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House of The Dragon: Who Rode Vhagar Before Aemond? Explored
Vhagar is one of the mightiest dragons in Game of Thrones history, who also has a connection to the very origins of Westeros one hundred years before the events of House of the Dragon.
House of the Dragon features the grand dragons of House Targaryen. Rhaenyra Targaryen's side is in constant search of more and more Dragonriders, waging a war against greens' dragons, above all huge mount Vhagar, ridden by Aemond. After the loss of Princess Rhaenys and Meleys, Rhaenyra recovers new riders for Seasmoke, Vermithor, and Silverwing.
Vhagar, the mighty dragon in Game of Thrones, shares a close linkage with Westeros' roots 100 years prior to House of the Dragon. As a child, Prince Aemond claimed Vhagar after his aunt's death. But, if being very honest, her history is way more complicated than what casual fans could imagine since she is the last remnant from a bygone era dating back to Old Valyria. Vhagar's story is richer than casual fans may realize.
Who rode Vhagar first?
The three eldest beasts fled the doom of Valyria along with the Targaryens under the command of Aerion to Dragonstone and never returned to their ancestral kingdom, for the face of it was to be changed. To this, modern Targaryens rode these beasts to victory over the abusive embrace of the Seven Kingdoms: Aegon atop Balerion the Black Dread, Rhaenys upon Meraxes. And Visenya, Aegon's oldest sister, upon Vhagar as they brought the Seven Kingdoms into one realm.
Visenya and Vhagar were the sisters of Aegon the Conqueror and were, arguably, the prime influences in the founding of House Targaryen. Of the siblings, Visenya was arguably the most ferocious sister of Aegon, using Vhagar in destroying enemies and flying to Westeros when accepting the oaths of fealty from lords and kings. She also participated in the Field of Fire, where an opposing army was burned alive by the Targaryens' dragons. She died in 44 AC, leaving Vhagar riderless for many decades. The great beast remained in the dragon pit on Dragonstone, her conquest apparently over and done.
House Targaryen's Conquest of Dorne proceeded more slowly than its conquest of the other six kingdoms of Westeros. Several attempts were made during decades by the Targaryens, including the First Dornish War, ended with the death of Visenya and her dragon, Rhaenys. Once Rhaenys was dead, Aegon and Visenya stopped their offensive against Dorne out of concern that their foes might have ways of killing Balerion and Vhagar. Without dragons, the Targaryens would only be mortal kings and queens; they would lose their special position in the minds of the Smallfolk.
Dorne - technically still not a part of the Seven Kingdoms at this point, 83 AC saw them gather a fleet that was to strike at King's Landing. Vhagar was claimed by Baelon the Brave, Jaehaerys's son, and he rode the dragon in the Fourth Dornish War. The Dornish fleet was defeated, and Baelon was deemed worthy to take over from Visenya. Unfortunately, the loved prince died of illness, leaving Vhagar riderless. Though he died, his line prevailed, and his son Viserys became king. Eventually, it was Viserys' sister-in-law Laena Velaryon who claimed Vhagar, and House of the Dragon brought her history on the dragon to life.
By House of the Dragon season 2, Vhagar is guarding King's Landing, and Aemond is still her rider.
After Balerion's death
It was the last remnants after the death of the original Targaryens, prior to the Doom of Old Valyria. However, dragons are not immortal. Meraxes and Rhaenys were killed during the First Dornish War; Balerion the Black Dread died of old age. After his death, Vhagar became a remnant of Valyria, for the world had decidedly changed since the ill-fated kingdom's doom.
Vhagar, being the mythical dragon, would be seen by the Targaryens as a superpower which had been given unto their enemies. In 130 AC, Aemond flew Vhagar during the Dance of the Dragons to his death. With this event came the end of Valyria, for no creature lived which remembered its own fall. Because Westeros could no longer recall the failures of Valyria, it was doomed perhaps in having to repeat them.
Vhagar might be one of the most powerful dragons to ever soar the skies of the Seven Kingdoms, but she is so much more than a fire-breathing super-weapon. Having fought alongside Visenya, Baelon, Laena, and Aemond, Vhagar still hasn't been fully shown in House of the Dragon-for her history extends so much farther than any living Targaryen.
ALSO READ: House of The Dragon Season 2: Who Are The New Dragonriders Of The Blacks?
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