How Does Vhagar Die in the Books: A Tale of Fire and Fate

How Does Vhagar Die in the Books: A Tale of Fire and Fate

The death of Vhagar, one of the most formidable dragons in the history of Westeros, is a pivotal moment in George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series. Vhagar, once ridden by Queen Visenya Targaryen during Aegon’s Conquest, met her end in a dramatic and tragic fashion during the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war that tore the realm apart. But how exactly did Vhagar die in the books? And what does her death signify in the grand tapestry of Martin’s epic?

The Dance of the Dragons: A Prelude to Vhagar’s Demise

The Dance of the Dragons was a brutal and bloody conflict between two factions of House Targaryen: the Greens, led by Queen Alicent Hightower and her son Aegon II, and the Blacks, led by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen. Vhagar, at this point, was one of the oldest and largest dragons still alive, and her rider was Prince Aemond Targaryen, a fierce and vengeful warrior. Aemond, who had lost an eye in a childhood altercation with his nephew Lucerys Velaryon, harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Blacks, and Vhagar became a symbol of his wrath.

The Battle Above the Gods Eye: Vhagar’s Final Flight

The climax of Vhagar’s story came during the Battle Above the Gods Eye, a legendary confrontation between Aemond on Vhagar and Daemon Targaryen on Caraxes. Daemon, a seasoned warrior and dragonrider, had long been a thorn in the side of the Greens. The two dragons clashed in a ferocious aerial battle, with Vhagar’s immense size and strength pitted against Caraxes’ agility and Daemon’s cunning.

As the battle raged, Daemon managed to maneuver Caraxes into a position where he could leap from his dragon onto Vhagar’s back. In a desperate and suicidal move, Daemon drove his sword, Dark Sister, into Aemond’s remaining eye, killing him instantly. However, the force of the impact caused both dragons to plummet into the Gods Eye, a massive lake in the Riverlands. Vhagar, mortally wounded, crashed into the water, dragging Daemon and Caraxes down with her. The lake’s depths swallowed the three combatants, and none were ever seen again.

The Symbolism of Vhagar’s Death

Vhagar’s death is more than just a dramatic moment in the Dance of the Dragons; it is a symbol of the destructive nature of the Targaryen civil war. Vhagar, a living relic of Aegon’s Conquest, represented the glory and power of House Targaryen at its zenith. Her death, along with the deaths of so many other dragons during the Dance, marked the beginning of the end for the Targaryen dynasty’s dominance over Westeros.

Moreover, Vhagar’s demise underscores the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition and vengeance. Aemond’s hatred for the Blacks and his desire for revenge ultimately led to his downfall, and Vhagar, a creature of immense power and majesty, was caught in the crossfire. Her death serves as a reminder that even the mightiest beings are not immune to the ravages of war and the follies of men.

The Legacy of Vhagar

Though Vhagar perished in the depths of the Gods Eye, her legacy lived on in the annals of Westerosi history. She was remembered as one of the greatest dragons to ever live, a symbol of the Targaryen’s might and the destructive potential of their power. Her death, along with the deaths of so many other dragons during the Dance, marked the beginning of the decline of House Targaryen’s dominance over Westeros.

In the years that followed, the Targaryens would never again wield the same level of power they had during the height of their reign. The dragons, once the source of their strength, were gone, and with them, the Targaryens’ ability to enforce their will upon the Seven Kingdoms. Vhagar’s death was not just the end of a dragon; it was the end of an era.

  1. What role did Vhagar play in Aegon’s Conquest?

    • Vhagar was one of the three dragons used by Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters to subjugate the Seven Kingdoms. She was ridden by Queen Visenya Targaryen and played a crucial role in the conquest of Westeros.
  2. How did Aemond Targaryen become Vhagar’s rider?

    • Aemond claimed Vhagar after the death of her previous rider, Laena Velaryon. He bonded with the dragon and used her as a weapon in the Dance of the Dragons.
  3. What was the significance of the Battle Above the Gods Eye?

    • The Battle Above the Gods Eye was a pivotal moment in the Dance of the Dragons, marking the deaths of both Aemond Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen, as well as their dragons, Vhagar and Caraxes.
  4. How did the death of Vhagar impact the Targaryen dynasty?

    • Vhagar’s death, along with the deaths of many other dragons during the Dance, marked the beginning of the decline of House Targaryen’s power. The loss of their dragons weakened the Targaryens’ ability to maintain control over the Seven Kingdoms.
  5. What happened to the dragons after the Dance of the Dragons?

    • After the Dance, the number of dragons in Westeros dwindled rapidly. The last dragons were small and sickly, and by the time of Robert’s Rebellion, dragons were considered extinct.