The dragon Vhagar is today one of the most popular characters in House of the Dragon, rarely praised and always massacred with abuse and insults online. Serious!

We were introduced, in the 1st season, to the largest and oldest dragon in history, because she is one of the three great dragons that Aegon the Conqueror and his sisters used to conquer Westeros, and its rider was the legendary Visenya Targaryen, Vhagar is something of an affectionate and paradoxical hate, where the most abusive comments are always aimed at her. In a universe of villains, she stands out as the most feared, even if her violent actions are not necessarily of her own volition… or would they?

Who is Vhagar?

The dragon Vhagar hatched from a dragon egg when the Targaryens were in Dragonstone, during the well-known Century of Blood (a period of civil war in Essos). The connection between beasts and family is strong and the last surviving dragons in the world were possessed by House Targaryen, who brought them with them when they fled Valyria. To maintain traditions, the dragon was named in honor of a goddess of the Valyrian Empire.

Grayish in color, approaching white, and with bright green eyes, its first rider was the courageous princess Visenya Targaryen, one of Aegon I Targaryen’s sister wives, shortly before their marriage.

In size and destructive capacity, Vhagar was second only to Balerion, Aegon I’s dragon, being larger than Meraxes, and alongside two two he was essential in the unification of the Seven Kingdoms under the Targaryen banner, which became known as The Conquest of Aegon (and is the next series in development).

Over time, she grew, and at the height of her life, she was almost as large as Balerion the Black Terror. Its immense wingspan, strength, and ability to breathe fire make it a weapon of mass destruction on the battlefield.

Vhagar reflects the personality of its rider

Every dragon creates a deep and symbiotic bond with its riders, and having been linked to Visenya, known for being a fierce and determined warrior, Vhagar, complemented her combative nature, creating a formidable force on the battlefield, reinforcing the authority of the Targaryens. in Westeros.

After Visenya died, no one dared approach Vhagar until Laena Velaryon decided to have her mount her, at the age of 12. The scene did not appear in House of the Dragon, we only see them as adults, in Essos, when she was already married to Daemon (Matt Smith).

Laena loved to fly and this was Vhagar’s docile period, where she only wanted to walk around and not attack. However, as we saw, Laena died in childbirth and – in the series – begs Vhagar to burn her, to avoid her and the baby’s suffering. The dragon hesitates, wants to avoid it, but obeys, very sad.

These moments placed Vhagar as a dragon with a personality, especially since anyone who read the book knew what would happen next…

Vhagar in the heart of the worst moments of the Civil War

Without Laena, Vhagar was “free” to the next rider, and Rhaena, whose dragon egg failed to hatch, was at her mother’s funeral taking it for granted that she would inherit the privilege. However, Aemond (Ewan Mitchel), who was also looking for a dragon for himself, was more agile.

At just 10 years old, hidden from everyone, he mounts Vhagar in one of the best scenes of the 1st season, showing the initial difficulty until he mastered the dragon. The fact that he “stole” Vhagar – a dragon that only accepts one rider and only changes him when the rider dies – left the Velaryon children furious. In the clash that ensued, the fight soon became physical and Aemond was left blind in one eye when Lucaerys went to protect his cousin and brother, Jacaerys.

The impasse escalated to the parents, with Alicent (Olivia Cooke) desperate for her son, demanding that Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) “pay” for the attack by blinding her own son. Viserys interferes, everyone calms down, and Aemond says the dreaded conclusion: “The price was right: I lost an eye, but I gained a dragon.” And it wasn’t just any dragon!

“Losing” Vhagar always signaled a danger. Alone, much larger than other dragons, she was a powerful weapon, and being linked to the spiteful and warlike Aemond made her a weapon of evil, even if it was not her nature.

On the night that Lucaerys is going to demand the Baratheons’ loyalty to his mother, Aemond uses the opportunity to frighten his nephew and – according to House of the Dragon – accidentally start the civil war. An oops that generated a barrage of cathartic attacks on the Internet that last.

Vhagar is lethal and uncontrollable

Due to her size, Vhagar is somewhat “uncontrollable” and as we know, she did not respect Aemond’s commands, attacking Luce and Vermax until she killed them. From that moment on, Vhagar began to be called “velha”, “deaf”, and “senile” by the fans, who love and hate her. However, she was defending herself and reacting more than attacking alone.

Vhagar’s vital problem at the moment is being ridden by Aemond. The combination always leaves her at risk and causes danger. Daemon opens the second season anxious to overrule Vhagar, unfortunately demanding that Rhaenys (Eve Best) accompany him, which she denies because it sounds like an order that he has no authority to give. This position of Rhaenys in the series was fatal for herself, as we know.

In Rooks Nest, exactly what Daemon warned about happened: Vhagar is no match for a single dragon, he would need at least two to have any chance with her. Still, Meleys was brave, faithful to Rhaenys, and hurt Vhagar, for a moment giving him hope of winning.

What happens is that Aemond, post-Lucearys, knows what Vhagar’s most lethal move is, which isn’t her legendary fire potential. It’s knowing how, even when gigantic, to hide and surprise your opponent. With Luce, she used the clouds to deceive and trap him. With Rhaenys and Meleys, she hid behind the castle to snatch the red dragon’s neck. There was no chance and Meleys almost apologizes to Rhaenys, who dies with her in a heroic and dignified way.

And the attack on Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney)?

Vhagar heeded Aemond’s command, which was “Dracarys.” There were Meleys/Rhaenys and Sunfyre/Aegon in the line, he could argue that he was targeting his aunt/cousin, but as he stood by and watched his brother’s fall, almost celebrating his revenge, letting Rhaenys go, House of the Dragon showed us that if History has outlined a narrative of brothers united, this is Green propaganda. Aemond deliberately attacked Aegon to kill his brother, using the innocent Vhagar who obeyed orders. Still, the online curse was the dragon. Dracarian misogyny?

What will happen to Vhagar?

We will have Vhagar and Aemond causing a lot of damage until at least the end of the 3rd season of House of the Dragon, but her destiny is traced tragically. To date, she is the hardened veteran who has participated in a hundred battles and will be the longest-living dragon in Westeros. Well, at least until Drogon, right?

So seeing Vhagar’s size and power in action in Rooks Nest was incredible. But because Aemond was obsessed with Daemon, it caused Vhagar to be in the duel between them, yes, we will have Caraxes/Daemon BEATING Vhagar/Aemond, but passing away together. Well, in the same shot, purely out of vanity and presumption, we will lose four important characters and end Vhagar’s career fighting, but on the wrong side.

The legend of Vhagar has – deservedly so – endured for generations, often remembered as one of the greatest and fiercest dragons in the history of Westeros. The “old” proves that an old pan makes good food. Vhagar deserved more respect!

Pesquisar

Pesquisar