The Last Targaryen Dragonrider: Unraveling the Mystery

In the rich tapestry of Game of Thrones and the A Song of Ice and Fire series, the Targaryens are synonymous with dragons. This stark contrast to the other great houses of Westeros sets them apart, and raises the question: who was the last Targaryen to have a dragon? This article delves into the depths of this question, exploring the final dragonriders and the fate of the ancient magical creatures that once served the Targaryens.

The Last Living Dragonrider: Daenerys Targaryen

The last Targaryen with living dragons is none other than Princess Daenerys Targaryen, also known simply as Dany. In the Game of Thrones saga, three dragons—Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion—are a symbol of her strength and destiny. These massive creatures are not only indicators of her lineage but also the driving force behind her tumultuous journey to reclaim the Iron Throne.

Daenerys and Her Dragons

Daenerys Targaryen's path as the last known dragonrider is filled with both triumph and tragedy. She hatched her first dragon, Drogon, from a blood-and-truth egg on Dragonstone. Following this event, her journey led her to free the slaves of Slaver's Bay, an act that solidified her reputation as The Mother of Dragons. Unfortunately, the journey was not without loss; her brothers, Rhaegal and Viserion, were both tragically killed, leaving Drogon as the last of the Targaryen dragons.

The Controversy Over Rhaena Targaryen

u201CProbably the last Targaryen with a dragon was Rhaena Targaryen.u201D This conjecture adds another layer of ambiguity to the timeline of dragonriders. Rhaena, the daughter of Daemon Targaryen, was the last Targaryen known to ride a dragon, according to the lore. Her dragon, Morning, was mentioned in the series, although it is often shrouded in mystery. The exact fate of Morning after Rhaena is not clear, leaving many fans to wonder whether she ever lost her reign or whether the dragon simply perished.

Aegon III and the Last Dragonban

u201CAegon III, the Dragonbane, was also considered a contender for the title of the last dragonrider. However, the dragons of this age were notably weaker and less able to ride, and the last of his dragons, Stormcloud, died at a young age. This event marked the end of the traditional role of the Targaryen dragonriders, as the dragon's passing left Aegon III with no means to truly rule with the power of the dragons at his side.u201D

Despite these dragons being weaker, the bond that Aegon III had with Stormcloud was significant. As the Dance of Dragons era passed, the dragons born were more fragile, and Aegon III's reign without a mounted dragon significantly diminished the Targaryen's traditional power.

The Fate of the Next Generation

u201CThe last dragon before Daenerys' was born during the reign of King Aegon III, the Dragonbane, and died young and sick.u201D This event begins to close the chapter on the Targaryen dragonriders. The last known dragons of the Targaryen lineage vanished with the death of Aegon III's dragon, leaving the lineage to be carried by Daenerys and her three magnificent dragons.

The Legacy of the Dragons

Though the dragons of the Targaryens have long since been nonexistent, their legacy persists. The memory of the dragons and the Targaryen power they represent is a powerful motif throughout the series, with Daenerys embodying the end of this line as well as the beginning of a new era.

uD83DuDCA1 Keywords: Daenerys Targaryen, Dragonrider, Targaryen Dynasty

uD83DuDD13 Related Information:

Daenerys Targaryen — The Mother of Dragons and a central character in the Game of Thrones series. Dragonrider — A term used throughout Game of Thrones to describe a Targaryen who has the ability to ride a dragon. Targaryen Dynasty — A historical dynasty known for their iron throne and their humanoid dragons.