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

[ 07 ] A Palace not fit for the Princess

"My father waited patiently for foreigners to die off, they never did. Some came out the shadows of the desert as new men, Fremen."
- FROM "IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE"
BY THE PRINCESS IRULAN

MILEENA FOUND Leto's choice of city genius.

He chose the city of Arrakeen, a small city, easily tamed. Mileena wished she could describe its beauty in some way other than politics, but if she were being honest she hated the looks of the place.

The Arrakeen palace looked the same no matter what corner you turned. Plus the bedroom chambers looked more like offices. Mileena walked the halls of the palace lonely, tracing her fingers through the cracks of the tan bricks.

She was ever so thankful for her veil as it protected her mouth from the never ending sand blowing her way. "It never ends does it?" Mileena questioned herself; this was the third chamber she had ventured to-another replica of the others.

The princess took a seat on the two steps in the doorway of the room. She rested her face in her palm. In her mind she saw the seas of Caladan and the grand castles of Edel. Edel. The Princess wondered how the planet was doing, last she heard the satellites were finally working.

"Lady Gentry?" A voice light as a feather questioned. Mileena could hear the quaking of the girl behind her, "Am I blocking your way?" Mileena stood up, smoothing her dress from hipbone to hipbone.

"No! Please make yourself at home." 'On the floor?' Mileena kept a straight face. "I was sent by Thufir Hawat. He said you'd be checking out the right side chambers." She gulped, "Which is weird because the chambers on the left side are usually preferred for housing."

Mileena came to a quick realization, she let out a scoff. Of course Hawat would leave her to run around like a chicken with her head cut off. For all Mileena knew under the radar the man could've cleared these chambers without even having his men check them out.

How could she miss that? Mileena cleared her throat in disgust at the man's action. "Well.." Mileena stared the girl up and down clueless of her name. She had honey brown hair, lightly tanned skin, and sapphire eyes.

"Chasity." The servant informed.

"Chasity. Of Latin derivation meaning 'Pure or innocent.'" The girl looked no older than thirteen. "Well, Chasity. What can I do for you?"

"I should be asking you that. After all, I am yours." Chasity squinted her eyebrows at the dullness of the all too great Bene Gesserit. "Right." Mileena realized Chasity would be no other than her lady in waiting.

"Will you be taking shelter here?" The youngling questioned. Mileena wanted to swallow her pride and go somewhere more comfortable but in the end it was stronger than her. "I will. My bags are in the main hall. I'll accompany you." Mileena placed a hand on the lower back of her new acquaintance.

Curious eyes of guards, villagers, and nobles followed her. Why on earth was she traveling to the right side of the Arrakeen palace with her bags? In truth Mileena couldn't answer the question herself.

To Mileena's surprise Chasity was a strong girl, able to carry the bags up the step without the help of the Princess.

"Just sit those down over there." Another suitcase of clothes was brought up Chasity. As her back was turned Mileena heard a knock at the door, "Chasity, if you're going to be my lady-" Mileena began a rant.

"You nearly left this behind." Paul stood at the door admiring the sight of green after seeing sands for miles. It was the plant the Gentry girl had been gifted, "Oh." Mileena dropped her hands to her hips walking towards Paul.

She cleared her throat, "Thank you." Mileena was quick to turn around thinking the young master was still despised her. On the other hand Paul couldn't bring himself to hold a grudge against Millie, it hurt himself more than her.

"You could plant it. By the palm trees." Paul recommended. Mileena looked out her window and squinted her eyes, she had a direct view of the palm trees. Outside beside the palm trees were many workers. "And flaunt our wealth? That's cruel to the villagers."

No matter how sacred the Palm Trees were claimed to be, Mileena thought they symbolized the fact Arrakis natives would never experience the green as the royals did. Royals had resources outside of Arrakis, all the Natives had was sand and sweat.

"They're sacred, Mileena. Besides, think of it as giving the villagers hope. If they see that a new tree has grown, they'll have our trust."

"But this was grown on Caladan. Until it shoots through the roof, it belongs here." She pointed to her nightstand on the other side of the bed. Paul shoved his hands in his pockets and nodded.

"So, you're housing here." Paul looked around. It wasn't as bad as the other dorms but it was still pretty awful. "It's far from the rest of us. Can you imagine a thirty minute walk just for breakfast?"

"Actually, I can. The Castle of Edel is twice as huge." Mileena bragged.

"Twice." Paul dragged the word. "Well-"

"Excuse me!" A voice squeaked as Paul blocked the doorway. Paul turned around, made curious eyes at the girl much smaller than both Mileena and Paul.

After placing the last of Mileena's bags down Chasity turned around. She realized the man she just used a disrespectful tone with was no other than the Young Master himself. "Young master- forgive me!"

"No need for apologies, I was just leaving." Paul looked back at Mileena, gave a nod.

Chasity caught her breath, her eyes flicker to Mileena. "You're turning red." Mileena pointed out.

stakedheart notes.
you guys are just seeing
this when in reality
i'm on Act Three.
• fun fact: Mileena
and Emelina are anagrams,
so are Elisabeth and Elias