Dune Book 2: Journey of The Old Ways

Chapter 7: The Coming Change

Sietch Tabar, the Fremen people gathered as a carriage was brought to their Sietch, the Fremen who carried the carriage, removes the head of it to reveal their Reverent Mother, Mother Ramallo.

The old Fremen stood up as Chani bows to her. Mother Ramallo looks out at the people and they bow to her. Jessica did the same as well. Her eyes landing on Jessica, Mother Ramallo held out her hand, Chani took it, stepping off the carriage, Mother Ramallo walks towards Jessica "So you are the one." she states.

Chani looks right her, "Jessica of the Weirding, our Reverend Mother, Ramallo." she introduces them. "Mapes said you were beautiful. She also said she pitied you." Mother Ramallo said to her. Jessica held a neutral face, "I need no one's pity." she informs her. But Mother Ramallo just looks at her "That remains to be seen." she states and walks past her, Jessica steps to the side and Mother Ramallo walks past her along with Chani.

~8~8~8~

Sitting at the table in Jessica's room, Mother Ramallo places her hands on the surface of the table, Jessica did the same and Mother Ramallo looks down at her hands. "There is much talk of you in the sietches, I hear the people speaking of the Muadi and Armeria pseudarmeria. I hear them shout the names Muad'Dib and Armeria pseuda." Mother Ramallo said to her.

Jessica just looks at her, "He is a natural leader as Armeria pseuda inspires others, like their father. The men admire their courage, Armeria inspires other women to take up arms." she informs her "It will take more than courage and inspiration to survive what's coming." she tells her then sat straight. "The children... they know **what it is that's happening here?" she asks her.

Jessica nods at her. "They are aware," she answers, Mother Ramallo nods at her. "You've exploited our legends well," she tells her. Jessica sighs, caught, but she leans back in her chair. "We had to survive," she informs her.

Mother Ramallo did the same, "And you may... for a while." she warns her, Jessica sighs as she looks down at her hands, "But remember this, the very legend that protects you, can also destroy you." she warns her and Jessica just looks at her.

~8~8~8~

People of the Sietch went about their days, Chani sat with the girls, preparing the foods, then the warriors finally arrives back to the Sietch, Chani's attention was caught and the girls she was sitting with teased her about a certain someone, making her blush at the thought, the villagers went to greet them.

Elizabeth removes her cap, letting her black hair fall out freely, Imre looks down at her, seeing her radiate beautifully. One of the Fremen walks up to Stilgar and informs him of the Reverend Mother's arrival. Paul looks out and saw Chani stand up and at him.

He couldn't help up smile back at her, but then his eyes flick to the carriage she was not too far from, the carriage got Elizabeth attention as well, she stops and then looks up at the stone terrace above them and out steps Reverend Mother Ramallo as she looks down at the Atreides children. Imre steps next to her and looks up at Reverend Mother. "Is that..." she asks him, he nods at her, "Reverend Mother Ramallo, the wisest of our Sietch. It's almost time if she's here," he states.

Elizabeth looks up at him, "Time for her to pass her title onto the next Reverend Mother to be." she states, he looks down at her and nods. Elizabeth shot a look at Chani and smiles at her, she raises her arm and waves at her. Chani waves back to Elizabeth.

~8~8~8~

Jessica sat in her room, sipping her water, then heard footsteps, she places the water down and stood up. Paul and Elizabeth walk into the room, wearing their Fremen clothing, their stillsuits and cloaks on their shoulders and they looked right at her.