Dreams are messages from the deep|| Paul Atreides

A boy, around 15 years old, lay asleep in a bed, his upper body uncovered. His chocolate-brown, slightly longer, curly hair fell messily across his face. His eyes were closed, his expression peaceful, as he dreamt. In his dream, the endless sands of the desert planet Arrakis stretched before him.

Two girls appeared in his vision. One stood taller, with slightly dark skin and the signature bright blue eyes of the Fremen. Her brown hair fell loosely around her shoulders, unfamiliar to him. But the other girl, standing beside her, was someone he knew well—Aurora, his best friend.

Aurora's dirty blonde hair framed her face in soft curls, and her light blue eyes, unlike the Fremen's, did not glow. She smiled gently, her hand reaching out toward Paul. "Paul," she called, her voice soft yet grounded, like she had always been for him. But before he could take her hand, the dream dissolved as quickly as it had formed.

His breath quickened, and he awoke suddenly, disoriented. His green eyes scanned his dimly lit room as the gentle glow from a lamp floated closer, casting soft light over him.

Far from Paul's room, Aurora stood alone on the rocky landscape of Caladan. At 15, she had grown into a young woman, yet something about her was still wild and untamed, like the land itself. Her beige dress, layered with a black, laced coat, fluttered slightly in the wind. Her light brown hair cascaded down her back, save for a large braid that encircled her head like a crown. Smaller braids interspersed her hair, adorned with flowers she had picked herself that morning.

She stood, mesmerized by the view of the sea. The horizon glowed with hues of red and yellow as the sun rose, reflecting off the water. She inhaled deeply, feeling the wind and the salty air. This was her home. The idea of leaving Caladan, the place where she'd grown up, tugged at her heart. Soon, she would depart with House Atreides for the harsh world of Arrakis, and she feared she would never feel this deep connection with any other place.

But there was Paul. She had never known her family. Paul had found her, a young child, wandering the forests of Caladan. The Atreides family took her in when no trace of her parents could be found. From that moment on, she and Paul had been inseparable. They were more than friends, though neither of them had yet found the words to express the feelings stirring within them.

At breakfast, a middle-aged woman, Lady Jessica, sat at the head of the table. Plates of food lay in front of her, though she only glanced at them before returning to her own thoughts. The door opened, and a sleepy Paul entered.

"Good morning, Paul," Jessica said, her tone warm but controlled.

"Good morning, mother," Paul replied hoarsely, taking a seat to her left. His steps were quiet, his movements still sluggish from sleep.

Jessica watched him for a moment. "It's good that you're up early," she said. "Do you know where Aurora is?"

"No, but I'm sure she'll be here soon," Paul answered, looking around.

"Your father wants you in full dress before the Emperor's Herald arrives. Make sure to tell Aurora," Jessica added.

"Full dress? Military?" Paul asked, displeasure flickering in his voice.

"Ceremonial," Jessica corrected.

Paul sighed. "Why go through all this when the decision's already made?" he muttered.

Jessica's gaze was firm but not unkind. "Ceremony," she replied simply.

Before Paul could say more, the door swung open, and Aurora hurried in, breathless.

"I'm sorry I'm late!" she said quickly, a slight flush on her cheeks. "The sunrise distracted me... again." She smiled sheepishly, her blue eyes flicking to Paul, clearly amused by her own tardiness.