House of the Dragon: What Made Balerion So Special?

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House of the Dragon: What Made Balerion So Special?

As a long-time fan of the A Song of Ice and Fire universe, I’ve always been captivated by the mythical creatures that inhabit this richly detailed world – dragons. And among all the legendary beasts, Balerion, the Black Dread, holds a special place in my heart.

Title “House of the Dragon” mainly connects to the Targaryen dynasty. This powerful family built their identity around the dragons that aided them in ruling the Seven Kingdoms. The symbols, imagery, nicknames, and character traits of this lineage are deeply influenced by these mythical creatures. In the show, several dragon species make an appearance, but there’s one legendary dragon, Balerion the Black Dread, who remains absent from the series in its living form. Historically significant, what sets Balerion apart?

After approximately one and a half seasons, “House of the Dragon” delivers the dragon battles that fans have eagerly anticipated. In an enthralling action scene called the Battle of Rook’s Rest, Meleys (ridden by Rhaenys), Vhagar (rided by Aemond), and Sunfyre (rided by Aegon) engage in a fierce encounter. This sequence is one of the most thrilling actions moments in the franchise to date. The prequel invested substantial time portraying dragons as dangerous creatures, and with the Iron Throne’s civil war escalating into full-scale conflict on horseback, the series promises to become even more intense.

Where did Balerion come from?

House of the Dragon: What Made Balerion So Special?

I’ve always been captivated by the tale of Balerion, the dragon hatched in Old Valyria around a century before Aegon’s Conquest. Not long after breaking free from his egg, Balerion was taken by my ancestor, Aenar Targaryen, along with four other young dragons, to an isolated island called Dragonstone. Aenar led our family, House Targaryen, one of the lesser dragonlord clans in Old Valyria.

Balerion’s fire blazed with a pitch-black hue, mirroring the darkness of his colossal scales. His wingspan was immense, engulfing entire towns within their ominous shadows as they flapped overhead.

Who rode Balerion?

I’ve always been amazed by the extraordinary tales of Aegon the Conqueror and his dragon, Balerion. When historians recount Aegon’s remarkable conquests, they often credit his access to dragons during a time when few others possessed them. Balerion was an ancient dragon, almost a century old, when I, Aegon, claimed him. Dragons continue to grow throughout their lives, making those with long-lived companions truly special.

Maegor Targaryen, Aegon’s second-born son, possessed a strong affinity towards dragons. Among the various dragons available for bonding, it was Balerion that captured Maegor’s heart. At the age of 25, following his father’s demise, Maegor claimed Balerion as his own. However, Maegor’s reign over Westeros was marked by cruelty and tyranny, contrasting the fairness and decency displayed by Aegon, the Conqueror. In place of justice, Maegor the Cruel employed Balerion to mercilessly quell any opposition to his rule. During the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye, Maegor ordered Balerion to eliminate his nephew, who had dared to challenge his claim to the throne. Maegor’s brutal reign sparked endless rebellions against him. The circumstances surrounding his death remain shrouded in mystery. With Balerion having outlived its second rider, it stood as a testament to the destructive power of unchecked rule and tyranny.

During the extraordinarily lengthy rule of King Jaehaerys the Wise, Balerion the dragon lived on. At twelve years old, Princess Aerea, daughter of Aegon’s nephew, took possession of Balerion. For six years, Balerion remained unridden, but his bond with Aerea was unlike any other. The day Aerea claimed Balerion saw the dragon soaring into the sky. They were absent for two long years. Hunting parties were dispatched by King Jaehaerys, and rewards offered, yet no one could locate the immense creature. When Balerion eventually returned, his body bore massive, new injuries. Aerea was gravely ill from their journey. She succumbed to her illness shortly thereafter. Suspicions arose among onlookers that Balerion had taken Aerea to Valyria, seeking to heal the wounds of that accursed land as he tried to return to his origins. Lastly, Balerion became the first dragon to reside in peace at the Red Keep’s dragonpit. In 93 AC, Prince Viserys Targaryen became Balerion’s final mount.

How did Balerion die?

House of the Dragon: What Made Balerion So Special?

When I, Viserys, came into possession of Balerion, an ancient dragon, I found him to be weary and struggling with every movement. My mother, Alyssa, had the opportunity to claim him but chose not to, recognizing his advanced age. I attempted to ride him only a few times, but each experience left me feeling uneasy as Balerion’s strength seemed to wane with every passing moment. Riding dragons never was my forte, and I didn’t feel particularly attached to this elder creature. Sadly, Balerion, who was over 210 years old at the time, succumbed to the inescapable hands of age a few months after our bonding ceremony. As a result, I never claimed another dragon throughout my reign.

Balerion is renowned primarily for his historical significance. He served as Aegon the Conqueror’s formidable weapon, enabling him to achieve the seemingly impossible. His legend would have endured if he had perished the day after Aegon claimed the Iron Throne. Subsequently, Balerion grew to become the largest dragon since the calamitous Doom of Valyria. In “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon,” Balerion’s skull is housed in the Red Keep as a potent reminder of dragons’ immense power. Amongst Westeros’ most powerful creatures, the Black Dread is an exceptional figure.

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2024-07-23 19:07