House of the Dragon: Vhagar, Explained
"House of the Dragon"'s Vhagar Is the Oldest Dragon Left Standing
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Watch out! This post contains spoilers.
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The first season of "House of the Dragon" is, as promised, filled with all sorts of dragons, from Daemon's red Caraxes to Rhaenyra's soaring Syrax. But in episode six, one dragon steps into the spotlight: Vhagar. In the episode, which aired Sept. 26, Vhagar is seen with her rider, Laena Velaryon, and she plays a pivotal role in Laena's death. We're breaking down the origins of this legendary dragon, and where she'll probably go from here.
Who Is Vhagar?
Vhagar is one of the oldest dragons still living during "House of the Dragon." Vhagar was claimed by Visenya Targaryen, who flew the dragon alongside her brother (and husband) Aegon the Conqueror when he conquered Westeros. Aegon rode on Balerion the Black Dread, whose skull has a place of honour in King Viserys's Red Keep. Aegon's other sister-wife, Rhaenys, rode on Meraxes, and both died during the First Dornish War.
Visenya died in 44 AC (so 44 years after the conquest), and Vhagar had no rider for 29 years. That's when Prince Baelon — Viserys's father — claimed the dragon. Baelon died in 101 AC, leaving Vhagar riderless again.
In the second episode of "House of the Dragon," Laena talks to Viserys about Vhagar and how she's gone missing. Laena has heard rumours that Vhagar is nesting somewhere in the Narrow Sea, possibly near Spice Town.
How Did Laena Find Vhagar?
"House of the Dragon" doesn't show how Laena found Vhagar or how she became her rider. Presumably, after Daemon and Laena married and moved to Essos, Laena found the dragon that she had been looking for since she was a child and became her dragonrider.
This is pretty different from how things went down in the "Fire & Blood" book. In the book, Vhagar is not missing, and Laena has claimed the dragon as her mount by the age of 12 (We know this didn't happen in "House of the Dragon," since she doesn't join her mother and brother on dragonback on the way to Rhaenyra's wedding).
In the book, once Laena and Daemon marry, they go to Pentos, where they fly their dragons together until she gives birth to their twins, Rhaena and Baela. Then they return to Driftmark, where Laena and Rhaenyra, who was already living on Dragonstone, become good friends.
Who Rides Vhagar After Laena's Death?
Vhagar's next rider will be Prince Aemond, son of Alicent and Viserys. Based on the teaser for episode seven, it seems he intends to steal Vhagar without anyone knowing.
In George R.R. Martin's book, Viserys suggests to Aemond that he go to Dragonstone to claim a dragon or hatchling as a way to prove his boldness. Aemond chooses Vhagar and tries to claim her in secret but ends up in a fight with his three nephews: Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon. Their clash only further stokes tensions between Alicent and Rhaenyra.
Why Doesn't Aemond Have a Dragon Already?
Rhaenyra's three sons — Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey — were all given eggs in the cradle that hatched and grew into the dragons they would eventually ride. The birth of those dragons was seen by many as proof of their true Valyrian heritage. But eggs given to infants and children — even Targaryen children — often didn't hatch; in episode six, Rhaena is seen trying in vein to hatch an egg. It seems the eggs given to Alicent's children also didn't hatch, but they all eventually bond with older dragons. By the time episode six takes place, Aegon has already bonded with Sunfyre. Laughter over Aemond's lack of dragon seems to fuel his actions toward Vhagar in the future.
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