Tragedy

They ran as fast as they could, Richard not bothering to wait for Zedd to catch up. The prophecies on the walls…Kahlan. All he could think of was Kahlan. His heart was pounding so hard he couldn't breathe. He didn't care. He bolted out of the tomb and towards the city gates. Dear Spirits please don't let me be too late he screamed in his mind please he pleaded. He could hear Zedd huffing behind him. Richard jumped over the cobblestone, skid across the pebbles below and pushed his legs harder. He needed to get to her. To protect her…to protect their child.

"Is this really necessary? I mean seriously. I'm the Mother Confessor. I am more than capable of handling myself. Just who does he think he is ordering me around? He may have the power to order you around, but not me!" Kahlan fumed walking back and forth kicking at the dirt beneath her boots. Cara rolled her eyes.

"Mother Confessor, really? Do we need to go over this again? He's not fearful for you. He's fearful for your child. You know that. Now stop pacing, sit down and wait patiently. He'll be back before you know it and you can yell at him some more," Cara was leaning against one of the pillars, arms folded underneath her breasts. Kahlan gave her an exasperated look as she put her hands on her hips.

She turned away and shut her mouth, still angry with Richard. How could he leave her like this? He wasn't completely infallible. Sure she was with child, but that didn't make her completely useless. She had powers she could use. Powers that would not affect their child. Richard obviously didn't know that and she planned on telling him as soon as he got back. How could he even think of making her wait out here? Had he no idea who she was?

All this travelling and she was made to stand outside and wait. She wanted to slap him. She knew it was just her emotions getting the best of her, but she couldn't help it. Just one little slap to put him in his place…That would show him just how un-fragile she was. She huffed and sat down on a nearby boulder. She put a hand reassuringly to her stomach and tried calming herself down. She felt the child inside of her jumping wildly and she knew she was the cause of it. Kahlan took a deep breath and began rubbing her stomach, trying to calm the child. When she was sure the baby had calmed, she let her hand drop to her side and allowed the warm sun to inundate her, calming her nerves.

Her relaxing was interrupted by a piercing thunderous sound. Within seconds she found herself standing. Before she could react with a dagger or her power, she was paralyzed. A large white beam of light shot through her stomach. She felt her insides burning at the feel of it. Her blue eyes went wide as she tried with all her power to free herself from the hold. Kahlan looked to see her attacker and gasped in shock at seeing Shota. Cara stood at the pillar, completely stone still, unable to move an inch. Shota had her under a spell. Cara's blue frightened eyes looked to Kahlan. Kahlan found her voice amongst the pain.

"Shota!" she cried, pain from the lightning in her almost suffocating her, "what…?"

Shota stepped closer, her hand out, pushing the bolt through Kahlan's body further, "It is written – The Mother Confessor, Kahlan Amnell, will give birth to an abomination- a son. The Seeker and the Mother Confessor's son will rise to power and destroy the world as we know it as he will be a male confessor" Kahlan's eyes started filling with tears trying to move her hands, do anything to save her baby. Shota grunted as she pushed futher, "I cannot allow that to happen, Mother Confessor. I have seen the future. Your first child will be a male confessor. Both you and the Seeker will not have the heart to do what is needed. Therefore, I must destroy it now." Kahlan screamed in agony. Screamed at not being able to do anything, screamed at the thought of losing her and Richard's child.

Within minutes, she was released, the light gone. Kahlan fell to the ground with a thump. She looked up quickly to attack, but Shota was gone. Cara was on the ground, trying to regain her composure. Kahlan, panic-stricken, placed her hand on her stomach. Her vision became blurry. Her once protruding belly was once again flat. There was no puncture mark. Just emptiness. She no longer felt the connection, no longer felt the little butterflies within her. Kahlan cried out and clutched at her stomach, tears pouring from her face. This can't be she wailed to herself this just can't be

He felt it. He knew he was too late. He bounded the corner and flew out the gates as soon as he heard her cry. His heart was pounding as he looked to Cara who was trying to stand. He turned his gaze to Kahlan and his heart broke in two. She lay on the dirt ground, one hand clutching her stomach, the other clutching the grass as she sobbed uncontrollably. Richard ran to her and knelt beside her. He lifted her to her knees so he could hear what she was saying, "Kahlan?" he looked down at her stomach, hoping the prophecies weren't correct and that Kahlan and his baby were ok. Pain, anger and torment hit him as he saw it was true. Her stomach was flat once again. Richard let out a cry of anguish and stood, pulling his sword from its scabbard. Zedd was already there, holding him back

"She's gone, Richard. Shota's gone." Richard pushed Zedd aside, needing to get past him. Shota would pay. He would kill her slowly, painfully. He could focus on nothing else other than killing her. His rage threatened to choke him. He was prepared to kill her and anyone that stood in his way – even his own grandfather.

He began running in the direction he thought Shota would be running in. He was so committed to killing her, he could think of nothing else. Suddenly he found himself running into a wall. He tried pushing past it but it wouldn't work. "ZEDD!" He cried out, "Old man, LET ME THROUGH," he cried out, his anger teetering on the edge of insanity. Zedd stood before him, arms out in defense.

"Richard…"

"I SAID LET ME THROUGH!" Richard screamed. At seeing his grandfather, he felt hot tears pouring down his cheeks. "LET ME THROUGH," Richard cried again, pushing at the invisible force in front of him.

"Richard," Zedd stepped closer, "Shota will kill you if you attack now. Please, son. Understand," Zedd whispered, "look past the hurt and anger…think of reason. She knows you will try and attack her. She's left traps all throughout her path. Don't be stupid, boy. You can get your revenge later. Focus on the now. You cannot attack now." Zedd said reassuringly. Richard dropped to his knees, dropped the tip of his sword to the dirt. He knoew Zedd was right. Realization hit, but that didn't make him any less angry.

"I will kill her, Zedd," he vowed, looking up into his grandfather's eyes. Zedd nodded.

"I know, my boy…I know," Zedd lifted the shield and walked towards his grandson. He put a sorrowful hand on the man's shoulder as Richard cried. After a few moments passed, Zedd patted Richard's back. "Now…Kahlan needs you."

When they walked back, Cara was trying to console Kahlan, putting a hand on her back. Kahlan wept still, her face soaked with tears. Her arms covered her stomach and she rocked back and forth. Her hair cascaded down her face as she wept. Richard wiped his eyes as he took Cara's spot. He knelt down beside her and put his arms around her. She cried harder at being in his arms. She gripped his shirt in fists and wailed at their loss. Zedd let loose some tears at the sight, understanding he, too, had lost a great grandson.

"I'm so sorry, Kahlan," Richard whispered to her as he held her head to him, "I vowed never to let anything happen to you or our baby…our son…"Richard sucked in a breath. "I've failed you." Kahlan cried harder and banged her fists against his chest, angry at herself for not protecting their child.

"I…I 't d…ddoo anything," she cried, "I…I…couldn't move. Why? Spirits why?" she groped her stomach again. Richard squeezed her tighter. Cara, uncomfortable with the sight sat at the other end, giving them their space. Zedd looked forlorn as he sat on a nearby log, contemplating Shota's fate.

He didn't know how long they sat their and cried. All he knew was that it was nightfall as they finally parted. Kahlan had calmed down and was no longer crying. She went completely quiet and almost numb. Richard was seething still as they made their way back to the place they camped at last. Cara and Zedd set about the task of making a fire, allowing Richard and Kahlan to have time with their thoughts. Richard never left Kahlan's side, his warm, comforting hand constantly soothing her. She held her one arm across her stomach as she sat, staring mindlessly into the fire.

"Why don't you and Kahlan get some rest," Zedd offered, "Cara and I will take the watch tonight." Richard looked to his grandfather.

"Thanks, Zedd. But I won't be sleeping tonight."

True to his word, Richard did not sleep at all. Kahlan had lay down but she wasn't sleeping. He could hear little sobs escaping her as she gripped her stomach. He sighed. He was so angry with Shota all he could envision was killing her. It took all his will to calm himself down, but he knew he had to. Zedd was right. He would be dead right now if it wasn't for Zedd. Besides that, Kahlan needed him more than ever right now. He'd never seen her so broken, so completely hurt. He hated seeing her so upset. He could only imagine how much worse it was for her. Their child was in her. She'd felt it, felt him. Richard shut his eyes in pain again. A son. He would have had a son…someone he could raise to fight, to be a strong leader. A son he could teach to fish, to snare animals…A son he could have raised to treat women with respect. With dignity. He put a hand over his face, wiping the feeling of guilt surrounding him.

He'd broken a promise he made to Kahlan. He vowed no harm would come to her or their son. He always thought things were just going to be ok. He thought they would be fine and that he'd have a family like he always dreamed. His hopes were shattered along with the memories of their now dead son. He took a breath and looked over at Kahlan. She was looking into the fire, her head lying on his pack, tears freely running down her face. He didn't know how she would ever trust him again. He scooted closer to her and pulled her to his chest. She rested her head on his shoulder and gripped his shirt in her fists as she cried, silently. He ran a hand down her hair and kissed the top of her head. They would get through this. They had to.

Her baby was gone. Their baby. Their son. Kahlan couldn't grasp the thought of it. He was gone. She could feel the emptiness in the pit of her stomach. She no longer felt the tiny movements, the pushing and prodding at her innards. Throughout her pregnancy, she had talked to the baby, calming it when it was acting up, soothing it and preparing it for when she gave birth. She wanted their baby to know the sound of their mother's voice and thought that was a good way to start. She always promised him, before she even met him, that she would die before she allowed anything to happen to him. And now he was dead.

Kahlan gripped the reigns on her horse tighter to stifle the tears that threatened to pour from her ashen face. She never even got to meet him. She wondered what he looked like- if he looked more like her or Richard. She hoped he looked more like Richard as he was a boy. Richard was so handsome. She smiled inwardly. He would have looked like Richard, she had no doubt.

She had been silent over the past three weeks of travelling, only nodding or shaking her head when asked a question. Her depression overwhelmed her and she felt herself burdened with her emotions. Often times she'd wake up in the middle of the night to herself screaming. Richard was always there, asking her what was wrong, putting her comforting arms around her. She never told him, though. Never told him that she dreamt of that day over and over and over again in her mind. When their son died, a part of her died, too.

She stayed back behind Zedd, Cara and Richard, not wanting to be bothered in their idle conversation. She briefly heard them say they were planning on setting up camp for the night, but paid no attention to it farther then that. She only realized they were stopping when her horse came to an abrupt halt behind Zedd's. She sighed and pushed herself down, her hand absentmindedly reaching for her stomach only to realize that their baby was no longer there.

Richard sighed in seeing her. He had been just as upset as Kahlan had and was still reeling from the loss of their child. There was a part of this that he didn't understand. He had no idea what it was like to have that connection, to have something growing inside of you and for it to be ripped from you without you being able to stop it. He could only fathom such an idea.

Still, as much as he understood her pain, he knew she needed to work through this and how she was doing it was not healthy. She'd shut them all off. She was like an empty vessel. She was barely conscious most of the time and when you did speak to her all you'd get is an empty look and maybe a nod if you were lucky.

He'd told Zedd of his concerns. Zedd understood and they knew exactly where to set up camp.

"Kahlan," Richard called to her as he tied up his horse. She looked over at him…well that was a good sign, at least she heard him, "Come with me," he held his hand out to her. Kahlan looked blank as she walked to him and took his hand. He nodded to Zedd who busied himself with Cara over setting up camp. Enough was enough. Kahlan needed to confront this.

Richard walked her up from the camp, away from the others. He brought her to an enclosed area, surrounded by trees and brush. In the centre, there was a hot spring. Richard had seen this area before as they passed through on their way to Lothry. He knew he wanted to stop by on the way back and this was the perfect opportunity. He looked to her to see if she reacted at the beauty of the water, the greenery, the sun setting in the distance. Kahlan's eyes twitched slightly, but she made no comment or movement other than that.

Richard pulled his shirt off and started working at his pants. She stared off in to the distance as he undressed. When naked, he turned her to look at him. Gently, so as not to force her, he began taking her belt off, then her traveling garb. When he had her fully unclothed, he took her by the hand and headed in to the water with her. He placed his sword right at the beach so it was close by if he needed to grab it.

He pulled her in with him, allowing the warmth of the water to completely engulf him. It felt so good to be able to relax for once. Kahlan stood her lower half in the water, her top half out of the water. She crossed her arms over her chest and shivered. He rolled his eyes, grabbed her arm and pulled her down to him. She looked straight ahead, passed his face even though they were inches apart.

"Kahlan, you need to stop this," he whispered, wanting to do this as gently as he could, "you have to stop blaming yourself for what happened," her eyes shot to his, anger flaring. He backed away a bit, giving her her space, "Kahlan," he held his hands out in defense, "I love you. What happened has happened. I will get my revenge on Shota, believe me. But you cannot continue living like this. I …we can't," he said gently again.

Kahlan seethed, her chest heaving in anger. She walked up to him and slapped him, hard across the face, "How dare you," she sneered, tears welling up in her eyes again, "you have no idea…"she began to sob, "h…how it feels to l…loose…" she put a hand to her mouth to cover the wail, "you…you will get your revenge?" she squinted at him in anger, "I will get MY revenge, understand?" she wailed, hot tears pouring down her cheeks. Richard rubbed at his cheek as he looked back at her, anger evident in his eyes.

"Kahlan…who are you to think it is only you that is suffering?" he yelled, not meaning to…his anger just got the best of him, "we both have lost someone here, not just you. I understand the torment you're going through. True, I don't know what it's like to have someone rip your child from you…from your womb, but…" tears were forming in his eyes. He whispered the last few words, "Kahlan…I've already lost a child, and now I'm losing my soul mate. Please. I'm begging you to try and work through this. For not only our son's sake…but for my sake." He looked at her, pleading.

Kahlan's face relaxed. She wiped at the fresh tears that fell from her face as she looked away from his penetrating gaze. He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Kahlan…" he looked towards the moon, "we will get our revenge. You and me both. We will kill Shota together. Once we are able to…we will. She will suffer for what she's done to our son," he looked over at her, "what she's done to us." Kahlan nodded as new tears flowed from her eyes. Richard swam closer to her and pulled her to him. Since the tragedy happened, Kahlan barely responded to his touch, now she actually put her arms around him, around his neck, holding herself to him. Richard leaned back against the warm stone and sat on one underneath the water; he positioned Kahlan's legs on either side of him, and held her to him as they relaxed in the warmth of it. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest and could feel her calming down as he rubbed her back. She gripped him and laid her head on his wet shoulder and allowed herself the freedom of not thinking about her lost child. Richard exhaled at seeing Kahlan finally relax. She needed this more than ever. "I love you," Richard whispered, kissing her forehead.

Kahlan wiped the last of her tears aside and sat up, looking down at him. She touched a hand to the red mark on his face, from where she slapped him. "I'm sorry," she whispered. He smiled at her, grabbed her hand and gave it a quick kiss. He was just glad she was talking about something other than the loss of their child.

"It's ok," he whispered back, his finger tracing her jaw line, "I'll live." She gave him a small smile and rested her forehead against his. She gently placed a hand over her flat stomach once more. Richard put his hand over hers, "We'll have another someday, Kahlan," he promised her. She nodded and put her hand back around his neck.

"Promise?" she asked, looking up at him with her gorgeous blue eyes. Richard pulled her closer to him and placed his lips to hers, kissing her gently.

"I promise."