To Belong ✰ ✰ ✰ Paul Atreides (ON HOLD)

four

Days have passed, and Paul and I have been growing closer. We spend most of our time together when Paul is not training with Gurney. Some nights I still find myself walking towards Paul's room, and when morning comes, I wake up with his arms wrapped around me. This morning is no different.

I stir in the bed and wake up drenched in sweat, breathing heavily and with my heart racing inside my chest. I quickly sit up on the bed, and Paul does the same.

"Hey, hey! You are here with me. You are safe. Nobody is ever going to hurt you," Paul assures me, running his hand through my hair. "Did you have that nightmare again?" he asks.

I cannot speak so I simply just nod. Recently, I have been having nightmares, dreams, premonitions. In my dreams I see a holy war unfolding right before my eyes. I see people dead at my feet. I see the universe as we know it changing in an instant, and there is nothing I can do to stop it from happening.

"They are just dreams, they cannot hurt you," Paul tries to assure me, but he does not have any luck.

"Paul, something is going to happen," I manage to say between heavy breaths. "Something big is going to happen and we cannot do anything. I see it... I see a holy war. I see the Golden Lion Throne belonging to somebody else. I see my father doing a wrong he cannot right."

Paul takes a second and looks at me, taking my words in. He knows about certain abilities I have been displaying. I keep no secrets from Paul. I have come clean about the true reason I have been sent to Caladan. He was mad in the beginning, but not at me, but at the Sisterhood.

"Even if it will, I will always be here to protect you. You have my word," Paul tells me. "Now come on, let us lie back down. It is not even morning yet. We have a long day ahead of us and you need your rest."

I carefully lie back down, putting my head on Paul's chest as he keeps on running his hand through my hair in order to calm me down. I fall back asleep, the sound of waves and Paul's hand running through my hair helping soothe me.

When I wake up once more, the sun shines through the window. I turn around and see Paul laying wide awake, looking at me.

"Were you staring at me as I was sleeping?" I let out a small, tired laugh.

"Couldn't fall back asleep," Paul explains.

"I'm so sorry I woke you up," I sigh, putting my hand on his chest. "I should head back to my room," I point out, trying to get out of bed, but Paul does not let me. "Paul, let me go. I have to get going. I must be dressed and ready for breakfast for your mother soon," I laugh.

"My mother will understand if you are a couple of minutes late," he tells me.

"I don't want to anger your mother, Paul," I object.

Paul sighs and unwraps his arms from my body. I pull the duvet away from me and get out of bed. I put my slippers on and walk towards the window to examine the weather outside. Clouds are gathering in the sky, a sign that today is going to be raining. I turn around and see that Paul has gotten out of bed and is walking towards me.

"I must confess something to you," Paul sighs as he walks up to me.

His words make me worried. Once he is in front of me, I raise my hand and run it through his curls. "You can tell me anything," I say.

"I've been having dreams," Paul admits.

"What kind of dreams?" I inquire.

Paul looks over my shoulder and out on the windows, then looks back at me. His face dotes a worried look. "I've been dreaming desserts."

"Desserts?" I ask, still not understanding what his dream could mean.

"The desserts on Arrakis," he adds. "I've been having these dreams for a week now."

I look at him with a certain shock. Why would Paul dream of Arrakis I have no idea. Arrakis is the planet which is under Harkonnen stewardship currently and is the only planet on which the spice mélange can be harvested. Why would such a place cloud Paul's dreams?

"I will find a possible significance to these dreams," I say, caressing his cheek. "But for now these dreams shall remain between us. Let's not worry your mother," I add.

Paul nods his head, and I smile at him, as if assuring him that everything is going to be alright.

I leave Paul's room and walk towards mine which is down the corridor from his. I enter my room, quickly change my clothes and make my way to the breakfast area where Lady Jessica is probably already waiting for me.

"Good morning," I greet Paul's mother as I take a seat at the table. "Is it just going to be the two of us this morning?" I ask.

"Good morning, Chalice," she greets back. "Leto said he'll be joining us for breakfast, said he has some announcement to make. Paul should be on his way soon, too," she explains.

I simply nod my head before pouring some water in my glass. We sit in peace as we wait for Duke Leto and Paul to come for breakfast. The two Atreides come at the same time. Paul takes his usual seat next to me and his father, while Duke Leto sits next to Lady Jessica.

"Good morning, everyone," Duke Leto greets us.

"Good morning, mother, father," Paul says.

We begin to eat our breakfast, no words being exchanged between any of us. I watch as Paul looks at his father and mother, as if attempting to decipher what was going on.

Once we finish eating, some servants come and take away the empty plates. Duke Leto looks at all of us.

"I have received news from the Spacing Guild," Duke Leto sighs.

"What is it?" Paul asks his father.

"House Atreides shall receive stewardship over Arrakis," the older Atreides confesses. "We have been given three months to get our affairs in order here before the departure," he adds.

"What?" I ask, shocked. "Who decided this?"

"Your father," Duke Leto replies to me, looking at me with a saddened look. "Chalice, you have a choice, either you come to Arrakis with us, or you go to Kaitain," he then explains.

Paul looks at me, assuring me that whatever decision I am to make, he will support me no matter what. I take his hand into mine, smiling at him, before looking at Duke Leto.

"I shall go wherever all of you go," I express. "This is my family, all of you are my home and I shall never abandon you," I add. "So, if we shall all burn in hell, we better do it together, as a family."

Lady Jessica nods her head, smiling at my words. Duke Leto looks at his concubine, happy that his son has somebody who cares for him and who shall forever stand by his side. Paul looks at me in disbelief for a few moments before smiling, too.

"Welcome to the family, daughter," Lady Jessica tells me, motherly. "May you and Paul forever find a home in one another."