Fear

"Kahlan," Richard called as he broke into a light run to catch up with her before she entered the stables, "I haven't gotten to see much of you lately."

He didn't say because of the unicorn.

She turned, her face blank before wrinkling into a frown. "You're wearing his crest."

Richard looked down at his clothes, the red vest bearing the eagle crest of the House going well with his black breeches. It was simpler than his brother's robes, which he appreciated.

"It's my crest too," he said softly.

He reached out to brush his knuckles over Kahlan's cheek and her face cleared, her hand coming up to cover his.

"Richard?"

"Kahlan, what is it?"

"I need to go see Sepina. She gets lonely."

"Kahlan, you spend every waking minute with her. I'm sure she'll be fine for a little while." His voice broke with a desperation he had been trying hard to deny. "I miss you."

She stared.

Impulsively, he leaned forward and kissed her. Suddenly she was alive with passion, her arms twining around him. She clung to him, and he to her, as if they were two vines meant to grow together.

Just as abruptly as it had started, it ended with Kahlan pushing him away.

"The prophecy," she said through clenched teeth as if she fought for every word uttered.

"You can't hurt me, Kahlan. I can't possibly love you more than I do. And if you are meant to have a son –"

"Go!" she cut him off, turning her back.

As he walked away, dejected, Kahlan's breath returned to normal, her eyes going dull. She made her way to Sepina's stall.

-l-

The Mord'Sith and those who served in their temple on the palace grounds grew used to the sight of Lord Rahl's sister. She was often about, whether she was following Mistress Haden or First Mistress Cara. She had become a fixture in the palace. Though it had only been a short time, if asked the denizens of the palace would swear that Jennsen Rahl had always lived there.

And in fact, she felt that way. She was comfortable with the way the palace worked, she had made friends with the kitchen staff and the laundry maids, and she was safe from even the most unscrupulous soldier due to her status and popularity.

There was only one person she was not comfortable around, and that was her brother, Darken Rahl.

She was not sure what she feared more. That she would find she loved him, or that he was the monster the world painted him as.

And then there was the secret she carried. She doubted she could hide anything from that piercing gaze. It reminded her of the books she had read of times when dragons still flew the skies.

It was said that entire populations stood still as their livestock was devoured, all caught in the hypnotizing swirl of the dragon's enormous eye.

"Help me pull this tight," Cara said from across the chamber.

She had begun to spend more and more nights in her old rooms in the temple as her condition became more difficult to hide at close quarters.

Darken did not seem troubled by it.

She did not know if he sought pleasurable company elsewhere. She did not ask. She didn't want to know.

In the end it didn't matter. He would return to her.

He always did.

Jennsen picked up the protective corset that Mord'Sith traditionally wore over their abdomens, just beneath the breasts. It would do much to hide the swell highlighted by the red leather bodysuit Cara wore.

"Are you sure?" Jennsen asked. "I don't think it can be good for you."

"Are you a midwife?" Cara inquired irritably, rolling her eyes. "Just help me put it on."

"I'm the closest thing you've got," Jennsen retorted without venom. She began to fasten the buckles and straps, though she determinedly left a half-inch of breathing room in each one.

"Cara, you really should tell someone. I only know what I picked up from all the resistance fighters who hid me, and you can't hide it forever."

"I can hide it long enough," was Cara's retort. She eyed the small redheaded woman who had inexplicably become her friend, then said, "I sent Aliandra away, as you asked."

Jennsen made a non-committal sound, at odds with herself over the favors she had asked in exchange for her silence.

When had she become this person?

An image of Mistress Denna flashed through her mind, her own voice bargaining for her mother's life.

Maybe she had always been Jennsen Rahl.

"The other thing you asked for will arrive soon," Cara went on. She cut herself off, a peculiar look coming over her face.

Recognizing the signs, Jennsen rushed to get the basin they kept on hand, getting it to Cara just in time for the Mord'Sith to be violently ill.

"I'll go get some water," Jennsen said once Cara had stopped heaving. "There's some in your hair."

Cara wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, then pinched the bridge of her nose. Jennsen pushed her hair away from her pale face.

A Mord'Sith burst into the room, eyes going wide to see Lady Rahl standing so close to the First Mistress, face turned up and hands tangled in blond hair.

"What is it?" Cara snapped.

Jennsen wrinkled her nose at the vomit-scented air that wafted over her face.

"An urgent message from Mistress Bronwyn, the caravan bringing Lord Rahl's gold here has been attacked."

"Get Lord Rahl–both of them–and Zedd. Now."

Cara stepped back from Jennsen, going to the wall that was covered in racks of weapons.

"You can't go."

Cara selected a crossbow from the wall.

"What if something happens?" Jennsen put her hands on her hips.

Sometimes she thought she was the only one in the entire castle that had any sense.

"We need that gold to pay our soldiers. We need the soldiers to reclaim the territories and protect our people. Go get Haden and Kahlan. I'll meet you in the council chamber."

Face red, but knowing she wouldn't get anywhere if she argued, Jennsen turned to go.

So quiet, she almost didn't hear it, Cara said, "Jennsen? Thank you."

A/N: Whoo! 50 reviews, you guys rock! But can we make it to 100? Tell you what - if we make it to 100, I will write a short fic for the two most frequent reviewers, and one for the 100th reviewer! Prompt and LotS characters of your choice!