He awoke to her trying to change her dress, her hands roaming over the outside of the wardrobe before missing a piece and falling into it. Jumping out of the bed, Richard ran to her side just as she began to laugh, it was a sound he feared he wouldn't hear again.

"I'm sorry," she said as he lifted her from the floor. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes," she chuckled. "I was trying to find something to wear." Sensing his next question, she shrugged. "I can't go out there in this."

He nearly jumped, but tried to hide his excitement. "Where are we going?"

"There's a place I want to show you." The smile left her lips for a moment and he knew what she was thinking. She had hoped that she would be able to see when she took him there, but it wasn't the case. "You should get dressed. We will be going through the city."

"The city?" he questioned with a grin. "What shall I wear?"

Her own smile returned as she shook her head, her elbow finding its way to his stomach. "Anything you wear will do. It's I who has to find something that will fit."

"They'll fit," he told her as he brought her hand to a specific dress. "Especially this one."

Her fingers moved over the fabric as he moved away, giving her room to explore the new item. "I don't remember having a dress like this."

"You didn't," he replied. "I bought it for you a few months ago, before we... I wanted to give you something, but nothing seemed worthy and then I saw that fabric in town. I didn't know what to ask for, but the dressmaker swore that it would fit you until after you gave birth."

Grinning, she turned her head over her should to give him a glimpse of her smile. "What color is it?"

"Orange," he teased through a chuckle. "I wanted to be sure you were seen."

"It's blue, isn't it?" she asked in a voice that held the smile on his lips as he watched her pull it free of the wardrobe and bring it to her chest. "You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"It is blue," he managed to say as she allowed her torn nightgown to fall to the floor. "It's almost the shade of your eyes, maybe the closest I've ever seen."

Keeping the fabric to her chest, she turned to face him. "Thank you."

Beaming, the Seeker took a step forward. "Do you want me to help you?"

"Yes, please."

"This is where I took Dennee when we were children. I found it once, when I was hiding from my father. It was around this time of year, the snow made it beautiful. I think I stayed out here longer than ever before, I almost forgot about everything else."

They were on a smaller mountain ledge, hidden and sheltered in a cave that looked out over the city, the Confessor's Palace in the distance. The land houses were covered in snow and she was right, it was beautiful. It still danced white in the air, a cool breeze floating by until he had her in his arms and inched them backward. It was bright around them, he had to squint to see everything, knowing there was more to view.

"It's beautiful, Kahlan."

Leaning against his chest, she swayed with him, laying her hands over his, resting on top of her growing belly. "Being here made me feel like everything would be alright when I returned."

"Was it?"

"For a little while," she whispered in reply. "We were able to spend some days away from him, hiding out in the forest, playing games we didn't know the rules to. We sat up here a few times, watching the children pay in the distance, laughing as their parents chased them through the trees. She would tell me how much she wanted that life and I always wished I could say that she would."

Tightening his arms around her, Richard held her close. "She may not have had the chance for it, but you do and you can live it for her."

Smiling, she turned her head, for a moment expecting to look at him. "It feels strange to have the option."

"It won't be for long," he grinned back. "You're going to watch me chase our daughters into your arms before tucking them into their beds."

"They'll never go willingly."

"Ah," he said quickly. "The trick is to love them so much during the day that when night comes, they'll be too tired to resist."

Kahlan laughed, her body shaking in his arms. "I suppose that could work."

"It will; you'll see."

"I look forward to it."

Fighting his own mouth, he spoke before he could stop himself. "How many children did you imagine having?"

"I don't know," she replied honestly. "I think I may have been the only Confessor who didn't let her mind linger on it. I had Dennee and then I began to think I wouldn't live long enough to have any."

"And now?" He questioned through a whisper in her ear. "How many?"

Gripping his hands in hers, she smiled. "As many as possible."

"Good answer."

Releasing a sigh, she turned her head back toward the view she couldn't see. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"On the way up here, you helped me without- You didn't make me feel weak for needing your help climbing up here."

"You didn't need my help very much," he told her quickly. "You're not weak, Kahlan. You're the strongest person I know."

"You had to catch me four times."

"The rocks weren't sturdy."

"They're rocks."

"Terrible ones," he told her rapidly.

Shaking her head, she returned her mind to their previous conversation. "How many children did you imagine?"

"A few, seven, maybe."

"Seven?"

"Or more," he chuckled. "I don't know, I always wanted to surround myself with the people I loved. The more I thought of, the better it felt."

"I can understand that," she said. "It's nice to be around people you love."

They stood in silence for a few minutes, Richard staring out as the snow continued to fall, while Kahlan held her eyes closed and enjoyed the feel of his embrace. They were wrapped together by a blanket, an object she was sure to bring, hoping it would keep them warm enough to remain for a while. It helped, but she knew he was thinking about building them a fire. He wouldn't want her to be cold, but as long as he held her tightly, she could only feel the light breeze on her face.

"You should sit down," he commented as she shifted her weight. "We should rest for a little while," he added before she could say anything, using the term 'we' to keep her from feeling like she wasn't as strong as she used to be.

He eased them both down together, spreading his legs so that she could remain close and his chest could keep close to her back. He moved the blanket to cover her front, knowing she would feel more of the cold being before him. She didn't complain, only held his arms tighter around her. She seemed comfortable here, in a different way than in the palace and he couldn't help but wonder if it was because it was here, she had been allowed to be full herself and not only a Confessor.

"Has the sun reached the treetops yet?" she asked in a tone that told him it was important.

"Not yet, almost."

"It's beautiful," she told him whimsically. "The land almost sparkles as it hits the snow perfectly." A part of her expected him to say something about them not staying there very long and about how difficult it would be going back in the dark, but he didn't. "I always waited for that moment and then raced home."

"Did anyone ever find you up here?"

Shaking her head, she grinned. "No. This was my secret. I don't think anyone has come up this way in years. Darken Rahl had most people afraid to go far from their homes."

"Thank you for bringing me here; for sharing your place with m..." It's words trailed off into silence and she knew why. The sun had just reached the treetops.

As she had told him, the land sparkled, a view more beautiful than he imagined. He could almost see her as a young girl, gazing out upon the sight and feeling as though it would be alright. He felt it too. It seemed magical to him, like a piece of herself that she didn't want to protect him from and he couldn't help but feel honored that she was sharing it with him. This, he thought, was part of the magic within her, that was why it was breathtakingly beautiful.

"As the sun hides, take a deep breath, you can smell the heated trees in the wind." Smiling, Kahlan turned her head toward him. "It smells like you."

He kissed her instantly, unable to hold back as his mind rushed through the thought that the spirits had sent her his scent, proving that they had been created to fall in love. Their kiss was long and deep, but as though she knew when to part, the moment he sucked in a breath, he smelt it.

"I love you, Kahlan."

Relaxing once again in his arms, she closed her eyes and grinned. "I love you, too."

They worked together to return to the city, the spirits gracing them with a brighter moon, so that he was able to foresee any part of their journey that may be hazardous to her. When they reached the trail through the trees, she was breathing a little heavier, but she didn't slow down. They held hands as they walked, both remaining close to keep not only keep warm, but to keep the connection between them just as strong. She told him about the injured doe she saw as a child when she was sneaking back home. It didn't surprise him that she had been kind and half carried it to one of the healers. It was something he could imagine easily, knowing that she wasn't the type of person who would let anyone or anything suffer, even for a moment. His mind raced to what he had done to Thomas and the reaction he had pulled from her, it still pained him. He had helped those men capture and beat her, but she could look past it to the moments of comfort he had brought her. That, almost more than anything, was hard for him.

He wanted to be the man who had tended to her wounds and encouraged her to stay alive and fighting for her when it was needed. It was always needed, the told himself. She is important and kind, there will always be someone who wants to destroy her and take what she has.

"Are you alright?" she asked in the midst of their new silence.

Nodding, he released her hand and moved closer, hooking his arm around her waist. "I'm fine, I was just thinking."

"What about?"

"You," he said quietly. "Have you ever thought about joining Aydindril with D'Hara?"

She nearly laughed at the thought. "Somehow, I don't think Darken Rahl would have found the idea pleasing."

"What if I did?"

"What are you talking about?"

Coming to a stop he sighed and took a step away from her. "I'm a Rahl. I can give you-"

"No," she stated instantly, continuing to walk.

Following behind her he threw up his hands. "Why not? Kahlan, I can give your land peace. We can create the world you've always wanted and stop wars from tearing people apart."

Turning rapidly, she pushed her right hand against his chest and stopped his movement. "If we did what you are suggesting, you will become the new Lord Rahl."

"I know."

"You have never wanted that kind of life."

"Kahlan-"

"Everything you have ever known will be different."

Taking her hand, he sighed. "That's not what this is about, is it?" he asked, already knowing the answer. "You're afraid that I will be different."

He watched her face go through a series of emotions. Shock, confusion and sadness, ending with a face he had come to know well, that unreadable face of a Confessor. "I am afraid of everything." Turning in silence, she blinked out a quick set of tears, wiping her face at once to hide them.

"Please don't walk away."

"It's all I can do," she said over her shoulder. "You already made up your mind."

"Kahlan, please stop." When she stilled, he made his way to her side and grabbed her hand. "I'm sorry."

"You never wanted this life, Richard. I- I don't want to be the reason you're unhappy." Before he could speak, she continued without breath. "You once told me that you imagined yourself growing old with someone in the comfort of the home you built in the trees. You wanted a simple life where nothing could come between you and those you loved, not this."

"Come on," he said to her gently, pulling on her hand. She would follow him back to the palace without hesitation and he knew it, but if he let go of her hand, what he planned would never come to be.

They walked through the city in silence, though the people spoke enough for the both of them. They whispered, louder than intended, because Kahlan was able to hear most of what they said. From their words, she was able to see more of it all, from the redness of the Seeker's eyes to the way the scar on his face shined in the moonlight. They whispered about the way he walked, proudly holding her hand with his head held high and a few could see the Rahl blood at work in him. A set of their words lingered around her as they continued on, the people saying that it was only a matter of time before they got themselves killed for the other.

When they returned to her bedroom, Richard continued to hold onto her hand, keeping her close, slowing their walk as he lead her to the wash room that was attached to her room. She went without hesitation, her mind spinning over what she had heard and wondering if he had heard any of it, too. She wondered if it affected him at all to hear them gasp at the sight of him, the scar stealing their attention. Without pausing, she pulled on his hand until he stopped and turned, the sound of his feet telling her what was happening. Reaching up, she grabbed his face and pulled him close, sliding her tongue over the bottom of his chin and gliding over his jaw, finding the scared skin and sucking it briefly into her mouth.

His reaction answered her mind's question and instantly, he melted into her. With his body going limp, he allowed her to trace the scar with her lips, kissing and nipping her way across his face. When she reached his hairline, she retraced her steps until he tilted his head to connect their lips. The kiss was filled with fire, both clinging to the other as though it was the last minute of their lives and it would only last as long as they held onto the other. Breaking the moment, he stepped back and gasped for a breath.

"I'll ready a bath for you."

He was gone before she could stop him, leaving her alone in the center of the room in confusion. After a few minutes, she sat down where he had left her, folding her knees to the side to keep from ripping the dress. She struggled to sit and hoped he hadn't seen her. With her eyes closed, she let her mind wonder, holding back a set of tears that threatened to ruin her composure. She hated him to see her this way and refused to give in to her pain.

"Here," he whispered as he stepped before her, taking hold of her left hand in her lap. "I will help you."

She went with him without a word, part of her unaware of what was happening until he began removing her dress. Keeping her hands at her sides, she turned her head from his direction and stared into the darkness she saw. She could feel his breath on her neck as he unbuttoned the dress, his body so close its warmth made her ache. He moved with great care, gently removing the fabric as though it was something sharp gliding over her skin. When it fell to the floor, he took a step back and she knew he was taking in the view of her, memorizing her every curve until he could no longer take it. Taking hold of her hand, he inched her toward her very large, round bathtub, his eyes never leaving her body.

"Step," he instructed with a soft nudge of his knee against her right leg. Again, she did as he told her and without a word, complying without thought. He helped her ease into the water and then proceeded to dump another few pots of hot water to the mix for extra comfort.

She could feel his eyes on her as she sat in the water, back straight and shoulders pulled back. It felt wonderful, but she couldn't bring herself to enjoy it just yet. When it was impossible to fight the tears, she swallowed her thoughts and slouched forward. "I'm sorry."

They both knew that she didn't have to elaborate, each knowing what it was she was sorry for. "Don't be, I'm with a woman who can't see it."

"Richard-"

"They're right, you know. If you could see me, you would run the other way."

"I am the only one who can see you," she told him through tears. "I may be blind, but I see you. Those people, they cannot see past their own noses. They are incapable of understanding what it is the scar means."

"What does it mean?" he asked weakly. This wasn't how he had planned their return, but he had lost a piece of himself in the crowd outside.

Reaching out for him, she waited. "Come here." She expected him to resist, but he was inside the tub with her in a heartbeat, his clothes soaking up the water as he came to her. "This," she said as she brought one hand to his face, her thumb tracing the bottom of the scar, "and this," she added, finding the one on his chest. "These are not something to be hidden. They are proof of everything you are, the man you are. You should not be ashamed of these."

"You didn't see the way they looked at me."

"No," she agreed softly, stroking his cheek with her left thumb. "But I see something else, something more."

"What?"

"You." Lowering her hands into the water, she smiled and shifted before him, letting her breasts emerge from the water for a moment. "If you require some kind of proof-"

"Spirits, Kahlan," he panted as her fingers began pulling the lacing of his pants loose. This is how he wanted their night to go, but he wasn't sure it was right, now. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Pulling back her hands, her smile faltered. "I'm sorry, I thought- If you don't want to-"

"It's not that I don't want to, I do. Kahlan, I would like nothing more than to be with you." Pulling off his shirt, he sat down and pulled her onto his lap, his eyes falling closed as she settled above him.

Leaning forward, she pushed her chest against his and hovered her lips above his. "I'm sorry I dismissed your idea in the forest."

"Don't be," he said with a slight buck of his hips. "I understand."

Releasing a soft moan, Kahlan shifted her body, bringing herself impossibly closer as their lips connected. His hands circled her back and shoulders, enjoying the feel of her soft, wet skin. They were moving together within moments, the water dripping over the edge of the tub and onto the floor, splashing on deaf ears. Dropping his hands to her hips, he changed their speed and increased the roughness between them. Kissing down her neck, he pushed forward and yanked her hips down to his, his height coming upon him rapidly.

She wouldn't come with him, falling over the edge without a care. He knew it to be true, but he hoped for the moment. From the way her nails raked into his shoulders, he knew she was climbing just as high as him and it wouldn't be long before she pushed him away. The water had lowered more than they realized, making it possible for him to bring his lips to her breasts and then bring her just a little bit higher.

Without wasting a moment, she dropped herself onto him completely and slowly rolled her hips, shifting in the right way to end him. His body convulsed beneath her, his face against her breasts with a series of deep breaths. He held her to him firmly, refusing to lose contact with her until he was dead. She rocked slowly, lowering her own pleasure so she would be able to stop, though her body begged for more. Leaning back, he rested against the side of the bathtub, her chest still pressed to his and their faces close for each breath. He knew that she would move off of him and set the magic free and the moment came too soon.

The strength of it shook the tub, her own body jerking from the pressure before she fell back. He hurried to her, bringing her head out of the water before it was completely submerged. His first instinct was to rush her to their friend, but somehow he knew that it wasn't necessary. Lifting her into his arms, he carefully moved her to the bed, laying her down gently before retrieving a few towels.

She held a smile on her lips, bringing one to his as he began drying her off. He moved her gently, keeping her from soaking the bed beneath her before covering her naked body with warm blankets. When he was sure she comfortable, he began the struggle to remove his soaked pants, knowing that it would take some effort to be free of them.

"Richard?" Kahlan jumped at the sound of the door closing, her hands coming to hold the blanket to her chest.

"I'm still here," he told her as he made his way back to the bed. "One of your guards brought us something to eat."

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I didn't mean to lose control."

"I know; I understand. For a while there, I wasn't sure you were going to be alright. I almost went for Zedd."

He almost laughed at the look on her face, the horror at the thought of the wizard knowing what had happened. "Thank you for not going."

"Are you alright?"

Nodding, she turned her head away, embarrassed. "Yes, I... It was..."

Crawling onto the bed, he inched closer to her. "Are you trying to say that you enjoyed it?"

"It would appear I enjoyed it too much," she said quietly, embarrassed.

Leaning in close to her, he nudged her nose with his. "Me too."

Grinning, she turned her head away. "You didn't lose consciousness."

"No," he agreed through a whisper. "But I lost control; you didn't."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he told her as he inched forward and kissed her briefly. "I liked seeing you like that."

"Unconscious?"

"Pleased," he said in a voice that made her body ache. "Do you want to eat something?"

"I should get dressed first."

"I like what you're wearing now."

"I'm not wearing anything."

Coming even closer, he grinned. "I know."

His breath was warming her jaw, making her grow weak in anticipation. Turning her head, she grabbed his face and connected their lips, falling back onto the bed with a low moan. He followed without hesitation, moving rapidly to lay over her. The blanket kept her body from him and he noticed with every move, resorting to pawing at her over the cloth. He had redressed and regretted it fully, wishing to feel her fingers on his skin as she pulled him closer.

Kahlan moved her legs beneath him, trying to shift her body beneath the blankets for the pressure she needed, groaning in discontent when one action after another failed. With a soft chuckle, Richard lifted himself and yanked at the blanket, removing it instantly. She didn't waste a moment pulling at his shirt, desperate to feel his skin against hers. Her belly pushed into him as he leaned forward, his hands caressing the sides. No matter how many times he touched her, he was always amazed that their child grew within her.

After a moment, Kahlan broke their kiss with a heavy gasp, her hips bucking against him wildly. He caught a glimpse of her eyes, the darkness of her magic covering them completely. It was only a moment he allowed himself to enjoy the vision, before retreating and rolling them onto their sides. His knee moved between her legs, pushing forward to help ease her down as she worked to control her instincts. There could be no stronger woman.

"Thank you," she said breathlessly into his neck, surprising him. He had thought she would apologize for having to be the reason they stopped, but she didn't. "I don't know how much longer I would have been able to hold it back."

"One day you won't have to."

She chuckled, again surprising him. "Are you planning on making a run to the dresser?" From the tone of her voice, he knew that she was joking. They both knew that he would never let her wear the Rada'Han. "If we did, join our lands," she clarified herself quickly. "How would we do it?"

He remained quiet for a moment, thinking. Before, his plan had been to begin by asking her to marry him, but he couldn't do that now, not like this. Shifting against her, he moved to the position she had been in his arms, his face against the top of her breasts. She waited patiently for his answer, her heart beat remaining solid as though it didn't bother her that he didn't answer right away. "I was going to find Cara and ask for her help."

Her heart began to race, but he couldn't tell if it was from the sound of the woman's name, making her remember what he told her happened between them or if it was simply because she wasn't sure he could trust the Mord'Sith to help. "Can she give you what you need?"

"I don't know any of the other Mord'Sith. I need their trust if I am to make this happen. The people and army will follow them."

"Yes," she whispered while her fingers began stroking his hair. "But do you believe she will help you?"

"The one thing I know for sure about her is that she is loyal. She serves the Lord Rahl, but she also does what is best for her sisters. If I convince her that it is for their good as well, I believe she will help me."

"Do you know where to find her?"

He nodded against her chest, his eyes closing. "She's close, I can feel her, all of them. I think they've kept themselves close for months; I think they helped me rescue you."

"What do you mean?"

"After I found you, I realized that most of the men had gone inside with me, looking for you, but when we went outside, there were more bodies on the ground, men I didn't see before and the two of your men who had remained behind had been killed, they couldn't have done it. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but I can't remember seeing any blade wounds."

Her heart was racing again as she pulled back from him. "It would appear that you have already gained their loyalty."

"If I have, I need their trust, too."

Lying on her back she rolled her shoulders, her body finding it difficult to lay in any position very long without some kind of pain. "Mord'Sith do not like Confessors, Richard."

"Maybe not, but they will respect you. I know they're not as everyone sees them, in a lot of ways, they're like you."

"You see things differently from us all."

Lifting himself from the bed, he moved to lean over her. "I see things the way you do."

"You should find her- them. They can have rooms here in the palace."

With a slanted grin, Richard nudged his nose against her jaw. "You're not afraid they'll sneak in here and murder you in your sleep?"

"No, they'll have to get through you, first."

He went alone, not wanting to appear to be a threat to the women in the forest. It was the middle of the afternoon and the sun was barely shining through the leaves, making it a little difficult to move through the trees. He knew they were close and that they were smart enough to stay out of the snow, leaving only a few places they could be. There was a cave not far from the river, it was hidden fairly well, the perfect place for them to hide. As he suspected, he was greeted instantly by a group of them.

"Do you think you can kill us all, Seeker?" one of them asked with a grin.

Shaking his head, Richard crossed his arms and sighed. "I don't want to kill any of you," he stated factually, looking around for the one he knew. "I've come to thank you."

"Why?" The woman's voice was familiar, making him smile.

"You helped me rescue the Mother Confessor."

"What makes-"

"I felt you there," he interrupted as his eyes fell upon the blonde's. "I've felt you around me for a while now."

"So you've come to thank us?"

"I have," he answered swiftly. "I've also come to invite you all to stay in the palace."

"No," a group of the stated together.

Richard smiled, remembering the tone Kahlan had used when she told him that Mord'Sith did not like Confessors. "Afraid to stay near a Confessor, are you?"

"We do not fear anything," Cara said at once. "What does your Mother Confessor have to say about-"

"It was she, who suggested it. A small thank you for aiding in her rescue. You will be free to move around, if you'd like and stay as long as you wish."

Cara stepped forward, moving to stand in front of the others. "Confessors do not allow us in their city."

"This one will," he told them genuinely. "She is not against you as the others have been. She is grateful for your aid, though I can't imagine that means very much to you."

"What if we chose to go with you?" The other Mord'Sith gasped, surprised by her words.

"You would be welcomed properly, a feast prepared and a warm bed to sleep in. If you wish to leave at any time, we will not attempt to stop you. You are free, capable women, you can do as you wish."

"And if we required proof?"

Richard chuckled, shaking his head as he reached into his vest for a formally signed letter from the Mother Confessor, one she insisted he take. "She's written it all down. You are welcome."

Snatching the parchment out of his hand, the blonde read it carefully, inspecting each line as though it would give away the true reason beneath it all. "Tell your Confessor that my sisters and I will think over her offer."

"Cara," another woman spoke angrily. "We can't go there, it's madness."

"Lord Rahl has extended us the offer, we cannot overlook his request."

"He's living in the Confessor's Palace, Lord Rahl would never stay in that place, in its bed."

With a speed none of them had seen before, he rushed forward and took the woman from the ground, using his arm to push into her throat, her back against a tree. "You will not speak of her that way. When you refer to her, you will call her by her name or title of Mother Confessor, do you understand?" The woman nodded, slowly. "Say it."

"I understand," she replied, her eyes darting to the ground.

He waited a moment before releasing her, watching her the way Kahlan would to see the truth. When her feet touched the ground, he took a step back, noticing that none of the other Mord'Sith had come to her aid or had dared to interfere. "I do not owe any of you an explanation as to where I sleep and who it is with. I plan on changing a few things around here and I would be more than happy to have you each with me, but I will not mourn your dismissal." Turning to Cara, he sighed. "I require an answer, now."

"If you wish us to return with you, we will."

"I would like it if all of you came with me."

With a single nod, the Mord'Sith turned and picked up a small pack. "Let's go."