The Last Targaryens in A Song of Ice and Fire: Daenerys, Jon Snow, and Aegon's Claims

A Song of Ice and Fire, a series by George R.R. Martin, is renowned for its intricate family histories and interwoven political intrigues. One of the most compelling aspects of the saga is the battle for sovereignty that centers around the last true Targaryens. In the books and the HBO series that are based on them, the fate of the House Targaryen becomes the crux of the narrative. This article delves into the identities of the last Targaryens and the claims made by their relatives.

Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow

Daenerys Targaryen is undoubtedly the most prominent figure among the last Targaryens. She is the daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen and Alicent Hightower, and the sister of Viserys Targaryen. Known as Daenerys Stormborn and the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys is the nominal heir to the Iron Throne, the crown that supposedly belongs to the rightful king or queen of Westeros. Her journey from a destitute princess in exile to the liberator of Slaver’s Bay, the conqueror of Meereen, and aToolTip"Dragon enthusiast, referred to as Mother of Dragons" data-toggle"tooltip" data-placement"top" title"Dragon enthusiast, referred to as Mother of Dragons">mother to three dragons has been the fulcrum of the saga. Daenerys' fate remains uncertain, as does the lineage of the Targaryens, following her apparent death in the Pyroeis labyrinth of Westeros.

Jon Snow is another candidate for the last Targaryen. While born a bastard son of the deceased Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, Eddard Stark, recent revelations in the novels and the show reveal that Jon is actually the bastard of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. Thus, Jon could claim to be a legitimate Targaryen due to his parentage. However, this theory is met with skepticism in both the books and show, primarily because Jon lacks any blood claim to the throne and his Targaryen heritage remains unsubstantiated. His claim to the throne is further complicated by the assumed death of his father, Aegon Targaryen, and the lack of any other known Targaryens alive.

Viserys Targaryen: The Older Brother

Deleting Viserys from the list of last Targaryens would be a mistake. In the books, Viserys Targaryen, Daenerys' older brother, was the titular character of the early books. He was the sole surviving son of Aerys II and Rhaella Targaryen and carried the bloodline. However, his death during the Sack of King's Landing by the Dothraki in the service of Khal Drogo ends his claim to the throne and the continuation of the Targaryen line.

Aegon Targaryen: A Claimant with Doubt

Aegon Targaryen, also known as Aegon IV when used to distinguish him from the Aegon II who precedes him, is a character that dramatically emerges later in the series, particularly in the Davos Seaworth novels. He endorses the claim that Rhaegar Targaryen had a trueborn son of his own, potentially undermining Daenerys' claim to the throne. Aegon's identity as an acknowledged Targaryen is a matter of important speculation, and his association with the trueborn line raises questions about the lineage and legitimacy of Daenerys. This mystery continues to be a significant plot point, adding depth and intrigue to the narrative.

Conclusion

The identity of the last Targaryens in A Song of Ice and Fire is a complex and enigmatic topic. Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow, the wildling bastard, each stand at the center of various claims and counterclaims. Viserys, the older brother, and Aegon Targaryen's claims complicate the bloodline even further. The unfolding of these stories continues to captivate readers and viewers, making the saga one of the most compelling in the realms of fantasy literature and media.