The Uncertain Fate of the Dothraki at the End of Game of Thrones

One of the most intriguing and less resolved plot threads at the end of Game of Thrones involves the Dothraki, the fearsome and iconic horsemen of Essos. After the dramatic events of the series finale, the fates of the Dothraki warriors remain ambiguous, leaving many questions unanswered regarding their ultimate destinations and fates.

Post-Battle Dothraki

After the defeat of the Night King and the fall of Daenerys Targaryen, the remaining Dothraki who fought on her side were seen in Westeros. However, their long-term goals and where they went from there are not explicitly detailed in the series. In the final episode, many of the Dothraki are seen following Jon Snow after he kills Daenerys. Jon Snow then decides to go into exile, leaving the Dothraki's future unclear. This ambiguity about their fate is both intriguing and somewhat frustrating for fans.

The Irony of their Return

It's quite amused that the show managed to provide a solution regarding what happened to the Dothraki in the third episode of season eight. According to that episode, the Dothraki were nearly wiped out by the Long Night, yet they later reappeared during the final battle as if nothing had happened. This sudden reappearance is intriguing but logically inconsistent, especially considering the timeline and the immense losses the Dothraki would have suffered during the war.

Potential Fates of the Dothraki

The Dothraki had several options after the fall of Daenerys:

Go to Naanth and probably face death. Return to the Dothraki Sea, their homeland. Settle on an empty estate in the Reach. Become sellswords, offering their mounted prowess to the highest bidder.

In the final episode, we see some Dothraki joining the Unsullied in Naanth, strongly implying that many do in fact leave Westeros. It's reasonable to assume that some would take up Davos's offer to settle on empty estates in the Reach, or perhaps return to their ancestral homeland to the Dothraki Sea, where life might be simpler but less glorious.

Chaos and Anarchy

Without Daenerys to lead them, the Dothraki are likely to descend into chaos. They might start looting and pillaging if they are not absorbed into the Unsullied or other organizations. Their previous adherence to a code of honor under Daenerys would have been shattered, leaving them with no purpose other than to find new forms of conquest or to simply ride the seas aimlessly, seeking any conflict they can find.

The Personal Decisions of Dothraki Fighters

At the council meeting at the end of the series, the Dothraki are not present, suggesting that most, if not all, have chosen to leave Westeros. They are not like the Unsullied who stay behind due to their unique nature. The Dothraki are more aligned with the idea of freedom and conquest, making it unlikely that they would want to sail across the sea for an uncertain future. Their current options are either to go back to the Dothraki Sea, stay in Westeros as raiders, join Jon Snow's watch at Winterfell, or even follow Arya Stark into the unknown territories west of Westeros.

Conclusion

The fate of the Dothraki after the fall of Daenerys Targaryen remains one of the most intriguing yet unresolved aspects of Game of Thrones. While their choices are relatively clear, the ongoing ambiguity around their fate leaves endless room for speculation and fan theories. For now, the Dothraki continue to exist as a symbol of ferocity and loyalty in the minds of viewers, begging the question of where their journey truly ends.