The Fall of a Legend: Who Truly Killed Vhagar?

Vhagar, the bronze behemoth of the skies, a dragon of the Conquest era and a veteran of countless battles, met her end in the turbulent waters of the Gods Eye. While Aemond Targaryen was her rider at the time, and Daemon Targaryen delivered the fatal blow to Aemond, Vhagar’s ultimate demise was a far more complex equation, a confluence of actions and circumstances rather than a single, straightforward kill. The answer is not as simple as “Daemon Targaryen,” though he certainly played a critical part. Caraxes, Daemon’s dragon, also played a vital role, setting the stage for the final act in the drama.

The Battle Above the Gods Eye: A Dance of Death

The Battle Above the Gods Eye wasn’t a clean, decisive victory for anyone. It was a chaotic, desperate clash between dragons and riders fueled by years of simmering resentment and the brutal realities of war. Daemon, seeking vengeance and strategic advantage, sought out Aemond. Their aerial duel was less a battle of skill and more a brawl of brute force and primal instinct.

Caraxes’s Ferocious Assault

Caraxes, though smaller than Vhagar, was a seasoned fighter, nicknamed “Blood Wyrm” for good reason. Caraxes initiated the attack, slamming into Vhagar with surprising force and locking his jaws around her neck. This was no glancing blow; it was a desperate attempt to cripple the larger dragon, buying Daemon a crucial opening. This initial assault by Caraxes significantly weakened Vhagar, making her vulnerable to the final blow.

Daemon’s Desperate Gambit

With the dragons locked in a deadly embrace, Daemon made a daring, perhaps suicidal, leap from Caraxes onto Vhagar. Ignoring the tremendous risk, he closed the distance to Aemond and, in a moment of brutal finality, plunged Dark Sister into Aemond’s eye. This act removed Aemond from the equation, but it also sealed Daemon’s fate. With no rider to control her, Vhagar plummeted from the sky.

The Crashing Descent and the Watery Grave

The impact of the crash into the Gods Eye was devastating. Vhagar, already wounded by Caraxes’s attack and now riderless, sank to the bottom of the lake and drowned. Caraxes, despite his injuries, managed to swim ashore but succumbed to his wounds shortly after. Daemon’s body was never found, leaving his fate shrouded in mystery.

The True Killer: A Chain of Events

So, who killed Vhagar? In a strictly literal sense, one could argue that drowning was the ultimate cause of death. But that’s a far too simplistic answer. Vhagar’s death was the culmination of several factors:

• Caraxes’s attack significantly weakened Vhagar and created the opportunity for Daemon’s attack.
• Daemon’s killing of Aemond left Vhagar riderless and uncontrolled, causing the crash into the lake.
• The injuries sustained during the fight likely incapacitated Vhagar, preventing her from escaping the water.
• Aemond Hightower’s relative inexperience with Vhagar, compared to Daemon’s decades of riding Caraxes, also contributed to the defeat.

Therefore, it’s more accurate to say that Vhagar’s death was a result of the combined efforts of Daemon and Caraxes, coupled with the circumstances of the battle and the limitations of her rider, Aemond. It was a tragic end for a dragon who had witnessed the birth of a kingdom and played a crucial role in shaping its destiny.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Vhagar’s Demise

1. Was Vhagar the largest dragon alive at the time of her death?

Yes, Vhagar was the largest living dragon during the Dance of the Dragons. Only Balerion the Black Dread, who died long before the Dance, was larger.

2. Could Vhagar have survived if Aemond hadn’t been killed?

It’s impossible to say definitively, but it’s highly unlikely. Caraxes’s attack inflicted significant damage, and Vhagar was already struggling. Aemond might have been able to guide her to safety, but the odds were stacked against them.

3. Why did Daemon risk jumping from Caraxes to Vhagar?

Daemon’s motivations were likely a mix of vengeance, strategic calculation, and desperation. He knew that killing Aemond would cripple the Greens’ war effort and that taking out Vhagar would be a massive blow. He was willing to sacrifice himself to achieve these goals.

4. Was Caraxes stronger than Vhagar?

No, Caraxes was significantly smaller and physically weaker than Vhagar. However, he was more agile and ridden by a more experienced dragonrider.

5. Why did Vhagar obey Aemond in the first place?

Dragons form bonds with their riders based on a complex mix of factors, including personality, strength of will, and shared experiences. Aemond was a bold and determined individual, and Vhagar likely sensed his strength and confidence. Furthermore, Vhagar was aging and perhaps sought a rider who could provide stability and direction.

6. What was the significance of Daemon using Dark Sister to kill Aemond?

Dark Sister was a Valyrian steel sword with a long and storied history within House Targaryen. Using it to kill Aemond added a layer of symbolic weight to the act, emphasizing the Targaryen family’s internal conflict and the breakdown of their legacy.

7. Did Aemond regret killing Lucerys Velaryon?

The text suggests that Aemond was surprised and perhaps even remorseful about Vhagar’s actions in killing Lucerys. It indicates that Vhagar acted independently, disobeying Aemond’s command to merely scare Lucerys.

8. How did Vhagar become so large?

Vhagar lived for nearly two centuries, allowing her to grow to an immense size. Dragons continue to grow throughout their lives, and Vhagar’s longevity allowed her to become one of the largest dragons in history.

9. Was Vermithor a match for Vhagar?

The text states it’s impossible to say for sure. Vhagar had more battle experience, but Vermithor was also a large and powerful dragon. A hypothetical battle between the two would have been a close and brutal affair.

10. What other dragons did Daemon ride besides Caraxes?

The provided text only mentions Daemon riding Caraxes. It is not known if he rode any other dragons prior to Caraxes.

11. Why did Laena Velaryon choose to die by dragonfire?

Laena, facing a difficult and potentially fatal childbirth, chose to die a “dragonrider’s death,” ensuring that she would go out on her own terms, surrounded by the power and majesty of a dragon.

12. Could the Cannibal, a wild dragon, have defeated Vhagar?

The text suggests that the Cannibal, despite his ferocity, would have had a difficult time defeating Vhagar due to his lack of discipline and structured fighting style. Even if he managed to wound or even kill Vhagar, he would likely have been too injured to survive the encounter himself.

13. What happened to Alicent Hightower after the Dance of the Dragons?

Alicent Hightower survived the Dance but was confined to her chambers. According to the books, she eventually went insane and died during an outbreak of Winter Fever.

14. Did Rhaenyra Targaryen ultimately win the Dance of the Dragons?

Rhaenyra’s bloodline ultimately prevailed, as all of Alicent’s children perished in the Dance. Although Aegon III, Rhaenyra’s son, initially married Aegon II’s daughter to unite the factions, she died shortly thereafter.

15. Where can I learn more about the lore and history behind dragons and their riders?

For a deeper dive into the captivating world of dragons and their riders, consider exploring resources like “Fire & Blood” by George R.R. Martin, which serves as the source material for “House of the Dragon.” Additionally, educational platforms such as the Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org), often delve into the narrative structures and world-building techniques employed in fantasy literature, providing valuable insights into the immersive power of storytelling.