Could Maester Aemon Have Handled a Dragon Egg When He Was Younger?

The noble order of the Night's Watch on the edge of Westeros has always been known for its diverse and skilled members. One such individual who stood out was Maester Aemon, the revered Maester of Crow's Crow. Known for his wisdom, humility, and reverence for the Targaryen bloodline, Aemon held a special place in the history of Westeros. The question often arises: could Maester Aemon handle a dragon egg when he was younger, given his close ties to the Targaryens and his status as a maester?

Background of Maester Aemon

Maester Aemon Targaryen was born into the storied House Targaryen, a noble house that had ruled Westeros for three centuries until they fell during the Aerys II’s reign. Growing up in the wake of the Dance of the Dragons, Aemon was exposed to the magical and mystical nature of the realm early on, albeit in a different capacity.

After serving House Targaryen for many years, Aemon chose to become a Maester, joining the prestigious Night's Watch. This choice was not only a personal one but also a political one. It could be argued that Aemon never fully severed ties with his royal past, especially his family's love for dragons.

Close Ties to Dragons

The Targaryen family was uniquely tied to dragons, as they had ruled on the back of these magnificent creatures for centuries. Dragons were central to the Targaryen dynasty, with the famous dragon Bronze being the emblem of House Targaryen. Aemon's academy in the Eye, known as Dragon Porch, was the place where some of the most skilled children of the realm learned about the history and magic of dragons.

Given that Aemon was part of the Targaryen household for a considerable portion of his early life, it is reasonable to suggest that he was exposed to dragons. He would have had a deep understanding of dragon lore and possibly even witnessed dragons in their prime. The Targaryen bloodline and the proximity to dragons would have endowed Aemon with a natural affinity for these beasts, which could extend to handling their eggs.

The Dragonite Legacy

The Targaryens were not only known for their love of dragons but also for their dragonite-touched blood. This bloodline was known to have particular strengths, including enhanced wisdom and an innate connection to magic. While Aemon was not a Targaryen in the direct lineage, his Mormont blood, inherited from his father, still held some of these qualities.

Furthermore, Maesters were often imbued with a certain knowledge and occult capabilities. They were trained in the arcane and the mystical, which would have included understanding and possibly handling dragon eggs. Aemon, being a highly trained and respected maester, would have had access to this knowledge and the tools necessary to handle a dragon egg.

Conclusion and Speculations

Given Aemon's background, his ties to the Targaryens, and his training as a maester, it is indeed plausible that he could have handled a dragon egg when he was younger. His natural affinity for the dragons of the realm, his extensive knowledge of dragon lore, and his role as a maester all point to the possibility that he could have managed such a feat.

While this remains speculative, the events of Game of Thrones and the lore surrounding the Targaryen family suggest that Aemon possessed the knowledge and the temperament to handle a dragon egg with care and respect. Whether or not he ever had the opportunity to do so, the mere thought of Aemon, the Maester of the Night’s Watch, raising or hatching a dragon egg is a testament to the rich and complex world of Westeros.

Thus, the question of whether Maester Aemon could have handled a dragon egg when he was younger is not an outlandish one; in fact, it is a fascinating one that invites further exploration into the intricate tapestry of Westerosi history and mythology.