Disclaimer: Dune books and related characters were created by Frank Herbert

A Different Path

By Eugena

Rated: T

During Dune, Paul has a vision of a different future

Chapter One: Drifting on the Wind

He had never been here before. At least, not yet. He was finally back on Caladan, but this place was different—not his Caladan. He stood at a cliff's edge, breathing in the salty air he had longed to taste again.

A long white silk scarf drifted in the wind. He caught it quickly. A young woman giggled with glee behind him. As he turned around and saw the woman, a strange sense of familiarity hit him. She was tall, with fiery red hair. She smiled at him in a familiar Atreides way. In her smile, he could see the familiar bone structure of the Atreides.

"Thank goodness you found it," the woman said at last.

He walked toward her slowly, holding the scarf out to her.

"Duncan will be very happy," she said.

"Duncan?"

"Yes, Duncan Idaho. Now I won't have to send him after the scarf."

"I never knew him to be one to chase after scarves."

She smiled at him, taking the scarf from him and draping it around her neck. "He'd hate for me to lose it."

"What is it? What is it really?"

"Must you always see signs in every vision, brother?" she asked. "This is a scarf. A symbol of our love. Duncan can never marry me, for I am a Duke's daughter. In a few months I will have to marry Feyd of House Harkonnen. Mother assures me it will end the feud. Even the Sisterhood foretold it."

He reached out to touch her face. "So real," he murmured.

"Of course it is real," she said, "this is a possible future, Paul. This could be a way to bring peace to House Atreides."

"Siding with the Harkonnen won't bring use peace," he objected. "I wouldn't force you to do this."

"Of course you wouldn't, and that's what I love about you, Paul, but you're only eight in my time."

"I'd still protect you."

"I'm pregnant, Paul. How can you protect me from that? I'd have to marry someone for my honor."

"Surely there is someone other than Feyd?"

"Only Rabban, but that would be worse."

"Duncan?"

"You know how politics work, Paul. No one must ever know he is the father. The Sisterhood is watching my son's life close enough."

"Your son?"

"Yes. Our first child will be a son."