The Rivalry of Aenys and Maegor: Debunking Dark Magic Theories and Genetic Speculations

Speculations about the legitimacy ofAenys Targaryen and the supposed dark magic behindMaegor Targaryen's birth have been circulating for some time. However, these theories are based on mere rumors, as they aren't directly mentioned in the canonical texts. Let's examine these claims and explore the plausible reasons behind them without resorting to supernatural explanations.

Was Aenys a Bastard?

It is often argued thatAenys Targaryen was a bastard due to his perceived genetic weakness and poor political acumen. Aenys was described as weak and sickly, which some interpret as being the result of inheriting the weak genes of his mother, Rhaenys Targaryen. Born into a family of three siblings, Aenys was not only sickly, but also lacked political prowess, failing in important alliances such as the marriage between Ronnel Rivers and Torren Stark's daughter. Rhaenys's life was revolving around cultural and political activities like singing in the court and maintaining her image among the commoners. These are traits that strongly resemble those of Aenys, who, despite his lack of military and political skills, was renowned for his connection to the pop culture of the time and his popularity among the common people.

Theories of Maegor's Birth

The dark magic theory for Maegor's conception is also problematic. If Visenya Targaryen could summon a baby through magical means, why did it take her so long? What is the rationale behind her not magically impregnating herself earlier to assure her son the throne and why only one child? The fact that Visenya only succeeded after Aenys was near death and the only child she managed to conceive was due to Aegon's increased efforts to have a child for the sake of the dynasty suggests a more realistic explanation. Furthermore, unlike the shadow baby born through magic by Melisandre, Maegor demonstrated typical human characteristics, including walking, talking, eating, and participating in battles, tournaments, and even riding Balerion the Black Dread, the only dragon from Old Valyria. It stands to reason that Balerion would not bond with a non-human.

The Genetics of Aenys and Maegor

Another common critique is that Aenys was a weak bastard. This is a misplaced assumption because it is entirely possible for a child to inherit traits more closely aligned with his mother. Aenys's evident similarities to his mother, Rhaenys, in terms of weak constitution and lack of martial or political abilities, doesn't necessarily make him a bastard. The genetics of Targaryens in the series show a propensity for a more vulnerable constitution, not just in Aenys but in other members of the family as well.

Regarding Maegor's supposed inability to father children, it's important to consider the possibility of infertility issues rather than supernatural causations. The series itself mentions that after Aegon had enough sex with Rhaenys in his late 20s and early 30s, he could no longer father children. Similar to Aegon, Maegor may have faced fertility problems. Additionally, the sudden awakening of Maegor from a coma by Tyanna, his maester, could suggest underlying medical or psychological issues linked to his attempted conception struggles and subsequent brutal actions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the theories of Aenys being a bastard and Maegor's conception through dark magic don't hold up under scrutiny. Aenys's character and traits can be better explained by his maternal lineage and general vulnerabilities, while Maegor's birth and heritage align more closely with the norms of the Targaryen family. These disputes hold more credence in human biology and the realities of familial legacies rather than the imagined realm of dark magic.