' to first this morning?"

"The dining hall for breakfast before heading to the Council Chambers."

"Doesn't Richard remember how badly breakfast went yesterday morning?" Kahlan sighed, her hand going to her belly at the reminder. Nausea rumbled and roiled around in her stomach just with the very thought of food. She couldn't imagine having to smell it right now too.

"Yes, he warned me…like I was the one who was gone for the last two months," Cara huffed, rolling her eyes. "I'm the one who's watched you suffer with it this whole time, not Lord Rahl."

"I do appreciate you, Cara. I couldn't have made it the last two months without you."

"It was my pleasure," she softly replied, touched by the Mother Confessor's words.

Casting a sidelong glance, Cara was somewhat relieved to see Kahlan looking somewhat better than she had in several weeks. Although still exhausted and much too thin, the light had at least returned to her eyes. Gone was the dark cloak of sadness, having been replaced by the radiant glow of love and being with child despite the loss of her sister.

"I'll make a deal with you," Kahlan hesitantly suggested, hope filling her voice.

"Trying to bargain with a Mord'Sith?" Cara asked with a quirked eyebrow. "Alright…try me."

"How about you go to the dining hall and make us a couple of plates of food while I head to the Council Chambers and start preparing for deliberations? I just don't think I could tolerate the smell of food right now."

"Do you really think that Lord Rahl would be happy with me for letting you out of my sight for even a heartbeat?"

"It's either that or cleaning up whatever is left in my stomach from last night."

"Fine…I'll make you a plate," Cara finally relented. "But, you go directly to the Council Chambers. Do not stop, do not make eye contact, do not talk to anyone. Got it?"

Kahlan sighed deeply knowing that she should count herself lucky to be allowed this momentary reprieve. "Alright, I promise I will behave," she stated through gritted teeth as she turned on her heel.

She was beginning to feel like a child who had to have their hand held instead of being the ruling authority for the entire Midlands. As much as she wanted to keep her promise to Richard to do everything in her power to stay safe, this was all becoming almost ridiculous. There were Palace guards everywhere, not to mention half the Aydindril army. It would take a massive army for anyone to even attempt to get near the Palace let alone inside of it.

Heading for the Council Chambers, Kahlan began to feel an unexpected wave of dizziness assault her senses. Grabbing hold of a nearby wall, Kahlan leaned against it for support, squeezing her eyes closed against the sudden assault. Taking slow deep breaths, Kahlan began rubbing her belly, attempting to comfort her daughters through the vertigo even though they weren't really the ones experiencing it.

"Mother Confessor?"

Hearing her title, Kahlan slowly opened her eyes, focusing on where the sound of her name had just come from. Seeing two Aydindril Palace guards coming towards her, she immediately straightened as she unconsciously put on her Confessor's face.

"Are you alright?" one of the two guards anxiously asked as they paused before her.

Worry lined their young faces as they both attempted to decide whether it was proper to grab hold of the Mother Confessor's arms to provide her support or if they should just stand at attention and await her orders.

Sensing their indecision, Kahlan gave them both a warm smile as she ran a hand through her hair, hooking a strand behind her ear. "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."

"Would you like us to accompany you someplace? Back to your suite?"

"No, thank you. It was just a fleeting spell. I appreciate your concern, though," Kahlan said as she continued to make her way to the Council Chambers, leaving the two guards standing nervously as they watched her walk down the hall, making sure that she was really alright.

Turning the corner, Kahlan found four soldiers standing guard outside the main entrance to the Council Chambers. Their armor glinted nobly in the sunlight that was streaming in through the windows opposite the Chamber doors, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Coming to stand before them, the soldiers bowed in the presence of the powerful Mother Confessor.

"Am I the first to arrive?" Kahlan asked as the men straightened.

"Yes, the Council members won't be arriving for at least a half an hour or so. I have your papers on the table already waiting for you," the tallest of the four guards informed her.

"Thank you, Garren," Kahlan replied with a smile as they opened the doors for her. "Cara will be along shortly. Please show her directly in. How's your family doing?"

"Very well, Mother Confessor. It is very kind of you to ask," Garren smiled in return as he held the door open for her. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm getting along," she said with a sigh of fatigue. "I'm much better now that Richard is home," she said, her face brightening as she mentioned her husband's name.

Kahlan had known Garren most of her life here at the Confessor's Palace. His father had been the captain of the Palace Guard when she was growing up and soon she knew that Garren would hold that title as well. She always tried to make a point of learning the guards and the Palace staff names. If they were willing to serve or to risk their very lives for her, then they deserved to have the Mother Confessor know them by name. But now, with the sudden flood of extra security with the Aydindril army here in the Palace as well, it was near impossible to keep track of who was who.

Striding across the room, she made her way to the head of the long massive table that soon would be filled with dignitaries and ambassadors from all over the Midlands. The room would be filled with friendly idle chatter as people poured in that would soon turn heated and accusatory once deliberations started which was usually where Kahlan's duties as the Mother Confessor always came in.

Approaching her chair at the head of the table, Kahlan's brow narrowed, an icy chill shooting down her spine. Her papers lay in a neat pile at her position at the table just like Garren had told her, but something was ominously sticking up out of the table.

"That Garren!" Cara huffed, attempting to keep the smile tugging at her lips from appearing as she entered the massive room, carrying a plate of food in each hand. "He tried to steal a strawberry off of your plate. I had to threaten him with my agiels if he didn't hurry up and open the doors for me."

Drawing closer to the head of the table, Cara stopped dead in her tracks as Kahlan looked up at her. The Mother Confessor's face was as white as her dress, horror filling her blue eyes. Cara immediately set the plates on the table before racing the rest of the way to where Kahlan stood.

Coming to a stop, Cara looked down to find a Dacra sticking out of the stack of papers that had been laid on the table…