Throughout their history, the Targaryen family is known for their relationship with dragons and for using them to gain power and keep it for many years. House of the Dragon reminds us of this from the get-go, as one of the initial scenes that opens Season 1 features a young Princess Rhaenyra riding her dragon around and having it land, much to the relief of Ser Harrold Westerling, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
The dragons were present for the burning of Queen Aemma and baby Baelon’s bodies after they, tragically, passed away during labor. They are an integral part of the family’s tradition, as they are used to burn the bodies of the deceased as well as for the births, when an egg is placed on the crib next to the newborn, with the hope that it will hatch and bond with the new Targaryen.
The Targaryens are the only people in all of Westeros who have dragons and the ability to have them listen to their commands – spoken in the ancient Valyrian tongue. The dragons’ obedience to the illustrious family is also seen in Game of Thrones when Daenerys is making her rise to reclaim the throne with fire and blood. But why are the Targaryens the only family in all of Westeros to be blessed with the power of these gigantic fire-breathing reptiles?
What’s the link between Targaryens and dragons?
The Targaryen dynasty has been around for centuries, and it all came from dragons. This family of white-haired nobles was originally from Valyria – or Old Valyria as it’s referred to in the series – a mythical city in the continent of Essos. Not only was this long-lost city home to the Targaryens, but it was also to House Velaryon, which is still a prominent House of the Dragon, and House Celtigar, which is also canonically still around at this time but does not play a relevant part in season 1 of the prequel series or even in the 8 seasons of Game of Thrones.
In Valyria, pretty much everyone had a dragon, it was commonplace and the Targaryens were like any other family. However, a disaster known as the Doom befell the capital, destroying it forever. The Targaryens managed to survive this as they had already fled the city thanks to a premonition. When the Doom struck, the family was living safely with their dragons in Dragonstone.
About a hundred years following the cataclysmic event, Aegon I used his dragons to conquer Westeros and established the Targaryen dynasty as rulers of the continent. It did not take long to force six of the seven kingdoms to their knees, with Dorne following in later through marriage that was, as most high-profile marriages were, more political than anything.
When Valyria was destroyed, dragons became a rarity in comparison to the glory and abundance of old. And the conflicts that would arise amongst Targaryens, would drive dragons to the point where they are believed to be extinct. In season 1 of Game of Thrones, when Daenerys is first introduced to us, dragons are believed to be forever gone. However, the last female Targaryen proves everyone wrong when she manages to make three old dragon eggs hatch from a fire. Game of Thrones as well as House of the Dragon both showcase that Targaryens are the only ones to have a special connection with dragons, who are very loyal to them, even if, as the season finale of the prequel series shows, they cannot always be controlled.