𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒, dune [1] ( BEING RE-WRITTEN.. )

[ 05 ] A Child's History of Aitana

     "Mileena, beautiful Mileena! The children cherished her."
  - FROM "A CHILD'S HISTORY OF MUAD'DIB"
                     BY THE PRINCESS IRULAN

MILEENA GENTRY didn't expect herself to shed tears.

          Yet she did, she came to the realization of how connected she really was with Caladan. And to leave a planet she considered her home and dive into the unknown just didn't seem worth it anymore. However, it was far too late to rethink her decisions.

          "Lady Mileena." A servant accompanied by two guards stood at Mileena's door. Mileena whipped her head around, she finally placed the Gentry ring she held in hand on her finger. "Oliver, Ser Arzhel, Ser Frances." Mileena greeted.

         "They're ready for your bags, m'lady." Oliver spoke nervously in the presence of such strong men and woman. Mileena cocked her head to the right side of her bed. Guards grabbed multiple bags at a time.

         "Thank you, Ollie. Inform the Duke Elias that i'll be down soon." Mileena gave a smile, Oliver bowed and headed off.

         Mileena gripped her black velvet shawl tighter as a gust of wind came through her window. She turned around, the air was so cold, so pleasant. The girl leaned on the window cill and took in the beauty of her view. She was disappointed that she took the scenery for granted for so many years.

         Deers could be scene jumping out the pasture of the horses, the sun glistened on the lake in the meadow. More tears dripped, not ones of sadness—happiness. Happiness that she was even able to experience this dear planet. "Mileena." A cold voice called out roughly.

         She heard the footsteps but hoped he'd walk right past her room, she was wrong. Lucky for Mileena she wore no heavy makeup so you wouldn't be able to tell she was crying-minus her red nose. Mileena pulled her black dress sleeves over her hands and wiped her face.

        "The Duke awaits your presence." He informed, offered his arm. Mileena exhaled loudly before accepting the thin arm, he guided her to the others. The two's tension was stronger than ever as they were so close. Everyone surrounding the two could feel it.

        The families were in the main hall saying their farewells to servants and left behind guards. Children of guards handed Mileena dozens of bouquets. The princess's arms were more than full. "One more, Millie!" A elder servant pleaded. The families were about to head outside to the ship.

          Mileena looked down at her full arms then at Arzhel. The guard sighed before taking the flowers. "Mileena!" Duke Elias called out as his daughter jogged back to the castle.

        Mileena squat down to the little boy's level. He shielded himself behind the servant, extended his arms out and handed Mileena a plant in a pot. It was small, a baby. Something about it was more thoughtful than the others.

        "He asks you to take care of it. Plant it on the ground of Arrakis-in the hopes that it'll help the landscape be less bland." The servant didn't stutter. Mileena stood up, her heart melted slowly.  She was getting a serious feeling of deja vu. A serious reminder of when she landed on Caladan.

        Jolts were felt as the Gentry ships entered the Caladan atmosphere. Gentry soldiers felt fear and pain shoot through their hands as they gripped their swords with excruciating designs on the hilt.

        'One, two, three, four.' Princess Mileena Gentry counted the blood dripping from the hands of the soldiers. The rhythm kept her calm as the ship lost power slowly. Her guess was that Caladan didn't have as much satellites or technology as her homeworld Edel did.