A/N: This has been a long time in coming simply because of finals and papers that were all due. I've had some more free time, so alas, here is the final chapter. I know it's rushed and such, but I may continue on with another story of Kahlan and Richard actually taking vengeance on what has transpired. If so, you will see it up within the next few weeks. Thanks so much for all your kind reviews. It is greatly appreciated!

Promise

Today was their day. He couldn't quite shake the feeling of what was about to happen. He smiled at himself in the mirror, adjusting the scabbard that lay at his hip. Today he would be the happiest man alive.

They were back in Aydindril after a torturous few weeks of travelling. They had managed to destroy a lot of Jagang's weaponry and were able to infiltrate and take a few captives. Kahlan had confessed each and ever one of them and they were more than willing to give them the ample information needed to attack next.

Richard could barely wait to attack Jagang. First it would be him, than he would focus on Shota. Two of his arch enemies, which he had vowed to kill with his own sword. Both of them had hurt both he and Kahlan and were not about to get away with it. First Shota with murdering their unborn child, than Jagang with taking Kahlan captive, brainwashing her, and forcing her to do things that made Richard's blood boil. He shook back the thoughts…he didn't want to think of that. Not today. Not on their wedding day.

He had since been in the Keep with Zedd as they had been back in Aydrindril for at least a week now. The book of Umana provided him with the necessary information to get past the barriers. With Kahlan busy planning their wedding, he was able to focus with Zedd on breaking through the spells and finding the much needed information for him to defeat Jagang. With Zedd helping him work through the riddles and prophecies, Richard had no doubt they would be well-prepared for any attack, any onslaught, and any other tricks Shota had up her sleeve.

"You ready?" a voice Richard knew all too well spoke to him from behind. Richard took one last look at himself in the mirror, happy with what the palace's seamstress had put together for him. He wore a black shirt with gold embroidery and jet black pants that was interrupted only by a gold buckle as his belt. His sword was placed at his right hip and his hair was neatly combed and clean. He was freshly shaved and his brown eyes sparkled with what lay ahead. He smiled to his grandfather, also dressed in elegant red robes, prepared for the celebration.

"I've been waiting for this day since the moment I met her," he headed in Zedd's direction, "I'm more than ready."

"Mother Confessor, please hold still," a maiden scolded Kahlan as she pulled up some loose curls and attached silver clips to it. Kahlan was fidgeting, slightly nervous of all the people downstairs waiting to watch the uniting of D'Hara and the Midlands with their marriage. Her red lips turned up in a small smile and her heart leapt. Today she would marry him. The one man, the only man, she would ever love and the one that could love her back. She felt a shiver run up her spine, not at the cold, but just simply at how happy she was. Today there'd be no fighting, no travelling, no worrying about her dead child and the vengeance she would get for it. She didn't want to think of anything but Richard.

She arched her back slightly as she stared at herself in the mirror. Richard would be in awe, she knew. She wore a long, light blue dress that hugged her form at every angle. It flared slightly at the hips and there was a slight train on it; it fit her snuggly in the arms and only flared out at her wrists. It was shockingly feminine. The neckline was deep and showed off her breasts proudly. She wasn't all too sure about the amount of cleavage that she was showing, but the seamstress had told her it was necessary for such a dress. She also wore a silver necklace with a sapphire pendant and had diamond encrusted clips pinned in her hair, sparkling wildly in the sunlight. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful occasion.

Cara stood next to her, examining her in the mirror. Her face which normally showed no emotion, now held a slight smile, obviously happy for the couple. "Mother Confessor," she gave her appreciation, "you look beautiful." She stated. She wore her red leather still and they understood why. It was a sign of respect for her to wear it. She was not only their protector, but their friend as well.

Kahlan gave her a smile, "Thank you, Cara. That means a lot to me," she was grateful for Cara being there; with not having her sister alive to see this day, it was a reassuring comfort to have another woman – a friend – stand by her side and support her. She was thankful for her.

"We should get going. Don't want to keep Lord Rahl waiting all day," Cara smiled more, urging Kahlan's maidens to get a move on. They picked and prodded some more before finally allowing Kahlan to leave.

"Ready to get married?" Cara asked, smiling mischievously as they walked down the corridors, "if you're getting cold feet, you can always call it off."

Kahlan gave a sidelong look at Cara and smiled, "Cara. There's nothing a thousand men from Jagang's army could do to stop me from marrying Richard."

Cara grinned, happy with the answer, "Well then…let's get to it."

He waited patiently, eyes gazing over the hundreds of people, aristocrats, businessmen, kings, queens, all staring in his direction. He shifted uncomfortably, suddenly feeling very ill-equipped being up there. Kahlan was born into power. Richard just stepped into it. He was, after all, only a woods guide.

The harpist began to play and his eyes shot to the back. Kahlan's maidens walked down first, dropping rose petals on the white marble floor, preparing it for her. His heart was beating a mile a minute and all he wanted to do was to see her, look into her reassuring blue eyes to know that this was all real.

All he had ever hoped for, dreamed of was happening today. He loved Kahlan beyond anything and was thrilled to finally be able to call her his wife. After today, that's all he would call her.

Zedd put a comforting hand on Richard's shoulder. He would be marrying them today. They both couldn't think of anyone better to marry them. Nobody knew them as well as Zedd. Richard smiled at his grandfather and steeled himself when he saw her take her place at the end of the aisle. His mouth gaped open at just the sight of her. His breath caught in his throat and he had to remind himself to breathe.

She was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. And she was his.

She began making her way down the aisle, her gaze never leaving his. His thoughts were racing as she finally made it to him. He held out his hand and she took it. The physical connection sent electricity flying through him and he couldn't take his eyes from her. Her hair, her eyes, her lips, her dress, her body…he couldn't focus. "You're beautiful," he whispered so only she could hear. She smiled up at him in appreciation.

Zedd cleared his throat, urging Richard to come back to reality. Kahlan smiled up at him, tears brimming her beautiful blue eyes- eyes that seemed bluer than ever with the sunlight streaming through the massive windows of the palace. Richard was only acutely aware of the people surrounding them, watching her in awe. He ignored them now. Nothing was important but Kahlan.

Zedd began speaking, but he wasn't listening. He was recounting the day he met her, the way she had threatened him. He remembered everything about her, the way he felt when he first met her. The way her touch made his heart leap to his throat. And now he was marrying her. Marrying the most wonderful, strong, courageous woman he had ever met. Instinctively, he ran a finger down from her temple to her jaw line.

"I do," he stated when he realized Zedd was asking him a question. His voice rang out clear into the audience. His brown eyes were watery as he stared down at her. He was shocked he was even able to speak.

"I do," Kahlan said with equal clarity. She gripped his hands as though he were the only thing keeping her standing. At that point, maybe he was.

Richard was vaguely aware that Zedd had said something about kissing the bride as he took Kahlan in his arms and gave her the kiss he'd been waiting to give her since he saw her at the end of the aisle. The crowd clapped in approval and they could hear screams of cheers from outside as the villagers rejoiced in the union. Finally, there would be unity between D'Hara and the Midlands once more. Their marriage not only portrayed their love for one another, it also brought together lands that had been tortured and brutalized for so long, lands that fought each other because of one man. Because of Kahlan and Richard, they would never fear that again.

Panting, Richard laid his forehead against hers, tuning out the loud cheers and praises. He gazed at her beautiful eyes and smiled. No words were needed. He gently took her hand and turned in the direction of their guests. With her hand in his, they made their way back down the aisle, finally husband and wife.

Kahlan gently pulled the diamond pins from her hair and allowed the locks to fall free around her face. She reached behind her neck and unclasped the sapphire necklace that hung from her delicate neck. She placed the jewelry on the vanity and turned to meet Richard's gaze as he stared at her from behind. She smiled at him and walked over, placing her arms around his neck.

He ran his hands from the back of her shoulder blades, down to the small of her back as he smiled back "Well Mother Confessor," his eyes held a boyish sparkle, "how does it feel being married to a simple woods guide?" he could look at her eyes forever.

She smiled, running her fingers through his hair, happy to be alone with him at last as it was well passed midnight. They had spent the majority of the afternoon and evening eating, dancing and conversing with the villagers and guests. With what their marriage had meant, they knew the importance of socializing and making it known that they were a team, united as one. As much as they wanted to be alone, they knew first and foremost what their duties were.

"Not just a woods guide," she laid a hand gently on the hilt of his sword still at his hip. He ran a hand down her long, curly auburn hair, gazing at her in all her beauty.

"Kahlan," he whispered, his eyes trailing down her body, taking all of her in. "That dress…" he couldn't say any more. He was speechless. No words could truly convey how beautiful she was. Throughout the ceremony and reception, all he could think of was her in that dress. All he could look at was her. His hands ran up her waist line and his thumbs rested just below her breasts at her rib cage. She was just so beautiful.

Kahlan was pleased at how much he liked the dress. As odd as it was, she enjoyed the fact that he wasn't looking her in the eye. She liked that she was attractive to him in that way to this degree. His gaze was running over her body over and over again and she could see he was breathing a little harder.

Kahlan placed a hand to his face, forcing him to gaze into her eyes, "I'm glad you like it so much," she smiled, placing a small kiss on his lips. "I'm sure it would look a lot better on the floor though," she whispered seductively to him as she took his hands and placed them on her back at the laces. He grinned down at her and leaned forward, kissing her neck as he undid the laces at the back. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hunched her head over at his ticklish kisses.

When all the laces were undone, he slowly, carefully allowed it to fall to the floor, leaving Kahlan completely nude. Her skin glowed with the light cascading from their fireplace. The warmth of it soothed her and she felt renewed desire in her chest as Richard gazed upon her naked flesh. Though he had seen her naked before, it was different this time. She was his wife now. They were married. He couldn't help but grin knowing she would be his. Forever.

He placed his hands on her flesh, feeling her soft curves as he caressed her skin with his wet kisses. His bug hands cupped her breasts and toyed with her, loving her. She felt him prodding her over to the bed and went with ease. She lifted his shirt over his head and allowed herself to gaze upon his chiseled form, loving the way his muscles flexed underneath her touch. She was panting with need as he lowered her on the bed. With ease, he pushed her so she was laying on her back.

His lips tickled her as he kissed her taut stomach, his hands running up and down her thighs as he did so. She gasped, feeling his fingers move dangerously close to her womanhood. Every touch of his was like lightning to her; all his love and all his need evident in his kisses and touches. She found it difficult to catch her breath as his wet kisses trailed further down. His hands and fingers were doing things to her she'd never felt him do before and it was erotically pleasuring. Kahlan's back arched and she clutched the sheets beneath her in ecstasy. Finally they were going to be one as husband and wife.

He made his way back up and kissed her with such passion, she nearly forgot her name. Her fingers were fumbling with his buckle as they embraced each other and he laughed slightly at her impatience. He sat back and undid it for her, pulling his pants down to reveal to her his full splendour.

Kahlan's mouth felt dry as she watched him climb on the bed, on top of her. She wrapped her legs around him…around her husband and allowed her fingers to feel him. She started at his sides, causing him to squirm slightly at her ticklish touch. She ran her hands further down until reaching his hips. Her thumbs gently caressed them and he let out a small gasp as she took him in her hands, feeling him. She smiled seductively at him and nibbled his ear before she spoke.

"How does it feel to be married to the Mother Confessor?" she asked, her blue eyes on fire with desire. He took her hands and placed them at the side of the bed as he kissed her neck, her collarbone, her lips, her chest.

"Wonderful," he murmured between kisses. She moaned his name as he continued his torturous kisses and felt herself become more and more aroused at his hands and caresses.

His loving eyes never left her form, never left hers as he slowly entered her. With one hand cupping her face, he made love to her, pushing her over the edge of reason with pure, uninhibited passion. Her hands ran over him, feeling his rough body above her as he moved with her, in unison, as one.

She grasped his big shoulders, holding him to her as their love making continued, allowing themselves the release of absolute ecstasy.

She felt her heart swell as she lay in his arms afterward, both sweating from their passionate embrace. Tears escaped her blue eyes and ran down her cheeks, falling softly on his bare chest. He lifted her chin and frowned as his thumb brushed away another as it fell. "Kahlan" he questioned, his brown eyes full of worry and love.

She smiled at him and leaned forward, capturing his pink lips with her own, "just happy…absolutely happy," she whispered honestly. His big warm hand on her back soothed her and she allowed herself again to lay with her head on his chest. With all that had happened, all that would happen, it was absolute rapture to be able to enjoy each other as a married couple. She never wanted this moment to end. She knew Richard felt the same. His look of sheer happiness was clouded at times by the realization of what was to come. Seeming to know what she was thinking, he ran a hand down her hair, holding her head to him.

"Just you and I, tonight, Kahlan," he whispered to her, holding her tightly to him. He didn't need to mention Jagang or Shota's name as they both knew the dangers of what was to come. He didn't want her to think of it. Not now. Not on their wedding night. "I promise," he kissed the top of her head, "just you and I."

Kahlan snuggled deeper into his chest and let out a breath, happy and content at last. Richard held her as though nothing was more precious to him and they both drifted into a peaceful sleep, their last thoughts not of Shota or Jagang, but of each other.