TITLE: Deception

AUTHOR: LOTSlove®

CHARACTERS: Richard / Kahlan / Cara / Zedd / Nicci / Original Characters

RATING: R / M

WARNINGS: Author Chooses Not to Use Warnings

TIMELINE: Anything up through S2 season finale (Tears)

DISCLAIMER: I'm completely obsessed with the show Legend of the Seeker and all things Richard and Kahlan. I love to write about them even though they cancelled my show and now I'm fighting to get it back!

SUMMARY: Sequel to me fic Revelation, Richard and Kahlan fight to solidify the D'Haran Empire when a new threat rises threatening to destroy all that they have worked for.

Chapter 15

Making his way to his suite to check on Cara, Garren's mind was more than a little occupied with all that was going on right now. The twin's celebration was tomorrow and he wanted to make sure that everything went smoothly. He wasn't going to take any chances when it came to the girls that he loved as if they were his own.

He couldn't believe that he had agreed to Lyla's idea of having an outdoor party in the courtyard of the People's Palace. She thought it would be the best place to hold the festivities now that spring was finally in the air, the devotion pools lending nicely to the festive atmosphere and allowing enough room for people to mingle and eat.

Garren thought it was a security nightmare. He had spent days going over everything with Holland, reviewing every possible way in or out of the vast courtyard. The army had been put on alert just in case, the home guard prepped on possible scenarios. They had been practicing drills, running potential situations in preparation.

It wasn't that Garren thought something was definitely going to happen, but worried over the possibility that it could. It would be the perfect opportunity for the enemy to attack with Richard and Kahlan there along with their children as well as the dignitaries and ambassadors that would be attending.

It was the perfect storm for the enemy to strike.

Then there was the mysterious woman that Richard had warned him about. He was still feeling very on edge, now knowing that something had happened last evening that he had no memory of. It had rattled him to think that he may have had an encounter with her and yet could not even remember it.

Rubbing his forehead, he tried once again to recall what exactly it was that had happened last night. He remembered that he had been finishing up his rounds of the Palace, anxious to get back to Cara. It had been quiet and uneventful except for a minor incident involving a dispute between a couple of new soldiers.

They had been arguing about something or other, but for some reason Garren suddenly couldn't quite remember now what they had been quarreling about. He did remember it had been insignificant and ridiculous. He had sent them in opposite directions to finish their patrols, warning them both not to let it happen again.

He did not like these lapses in memory. It was unnerving to say the least especially when his job was to keep people safe from harm, people that he deeply cared about. If someone had infiltrated the Palace, he would find out and personally remove them the territory.

Opening the door, Garren smiled at Naira sitting in her usual spot sewing. He appreciated the young woman's willingness to be at the ready if his wife needed anything. It had allowed him to do his job without having to worry so much about Cara while he was gone.

"How's she doing today?" he asked as he passed through the greeting room.

"See for yourself," she smiled brightly. "I think you'll be more than pleased."

Suddenly apprehensive, Garren entered his bedchambers to find their bed unoccupied, the room empty. His heart leapt into his throat as he suddenly noticed the balcony doors fully open, a warm spring breeze causing the curtains to flutter in response.

Slowly making his way to the doors, he was relieved to find Cara standing on the balcony, the simple sleeveless sheath she wore clinging to her feminine curves. Her voluptuous shape made his pulse race, knowing that the child they had created together grew inside of her. It wouldn't be long now.

Coming up behind her, he silently slipped his arms around her every-expanding waist, his large hands coming to rest against her belly. She instinctively tensed at the sudden intrusion only to relax into his intimate embrace.

"You should know better than to sneak up on a Mord'Sith like that," she scolded as she leaned her head back against his muscular chest, her arms coming to rest against his.

"And I should never have been able to sneak up on a Mord'Sith like that," he mischievously countered. "You're slipping."

"I am not 'slipping'," she snorted, annoyed with the insinuation that she was any less than what she was before conceiving a child. "I've just been held prisoner in this suite for far too long."

Pressing his lips to her head, Garren smiled at her sudden irritation. "And what are you doing out of our bed, Mistress?"

"Nicci said that I could. She wanted to see how I did before the celebration tomorrow," she informed him, closing her eyes and relishing the feel of his arms around her, the warm afternoon sun shining down on them. It felt wonderful to be out of bed, enjoying life like a normal person for a change instead of some invalid.

"How are you doing so far?" he asked, worry beginning to drift to the surface.

"Great, actually," she admitted. "Just feel a little weak from having been in bed for so long, but otherwise, I feel perfectly fine. In fact, I think I could return to my duties."

Garren softly chuckled into her hair with her words. "Definitely not," he adamantly replied. "I don't care what anyone else says, but I'm saying no."

"And who are you to say no?" Cara suddenly turned in his arms to face him, her large belly between them.

"I am your husband," he countered. "And I love you and this child too much to risk losing either of you."

Cara studied him for a moment, weighing his words. "I see your point," she conceded.

"You have no idea how happy I am," he breathed a sigh of relief. "I've been so worried about you."

"I know, but you don't have to. The baby and I are fine."

Garren kissed her temple, tightening his hold on her. Gazing past her, he watched as Richard and Kahlan entered their private garden, Paige and Priya holding their parent's hands. It brought a smile to his lips, knowing that he and Cara would have their own child soon. He could hardly wait.

XXX

Richard drew a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of spring. He loved this time of year when the cold and snow made way for all things new. It was as if the world was suddenly coming to life all over again after having been asleep for months. It made him long for the Hartland Woods that he grew up in.

Glancing at Kahlan walking beside him, he remembered how he still longed to take her back to Westland, to show her all of the special places that he loved. He wanted so badly to share those places with the one that he loved more than life, to see those same places again through her beautiful eyes.

He wanted his children to be able to know some of the wonders that he had been able to experience when he was a child growing up there. Looking down at Paige who was holding his hand, he still couldn't believe that his little girls were already going to be a year old tomorrow. Time was flying by so quickly, more quickly than he cared to think about.

And now someone was threatening to steal it all away from him. He couldn't allow that to happen, not when his life with Kahlan had only just begun. He'd protect them all with his life if need be.

The things that Nicci had told them at lunch kept playing over and over again in his mind, an unsettling feeling still swimming in his core. There was something almost familiar about the words that Nicci had read, something that kept tickling the back of his mind. He just couldn't see how all of the pieces could possibly fit together.

Paige's sudden loud shriek interrupted his thoughts, pulling him back to the garden and his family. She jabbered in excitement as she pointed as a squirrel skittering across the grass and leaping for a nearby tree. Priya suddenly decided to join in the conversation, giggling at the squirrel that now stared at them from the safety of the tree trunk, its fluffy brown tail twitching in the air.

Reaching down, Richard swung Paige up into his strong arms. "That's a squirrel," he told her with a smile. "Can you say 'squirrel'?"

Paige looked at her father, jabbering something that started with "s", but sounding nothing close to "squirrel" as she pointed at the small furry creature that continued to watch them in suspicion. Richard chuckled softly at her attempt to say the word, pride filling every fiber of his being despite her lack of success.

Leaning in, he kissed her cheek. "Good try, Paige," he praised her.

He tickled her sides, eliciting laughter that brought a grin to his face. "Da-da," Paige squealed in protest against the sudden assault, trying to catch her breath between fits of giggles.

Holding Kahlan's hand, Priya pointed up at her father, scolding him in her own way for tickling her sister. She patted at his boot, trying to capture his attention and save her twin from his attack. Bending down, Richard swiftly scooped up his other daughter in his arm as well, holding them both close.

"Are you trying to come to your sister's rescue?" he asked.

Priya placed her hand on her daddy's cheek, continuing her scolding lecture, a serious look on her face. Laughing, Richard tickled her sides, eliciting a shrieking giggle and abruptly ending her lecture.

Kahlan couldn't stop the huge smile that almost made her cheeks ache. There was nothing she loved more than seeing Richard with their children. He was the best father in every way, better than even she had ever dreamed he'd be.

Their children adored him. It filled their faces every time he entered the room, shined in their eyes whenever he spent any time with them. And he loved them no less. His love for the children they had created together permeated his eyes and touched her heart so deeply it nearly overwhelmed her at times.

This was what she had always wanted with him, had been so desperate to share with him. All her dreams were coming true and it was all because of his deep love for her and her for him.

Kahlan watched as Richard set his girls back down on the ground. Taking their hands in his, he led them to the tree and the squirrel that scurried to a higher branch. It leaned down towards them, chattering a warning at them to stay back.

Kneeling down on the ground, Richard pointed up at the furry little creature, teaching the girls all about the animal though Kahlan knew they probably didn't understand what their father was saying. She knew he was so anxious to teach their children all about nature and the woods that he loved so much.

She felt bad that he wasn't able to return to the woods that he grew up in, having to stay here to rule the D'Haran Empire instead. She knew that his heart belonged to her, wanted to stay here with her and the family they were making, but she also knew there was a small part of him that would always yearn to return to Westland someday.

Coming to a stop behind him, she placed her hands on his shoulders, lost in her own thoughts as he continued his lesson with their girls. They had fought so long, so hard for this life that they now shared. She wasn't about to let anything or anyone take it away from them.

They needed to get to the bottom of this prophecy before it became a living breathing reality. She needed to learn to harness the power of the Blood Rage in order to protect her family, to be able to call on it and direct it at will.

Richard released his daughters' hands, allowing them to explore the gardens. Standing to his feet, he swiftly turned, pulling Kahlan into his arms, a smile lighting his handsome face.

"What is it?" he asked with a curious tilt of his head, noticing the pensive expression on his wife's face.

"I was just thinking of how you must miss your home in Hartland, being in the woods that you love so much especially this time of year," she thoughtfully admitted.

"Kahlan, you are my home," he told her, brushing his nose against hers. "I'm not going anywhere without you by my side."

"You're my home too," she replied, her hand coming to rest against his cheek. "I'd never truly believed that I could ever have a life like this and now that I do, I'm just so afraid I'm going lose it all, lose you and the children somehow."

"You're never going to lose me, Kahlan. Never," he firmly replied, taking her face in his hands. "I'm not going to let anything happen to you or our children. You four are my whole world. I won't survive if I ever lose you."

He leaned in kissing her deeply, reassuring her with his love. She melted into his warm kiss, her fingers winding into his hair. Pulling back, he stared into her eyes, his thumbs caressing her cheeks.

"I love you, Kahlan," he murmured.

"Forever," she whispered, leaning in and kissing him again.

Breaking the kiss, he quickly captured her hand, leading her to a nearby bench where they could watch the girls play. Sitting down, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace. Kahlan readily snuggled in against him, relishing how safe she always felt in his arms.

"Richard, I have to learn to control the ConDar," she suddenly said as she thought about what had almost happened during lunch, her fingers playing with the tooth resting against his muscular chest. "I need to be able to have control over it especially now with this prophecy looming over us."

He tenderly caressed her arm, knowing how much it upset her that she had yet to master her magic. It was a constant source of frustration and worry for her, never knowing when it might take control of her, fearing for those she may inadvertently hurt in the process.

"I know you're worried about it, but it almost always manages to awaken at the moment when you need it most," he reassured her.

"But I still don't have any control over it," she frowned, tightly clutching his tooth pendant now. "I'm terrified that I'm not going to be able to summon it when I need it, that I'm not going to be able to protect you or our children. Maybe Nicci could help me learn to control it."

"Kahlan, you are the strongest woman I know," he told her. "When the time comes, I know you'll be able to do what you need to. And I'll always be right there by your side, fighting our way through it with you just like we always have."

"I don't know what I ever did to deserve you," she murmured, leaning up to kiss along his jaw.

Richard turned his head to steal another kiss. His fingers slid into her hair, twisting the silky strands around his fingers as he deepened the kiss. He wanted more than anything to just hideaway here with her, to take her beneath the shade of the tree and make love to her.

The persistent chatter of their daughters quickly reminded him how those plans would have to wait for another time. Releasing his hold on her, Richard turned to find Priya standing before them, proudly holding up a tiny fist with a worm wiggling in her grasp.

Kahlan shook her head with a lilting laugh. "She is definitely your daughter, Richard Rahl."

"Like there was any question about it?" he chuckled in response, leaning forward to see his daughter's prize. Brandishing a small stick, Paige suddenly appeared at her sister's side, wielding it like a weapon. "And Paige is undeniably all you."

Watching as the girls toddled off to continue their exploration, Kahlan settled back into Richard's arms, relishing the momentary peace that surrounded them. She knew that it wasn't going to last for long.

"I wonder how Zedd and my father are doing. I hope their alright."

"I hope so too," he replied with a sigh, pausing to kiss the top of Kahlan's head. "I wonder if they've been able to find Caelinus yet."

XXX

"Zedd!" Sister Deryn cried, trying desperately to find her way through the flaming walls and smoke that surrounded her. "Frederick!"

Deryn coughed as she got to her feet, searching for the others. The smoke burned her eyes and throat, the heat of the fire causing her to back away from it.

"Bags!" Zedd cursed as he fought to control his frightened horse while at the same time using his powerful magic to keep the dragon at bay. "Caelinus, you get your…"

Just then the dragon released a bellow that nearly shook the ground with its sheer force alone. It lifted itself higher in the air, its large form creating dark shadows over the ground. The flapping of its wings only served to fan the fire causing the flames to shoot higher and burn hotter.

Zedd growled, a string of profanities directed at his old friend racing through his mind as he tried to figure a way out of this. He had to get to Frederick and Deryn before that beast incinerated them all. He had to get to Caelinus.

Leaping from his horse, Zedd raised his arms and closed his eyes, the soft chant of a magical spell spilling from his lips. With a wild rush, the smoke suddenly cleared, allowing more visibility. He then turned his attention to the dragon that hovered in the air before him. He'd had more than enough of this mischief.

Channeling his magic, he began to direct a powerful blast of his own brand of fire, set to eliminate the threat once and for all. He could feel the heat of his magic permeating his fingers, the magic set to spew forth in a fountain of power.

"Wait!"

Ignoring the sudden intrusion, Zedd clenched his jaw in anger, ready to reduce the dragon to ashes. They came too far to be stopped now.

"Zeddicus, you fool! Don't hurt him!"

"You should have thought about that before you let that creature chase us around like scared rabbits!" Zedd angrily snapped.

"I didn't know it was you!"

Zedd finally lowered his arms with an angry growl, turning his attention to his friend. "How could you not?" he yelled. "I've been out here yelling like a fool for you to come out here and stop this damned thing from killing us!"

"It's been a while since I've had visitors," Caelinus scowled.

"Well, call off your pet dragon or I'll do it myself!"

"Fine," Caelinus groused. "Go on, Odin! Go home now!"

The large dragon suddenly dipped its large head as if it were pouting. It hung in the air for a couple of moments as if it was considering Caelinus's words. With a final snort, it lifted higher into the air, heading away from them and leaving them alone with the Wizard they had been searching for.