Did Lucerys Velaryon Get Eaten? Unpacking the Tragic Fate in House of the Dragon
Yes, in both George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood and its television adaptation, House of the Dragon, Lucerys Velaryon meets a gruesome end: he is indeed eaten by Vhagar, Aemond Targaryen’s massive dragon. While the book offers a somewhat ambiguous account, leaving some room for interpretation, the show makes it unequivocally clear that Lucerys and his dragon, Arrax, are devoured by Vhagar after a brief but terrifying chase.
The Grim Details: Lucerys’ Final Flight
From Storm’s End to Vhagar’s Maw
The event unfolds after Lucerys delivers a message from his mother, Queen Rhaenyra, to Lord Borros Baratheon at Storm’s End. Unbeknownst to Lucerys, Aemond Targaryen, seeking revenge for the loss of his eye years prior, had also arrived, hoping to secure an alliance with the Baratheons. Lord Borros, unwilling to choose a side without further provocation, sends Lucerys away. However, Aemond pursues Lucerys on Vhagar, intending to intimidate him.
The Chase and the Consumption
What begins as a chase quickly escalates beyond Aemond’s control. Despite Aemond’s explicit intentions to merely frighten Lucerys, Vhagar, being the oldest and largest dragon in Westeros at the time, is far more powerful than Arrax, Lucerys’ much younger and smaller dragon. When Arrax defensively breathes fire at Vhagar, the old dragon, responding to instinct and perhaps a bit of Aemond’s underlying rage, disregards Aemond’s commands and attacks. The scene culminates in Vhagar engulfing Arrax and Lucerys in her massive jaws.
Ambiguity in the Book vs. Clarity in the Show
While Fire & Blood states that “Some say Vhagar snatched Lucerys off his dragon’s back and swallowed him whole,” it leaves room for speculation. Perhaps Lucerys perished in the dragon fight but wasn’t fully consumed. House of the Dragon, however, removes any doubt, visually depicting Vhagar’s devastating act. The horrified look on Aemond’s face underscores the accidental yet irreversible nature of the tragedy.
The Significance of Lucerys’ Death
Triggering the Dance of the Dragons
Lucerys’ death is the catalyst that plunges Westeros into the Dance of the Dragons, a brutal civil war between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother, Aegon II, for control of the Iron Throne. Rhaenyra, upon learning of her son’s demise, is consumed by grief and fury, abandoning any remaining hope for a peaceful resolution.
The Cost of Revenge and Miscalculation
The event serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of vengeance and miscalculation. Aemond’s desire for retribution, coupled with his inability to fully control Vhagar, leads to a tragedy that sets the realm ablaze. His regret, evident in his horrified reaction, highlights the weight of his actions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Lucerys’ Death
1. How does Lucerys Velaryon die in the book?
The book Fire & Blood presents Lucerys’ death as somewhat ambiguous. It mentions rumors that Vhagar swallowed him whole, but it doesn’t offer a definitive, firsthand account. This leaves room for interpretation regarding the exact manner of his demise.
2. Why did Aemond regret killing Lucerys?
The evidence suggests that Aemond’s primary intention was to intimidate, not kill, Lucerys. Vhagar’s actions exceeded his control, and Aemond recognized immediately the grave political ramifications of his involvement in Lucerys’ death.
3. Does Rhaenyra know Lucerys died?
Yes, Rhaenyra learns of Lucerys’ death in the Season 1 finale of House of the Dragon. The news is delivered to her at Dragonstone, and her reaction is one of profound grief and incandescent rage, solidifying her resolve to wage war.
4. What does Rhaenyra do after Lucerys is killed?
After Lucerys’ death, Rhaenyra abandons any pretense of peace and prepares for war. She and her husband, Daemon, begin plotting their strategies and seeking allies to strengthen their position against Aegon II.
5. Who avenges Lucerys’ death?
While not a direct act of vengeance, Daemon Targaryen orchestrates the “Blood and Cheese” incident, a brutal act of retribution against Aegon II’s family, in response to Lucerys’ death. This sets a cycle of violence in motion.
6. Why did Lucerys laugh at Aemond?
Lucerys laughed at Aemond at a family dinner after Aemond was presented with a pig in place of a dragon. This was intended as a cruel joke about Aemond’s lack of a dragon at that time. This early humiliation fuels Aemond’s animosity towards Lucerys.
7. Did Aemond feel bad about killing his nephew?
Aemond certainly exhibited remorse immediately after Vhagar’s action. His facial expression and attempts to restrain Vhagar suggest that he did not intend to kill Lucerys.
8. Which dragon killed Vhagar?
Vhagar and Caraxes were killed in the ensuing Battle Above the Gods Eye. Caraxes’s jaws closed around Vhagar’s neck, Daemon leapt from his dragon to Vhagar to put Dark Sister through Aemond’s eye, and the dragons crashed into the lake.
9. What happens after Aemond kills Lucerys?
Following Lucerys’ death, Aemond returns to King’s Landing, where Aegon II holds a feast in his honor. However, Otto Hightower and Alicent Hightower are horrified by his actions, recognizing the consequences of his deed.
10. Why can’t Aemond control Vhagar?
Aemond, despite being Vhagar’s rider, is not always able to fully control her actions. Dragons possess their own instincts and can act independently, particularly when provoked. Vhagar’s age and experience likely contribute to her strong will.
11. Who died after Lucerys Velaryon?
Following Lucerys’ death, the cycle of revenge intensifies, leading to numerous deaths on both sides of the conflict. The “Blood and Cheese” incident is a direct consequence, and the Dance of the Dragons becomes increasingly bloody and devastating.
12. Is there a dragon stronger than Vhagar?
At the time of the Dance of the Dragons, Vhagar was the largest and arguably the most powerful dragon in Westeros. While other dragons like Vermithor and Cannibal were formidable, Vhagar’s size, age, and battle experience gave her a significant advantage.
13. Did Vhagar lay eggs?
It is not explicitly stated in Fire & Blood or House of the Dragon whether Vhagar laid any eggs. She-Dragons can only be identified as such, because they laid eggs. Which means it’s logical to assume that Vhagar had at least one clutch of eggs.
14. What ended House Velaryon?
Although they survived the civil war, the House of the Dragon saga is coming to an end. The last known dragon died during Aegon III’s reign, and House Velaryon’s influence diminished dramatically.
15. Is the scene when Lucerys dies in the books?
Yes, the scene when Lucerys dies is in the books, in the novel Fire & Blood. Though the show provides more explicit details about the gruesome nature of Lucerys’ death.
Understanding the complexities of Lucerys Velaryon’s fate helps to underscore the themes of war, consequence, and the burden of power woven throughout George R.R. Martin’s world. The death of Lucerys becomes a tragic reminder of the heavy prices paid during the Dance of the Dragons.
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