Chapter 4

Richard couldn't recall ever being this happy. Finally the day had come for him and Kahlan to be married. Jumping out of bed Richard made his way to his pack near his dressing room. As he searched for the wedding outfit his seamstress had made for him back in D'Hara. Pulling it out Richard spread it cross the bed. Kahlan had loved his gold outfit when she saw him in it, saying how handsome it made him. Richard could only smiled at what Kahlan would say about his blue outfit.

Leaving his room now fully dressed in his blue outfit. Richard made his way through the halls leading to Zedd's chamber when he saw Cara running down the hall to Kahlan's room as she stopped to greet him.

"Wow Lord Rahl look at you all dressed up. You're going to leave the Mother Confessor speechless."Richard smiled up at Cara.

"Why thank you Cara. Now tell me is Kahlan in her room I would like to see her."

"Yes she is in her room, but I'm not letting you see her until she's walking down the aisle."

Richardknew he was being paranoid on wanting to see Kahlan before the wedding; he had dream about this day for so long he didn't want anything going wrong. But mostly for Kahlan, she deserved this day of peace and happiness and so much more. He sighed

"You're right I just wanted to see her that's all, make sure she's alright. But I guess I can wait a little while long.''

"Now if you would excuse me I need to continue maid-of honor duties. Yes Kahlan asked me to stand with her as her maid-of-honor. But I made it quite clear to her that I wouldn't wear a dress so take the stupid smile off your face."Cara said as she walked off without waiting for him to say a word.

XXX

Richard reached Zedd's room as he knocked on the door."Ah, Richard my boy look at you, you look magnificent." Zedd said smiling.

"I'm glad you're here Richard. I wanted to give you something since I see you haven't gotten the rings yet have you?"

"Oh bags I never thought about the rings. Zedd what am I going to do? The wedding is in an hour! How on earth am I going to get the wedding rings in time?"Richard said slamming his hand over his face

"Calm down my boy. I have the rings here. You see this was your grandmother's wedding ring, I know your grandmother would be so proud of you giving it to Kahlan. She'd always said, she would one day give it to her first grandson for his one true love"

Richard took the ring examining it in his palm. It was a gold ring with a small diamond on top. It wasn't the biggest diamond in the world, but knowing Kahlan he knew she wouldn't care. Just knowing it had been passed down his family from generations, and knowing it had been he's grandmother deepest desire for him one day. Richard just knew Kahlan would love!

"Thank you..Zedd." Richard said as he gave his grandfather a bear hug.

"There..there ,my boy. Let's go get you married, shall we?"

Making their way to the banquet hall where the ceremony would begin Richard saw his sister running to him. "Jennsen it's so good to see you.''Richard said as he embraced his little sister in his arms.

"Oh Richard I couldn't miss your wedding; Kahlan sent word a few weeks back telling me that you were getting married and wanted me to come to surprise you."

Richard smiled"I'm glad you're here. Come sit with me while I wait patiently for my bride."

XXX

Kahlan now fully dressed waited on the balcony. She felt so nervous; she never thought anything like this could ever have happened to her. She had always been taught a life without love and now here she was, about to marry the man of her dreams. Touching Richard's amulet around her neck, Kahlan smiled at how thankful she was to the Good Spirits for having given her a man as wonderful as Richard to be her husband.

Cara placed her hand on Kahlan's shoulder startling her from her thoughts. Kahlan turned to Cara giving her a nod, knowing it was time.

Kahlan walked with Cara down the halls to the main banquet hall. Zedd was there waiting for them. Kahlan had asked Zedd months ago when the day finally came for her to marry Richard that she would forever treasure if he did her the honor of walking her down the aisle, since he was the closest thing she had to a real father.

"Why my dear, you look beautiful. Shall we go in?"Kahlan nodded her head as the doors opened.

Richard stood at the altar with Jennsen standing at his side, he saw the doors begin to open as Kahlan walked in. She looked so beautiful, it took his breath away.

Kahlan wore a light blue dress with white laces running down her middle, fitting over every single curve in her body perfectly. Kahlan looked straight at Richard forgetting everyone else around her. She felt absolutely safe and relaxed; all her fears and nerves from before beginning to fade away as she locked her gaze with his. Seeing the security and love shinning from his warm brown eyes and how confident he looked standing there in front of her, she felt at peace. Taking Kahlan's hand in his, Richard helped Kahlan up the last few steps and whispered softly to her.

"Kahlan you look... beautiful."

Kahlan smiled up at him as she turned to face him. Zedd passed by them. Since he was the First Wizard, he would perform the ceremony.

"We are gathered here today to witness the love these two young people share for one another. From the start I've seen them suffer and go through so much over the years, but their love for one another never failed them. It always pulled them through."Zedd turned to Richard.

"Richard… do you take Kahlan Amnell to be your wife, do you promise to love her, honor her, all the days of your life?''Looking at Kahlan never losing focus of her eyes Richard said. "I do."

Zedd then turned to Kahlan."Do you Kahlan take Richard Rahl to be your husband, do you promise to love him, honor him, all the days of your life?''Kahlancouldn't help as a tear ran down her cheek."I do."

Wiping away her tear with the edge of his thump, Richard mouth the words"I love you''

''Both Richard and Kahlan have asked to say their own vows to one another.''Zedd said giving Richard his grandmother's ring. Taking Kahlan's hand in his Richard began.

"Kahlan… I promise to give you the best of myself and to ask of you no more than you can give.
To respect you as your own person and to realize that your interests, desires and needs are no less important than my own.

I promise to share with you my time and my attention and to bring you joy and strength to our love. I promise to grow along with you, to be willing to face changes in order to keep our love alive and exciting.

I promise to love you in good times and bad, with all that I am, with all I have to give and all I feel inside in the only way I know how, by loving you completely, always and forever. This is my solemn vow to you."

Richard recited, as he slowly placed the ring on Kahlan's finger.

Kahlan near tears gazed up at him as she took his hand in hers, taking the gold ring from Zedd's palm.

"Richard… I take you to be my husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner, my one true love. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the man you will become, and falling in love a little more with you each day.

I will respect you and support you; loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I promise to keep myself open to you, to let you see through the window of my world into my innermost fears and feelings, secrets and dreams.

I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live. You are my best friend, I promise to love you unconditionally, always and forever. This is my solemn vow to you."

Kahlan said as she slowly placed the ring on Richard's finger.

Zedd stood smiling down at Richard and Kahlan as he said.

"By the power invested in me as First Wizard I now pronounce you Husband and Wife, -'' Before Zedd could say his last words Richard had already embraced Kahlan into a passionate kiss that took her breath away.

"You may continue kissing your bride"Zedd said with a grinned.

Breaking away from their kiss Richard touched a hand to Kahlan's cheek, wiping away the last of her tears that slide down her face. As he took her hand in his and walked hand in hand to the reception hall; followed by the crowd of people.

XXX

Enjoying themselves with their family and friends, Zedd stood up as he motioned with his hands to the noisy crowd silencing them for him spoke.

"I believe it's time to witness the bride and groom's first dance as husband and wife."

Richard stood offering his hand out to Kahlan, who gladly accepted it letting him lead her down into the dance floor. Taking her hands in his, he slowly rested them on either side of his neck, not once losing eye contact with hers as he wrapped his arms around her small middle and pulled her towards him. Resting his forehead to hers they slowly began to move to rhythm of the music.

Finishing the song Zedd came to Kahlan offering her his hand for a fatherly-daughter dance as Jennsen joined Richard for a dance. Spinning and laughing Zedd and Jennsen traded partners leaving Richard and Kahlan dancing with each other once again.

Shortly after Richard and Kahlan excused themselves as they walked arm in arm to the Mother Confessor's chambers. Before reaching the next corridor Richard pulled Kahlan aside into a side corner where no one could see them as he brought his lips to hers.

Her lips were soft and sweet and oh so welcoming. He ran his hand up and down her spine, feeling her shiver against him in response. Kahlan broke the kiss as she placed her hand to Richard's chest holding him back.As she tried to fill her lungs with much needed air.

"I'm sorry… I had to kiss you… you don't know how… hard it was not to kiss you in front of all those people with their eyes the whole time on us.''Richard said still trying to catch his breath.

"Richard…you never have to apologies for kissing me."Kahlan said lightly kissing his lips placing a reassuring hand on his cheek. "I was dying to kiss you too. But not here, let us go into my... Our room, it's just up ahead."

Leading the way Kahlan pushed open their bedroom doors as she pulled Richard inside, locking the doors behind her so they wouldn't be disturbed. Kahlan turned to Richard leading him to the fireplace that burned in their boudoir room.

"I can't believe we're really married. It seems like a dream."Richard said taking Kahlan's hands in his. Kahlan pulled one of her hands from Richard's gasp and touched the side of his face. Watching how he's warm brown eyes twinkled in the fire light.

"A dream come true." She whispered.

Richard drew Kahlan to him,tenderly brushing his lips against hers. As she parted her lips and encircled her arms around his neck, she ran her fingers through his hair, losing herself in his kisses as their lipsgently touched. Kahlan fingered the front of his shirt, pulling it from his pants, feeling his hard muscles flex underneath her cool touch. Richard groaned softly ashe responded toher caresses. He slowlyunlacedthe strings of her dress, feeling her every curve as her dress melted from her form. His breath caught as he devoured her with his eyes. He kissed her urgently, accepting her willingness to be with him.

He nibbled her ear and nuzzled her neck. His breathing quickened as his desire for her increased. Running his hands up and down her back,Kahlan gasped in shock as Richard's hands gripped her and lifted her with ease. Never letting his lips escape her neck, he walked her over to their bed and gently laid her down.

He cautiously, pulled her towards him caressing her soft, smooth, skin while enjoying the soft, silky feel of her long raven locks. Kahlan reached for him, wrapping her arms around him, returning the longing and passion she held for him in her heart. He smiled at her shy touch as it became more demanding and their desire intensified.

She tenderly ran her fingers through his tussled hair, as she slowly pulled him down forasweet kiss, wanting only to be his now and forever.

Breathing erratically, Richard raptor's gaze took her breath away as he rested his forehead against hers. The depth of his love reflected in his dark brown eyes bearing his soul to hers. Kahlan's racing heart beat so loudly in her chest as he lovingly caressed her cheek she knew he had to hear it.

"I love you so much, Kahlan…with all my heart"he whispered leaning forward and kissing her brow.

Touching his cheek Kahlan replied."I love you, Richard. There's nothing I've ever wanted more than you.''

Richard smiled as he brushed Kahlan's lips with his whispering the two words he had vowed to her on the alter"Always and forever''

"Always and forever''Kahlan murmured as she gently pressed her lips to his.

The End..For now..