I looked around at the vast desert that surrounded us. I felt so insignificant being at the centre of an endless barren of land. Even through the dark I could make out the shape of the dunes running along the horizon with nothing but the dim moonlight to help me see. I looked over at my side where Jessica stood, Alia in her arms. Chani was at my other side, along with the other members of the sietch. 

We used small sheets to dress Alia in a miniature toga while Jessica wore her Bene Gesserit tunic. Alia had already grown so much in the span of a few days, but we weren't worried about her just yet. I looked down at my own robe which was a simple wrap-around covering. It wasn't much, but we made do with what we had.

Chani caught my eye and smiled. She raised her hand to tuck one of my stray hairs aside, her fingers brushing against Paul's water rings that had been braided into my hair. I whispered a thanks to my friend.

Our lives were still at risk and war was threatening us at every moment, but Paul insisted on a ceremony. I told him we couldn't risk ourselves for something so vain, but he argued there was no better time to do it. Anyone could die tomorrow. He was right so I relented.

Everything already felt magical as we stood waiting underneath the night sky. I stared at the air above us which was clear and full of stars. I never got the chance to admire the sky from Caladan or Arrakeen because of our sever light pollution so I had no idea that the stars could look this bright so far away from the city.

The sound of a small cry caught my attention. I would hear that sound from anywhere. My eyes traveled to a few ways away from where we stood and I could see my father holding my baby Leto in his arms, Stilgar beside him. The two of them accompanied Paul on either side as they moved in our direction across the sand.

It felt strange being out in the middle of the desert. Most of my time out here had been spent running for my life, but right now I felt nothing but peace. I was living in a new world with people whose friendship I valued and a family I didn't know I needed.

Paul wasn't in his Stillsuit either. Instead he was dressed in a variation of the traditional attire I've seen him wear back on Caladan, but this time with a Fremen touch. From across the open sand he caught my eye and flashed me with his signature smile. I couldn't help but blush.

I held his gaze and found myself melting all over. He looked so much older, more mature. He looked like a Duke. I was so distracted by my lover that I completely forgot the presence of our sietch standing behind me.

We all waited patiently for Paul to finally reach me. He extended his arms to take my hands in his while our family settled on either side of us. Squeezing my hand in reassurance, he leaned forward to press his forehead to mine.

"You look beautiful." He whispered. I looked up at him through my lashes and could have sworn I saw stars in his eyes. 

"So do you." I grinned and pulled away in time to nod at Stilgar who found his spot beside us.

"Paul Muad'Dib, Usul," Stilgar addressed Paul by his two names before turning to me, "Ophelia Halleck, Sayyadina. Tonight we gather in the open desert to bless your bond in the presence of the Maker. Your sietch and family are here to witness the strengthening of a Fremen connection."

I felt warm knowing I had my family nearby for support. I snuck a look at our son who was being cared for by my father just a few feet away. It was a strange sight to see solider Gurney Halleck cradling his grandchild, rocking back and forth to soothe the newborn. It was almost comical. The sight made me smile.

I had never seen my father cry, but watching him hold Leto for the first time was likely the closest I'd ever know. The morning after baby Leto's birth he was ecstatic to meet him and didn't leave his side for the first two days. I knew my father would protect my own just as he had done for me.

Alia on the other hand lay awake with wide eyes in her mother's arms, watching the ceremony. She was a strange baby who had yet to cry even after being a few days old. But Alia didn't need tears to communicate, instead she could show you wanted she wanted with the touch of her hand.

I brought my attention back to Stilgar as he held out two bracelets in his hand. Our bracelets. The Fremen didn't use anything that symbolized rings in marriage like we did, so I suggested mine and Paul's bracelets as the next best thing. 

"Both partners have pledged to devote themselves to each other to the fullest their person will allow." 

I slipped my bracelet onto my wrist as Paul did the same. I touched the rock and watched as Paul's glowed with familiar white light.

The sound of low melodic chanting filled the air. The Fremen women found their place amongst our large group of people and moved their bodies to the rhythm of their music, their arms finding a pattern of their own while their legs followed. It was customary for the unmarried women of the sietch to preform a wedding dance and chant. Chani told me her mother always said it was meant to represent the Coriolis desert storm. Together, the women moved in a hypnotizing fashion.

"Your bond has been blessed by the Shai-Hulud and survives through your son, Leto Atreides II. As Naib, I give you my approbation and the support of your sietch. May you live your lives together as the Maker has planned."

"Bi-lal kaifa." He finished.

The sietch murmured after Stilgar. "Bi-lal kaifa." 

I squeezed Paul's hand. "Bi-lal kaifa."

He smiled, his eyes softening before he responded with a few more words in Chakobsa. I didn't understand what he said, but I didn't have to. His eyes told me everything I needed to know.

He leaned down to meet me in a gentle kiss. I could hear the shouts of joy that erupted from our sietch in celebration of Paul an I. 

I thought of all the people who couldn't be here today. My heart yearned for Yuma, my best friend and soul sister. I had never had a friend other than Paul, but Yuma was my first. I never understood the true value of sisterhood until I didn't have it anymore. I promised to carry her with me in every future relationship, fight, child, conflict, and friendship. Her memory wouldn't fade so long as I remembered. 

I also wondered what the late Duke would have said if he was here right now. Not because his son was marrying, but because his son was happy. Truly, completely happy. I was sure Paul wondered the same thing.

Despite this, I was still grateful that the both of us were able to have a parent here. I pulled away from Paul to greet Jessica in a hug that made me feel truly accepted as not just her son's partner, but as a daughter. The daughter I always was to her.

My dad was quick to pulled me into his arms as well, though gentle enough as to not hurt Leto.

"You look beautiful." He told me with strained eyes, his one hand cupping my cheek. "You really are grown up now."

I couldn't help but pout and cover his hand with mine. "I'll always be your little girl."

He nodded and closed his eyes. "I know, I know... You might be a lost cause but at least I can still save this little on from corruption." He lightly poked Leto's nose.

I threw my head back and laughed while trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. "I'm sure Leto will do wonderfully under you guidance. Just like I did."

I exchanged another look with my father before taking my son from his arms. I felt a wave of relief holding Leto, knowing I was now in control of my son's safety. Every time I parted with him I felt a small rush of adrenaline that itched to grab my baby back. I wondered if that would ever go away as he got older.

I rocked baby Leto to the sound of the Fremen chants. I felt the sliding of two arms behind my back wrap me in a hug. Paul pressed his nose into the crook of my neck, leaving a kiss.

"You look so handsome little man," Paul brushed his finger against Leto's cheek, making him squirm, "not as pretty as your mommy though."

Paul pressed a kiss to the side of my face. I grinned, turning back around to face him. I realized his messy brown curls had somehow grown longer and now did a good job of blocking his eyes from view. He kept having to shake his head to sweep them to the side.

I became aware of my posture as Paul's hungry eyes swept me up and down before placing his hands on my waist to pull me closer. "Can't believe I'm the lucky guy that you're stuck with."

I stuck out my tongue. "It'll be a pretty long forever."

He pulled my closer and hugged me from the side to make space for Leto in my arms. The both of us stared down at the small child who stared us with his innocent eyes.

I let my head rest on Paul's shoulder and watched him speak gibberish to our son. My heart was full and my family was complete. I loved Paul when we were children on Caladan, and I loved Paul now as he coddled the child we shared together.

I knew chaos was expecting us the minute we returned to reality. Love and marriage was nothing in the face of imminent destruction which would be the matter at hand tomorrow. But the threats of war and death would always be there when we came down from this high, so I held on to Paul just a little longer. The chaos could wait.

***

there isn't much info on fremen weddings, so i kinda tried to add family into it as well where the bride's family give the groom away to her (idk lmfaoo) but yeah that happened

also idk what is meant to happen to their stillsuits or why they're allowed to be in the open desert (idk if this is worm territory or not. maybe they set off thumpers? who knows) i'm just loosely trying to follow the dune wiki but there's not much to go off of so don't come for me lol

i'm in another lockdown again indefinitely and its already getting to me. its concerning because one, i want to go out and do stuff, specifically the gym and two, i work at the gym LOL so while we are in lockdown i have no job... anyway i'll probably walk to campus for school tomorrow (because my break is now over, blah) because i have GOT to get out of this stupid house. are you guys still in lockdown? what are covid precautions in your part of the world?

as always let me know how you feel about this chapter! things are very calm at the moment, but ofc i've got to spice things up real quick. nothing good lasts forever unfortunately 

with love,
via <3