^THE CANNIBAL^

128 A.C
!TW: violence, murder!

AESTRA HAS NEVER FOUND herself bonding with a dragon, all her life she was told by Alicent and many more that she will never claim a dragon one reason that people could believe she was a bastard which indeed she was but all those years this secret was kept away from her. She always thought that king Viserys and queen Alicent were her parents but with the time passing she knew deep in her soul that she was lying to herself if she accept that thought.

The queen always scolded Aestra for the reason that Aemond didn't claim any dragon like Helaena and Aegon, but after Laena's death he managed to claim Vhagar the Queen of all Dragons, an event that closed many mouths about the doubt they had for the prince, but for Aestra the questions still remained.

She thought that if Aemond succesed in claiming a dragon she will be as well. She had heard about rare and mysterious creatures as the ice dragons and how few Targaryens claimed them, she found herself dreaming of one, their beautiful light blue scales, eyes of pale blue crystal, vast transculent wings and breath of cold.

"Iksan otāpagon hen iā brōzi syt ao, valītsos" (I am thinking of a name for you, boy) said Aestra as she was lying on the parky grass with her hands on her tummy staring a the morning blue sky. The dragon sniffed turning his head towards her as he was lying as well beside her looking at her in question.

"Skoros? kostan daor brōzagon ao Sheep Stealer" (What? I can not call you Sheep Stealer) spoke Aestra raising up on her feet moving closer to the dragon and placing her hand on his snout caressing it gently as he closed his eyes moving closer to her puffing softly as Aestra put on a smile at the sight of her bond with him.
"Skorkydoso nūmāzma Aerwon?" (How about Aerwon?) uttered Aestra cocking her head to the side as the dragon opened his eyes staring into the princess ones as a pleased growl escaped his muzzle, Aestra smiling widely. She loved of the way her dragon reacted when she proposed that name, it was an honorable choice because she had chosen the name that was close enough to her mother's.

It privileged the woman, even if nobody ever had the chance to meet her mother and many will be surprised to hear Aestra call the dragon like that it won't matter because it was special for her and it was enough.

"Nyke ūndegon ao lanta issi biare hēnkirī" (I see you two are happy together) uttered Daemon standing a few feet away from Aestra and Aerwon but close enough to be heard.

"Kessa īlon issi" (Yes we are) responded Aestra turning her head at Daemon giving him an innocent smile, Aerwon started growling silently but Aestra caressed his snout whispering "Lykirī, ziry's sepār kepa" (Calm, it's just father) as the creature peaced a bit but little grumbles could be heard coming from him as he examined vigilant the rogue prince who made a step forward trying to be closer to his daughter.

"I am glad that you found your dragon" spoke Daemon smilling at his daughter
who still had her eyes laid on the large creature.
"I've just gave him a name" said Aestra turning again to her father with her hands on the dragon's snout caressing it gently.

"Aerwon" continued Aestra giving her father a quick glance then looking back to her dragon scared of what he would say. Daemon was speechless for a moment, he looked like all that happened seven and ten years ago was flying right in front of his eyes just like the wind.

"I know that maybe you don't-" started Aestra with a sigh with her eyes still not looking at him. "I love the name" said Daemon interrupting the girl who quickly turned to her father her eyes becoming a bit teary and a little smile formed on her face as he returned the gesture.

"So... how is your training going?" asked Daemon breaking the sad tension between them as Aestra wipped away the tiny tear that started flowing down her cheek.

"Training? Ah... right..." uttered Aestra putting her hands behind her back trying to hide the little smirk on her face.

"Yes... the sword training. I am not usually coming to witness how do you fight because I am helping Rhaenyra with what she tells me but I asked Jace everytime and he says you're amazing" quoted Daemon with furrowed eyebrows thinking of one motive that can make Aestra act in that way when he asks about improvment.

"Really? Happy to hear" mumbled Aestra trying to hide her laughter as she felt her cheeks heat and her heart beating faster than ever.

Aestra and Jace made an agreement for when they had lessons, everytime Aestra won meaning that she hit him three times without being hit back Jace would give her a prize whatever she desired but when Jace won which happened rarely because he loved to lose, Aestra would have to confess something she liked about him. They weren't always alone, it was sometimes Luke trained with them and they had to be carefull if someone could come out of the castel and see the prince and the princess on top of each other. Jace insisted on telling Daemon and Rhaenyra about their relationship saying that if Baela had already no problem with them it shouldn't be kept a secret. Aestra was scared because of what would Rhaenyra think of her, she took Aestra under her wing on Dragonstone rescuing her from the horrors from the Red Keep and she just ruined her alliance with princess Rhaenys Targaryen in return, a nice way to thank someone.

"Well, he said you should practice on your offence but I think you'll be a great fighter" continued Daemon not realising that his daughter didn't hear a think of what he was implying.
"Sure father" nodded Aestra as she looked back at Aerwon one more time who was now already asleep.

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"So... I gathered you all here today for what exactly?" asked Rhaena walking side by side in the huge library as her brothers and sister were listening patiently.

"Tomorrow is Es's nameday!" exclaimed Joffrey with a wide smile tugging at his lips.
"Well done, Joff. One point to you" spotted Rhaena clapping her hands at Joffrey who was already jumping up and down feeling overjoyed.

"How do you even know that?" asked Luke looking at his little brother with a shocked face.
"I just do" spoke Joffrey back lifting his head up with a superior attitude.
"Boys!" shouted Rhaena just to make the two turn at her quicker than ever.

"As I was about to say that we must make Es a surprise. She is a special friend, our sister and not just that" continued Rhaena with a little smirk on her face turning to Jace who almost chocked himself hearing those words.

"What were you thinking about, sister?" asked Baela hidding her laugh at the sight of Jace feeling so embarrassed and blush.
"How about a ball? She deserves something unique" proposed Rhaena wishing to offer to her sister the attention she was worthy of.

"Isn't that too much for Es?" asked Luke knowing that Aestra doesn't like big parties and balls, she is the type of a "smaller area" of people.
"I agree with Luke. Can't there be a much narrow soiree?" spoke Jace taking Luke's part being aware of how Aestra would react in there was a huge and fancy ball to be organized for her with plenty of finicky lords and ladies.

"Fine! A family ball then! Just the memebers of our family shall be invited. Happy?" said Rhaena crossing her arms and sighing because she won't have the chance to be the host of her sister's nameday party.

"Is going to be cake?" asked Joffrey lifting his head and letting go of his dragon toy.
"Yes, Joff" responded Jace smilling at his little brother who started giggling and clapping his hands.

"Strawberry is Es's favourite flavour if I'm not mistaken" said Baela looking at her siblings who all agreed with her proposal.

The library door opened letting a relieved Rhaenyra inside walking with her hand on her little belly and a tiny smile on her face as everyone turned their gaze at the woman.
"I've been searching for you in the whole castle, you've not come to breakfast" spoke Rhaenyra with a parental voice being a little upset that her children scared the hells out of her.

"Apologize mother" mumbled Jace tilting his head being sorry for not announcing his mother what were they doing.
"We're preparing a ball for Es! With strawberry cake!" exclaimed Joffrey lifting from his blanket and running to his mother to embrace her tightly.

"Wow! Really? That is so lovely of you" said Rhaenyra caressing his littlest boy fluffy hair and giving everyone a sweet smile.

"It's suppose to be a surprise, Joff" sighed Luke crossing his arms looking bothered by the way Joffrey had just spoiled the entire plan to their mother.

"Calm down, Luke. She won't find out" uttered Rhaena gazing at Lucerys to not be mad reassuring him that all this is a perfect hidden secret.

"It's just a family ball after all, with people she loves the most" specified Baela ensuring Rhaenyra of their idea about Aestra's nameday celebration.

"I'm certain she'll adore it" smiled Rhaenyra at her children being proud of the grown-ups they've become and the way they cared about her cousin who's gone through so much alone all those years and she totally deserved more joy in her life.

"And... I'll make sure she won't know anything" laughed Rhaenyra leaning down to Joffrey and catching his cheek with her fingers as he let out a giggle.

"Thank you,mother" nodded Jace putting on a soft smile at the sight of how happy his family was and now that Es was here he was more than pleased.

"She hasn't woken up yet so you can all go on with your preparations while me and Joff are having breakfast" said Rhaenyra smilling at her youngest taking ahold of his little hand.
"But-" protested Joffrey looking up at his mother with an upset smacker.
"No buts. Ilya has made pigeon pie, your favourite. Now come along" Rhaenyra spoke interrupting the child as she dragged him out of the library leaving them with their plans.

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It had nearly passed the morning, the bright sunrises were breaching through the window as a ray softly touched Aestra's cheek making her hide more in the pillows as a tired groan escaped her mouth.

"Princess?" a voice said knocking on the door making Aestra open her eyes trying to erase the blurry in her sight.
"Y-yes?" mumbled Aestra raising on her butt still half-asleep trying her hardest to see clearly.

"May I come in, your grace? It's Rose, your headmainden" spoke the girl as Aestra got out of the bed still in her white night gown and her long silver locks ruffled.

"Sure" responded Aestra walking to do door but Rose was already in appearing very stressed and frightened. She was a new maiden in the castel two years older than Aestra and with a sick mother at home along with her father who passed away when she was just ten moons of age.

"Rose? Is everything alright?" asked Aestra looking concerned at the girl who was shaking her hands and trembling her lips.
"Your grace..." began Rose trying not to burst into tears as she was staring down at the floor.

"My mother wants to wed me to some old man whose wife has passed away recently and..." continued Rose as a tear was running down her cheek still not looking at Aestra who was a little shock hearing such words.
"She says that I must stop working here at the palace" breath out the words like she kept them inside for so long leaving gasps and sobs take advantage of her whole.

"Rose..." spoke Aestra embracing her tightly letting her cry in her shoulder as she was caressing her blond curly hair. Aestra cared for Rose, she was the first one to show the princess how life was here, she was kind and loyal to her something that Aestra wasn't acquainted to since the way she was treated in The Red Keep had made her question if there existed people who would treat her the right way. In some weird way Rose reminded her of Helaena who she missed dearly even if it had passed just three months since she had left it felt like eternity.

"I am so sorry that I have to do this on your nameday" Rose sobbed violently making Aestra remember that tomorrow she is going to be seven and ten years which is an important age in Westeros, the age when is expected of her to have a husband, children, to become a woman.

"It is not your fault, Rose. Believe me, I understand you better than anyone" spoke Aestra caressing a few hair from Rose's wet face placing her hand on the girl's cheek.
"I do not think my mother would listen to me like the queen did with you, your grace" said Rose calming a little before she made her way to tidy the princess's bed.

"Not if I'm going with you" uttered changing her clothes Aestra from behind the cover.
"Your grace-" started Rose finishing Aestra's bedding. "No Rose. I want to help you. You deserve better" said Aestra coming from behind the cover dressed up with silk brown pants, pale blue blouse and a fluffy grey jacket matching her tiny boots.

"Can I ask you something?" asked Rose holding the sheets tightly in her hands looking scared at Aestra who rose her eyebrow wondering why was the girl so frightened again.
"Of course" spoke Aestra with a soft voice giving the maiden a smile while she was knitting her hair in a long braid.

"When... when was the last time you've bleed? Your grace hasn't bleed not a single day since you've arrived in here" said Rose with her lower lip trembeling as Aestra felt she couldn't breath for a moment.
"Shall I call the maester?" asked Rose putting a palm on Aestra's shoulder breaking the shock from her mind.
"No!" shouted Aestra making Rose back off a few steps. "I-I'll... be outside in a few moments then... then we'll go to talk to your mother" continued Aestra giving Rose a weak smile hiding her fear in her words.
"As you wish, your grace" nodded Rose bowing before she got out from the dorm.

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Aestra had never gone to the village not in The Red Keep and not on Dragonstone so it was fascinating to visit it to see how people work everyday to win their food and how they helped each other.
"Be careful at the floor, your grace. It has few holes in it" whispered Rose as they approached her house, a small building in the center of the village.
"Wait here" spoke Aestra to the two knights who accompanied the girls in their travel.

"Mother?" said Rose putting aside a cloth from the enter in her house.
"Rose!" exclaimed a tiny fatty woman running to her daughter and wrapping her hands around her making Aestra smile at the sight of the two.

Turning her head Rose's mom shivered a little seeing another girl with her daughter.
"Mom, this is..." began Rose but her mother was already on her knees "Princess" cried the woman with a scared voice afraid of the reason the princess came here.
"There is not need to do these" spoke Aestra bowing down at the woman and lifting her up before she taking down her yellow hood.

"I'm sorry for scaring you" said Aestra as they sat down at the wooden small table.
"It's just that Rose doesn't usually brings guests at home especially a princess" uttered the woman looking at her daughter who blushed a little as Aestra smile under her breath.

"The reason I came here is because I want to talk about your daughter" spoke Aestra giving Rose a soft smile while the woman began to feel afraid of what the princess would say.
"Rose is one of the best maidens in the entire castel, she cooks really tasty food, she does her work perfectly and she is a very special friend to me" began Aestra as the woman looked proud of her daughter hearing such words coming from the princess.

"And that's why I want you to deny the marriage between her and that old man" continued Aestra as the woman sighed licking her lips.
"Let her live in the castel, you can come and live with her aswell. She can get paied much if that is the problem" said Aestra taking the woman's hands waiting for her response.

"That is not the problem, your grace. Trust me, if I could I would deny in a heartbeat but... I can't" sobbed the woman as tears were forming in her eyes as Rose walked and embraced her.
"Why?" whispered Rose to her mother as shocked as the princess seeing her mother so frightened.

"He came in the village a month ago and everyone who saw him asked questioned as why would a man like him wonder around in a village on an island. He often passed near our house usually seeing Rose doing her work and few days ago he asked me for her hand but I said no and he treatened that he would burn us to the ground if I won't accept it" the woman told to the girls who were caught in their breath, Rose put her hand in her mouth starting to sob silently.

"Who is this man?" asked Aestra feeling the anger flowing through her viens.
"No one knows. Everyone is to afraid to find out" quothed Rose's mother searching for her daughter's hand trying to calm her violent tears.
"Your grace, you should head back to the castel, it's not safe for you around here" continued the woman wipping the tears from Rose's cheeks.

"But mother-" mumbled Rose catching her breath after her cries .
"Go!" shooted the woman kissing her forhead but Aestra knew something was wrong yet she put on her hood, got up and walked outside seeing the woman starting to freak out.

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The two girls were walking side by side getting out from the village and leaving Rose's mother behind who began to shiver when Aestra asked about that unknown man and hasted the girls to go like she knew that something important and didn't have the wish to confess.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything, Rose" spotted Aestra on the lane that linked the castel and the village. Rose didn't say anything just staring at the ground as the two knights followed the girls.
"I will not stop here, Rose. That stupid cunt of a man won't have you. I give you my word" continued Aestra taking ahold of Rose's hand turning her head to her.

"Thank you" mumbled Rose looking at the princess giving her a weak smile as Aestra returned it caressing her tumb on Rose's hand.
"I want to apologize if I was rude this morning for asking questions..." said Rose sighing as she washed off her cries.  Aestra turned her head sighing in annoyce fearing of what that could mean.
"Your grace...?" muttered Rose noticing Aestra change of attitude.

"I am a bad person, Rose" uttered Aestra holding her tears still not looking at the maiden who raised a curious eyebrow.
"How can you say that?! You've LITERALLY came into the village to speak with my mother for the stupid fact that I must marry!" shouted Rose stopping in the way making Aestra to stop aswell.
"I did something I shouldn't have... and it can mean treason, Rose" quothed Aestra letting her emotions to come out .

"I should be ashamed" mumbled Aestra looking down at the ground hiding her face in her palms.
"NEVER be embarrassed for love" whispered Rose rubbing Aestra's hands who was shocked at those words but somehow it didn't matter that Rose knew, she wanted her to know, someday she would have told her if Rose hasn't found out on herself because they were more than princess and servant, they became friends.
Aestra smiled before embracing Rose tightly sighing in relief that the girl didn't judge her for what she had done and for who she loved.

"How sweet. It almost makes me cry" a voice was heard from behind the bushed making the girls shiver a little separating from the hug as the knights came near them taking out their swords.

"There is no need for such things " a tall middle-aged man with black hair as ace of spades spoke raising his hand in defense.
"Who are you?" asked Rose holding her hand in front of Aestra protecting her.

"Manners, apologize. I am your future husband, Rose" said the man holding a smirk on his lips the hole time as Rose wide open her eyes turning to Aestra as both of them had the question on their faces how did he find them.
"She will not marry you, cunt!" shouted Aestra anger than ever almost wanting to hit him if Rose wouldn't have hold her.

"Okay, enough with the act" sighed the man rolling his eyes moving his hands as the knights collapsed on the ground breathless.
"Yes, they are dead if that is your question" said the man walking to the girls as they backed away slowly.

"I thought you'd be much older" spoke Rose holding Aestra's arms as the two girls were slowly backing away.
"Do you prefer this look then?" asked the man moving his hand ahead of his face as it changed into an old man with wrinkles and hair white as the snow.
"Faceless men" whispered Aestra holding on Rose who was to stunned to speak.
"Close enough, sweetheart but no" spoke the man changing his look in the one before.
"Run, Rose. RUN!" shouted Aestra grabbing Rose by the hand and running as fast as they could into the deep forest.
"So we play hide and seek, how extravagant" clapped the man smirking as he made his into the forest aswell not stressing to hurry after the girl thinking he will find them sooner or later.

"Here" whispered Aestra dragging Rose behind a bush as they both breathed heavily.
"We should have come with Aerwon" sighed Aestra holding Rose's hand tight as the maid gave her a serious look.
"What?! Do you think I've known that a mad man which is surprisingly your supposed future husband would follow us into the darkest woods of Dragonstone?!" exclaimed Aestra her face turning all red from the anger and fear flowing through her veins.
"Well sorry for not predicting the future!" exclaimed Rose through sharp teeth sighing in annoyce as Aestra put a hand over Rose's mouth to shut up looking beyond the bush and seeing a figure approaching.

"I've told you I'm not a Faceless Man girls. That means I'm something more dangerous..." shouted the man walking over a puddle as he looked behind a tree. "You can't hide forever. I'll find you" said the man stopping just a few feet away from the girls' hiding spot.
The fear grew larger making Rose yelp not loud but enough to be heard by him. He turned around smirking and getting closer to the bush.

"Got you!" spoke the man in excitement making the two get up holding on each other's arms and backing away.
"You will never be my husband" said Rose as tears formed in her eyes by the way that man spoke with them.
"I advise you to back away because you don't wish to upset me, sir" uttered Aestra with a tough voice protecting Rose at all costs.
"Sweetheart, I have far more intentions than to upset you" said the man moving his hand as Rose was lifted up shaking herself. "I-I can-can't bre-breath.... princ-..." mumbled Rose having her hands on her neck struggling to breath but it was too late, she was already on the ground dead.
"ROSE!" cried Aestra bending down near her dead friend sobs escaping her mouth while she removing a blond sweaty lock of hair from her forhead.
"Are you actually crying for a servant?" joked the man cleaning of the dust and dirt from his hood.
"She was my friend!" exclaimed Aestra accenting the last word still being near Rose. "Wasn't she supposed to be your new wife?!" continued Aestra turning her head to the man who had a smirk on his face.
"I thought you'd be smarter than your mother was" said the man looking straight to Aestra and smilling evily as the princess choked back her words being to shock to say something.
"Did you really not recognise your uncle, my dear?" smiled the man raising his hands as Aestra started breathing heavily.
"This- this was... This was all an act.." uttered Aestra putting her hand on her chest taking fast breaths in and out.

"There is my little niece. You're not a demigoddess for nothing after all" said the man coming closer to the princess who turned to him in shock.
"De-demi... goddess..?" spoke Aestra not believing a single word from this man who had his hand on her shoulder.
"How-how did you..." started Aestra gutless meeting her uncle's gaze.
"Morghon" said the man his eyes turning red and his face in a beast, Aestra felt a fang touching her body fang...
The Targaryen backed away collapsing in a mud, the dream from long time ago came in her mind as a jolt.
"I know everything, Aestra. I am everything. Life and death. Light and dark. I am a God." uttered the man with a louder and scary voice laughing evily.

"I know that cunt of a father of yours abandoned you the moment you were born, your whore mother dying because of you. She shouldn't have had you, I've told my brother to punish her in other way than sending her to the shit Earth. And what did she do in punishment? She created the fucking beasts you call dragons" the man told Aestra taking the story as an impact, Daemon told her that her mother was a maiden, this meant he lied or he didn't know either.
"You think you're happy that you're living with these motherfuckers you call family. But the redhead bitch was write, they will abandon you after all especially that bastard when he'll learn your carrying his child, slut like your mother" continued the man as Aestra caressed her barely three moons belly raising from the ground standing straight thinking of a way to escape this mad man.
"I don't believe you" muttered Aestea angrily tired of people treating her as trash. The man laughed "You didn't believe you'll ever claim a dragon, but you did, am I right? And very easily should I say. It's because those beast feel your mother in you"

"Aerwon... what an incredible name, it reminds me of someone else..." uttered the man jokingly as Aestra breathing out angrily.
"I should have killed your fucked up mother when I had the chance, not let her have a child" continued him sighing in annoyance. "But I'm going to kill the child to end it" the god took out a dagger but Aestra was quicker hitting him in the head with tiny rock running past him.
"Bitch!" screamed the man in pain blood flowing from Aestra's hit.

She ran as fast as she could until she was met with a dark big cave, seeing that she had nowhere else to hide she made her way in. Step by step the light grew pale and her fear rose, after a heavy amount of steps she was met with a group of scales making her fall on the ground "Fuck" mumbled under her breath. The large dragon woke up and spit fire swinging his long neck, the only source of light being the fire.
"Cannibal..." muttered Aestra remembering that Baela told her about this dragon, he was usually lived in dark caves and feasting on dead dragons, newborn dragons and dragon eggs.
"Likīry" shouted Aestra in high valyrian trying to calm the agitated beast who lower his head meeting Aestra's warn sight.
" Usōvegon issa bona nyke māzigon isse aōha lenton" (Apologize that I came into your home) said Aestra a sweet grin appearing on her face seeing that the dragon lower his snout until he touched her belly.
"Aōha biarves ikssos paktot" (Your fortune teller is right) smiled Aestra caressing his snout as he escaped a pleased yelp.

"Aestra?" a voice was heard from outside the cave making Cannibal growl in annoyance.
"It's him. Dohaeragon issa valonqar" (Help me, boy) said Aestra as Cannibal bend down letting her climb on his back as he started flying outside the cave.
"Do you honestly think that you can beat if you ride a fucking dragon?" said her uncle noticing her appearance still holding the dagger ready to threw it in her direction.
"No. I know that I can kill you. Dracarys" spoke Aestra as the last word escaped her mouth Cannibal spit fire lighting the man who screamed in pain. The Targaryen girl watched the scene with pleasure, it satisfy her to hear his screams and avenge Rose who did not deserve to die.

Aestra flew on Cannibal back to the castel thinking that now she claimed two dragons, no Targaryen ever had two dragons maybe that mad man was right with something, she must question Daemon more. She felt tears ran down her cheek, it was her fault Rose had died, if she haven't... Suddenly a shiver ran down her spine sensing a painful symptom coming from her shoulder, with a twist of her head she caught sight of blood, her crest was full of dark red blood flowing down her arm as the pain grew with every move she and Cannibal were making. Holding on her ridge, the castel appeared like a relief in her eyes, the dragon landed outside the building, she climbed down the Cannibal slowly feeling she could not stand on her feet, a tall red dressed figure calling her name was the last thing she saw before loosing consciousness.

HI FOLKS! This took so long and I still wanted to write more but I'll write it for the next chapter so we are not moving to claiming Grey Ghost yet and so we have the first Jaestra baby🥹
Thank you for all the votes, comments and support. I'm really glad you like my story. Hope you'll enjoy this chapter❤️