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 28

Richard raced through the halls of the Palace, not even pausing long enough to make sure that Kahlan was keeping up with him. He couldn't make his legs move fast enough, his heart pounding wildly with the news they had just received. They had just averted one nightmare three days ago only to wake up this morning to another one, one that he had been dreading having to face for some time now.

Turning the corner, he nearly plowed into Nicci who was coming to look for him. The look on her face already told him much more than words could've at that moment.

Breathing heavily, Richard ran straight through the open door, fear rising at what he was going to find. Slowing, he entered the dimly lit bedroom, his gaze locked on the little boy lying before him. Tears instantly pricked his eyes as he slowly circled around to the other side of the bed.

It all seemed so surreal to him still as he stared at his son.

His son.

It still seemed such a strange reality to him, something that he was still struggling to accept, to understand even after these last few weeks.

The reality of his conception and birth was still unbelievable, the reality of his rapidly impending death even more so. He was barely two years old, only a year older than his twin daughters. Death at such a young age was unimaginable, unacceptable.

Swallowing hard, Richard knelt at the edge of the bed, his throat constricting. Taking his son's hand in his, the room already felt like a tomb, death's icy caress permeating the air. Lit candles scattered throughout the room created eerie shadows that danced on the walls, the curtains drawn tight, blocking out the mid-morning's light.

Staring at Michael's ashen face, he knew the end was near and there was absolutely nothing he could do to keep it from happening. Helplessness weighed heavily on his shoulders, threatening to crush him under its fierce weight.

He cast a glance across the bed to the Prelate keeping vigil on the other side. Silent tears fell down her face as her eyes finally lifted to meet his. She sadly shook her head before quickly averting her gaze. She couldn't bear to look into his eyes after what she had done. She had ordered this little boy to be created and in doing so had sentenced him to death in the process.

"I'm so sorry, Richard," she choked out. "This is all my fault."

Richard watched as Ann suddenly ran from the room, her muffled sobs reaching his ears as she escaped the tomb-like room. He wanted to run too, to avoid what he knew was coming, but he couldn't. By blood or by magic, Michael was still his son.

Reaching out, he gently placed his hand on Michael's head, his fingers lightly stroking his chestnut brown hair that was so much like his own. He didn't even stir or make a sound, acknowledge their presence.

"Michael…it's Richard," he gently said, knowing he probably couldn't hear him, but Richard wanted him to know that he was with him, that he was not alone. "Your mama will be here soon. You have to hang on a little while longer for her."

Richard didn't know what was taking Zedd so long. They'd been gone for well over a week and a half. He feared they hadn't been able to find Caelinus. He just prayed that they would return soon before it was too late.

"Is he in pain?" he finally asked Nicci who was standing on the other side of the bed now.

"No," the sorceress shook her head. "His body is quickly failing, giving out on him sooner than I had hoped, but he's not suffering."

Richard could only nod his head as he turned his attention back to his son, thankful at least for that. Tears began to escape unbidden down his cheeks. He wished more than anything that he could use his magic to stop this from happening.

Standing back by the door, Kahlan silently watched, tears wetting her face as well. Her heart ached painfully in her chest for this little boy, for Deryn, but even more so for Richard. Even though she knew his struggle with coming to terms with all of this, she also knew his heart, knew how much Michael's death would truly affect him.

She wanted to hold and comfort him, but he needed this time with Michael right now. Richard knew that she was there if he needed her, ready to take him into her arms and provide him the love and comfort that he needed from her.

Michael suddenly drew a shuddering breath, settling back just as quickly into a stillness that made Kahlan's stomach churn with overwhelming sorrow. It was over. He was gone and there was nothing anyone could do to change that now.

With a painful sob, Richard pressed his forehead into the bed, his body shaking as he held his son's hand in his. Kahlan's chin fell to her chest, unable to bear seeing her husband so hurt and not being able to fix it for him.

Nicci laid a hand on Michael's forehead, casting a preservation spell until his mother returned. She didn't know how they were going to be able to tell her that her son had died while she had been gone, trying to find a way to save him. She would be so devastated.

Richard suddenly stood to his feet, tears dripping from his chin. He swiftly made his way to Kahlan, throwing himself into her arms. She immediately wrapped him up in her comforting embrace as he sobbed uncontrollably. His whole body shook as he cried, his face buried in her neck as he clung to her like a distraught child.

Kahlan gently stroked his hair, cradling his head as she held him to her, her own tears falling faster now. She was helpless to erase his anguish, to take away his grief. It killed her inside to see him like this, so broken and hurt.

"I'm so sorry, Richard," she murmured through her tears, pressing her lips against temple as she held him.

He tightened his hold on her, the stress of the last few days as well as Michael's death crashing down on him. He had come so close to losing his daughters just three days ago, the witch woman still out there somewhere. Unfortunately, no one had been able to find her. And now, he had just failed to save Michael.

Richard knew that he was probably holding her tighter than he should, but he couldn't help it. It was hard enough losing a child that he barely knew. He couldn't begin to imagine losing his daughters or Aiden…losing Kahlan. He couldn't bear it.

Kahlan felt his fingers suddenly digging painfully into her back, his body tensing with grief as he clutched her even tighter. She could barely draw a breath, but she didn't care. She'd stand there holding him for as long as he needed.

"We're back!"

Richard released his hold on Kahlan at the sudden sound of his grandfather's voice, looking up to see Zedd rushing into the room. He drew a shuddering breath as he wiped the tears from his face. Taking Kahlan's hand in his, he led her over to the side of the bed with him, needing her with him now more than ever.

"He…he's gone, Zedd," Richard choked out.

Deryn rushed into the room at that moment, sobbing as she gathered her little boy up into her arms. She cried as she held him to her, rocking back and forth as her heart shattered from the grief that consumed it.

"I'm so sorry, Deryn," Richard softly said. "We tried everything we could to keep him alive until you returned."

"Dear spirits," Zedd breathed. "How long ago?"

"Just a couple of minutes or so…not long at all," Nicci replied. "Were you able to find out anything?"

"Just for Frederick, not for Michael, I'm afraid," Zedd told them, placing a hand on Richard's shoulder. "I'm very sorry, my boy. There was just no way to prevent Michael's death."

Richard numbly nodded his head in response, fighting desperately to keep his emotions under control. "At least the trip wasn't for nothing," he somberly said, squeezing Kahlan's hand as he cast a glance at his father-in-law.

Frederick stood quietly by the door, using the wall for support. Exhaustion weighed him down, his legs barely able to hold him up at that moment. The site of Deryn crying as she held her child was too much to witness.

"I'll wait out here," Frederick softly said.

"No!" Deryn suddenly gasped through her tears, shaking her head in adamant protest. "You have to take Michael's magic and transfer it to Frederick before it's too late. I made a promise and I intend to keep it."

"What?" Kahlan asked, taken aback. "What is she talking about?"

"It's the only way to save your father, Kahlan," Zedd gently reassured her.

"How is that even possible?" Richard asked, just as confused as Kahlan was.

"I'll explain later," Zedd replied. "Right now, we have to alter the magic and transfer it into Frederick. I just hope we're not too late. Nicci, can you alter the magic in Michael's body to attack the disease in Frederick's blood?"

"I'm sure I can, but…"

"No time for more questions," Zedd said, abruptly holding up a hand to stop her. "We need to get to work right away."

XXX

Richard stood quietly holding Kahlan's hand as Deryn knelt beside her son's bed, the muffled sound of her weeping filling the room. The site of the young woman so broken pierced his heart, serving to remind him how he had been unable to save the little boy, how much she had been used in all of this as well.

Nicci and Zedd had worked hard, successfully removing Michael's magic, altering it and transferring it into Frederick's body. It had been a painfully long and arduous process, taking a good portion of the afternoon but they had finally succeeded. Now, it was just a matter of waiting to see if it worked like they hoped.

Kahlan couldn't let herself dwell on the possibility of losing her father. It was too much to think about at that moment. Michael had just lost his battle. The thought of losing her father now as well was too painful to imagine.

It had been difficult watching as Nicci and Zedd had helped lead him from the room to his suite. His face had been so pale, his eyes missing that bright gleam that had been there before they had left on their journey to find Caelinus.

She had promised to come by and see him later after he'd had a chance to rest, telling him that they would bring the children by to see him as well if he felt up to it. It had brought a smile to his face, one that she hoped they'd be able to see again soon.

But if Zedd's plan didn't work…

Richard suddenly released his hold on his wife, making his way around to the other side of the bed. He gently pulled Deryn to her feet, taking her into his arms and holding her as she sobbed. Kahlan bit her bottom lip, fighting back tears again as she watched him consoling the broken Sister.

Richard's compassion knew no bounds as he silently held Deryn as she cried, the very woman who had tried so hard to destroy their marriage. Even after everything that Sister Deryn had done, he still held no anger or resentment with her. She had been a victim in all of this just as much as he had been, manipulated and used by another.

He wasn't about to let her suffer alone in this, enduring the sorrow of losing a child without his comfort. He may have been an unwilling participant in Michael's creation, but he was not about to stand by and let Deryn go through his death all alone.

Watching as Deryn clung to her husband, Kahlan no longer held any anger either. Deryn had just allowed Michael's magic to be the cure for her father, had allowed her son's passing be the opportunity for life to still go on. Even if it didn't work, it was still a great sacrifice on her part, allowing her son's death to be the chance to save another.

She couldn't begin to comprehend what had caused such a drastic change in the Sister of the Light. This was no longer the same cold manipulative woman who had left here a week and a half ago. She didn't know what had brought about the change of heart in her, but she found she was so very thankful for it nonetheless.

XXX

"I'm gone for a week and a half and everything goes to pieces around here!" Zedd groused as he paced back and forth in Richard and Kahlan's suite, throwing up his hands in frustration as they told his grandfather all that had happened while he had been gone.

"Well, not exactly," the Seeker frowned. "Cara and Garren have a son and the twins are safe again. I think that is something to be more than thankful for."

"Yes, yes," he waved a hand at him with a scowl on his face. "That's all well and good, but what are we going to do about the serpent that's on the loose?"

"Wait…what did you call her?" Richard asked, his gaze suddenly narrowing with his grandfather's words.

"The serpent," Zedd repeated. "That's what she is. You said that she had unusual eyes that glowed with magic. You just described a serpent. That's what Sangria and Sabinus are – serpents. They project their magic through their eyes but through touch as well, manipulating minds and paralyzing people."

"So that's the name of their type of magical people?" Richard asked, still trying to comprehend it all.

"Well, not exactly. That's just the nickname they were given back when they tried to take down the Confessors thousands of years ago," Zedd explained.

"That's why it sounded familiar," Kahlan suddenly said. "When Nicci was reading that passage in the book that she had found, something about it sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn't remember why."

"That's why," Zedd nodded. "People born with their type of magic are called seers because they project their magic mostly through their serpent-like eyes. Because they were twins, they were able to combine their magic into quite a powerful force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, they also tend to be cunning and very devious.

"To tell you the truth, I'm more than a little surprised that there are still seers around. I thought their kind had been all but destroyed long ago when they attacked the Confessors."

"Unfortunately for us, there's still at least one around," Richard bit out. "Which means the prophecy is still in play."

"And you haven't been able to find any trace of her?" Zedd questioned.

"No, not a thing," he replied with a frown.

"Well, at least my great-grandchildren are safe again for the moment," Zedd told them. "And hopefully this magical spell will work to cure Frederick."

"I don't know how to thank you for going to find Caelinus, Zedd," Kahlan said, relief suddenly lightening the heaviness that had pervaded her heart.

"No thanks is necessary, my dear," he smiled broadly. "It was my pleasure. I just wish there was more we could have done to save Michael."

"Me too," Richard softly replied, his eyes growing distant with the grief that still encompassed him.

Guilt continued its painful assault on his heart, a constant reminder of his failure to use his Han the way that he so desperately needed to. While it had allowed him to repair the fissure in the courtyard, enabling him to get to Kahlan and his daughters, it had done little to reverse what had happened to Michael.

"It isn't your fault, Richard," Zedd gently said, coming to a stop before his grandson. "There was nothing that could have prevented Michael's death. Caelinus himself even said so. He said that little boy's life was doomed before he'd ever been created."

"I know," Richard nodded his head in agreement. "I just wish I could have done more to help him."

"What is Sister Deryn going to do now?" the Wizard asked. "Will she stay here?"

"Deryn and the Prelate are leaving in the morning to return to the Palace of the Prophets," Richard informed him.

"I just hope that she will finally find the peace and love that she's been searching so long for," Zedd sighed, his heart still heavy for the Sister of the Light. "She truly deserves it."

XXX

Standing in the early morning light, Richard kept a protective arm around Kahlan's shoulders. He didn't like the fact that Sangria Dorst was still out there somewhere, plotting only spirits knew what. His muscles were tight, his body tense with worry. He would not rest until that witch woman was dead.

Zedd had thought that she had probably escaped somehow, using her magic to confuse the guards, allowing her to slip through the gates unnoticed. The Seeker could only hope that was true, but deep down knew that it wasn't that easy.

Deryn tightened her grip on the strap of her pack as she came to stand before them. Her eyes were still red from crying, but there was a peace about her that hadn't been there before. Richard truly hoped that she would find in life the happiness and love that she was searching for.

"I don't know how to even begin to apologize for the hurt and pain that I caused in coming here," Deryn softly said, fiddling with the ribbon on her dress. "I thought I was doing the right thing, that you had truly loved me at one time."

"I'm truly sorry that you were manipulated into believing that, Deryn," Richard told her. "You are a beautiful young woman who deserves a man who can love you the way that you deserve. I hope you can find that someday."

"I know; me too," she sighed heavily, fighting back a sudden rush of tears.

"Deryn, I can't begin to thank you for what you did for my father," Kahlan said.

"It was the least I could after all the pain and trouble I caused," she replied. "Even though short, I wanted Michael's life to count for something, to be able to do something great like his father."

"You are always welcome here," Kahlan told her.

"Thank you," she nodded, turning towards Zedd. "And thank you for saving my life. You and Frederick will always hold a special place in my heart."

"Take care of yourself, dear one," Zedd said as he pulled her into a hug. "Please come back and see us."

Deryn bit her bottom lip as she pulled from his embrace, heading to her horse. She couldn't find the her voice without the tears finding release again.

The Prelate mounted her horse, her face softening some as she gazed at the Seeker. "Good luck to you, Richard Rahl," the Prelate dipped her head in respect. "May the Creator guide and protect you."

Richard nodded in response as Ann and Deryn turned their horses to leave. They had come to an understanding of sorts through all of this; one that he was certain meant that Ann would no longer be interfering in their lives ever again. It had been a very painful way to learn a lesson, one that had brought tremendous grief to many people.

"What did you and Frederick do to make Deryn see that I wasn't going to leave Kahlan?" Richard asked, looking over at his grandfather.

"Let's just say that compassion and love can go a very long way," Zedd winked at his grandson before turning to head back inside the Palace.

Turning to follow his grandfather, Richard tightened his hold on Kahlan, leaning in to gently kiss her temple. He couldn't help the dreadful feeling that even though one crisis had just ended, more was waiting just around the corner for them.

TO BE CONTINUED…