Thanks for the reviews! They are so appreciated! :)
CHAPTER 11
Greeting the soldiers who stood constant guard outside of their quarters, Kahlan entered, relieved to finally be in their suite. It had been a long day spent resolving issues that had unexpectedly arisen in Aydindril, communicating back and forth with Edmond through the journey book to settle the matter.
Now that things were finally taken care of and all was well in Aydindril again, she was more than anxious for a long hot bath. The problem was trying to get out of the bathtub. If something should happen that kept Richard away, she could potentially be struck in there for hours.
Passing through their greeting room, Kahlan readily decided that it was more than worth the risk. Her back ached mercilessly, her feet were throbbing, and her head was pounding. She was more than ready for this joyous experience of carrying their children to be over with.
Sitting down on a bench that Richard had made for her so that made it easier for to get up without help, Kahlan sighed as she attempted to remove her boots. Trying to get around her belly was proving more difficult with every passing week. Yesterday she had been able to remove her own boots. Today, she was finding, was not the same as yesterday.
Kahlan huffed in irritation, feeling very defeated as her fingers barely grazed the tops of her boots that remained just out of her grasp. Drawing a deep breath, she attempted to suck her belly in, but it was no use. She hated feeling so helpless, unable to do even the simplest of tasks like taking off her own boots.
Pulling her hair behind her ear in resignation, she pushed herself up off of the bench, thankful that she could at least do that much still. Steadying herself on her feet, she suddenly noticed a note on the desk with her name on it, a bouquet of fresh flowers next to it.
Curious, Kahlan picked up the note, leaning over to inhale the fragrant flowers. Opening the paper, Kahlan couldn't stop a smile from surfacing as she read it.
My Kahlan,
Hope your day went well. I will be there as soon as possible.
There's a surprise waiting for you in the nursery.
All my love, Richard
Kahlan placed the note back on the desk before making her way to the nursery, excitement suddenly causing her to forget about the exhaustion and pain that gripped her body or the blissful thoughts of a hot bath.
Peeking into the room, Kahlan could hardly believe what she found. Her hand quickly flew to her mouth, tears immediately pooling in her eyes. She found herself staring at a pair of matching rocking chairs sitting side-by-side in the corner of the room.
Slowly moving towards them, she stared in wonder at the chairs. So moved by Richard's thoughtfulness, Kahlan felt as if her heart had suddenly sprouted wings. When could he have possibly had time to even think of a gift for her like this?
Standing beside one of the rockers, she lightly ran her fingers over the smooth wood, following the gentle curve of the back. Pushing it, she watched with delight as it gently swayed back and forth before her.
As soon as she had touched it, Kahlan had instantly known that Richard had been the one who had made them. The craftsmanship was extraordinary, the attention to detail truly amazing. As her eyes roamed over the matching chairs, she noticed her initials carved neatly into the top of the rocker where her head would rest. Looking over at its twin, she found Richard's initials carved on that one as well.
Kahlan had always known how gifted her husband was, but it wasn't until this moment, standing here with these beautiful rocking chairs that she fully realized the extent of his talent.
Standing silently in the doorway, Richard watched with excitement as Kahlan stood beside the rocking chairs, running her fingers over the wood and testing its movement. It was the most beautiful scene, watching his wife so heavy with their twins growing inside of her as she stared at the gift he had surprised her with.
Suddenly noticing him, Kahlan looked up, their eyes meeting in a tender moment shared between lovers. Tears slipped silently down her face as she stared at him, her eyes sparkling with so much love it made Richard's heart constrict from the sheer intensity of it, relishing the fact that the look belonged to him and none other.
Rushing to him as best she could, Kahlan threw her arms around his neck, hiding her face in the crook of his neck. Pulling her as close as possible without squishing the babies, Richard buried his face in her hair, happiness with her reaction overwhelming him.
He loved doing things for her, surprising her and showering her with attention and love. No one deserved it more than she did after all that she had endured in her life; all the loneliness, abuse, and pain that she had lived with for so long. Being able to bring her so much happiness brought him such inexplicable joy.
Holding her, Richard pressed his lips to the crown of her head. "Do you like your surprise?" he muttered into her hair, the corners of his mouth upturned with contentment with the feel of her in his arms.
"I absolutely love it," she whispered, suddenly having difficulty finding her voice.
Pulling back, she pressed her lips to his in a passionate kiss, filling him with every ounce of love that consumed her heart. He swiftly grasped either side of her face, anxious to keep her near him. He loved the euphoric feeling that her nearness always brought to him, the fiery storm of longing that mingled so sweetly with indescribable peace.
Pressing her forehead to his in order to catch her breath, Kahlan closed her eyes, savoring the feel of his arms surrounding her. Soon, gentle fingers found the tear tracks on her face, brushing them away as his exerted pulls for breath pulsated against her skin.
"Come," he softly said, as he released his hold on her.
Taking her hand, he led her to the chairs, helping her sit down in her rocker before settling down in his. He watched with delight as she settled back into her chair, running her hands down the length of the arms of the chair, her fingers curling around the curved ends. She gently began to rock back and forth, her face shining with the soothing motion.
Looking over at him, Kahlan smiled so lovingly. And when she smiled at him, Richard felt as if the whole room had instantly brightened, as if the sun had suddenly broken through the night sky and flooded the nursery with its radiance.
"They're so beautiful, Richard," she finally said after several moments. "When did you ever find time to make these?"
"Here and there," he shrugged as if he'd had all the time in the world when in reality he'd spent many early morning and late night hours while she had been sleeping to make her gift.
"I just…I don't know what to say," she murmured as she shook her head in amazement, tears springing to her eyes once more. "I love them, Richard. They're perfect."
"I wanted to do something special for you, something that would be for you and the girls. This was the only thing that I could think of. I thought this way, I could keep you company, holding one while you feed the other," he told her as he leaned forward in his chair, his fingers caressing her cheek before hooking her hair behind her ear.
"You are the most amazing man I have ever met. Thank you," she softly replied, her bottom lip trembling with the intensity of her emotions.
"Lord Rahl?"
The sound of Cara's voice broke through the tender moment, bringing them both back to the overwhelming reality of their responsibilities as leaders of two territories.
"We're in here, Cara," Richard called out as he relaxed back into his chair.
"Are you two practicing in here?" Cara smirked as she leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms over her chest. "You still have a little time yet, you know."
"Cara," Kahlan excitedly said as she leaned back in her rocker and began pushing herself. "Look what Richard made."
"I know. Who do you think kept him company some of those nights when he was working away on his special project," she told her.
Kahlan threw him a look that told him that she had known that he had spent a lot more time on the gift than he had led her to believe, but the love shining in her eyes told him that she loved him all the more for it.
Richard smiled at Kahlan's enthusiasm, thrilled that she had loved his present so much. "I would be happy to make a pair for you and Garren someday when you have children," Richard offered, knowing that he would likely pay for the remark one way or another.
"How do you know that I'm not already with child?" Cara retorted, cocking her eyebrow.
"Cara, are you really?" Kahlan smiled broadly, pleased by the notion of them having babies so close together.
"No," Cara rolled her eyes. "And even if I was, don't you think that Garren deserves to be the first one to know instead of the two of you?"
"If you want, Cara, I could still make you a matching rocking chair with your initials carved in it for when you stay with the girls while we're away," the Seeker teased, knowing he was only getting himself further into trouble but enjoying every minute of it nonetheless.
"Great, now I'm the babysitter while you too are out making more of them," Cara shook her head with the thought of her babysitting their twin girls.
"Did you need something, Cara?" Richard finally asked, sitting forward with anticipation for what she had come to tell them.
"I wanted to let you know that the scouting party we sent to Namara has sent word back," Cara informed them.
Kahlan could tell from her friend's grim countenance that the news was not going to be good. "What is it, Cara?"
"Darken Rahl has amassed about two hundred Mord'Sith and at least two thousand D'Haran troops if not more."
"We have almost hundred times that number here," the Seeker replied.
Relief immediately filled his face as he sat back in his chair. He knew deep down that a fight with his brother was inevitable, but he hoped to keep it as minimal as possible with little loss of life, except for that of his brother's.
"There's more," Cara announced with disdain. "Nicci was seen with him."
The news was like a blow that Richard never saw coming, blind siding him with such force that it caused him to internally shudder. He'd had a feeling that she was alive because of his Han returning to him, but he had no clue that she had sided with Darken Rahl. The thought alone of all the devastation those two could create caused panic to gain a foothold in his heart.
"Dear Spirits," Kahlan breathed as memories of the turmoil the Sister of the Dark had caused them flooded her mind, renewing the guilt that her hand had played in Nicci's plans, but more so how she had hurt Richard.
The silence that blanketed the room was disturbing, the sense of urgency and alarm pressing in on them from every side with the significance of the news Cara had brought them.
"Have they made any movement this way?" Richard finally asked, his voice tense.
"It appears that they may be making preparations to leave."
"I want everyone on high alert and double the security inside the Palace."
"Do you want the army sent to intercept them?"
"No, not yet," he decided as he stood to his feet. "I don't want to take troops away from the Palace just yet."
Reaching over, he helped Kahlan to her feet. The joy over the impending birth of their girls would have to wait for now as they had to turn their attentions to the matter of survival.
"Garren and I will see to it right away," Cara replied, leaving them alone once more.
"What are you going to do?" Kahlan softly asked as they reentered their bedchamber, sitting down on the bench once again.
Sitting down next to her, Richard sighed deeply, the weight of responsibility so obvious in his demeanor. "Whatever it takes to keep you and our girls safe," he quietly replied, decisiveness and resolution not missed in his voice.
"Richard, we're in this together," she affirmed, taking his hand and holding it tightly between hers. "We promised each other for better or for worse forever. Please don't force me to break that promise that I made to you."
"I love you so much, Kahlan," he said, leaning over and kissing her softly. "We'll stay and fight for as long as we can, but if things escalate like I think they will, I'll send you back to Aydindril where you belong, where you'll be safe again."
"I belong with you, Richard."
"I want to do what is right, to save D'Hara from Darken Rahl and Nicci, but I refuse to sacrifice you and our daughters over it. The price is too high and I will not pay it. If it comes down to it, I'll give up the throne and the Sword of Truth and take you to Aydindril or Westland. Zedd can name a new Seeker."
"Richard…"
"I'm serious, Kahlan. I made up my mind a few weeks ago. Nothing in this life is worth losing you over. What good would it be to save D'Hara if something happened to you and you weren't here with me? I'm sorry if my decision has let you down but I'd rather have to try and live with your disappointment in me than to live a life that didn't include you."
"Well, I'm afraid it's too late," she sighed softly. You've already completely stolen my heart so nothing you do could ever cause me to love you any less. I will follow you wherever you go, support you in whatever decision you make. I trust you, Richard…with my life."
Kahlan could see relief wash through his handsome features, his eyes suddenly brightening as if he had just found all the answers he had ever needed with her reassuring words.
Leaning in, Richard brushed his lips tenderly against hers, showing her how much her words meant to him. The good spirits had blessed him beyond measure when they had sent her to him that fateful day.
Resting her forehead against his temple, Kahlan breathed deeply, his scent flooding her soul with so much peace. She just believed in her heart that as long as they had each other, they would be alright, could survive anything that the world or Darken Rahl and Sister Nicci threw at them.
"I was just about to take a hot bath," she murmured, brushing butterfly kisses along his cheekbone. "Care to join me, Seeker?"
"I would love nothing more at this moment," he replied with a sly grin.
"Good…because I can't get my boots off," she seductively said as her tongue began to play with his earlobe.
Richard's groan quickly turned into a chuckle at his wife's attempt to be so seductive about needing help with her boots. Turning his head, he kissed her deeply, finally releasing his hold on her.
Getting down on his knees before her, he carefully began removing her boots for her, loving every moment granted him to take care of her.
XXX
Sitting in a library that had been long forgotten in the catacombs running beneath the People's Palace, Zedd could barely grasp what he had found hidden away down here. It was a treasure beyond any wealth, books long ago believed to have been lost or destroyed over the years was now found hidden here within its depths.
Volume upon volumes pertaining to prophecy and magic surrounded him, offering their infinite wisdom and knowledge. Having pulled several of the books that he was most anxious to study, Zedd had settled into a chair to see what he was most interested in learning about – what prophecy had to say about Richard and Kahlan.
Unlike his grandson, Zedd did take prophecy seriously. He knew that Richard believed that man created his own destiny, was not bound by what was written in books by those who had no intimate knowledge of him. Prophecy wasn't something one waited to have happen to them. Prophecy was the future, something that was shaped and altered by one's actions and choices.
While he didn't take prophecy as literal as most did, Zedd did not want to be caught unaware when it came to protecting his family. He was not about to let anything happen to them, let anything threaten their happiness.
Now that he finally had the books that he had needed, Zedd would be able to research something that had been tickling his brain for months now. As a wizard in training, he'd been able to study some of these books, but even the Keep didn't have some of these most important volumes.
Something that had happened a few months ago had triggered a memory in the old Wizard's mind, reminding him of a prophecy, actually a fragment of a prophecy that he had read so many years ago. He wasn't certain what had actually triggered the memory, whether it was learning that Kahlan was carrying twins or the fact that Richard was claiming the throne of D'Hara, but something had been haunting him since that moment.
And that nudging had not been a pleasant one. In fact, it had frightened him to his very core.
Flipping through the pages of a book that he knew was filled with prophecy about Richard, Zedd's gaze focused in on a particular passage that he had been researching, one that he had been hoping to find while at the same time fearful of finding confirmation of his suspicions.
Reading the passage over, Zedd sank back in his chair, his heart growing heavy, a great deal of respect for the magnitude of the prophecy written so plainly before him taking root in his mind. It was just as he had feared.
Dread for what he knew he had to tell Richard and Kahlan crept upon him, stealing into his subconscious and sapping his strength. Leaning forward with his elbows on the table, Zedd held his head in his boney hands as he tried to comprehend the enormous consequence of what was about to transpire.
He didn't have the first clue as to how to stop it or even if he should. Trying to stop prophecy from blooming into fruition had just as dire consequences as the prophecy themselves, sometimes worse. Things unforeseen, repercussions not even fully realized when attempting to avert prophecy also lingered about, hidden in the dark shadows of the mind just beyond the grasp of comprehension, altering events and creating turmoil beyond imagination.
"Bags!" he cursed under his breath as he slammed the book shut.
How was he ever going to break the news to Richard and Kahlan?
