Fic: A Light That Never Went Out (Cara/Dahlia, Legend of the Seeker 5/12)

[fembuck]

Title: A Light That Never Went Out
Author: Janine
Fandom: Legend of the Seeker
Pairing: Cara/Dahlia
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Summary: After defeating the Keeper our band of heroes heads back to D'Hara, and on the way Cara meets a familiar face.

( Part One ) ( Part Two ) ( Part Three ) ( Part Four )

xxx

Part 5

Richard eyed Zedd dubiously as his grandfather tucked into a plate of fried eggs with gusto.

"She's not going to like this," Richard declared frowning a bit, knowing that he was going to receive the most of Cara's ire if he did what Zedd proposed.

"Not at first," Zedd agreed. "But I think that we can all agree that a little discomfort is small price to pay to see Cara happy."

"I'll be the first to admit that Cara was uncharacteristically friendly last night, but is delaying our journey really going to make her happy?" Richard asked, already imagining Cara launching into another indignant speech about how much time they waste saving puppies, and rescuing cats from trees while they should be getting on with the business of saving the world, or in this case running D'Hara.

"My boy," Zedd said, placing his fork down and turning his attention fully towards his grandson. "Cara will no doubt be displeased to hear that we'll be staying in Ragora for a while longer, but that does not mean that the delay will not ultimately be to her benefit."

Kahlan had been mostly silent during Richard and Zedd's exchange. She too had noticed how accommodating Cara had been of Dahlia the night before, and despite how Cara tried to hide it she had been able to see that Cara was happy to see Dahlia. They had clearly cared very much for each other as children, and that the affection had survived the years of their separation and Cara's Mord'Sith training, was quite remarkable. Zedd's insistence on them staying longer still confused her however, and the more she watched him the more certain she became that he was holding something back.

"Zedd," Kahlan began carefully. "Richard and I are not adverse to the idea of staying in Ragora longer, and we would very much like to do whatever we can to make Cara happy. But if we're to take action, or in this case not take action, we need to understand why. What are you not telling us?"

Zedd sighed softly, and pushed his plate of half finished eggs away from him. He had hoped that the promise of a warm bed, good food, and warm bathes would be enough to tempt Richard and Kahlan into agreeing to stay in town for a while longer without him needing to get into the intricacies of why he was making the request, but he should have known better. Nothing escaped Kahlan's keen Confessor eyes, and even though a return to the People's Palace was not something that thrilled Richard, his responsibilities were not something that he would shirk without good reason.

Zedd lifted his hand waved it in a small circle, whispering a few magical words before he turned his attention back to Richard and Kahlan.

"For privacy," he told them before resting his elbows on the table and leaning towards them. "Now, to answer your question Kahlan, last night was not the first time I laid eyes on Dahlia Lawson. Before we reached the sands of …"

Richard and Kahlan listened attentively as Zedd related the events that had occurred leading up to him using the spelling of undoing. He told them of how they had encountered a Mord'Sith version of Dahlia who had lured Cara away by playing on the bond of history and love between them, though he also made sure to mention that despite Dahlia's subterfuge it was clear that she cared for Cara very deeply.

He told them of how Darken Rahl had tried to break Cara and had failed, and so then had turned to dark magic in order to turn her. He told them of the dark agiel spelled to make Cara feel the pain of all of those she had tortured and killed in the past, and how after suffering through that torture she had finally broken – as anyone would have – and told him all she knew about them.

He told them how Kahlan had confessed Dahlia and of Cara's rage and heart-break at having watched her lover die. He explained how the damage Darken Rahl had done to Cara was too deep to be overcome because of the magic that had been used to break her, and how he had suggested a spell of undoing to try and go back to a time before Darken Rahl had broken her.

He related the various ways the spell had gone awry until finally he was able to undo Dahlia and right the timeline enough that they could continue on with their mission to defeat the Keeper.

"…the thing that struck me when I saw Dahlia here, was that no matter what I changed, they continued to find each other," Zedd said, voice rough with emotion and from talking for so long. "I don't think it's a coincidence they keep being brought together. I think we should give them a chance to see what may happen without dark magic, Darken Rahl, banelings and the end of the world standing between them."

"Well," Kahlan sighed softly, leaning heavily against the back of the booth when Zedd finished speaking. "A love that spans universes, how could we possibly object to giving Cara a chance at that?"

xxx

As anticipated, Cara was not pleased when Richard told her that they would be staying on in Ragora indefinitely. Richard informed her that there were some construction projects taking place that the town council had requested his help with, and that there were some long standing legal matters to deal with that only the Mother Confessor would be able to resolve satisfactorily. Cara stared at him incredulously for an impressive amount of time, and then turned beseeching eyes to Kahlan hoping that she would see reason, but Kahlan supported Richard's decision. Cara's hand went to her agiel then in an attempt to center herself as she tried to convey the importance of making their way back to the People's Palace so that Richard could begin restoring order in D'Hara once more, but Richard insisted that a short delay would not do any lasting damage to D'Hara.

Cara bristled with indignance, but when Richard told her that it was an order, she accepted her fate with bad grace, and after spitting, "Lord Rahl," at him stormed out of the tavern.

Dahlia, who had entered the tavern with Cara and approached the Seeker alongside her, had observed the argument quietly, and when Cara stormed away Dahlia turned to watch her exit with a look of concern.

"She'll be fine after she blows off some steam," Kahlan said, drawing Dahlia's worried gaze over to her. "She just doesn't like sudden changes, or having to stay still for too long. She'll come around."

Dahlia nodded to Kahlan and offered her a weak smile, but a moment later she politely excused herself, and there was no doubt in any of their minds that she was going after Cara.

"Should we try to stop her?" Richard asked, watching Dahlia walk away with a frown.

"She'll be fine," Kahlan sighed. "I think she has a good idea what she's walking towards. The worst Cara will do is refuse to talk to her."

"Cara's refusals can be quite cutting," Richard pointed out, still smarting a little from the verbal battle he had just been in with the blonde.

Kahlan nodded, acknowledging the truth of it. When Cara was in a bad mood she could be exceptionally unpleasant to be around.

"We're staying in town so that they have a chance to spend time together. I think we have to let them spend time together. If Dahlia is too delicate for Cara's moods, then it's probably best that they find that out. And if she's not, well, I'm sure that the whole of Ragora will appreciate Cara returning to a better humour as soon as possible. I know I will."

"Well said," Zedd responded lifting his fork in salute before returning it to the plate to shovel a fork full of eggs into his mouth.

xxx

Dahlia found Cara just outside of the stables. Cara looked quite impressive sitting astride the horse, her pale hair gleaming like spun gold in the sunshine as she scowled into the distance trying to decide which road to take out of town.

"I had to find you," Dahlia said conversationally as she approached Cara. "I never got a chance to say goodbye last time," she continued, glancing up at Cara for a moment before she turned her attention to the stallion and reached out to stroke his jaw. "I didn't want that to happen again."

"If you'd had a chance to say goodbye before you wouldn't have had to because they would have taken you too," Cara responded dourly, glancing down at Dahlia after she spoke. "I'll be back," she offered in a slightly gentler tone, though she thought the lack of saddlebags and supplies should have made that obvious.

"Just going for a ride then?" Dahlia asked, still petting the horse, her eyes focused her hand as it moved instead of on Cara.

Cara simply grunted in response.

"It's a nice day for it," Dahlia observed, lifting her head up to take in the virtually cloudless blue sky above them. "And thanks to you and your friends the woods are safe again … though I doubt you would have let the threat of banelings stop you anyway," she went on, smiling up at Cara.

Cara shrugged, it was true. She hadn't needed to be afraid of banelings. Banelings had needed to be afraid of her.

"You're very difficult you know," Dahlia sighed a moment later when Cara made no verbal response to her.

"How so?" Cara asked arching a golden eyebrow as she looked down at Dahlia.

"Can I come with you?" Dahlia asked ignoring Cara's question since she suspected explaining to Cara that she should have already inquired if Dahlia would like to accompany her would be pointless.

Cara blinked at her and frowned.

"I planned to ride alone," Cara said carefully, trying to be as polite as possible.

"Plans change," Dahlia pointed, trying not to smile as Kahlan's words about Cara disliking change came back to her.

"I know," Cara muttered darkly, turning to glare in the direction of the tavern.

"I won't bother you," Dahlia promised looking at Cara until the blonde turned to meet her eyes. "Many people around here might beg to differ, but I assure you I can be quiet for impressively long … ah, middling long stretches of time."

Cara's lips quirked up at that a little, and sensing victory Dahlia continued.

"If I become a burden you can set me down on the side of the road. As we established earlier, the woods are free of banelings now so I'll safely be able to make my way back to town. It's a proposition with no drawbacks."

Cara looked down at Dahlia thoughtfully for a moment before responding.

"I will leave you on the side of the road if you become bothersome," she warned.

"As you should, to break ones word is an offence that deserves punishment," Dahlia agreed easily. "I shall be quieter than a mouse however, so I have no reason to worry."

Cara rolled her eyes, but nonetheless leaned down and offered her hand to the other woman. The truth was that she was used to riding with others and her conversation with Dahlia had improved her mood enough that she no longer felt the need to shun all human company. She found Dahlia presence relatively enjoyable, and so the idea of spending a few more hours with her was not intolerable.

Dahlia lifted her hand quickly, wasting no time accepting Cara's hand. Cara's fingers wrapped around hers, her grip firm and secure and then Cara flexed her arm and Dahlia released a soft gasp and then a little laugh of delight as she found herself being easily hoisted up onto the back of the horse.

"You're strong," Dahlia breathed out as she found purchase on the back of the horse and began to settle herself.

Cara smiled at the words. She always enjoyed when people appreciated how impressive she was.

"Of course. I would not be much help to Lord Rahl if I wasn't," was Cara's dry response.

Dahlia stiffened behind her at the words and Cara found her own back straightening defensively.

"Richard," she said tersely a second later, "is the true Lord Rahl."

Dahlia released the breath she had been holding through her nose, and then moved to wrap her arms around Cara's waist.

"Is he really?" she asked softly, her voice offering no challenge only curiosity as she pressed her front firmly against Cara's back. "I've never heard such a thing before."

When she'd heard Cara spit out the title in the tavern she'd thought the blonde had been using it as a curse.

"It's true," Cara stated tensely as she felt Dahlia settle all around her. It was a lot of bodily contact all at once and Cara became stiff in the saddle as she wondered just what had possessed her to extend her hand to Dahlia a moment before. "And all will know it as truth once he takes his place on the throne," she forced herself to continue.

Though she might have doubted the wisdom of it, she had extended her hand to Dahlia and so she was committed to taking Dahlia for a ride. Cara was not one to allow discomfort to stop her from honouring her commitments.

"Well, I look forward to that day," Dahlia said, flexing her arms slightly around Cara's waist as the blonde grasped the horses reins in preparation to move off. "Richard will make a fine Lord Rahl. The best Lord Rahl D'Hara has seen in centuries and you will keep him safe for all of us," she went on, pleased to feel the tense set of Cara's back relax as she spoke.

"It won't be easy. He's very reckless, quick to distract and trusts too easily," Cara huffed with a sigh, "but I have sworn to protect him and I keep my word."

Dahlia's lips quirked up slightly as she listened to Cara. She was sure that the blonde intended to sound irritated and put upon, but though her words conveyed those feelings, her tone didn't. There was affection in her voice when she spoke about Richard, even to complain about him, and hearing it made something warm and tender flutter in Dahlia's stomach.

"All of D'Hara thanks you," Dahlia muttered with a touch of amusement in her voice as she surreptitiously brushed her lips against Cara's neck.

"They should," Cara muttered, though like when she had spoken before, Dahlia could hear pleasure in her voice.

With that, Cara tugged on the horse's reins and they began to trot down the path that would lead them out of town.
 

To be continued ...

Comments are always welcome and greatly appreciated :D

Comments

[mayireadtoday.livejournal.com]

The discussion about Richard at the end was hilarious.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

LOL!

I love it when Cara's all 'I'm a bitch and complain, but secretly I lurve and respect you'.

The dynamics between Richard, Kahlan and Cara give me happies (even in non-OT3 fics, lol)

[yukivampyra.livejournal.com]

Sulky!Cara is one of my favourites. All right, every Cara is my favourite (except when she was cheerful over whatshisface). Little seeds of romance are blossoming!

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

It's so true to pick a favourite type of Cara, isn't it! Even Cara's 'Bitch, why you giving me flowers?' face was love - though it would have been better with a lady instead of Leo ;)

And yes, the seeds are being planted, and now we shall get to see them grow and blossom!

[xam21.livejournal.com]

An equally strong-willed, witty and intelligent woman to match our favorite Mord'Sith, your Dahlia is a delight to read! :) Again, their banter and interaction is akin to a subconscious mating dance...so fluidly graceful and intricate. Cara and Dahlia are tv-canon and I so appreciate how well you are exemplifying that relationship and chemistry with this story and with your characterization of both of them.

Zedd coming clean to Richard and Kahlan regarding meddling with Cara's history and his explanation about Dahlia's path intersecting with Cara's whichever world he undo is short, sweet and simple. I love that you were able to get that little plot hole filled as early as now so the focus of the story could be now more on Cara and Dahlia rediscovering each other.

A beautiful update that makes me hunger for more! Thank you for continuing to write this story and for sharing it with all of us. :)

-Xam

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad that you're enjoying it, and that Dahlia is coming across as a good match for Cara :D

I've had fun writing the 'mating dance' (perfect term) so far, and hope that you enjoy the way that the dance will progress.

so the focus of the story could be now more on Cara and Dahlia rediscovering each other.

Rest assured, there's a lot of this coming up!

Thanks so much for commenting :D

[bellataggart.livejournal.com]

Soo good. Reading it, loving it. Great to see this different, soft side to Cara and so nice that Dahlia sees right through her. Looking forward to more...

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for commenting! I'm glad you're enjoying this exploration of Cara's softer side as much as I am (and Dahlia is for that matter ;)

[tornainbow.livejournal.com]

12 parts! Unexpectedly awesome. :)

I was always kinda peeved that Zedd never ~really explained what he did. Yeah, there's that deleted scene, but I hardly think that captures the essence of it.

"A love that spans universes, how could we possibly object to giving Cara a chance at that?"

I think it's against the laws of physics or something to deny Cara. Bad things happen to you.

edit: because my previous comment sounded vaguely like I was saying Cara could be denied, and I just couldn't let that sit.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Yep, 12 parts! It's all sketched out now :D I thought this was gonna be a short one, but it's gonna end up like novella length, lol

I think it's against the laws of physics or something to deny Cara. Bad things happen to you.

Truth. Cara Mason + Happiness = Must Be

[jesterradiobird.livejournal.com]

That was nice and fluffy! I like how Dahlia isn't afraid to say what she thinks and so easily puts her feeling into action and hugs Cara.

Update soon! This was a cute chapter!

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you're enjoying it :D

And yeah, even though Dahlia won't be all fighting and physically badass like she was as a Mord'Sith, girlfriend still has to have a backbone and be strong and courageous in order to be a good match for Cara.

I'll try not to keep you waiting too long for the next part!

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

She really is adorable when she's surly, isn't she?

Dahlia might not be a Confessor, but she definitely has a good read on Cara. It's almost like they're fated to be together ;)

You know the real romance is starting when people ride on a horse together, lol!

[theelectricb.livejournal.com]

"Cara smiled at the words. She always enjoyed when people appreciated how impressive she was."
LOL. I loved that line, along with all the others!
This is so great, if I could I would read it in one go.
Can´t wait for the next part. :)

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you're enjoying it :D

And Cara's lucky she's so cute with an ego like hers, lol.

I'll try not to keep you waiting too long for the next part :D

[butchon.livejournal.com]

I love the way Dahlia handles Cara.
It's like she can see right through the Mord'Sith into the woman, but she never forgets to pay tribute to her as well.

It's just perfect.

Thank you.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

It's like she can see right through the Mord'Sith into the woman, but she never forgets to pay tribute to her as well.

Totally! Dahlia isn't fooled into thinking that Cara is some merciless unfeeling monster, but she respects Cara's abilities and though she can see the woman beneath the leather, she does not ignore the leather.

Thanks so much for commenting and I'm so glad that you're enjoying it :D

[sameafnir.livejournal.com]

Ah well your storytelling never disappoints! Read through 1-5 in one smooth and extremely enjoyable evening. Your Dahlia is just what Cara needs, love how you put them together. And so many more chapters to come! How delightful! thanks :)

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad that you're enjoying it (and that it comes together well reading it in one go!).

I hope you enjoy what to come :D

[seriousfic.livejournal.com]

"You're strong," Dahlia breathed out as she found purchase on the back of the horse and began to settle herself.

Cara smiled at the words. She always enjoyed when people appreciated how impressive she was.

"Of course. I would not be much help to Lord Rahl if I wasn't," was Cara's dry response.

SUCH. GIRLFRANS. As long as Dahlia doesn't give her flowers, Cara is going to find herself getting hitched like that. One moment she'll be telling Dahlia to feel her bicep, the next she'll be dressed in a tuxedo and headed to New York.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

As long as Dahlia doesn't give her flowers

Cara's reaction to Leo giving her flowers will never cease to honestly make me LOL. Perfect expression was perfect (god, I love Tabrett's face!)

One moment she'll be telling Dahlia to feel her bicep, the next she'll be dressed in a tuxedo and headed to New York.

It's true, it's all true. Cara doesn't realize that Dahlia's already got her whipped. Give it up and shine your good shoes Cara, you're officially off the market!