LOTS – CARA/KAHLAN

Shattered

muzicchick13

Title: Shattered

Author: muzicchick13

Pairing: Cara/Kahlan

Rating: PG

Warnings: Spoilers up to 2x21 “Unbroken”

Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Seeker or any of the characters/events/places depicted within this work of fiction.

Summary: Inside due to spoilers for “Unbroken”

Summary: If Zedd had finished the spell and restored the world where Cara was still broken, who would be there to unbreak her?

AU: Just off the top of my head, couldn’t sleep :) I haven’t seen the episode where Kahlan “unbreaks” Richard so I have absolutely no idea how the show handled that. I just know that “love” was involved. So apologies if this is way off the mark. Also, un-beta’d and posted while very tired. Double also, I seem to have a problem with tenses that I can’t get over. That being said, I hope you enjoy this after that monster of an episode this week.

Shattered

muzicchick13

Please work.

Kahlan held her breath, watching as the sky grew ominously darker.

Please work.

She felt her nails digging into her palms, as lightening lit up the sky.

Please work.

All she could hear was the rush of blood in her ears, although distantly she knew that Zedd was shouting fiercely over the crash and roar of thunder and magic.

In an instant it was over. Zedd dropped to one knee, wearily taking in the scene as Richard went to his side. Kahlan watched out of the corner of her eye as Cara strained against the ropes that bound her. She felt her chest tighten as Cara’s lips drew into a smirk.

“Is that all you’ve got, Wizard?”

As the words rolled off the Mord’Sith’s tongue, Kahlan’s heart dropped.

It didn’t work.

“It didn’t work.” She rushed to Zedd’s side, helping Richard get the wizard to his feet.

“No…it worked.” Zedd’s voice was tired and raw.

“What do you mean?” Richard asked, his forehead furrowing. “Nothing happened. Cara’s still broken.”

Zedd took a few moments to collect himself, breathing deeply. “What I’m about to tell you may come as quite a shock.” He said slowly. Richard nodded urging him to continue. Kahlan glanced at Cara, who was being unusually quiet, trying to listen in on their conversation she assumed. “The spell worked and I was taken to a world where Cara had never been broken by the Mord’Sith.”

“You mean…she wasn’t taken as a child?” Kahlan asked.

Zedd shook his head. “She grew up on her farm, took a husband and had two beautiful children.”

Kahlan couldn’t contain the gasp that escaped her lips.

How wonderful that must have been.

“Was she happy?”

Zedd regarded her curiously, “that remained to be seen.”

“Were we there Zedd?” Richard asked. “Kahlan and I? How did Cara not being broken affect us?”

Zedd glanced over at Cara before smiling sadly at the Seeker and Mother Confessor. “You were married.” He said, almost wistfully. “The Boxes of Orden were not separated. We’d come to the conclusion that without Cara, Rahl couldn’t reach you in time. The spell worked and you, Richard, had the power of Orden.”

“But he could control it, because the power was tempered by the Confession, correct?” Kahlan asked, smiling at Richard, who appeared to be momentarily speechless. Zedd nodded.

“You said we were married.” Richard spoke finally. Zedd nodded again.

“Yes, and you, Kahlan,” he turned to the Mother Confessor, “you were with child.”

Kahlan’s heart fluttered at the notion.

“Zedd, I don’t understand,” Richard said, looking over his shoulder at Cara, who glared firmly back at him, “this world you speak of sounds like a much better place. What happened? Why are we here?”

Zedd sighed heavily. “It would seem that I was not the only being with knowledge of what had happened. The Keeper was quite angry, after all, things are looking rather bleak for us at the moment aren’t they? He devised a plan to regain control over you Richard. While you were drawn away from the People’s Palace, two Sisters of the Dark managed to infiltrate the walls and separate the boxes. You lost your power and were taken captive by your brother, no longer under the influence of the power of Orden. He somehow came into possession of the boxes and used them for himself. He became all powerful, he controlled you Richard. You must understand that no matter how dismal it may seem in this reality, it is infinitely better to have you on our side.”

Richard nodded slowly, once again turning to observe the Mord’Sith.

“We have to bring her back.” He stated.

“Richard, I do not think that-”

“Kahlan saved me Zedd!” Richard snapped, cutting the Wizard off.

“Richard, that was different.” Kahlan said, gently placing a hand on his arm. “You love me deeply.”

“Cara loves!” Richard said, frustration etching his features, “I know she does.”

Kahlan and Zedd remained silent, allowing Richard a few moments to think.

“Do what you need to do.” Kahlan said finally, but Richard shook his head.

“It can’t be me.”

“But Richard, you have the closest bond with Cara.” Kahlan said, her brow furrowed in confusion and again Richard shook his head.

“The bond that Cara and I have…it’s about loyalty, pride, honor. She obeys me because she still holds me to be The Lord Rahl.”

“Richard that’s not true. Cara cares for you, for us.” Kahlan said softly.

“The old Cara did. But this Cara will explain away anything I try to say to her because of our bond.”

“I believe I understand what Richard is trying to say.” Zedd said, turning a weary eye to Kahlan. “This re-broken Cara will not be affected by any sort of bond she might have had with Richard because it was her duty. We need to present her with feelings that cannot be attached to her duty to serve The Lord Rahl.”

Richard gently grasped Kahlan’s arms, turning her to him. “It has to be you Kahlan. Cara has fought for you, defended you, protected you, with and without my order. If anyone can reach her, I think it’s you.”

Kahlan nodded, and smiled at Richard, seeking strength from his gentle gaze. She turned to the Mord’Sith, still bound and struggling against the tree.

Cautiously, Kahlan approached her, tossing her daggers aside. If there was one thing that made Cara uncomfortable, one weakness she had, Kahlan knew it was having her personal space invaded.

Kahlan stepped up to the Mord’Sith, so close she could feel the energy radiating from the leather-clad woman. Kahlan realized too late that the reason Cara had been so quiet, was that she’d been freeing her wrists from their bonds. The Mord’Sith’s hands were at her throat suddenly, but Kahlan’s hand was at Cara’s just as quickly.

Kahlan vaguely registered Richard being held back by Zedd on the outer grip of her vision. She blocked them out, knowing that if she had any hope of bringing Cara back, she needed to be completely focused on the blonde.

Cara quirked an eyebrow, her grip was tight, but just warningly, as was Kahlan’s.

“Come for your revenge, Mother Confessor?” Cara’s voice sounded like a hiss to Kahlan’s ears, but it brought about a flood of emotion. Kahlan’s eyes fluttered shut momentarily as she fought to maintain her composure.

“I know you’re in there Cara.” Kahlan whispered gently.

“You know nothing about me.” Cara ground out, letting one hand fall to her side, mimicking Kahlan’s stance.

Kahlan smiled sadly. “Do you really think you can crush my windpipe before I can confess you?”

Cara’s gripped tightened uncomfortably, “Care to give it a try?”

Kahlan’s throat burned, both from Cara’s grip and frustration. “Please Cara…” She whispered.

The Mord’Sith twitched just the slightest, but Kahlan felt it. She met Cara’s gaze, “remember Richard’s birthday party?” She said softly. “Do you remember the tomb?”

“I have not gone dumb, Confessor. I still have my memory.” Cara snapped. Kahlan inclined her head slightly, nodding as best she could with her throat in the vice-like grip of the Mord’Sith.

“I guess it just seems like it.” Kahlan murmured. “Because you said, you considered me a friend. Offered to take your own life to save mine-”

“I told you I was delusional!” Cara snapped again, tightening her grip even more. Kahlan visibly winced, her eyes began to burn and tear.

“And you remember Nicci? When she placed the maternity spell on me?”

“Of course I remember!” Cara’s frustration becoming more and more visible.

“You were always by my side. You comforted me, you protected me, you worried over me!” Kahlan felt a few tears make their way down her cheeks.

“I was ordered to serve you as I would serve The Lord Rahl!”

“Do you inspect Richard’s wounds? Do you lay his head on your lap? Do you take his hand and lead him away from danger?” As Kahlan said this, she finally and completely understood why it had to be her to unbreak Cara. The Mord’Sith finally broke eye contact, turning her head away angrily. Her chest heaved with emotion kept locked away.

“That is what Richard would have done for you.”

Kahlan slowly brought her free hand up, gently cupping Cara’s cheek and turning the blonde’s head back to look at her. Kahlan should have been surprised when the Mord’Sith didn’t resist, but she wasn’t.

“Richard does those things because he loves me.”

“I love you!” Cara’s voice rang out through the trees. Birds that hadn’t already taken their leave took flight, scattering across the now blue sky. After that, the clearing was eerily silent.

Cara’s head hung, her chin heavy against the back of Kahlan’s hand, still wrapped around her neck. Kahlan ducked her head, trying to meet the Mord’Sith’s eyes.

“Cara?” Her voiced cracked, as she searched the face of the woman in front of her. Cara’s eyes remained firmly shut but she had relinquished her hold on Kahlan’s neck, her hand now gently rest on Kahlan’s chest, just above her heart.

Slowly, tears started to trickle down Cara’s face, but those tears became sobs and the sobs became gut-wrenching screams.

Kahlan thinks that Zedd must have magically removed Cara’s bonds because suddenly she is falling, heavily into Kahlan’s arms. Kahlan guides them down to the forest floor so that they are kneeling, facing one another.

Cara’s head is buried in Kahlan’s shoulder and, after the screams turn back into sobs, it is a long time before Cara takes a shaky breath, finally lifting her head to look the Mother Confessor in the eyes. Her forehead crinkles and her eyes well up as if she’s about to start crying again, but she doesn’t.

“Kahlan?”

Kahlan can’t help the joyous laughter that escapes her lips as, she too, begins to cry. Suddenly, Cara is pulling her to her, grasping at her in a fierce hug. Kahlan clings to Cara, relief flooding through her body.

“Please, forgive me.” Cara says into Kahlan’s hair, her voice barely a whisper.

“I do, Cara.” Kahlan murmurs. “I do.”

:::

End