Chapter Text
Disclaimer: Don’t own HP or Dune in any form
Dune language copied off an online script
Desert Planet – Part I
Polished black boots were silent on the centuries old stone as he made his way up the battlements of Castle Caladan. It was a beautiful old stone and wood building that had served as the home of House Atreides for centuries. He knew exactly where he’d find the young heir after this morning’s news and sure enough the Ducal heir was sitting and staring out at the ocean. At fifteen there was nothing really extraordinary about the boy, he had his father’s black hair and blue/grey eyes although he favoured his mother, the Lady Jessica, in his facial features more. He also appeared so far to be shorter than his parents, although there was time for him to have another growth spurt or two.
“You always find me up here Harry.” Paul whispered as he sensed his approach.
“I think no one else wants to risk the rain.” Harry answered, ducking out of the rain and under the slope of the roof where Paul was sitting.
“You know what the Emperor commands?”
“Gurney told me.” He removed his sodden cape and settled against the cold stone, black uniform blending with dark stone. “Not keen on the idea?”
“It’s a trap, it has to be. Arrakis has been the Harkonnen’s for years, they would never just leave, even under Imperial command.”
“The first step in avoiding a trap is knowing it exists.” Harry quoted the Duke.
“So that’s why we’re going?”
“Your Father has his reasons Paul. To rule Arrakis is to control Spice Production. You have to know there are whispers in the Court about you and Princess Irulan. This would elevate House Atreides to where such a match would never be questioned. You would be the next Emperor.”
“A loveless marriage and a cold throne.”
“Perhaps at first, but in time there might be love. You’ve never met her; how do you know love is impossible?”
“Do you think going is the right thing to do?” Paul stared at the youngest of his teachers. Harry was…. different, unlike anyone else he knew. He was trusted as Paul’s bodyguard, teacher and friend. Harry and Duncan were his only friends anymore, ever since Bronso had turned his back on House Atreides. That had hurt but he had understood, his friend had felt betrayed by his own Father, who it turned out wasn’t his Father. Earl Rhombur had been Paul’s Father’s best friend once, but the ties between the two Great Houses had weakened a lot since his death, and the death of Paul’s older half-brother, Victor. Paul sometimes wondered if Victor would have been named heir, after all Ix had eventually been retaken and House Vernius restored, that meant his Father could have married Princess Kailea and made Victor a legitimate heir. He shook his head, that was all in the past, the future was the danger he needed to focus on now.
“There is danger in the move but to deny Imperial decree would be even more dangerous. The House would be denounced as Renegade. We can move to lessen the danger of Arrakis but without knowing the exact plans we cannot anticipate everything.”
“Why is the Emperor doing this? Father is his cousin and popular with the Landsraad.”
“More popular than the Emperor some say, and that is dangerous. There will be Harkonnen traps on the planet, and in the residence so you will need to stay close and make sure you are always armed.”
“I know, it won’t be anything like home.”
“Come on, last thing we need is you sick.” Harry tugged him up and they headed down and inside. There was a lot of work to do in the coming months before they left Caladan.
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Paul jerked awake, heart pounding at the images of his Father and so many deaths. He fought to get his breathing under control, mentally reciting part of the litany against fear as he looked over to find the source of the voice.
“.... you must remember, Paul, that our civilization rests upon a political tripod...the most unstable of structures.”
Paul got up and walked across the room, a little unsteady, even as Dr Yueh’s recording droned on.
“A deceptive balance of power exists between the Emperor, the congress of Great Houses...and the supposedly impartial Spacing Guild with its invulnerable monopoly on interstellar transport...”
Paul ignored the recording as he crossed to the window to look out at the interior of the Spacing Guild Heighliner they were docked within. He heard the door hiss open but didn’t turn to look, still in orbit above Caladan and with Gurney close by there was no danger.
The Lady Jessica walked into the room and took in her son’s form at the window and then the still playing image of their doctor.
“Complicated by a feudal trading culture that turns its back on most science, our society is a tangled web of competing forces that threaten to...”
Jessica walked over to his desk and pressed a button there. The tutorial abruptly ended as Dr. Yueh vanished. “Dr. Yueh would be disappointed.”
“Then he'd know how I feel.” He answered without turning.
“It's never easy to leave one's home, Paul. But think of this as a new adventure. The adventure of a lifetime.” She offered gently. Standing at the window like that he looked so much like his Father.
“You call this an adventure? Giving up our home for...what? Some dry speck of dust...in the middle of nowhere?” he demanded, turning to look at her.
“You are a Duke's son, Paul. You have duties, responsibilities...”
“How could I ever forget? Every day I have to eat "responsibility" for breakfast...and "honour" for dinner.” He cut her off.
“Sarcasm doesn't become you, Paul.” She chided and he turned away, a little ashamed but still upset.
“I just want to see my father.” He whispered.
Jessica moved over and gently touched his cheek. “So, do I.” She caressed his face. Eyes gleaming with that passionate, unconditional love only a mother can have for a son. “The Reverend Mother has arrived. She wants to see you before we depart...” She walked to a closet and started pulling out his formal attire.
Paul watched her a moment. “Why are you afraid of her, Mother?” he asked and she paused, looking over at him. “The pitch of your voice gives you away.”
“She was my teacher at the Bene Gesserit school. Now she's the Emperor's Truthsayer.” She answered with forced calm.
“You haven't answered my question.”
“I've given you more Bene Gesserit training than boys ever get. She wants to see what kind of student you've been.” She finally offered. She had broken all of the rules when it came to her Duke and their son. She left him to dress and he soon joined her in the formal black and red uniform of House Atreides, the crimson Hawk embroidered on his breast.
They walked silently through the ship to where the Reverend Mother was waiting. He could sense there was more to this than his Mother had admitted and he wished Harry hadn’t been sent ahead with Duncan. They entered the chamber and Paul stared at the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam who wore a black aba robe with the hood thrown back.
“You've given him your face, Jessica. But the father has given him his eyes...” she stated coolly.
“And his courage.” Jessica tipped her chin up slightly, defensive.
“We shall see. Come here, boy. Let me have a better look at you.” She commanded but he didn’t move and Jessica stiffened slightly in alarm. “If you know what's good for you, you'll
do as I say.” Her voice had deepened and seemed to echo slightly. Paul involuntarily took a step forward but then froze, recognising that she was using the Voice against him.
He clasped his hands together, breathing deeply. “I'll be the judge of what's good for me.”
Mohiam glared at him with surprise...and not a little alarm. His resistance was unexpected. “Your mother has taught you many things, I see.” Paul remained silent and unmoving. “She tells me...you dream.”
Paul suddenly turned to his mother, a look of betrayal sweeping over him.
“Your Reverence, if I could...”
“You're dismissed, Jessica.” She snapped and without another word Jessica curtsied and left the room, much to Paul’s shock.
“Since when is it permitted to treat the Lady Jessica as a common servant?” he demanded, angry on her behalf and Mohiam chuckled.
“She was a common servant. My servant. And a good one, too...until she was sixteen...and your father, took her....” she shook her head and then focused back on him. “Now, I would like to hear about your dreams.”
“They're just dreams.” He tried to shrug it off, not wanting to discuss anything with this woman.
“About what?” This time her use of the Voice was even more powerful and Paul stiffened.
“Men dying...” he finally admitted.
“Which men?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying. What else?”
“Sometimes I see strange people...worshipping water...and singing...a strange name...my name, I think...and then...wars...terrible wars...millions dying....” he bit out angrily.
“PAUL.” She commanded.
“...sometimes there's a girl...a skinny girl...and she frightens me...her eyes are strange...blue, all blue...”
“And do you know this girl?”
“No.”
“What do you think they mean, these dreams of yours?”
“Why don't you tell me?” he demanded, his own voice reverberating with the power of the Voice, shocking her.
The Reverend Mother studied Paul intensely for a moment. Then she pulled a small box from her robes. “Do you know what this is?” she held it out and Paul studied the black metallic cube with one open side. “It is a test, young Atreides.”
“A test for what?”
“Put your hand inside...and we'll see.” She commanded with the Voice and Paul moved closer, slowly reaching out to put his hand inside.
“What's in it?”
“Pain.” She whispered and Paul started to jerk back but she grabbed his throat too fast for him to react and he felt the almost touch of something cold. “I hold the Gom Jabbar at your throat, young Atreides. Keep your hand in the box and live. Remove it and die.” She commanded, closing her eyes, going into a trance.
Paul looked down at the box as the pain began, it wasn’t much to start but it began to increase, further and further until he was fighting not to move. He glanced towards the doors, did his Mother know?
“She won't save you.” Mohiam whispered.
"I must not fear...fear is the mind killer...”
“That's right, boy. Pray...”
“...I will face my fear...and it will pass through me...and when it's gone there will be nothing...only I will remain..."
Her eyes flew open in terror as she fell back...exhausted. Paul looked down, the pain had stopped. As if it never happened. “No woman child ever withstood that much pain.” She whispered in shock. Paul slowly held up his hand, there wasn’t a mark on it. “You're a gifted boy, young Atreides. But you have much to learn.”
The door behind Paul suddenly opened. Jessica stood in it, shuddering with relief as she realised her son still lived. She moved towards him but Paul backed away, glaring at her reproachfully.
“You should have warned me.”
“She was forbidden!”
“I'm sorry...” Jessica called and Paul looked her in the eye before leaving the room. “Paul...” but he didn’t turn. She looked to her teacher who moved towards her and they walked together through the halls since the Reverend Mother would not be accompanying them to Arrakis.
“You were supposed to have a daughter.” Mohiam was as mad now as she had been fifteen years ago when the child had been born, but not the daughter they needed. “You've hopelessly complicated matters. An Atreides daughter could've have been wed to the Harkonnen heir. The feud between the Houses could have been ended.”
“My Duke wanted a son.” Jessica stated firmly.
“You arrogant girl. Putting his desires above our interests! How dare you turn your back on the centuries of our breeding programs?” She snapped back.
“I'll pay for my mistakes.”
“And your son will pay with you!” She hissed before calming as they neared where her ship was docked. “We'll do what we can. He may be worth saving. But for the father...nothing.” They finally stopped at the entrance to the Atreides Frigate docking bay where a small but elegant Imperial Shuttle Craft was moored. Armed Imperial Troops flanked the bay doors.
“Our missionaries have done their work on Arrakis. Cultivated the myths of the peasants there. If necessary, you will exploit them.”
“Predicting the future...then plotting to make it so...”
“It may be your only chance.” She turned abruptly and glided away to her shuttle, leaving Jessica standing alone. For the Father…. nothing. she bit back a sob and schooled her features as she’d been taught, letting none see her grief as she walked away.
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Harry didn’t like Arrakis one bit. Though he was grateful they’d traded their black and red uniforms for lighter weight tan and green or else they’d all be collapsing from heat stroke. The Duke and his family would be arriving soon and security was yet to be to his liking. There were simply too many avenues of access to cover and too many people coming and going.
“Keeping watch?”
Harry turned and bowed to his Duke. “Always My Lord.”
“Very good. I would like you to meet the shuttle.”
“Why not Duncan?”
“I have another mission for him.”
“I will leave immediately.” He bowed again and left, heading for the hanger.
Atreides frigates, 'thopters and other military hardware were parked on the tarmac outside the huge hangar doors. Soldiers were everywhere unloading crates and vehicles. Harry waited by a mag-lev hover-carriage but he grinned and straightened up as Jessica and Paul walked into the hanger from a transport shuttle, accompanied by a tense and alert contingent of Atreides bodyguards.
“Harry, dear friend...” Jessica hugged him briefly and Harry returned it.
“Milady. You have never looked more beautiful.” She laughed at his words and Harry turned to grin at Paul. “And you, my prized student, you've been practising hard?”
“As I can Harry.” They clasped hands briefly.
“Then let’s get you out of this heat. Not that the Keep is much better. Our Duke is impatient to see you.” He ushered them into the hover-carriage. They were soon on their way through the sandy city.
“Such a dusty little garrison town...” Jessica whispered.
“A testament to the harsh climate of the place.” Harry admitted.
Jessica noticed a man in the street, standing at an old, wobbly cart. “Soo-soo-Sook! Soo-soo-Sook! Ikhut-eigh! Ikhut-eigh! Soo-soo-Sook!”
“What's he doing?” She asked as she took in the small crowd quickly gathering around him...urgently shoving cartons and jugs at him.
“A water-seller, milady. You’ll never need deal with them. The cistern at the palace holds fifty thousand gallons and it's always kept full.” Harry quickly explained.
“What's wrong with their eyes?” Paul asked as he stared at them. Clusters of strange looking people in shapeless sack clothing, wrinkled, prune-like skin, undernourished bodies, most of their faces hidden behind rough burlap-like scarves.
“Those are Fremen, desert people. It's the spice, everywhere. In the air, the food. It saturates the blood and gives the blue-in-blue eyes.” He explained what Dr Yueh had told him a few days back.
“They seem so...frail.”
“Don't underestimate the Fremen, milady. The Harkonnen did and often regretted it.” He warned, there was danger in these people, he could feel it. Finally, they reached the Keep and Duke Leto hurries down grand staircase into the Great Hall to meet Paul and Jessica. Paul was stiff and formal, unsure, until Leto stepped up and pulled him into a tight hug.
And then he turned to Jessica. They took each other's hands, drinking each other in with their eyes. “Finally, beauty has arrived to hold back the wilderness.” He whispered, gently brushing a few stay strands of hair back from her face and she smiled.
They moved into the Keep where Fremen servants were unloading and moving boxes and trunks. Atreides soldiers were scanning walls, floors, ceilings. Others were installing equipment or patrolling. Leto led Jessica, Paul and Harry through the confusion. “Guards everywhere. We didn't have to live like this on Caladan...” Jessica shook her head, not liking it.
“The family apartments are in the West Wing. And now that you're here, I'll have the furniture brought up...”
Jessica stopped him, confused. “But...where have you been staying then?”
“I have quarters in one of the barracks.”
“My poor Leto...” She teased gently and he shrugged.
“Perfectly comfortable. Good to be close to the men in the early going. Besides...” He dropped his volume so only she could hear. “I wanted to wait for you before truly settling in.”
While they spoke, Paul wandered across the room. “What are these?” He was standing by the massive doors to the formal Dining Hall. And on the wall beside them was a row of ornate tile washbasins, with gold towel racks above. As Paul passed his hands under the faucets gloriously clear, sparkling water flowed.
“An old custom, apparently. Guests ceremoniously splash water on the floor after washing their hands.” Harry demonstrated, dropping a towel to the floor when he was finished. Sure enough, a servant woman appeared as if out of nowhere and scooped up the dropped towel in a silver bowl, vanishing again just as suddenly. “They save the squeezing’s.”
“Demeaning custom.” Jessica began to comment only to be interrupted as Thufir approached from another room.
“Idaho and Potter have prepared for us well, milord.” He reported, nodding at Harry who grinned in return. No one had any idea just how well he’d prepared.
“Duncan? Where's Duncan? I want to show him some moves I tried out on Gurney...” He and Hawat exchanged a knowing smile.
“I've got him preoccupied with official business at the moment. You're going to have be patient.” Leto chided his son gently, seeing his disappointment and he felt a flash of regret. He had Rhombur at his side for years, even into his reign as Duke. Paul had no one his age or rank to be with, only Harry and Duncan who were both older and not Noble born.
“I've assembled the General Staff as you requested.” Thufir told the Duke before retreating from the hall.
“No... not there....” Jessica called, gaining everyone’s attention. Several servants were mounting a scarlet tapestry on the wall with the Atreides crest, a proud and magnificent hawk in crimson, on it. “That hangs in the foyer. The first thing visitors must see. This is House Atreides now.” She turned to Leto who smiled warmly. The servants muttered to themselves as they removed the tapestry. A strange, complex language. But... “Ya malu al-ak ma Harkonnen. Al-diq la dume tanquiyya.” (We are not like the Harkonnen. You will be treated with respect.) The servants froze, she was speaking their language and they were more awed than chagrined.
Two sharp claps sounded and they all turned to see a small grey-haired woman, wrinkled and withered, with blue-in-blue eyes. “From now on, we speak the Lady's language at all times!” She commanded and the servants nodded.
“The Shadout Mapes, milady. Head of household staff....” Dr Yueh introduced as he joined them in the hall and the woman bowed to Jessica.
“Show milady to our apartments, Mapes. See to it she has anything she needs.” Leto ordered and then briefly took Jessica’s hand. “I'll join you there after the briefing.” He promised.
Paul watched the servants re-hang the tapestry, especially one of them...a girl about his age with Fremen eyes. His stare made her nervous enough she dropper her end of the rug. He smiled and moved to help her.
“Come, Paul. The men are waiting.” Leto called
“Me? Right now?” he’d never been asked to attend before.
“It's time you participated.” Leto left the hall, Harry falling into a protective position and Paul reluctantly joined them, throwing a glance back at the servant girl who wouldn’t look at him. Jessica watched them go until she felt Mapes' stare.
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Harry slipped from Paul’s room, the boy fast asleep and never realising Harry had been there. He hadn’t been able to protect the room earlier as he hadn’t been sure which room the young Lord would choose. Now he would know instantly should there be danger within the room and no harm would come to Paul inside. He returned to his own, smaller, room and slipped into bed, knowing he would need his rest in the coming days.
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Jessica and Leto lay tangled together in bed, relaxed for the first time in days as his fingers ran through her hair. “Perhaps I should have taken House Atreides renegade...escaped to the darkest corners of the universe…”
“You're too honourable for that, my love...” She answered, kissing his shoulder.
“No. I'm too fed up. This endless feud stops here.”
“The Harkonnen are a rogue clan, Leto. No matter how much prestige they try to buy, they'll never have the respect you've earned.” She tried to soothe him, he was under too much stress.
“My respect can't buy us peace. I would trade it all for a place somewhere, anywhere...if we could be alone...if Paul could be safe...if the only thing I'd ever have to worry about was your happiness. Perhaps then I could finally make you my...”
She quickly leant up to silence him with kiss. “Please. Don't talk about things that can't be. You belong to your time. And I was bred to my destiny. Even if I were able to go back and choose, I would change nothing.” She swore to him and this time he was the one to lean over and kiss her.
Several hours later Leto was sleeping peacefully, probably for the first time in many nights. But he was alone in the bed as Jessica was at the window, staring out into the Arrakeen night, her face a tapestry of emotions. The sharp, severe cliffs of the shield wall mountains, slicing magnificently into a stunning purple sky, the rising heat from the ground making everything shimmer. For a moment, she allowed herself to enjoy this stark beauty. But then...something flashed in the mountains. BLINK...BLINK BLINK...BLINK BLINK...BLINK Rhythmic. Predictable. A code BLINK...BLINK BLINK...BLINK BLINK...BLINK
There it was again. A different pattern this time. And Jessica suddenly realised what it was, someone signalling. But who? And to whom?
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“What about the men we left behind?” Paul asked as they moved across the tarmac.
“Send a ship to search for them.” Leto commanded.
“They were right beside the worm when it came up, milord.” Gurney argued.
“Send a ship anyway!” Leto snapped, his tone leaving no room for debate.
“When God ordains a man's time to die, he directs that man to the proper place...” Kynes told them and Leto turned angrily to him. But Kynes met his stare, almost as if the comment were directed at the Duke, himself.
“I want the pilots of that missing Carryall delivered to me personally. Someone is going to pay for this waste!” And with that, he stormed away, Paul in tow.
“This is a different kind of man.”
“You've lived among Harkonnen scum too long, I see.” Gurney commented.
“He risked his life...and that of his son to save the men instead of the spice... A leader like that could have commanded fanatic loyalty...”
Gurney was struck by Kynes' use of the past tense. But the gaunt "Planetologist" quickly moved off.
“I hear you had a rather interesting trip.” Harry called and Gurney turned to the younger man. Even after years of serving together he still found Harry Potter an enigma. He had walked into the Castle one day and never left, slowly working up the ranks until he didn’t really hold one. And yet, he trusted him, even before he had nearly died protecting Paul during the War of Assassins. It had been Duncan and Harry who had run with Paul to keep the boy safe and they had succeeded.
“That is one way to put it.” He began walking and Harry moved with him as he ordered a ship to be sent to look for survivors. Both men knew none would be found.
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Emergency Klaxons were wailing loudly as harry stumbled from his room, yanking his shirt on. The wards on Paul’s room had ben tripped oddly and he was worried for the boy. He saw Thufir and several guards standing by a small hole in the wall. Staring in at a crawlspace just big enough for a man. Thufir turned away and spoke into his communicator, “I want him alive!” that was enough to have him dashing off, an assassin had gotten past security.
A dark, swarthy man with short hair and thick eyebrows, moved quickly through the confusion of the halls.
“You...there...hold!” a guard called, spotting him.
The dark man froze, turning slowly as the guard approached. Suddenly the dark man pulled a small gun from his cloak and fired, driving the guard back into the wall where he slumped to the ground even as the man took off around a corner. He kept running, guards soon in pursuit, firing at him but not hitting. He dashed into a dead end and looked around but there was no way out. He raised his gun to fire and the guards scattered, he went to run again only to run right into a solid arm, the blow catching him in the throat and sending him staggering back before a booted foot connected with his skull and he dropped.
"I wanted him alive." Thufir panted and Harry smirked.
“Trust me, he’ll regret being alive in the morning with that blow.”
“Search him thoroughly and then lock him up.” Thufir ordered even as he and Harry walked away, they had to report to the Duke. “Nice move.”
“Thanks.”
They entered the office to find Gurney already there and the Duke enraged, he slammed his hand down on the desk. “They've tried to take the life of my son!”
“He looks local.” Thufir admitted as they looked at the screen showing the unconscious man in the cell.
“Nothing to identify him?” Gurney asked and Harry shook his head.
“Everything was local. We’ll have to wait to interrogate him.”
“Harkonnen, surely. And not working alone.” Thufir stated darkly and no one there disagreed. The second move against them had been made, how long until a third?
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“Worthy to be your first-born, hmmm?” Count Fenring asked his friend and Emperor as they watched the slender young woman work under the close watch of the Reverend Mother.
“They tell me her ambitions tend more to the literary than the political.” He admitted in disgust, why had his wife born only daughters? The Bene Gesserit’s orders no doubt. What good did having no heir to the Throne do them though?
“Never underestimate the political uses of an awakened mind, Majesty. Subterfuge and cunning are often better allies than a fierce heart and strong back, hmmm?”
“All she lacks is the primacy of our gender.” There was an edge of bitterness, even betrayal in his tone as he continued to watch her, she was graceful at least. Of his five daughters, she was the most beautiful, an elegant form and yet with no apparent interest in what made the empire work. Would she be nothing more than a pretty thing on her husband’s arm?
“Then...hmmmaaahhh...you must marry her well. Someone with a suitably pliable personality, hmmm?”
“Too bad it won't be that young Atreides. A most admirable lad, I told. Good union of breeding and training...” A strange distance swept over the Emperor, a sadness, almost. If only Irulan had been born sooner or Leto later and perhaps things would be different. But they were too invested now to back out. “We must arrange to send Duke Leto a token
of our love. He must continue to think of us fondly...” His eyes narrowed as he watched his daughter.
Across in the gardens Irulan finally looks up, meeting her father's calculating stare. It was not a comforting look.
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Paul wandered the darkness, lost in troubled thought. The distant chatter of the banquet floated in the air like a bad memory. He knew it had been wrong to leave, especially as he was the Princess’ escort but he hadn’t been able to stay and pretend politeness to those people any longer. Where every word had so many meanings… Even after two months he was having trouble adjusting the different attitudes of Dune. He stilled as he heard music…. not a baliset, no this was from a wind instrument. He quickened his pace and found Harry sitting at a table on the balcony, playing softly on the flute. “Well, here at least is honest merrymaking.” He proceeded to help himself to a glass of golden, foamy draught from a pitcher next to Harry.
“Careful, young one. Spice beer can go to your head before you know it.” He warned teasingly as he paused in his playing but Paul ignored him, taking a long drink.
“Play, Harry. Let's you and I at least have some peace...”
Harry chuckled. “Right. When the son of my beloved Duke orders me to relax, then I intend to do so.” He drained his own glass, not that it would do much for him, and poured another before going back to playing, picking a merrier tune this time.
“Is that how you really feel, Harry? About my father...? Beloved?”
Harry sighed and lowered the flute again. “If I didn't know better, I'd take those words for an accusation.” He warned. “Your Father is one of the best men I have known, a ruler who truly cares for every one of his people. That is a rare thing Paul, and something to be cherished. I would die to protect him, to protect you.”
“I've shamed myself doubting you Harry.” He looked away, unable to keep staring into the intense green eyes.
“No. It's we who should be ashamed. Men like me. Unable to turn this society away from its addiction to conspiracy and betrayal. Turning boys like you into men before their time...” Harry shook his head and they sat quietly together a moment until Paul slammed his mug down. Grabbing a cushion from one of the chairs he stuffed it under his shirt and jumped up on the ledge.
“Gentlemen and ladies... (I use the terms loosely, of course) ...” Paul’s words made Harry laugh before he began playing softly to accompany Paul’s act. “...I, Baron Harkonnen, in my infinite wisdom have decided that the great seal of our venerable house...that confused and ugly chimera, the Griffin...no longer adequately represents the ambition of our appetites.” He announced and Harry picked up the tempo. “Therefore, and henceforth, in conclusion
and forevermore, ergo and etcetera...our ample and royal person shall be symbolized by that more glorious and noble creature...the one I perspire each day to resemble...” Harry choked on a laugh, the note wavering. “From this day forward and throughout the
universe...we shall no longer be known as House Harkonnen. We shall be...House HOG!”
Paul staggered clumsily around the corridor. Legs sagging and buckling under his imagined tonnage...until suddenly...The music petered out. Paul slowed down, confused... until he saw Princess Irulan down the corridor, staring in amusement at Paul's performance.
“Now I know why they say your skill in a fight is exceeded only by your mastery of the flute, Harry Potter.” She smiled at the man who bowed and backed away, leaving the two younger ones alone. “Is it Atreides custom to abandon an honoured guest without even the courtesy of a lame excuse?”
“Forgive me, Highness.” Paul bowed, he had done the wrong thing and he knew it. For a moment, neither one spoke. She walked over to the table and poured herself a large cup from Harry's pitcher. “Careful. Spice beer can go to your head before you know it.”
“So, I've noticed.” She smirked, meaning him, before taking a long swallow. Sensing his stare, she turned back to him. “You expected someone more...delicate, perhaps?”
“Refined was the word I had mind, actually.”
“There's an ancient saying I've learned to trust: "Never judge a book by its cover.” She smirked at his disbelieving look. “We're not all that different, Paul Atreides...you and me.”
Paul's mood darkened at her words. “You don't know what you're talking about.”
“Oh, I've heard all about the moody Paul, the grim Paul. Angry and unhappy Paul, who's been exiled to Arrakis...where, poor boy, he'll one day inherit responsibility for the greatest treasure in the universe.” She answered lightly and yet slightly taunting as she moved away from the table, her gown making a soft sound as it moved across the polished floors. A gown of Butterflies didn’t really fit in on such a planet, it made her almost otherworldly.
Paul remembered his battlement talk with Harry so many months ago…of the talk of a possible match between them. Did her presence now mean it was an actual possibility? Or was it meant to lower their defences? “...and a never-ending struggle to defend it.” He chose to point out instead of mentioning his thoughts.
“We both suffer the solitude of our birthright.”
“Except tomorrow you'll return to the comfort of your palaces on Kaitain...”
“To the confinement of its perfect gardens and lonely apartments...” She interrupted.
“...to your servants and entourage...”
“...with their slavish flattery and cautious conversation...” Both were smiling slightly at the word game now.
“...as the heir to an Emperor...!” surely, he won with that!
“...who damns my mother for bearing daughters instead of sons...” She finished bitterly. Not even his second wife, chosen after her mother’s death, had managed to bear an heir and Irulan knew the woman wasn’t Bene Gesserit.
“You're mocking me.” He hissed and she shook her head, smiling coyly.
“No. I'm trying to interest you.” She knew the rumours too and if she had any say in it then yes, young Paul Atreides would one day sit the lion throne. Irulan moved closer to Paul who remained still. “Well...are you going to dance with me, or just stand there looking confused?” She asked softly as haunting flute music started up again nearby. She took his arms and he settled them on her hips as they began to move slowly. “I didn't want to come here, you know. Being an ornament of my father's diplomacy is not my idea of a good time. But you turned out to be more complicated than your reputation...” She paused, looking up at him. “And I like complicated.” She swayed against him and Paul stared down at her, finding her eyes riveting. But then he caught movement and broke off, seeing her Sardaukar body guards behind her. Irulan finally turned to see them, an exasperated sigh escaping her.
“We've been looking for you, Highness.”
“So, you've found me.”
“Have you been hurt?” The Captain demanded.
“Be still, Captain.” She snapped at him, angry their moment had been interrupted.
“The Princess has been under my protection...” Paul tried to calm things down and she rolled her eyes.
“Oh, please...” She muttered.
Harry seemed to melt out of the shadows, flute gone as he moved closer to Paul and her men tensed, recognising him and his reputation on the battlefield.
“Stand down, Captain...” Irulan snapped, seeing them tense.
“Harry….”
“I said stand down, Captain!” Tension was thick, one false move and it would end badly.
“It's late, Highness. The Shuttle awaits.” The Captain spoke, keeping a wary eye on the Atreides man, he was outnumbered yes but that meant nothing with this man.
“I'm not ready to go.” Irulan raised her head in defiance.
“Your father left strict orders…”
She turned to Paul. “You see?”
“Perhaps we should be the adults here. Set the example for our hot-tempered friends.” He offered quietly and she laughed briefly before touching his hand.
“You are more interesting than you appear, Paul Atreides. I hope this won't be our last encounter.” She curtsied slightly and he bowed to her. “My father will no doubt reward you for such mindless obedience, Captain....” And with that she swept away down the corridor, pausing only briefly to glance back at Paul.
And with that, she sweeps away down the corridor. Pausing only briefly to glance back at Paul.
Paul was clearly intrigued and bewildered by this brief "encounter" with Irulan, to Harry’s amusement. Paul picked up his glass of spice beer and took a long drink.
“You should return to the party Paul.” Harry clasped his shoulder. “Though, I think she likes you.” He teased and Paul blushed slightly before going back downstairs.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Harry slipped into the office, seeing the strangers, Fremen, and Duncan along with the Duke and Heir.
“Paul...see Duncan and our friends out.” Leto ordered and the group left. Once Leto was along Harry stepped forward, startling him. “If other Fremen match this Stilgar, we'll serve each other well.” Leto told him, guessing Harry hadn’t heard everything.
“You asked me to inquire about the shouting the other day. The words they were calling out at your shuttle.”
“Maaa...deee...something or other.”
“It means messiah. They have a legend here. A prophecy...that a leader will come to them from off-world...child of a Bene Gesserit, to guide them to true freedom.” He explained, he doubted it was a true prophecy, this world had no magic, more likely it was a planted one, probably by the Sisterhood.
“Paul? They think Paul could be this...messiah?” Leto looked out the window at the town.
“These are a simple people, milord. They survive on hope.” Harry offered. “The assassin has finally talked. From his ramblings, it appears Rabban was behind the attempt and I believe without permission from the Baron.”
“Why?”
“Everything so far points to a long game my lord, this attempt was…. rash, hurried, the move of someone with little patience. Something Rabban is known for, he lashes out at the slightest thing.”
“So, it would seem….” Leto leant against his desk, he was so tired of this.
“He did mention one other thing.” Harry moved to lean against the windowsill.
“And?”
“A traitor amongst the Household.”
“Confirmation of our suspicions or a ploy to drive us apart?”
“It could be either.”
“Who would you suspect?” Leto asked, he didn’t suspect Harry. Harry Potter had served his father and him for too long and far too loyally to ever move against them. Not even he knew the man’s origins, though he suspected he had noble blood in him and perhaps Bene Gesserit training. No, Harry would never endanger them, especially Paul. Leto had seen the two together many times over the years as Harry had moved from teacher to friend.
“Of the close Household? Dr Yueh or Thufir are the only two.”
“Why them? Surely Yueh’s Suk conditioning…”
“No form of conditioning is unbreakable Sir. With the right lever, he could be turned and his wife is still missing. As for Thufir… a Mentat is driven by logic and trained to ignore emotional ties. If betrayal became logical then yes, he may turn.”
“Duncan and Gurney?”
“Too driven by their love for you. And both are fiercely loyal to Paul as well. You would have to destroy a few planets to turn them against you.”
“And…Jessica?” He turned away from his… what was Harry in his Household? He held no real rank and yet all would obey him. He was teacher, friend, bodyguard….so many roles for one man.
Harry chuckled. “How could you doubt her? She was raised Bene Gesserit, to do anything the Sisterhood commands…and she betrayed all that out of love for you.” At Leto’s startled look he continued. “You didn’t know? They ordered her to have a daughter, to bring House Atreides and Harkonnen together through marriage. Instead she bore you a son, an heir and a way to ease your grief. She would kill or die to protect you and her son.”
“She never told me…how do you know?” he asked but harry just smirked and Leto shook his head, letting him keep his secrets.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
An ominous quiet pervaded the atmosphere as Leto wearily made his way along the dim passageways when he saw a figure on the ground several yards away. A cloaked woman… “Jessica!” He rushed to her, rolling her over but it wasn’t Jessica, it was Mapes.
“Traitor...guards’ dead...shields...the shields...” she gasped out and he gently removed the knife from her back, it didn’t matter, either way she would die. A look of sheer horror swept over her, she tried to speak but a death rattle escaped instead and her eyes glassed over.
An explosion rocked the Keep and Leto was almost thrown off his feet as Emergency Klaxons began wailing. Leto staggered to his feet but something stung him in the neck. He collapsed to the floor and managed to pull the dart free. Feet stepped out of the darkness and Leto strained to look up, his vision blurry. But he could vaguely make out a familiar form. “Yueh...?!!!”
The Suk doctor knelt down with tears in his eyes. “God forgive me. I had no choice.”
“Why....why...????” he whispered, unable to speak louder, his vision fading.
“Because I need to save my wife.”
Leto could only shake his head, unable to comprehend.
“We haven't much time. The Harkonnen will be in the palace soon...” And with that, he quickly took something from his pocket, a small pellet in the shape of a human tooth. “I am giving you the final revenge, milord. For this terrible thing, I have done to you and your family. You will have your revenge. I promise. Just remember...the tooth. The tooth, milord. When you have the Baron face to face.... remember the tooth!” And he inserted the pellet into Leto's mouth, replacing a tooth Leto had lost in a fight years before.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Jessica woke with a start, groggy, but she could hear something…. explosions! In the palace and outside. She scrambled from the bed. “LETO....PAUL......!!!!” she cried out as she staggered and then fell, staring at her legs as nothing moved. So, she began dragging herself to the door. First her right arm went slack and then the left as she crashed to the floor with a sickening thud. She’d been drugged…. how…she was Bene Gesserit…her milk…Yueh. “I can’t…. move….” Darkness finally claimed her.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Harry rolled out of bed, coming awake the instant the wards he’d set were tripped, after five months on the planet it seemed it was time for the third move. He flung out his magic and felt the oncoming army, far larger than anything their information said the Harkonnen could gather…. which meant someone else was helping them. He disregarded his uniform, slipping into black clothes and light armour, aiming for stealth as he belted on not only his knife and lasgun but sword and shield belt. Not that he could use the shield if anyone was using a lasgun, not unless he wanted the whole Keep to go up. He slipped from his room and through the halls as klaxons began wailing. He knew his job, get to Paul and get him to safety. For now, the wards were slowing the attackers but they wouldn’t hold those forces back indefinitely.
The Keep shock with an explosion, weaker than it would have been without his protections but still strong enough to rock the building. As soldiers began moving into the Keep, Harry killed those he came across, wishing his room was closer to Paul’s, that was a misstep he would not repeat. Apparating was out of the question, something about Arrakis affected magic negatively. It happened sometimes, usually on worlds where he really needed his full magical skill. He figured it was Death’s way of keeping him from getting too reliant on one skill set.
He slammed the door open, rolling into the room only to find it empty, swearing as he took off again, anger growing as he saw people he’d known for years and the scared locals all fighting the invading army. He slammed a soldier into the wall and yanked his shirt down…. Sardaukar. So, the Emperor had sent his killers to help despite sending Irulan as his envoy of love to the Duke. He quickly called a new friend, hoping the offer remained.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
“Shields, are down everywhere. Five legions are attacking Arrakeen. Two more bearing down on Carthag. Three at Arsunt...they knew precisely where to hit!” A soldier yelled at Thufir as he tried to direct the troops.
“THE DUKE! WHERE IS THE DUKE?”
“Not in quarters, sir. We can't find the Young Master either!”
A fury of emotions swept over Hawat. Rage. Despair.... “BASTARDS!!!!!!!!”
“Thufir!” Harry yelled, snapping him out of it. “Tuek will take any who can make it to him, get the men out! We’re not winning this here. Sardaukar are among the Harkonnen.”
“Retreat?”
“Live to fight another day.”
“The Duke!”
“I’m going after them. Move!”
“You heard him!” Thufir called out. He didn’t like it but Harry was right, they could do nothing if they were dead.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Baron Harkonnen stood at the window watching artillery fire pock-mark the mountains in the distance.
“What's left of them have retreated to the Shield Mountain caves. We'll finish them there.” A soldier reported.
“No prisoners.” He ordered and the soldier moved off to pass the word. They didn’t realise just how many had gotten out with the help of the smugglers and even locals, thanks to the work of Harry and Duncan in making friends. “As soon as the city is pacified, Piter,
remove the Sardaukar troops to our frigates. No trace of the Emperor's involvement here must ever be found.” When there was no answer he turned. “Piter...?”
DeVries was standing behind Jessica...bound and gagged. Piter has his face buried in her thick, luxuriant hair. “A pity she has to remain gagged. She has such a magnificent mouth...” She squirmed in the chair at his touch, unable to do anything.
“A pretty mouth with the sting of a scorpion.” He warned and then walked over. “We're well aware of your Bene Gesserit witchery, my dear.” He knew too well after what that bitch had done to him. She’d come to him wanting another child, she’d gotten what she deserved he just hadn’t realised what the witches could do even drugged. “Perhaps I should cut your vocal chords. Then Piter could have his way with you.” Jessica struggled against her bonds, but she was too drugged and tightly restrained. “But then again, perhaps not. No blood on
my hands. I have no idea what's happened to you. When I see the Emperor's wrinkled old bitch of a Truthsayer again, I suppose I'll just have to say......"dunno" And he started to laugh. Louder and louder...
DeVries signalled a nearby guard.... who immediately walked over and picked up Jessica. “Into the desert. Let the worms clean up the mess. The bodies must never be found.”
No one saw the guard on the ‘thopter fall without a sound only to be replaced.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The Duke was propped up at his desk, a glazed look in his eyes, clearly paralysed but alert. He could see the Baron across the room with DeVries and several other Harkonnen guards.
“...my half of the bargain, Baron. I promised you the Duke, and there he is...” Dr Yueh spat, clearly agitated.
“And a delicious sight it is, Doctor.”
“...now it's time for your half.”
“And... believe it or not...I'm a man of my word.” His smile was deadly.
“Where is she!? You promised we'd be reunited. You said you'd free her if I did what you asked.” Yueh demanded.
“Your wife is free, my good doctor. Completely free...” He floated across the room with his suspensors to a large draped object, yanking the velvet curtains away to reveal a glass sarcophagus with a beautiful woman within. “...free of her mortal coil...free of her physical cage. I freed her.”
Yueh approaches the sarcophagus, trembling, unable to compute the deviousness of what's just been done to him. It had all been for nothing…what had he done?
“I promised you'd be reunited.” The Baron nodded at Piter. DeVries stepped in behind Yueh and drove a dagger deep into his back. “And I'm a man of my word, as now you can
see.”
As Yueh sinks, he managed to point a cursing finger at the Baron. “You...think...you've defeated...me.” he gasped out before collapsing to the floor, dead.
“Never trust a traitor. Not even one you create.” The Baron chuckled and then turned back to Leto. “Well, my noble Duke, enjoying the show? I hope so. I've kept you alive so that you could witness every precious moment of your betrayal.”
“Paul...” Leto managed to whisper.
“The boy? Dunno. Left him to the desert. He and that gorgeous woman of yours. Had to pry Piter off her. But we couldn't have noble blood on our hands now, could we? The Emperor was quite insistent about that.” He smirked as a small groan escaped Leto at that. “Yes, your beloved Emperor. Just goes to show...never get more popular than the boss...unless you intend to sack him...” The Baron jerked away in mock horror and embarrassment. “Did I say that? How impolitic of me. I must be spending too much time with my idiot nephew, Rabban. Oh well, you won't tell, will you, dear man?”
“Perhaps we should get on with it, then...” Piter offered.
“Get on with it!? GET ON WITH IT!? This is KANLY, Piter! Vendetta! And I'm going to savour it! My family has hated the Atreides for generations. They've been the sand in our eye, the stink at our meals...these arrogant Atreides and their pompous honour...standing in our way...always standing in our way...” He was floating around the room in a mad trance now. “I want Leto to appreciate the beauty of what I've done to him. I want him to choke on the utter disgrace of his defeat...”
Leto strained to keep the Baron in focus, struggling to remember Yueh's last words to him. Straining to move his mouth!
“I want him to know that I, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, am the instrument of his
family's demise...the extinction of House Atreides...and the ascendance of House Harkonnen!!!”
“The tooth...” Leto croaked, interrupting the Barons reverie.
“What? What did he say?” he demanded. Leto's mouth was moving but no sound was coming out. “What's he saying, Piter?”
DeVries moved in on Leto who smiled. “The....tooth....” DeVries suddenly understood but it was too late as Leto cracked the tooth and a grey toxic vapour spewed from Leto’s mouth. DeVries staggered back. Coughing, gagging. The guards in the room began coughing.
“WHAT'S HAPPENING...!?” The Baron bellowed as DeVries collapsed. A guard twitched spastically and staggered for the door. “NOOOOO!!!!!!” He flew across the room, getting to the door first. He slammed it in the guard's face. The Baron pounded his hand against the palm-lock, sealing the room, leaning back against it and listening to the helpless pounding on the other side. And then he realized that he was still alive. He survived. He started laughing, a terrible, monstrous howl. “NEED YOU MORE PROOF OF WHAT HEAVEN'S CHOICE IS!? ATREIDES IS DEAD...WHILE HARKONNEN LIVES!”
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Jessica and Paul, bound by cabin straps, lay in the back of a ‘thopter, the two guards at the controls. Outside, 'thopters and ships flew past them toward the city. The distant fires played over Jessica's face as she saw Yueh's triangular tattoo scratched in the cabin roof. Yueh's sign, he’d left a satchel. So perhaps his betrayal wasn’t total.
“I'd like to have some fun before we kill her.” The guard not flying commented, gaze raking over her and Jessica used that, writhing suggestively. She could use this, buy Paul an opportunity.
“Of course, what did you think?” the one flying asked and there was something about that voice…. Jessica looked to Paul. But they both looked back at the sound of a pained grunt and the guard slumped, dead. The man flying pulled off the black helmet. “Are you hurt Paul?”
“HARRY!” Paul tried to sit up but he was still restrained.
“Of course. I’ll untie you once I find somewhere safe to land.” He flew as far as he dared and then aimed for some rocks. “Got to make it look like they crashed, hang on.” They dropped fast and then the ship hit the rocks, bouncing back up before skidding across the rough surface, scraping the bottom of the ‘thopter but they finally came to a stop and Harry got up, quickly moving to release them from their bonds. Paul came up and hugged him and Harry hugged back. “I’ve got you Paul.” He soothed before moving to release Jessica.
“Yueh must have prepared the ‘thopter.” She called as she pulled the pack free.
“Stillsuits, tent, compass...he planned for us to get away.” Paul agreed.
“Change quickly, we need to move. I sent a message to Duncan, hopefully he will be looking for us.” Harry ordered before leaving the ‘thopter. He looked out over the desert, the sun rising. They had lost this battle but he would not let them die.
TBC….
Should I cover what the miniseries does? Or just the first book/movie/episode of Dune?