Fic:Shadows (2/?) (Cara/Kahlan)
Title: Shadows (2/?)
Author: soulsearchr
Characters/Pairing: Cara/Kahlan
Rating: M (at some point)
Warnings: Adult situations
Disclaimer: "Legend of the Seeker", its characters and situations from the show are property of ABC Studios, Disney, et all, as well as Terry Goodkind. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way.
Summary: This is my first attempt of fanfic of any kind, so please bear with me. Of course, it involves our two girls and some of the trouble they can get into. Oh... and some feelings along the way?
Chapter 2
For the past several days, Cara had successfully managed to avoid being alone with the Confessor. But as the foursome traveled toward Aydindril, Kahlan became more and more on edge. She seemed distant and aloof. Incredibly, at least to Cara, Richard didn’t even seem to notice the change in the Confessor’s demeanor. He continued to babble endlessly about everything, such as the trees, birds, wedding plans and finally getting Kahlan home. Cara had quickly realized that Kahlan wasn’t even listening to him anymore. She had a faraway look in her eyes and the Mord’Sith couldn’t help but wonder if it was her fault that look was there. She hadn’t even spoken more than a few words to the brunette since “the kiss”. But now she found herself almost wishing for the opportunity to have time alone with the Confessor. She didn’t like seeing this look on Kahlan’s beautiful face.
It was now getting late into the day, so they would soon stop for the night. As Richard had studied the map earlier, he found that they weren’t too far from a village. He was sure they could reach it before nightfall, and they could hopefully enjoy the comforts of a bed and a hot meal. Cara wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or apprehensive. Part of her still didn’t want to be alone with Kahlan, knowing that their previous conversation would be resumed, but the other part wanted to find out what was wrong with her friend. She was still warring with her emotions when they stepped out of the thickness of the trees and saw the little village in the distance. It was almost dusk now and some of the small cottages were illuminated by the faint light of candles and lanterns. It gave a warm glow to the town and only served to pull the weary travelers forward faster.
When they reached the outskirts of the village they could easily tell where the main thoroughfare was. The town was small, but it was large enough to have a tavern, as the faded, dusty sign halfway down the street indicated. There were faint sounds of laughter coming from the dimly lit windows of the establishment. Zedd and Richard walked eagerly in the direction of the sound. Kahlan followed the pair blindly and Cara followed behind the group.
As they entered the tavern, they noticed some of the hushed whispers and stares they got, especially when the last member of their clan made her appearance in the doorway. It was clear that many of the occupants knew of the Mord’Sith, but had never actually seen one in the flesh. Richard ignored the looks and approached the barkeeper with a warm smile. The slightly balding man with a pudgy belly and short fat fingers looked up from the mug he had been drying with a small cloth. He surveyed the foursome and then grinned widely. “What can I do for you and your friends, Seeker?” he asked with sincerity in his voice.
Richard gave the man a sheepish smile and said, “We were hoping for a couple of rooms for the night and a good hot meal.”
At the mention of a meal, Zedd looked up eagerly and licked his lips in anticipation. He noticed how the bald man’s grin grew wider.
“Anything for the Seeker and his friends. Maybe you’d like a nice warm bath as well.”
“That would be great. What do you think Kahlan?” Richard turned to look at the brunette with an inquiring look. There was no response. “Kahlan?” he repeated.
The sound of her name the second time brought her out of her daze and she stared blankly at Richard. She had no idea what he had just said. She looked at him clearly puzzled and smiled weakly.
“Richard was asking if you wanted a hot bath.” Cara had decided to save her, though why she had no idea. “I for one would not turn down the chance to rid myself of this road grime.” She smiled almost mischievously at the Confessor.
“Of course. A bath would be wonderful.” Kahlan recovered looking at the blonde with a grateful look. Cara just smirked and rolled her eyes.
“I’ll have the baths drawn for you immediately while your meals are being prepared.” the man said. “Your rooms are upstairs. My daughter Neely will show you the way. Everything’s on the house,” he said when he noticed the Seeker reaching for his coin pouch.
“Thank you.” Richard then turned to Kahlan. “Are you alright?” he asked with genuine concern.
“Yes. I’m just tired, Richard.” Kahlan lied. “I think I would like to take my meal in my room tonight, if you don’t mind.” She forced a smile at the last words.
“Um… I thought…,” Richard stammered as Cara turned to give him a pointed glare. “No I don’t mind. Just get some rest, okay?” He kissed Kahlan on the forehead and the group turned to follow the young girl to their rooms.
When the girls were safely in their room, Kahlan let out a slightly audible sigh of relief. She surveyed the small room and then went to the corner and dropped her traveling pack on the floor. She noticed there was a smaller room adjoining this one, presumably where the bath would be drawn.
Cara watched the brunette intently. She took a deep breath and finally broke the silence between the two. “Why did you lie to Richard?”
“What do you mean?” Kahlan eyed the blonde suspiciously.
You’ve traveled much farther and fought much harder battles than what we have endured today. And you have never complained about being tired before. So I have to presume you were not being completely truthful.” Cara raised an eyebrow as she remained focused on Kahlan.
As Kahlan studied the Mord’Sith, she discerned that Cara understood that there was more to it than fatigue. “Truthfully, I just wanted to stay in this room and think. I knew he would insist on us eating together if I didn’t have a good excuse.”
Cara gave her an understanding nod and then proceeded to deposit her own pack next to Kahlan’s. She then turned and headed for the door.
Kahlan looked at her with surprise. “Where are you going?” she heard herself asking.
“I’m giving you your privacy, Confessor,” Cara plainly stated.
“Cara,” Kahlan began with a small smile. “I didn’t mean you have to leave. I just didn’t want to be with Richard or Zedd. But I don’t really want to be alone either.”
Cara froze in her tracks, and then turned to stare at Kahlan. As green eyes met blue Cara felt a strange sensation forming deep in her chest. As she stared into the brunette’s pleading eyes she had the most uncontrollable urge to comply with whatever this woman in front of her asked. Before she could stop herself she heard the words coming from her lips. “If you want me to stay…” As she realized what she had just said she tried to cover. “I think I should go. So you can think,” she sneered.
“I want you to stay,” Kahlan said softly.
Cara nodded her head in acquiescence and then moved to sit in one of the chairs that decorated the small room. Just as she had settled down a knock sounded on the wooden door. Kahlan moved to the door quietly and opened it to find a pink faced young man with two buckets of steaming water on the other side. He smiled shyly as she moved aside to allow him passage to the other room. He quickly retreated when he had finished his task and mumbled something about bringing more in a moment.
When the bath was drawn, Kahlan looked to the blonde who was still sitting sullenly in the chair. “Would you like to go first?” she asked. “I know you were looking forward to getting cleaned up.”
“No. You should go first. It may help to clear your head.”
Kahlan just nodded politely and retreated to the other room leaving Cara to ponder the many questions that were rolling through her mind. After a short while, Cara rose and lit a few of the lanterns that were scattered throughout the room. She was just about to sit back down when Kahlan emerged from the other room with a light shift and damp hair. She looked at Cara with a weak smile. “Your turn,” she announced hesitantly.
As Cara slid into the warm water she was momentarily taken back to another time. A time when she and her sisters shared the tepid pools of the Mord’Sith temples. Things had been much simpler then, where she knew her place and her duty. She wondered how she had let things spiral so far from her control. As it had so many times in the past few days, her mind took her back to that night in the woods. The night she had made a terrible mistake. She questioned what could have made her do such a thing. In embarrassment and annoyance she let her entire body slide beneath the lukewarm liquid surrounding her. When her head broke the surface she immediately felt as though she was under someone’s scrutiny. She slowly turned to look toward the door that adjoined the bedroom. Standing in the doorway, just observing, was the Mother Confessor.