Summary
Balerion the Black Dread is arguably the most famous dragon in Westeros' history.
He was ridden by Aegon the Conqueror when he set out to take over Westeros.
His flaming breath melted the swords of the conquered into the Iron Throne.
Image via HBO
Essosi Magisters from Pentos and Tyrosh requested Aegons help in an ongoing war with Volantis.
Aegon accepted their plea and burnt down the entire Volateen Fleet.
Soon after, Aegon set his eyes on Westeros.
The reign of House Targaryen begins with this prequel to the popular HBO seriesGame of Thrones.Based on George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood,House of the Dragonis set nearly 200 years beforeGame of Thrones, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys.
Balerion was an essential asset that enabledAegon to claim the Seven Kingdomsand unite them under his banner.
Aegons son, Maegor, succeeded him as King.
Maegor earned the nickname, The Cruel andis arguably the most evil Targaryen King in history.
Maegor was a dangerous fighter with a sadistic temperament, which naturally drew him to Balerion.
Maegor crushed several rebellions using Balerions power.
Jaehaerys' sister Rhaena Targaryen was no stranger to tragedy.
Rhaena would spend much of his reign on Dragonstone with her daughter Aerea.
Aerea Targaryen Claimed Balerion on Dragonstone
Rhaena’s time on Dragonstone was not pleasant.
Despite their estranged relationship, Rhaena still believed that herdaughter should claim a dragon of her own.
Barth remarked that Aerea’s skin wasn’t just hot; it was burning.
“Underneath her gaunt skin were bulges that would expand and retract.
After some time,her eyes burst from the sheer heat within her.
Ever seen a dragon disappear?
The greatest horror came when Benifer and Barth attempted to lower the child into a tub of ice.
However, Septon Barth still wondered as to where the princess and Balerion had gone.
Image via HBO
The Septon had deduced that the wrong question had been asked.
Even Balerion didn’t escape the Doom unscathed.
When Aerea arrived at King’s Landing, Septon Barth also noted half-healed wounds on Balerion’s body.
Barth described a nine-foot-long wound across Balerion’s left side, still fresh with blood.
The Black Dread likely sought to return to where he was born and only found death and ruin.
The group of 77 keepers would ensure that any attempt to steal away House Targaryen’s dragons would fail.
The Death of Balerion
It would be 40 years before Balerion found another rider.
In the years since Aerea, Balerion grew slow and tired.
Balerion was the oldest living creature in the known world, and the signs of age began to show.
Throughout history, the Black Dread only submitted to Targaryens who matched his fierce temperament.
Aside from Drogon, there is another beast worthy of Balerions name in theA Song of Ice and Fireseries.
Its said to be a lot furrier, but just as deadly.
Rhaegar Targaryens daughter, Princess Rhaenys, named her black kitten Balerion.
The cat vanished afterRhaenyss murder during Roberts Rebellion.
Martin himself has since confirmed.
The cat has survived various skirmishes with Lannisters.
While Balerion died a long time ago,his legacy lives on through Daenerys and her dragons.
Game of ThronesandHouse of the Dragonare available to stream on MAX in the U.S.
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