Would Tormund and the Wildlings Follow Daenerys Targaryen After Her Rescue with Dragons?

When considering the loyalty of the wildlings and their followers, it is important to understand the dynamics of leadership and the factors that drive their allegiance. In the intricate world of Westeros, the characters of Tormund and the Wildlings provide a poignant example of how loyalty is not simply based on power but on a leader's intentions and actions.

Leadership and Intention: Mance Rayder’s Legacy

The former King Beyond the Wall, Mance Rayder, is a prime example of a leader who gained the respect and loyalty of the Wildlings. Despite his questionable past, Mance demonstrated compassion and benevolence, which resonated with his followers. Mance led with the intention of protecting his people, earning their respect and loyalty.

Similarly, Jon Snow earned the trust and allegiance of the Wildlings due to his actions and commitment to their race. Jon, as a legitimate leader and one of the Night's Watch, showed genuine interest in the welfare of the Wildlings. His actions, such as his trial at the Wall and efforts to integrate with the wild tribes, demonstrated his commitment to ensuring their survival and autonomy. This is in stark contrast to previous leaders like Mance, who could have turned the Wildlings away but chose to stand with them.

Stannis Baratheon’s Broken Promise to the Wildlings

The betrayal by Stannis Baratheon serves as a critical point in understanding the reluctance of the Wildlings to bend the knee to any leader, even one who offers them protection and salvation. Stannis promised the Wildlings that if they swore fealty to him, he would protect them. However, this promise was ultimately broken. The Wildlings had reason to be cautious because they had seen leaders make empty promises in the past, leading them to reject such offers. The stark reminder of the consequences of such betrayals is best exemplified by the fate of Mance Rayder, who chose to burn alive rather than submit to Stannis, showing the depth of their loyalty and the weight of their past experiences.

Stannis’s broken promise to the Wildlings is a clear illustration of the deep-seated mistrust and the need for leaders to earn the trust of their followers through consistent and genuine actions. This serves as a significant lesson for Daenerys Targaryen and anyone else aspiring to lead the Wildlings.

Daenerys Targaryen’s Resurgence and the Dragons’ Power

Daenerys Targaryen’s rescue of Tormund Giantsbane using her dragons may have been a magnificent show of power and compassion, but it does not necessarily mean that Tormund or the Wildlings would follow her without hesitation. Power alone does not earn the loyalty and trust of the Wildlings. The significance of such an act must be evaluated within the context of the leader’s overall intentions and actions.

Previous leaders like Mance Rayder and Stannis demonstrated that even with command over military might, the promise of protection and salvation, and the potential for prosperity, must be rooted in genuine benevolence and demonstrated through consistent and ethical actions. The act of saving a man with dragons, while impressive, is just one event that needs to align with a broader pattern of leadership that resonates with the Wildlings.

Jon Snow as a Role Model

Jon Snow’s leadership stands as a role model for aspiring leaders. His ability to listen, integrate, and earn the respect and trust of the Wildlings by committing to their welfare demonstrates the power of genuine leadership. The Wildlings are not loyal merely to the strongest, but to those who have a good intention for all, just as Mance Rayder and Jon Snow did.

The story of Jon Snow and the Wildlings illustrates that true leadership involves more than brute force or the ability to wield power. It requires a deep understanding of the people being led and a commitment to their well-being and autonomy. Daenerys Targaryen, with her dragons and power, must also prove that her intentions are genuine and that she will act in the best interests of the Wildlings, not just for her own gain.

Without such a commitment, even the most powerful and benevolent leader may struggle to earn the trust and loyalty of the Wildlings. The continuation of Daenerys Targaryen’s story will undoubtedly depend on the choices she makes and the actions she takes that affirm her intentions and commitment to her people.

Conclusion: The Wildlings’ loyalty is not easily won or maintained. Tormund and the Wildlings value leaders who demonstrate good intentions and genuine commitment to their people. Daenerys Targaryen could earn their loyalty, not through force or power alone, but through actions and a consistent commitment to their well-being and autonomy. The Wildlings, like the people of Westeros, deserve leaders who can lead with heart and integrity, just as Jon Snow did.

Keywords: Daenerys Targaryen, Wildlings, Tormund, Dragons, Jon Snow, Leadership

Meta Description: Explore the reasons why Tormund and the Wildlings may not follow Daenerys Targaryen even after her heroic rescue using dragons. Discover the value of genuine leadership and the importance of intentions in earning the trust and loyalty of a people.