Together Once More

[confessorlove]

Title:  Together Once More
Author: confessorlove
Pairing: Richard and Kahlan
Rating: PG - 16
Summary: AU 4 years ago Kahlan did the worst thing she could have ever done, she confessed Richard. Now when that magic eclipse that renders magic invalid for 24 hours every 1000 years happens what will she say to the man she loves when he -is- the man she loves once again?
Author's Notes: This was originally going to be for the legendland prompt of 'A Day Without Magic' but this went way over the word limit so I wrote something else for that.  Please don't throw things. I know Richard loves Kahlan more than her magic so all blame for this fic can be directed at rosewing86 for the conversation which inspired it. Also this is unbeta'd so all mistakes are my own.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. I just like to make them do my bidding

 

Once every thousand years, that’s how often the eclipse happened.  It lasted for one day and rendered all magic useless.  It had been four years since that disastrous day when Kahlan lost control, her powers forever changing the man she loved into a mindless slave.  It broke her heart but she knew he would have wanted her to go on despite everything.  Zedd had somehow convinced her that Richard would have wanted to be her mate so in time she grew to accept that.  She took him and they had two daughters but it wasn’t the same.  It wasn’t the fairy tale she had dreamed of since the day she met him.

Today she had a chance.  Today was her once in a lifetime shot to see the man she loved again.  Her eyes locked on his as the sun moved in front of the moon.  She smiled when she saw that flicker of hope and life spring to life once more.  She thought it had forever been extinguished.  “Kahlan,” he said with a smile, that same look in his eyes she hadn’t seen in four years melting her heart.  “It’s okay. You did what I wanted.  You went on even though I wasn’t me.”

Nodding slightly she sought refuge in his embrace.  His strong arms wrapping around her in a way she hadn’t felt for four years.  “I missed you,” she said as she nuzzled her face in the crook of his neck.  “How are you not mad at me?”

Brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, Richard cupped her face and looked deeply into her blue eyes that have always captivated his soul.  “Because I love you, I always have and I always will; no matter what happens.”

Smiling sadly Kahlan leaned into his touch.  It warmed her heart that he forgave her for all that had happened, for confessing him and taking him as her mate.  She couldn’t believe how good and kind he was.  She had almost forgotten.  “Once the eclipse ends you will be confessed again.”

He didn’t miss the stifled sob in her voice as she spoke of her powers claiming him once more.  It was obvious how much it hurt her.  “I know,” he said as his fingers lightly caressed her cheek.  “I can accept that.  I’m willing to accept it for you.  I’d do anything for you.”

“Richard,” she moaned, the whining tone showing her vulnerable state.  “I can’t lose you.”

“You never will.  I’m still with you and in my heart I am still me.  That is all that matters.  I am here for you and our daughters.”

The tears filled her eyes as she thought of their daughters, the girls who would never really know the man their father really was.  Taking his hand she brought it to her abdomen and smiled sadly.  “We are having another.”

His eyes lit up and he smiled, his hand moving to brush a tear off her cheek.  “I’m glad.  I always wanted to have many daughters with you.”  He kissed her then, his lips softly brushing against hers.  “You are an amazing mother, Kahlan.”  He whispered against her lips, the small smile forming on her mouth making his heart soar.

“I’d be nothing without you.”  She kissed him then, softly yet passionately, her mind filled with the joy of being held in the arms of the man she truly loved once more even if it would be for the last time.  She complied as he lowered her to the floor, wanting to feel his real touch just once before her magic claimed him again. 

They moved together with the fiery passion consuming them.  The love they felt for each other never once faltering.  Kahlan knew she would miss feeling his touch. True she would feel his hands on her again but it wasn’t the same.  They way he moved now was so different from how it had been when she took him as her mate and brought him to her bed.  There was genuine love behind each and every caress.  It wasn’t the hollow devotion of the confessed, it was real.

Her mind swam with pleasure as Richard moved over her, his mouth trailing hot kisses down her neck and across her breast before taking her nipple in his mouth.  Spirits how she would miss this.  It was so similar yet so different.  She never wanted this to end yet she knew it would.  The magic of the eclipse only lasted so long.  Then he would be her slave once more.  The thought sickened her.

Together they soared to unimaginable bliss and as they lay together, his arms wrapped around her lick a protective cocoon she smiled.  This was how it was supposed to be.  This was how she wanted it.  Even if he was different when confessed he was still her Richard.  That would never change.  They belonged to each other forever.

“Richard,” she murmured as he pulled her back against his chest and nuzzled her neck, hoping to entice the woman he loves into another round.  “What should we name her?  I want to know your opinion before you no longer care.”

Propping himself up on his elbow he smiled down at her, brushing her sweat dampened hair back from her brow.  “We already have Mary and Taralyn.  Those are the names I always wanted for my daughters.  What about your mother?”

Kahlan smiled at his thoughtfulness but shook her head. “I love my mother but I don’t think that is right for our daughter.  My mother was always very traditional.  I don’t think that is suitable for a child born of our relationship given how untraditional it really is.”

“That makes sense. Then what should we call her?”

Tapping her lower lip with her forefinger, Kahlan thought it over, sighing slightly when she could think of nothing.  “Something meaningful for you, after all you are her father.”

Richard thought for a moment, his fingers absentmindedly playing with Kahlan’s raven locks.  After several minutes of silence he finally spoke.  “Aspen.”

Kahlan smiled up at him, her heart warming at the thought of naming their child after something that was so dear to him.  “Like the tree, strong yet beautiful.”

“Exactly.”  Richard lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers, kissing her softly as the day wore on.  They both knew their time was drawing to a close but they intended to make the most of it. 

They spent the day wrapped in each other’s embrace and when the day ended and the fog of confession returned to Richard’s eyes, Kahlan was not as sad as she could have been.  Now she knew this was truly what he wanted and she planned on making the most of it.  Even if this wasn’t the greatest of circumstances they were still together, that was what mattered.  They were a family just the two of them and their daughters.  It wasn’t the fairy tale she always wanted but it was her life.  She was going to live it to the fullest.  That was all he asked of her.