Thread: Daughter Of Dune (Ursus Peregrinus & darkangel76)

based on Dune by Frank Herbert, SciFi Channel's miniseries Frank Herbert's Dune Frank Herbert's Children of Dune Arrakis... Dune... wasteland of the Empire, and the most valuable planet in the universe. Because it is hereand only herewhere spice is found. The spice. Without it there is no commerce in the Empire, there is no civilization. Arrakis... Dune... home of the spice, greatest treasure in the universe. And he who controls it, controls our destiny. And it is here where yet another chapter begins, but it is hardly where the saga ends. For the Golden Path of Leto IIGhanima Atreides beloved twin brotherhas only just begun to be forged as his body slowly merges in a way no one else's ever could with the great Shai-Hulud... the great sandworms of Dune... You shouldn't be sitting so close to the open balcony, came a stern, yet gentle voice. Immediately, there was a faint sound of laughter, a tiny stifled giggle as Hersilia Atreides turned her head to gaze upon the smiling face of Princess Irulan Corrino. The Atreides girl had been with her 'surrogate mother' nearly all of her life, much to her own beloved mother's chagrin... how she missed her own mother. But she understood the why of the separation, the why of... everything. Golden red curls fell languidly along slender shoulders as Hersilia locked eyes with Irulan. The moment the woman returned the eye contact, she could almost sense her fear. Though she knew her 'surrogate mother' was hardly afraid of her. It was a natural reaction. Most had it whenever they were around a pre-born so she never faulted the Bene Gesserit. Not ever. Besides, Irulan had only shown her the utmost of love and care just as she had her very own mother and beloved uncle. Ah Uncle Leto... Hersilia wished she knew the man better. Before all the 'changes'... Hersilia recalled as a young child how her mother and uncle would meet in the evenings at nearly every sunset. He would look so sad and so tired, his body ever changing. Each meeting would leave her mother distraught and in pain. She could see that she wanted to do something. Anything. But she was bound and trapped by a future she did not yet quite understand at the time. Her father would often try to comfort her mother, something she could see her mother appreciated and even loved about him. Yes... she knew the history, the arrangement. And she didn't need historians to remind her either. Prescience. Pre-born. A curse and a blessing. A dark and beautiful gift of the Atreides bloodline. Yes, I know, Irulan. But I couldn't help it. The sunrises over Dune are so beautiful, Hersilia giggled again, her blue-in-blue eyes almost glowing. Irulan sighed through a smile, a hand reaching up to rake through her thick waves of mousy brown. I know you have your indulgences, Lia. But the attacks on this Keep have grown steadily worse since your nineteenth birthday and there have been discussions about what to do in regards to safety. Hersilia slid down off the balcony, her bare feet lightly striking the stone floor beneath her. Her filmy white gown flowed as a breeze suddenly blew through the open window. I know that mother and father are worried and have been making plans. Irulan laughed, Of course you do. Then you also know that both Ghanima and Farad'n have been in touch with the Fremen in the deepest parts of the desert? Just then, Hersilia tilted her head, golden red tendrils shifting with her movements. She reached up a hand and tapped her lip and shook her head. No, I was not. So, the untouched desert then? she asked, pausing a moment as she dropped her hand back to her side. The desert is slowly receding... she mumbled. My mother knows this... my uncle... her voice trailed, her expression distant. Suddenly, she bit down on her lip and blinked her eyes several times before giving Irulan a smile. Irulan just nodded. She was used to Hersilia's occasional odd manner. Having raised both her mother and uncleboth pre-borns, both Atreidesshe wasn't unused to dealing with such mannerisms. Yes. Ghanima and Farad'n will be here by midday. Hersilia scowled. Her pale cheeks turned a deep shade of scarlet. The last attack was believed to be a coordinated attack by more than just the Bene Gesserits and Spacing Guild, Lia, Irulan continued, her voice a bit more stern than before. The concern she had was clear. Hersilia nodded in understanding, her hands moving to rub at her bare arms. The other noble houses? Irulan nodded causing Hersilia to sigh. Come now, we must get you prepared for your parents arrival along with the arrival of our guests. Guests? Hersilia almost squeaked. Irulan laughed. Why yes. You didn't think we'd delay in your safety, did you? Hersilia's eyes flashed and narrowed. I... I suppose not, she said.