Kahlan laid in bed, exhausted and filled with energy as she watched her daughter sleep. It was a simple pleasure she had taken to for hours since the day she was born, almost a week before. Amanda, though born late, was small, but with a single look, it was clear that she was strong. She had big, round cheeks, pink in health and eyes that captivated, although it was hard to determine their color. Her head was covered in a layer of muddy river hair, a little thinner than her mothers. She was beautiful, more so than the Mother Confessor had ever imagined and with her lying before her, she was even more grateful for the return of her sight.

The door opened, but neither moved, the small child going off of her mother's steady heartbeat as she knew who approached. Richard had yet to stop smiling, the action showing nearly all of his teeth at all times. It was rare for him to leave her side, but he had hurried to the kitchen to make a few, small requests. Kicking off his boots, he gently laid himself down on the other side of the bed, their daughter between them.

"She grows bigger every time I look away," he commented in awe, his left index finger coming to her hand. He loved watching as her tiny fingers wrapped around his to hold it tightly. "I'm going to blink and she will be a grown woman."

Kahlan chuckled, lifting her eyes to his. "I don't think it will happen quite so fast, but I'm sure when that day arrives, it will feel that way."

"I can't wait to hear her voice."

"And her laugh," she added softly.

"She's going to laugh like you," he told her quickly. "I can tell."

"How?"

"Her mouth," he smiled. "And I think my laugh would sound strange coming from someone so beautiful."

Bringing her eyes back to their daughter, she let out a soft sigh of wonder. "It's hard to believe she is really here."

"It is," he agreed through a whisper. "She's- Spirits, I didn't know anything like this existed."

"What?"

"When I think I'm the happiest I'll ever be, I prove myself wrong. I never thought it was possible to feel this way."

"I know the feeling. I've been living in it for the past three weeks."

"It's been nice seeing you so happy."

"Almost as nice as the feeling, I imagine," she said with a grin. "She makes everything seem perfect."

"Because she is perfect."

He blinked and suddenly, he was sitting in a large chair with his head in his hands, breathing heavily as the woman before him spoke. They were in the room he had claimed as his office, the place where he began uniting the lands. The room was small, leaving only a small amount of space between them, making it possible for her to whisper and still be heard. It had been an hour and he couldn't believe the words she said to him.

"This is very important Seeker, you must understand. If the Mother Confessor lose this child, it will be the end of the world we all know. What I have shown you just now, the child must be born, must bring you the happiness. I have seen this many times and this is the last opportunity I may have. I have seen so many futures, so many lives have been lost so that I could come to you."

"I need you to start at the beginning. If you expect me to understand and do as you ask, I must know everything."

With a tired sigh, the woman sat down in the extra chair. "The Mother Confessor will bear no other man's children. In every future I have seen, after each detail I've altered, it remained the same. She takes a mate and cannot conceive and after a single release with you, she carries your daughter."

"I don't understand," he said softly.

"I do not have the time to-"

"You will explain this to me. Everything."

Staring ahead at him, the woman licked her lips. "In a future I have come from, the Mother Confessor took a mate, laid with him many times as she grew desperate for a child. After weeks, she came to you for help, your wizard's magic strong and capable. Your feelings for her blocked it from your mind and instead of helping her carry another man's child, you empty your seed within her, creating a child." The woman waited a moment before continuing to another story, just in case he required more of an explanation. "You marry, but still find yourself in her bed. Only days after you wed, you need her and not for your release alone. You've made a mistake in the woman and you've always known. In another, four days after the death of your son, you arrived here at the palace and make your way to her bed chambers. A simple hug from her was more comforting than anything and when you demanded more from her, she couldn't refuse. There is no stopping the bond the two of you share. If I stop you from becoming the Seeker, you enter the Midlands to explore and still find your way to her. When you've remained in Hartland, she is the one who comes to your aid, again, uniting your souls." Straightening her back, she swallowed. "The child you two have created, she must survive and I have come to you in just enough time. There is a danger that will sweep through this city and it will claim many lives, your daughter among them."

Richard's mind was spinning in thoughts and anger. "Why have you come now?" he questioned coldly. "After everything- After what has been done to her, what those men did to her. How could you have waited until this moment to warn us of danger?"

"What was done to your Confessor was necessary. Though it was more horrible than anyone could imagine, it needed to come to pass."

Coming to his feet, he began to pace. "How- What is it you want from us?"

"The child the Mother Confessor carries, she is your child." It was a sentence he was happy to hear, one he had never thought anyone would say for certain. The knowledge made him smile, but it didn't stay as he looked at the other woman. "She witnessed the horror her mother experienced, every minute of it and as a Rahl, she has a temper. Your blood and magic run through her veins, your, at times, uncontrollable anger. The only thing that keeps this child from bringing the people fear is the heart within her. As she experienced her mother's pain, she held back, disappearing from being felt to give the Mother Confessor more strength and it was she, who kept her alive after being shot down in the forest, the child using your voice to keep her breathing."

With a soft sigh, the woman stood up and raised her head proudly. "This child must live. She is to unite us all, not just keep Aydindril with the Midlands as you begin, but so much more. This child, she is of the most importance and through her, there will be no pain."

"I don't understand why you have come."

"There were none who could have known the child was yours, not without one of us doing what I have and come in warning. We have been betrayed and the life of the two you love is in danger. There will be no stopping the child once she is born, leaving you just over a week to ensure it all. The attempts on their life will come hard and strong, never seeming to end and the scar your face holds now will be far less than what you will gain next. You must do this for you and the Mother Confessor shall give the world a peace it desperately needs." The woman spun around quickly as though hearing something he couldn't. "I must go, they have found me. Protect them, Seeker, use every resource you have and then push on."

Before he could speak, she vanished in a loud cry of agony, leaving him mouth open in shock, fear and anger. He wasn't sure he could trust the woman, but everything she had said now, made sense and if there was any truth to it, he had to act. Running from the room, he raced down the hall, pausing for a brief moment as Cara and Dean came around the corner.

"Where is Kahlan?"

Confused, Dean looked over his shoulder. "We just passed her in the kitchen," he said softly. "She is with your wizard, is something wrong?"

"Find every man we can trust, we can't let her out of our sights. Cara, find your sisters, I will need their help as well."

The blonde gave no hesitation before walking past them with a nod, instantly eager to do anything he commanded. The other man waited for a moment, hoping for some kind of explanation.

"Sir?"

"She is in danger and I will not have her taken from us."

"Kahlan," Richard half shouted as he entered the kitchen. "Get up, we have to go."

Confused, she came to her feet, struggling to get down from the chair. "What's wrong?"

"I know that this is going to he hard for you, but until you give birth, you're not leaving our bedroom." He took her hand and began pulling her along, her body close to his to block any attempts of damage to her body. "Stay close, we have to move faster."

"Richard, what happened?"

"You're in danger and I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

"How do you know?"

"Someone told me," he answered quickly, hurrying them down the hallway. "I didn't believe her at first, but the things she showed me- Kahlan, our daughter... She's beautiful."

A smile came to her face and she quickened her steps, coming closer for a better look at him. "You saw her? What did she look like?"

He could hear the excited joy in her voice, making him smile, too, as he opened the door to their room. "She looked like you."

When they were locked inside, she walked to their bed and sat down, her back aching from the brief walk. "Did she have your smile?"

"No," he told her as he moved to the wash station and began heating a bowl of water. "She had yours. We were laying in bed, watching her every move and we- She was the most beautiful child." Making his way to her, he eased her back to the bed and laid a warm, damp cloth on her forehead as he sat down at her side. "She's going to take your breath away."

Watching him, she smiled widely. "What else?"

"She's smaller than a loaf of bread."

Pulling his hand from the rag on her forehead, she held it in hers. "She was to join us days ago, I don't think-"

"She's going to be another few days," he told her.

Blinking slowly, she shifted on the bed. "I have to stay in here for days?"

Richard chuckled, "I promise the time will pass quicker than you think. I- I know that it's not your first choice, but I have to keep you safe."

"I know," she said softly, moving once again in an attempt to get comfortable. "Spirits, I'm not sure I can handle another few days like this."

"I can try to make you a little more comfortable."

Grinning, she shook her head. "I believe that's how we arrived here."

"We walked," he teased as his hand slid between her breasts. She had become more than uncomfortable weeks ago, but he couldn't see why she found herself so unattractive. "You're beautiful."

Her eyes fell closed to his touch, her body pushing up for more. Unbuttoning her dress, he pushed it open, exposing her to the room and his hungry eyes. With his breath caught in his throat, he moved his hands over her, massaging gently while fighting the urge to lay over her.

"Richard...," she spoke as his hands continued their decent down her belly.

Meeting her eyes, he pulled back. "I'm sorry, I know that you don't like me to do that."

"I'm sorry, I- I don't understand how you can want to."

With a sly grin, he snaked his hands over her. "That's not all I want to do."

"Spirits..."

"I don't think we should bring them into this, I want us to be alone."

"Are you going to tell me what that woman said to you?" He stared down at her for a minute, his mind seeming to be spinning, but she continued to look up at him. "I know you, Richard," she said softly. "You do not believe in prophecy, nor do you believe in just anything you are told. What is it that makes you believe so?"

Shaking his head, he rested his right hand on her belly and sighed. "The things she told me of her... Kahlan, they were all of the things you and I have ever hoped. She is going to be everything we want her to and more. She's going to hold the people together, having their loyalty and trust, their hearts."

"I do not understand where the danger comes from that."

"There are some who do not want the peace she will bring."

With a quiet sigh, she pulled on his arm, lifting her back from the bed with a slight struggle. "What is it you have planned, then?"

"Kill anyone who tries to harm you."

As the woman predicted, the attacks began sooner than expected, bringing Richard to pick another room in the palace for her to stay in and after one night, she was moved to another. There had been six assassins, who had come at different times, each making an attempt and each meeting the same fate. Cara and three of her sisters remained in the room with them at all times, one at every point of possible entry and the Seeker clung to her as she pretended to be asleep. There was a soft scraping at the door to the room, making her jump as his hold on her tightened.

The moon was high in the sky and lighting the room perfectly through a single window. They were on the third floor, a hard task for the Mother Confessor, but it put more room between them and whoever hunted her. Moving her slowly, Richard came to the edge of the bed, using himself as a shield as one of the Mord'Sith stepped closer to the door. It grew silent and suddenly the room went cold. Pulling the blanket closer to her chest, Kahlan closed her eyes in an attempt to hear something more. Quiet.

The wall flew apart with force, knocking the leather wearing women to the floor. None of them saw it coming, the animal that leapt through the door and onto the Seeker. It was the biggest creature they had ever seen, each tooth, the size of a large man and his head taking the space of most of the room. His breath smelled of death, blood dripping out as it looked down at Richard, who was struggling to move his arms. With a loud growl, he lowered his head, blocking the view just before the room filled with a ripping sound and his cry of pain.

Two Mord'Sith were on its back, their agiels pressed into it firmly as Cara finished shoving part of the wall from her fallen body. Rushing forward, she joined her sisters as Kahlan managed to take hold of the Sword of Truth. The raged that the Seeker had store within it filled her as she lunged at the creature, letting it slice into it as though it as merely a piece of paper. The wound didn't appear to have harmed it at all, leaving her strike again and again, her own anger mixing with another's and bringing out a strength she had never known. Her eyes went black and her body froze, dropping the blade as she looked up to the other women.

"Get off of it now!" she shouted in a voice not entirely hers.

Confused, the Mord'Sith leapt to the floor, just missing the rays of light that flew out of the Mother Confessor.

The creature made a sound, one no one had ever heard, nor could replicate. Its body rose into the air, pressed against the roof until it cracked, drowning out the sounds of the bones crushing. Before anyone blinked, its body exploded, blood instantly covering the room as Kahlan fell to the ground.

Struggling to her knees, the brunette crawled closer to the bed. The sight made her body ache, but she didn't stop moving closer. Richard's right arm seemed to be hanging onto his shoulder by the smallest piece of skin, his chest was torn open and the bed beneath him stained more with his blood than that of the creature. Swallowing back her own cry of pain, Kahlan reached out to his face, nearly screaming when his head jerked toward her. How was he still alive?

The Mord'Sith stood frozen for a moment, shocked by the vision before them. As the Mother Confessor began ripping her dress, one of them moved to help. Cara pushed down on the cloth the other woman laid on his chest, the only thing they could do to try to stop or slow the bleeding. With another rip, Kahlan tried to wrap a thick piece of her nightgown around his arm, moving it to nearly connect with his shoulder once more. He never stopped looking at her, even as he coughed up more blood and groaned in agonizing pain. If he looked away, he was dead.

One of the other Mord'Sith, Stella, the name they had come to know, ran through the opening in the room, shouting for someone, anyone to help.

Most of the guards were dead, the creature having gone through them all to find the one it was looking for, leaving a trail of blood and scattered limbs down the halls. There were two healers in the city, they would have to do what they could until Zedd returned from a place, she hadn't cared enough to ask.

When she returned to the bedroom, Kahlan had her forehead pressed against Richard's her nose touching his as he struggled to follow her breathing. His left hand was holding hers, squeezing and from the look of it, it was no longer tight. Her hand had turned to the light shade of pink, the white from the lack of blood flow fading with his strength. The Mother Confessor whispered things to him, making sure he understood that they were safe and that it was because of him and the Mord'Sith, surprising the women in leather.

"Mother Confessor, you must step back," the older man said as he brought his pack of elixirs and healing supplies to the side of the bed.

"I can't," she said quietly, her voice filled with pain. "I don't think I can move."

Richard moved suddenly, kissing her as though it was his final act, his hand leaving hers to touch her belly. Kahlan broke.

"Don't you dare give up, Richard Cypher!" she shouted at him through tears. "Don't you leave me, don't leave us." Shaking her head, she pushed from him, looking away. "No," she said in a voice that left no room for arguing. "You're not going to die, as Mother Confessor, I command you to live!"

The sound that escaped him appeared to be a laugh, but none could be sure as it quickly faded into a cry of pain as the healers began to work. If he hadn't seen what happened next for himself, he may not have believed it. Cara moved around the bed, passing her sisters to get to the other woman who, without hesitation or fear, embraced the blonde tightly.

Two days passed slowly and the attempts on her life never ended, though the Mord'Sith didn't leave her side. At times, Kahlan would try to dismiss them, but they seemed to believe it was what they were supposed to do and she almost believed it was because they had come to like her as she did them. Richard had been taken to a room in the servants' quarters, one that the Mother Confessor knew would make him smile when he awoke, a place he was more than safe. Cara had remained close at all times, her eyes searching the area, no matter how small, never missing a beat as she instructed the others to do their tasks. They didn't complain about having to keep watch or stay awake most of the night instead, they seemed thrilled to have the fight.

She could feel the stiffness in the air, a heavy night ahead of them. The women sat with their backs against the wall on the far side of the room, across from the door that held their eyes. Kahlan leaned her shoulder against the blonde, the one she had found comfort in as she reminded her of the man she loved. She watched ahead of them as he world, her face and heart calm, mind spinning, but fully aware of everything around. It was easy to see why he liked her, why he trusted her beyond the others and that he was correct in believing that it was she, who would give them more than they did her.

"I thought we had passed this," the Mother Confessor whispered more to herself than anyone. "None of this was supposed to happen."

"We never pass the terrible things that happen to us," Cara said in a surprisingly normal tone.

"I said the same thing to Richard, once."

"He believes we can change our fates."

"Can't we?" she asked quietly. "Look at everything he has done, the things he has overcome after even our prophecies declared it impossible."

"Maybe the Spirits changed their minds."

"Maybe," she agreed quietly.

Richard opened his eyes and jumped. Kahlan was laying beside him, naked and sleeping peacefully. His arms were wrapped around her, confusing him as he lifted his head to look around. They were in their bedroom, furniture broken and blankets thrown around the room. The view was more than familiar, it was the exact one he had woken to months before. This was the morning he had watched her leave only to find later that she was missing. This was the day she was taken.

Richard tightened his hold on her instantly, his heart racing as he tried to figure out what was happening. Had he been sent back to prevent it all from happening? He wouldn't allow her leave the room so easily this time, she would remain in bed with him until the trouble had been taken care of. A smile found its way to his lips as he remembered that she was pregnant, that they had created a child in their night of passion. She didn't know it yet, but she carried their daughter and a part of him wanted to wake the sleeping woman and tell her.

Shifting in his arms, she smiled and pulled herself closer. "It can't be morning already."

"Maybe it's not," he replied softly. "If you keep your eyes closed, it will still be night."

Opening her eyes, she grinned. "I'm sorry, I couldn't resist." Bringing her hand to his face, she wiped her thumb across his cheek, noticing the light layer of tears in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he replied almost instantly. "I was just thinking about last night."

Holding her smile firmly, she bit down on her bottom lip. "I believe it was part of the morning as well."

His heart was racing as his mind replayed what the other woman had told him and how what was to happen to Kahlan was a major part of the story. If he kept her here in bed, would he destroy everything? If he was to stop her from being captured and their daughter grew within her knowing something different, would that change the way she united the lands? What kind of man thought about these things? He questioned himself with a huff, moving her closer in an attempt to hide it from her. How could he be thinking of letting her go?

Pulling her head back, she pushed him over and lifted herself to look down at him. "What's wrong?"

"I can't quiet my mind."

"What are you thinking?"

Blinking, he pushed his fingers back into her hair. "Crazy things."

"Care to share?"

"If you knew something as going to happen, something terrible, would you try to stop it?"

Kahlan nodded, "If I can spare someone pain, I would do what I could."

"Even if you knew how important it was?"

Shifting against him, she frowned in confusion. "Important?"

"What if the future depends of- Because of what happens, the decisions that will be made-"

"The terrible things this someone goes through shapes everything that happens after?"

"Everything," he told her through a whisper.

"Where is this coming from?" Sitting up, she pulled on the blanket and covered her chest as she looked at him, her own mind spinning in thoughts. "What's going to happen to me?" She gave a small smile as he stared up at her in shock. "It makes sense that it would be me," she said softly. "What did you see?" His head tilted in sadness as he held her eyes, a part of him wondering if he should tell her. "It's alright," she added after a brief moment. "It doesn't matter what it is. Richard, if something must happen, no matter how terrible, if it creates something better, the decision is made. If it will bring something good from it, something that changes another, maybe it is the best. You and I know better than most that even the bad things can bring out something worth all of the pain."

Shaking his head, he touched her cheek, bringing her closer, just slightly. "I'm not sure anything can be worth that price."

"If it were you, instead of me, would you hesitate to let it happen?" His head shook slowly and she smiled. "There are things we do, they are not always pleasant, but they can be for the good of others."

"I don't want it to happen," he stated at once. His voice was hard as though his mind was made up, but his eyes were still filled with torment. "Kahlan, I- How can I let it happen? How can I be alright with letting you walk from this room when I know what will take place?"

"Is it that soon?"

Richard sat forward and hugged her to him. "I won't let you go."

"What if I told you to? Richard, I know that you want to protect me, you always have, but if this must happen, whatever it is, let it. If something comes from this that is as important as you say, I will do it." Kissing him passionately, she smiled. "It's out of your hands now."

"No," he said as he tightened his hold. "You can't go into this willingly. Kahlan, no one should ever experience what you will and I- I can't allow you to endure that kind of pain."

Crawling onto his lap, she brought her forehead to his. "Then give me something to hold onto."

His tears fell against her hand as she held his face, his eyes closing as he shared her breath. "It won't be enough," he whispered. "Please stay in here with me today."

"We both know that I can't. If this is the will of the spirits, I must do it. And if I know you, you'll bring me back to you. That is all that matters." With another kiss, she moved off of him and grabbed her Confessor's dress, dressing quickly before he could stop her. Walking to the door, she looked over her shoulder as he crawled out of the bed, naked, bringing a smile to her lips. "I love you, Richard."

"Kahlan, no!" he called as he ran forward, just missing her as she closed the door behind her. Instantly, he pulled it open, desperately hoping to see her on the other side, but instead it was like a blink and he was laying in bed once again.

Blinking away the groggy fog of sleep, he turned his head and it all made sense. He hadn't saved her and here he was, laying on a bed with one arm barely attached. Swallowing, he closed his eyes, remembering the last moments before he lost consciousness. Kahlan had remained with him, telling him that he had saved her and that she was grateful. She had smiled down at him as though he wasn't broken and still the man she loved, it had been a welcoming last sight.

Turning his head, he met the eyes of one of the guards who stood watch. "Kahlan?"

"She is safe. Your Mord'Sith have held her close, protecting her as though she as you, Lord Rahl. You have been asleep for five days."

"Our child?" he asked as he attempted to sit up.

"Still within her, Sir. She seems to be under the impression that it will remain that way until you are at her side."

"Then you must help me get to her."

One of the guards shook his head and took a step back. "I'm sorry, but the Mother Confessor gave us strict instructions. We are not to let you go after her, not until your strength has returned."

Richard nearly laughed, almost hearing her orders. "I have to fight my way from this room, don't I?"

"It is the only way we can be sure you can make it through the palace."

"Did she give any rules?" he asked as though it had been made into some kind of game.

One of the guards laughed. "She instructed us to stop before you killed us. We are to do our best to keep you here, but if you are able to push past us, we must allow you to leave or," he said as he straightened his back. "If you can fight for longer than five minutes, you are free to go as long as we accompany you."

"She thought of everything, didn't she?"

"She has."

Closing his eyes, Richard forced himself to sit up. "Shall we begin, then?" He knew that he should feel weaker; that he shouldn't be able to move, but with the image of Kahlan lying in bed with their daughter was burned into his mind, pushing him, fueling him.

He fell to the floor before he had a moment to attack, his body exhausted in a way he had never known. The guards remained still, watching as he struggled to get up once again, the sight before them, though tragic, was up lifting. The man at their feet enduring a pain they couldn't quite grasp for the woman he loved. When Richard was once again on his feet, the men circled him, partly because they were afraid that he would fall again, and the other because they were sure this was it.

The Seeker slammed his right shoulder into one of the men, taking the sword from his hands as he dropped to the ground at the perfect moment to avoid a punch from one of the others. He didn't struggle as much as before as he came to his feet, seeming to have found a way to use the one side of him he could control to balance himself. His eyes were bright red and filled with pain, but he pushed on, leading the others into a false attack so that he could strike from another side, his attempts proving to be well organized. One of the guards suddenly raised his hand, bringing the entire battle to a stop. Richard gasped for his next few breaths, panting quietly between each of them as he waited to see what happened next.

"Come, we will take you to her." The guard took off his helmet and smiled. "She will be pleased to see you."

With a slow nod, he took a step forward. "I see you took her advice and trained with the men some more, Philip. Very well done."

"Thank you, Sir."

Kahlan jumped up from the floor with Cara's help, rushing toward him as he entered the room. The Mord'Sith stared at him, his clothes bloody and arm obviously torn, but she didn't. From the way she looked at him, he was sure she didn't see any of it. When her arms encircled him, he couldn't feel the pain. He wanted to kiss her, but she wouldn't have it, instead, she pulled on his hand, bringing him to where they had been sitting before.

As they sat down, he found it difficult to take his eyes off of her belly, watching it the way he would when his hand rested on top and felt the child move within. He watched as though he knew something was going to happen.

"What?" she asked as concern filled her.

He grinned, "I'm waiting."

"Shes not going to crawl out of me just because you're watching." Her face changed for a moment as a wave of pain rolled over her. Confused, she tilted her head and gritted her teeth to hold back a groan of pain. "If you could make her be born, why did you wait so long?"

Richard chuckled for a moment before she grabbed his hand and the moment clarified in his mind. Panic filled him as she tightened her hold, the unknown lingering in his mind. If this was the time she was to be born, the danger was at its height. "As of this moment," he spoke clearly, "No one else is to enter this room. If they come close, kill them."

Even though they didn't understand, the guards and Mord'Sith moved to blocked the door. Kahlan was calmer than he imagined, knowing that the pain had to be intense. His mind suddenly raced back to the moment he found her months before, now wondering if any pain could be worse.

"Spirits!" she shouted as her back jerked to stretch in pain. Squeezing his hand, she grit her teeth to keep from losing control. "I don't understand how women do this."

"You're stronger than men," he whispered into her ear. "And you," he added quickly, "you are the strongest of them all."

Forcing a smile, she shook her head. "Your opinion is forced."

"You're assuming I came to the conclusion after I fell in love with you."

"Didn't you?"

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean that the opinion wasn't correct."

Her mouth opened to respond, but a cry of pain escaped instead, filling the air. Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the wall and sucked in a heavy breath. Richard wanted to lift her into his arms and carry her to a bed, the action screaming to be done in his mind, though his body couldn't comply. After a moment of thought, he began to move, bringing her to inch forward as he settled behind her. His right arm was around her instantly, his left hanging limply at his side. She leaned against him, her eyes shut as she focused on her breathing and not the sudden strange sounds of battle that filled the air. As long as Richard was close to her, she was safe; their daughter was safe.

She could hear him shouting to the others over her left shoulder, but she couldn't make out the words. Every few moments he would switch sides, whispering to her on the other, telling her that she was alright and that it would be over soon. He promised.

Her body tensed in pain as her mind spun, she wanted to look around them, but she knew the minute her eyes opened, she would lose all of her strength. She thought she was holding back, but suddenly she could hear herself scream and the sound was strong. Richard tightened his arm around her and inched them forward, trying to make her more comfortable as Cara ran to them. The bottom of the Mother Confessor's dress was covered in blood, her own that dampened the wooden floor beneath them.

Lifting the fabric, the blonde met the Seeker's eyes calmly. "She's nearly here. I can see-" Her words were cut off by a loud roar, another creature tearing into the room. Without a word, the blonde hurried away to join the new battle, the relief being the fact that the creature was much smaller than the one who had attacked them before.

"You're so close, Kahlan. Listen to me, you have to push harder and I know that it's hard, but-"

"Do-You-Want-To-Do-This?!" she half shouted and half cried, her body ripping to do what was needed.

She was pale, her cheeks white and deathly, something he had been warned of. "I know you're tired," he whispered with his mouth against her ear. "You can't let go, Kahlan."

Cara returned to the floor and brought herself in close, doing her best to help the other woman. The Confessor grew quiet, her hand tightened its hold on his as she pushed forward to give a final push, one that filled the air with a baby's cry and a mother's ragged breath. Richard couldn't take his eyes off of the small baby, the room suddenly grew quiet except for her cry and Kahlan's heavy breathing.

She was filled with an energy as she took her daughter into her arms, almost forgetting the pain her body continued to throw at her with each breath. Amanda was beautiful and it was difficult to believe she was lying in her arms. Richard rested his chin on her shoulder, staring down at their daughter with a racing heart. She stared up at her as though they were having a conversation, the small child seeming to know something they didn't. With tears in her eyes, the new mother smiled with a nod, swallowing as she at last looked around the room.

It was as it had been before, Amanda's magic filling the room and raising their enemy from the floor, their bodies shaking before ripping apart, splattering blood upon them all. Before anyone could blink, Kahlan turned and pressed their daughter into his chest, close to his wounded arm. He was confused until he saw it, their daughter looking up at him, silently telling him to trust her. It was a warm flood that entered his chest, flooding his body as it pulled; as it healed.

The others in the room stared at them, watching as even the scar on his face faded away. Time slowed as he blinked, letting the magic flow freely into him without fear. It was an incredible sight to see, one that none have ever seen before and it held each of their attention, the Lord Rahl, holding a baby Confessor, his daughter, free and willingly.

After a moment, he lifted his eyes and met hers. She was exhausted, but smiling, her happiness reaching her eyes and almost hiding her pain. He tried to hand their daughter back, wanting her to heal her as well, but Kahlan shook her head. Resting her left hand against his cheek, she brought her right to the head of their daughter.

"She's more beautiful than you said she would be."

"Let her heal you-"

"She can't," she whispered. "Her magic needs to rebuild."

Confused, Richard grabbed her and pulled her to him, laying their daughter in her arms as he hurried to make her comfortable. Her strength was fading, he could see it in her eyes as she clutched Amanda to her chest and tried to hold onto her smile. Cara handed him a blanket, one he couldn't remember seeing her retrieve, but since it wasn't covered in blood, he knew she had. Wrapping it over Kahlan's legs, he pulled it to her chest, just below their daughter in a small attempt to keep them warm.

"Zedd will be here soon."

Nodding, she took in a slow breath. "I know, I'm supposed to be laying in bed with the two of you in a few days."

Grinning, he sat down at her side and closed the distance between them. Circling his left arm around her waist, he rested his head against her shoulder and stared down at the now sleeping baby in her arms.

She looked almost the same as her mother, struggling to survive, but the way her tiny hand held his finger, he knew she wasn't in need of worry. Kahlan hummed softly as her eyes closed and her head fell back against the wall with a slight thump, her strength diminished.

"This is the moment," Richard whispered with a smile.

Kahlan took her eyes from the sleeping baby between them and grinned. "Does this mean that whatever it was that woman wanted to prevent, we stopped it?"

"I guess we'll have to wait and see if she returns."

With a sigh, she reached over to him and took hold of his hand. "We may not survive another one of her visits."

"Amanda will protect us."

"We can't ask that of her."

Inching closer, he looked down at his daughter. "What do you think she will want?"

"I don't know," she replied honestly. "I've thought about it for months, but I can't imagine her choice."

"Maybe she won't have to choose."

"There must be two leaders, one cannot look out for everyone, unselfishly."

"I don't think our children will know the word selfish."

Chuckling, Kahlan mimicked his previous movements and lowered her voice. "Shh, if you say it around her..." Dropping her eyes to his chest, she blinked. "What happens now?"

"I don't know," he told her. "I keep expecting something else to happen."

"Me too," she admitted through a whisper. "I can't imagine things will be easy."

He smiled, sliding his hand up her arm. "Nothing is easy. We'll figure everything out, we always do."

"At what cost?"

"Nothing we wouldn't pay," he told her as his mind replayed his dream where he had tried to stop her from ever leaving their bedroom. "We would do anything to protect the people we care about, anything."

"I don't want her to know that kind of world."

"She already does and it will be she, who changes it for others. She is going to make sure no one suffers at the hand of another."

"It's a lot to expect from a child."

Nodding, he gave a small smile. "Maybe, but she's already seen more than she should and before she was born, she began to change things- Kahlan, I think she's just like you. Always wanting to help people and she will not have it any other way."

"I'm worried about her."

"Me too, but since she's our daughter, I'm certain there is no need to be." He grinned, his hand now gliding along her side. "But we can't turn off our parental instincts."

Closing her eyes, Kahlan pushed into his touch, graciously accepting the gentle feeling. Her body was still healing, but it longed for his, longed for something more than the massages he generously gave her. "If your hand keeps moving, there will be another child between us."

"Why Mother Confessor, I'm not trying to seduce you."

With a failed attempt to hide her smile, she met his eyes. "Then I would suggest you remove your hand from my breast."

Moving carefully, he pushed her onto her back and brought himself to lay above her, both looking to make sure their daughter was still asleep. Bringing their eyes back to each other's he lowered himself slightly, pushing his chest into hers as their lips lightly grazed. The had come to spend more time teasing each other over the past few days, their bodies unable to unite with causing her pain, though the restriction didn't stop them from playing when they were alone.

Kahlan was the first to respond, her lips grabbing his in triumph as her fingers wound into his hair. This was the beginning of their new life and without knowing what was to come, the couple was determined to spend what time they could in the way they always imagined.

***The End***