"Dad?"

I stared at familiar man before me. His newly tanned skin and blue eyes made me question it, but seeing his face and meeting his eyes made me certain it was my father.

"Lia." He said, his eyes widening. His shoulders dropped and he rushed forward to engulf me in a hug. I wrapped my arms around my father and held him tightly as if he was going to slip from my grasp.

I felt like a child again, finding comfort and security in the arms of my father. I had felt so vulnerable for so long that I nearly forgot the feeling of paternal comfort.

I assumed my dad died back in the attack on House Atreides by House Harkonnen. I wasn't aware there had been any other survivors, nor did I have reason to think so. How could I? House Harkonnen invaded them completely. 

"How- how are you alive?" I stuttered, feeling pathetic from the waste of water that slipped down my cheeks. 

"It's going to take more than a few bombs and Sardaukar to kill Gurney Halleck." He joked with his head over my shoulder. "God, Lia. I didn't think I'd ever get to see you again."

My dad pulled away to cup my cheeks, his face twisting in both pain and relief as he admired the face of his only daughter. "You look so much older. Your eyes have gotten so blue."

"Yours too." I chuckled through my tears.

"How the hell did you get here?" He asked, gesturing to the Fremen world around us.

"My lady in waiting, Yuma. She was Fremen, she helped us find our way back to Arrakis." My eyes found Paul's who was watching patiently from the side as I reunited with my father. "Then we found Paul and joined his sietch."

My dad followed my gaze to Paul, suddenly remembering he was here. "Of course." He smiled, returning his eyes to me. But his eyes moved downwards to my more than obvious pregnant belly.

He stiffened and narrowed his eyes, making a face as though he didn't believe what he was seeing. "Ophelia, what... What's going on here?" His eyes flashed between me and my stomach. "What is this? Are you...?"

I sucked in a breath and pursed my lips awkwardly. "Oh, uh, I forgot to tell you that I'm pregnant."

He stared at me and I made sure to hold eye contact with him until he broke off, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're pregnant? What? How did this happen?"

I tensed awkwardly, my eyes flickering to Paul's for a quick moment. I'm sure my father knew exactly how these sort of things came about and I wasn't exactly tempted to explain the process to him.

He must have noticed Paul and I exchanged small looks because his eyes shifted to Paul. Paul straightened and raised his chin, swallowing. "Gurney..."

"Don't Gurney me," he said slowly, his eyes moving between the two of us as he put two and two together, "you don't mean..."

If our secret glances hadn't given anything away yet then our nervous behaviour obviously did. It all happened so fast. Gurney Halleck charged at Paul faster than I could see. I let out a scream of fear, but thankfully Paul was just as fast as my dad. He moved out of the way right before my dad managed to grab him, instead turning so that he was now on the other side of him.

"Can we talk about this?" Paul pleaded and raised his hands in defence, stepping backwards to create distance between the two of them.

"Talk?" He growled. "I'd rather see you dead for touching my daughter!"

My took another swing at Paul who tried to dodge him a second time, but was unsuccessful. His fist met his chest, the force sending Paul into the rock behind him. He toppled over as the wind had been knocked from him. My dad quickly grabbed his throat with two hands and raised him against the rock wall, choking him.

"How dare you!" He growled in Paul's face. Paul was moving manically, his arms and trying to pry the hands that were locked against his neck. Paul's eyes were wide in panic.

"Stop this!" I yelled and grabbed at my father's arm, though it did not seem to matter. I was not strong enough to move him.

Stepping back, my heart was beating like crazy. My eyes flashed between the two of them. Paul, who appeared to be turning blue to the lips, and my father who, though I loved dearly, I desired to restrain.

"He's your Duke!" I yelled at him angrily in a panic from a few feet away.

Suddenly remembering this information, he quickly released Paul who dropped from where my father held him against the rock. 

I moved forward to help him up. Paul brought his hands to his throat and coughed as he recovered from the momentary loss of oxygen.

"You're lucky I owe my life to your father," he spat angrily at my boyfriend who lay on the ground, "if it wasn't for my loyalty to House Atreides then you'd be dead right now."

Despite this, I could see the faint turning of Paul's lips which indicated he found this whole situation humours. Gurney Halleck did not scare him. After all, he was his Warmaster.

But my father's harsh expression cracked and I could see the smile he was hiding. He quickly caught me in a hug again. "I just can't believe I'm seeing you again. You're all grown up now and... I mean, a baby!" He pulled back just to give me a look of disbelief. "You're a woman now, Ophelia."

Unsure of how to respond, I settled on a nervous smile and ignored the fact he had just tried to kill my partner. I never thought I'd get the chance to tell my dad he was going to be a grandfather, so now I realize I never knew how I would explain to him the child was fathered by my childhood best friend. It relived me to see Paul was still standing and breathing, alive, upon my father's discovery.

We brought him back to meet the rest of the members of the sietch. My father adapted easily, having jumped professions frequently throughout his life. The rest of the Fremen seemed to love him as well, Stilgar in particular. He seemed to respect my father's mutual hatred for the Harkonnens.

"Have you been back to Arrakeen yet?" I asked him as we walked through the camp. Paul had left to find his mother and new sister.

My father shook his head no. "I only left the palace when I was certain the Duke was dead. I thought everyone was dead... I haven't been back since." 

I nodded sadly. "Me neither, not since I visited."

We continued in silence as people moved around us and went about their lives. It felt odd to have my dad here with me, I never knew I'd get to see him again. 

"What happened to that Harkonnen?" My dad asked, spitting out the last part. 

I sighed. "You'll be relieved to know that I left him, and I hope I never see him again." I shivered, remembering our last encounter. "He wasn't a good person."

"Good." My father grumbled in agreement. If it was any consolation, I was reassured knowing if my father had to pick between Feyd-Rautha and Paul, he would pick Paul every time.

We continued on our walk and I kept myself distracted as I admired the many other Fremen around us. I spotted a few of the children playing tag, running off into one of the other tents.

"Where did you say Paul had gone?" My dad asked.

"His mother just gave birth." I cheered happily. The image of Alia came to mind. "He went to go see the two of them."

For some reason my father stiffened at my side. "The Bene Gesserit?"

"Yes..." I answered slowly, my brows furrowing curiously. "The Lady Jessica. What is it?"

"You must bring me to her immediately." He demanded. 

"What?" I asked. "But why-"

"This is far beyond you and I," he stared at me intently, "even Paul. You must bring me to the Lady Jessica."

I nodded, slightly afraid of my fathers refined behaviour. I led the two of us through the camp and back to where I was just a few hours ago. I could hear the small chatter between Paul and his mother, I imagined they already knew we were on our way.

Paul stepped outside to meet my father and I as we reached the tent. He sent me a questioning look, but I could only shrug in response.

"I must speak with your mother."

Paul stared at him, his eyes moving to me. "Is everything alright?"

"This has to do with your father." Gurney responded sternly. "It is urgent that I speak with her."

"Gurney Halleck, is that you?"

Jessica's familiar figure appeared as she exited the tent to join us, Alia in her arms. Her and my father locked eyes, the two of them staring at each other in shock.

She then stepped forward, pulling my dad into hug. My father stiffened again at her touch before shyly returning the gesture.

"I believed you dead." She muttered, pulling away to make sure it was indeed Gurney Halleck.

"I believed the same of you." My father responded, eyeing her suspiciously.

"You say you have something urgent to discuss with my mother?" Paul asked him.

He nodded, facing Jessica. "We should speak in private."

Lady Jessica nodded quickly and looked away, turning to me to offer Alia. I accepted her into my arms, pressing the small child against my chest.

"Excuse us," Jessica nodded to Paul and I, her eyes lingering on her son, "I will return."

Paul and I exchanged worried looks while our parents entered the small tent. The two of us stepped away to offer them their privacy, but I couldn't help but wondering what that was all about.

"What do you think is the matter?" I asked him, rocking Alia in my arms. Her blue eyes were shut as she rest, enjoying the swaying of my body.

"I don't know." Paul frowned, his eyes resting on the tent a few feet away. 

"I'm sure they'll be alright." I told him.  "My father did say it had to do with the Duke Leto."

Paul nodded, finally taking his eyes off the tent. "Your dad, why was he acting so strange?" 

I gave him a look. "I'm not sure, but it makes sense. After all, he had presumed us to be dead."

Paul nodded but he didn't seem convinced. I brought my attention back to Alia. Her small cheeks were flushed from the heat, I wondered if she should been out in the sun.

But suddenly Paul was running back to the tent where our parents had entered only moments ago. 

"Paul!" I called and followed after him, trying not to shake the child in my arms.

I moved the curtain of the tent after Paul to see my father holding a knife to Jessica's throat. In turn, Paul pointed the tip of his crysknife at my dad.

"Let her go!" Paul yelled at him

"Paul, son," he stared at Paul with such intensity that it gave me goosebumps, "you deserve to know that truth. Your mother isn't the woman you believe her to be."

Lady Jessica seemed rather composed under his knife. She held herself upright, unmoving as to not accidentally cut herself.

"Dad, what are you doing?" I demanded, but he ignored me.

"Your mother betrayed House Atreides!" He exclaimed. "The Bene Gesserit witch is the one who killed your father!"

"You truly believe I'd kill my partner?" She asked him in a bitter tone.

"Don't lie to me." he growled and tightened his grip on her. Paul stepped closer, threatening the knife. "Everyone knows it was you. You and your witch coven, they told you to kill him!"

"Gurney," Paul said powerfully, "whatever you think my mother did, she didn't do it."

My father didn't seem to believe him. His attention was focused on the Lady Jessica. "She has you fooled, Paul. You must see through it!"

"You are a fool to think I'd ever kill Leto," Jessica whispered angrily. "I could make you release me, you know this, Gurney. Don't make me do it."

My father's eyes widened in fear. "Don't you dare use your witch powers on me! I'll kill you! Don't speak!"

"She's innocent!" Paul roared. "Who told you she killed me father?"

"Hawat!" My dad yelled. "Thufir Hawat is certain it was the Lady Jessica. You know a Mentat is never wrong!"

This information was puzzling. It was true, a Mentat knew everything. How could he say such a thing? Regardless, I knew Lady Jessica had not killed her lover. I truster her.

"I did not kill Leto," Jessica said calmly, "and I am telling you to unhand me." Gurney tensed at the sound of her voice, but he sensed there was no hidden power behind it. She did not use her Bene Gesserit abilities on him.

"Dr. Yueh was the traitor," Paul told him. "I don't know who told you it was my mother, but it was Dr. Yueh. I have proof."

"Proof?" My dad questioned with a ridiculous look. "What proof could you possibly have?" 

"He wrote me a letter," Paul spoke calmly, "explaining my mother's innocence. I can find it for you if only you let her go."

"Dad." I whimpered, shielding Alia from the sight of this. "Please."

His eyes moved between Paul and I as he decided what to think. "I don't believe you."

Paul raised his other hand and flashed his fist. "Do you believe me now?"

It was his father's ring. The Ducal ring. How Paul had gained possession of it I did not know, but it seemed to calm my father enough into sense.

"I want you to trust me, Gurney." Jessica said calmly. "We are old friends."

My father seemed uncertain still, but the ring seemed to serve as enough evidence for him to release Jessica. She stumbled forward, her hands moving to her neck. 

I breathed a sigh of relief. It was easy for me to forget that my father was more than my father. He was a decorated Warmaster, hopelessly devoted to Leto Atreides. His loyalty was understandable.

My father straightening, keeping his eyes trained on Jessica. "Show me the letter."

***

happy new years guys! how did you all celebrate? i was very hungover yesterday but my parents also chose that day to drive me back up to my uni, so now i'm back at school. today was also an extremely unproductive day. i woke up at 1pm, read for maybe 45 min, then fell back asleep until 5pm. i am now currently going to upload this and then sleep some more. my school gym isn't open until the 10th so i'm going to go spend 100$ for a new gym membership until them...... i have nothing better to do until school starts so i'm going to force myself to get my money's worth and work out at least twice a day

what are your thoughts on this chapter? what the heck is wrong with gurney lol? weird psycho

with love,
via <3