Contents
Chapter 35
Overview
Moneo delivers Leto’s warning: Duncan must end his attraction to Hwi. Provoked, Duncan publicly challenges Leto’s godhood, learning the Worm can dominate Leto.
Hwi secretly visits Duncan; they succumb to mutual desire. Afterward, Hwi vows to confess to Leto, insisting Leto’s larger plan outweighs personal love, leaving Duncan feeling trapped.
Summary
The chapter opens with a journal note about a mythic spice hoard and a living Muad’Dib, unsettling its author. In the Citadel mess, Moneo relays Leto’s message: Duncan’s attraction to Hwi must stop because Hwi is Leto’s intended. Duncan bristles, publicly questions absolute rule, and Moneo, terrified, blurts that “the Worm can dominate him,” then flees.
Anticipating repercussions, Duncan returns to his quarters, unsettled that nothing there could threaten Leto. He finds Hwi inside, having bypassed the Ixian palm-lock. Two guards who overheard the mess incident brought her, fearing for Duncan’s safety. Hwi admits she was told to reject him but insists they must speak about their mutual attraction.
Hwi explains she was bred and trained to woo the God Emperor, designed to please an Atreides, and that Leto considers this Duncan deeply Atreides. Despite the risk, their desire overcomes them and they make love. Their intimacy contrasts sharply with Leto’s limitations, which Hwi says he has confessed to her.
Afterward, they discuss consequences. Hwi rejects cynicism about love and refuses guarantees; she will cherish what they shared but warns it cannot be repeated. Duncan fears discovery, potential pregnancy, and Leto’s reprisal. Hwi resolves to tell Leto herself, asserting that harming Duncan would destroy her and that Leto will not do it.
Pressed on motives, Hwi insists Leto has larger plans and needs, which she believes are honest and good; she understands them through the “reagent” her makers instilled. Duncan refuses to face Leto, yet Hwi predicts he will. The scene ends with Duncan feeling like a hostage to both Hwi and Leto, while Hwi accepts the hardship of serving a god.
Who Appears
- Duncan IdahoGuard Commander; defies Leto’s edict, publicly challenges his godhood, and becomes Hwi’s lover, feeling trapped afterward.
- Hwi NoreeLeto’s intended and Ixian-crafted diplomat; visits Duncan, they make love; she vows to confess to Leto, citing his greater plan.
- MoneoLeto’s majordomo; delivers Leto’s warning to Duncan, reveals fear that the Worm can dominate Leto, then withdraws.
- Leto II (God Emperor)Absent but pivotal; his edict spurs conflict. Hwi claims he cannot share human intimacy and serves a larger design.
- Fish Speaker guardswomenTwo escort Hwi to Duncan after overhearing the mess incident, believing Duncan is in grave danger.