*This one is short and sweet. The next will be more intense, with revelations about the Soul Fusion spell being learned.

Soul Fusion – Chapter 21 – Library

Richard stood behind Zedd, looking over the old man's shoulders, as he babbled on about the long hours he had kept reading through the many texts and tomes kept in this wing of the Wizard's Keep. A loud squeal came from behind him, and Richard turned his head to check on Ashley. Kahlan was sitting on the floor with Ashley, playing with some toy blocks that had letters on them. The little golden hair girl looked up at him and smiled, pointing towards some of the blocks. Ignoring Zedd for a moment, Richard leaned over and glanced down at what Ashley had spelled.

"Daddy!" Ashley blurted out in case he couldn't read it.

He smiled and knelt down just enough to tousle her golden hair. Zedd cleared his throat, and Richard straightened to look back over his grandfather's shoulder.

"Perhaps it would be best if the children weren't here," Zedd broached cautiously.

Richard and Kahlan exchanged a look. "No," he shook his head. "We're fine, Zedd. They are not a distraction."

"Very well," Zedd gave a nod. He turned back to the large ancient tome he had out in front of him. "So, as I was saying, a true Soul Fusion spell must be performed in the Fire Springs, and we must have both water and fire for the ritual."

"And how accurate is this?" Richard asked, looking back done at Kahlan, who was adjusted Sanya in her arms so that she could free on hand to help Ashley stack up some blocks.

"This book," Zedd said, closing the large tome, so he could show Richard the dusty leather cover, "used the same the source material Jellico used as reference."

Richard's nostrils flared a bit at the mention of the wizard. "Are you absolutely sure?" he asked, stepping around Zedd to lean his hands on the table. He pulled the book over and flipped the cover open to look at the title page.

"Positive," Zedd affirmed. "Just look at it yourself, you'll recognize the language as being written in a similar language to which only a true Seeker of Truth can read."

Flipping through the yellowed pages, Richard had to agree; the text within the book was definitely similar to that which was written in the Book of Counted Shadows. That told him that it was probably written around the same time. From his own research, Richard knew that the Book of Counted Shadows had been written three thousand years ago, and was most likely written by the same wizards that had created the Boxes of Orden and the Sword of Truth.

All those artifacts and weapons had been created for use in the Great War with the Old World. The Seeker had been a general in the past, but when the Great War ended—which was really more of a stalemate, from what Richard could gather from the ancient texts—that title had changed to someone like Richard, a man who fought against injustice and tyranny, for the good of the people, yet overall, he fought for the truth.

He looked over his shoulder and watched Kahlan and Ashley play, the little girl giggling with delight at stacking up the blocks and then knocking them over. Richard relished the smile on Kahlan's lips, it was evidence that she was actually enjoying herself and was happy and content. If there was anything Richard wanted, it was to see Kahlan like that forever.

Turning back to the book, he waited for Zedd to turn to the page that had the instructions for the Soul Fusion spell. As the old wizard flipped through the pages, Richard caught sight of some of the other things written within the book. He knitted his eyebrows together. It appeared that this book was an encyclopedia of sorts, one written by the wizards of old. The book might contain even more information than just the way to forever unite his soul with Kahlan's. It might even have some instructions on how to use his Han, since his Han was unlike any other. However, it was clear that there had been those in the past, like the wizards who created the Boxes of Orden and the Sword of Truth, whom all had had Hans either as powerful or greater than the one Richard possessed.

He was eager to learn more.

XXX

Sitting on the floor playing with Ashley, Kahlan was trying hard to keep her mind from wandering. She was anxious to hear what Zedd had found. She was actually surprised when Richard had invited her to come along with him after breakfast. Kahlan had expected him to go off alone and leave her with the kids. It was a great surprise to have him encourage her to bring the two girls along as well. Part of her was still trying to get used to the fact that they were a family. It hardly seemed like Richard and her had had any time alone before a family had started to grow around them.

Kahlan was grateful for her family, yes, but she still wished that she could have had some more time getting used to being a with Richard, in everyway, before having to deal with a family life. Yet, fate and circumstance had robbed them of that opportunity. Despite all that, Kahlan was not going to let it ruin her life. She was truly happy and content with Ashley and Sanya, and thrilled beyond imagining that Richard and her could be together without him being confessed. And now that they were back in their own bodies, Kahlan could clearly see that Richard's love for her had not diminished, that it still burned just as bright and hot as it had when they first met.

It warmed her heart knowing that he would stop at nothing to ensure that they could be united forever in both this world and the next. That had always been her wish ever since she started falling in love with him. Even though, back then, she had only thought that it was a dream, and was something that could never happen. Yet her dreams had come true, and now here she was, sitting on the floor in one of the libraries of the Wizard's Keep, playing with one child, while holding another. It did not matter that Ashley was not Richard's by blood—though that still pained her—but it did not bother Richard, because he embraced and accepted her as his own.

Sanya let out a little mewl and appeared to be waking up. Kahlan sighed. She had managed to coax the little girl to sleep after twice feeding her before breakfast. Kahlan hoped that the babe did not demand more milk, because she was unsure if she had any to give. Thankfully, all Sanya did was wiggle around so she could look around and see where she was. After satisfying herself that she was safe, Sanya turned back into Kahlan and closed her eyes, going back to sleep, that's when Kahlan noticed the smell.

"Richard," she called, looking up.

The Seeker turned from the book and looked down at her. "Yes, Kahlan?"

Shifting her hold on Sanya, Kahlan gripped the edge of the table and pulled herself up to her feet. "Could you look after Ashley for a while?" she asked. "I need to go change Sanya."

"No problem," Richard gave her a smile and stepped over, bending down to swoop Ashley up in his strong arms. Ashley squealed with delight and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Daddy play?" the little girl shouted out.

Richard adjusted the girl in his arms until he had one free, so he could continue reading. "Why don't you help Daddy find a way to marry Mommy?"

The little girl frowned in confusion, looking back and forth between him and Kahlan. She clearly did not understand what he had said. Turning back to him, she hesitantly nodded. "Okay."

Kahlan smiled, and stepped forward, leaning over to kiss Ashley's golden head. Ashley hummed contently and Richard held her up so she could kiss her mommy back. Kahlan backed away to leave, but Richard stopped her with his free arm and pulled her back, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.

"I love you," he murmured.

Ashley closed her eyes and shook her head. "Ewww! Gosh!" she exclaimed.

Kahlan laughed with Richard. "Hurry back," he added.

She gave him a playful wink and grin, then departed, holding the smelly little Sanya close.