Rescuing Queen Rahl, Chp. 2
Title: Rescuing Queen Rahl
Author: JlynCSS
Pairings: Richard/Kahlan
Rating: PG-13
An older fic of mine from FFN that I'm finally posting to LJ.
Summary: Based on S1 Reckoning finale. Richard's attempt to go back in time sends him back to when Kahlan is still held captive by Rahl.
Chapter 2
Kahlan walked the gardens of the People's Palace. It was the one place she could escape Rahl's watchful eye, so she walked them often. He always sent men to guard the gate, but rarely ventured there himself, and in general, she was left alone to walk the paths and take in the fragrant flora in peace. They were formal gardens, with winding paths, shady trees, benches and marble fountains. There was a large wooden and iron gate opening into the palace where the guards waited, but was otherwise enclosed on four sides by stone walls to keep animals and intruders out. Kahlan lifted her face toward the sky, feeling the warmth of the sun.
She found a shady bench tucked in a far corner of the garden, the perfect place to lose herself in thoughts of Richard. She thought of his warm smile. His tender touch. She missed the sound of his voice. He had gone into this so unafraid. Just before they'd put the boxes of Orden together, he had taken her hands and told her everything would be alright. That was just before everything went so wrong. She asked the good spirits to watch over him, to help him find a way back to her.
The sound of footsteps pulled Kahlan from her thoughts. Dread washed over her. There was only person who would be in these gardens. Without turning her head, her eyes looked down the path of hedgerows to see his dark form headed toward her, his red robes flowing behind him. "There you are" he came to a stop in front of her. She looked up into his face, rather than be forced to look at his belt. "The Prince of Spaisa is holding a banquet in my honor. He'd like to pay tribute to me for my victory over the Midlands and the Seeker". He brought his hand to her face, his fingers slowly caressed her cheek, "and of course on our upcoming nuptials". Kahlan's lips were set straight. Her eyes still staring into his didn't move. She wanted to make sure he saw the revulsion of his touch reflected there. She knew he must have, by the way his demeanor quickly changed. He abruptly dropped his hand from her face and turned his back. "Remember Kahlan, you do this for the people you so dearly love. I have kept my promise to care for the people of the Midlands as you asked". Yes, she thought, she did love them, and having Rahl look after them was an added benefit, but there was only one reason she agreed to this. Richard. This was all for Richard. No one but him.
He quickly turned to face her, gripping her wrist he yanked her to her feet. He put his face close to hers "I do not know why I am being so decorous. Perhaps I shall have you before the wedding after all". His hands gripped her face and he pushed a hard kiss against her mouth. Kahlan stood stone still. She didn't really care. The sooner she gave him the confessor child he so wanted, the sooner it would be over for her. His kiss ran a hard, wet path down her neck. His repulsive manner sickened her. She wanted to break free and run, but that wouldn't help Richard. No. To help Richard she needed to let this vile man do what he would. No matter that it ripped her very soul in two. His hands groped at her body. Richard's face appeared in her mind. She instantly pushed it aside. She didn't ever want to associate him with what this evil monster would do. Kahlan remained rigid, unyielding to his kiss or his touch. Rahl breathed heavily into her ear "I want you Kahlan Amnell".
Her reply was frigid. "As I've said before. You simply take whatever you want". This stopped him cold. He stood up straight, glaring into her eyes. "You will invite me Kahlan. If not today, soon. But that matters not. Once we are married, I will have you." He took a step back from her. "We leave for Spaisa tomorrow." He spun on his feet and walked off.
Kahlan's insides began to falter. She wondered if she would actually have the strength to go through with this when the time came. She tried to hold onto hope, but it seemed to be fading. She admonished herself. She knew Richard would do everything within his power to return to her. She hung her head as she longed for the warmth of Richard's embrace.
---
Richard and Cara found themselves among the circular stones and the boxes of Orden. It was clear to him they were not in the right time, though they were no longer in the time that they had been. This was not the colorless landscape of the future, yet Zedd and Kahlan were not here. That had been his hope - that he would come back to that moment, just before all had gone wrong. Then he could make it right, saving Kahlan from her dreadful future and Zedd from a horrific death.
Richard brought himself to his feet. Catching his breath, he looked around for any signs that might help him. He could just make out the top of Prince Tarrick's castle. At least that's whose castle it had been when he, Kahlan and Zedd originally came to this spot. It sat far in the distance atop a jagged cliff and was protected from the east by sheer mountain face. It held commanding views of the area. From the future Richard had just come from, the castle had been a crumbled ruin.
"What went wrong?" Cara asked. Obviously, she could also see that while they were no longer in that same future, yet not from when then came.
"I'm not sure. We did what Shota said, we had the boxes or Orden, the magic of the Agiel and Nicholas' confessor power." Richard's eyes continued to flit around the landscape searching for signs.
"Last I knew, that was Prince Tarrick's castle, the Prince of Spaisa." This particular castle always stuck in his mind because of the story Renn had told him about the prince feeding him pheasant with blackberry sauce every night, so as long as Renn would tell him which of his wives was cheating on him. That thought reminded him of how Renn had gotten him, the Seeker, to make pheasant with blackberry sauce while on the run from the D'Harans. It brought a smile to his lips. He'd gladly share his feelings for Kahlan now, if he could just see her again.
Richard turned to see Cara already heading on. "Where are you going?"
"To find my sisters of the Agiel. I need to see if they're still alive."
He could understand that. He desperately needed to know if Kahlan was still alive. "I have to find Kahlan."
"Where will you look?"
He let out a slow breath. "The People's Palace. If she's still…in this time" he was going to say 'alive' but couldn't bring himself to say it aloud, "that's where she'll be." His eyes scanned the area for a hiding place for the boxes of Orden. "We can travel together to the Palace. Then you can go on to the Temple to find your sisters." Cara nodded her agreement.
"Why don't you scout ahead a bit, I'll catch up". He didn't want her to see where he buried the boxes. She didn't reply but moved to do as he said. After she disappeared over the rolling hillside, Richard moved to find a spot to bury two of the boxes. He would bury the third separate from them.
---
Kahlan was dressing for the banquet being held by the Prince of Spaisa. A long-time ally of D'Hara, the prince wanted to pay tribute to Lord Rahl for his victory. Rahl had insisted Kahlan attend as one of her duties of future Queen. Surrounded by his guards, they would travel by horse. In this way, Rahl could display his superiority, as well as his betrothed, to all the people as they passed by their villages. The journey was not far, less than a few hours' ride from the People's Palace. Rahl entered her chamber without knocking. She hated when he did that, always trying to catch her off-guard. She never was. She was, however, not fully dressed. Thank the spirits Alice was there, helping her with the row of buttons down the back of the red dress she wore.
His eyes fixed on Kahlan, Rahl addressed the maid. "Leave us". Though her heart went out to Kahlan, Alice immediately did as she was bid. He slowly walked across the room to stand behind her. As he stepped behind her he trailed his hand across her stomach, around her waist, coming to rest on the small of her back. His fingers reaching for the buttons, he brought his mouth close to her ear, "Certainly your future husband can help you with this." His lips caressed her neck as he did her buttons. Kahlan wore her Confessor's face, as she always did when he was near. Just the feel of his vile breath on her neck consumed her with dread. How would she ever have this man's child? She took a step forward, out of his grip. Inwardly, she shivered at his repulsiveness. "When are we leaving, My Lord?" She addressed him in the manner he required, though she did not face him. He was not pleased she had pulled away. "We will leave mid-day". With a look that implied an all different meaning he added, "I expect you to be ready for me Kahlan." He turned and left the room.
Richard could see a contingent of soldiers on horseback riding toward the city gates. They were too far away to see very well other than make out the colors of red and black. They were Rahl's men. Richard and Cara hid themselves in a tree line some distance from the city gates. There was much commotion and preparation going on inside and he thought it best to observe from a distance before they headed in. Now, with the arrival of the men on horseback, he was very glad for the shelter of the trees. . In the shadow of an elm tree, he awaited their approach to better make them out. Cara watched from a nearby spruce They were Dragon Corp, Rahl's inner circle of men. He could see Rahl himself in the center of the men, sitting high above on his horse. His red robes a stark contrast against the night black beast he rode. Richard's eyes moved to the rider near him, slightly behind, just off to his side. It was a woman. She was dressed in the same red as Rahl, her long, dark hair cascading down her back. He shook with a jolt. His heart thundered, his breath caught in his throat. It was Kahlan. He wanted to shout to her, to run to her. He took a step but pulled himself back. He knew to go to her now would mean certain death. He couldn't save her if he was dead. He wanted to tell her he was here, to have hope. He wanted to hold her and tell her how much he loved her. With his heart pounding in his ears, his mind raced trying to think of what to do. He watched her as they rode past in the distance, his eyes following her the entire way. His breath came in deep pulls as he watched her ride through the city gates. Only after she had long disappeared from sight did he allow himself to blink.
xxx
*Chapter 1* *Chapter 2* *Chapter 3* *Chapter 4 *Chapter 5* *Chapter 6* *Chapter 7* *Chapter 8* *Chapter 9*
Author: JlynCSS
Pairings: Richard/Kahlan
Rating: PG-13
An older fic of mine from FFN that I'm finally posting to LJ.
Summary: Based on S1 Reckoning finale. Richard's attempt to go back in time sends him back to when Kahlan is still held captive by Rahl.
Chapter 2
Kahlan walked the gardens of the People's Palace. It was the one place she could escape Rahl's watchful eye, so she walked them often. He always sent men to guard the gate, but rarely ventured there himself, and in general, she was left alone to walk the paths and take in the fragrant flora in peace. They were formal gardens, with winding paths, shady trees, benches and marble fountains. There was a large wooden and iron gate opening into the palace where the guards waited, but was otherwise enclosed on four sides by stone walls to keep animals and intruders out. Kahlan lifted her face toward the sky, feeling the warmth of the sun.
She found a shady bench tucked in a far corner of the garden, the perfect place to lose herself in thoughts of Richard. She thought of his warm smile. His tender touch. She missed the sound of his voice. He had gone into this so unafraid. Just before they'd put the boxes of Orden together, he had taken her hands and told her everything would be alright. That was just before everything went so wrong. She asked the good spirits to watch over him, to help him find a way back to her.
The sound of footsteps pulled Kahlan from her thoughts. Dread washed over her. There was only person who would be in these gardens. Without turning her head, her eyes looked down the path of hedgerows to see his dark form headed toward her, his red robes flowing behind him. "There you are" he came to a stop in front of her. She looked up into his face, rather than be forced to look at his belt. "The Prince of Spaisa is holding a banquet in my honor. He'd like to pay tribute to me for my victory over the Midlands and the Seeker". He brought his hand to her face, his fingers slowly caressed her cheek, "and of course on our upcoming nuptials". Kahlan's lips were set straight. Her eyes still staring into his didn't move. She wanted to make sure he saw the revulsion of his touch reflected there. She knew he must have, by the way his demeanor quickly changed. He abruptly dropped his hand from her face and turned his back. "Remember Kahlan, you do this for the people you so dearly love. I have kept my promise to care for the people of the Midlands as you asked". Yes, she thought, she did love them, and having Rahl look after them was an added benefit, but there was only one reason she agreed to this. Richard. This was all for Richard. No one but him.
He quickly turned to face her, gripping her wrist he yanked her to her feet. He put his face close to hers "I do not know why I am being so decorous. Perhaps I shall have you before the wedding after all". His hands gripped her face and he pushed a hard kiss against her mouth. Kahlan stood stone still. She didn't really care. The sooner she gave him the confessor child he so wanted, the sooner it would be over for her. His kiss ran a hard, wet path down her neck. His repulsive manner sickened her. She wanted to break free and run, but that wouldn't help Richard. No. To help Richard she needed to let this vile man do what he would. No matter that it ripped her very soul in two. His hands groped at her body. Richard's face appeared in her mind. She instantly pushed it aside. She didn't ever want to associate him with what this evil monster would do. Kahlan remained rigid, unyielding to his kiss or his touch. Rahl breathed heavily into her ear "I want you Kahlan Amnell".
Her reply was frigid. "As I've said before. You simply take whatever you want". This stopped him cold. He stood up straight, glaring into her eyes. "You will invite me Kahlan. If not today, soon. But that matters not. Once we are married, I will have you." He took a step back from her. "We leave for Spaisa tomorrow." He spun on his feet and walked off.
Kahlan's insides began to falter. She wondered if she would actually have the strength to go through with this when the time came. She tried to hold onto hope, but it seemed to be fading. She admonished herself. She knew Richard would do everything within his power to return to her. She hung her head as she longed for the warmth of Richard's embrace.
---
Richard and Cara found themselves among the circular stones and the boxes of Orden. It was clear to him they were not in the right time, though they were no longer in the time that they had been. This was not the colorless landscape of the future, yet Zedd and Kahlan were not here. That had been his hope - that he would come back to that moment, just before all had gone wrong. Then he could make it right, saving Kahlan from her dreadful future and Zedd from a horrific death.
Richard brought himself to his feet. Catching his breath, he looked around for any signs that might help him. He could just make out the top of Prince Tarrick's castle. At least that's whose castle it had been when he, Kahlan and Zedd originally came to this spot. It sat far in the distance atop a jagged cliff and was protected from the east by sheer mountain face. It held commanding views of the area. From the future Richard had just come from, the castle had been a crumbled ruin.
"What went wrong?" Cara asked. Obviously, she could also see that while they were no longer in that same future, yet not from when then came.
"I'm not sure. We did what Shota said, we had the boxes or Orden, the magic of the Agiel and Nicholas' confessor power." Richard's eyes continued to flit around the landscape searching for signs.
"Last I knew, that was Prince Tarrick's castle, the Prince of Spaisa." This particular castle always stuck in his mind because of the story Renn had told him about the prince feeding him pheasant with blackberry sauce every night, so as long as Renn would tell him which of his wives was cheating on him. That thought reminded him of how Renn had gotten him, the Seeker, to make pheasant with blackberry sauce while on the run from the D'Harans. It brought a smile to his lips. He'd gladly share his feelings for Kahlan now, if he could just see her again.
Richard turned to see Cara already heading on. "Where are you going?"
"To find my sisters of the Agiel. I need to see if they're still alive."
He could understand that. He desperately needed to know if Kahlan was still alive. "I have to find Kahlan."
"Where will you look?"
He let out a slow breath. "The People's Palace. If she's still…in this time" he was going to say 'alive' but couldn't bring himself to say it aloud, "that's where she'll be." His eyes scanned the area for a hiding place for the boxes of Orden. "We can travel together to the Palace. Then you can go on to the Temple to find your sisters." Cara nodded her agreement.
"Why don't you scout ahead a bit, I'll catch up". He didn't want her to see where he buried the boxes. She didn't reply but moved to do as he said. After she disappeared over the rolling hillside, Richard moved to find a spot to bury two of the boxes. He would bury the third separate from them.
---
Kahlan was dressing for the banquet being held by the Prince of Spaisa. A long-time ally of D'Hara, the prince wanted to pay tribute to Lord Rahl for his victory. Rahl had insisted Kahlan attend as one of her duties of future Queen. Surrounded by his guards, they would travel by horse. In this way, Rahl could display his superiority, as well as his betrothed, to all the people as they passed by their villages. The journey was not far, less than a few hours' ride from the People's Palace. Rahl entered her chamber without knocking. She hated when he did that, always trying to catch her off-guard. She never was. She was, however, not fully dressed. Thank the spirits Alice was there, helping her with the row of buttons down the back of the red dress she wore.
His eyes fixed on Kahlan, Rahl addressed the maid. "Leave us". Though her heart went out to Kahlan, Alice immediately did as she was bid. He slowly walked across the room to stand behind her. As he stepped behind her he trailed his hand across her stomach, around her waist, coming to rest on the small of her back. His fingers reaching for the buttons, he brought his mouth close to her ear, "Certainly your future husband can help you with this." His lips caressed her neck as he did her buttons. Kahlan wore her Confessor's face, as she always did when he was near. Just the feel of his vile breath on her neck consumed her with dread. How would she ever have this man's child? She took a step forward, out of his grip. Inwardly, she shivered at his repulsiveness. "When are we leaving, My Lord?" She addressed him in the manner he required, though she did not face him. He was not pleased she had pulled away. "We will leave mid-day". With a look that implied an all different meaning he added, "I expect you to be ready for me Kahlan." He turned and left the room.
Richard could see a contingent of soldiers on horseback riding toward the city gates. They were too far away to see very well other than make out the colors of red and black. They were Rahl's men. Richard and Cara hid themselves in a tree line some distance from the city gates. There was much commotion and preparation going on inside and he thought it best to observe from a distance before they headed in. Now, with the arrival of the men on horseback, he was very glad for the shelter of the trees. . In the shadow of an elm tree, he awaited their approach to better make them out. Cara watched from a nearby spruce They were Dragon Corp, Rahl's inner circle of men. He could see Rahl himself in the center of the men, sitting high above on his horse. His red robes a stark contrast against the night black beast he rode. Richard's eyes moved to the rider near him, slightly behind, just off to his side. It was a woman. She was dressed in the same red as Rahl, her long, dark hair cascading down her back. He shook with a jolt. His heart thundered, his breath caught in his throat. It was Kahlan. He wanted to shout to her, to run to her. He took a step but pulled himself back. He knew to go to her now would mean certain death. He couldn't save her if he was dead. He wanted to tell her he was here, to have hope. He wanted to hold her and tell her how much he loved her. With his heart pounding in his ears, his mind raced trying to think of what to do. He watched her as they rode past in the distance, his eyes following her the entire way. His breath came in deep pulls as he watched her ride through the city gates. Only after she had long disappeared from sight did he allow himself to blink.
xxx
*Chapter 1* *Chapter 2* *Chapter 3* *Chapter 4 *Chapter 5* *Chapter 6* *Chapter 7* *Chapter 8* *Chapter 9*