#daenerys riding drogon

[comicchannel]

Funko Pop Rides Game of Thrones Daenerys with Drogon (Fiery) - 68

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[throwawayasoiafaccount]

I love that one of the roles fire plays in this series is to represent how all consuming desire can be, and how it’s framed as something that can be world ending when uncontrolled.

So naming unnatural, untamable green fire ‘wildfire’ is therefore a stroke of genius. It’s the representation of how we humans manufacture our own doom in the pursuit power, of how uncontrolled desire will eventually blow up in our faces.

And the fact that barrels and barrels of it sit fermenting under Kings Landing, Westeros’s breeding ground of maniac desire, and the capital the ambitious and corrupt flock to for what it promises? It’s perfection!

[that-one-scared-gay]

am i the only one who wants a fic where dany is transported to hotd time, preferably around that dinner right before viserys died, so that this entire mess of a family is confronted with what will become of their dynasty — a girl who calls herself the mother of dragons, who grew up as a beggar and was sold by her own brother in exchange for an army, who has never set a foot in king’s landing, who is the last of her kind, the last of the targaryens

and for dany to look at these people, her ancestors — her family was so large, there are so many of them — and their dragons, who wear saddles, who are tended to in the dragonpit, by keepers who know what they are doing, who have a long history with these creatures

and she knows, she knows her histories, she knows about the dance, she knows these individuals are the ones who brought her family to ruin, who made the dragons disappear — and she thinks of being stuck in the desert with a half-dead khalasar and three newborn dragons, of struggling to feed them, of not knowing how, of all these things that have been lost to her, these birthrights that were stolen- her dragons were gifted by a pentosi merchant, not placed at her cradle as it should have been— and seeing them all take it for granted, knowing they will destroy all of it in a war that has no victor-

can you imagine daenerys, who has only ever wanted to go home, who has only ever wanted to have family- can you picture her looking at them, at these people who hate each other, who will kill each other, who will take so much from her, even if they don’t know it yet

can you imagine her rage, at all of them, for taking it all for granted. for turning on each other over the throne, when it would be theirs regardless, would be targaryen, would be the dynasty’s, and don’t they understand, a targaryen alone in the world is a terrible thing

[daenerys-targaryen]

that fucking ‘snow’ show

[ragnarssons]

also, real talk², i'm really really really sad we didn't get addam's first flight on seasmoke.

[sunny12th]

Imagine hardned and sarcastic Tyrion with soft boi Viserion tho manifest

🔮👁 MANIFESTING 👁🔮

this is quite literally all I need. this is food and water to me. this is my OXYGEN.

and I've been thinking sm about the dragons reflecting the riders inner-selves too. Drogon reflecting Dany's boldness and leadership (first to fly, first to kill). Drogon isn't like an alpha, theyre not wolves, but he is the largest and the first to succeed in pretty much everything the dragons do, including being independent. He's a trailblazer for the new generation of dragons lol. I imagine Rhaegal and Viserion watching how Drogon launches himself up and flies the first time and copying his actions.

A lot of people think Viserion will go to either Jon or Tyrion. I'm pretty torn, it could go either way and there's foreshadowing for both. Rhaegal is named for Jon's father and Viserion is named for Viserys. Tyrion is predicted to be the brother Dany never had and she'll be the sister he has always needed so he might get the dragon named for her brother.

Viserion is clearly the most affectionate to Dany and is also the least aggressive of the three dragons (this could also be foreshadowing Tyrion falling for Dany). And Tyrion, who has been abused all his life, can be violent but not in a sadistic or gratuitous way. Similarly, we see Vis scrapping with his brothers but we only see Rhaegal starting fights. We do see Tyrion spiral into a darker place in ADWD though and maybe having Viserion could help pull him out.

The dragons have come to symbolize freedom, hope, and strength. I imagine that's exactly how Tyrion will feel around them - free, hopeful, and stronger. We've only seen how a dragon bond works with Dany so who knows. I'm really excited to see the dragons through Tyrion's eyes.

I love the idea of the dragons reflecting the riders inner-selves and helping them bring those qualities to the surface. In AGoT, Dany has dragon dreams of a black-and-scarlet (drogon) baptizing her in fire. This literally strengthens her mentally and physically. Tyrion could experience something similar.

Regardless of any potential magical healing going on, I love the idea of Viserion taking to Tyrion. Even if Tyrion doesn't ride Vis, they should get along. A dragon bond is Not required for dragons to like people - just look at Brown Ben Plumm. They can cuddle together and Tyrion can finally feel safe falling asleep because he'll have a dragon to protect him.

and Tyrion flying on Vis. I will cry the first time he gets to fly okay I will literally break down. I always loved the idea of Dany taking Tyrion on his first flight with Drogon (A Whole New Wooorld....) but since she's gonna be busy with the Dothraki for a minute, I dont hate the idea of Tyrion just going for it with Vis.

Drogon hardened Dany but maybe Viserion will soften Tyrion.

[witchofhimring]

Being the daughter of Daenerys Targaryen

Pairings: Daenerys Targaryen x Reader (platonic)

Whether you are a bio daughter or not is up to you.

-Daenerys had always had the desire to be a mother. From the day you were first placed in her arms Daenerys was instantly in love with you. Although the people of Meereen were her children you were the most cherished. Nuha Rina she called you, her child.

It was a warm night, but surprisingly a light breeze carried itself on the wind. Daenerys stood by the window watching over the city with its flickering flames and unique spices. The baby in her arms stirred and one of Y/n's tiny fists retched up. Daenerys placed a kiss on the babies petal smooth skin. The love she felt for this babe surpassed even that of her dragons. Misa, they had called her. Only now Daenerys felt the sole connection that a mother had with their child. An unbreakable bond between two souls.

-Daenerys is a strict mother. Not in a cruel sense, but she does expect you to follow and obey her. However her love is fierce and she is very protective of you. While she might take you into the town amongst the common people, teach you to lead an army and embody the flame of Valyria, Daenerys is constantly scared something will happen to you. While she may walk amongst her people without a care, you are a different matter. There is always a guard by your side. From the time you are old enough to walk Daenerys has a personal guard to attend you. Any maid or lady in waiting is carefully selected.

Daenerys held your small hand, slowing down so you could keep up. The citizens of Meereen were used to seeing their Queen walk amongst them. But today it was a first for you. Normally mother had you stay in the carriage. Visible, but at a safe distance. Despite the Queen's desire to keep her daughter safe she was also aware that because the Targaryen dynasty was little more than a budding flower in Essos. They needed to cement their hold and that could only be done is you showed yourself to the people. It was your duty as a monarch. And besides, was it not a mothers duty to forge a relationship between themselves and their children? "Your Grace, if I may?" An elderly woman approached, a bundle of colourful flowers in hand. Daenerys was used to people approaching her, but her daughter was another matter. She laid a hand on her daughters shoulder apprehensively. Y/n looked up hopefully, waiting for her mothers permission. She allowed the older woman to approach. Normally warmth spread through her body when granted such a gesture. But all she felt was concern. She let out a sigh of relief when her daughter received the flowers, unharmed.

-Daenerys loves teaching you the stories of old Valyria. You will lay next to her on the silk blankets as she talks well into the night. Expect rides with her dragons. While Daenerys might be apprehensive about others in your vicinity, her dragons are different. There will be lots of red and black dresses in your closet.

Y/n sleepily rested against her mothers side. Today had been rather exciting. What, with getting three new dresses all decked out in Targaryen regalia and a ride on Drogon the little Princess was all tuckered out. "Balerion climbed higher and higher into the sky. Higher and higher Aegon the Conqueror flew. So high up he was that Harrenhal was little more than a spot. Suddenly, he advanced upon the stone keep. And the castle, built upon the blood of slaves was in flames-" Daenerys noticed by your breathing that you were asleep. Carefully she slipped you under the covers. With the candles extinguished she allowed sleep to claim her, Y/n in her arms.

This ones a bit shorter than the rest. But I am very tired and want to get this one out. Expect Sansa next.

[midnight--sadness]

Giving dragons to non-dragonriding Targaryens.

(Note: this makes no sense in terms of timelines, it is just for fun! 😊)

Daenerys: Morning -- no great philosophical reason, I just think my girl deserves a pretty pink dragon

Daella: Viserion -- he is such a gentle dragon, she would (probably) get over her fear of them if she had him contantly cuddling her

Saera: Syrax -- a spoiled dragon for a girl who always desired attention

Viserra: Sunfyre -- the most beautiful of Alysanne's daughters must have the most beautiful dragon in the known world

Aemma Arryn: Tessarion -- the Blue Queen would match with Meleys the Red Queen, whose rider Rhaenys is Aemma's cousin

Viserys II: Rhaegal -- I feel like between Drogon and Viserion, sometimes Rhaegal is forgotten, which is also something I feel happens with Viserys, particularly in the midst of the tragedy of the Dance

Aegon IV: Syrax -- both very fertile and pampered

Naerys: Dreamfyre -- both of Dreamfyre's previous riders, Rhaena and Helaena, had twins, so I wanted to have that connection to Naerys

Daeron I: Meraxes -- the obvious Dorne connection and both Queen Rhaenys and Daeron have Velaryon mothers

Daena: Caraxes -- the Blood Wyrm being ridden by Daemon's wild granddaughter OR Meleys

Elaena: Arrax -- his coloring perfectly matches her hair OR Moondancer -- she "stole" her aunt Baela's husband and also her dragon

Daeron II: Silverwing -- only appropriate that Good Queen Alysanne's dragon is ridden by King Daeron the Good

Daemon Blackfyre: Balerion -- the Black Dread for the Black Dragon

Aegor Rivers: Vermithor -- the Bronze Fury for a perpetually angry man

Brynden Rivers: the Cannibal -- known for eating other dragons and Brynden is a supposed kinslayer OR Caraxes -- the Blood Wyrm for Bloodraven, both lean and formidable

Shiera Seastar: Seasmoke or Silverwing -- a silver dragon that matches her aesthetic

Baelor: Sunfyre -- golden like the sun of Dorne and his name "sun" like the Martell sigil, in honor of his mother Myriah Martell, and "fire" connects to the Targaryen words

Maekar: Vhagar -- a war dragon

Aemon: Viserion -- Daenerys' sweet boy for the man who so desperately wanted to protect her

Aerion: the Cannibal -- the dragon's menacing green eyes are the color of wildfire

Rhaegar: Grey Ghost -- a wild dragon, known for his elusiveness, is mysterious and avoidant of people, and would be a good companion to Rhaegar and the way no one really knew him

Rhaenys: Balerion -- she named her kitten after the Black Dread, so it is only fair that she gets to ride him

Please let me know what you think!

Do you think there is another dragon/rider combination or is there someone here you would assign another dragon?

[syndrossi]

When Rhaegal returned alone to Dragonstone, Daenerys’ had felt her heart drop in an immediate wave of grief that caught her off guard. Jon hadn’t always felt like family, not in the way she had always dreamed, but he was the only other person in the world that understood - being the last, being a dragon rider, the weight of responsibility and destiny that had brought them this far. So she had done the only thing there was to do, bid Rhaegal to return to where he had last seen Jon and followed. She had not expected to feel the living, burning frisson of warlock magic permeating the ruins. Had not had more than a moment to consider what to do about the gap, the cracked door in the magic that she could feel closing before her. But if she looked back, she was lost and so she reached for Drogon and pushed forward. Whatever mischief, whatever malicious intent she had imagined, she had not expected to find herself in the Vale, and a terrified Lady Lynda apologizing for the treason of hiding Targaryen twins from King Viserys and his brother…

Oh my goodness, I love this premise. What a fun dynamic: you have 19-year-old Dany, riding a dragon, appearing out of NOWHERE. So there's the fun of House Targaryen going "wtf wtf wtf is this one of Saera's children? where did that dragon come from??? elissa farman gdi"

And then she comes across mini-Jon, and a mini-RHAEGAR? I hope Daemon's ready to fight her, because she's going to be grabby-handsing them. This Jon could be family in the way she's always wanted. And here is the Rhaegar she never got to meet!

But also the heartache of having her "family" (House Targaryen) here, but strangers, unwilling to acknowledge her as anything other than an interloper, a bastard of an exiled member of their house. Another home where she doesn't quite belong, so she's damned if she'll let go of Jon and Rhaegar, when they're the only home/family she knows here.

[enby-jellyfish]

Romantic Flight

Queen Daenerys Targaryen X GN!Reader (POC Friendly)

Pronouns: You/Your

Summary: Dany takes you on a romantic flight.

Warnings: Tooth-rotting fluff I guess, me being sentimental about Daenerys (I miss her).

Word Count: 483 (a short one)

A/N: Based on the Romantic Flight scene with Hiccup and Astrid in HTTYD.

It has been a long day in Meereen. Exhausted you make your way to prepare for bed when you run into Daenerys. She looks excited, a mischievous grin highlighting her soft face.

“There you are, I’ve been looking for you.” She takes your hands into hers. “Come, I wish to show you something.”

It’s nice to see her like this, the weight of her responsibilities has been heavy.

“Show me what, my queen?” She gives you that smile you’ve come to adore, puffed out cheeks and scrunched nose. “You’ll see.”

Exhaustion forgotten; you allow her to pull you with her to whatever she has planned.

You are dragged to the resting grounds of her children. Confused you look around for what it is she is trying to show you as she walks towards Drogon and gives her eldest some loving pats on his snout, the fearsome dragon leaning into her touch and closing his eyes.

“Dany, I’ve seen your children before, I was there when they were born.” It was quite a day, difficult to forget how she emerged out of the flames with three newborn dragons.

“Yes, but have you ever ridden one of them before?” Her tone is laced with mischief.

“What?” Of course, you know how dragons used to be flown around, back when there were more than three. You’ve seen Daenerys herself ride Drogon over the Great Pit of Daznak. Never once have you considered it to be something for you to experience though.

“Drogon is big enough for two now.” She looks up at him as she speaks, fondness clear in her eyes.

“I- are you sure?” While knowing and trusting both Drogon and Daenerys you are still hesitant.

“Come.” She beckons you as she mounts the dragon.

As graceful as you can, which is not very, you take your seat behind her.

You squeeze your eyes shut and hold tightly onto her as Drogon lifts the three of you up into the air. It is a bumpy ride; you can feel the joints and muscles of the mighty being moving beneath you.

Once he reaches his desired altitude, Drogon steadies, gliding gently through the air. It is then you dare open your eyes again.

It is a truly wonderful sight. Floating above soft-looking clouds, painted pink by red of the setting sun.

You loosen your grip on Daenerys slightly, utterly lost in the sights. You almost don’t notice her leaning back into you. Almost.

As the sun fully sets you make your descent, offering Daenerys your hand after getting off first.

“That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.” You speak softly, caressing Drogon’s smooth scales.

“Admit it, you enjoyed it.” Daenerys teases. “I did.”

She smiles at your agreement and leans in to gently press her lips to your cheek in a quick kiss.

“C’mon, it’s getting late. You need your energy, my queen.”

Masterlist

Thank you for reading <3

[comicchannel]

Funko Pop Rides Game of Thrones Daenerys with Drogon - 15

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[selkiewife]

Alicent's relationship with Dragons

“The idea that we control the dragons is an illusion.”

This is a fascinating quote and I love how it builds on the dragon lore we already see being established in asoiaf with Daenerys:

She would sooner have returned to Meereen on dragon's wings, to be sure. But that was a desire Drogon did not seem to share. The dragonlords of old Valyria had controlled their mounts with binding spells and sorcerous horns. Daenerys made do with a word and a whip. Mounted on the dragon's back, she oft felt as if she were learning to ride all over again. When she whipped her silver mare on her right flank the mare went left, for a horse's first instinct is to flee from danger. When she laid the whip across Drogon's right side he veered right, for a dragon's first instinct is always to attack. Sometimes it did not seem to matter where she struck him, though; sometimes he went where he would and took her with him. Neither whip nor words could turn Drogon if he did not wish to be turned. ~ A Dance With Dragons, Daenerys X

And I also love how it is supported throughout the whole first season of House of the Dragon, both literally (as with Aemond and Luke at the end) and symbolically with Otto and Alicent.

I've been thinking a lot about the symbolism of trying to control dragons in Alicent's arc. Throughout the first season, Otto attempts to use his daughter to control "dragons of flesh" (Rhaenyra and Viserys.) The first part of Otto's plan was to have Rhaenyra supplant Daemon as the heir and I noticed on this second rewatch that Alicent may have been tasked by Otto to encourage Rhaenyra's ambition for the throne:

ALICENT: You're worried your father is about to overshadow you with a son. RHAENYRA: I only worry for my mother. I hope for my father that he gets a son. As long as I can recall, it's all he's wanted. ALICENT: You want him to have a son? RHAENYRA: I want to fly with you on dragonback, see the great wonders across the Narrow Sea, and eat only cake. ALICENT: I'm being serious. RHAENYRA: I never jest about cake. ALICENT: You aren't worried about your position? RHAENYRA: I like this position. It's quite comfortable.

Rhaenyra's flirting aside (I'll get to that later lol), Alicent seems very intent on discussing Rhaenyra's position as heir. I think that Alicent has true concern for Rhaenyra's desires (and she knows her very well) but she has also been told by her father to encourage those desires in Rhaenyra. Even though Otto is trying to manipulate the situation, I think Alicent is happy to comply because to her mind, making her best friend the heir to the throne is really a win win for everyone- her father, Rhaenyra, the realm, etc. Her own desires align with Otto's at this point.

But then Otto tasks Alicent to essentially "break" her "dragon bond" with Rhaenyra and establish one with the king instead. This is when things really begin to fall apart for Alicent because her desires absolutely do not align with "claiming" Viserys. But she does as her father bids and begins a long, traumatic arc of trying to control dragons- both Viserys and later her "dragon" sons, Aegon and Aemond (as we see at the end of Season 1 and from the trailers of Season 2.) But this is doomed to fail because, as Viserys himself says, control of dragons is an illusion.

I think it is also doomed to fail because Alicent is also trying to control her own dragons- that is to say, her own desires. I think that the dragons- and her fear of riding them- is symbolic of Alicent’s sexuality and her feelings toward Rhaenyra. The first thing that Rhaenyra says to Alicent in the show after she climbs off Syrax is that she wants to take Alicent dragon riding with her. But Alicent declines:

ALICENT: Syrax is growing quickly. She'll soon be as large as Caraxes. RHAENYRA: That's almost large enough to saddle two. ALICENT: I believe I'm quite content as a spectator, thank you.

There is a moment where Rhaenyra registers the rejection while Alicent turns to go inside the carriage- which looks similar to a cage. Rhaenyra looks back at Syrax who is lead away into the dragon pit- also a cage- before going in after her.

Rhenyra's invitation to join her on her dragon is an intimate one in my opinion. It reminds me of Rhaena taking Elissa to ride on Dreamfyre. Dragons can symbolize power but I think they can also symbolize sexuality, freedom, and gender fluidity. As Maester Aemon said in asoiaf:

"Dragons are neither male nor female, Barth saw the truth of that, but now one and now the other, as changeable as flame." ~ A Feast for Crows, Samwell IX

Rhaenyra talks about flying with Alicent again when they are in the godswood and Alicent responds by becoming flustered and attempting to leave. I think that flying on a dragon symbolizes a kind of freedom- and perhaps a kind of sexual freedom that frightens her. So by shutting that conversation down it symbolizes how she is trying to shut down that part of her as well. She is trying to control the "dragons" of her own desires- to keep them locked up in a cage. Unfortunately, "there is a beast beneath the boards" and her desires (like dragons) cannot be caged indefinitely. They will eventually be let out- even if it is in a very destructive way.

[nightingale2004]

The daughter of Khal Drogo and Daenaerys Targaryen

Khalakka Rhaella Targaryen

Faceclaim: Alycia Debnam-Carey

She was originally a twin to Rhaego, but after he passed shortly after he was born, Rhaella was born shortly after, alive and healthy

Rhaego was prophesied to be the stallion who mounted the world, but what they missed was his sister, the dragon who would've flew the skies by his side while they mounted the world together

Rhaella has her father's savage and wild spirit that no man or woman can tame. Dany would describe it as the soul of a true dragon

Rhaella also inherited her mother's confidence, strength, determination, honor, and compassion

Despite looking like her father, she is her mother's daughter

She has some silver white streaks in her hair and purple eyes in which she inherited from Dany.

Daenerys was the mother of Dragons, but Rhaella was their kin. Their sister and dragon master

When she was a child, she always wanted to wield a sword. Her mother didn't allow it until way later

Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal love Rhaella and are completely soft for her and Dany.

Rhaella rides Viserion

She is a master swordsman and a part of her mother's council

Loves Missandei and sees her as family

Despite not knowing her twin or her birth father, she feels like their spirits are within the dragons

Rhaella loves flying on Dragon's back

She practices her Valyrian a lot to communicate with the dragons

Loves playing with the Dragons

The Dothraki and the many soldiers and servants who are truly loyal to Daenerys love Rhaella and consider her a fearful wild spirit but also a true delight

Tolerates Tyrion

Despite being skilled in a fight, she is actually very strategic and intelligent to understand politics

Has never bedded anyone

Knows her history of both her Dothraki and Targaryen heritage

She made a promise to herself that she would help her mother sit on the iron throne, and dragons would soar the skies freely along with House Targaryen being restored to their might once again

Wants to be a strong leader like her mother and father someday, who can also carry a sword and restore peace to the realm. She also wishes to be fair and different from the Lannisters (especially Cersei)

[diamondperfumes]

Culture is a central aspect of Dany's arc. As such, it is a central feature of interpretations of her character, whether such interpretations are positive or negative.

The majority of ASOIAF fans dislike Dany's relationship with culture. What I find interesting, however, is that ASOIAF fans end up rejecting Dany's place in every culture she's part of.

Dany was born on Dragonstone, and immediately fled to Braavos when Rhaella died. When Viserys and Daenerys were forced to leave the Sealord's Manse, they traveled through the Free Cities: Lys, Myr, Tyrosh. Dany speaks Valyrian with a Tyroshi accent/dialect. Six months before the events of AGOT, Viserys and Daenerys land up in Illyrio's manse in Pentos.

Dany unequivocally adopts Dothraki culture as her own. She worships the Dothraki Horse God, speaks Dothraki fluently, wears the hrakkar when she wants to be comfortable, prefers her Dothraki riding leathers, painted vest, and medallion belt to the Meereenese tokar (and wears such an outfit when she wants to project strength), wears bells in her hair, considers Dothraki funeral rites for her own eventual death, loves horse riding, and sees herself as part of the Dothraki land. She is a Khaleesi of her own Khalasar, and also foreshadowed to be the Stallion who Mounts the World.

Dany spends time in Qarth, recovering from the perils of the Red Waste, figuring her leadership style out as a beggar queen, before she is kicked out of the city. There she meets Quaithe, who recurs as an ambiguous guide and mentor in her arc. She also receives various prophecies from the Undying, before they try to devour her. Xaro becomes an ally, and then enemy, and she learns important lessons from him. She gets her three-headed dragon crown, wrought in jade, ivory, and onyx, from the Pureborn of Qarth.

Dany conquers Slaver's Bay, moving from Astapor, to Yunkai, to Meereen, before ruling Meereen as Queen. She tries to free slaves and abolish slavery in each city. She wears the Meereenese tokar, speaks Ghiscari in court, marries Hizdahr zo Loraq in the Meereenese fashion, re-opens the fighting pits, trains her child hostages as cupbearers, and tries to be the "queen of rabbits." The bulk of the exploration of her leadership style and ideology is in Slaver's Bay.

Dany wants to reconquer Westeros on behalf of the Targaryen dynasty, and idealizes Westeros as a beautiful land. She names the habitat Drogon carves out for himself as Dragonstone.

Dany longs for the house with the red door and lemon tree. The two places she admits to being happiest in are Braavos (the house with the red door) and the Dothraki Sea. She once wanted to be a sailor. She has dreams of living a simple life with Daario. She also wants to be queen.

Dany speaks Ghiscari, High Valyrian, Tyroshi Valyrian (and likely other Valyrian dialects, like Pentoshi Valyrian), the Common Tongue, and Dothraki. She worships both the Faith of the Seven and the Dothraki Horse God. She has a connection to R'hllorism. She's lived in various Free Cities, the Dothraki Sea, Qarth, and Meereen. She's been through the Red Waste, Vaes Dothrak, Astapor, and Yunkai.

ASOIAF fans reject every one of Dany's relationships to these locations and cultures.

She is considered entitled, and imperialistic, for wanting to reconquer Westeros. Most theories of her dying center around the futility of conquest, the violence of House Targaryen, the selfishness of holding on to its name, the fact of her exile, and even that she is "foreign" to the land and culture. Many point out that she doesn't know "anything" about Westeros, that her father was Aerys II, that her family are "oppressive conquerors," and that her family lost the throne. Some will come up with convoluted reasons to claim that Jon Snow or Young Griff are ahead of her in the line of succession (so the throne belongs to a Targaryen, just not her). She won't "respect" Northern independence, Dornish independence, Ironborn independence, etc.

She is considered violent, tyrannical, and a threat to Westeros because of her connection to the Dothraki. She is accused of being an enabler of slavery and rape for being Drogo's wife, and then a she-Khal. The stallion who mounts the world prophecy is used as "proof" that she will go mad, or that she will burn Westeros to the ground in her conquest. She is accused of romanticizing Dothraki culture. She's blamed for what happens to the women of the Lhazarene village, particularly Mirri. Phrases such as "she is a white woman whose arc is propped up by the suffering of women of color/characters of color" are usually located here.

Dany is accused of not really caring about slavery because "she didn't do anything about it in Qarth," and stayed in Xaro's manse as a guest.

At the same time, Dany is seen as a white/Westerosi character "imposing her foreign/Western values" upon Essos. She is accused of "trying to civilize" Dothraki culture and "appropriating/mimicking" it. The phrase "white man's burden" is usually thrown around here. She's accused of raping Irri, her arc being built on Irri and Jhiqui's suffering, and the Dothraki being painted as "savage" for her own trauma. She is mocked as naive and ignorant for not appreciating the beauty of Qarth and wanting to return to Westeros in spite of being there, accused of being unfair toward Xaro in expecting an alliance from him, accused of being a cultural imperialist for burning down the House of the Undying.

Her time in Slaver's Bay receives the lion's share of the critique. She ruins its political economy. She destroys the region. She profits from slavery while claiming to be antislavery. She causes the freedmen to face poverty, violence, murder, rape, and suffering. She doesn't do enough against rapists and looters. She chooses fire and blood over the Meereenese peace, which is seen as a negative. She colonizes Slaver's Bay. She is like the US in Afghanistan or Iraq––invading for selfish reasons and then leaving, causing a rightwing insurgency to grow. She commits war crimes by torturing the wineseller's daughters and crucifying 163 Great Masters of Meereen, leaders of the city.

Yet the irony of this is captured in how people criticize her presence in Meereen: she is accused of ruining the city as an imperialist and is then criticized for wanting to sail away to conquer Westeros. So essentially, she has no place in Meereen, but she is also a bad person for wanting to leave it for Westeros.

As a Targaryen, and a Valyrian in general, her presence is seen as oppressive to both Westeros and Essos. Westeros because of the Targaryen conquest, Essos because of the legacy of the Valyrian Freehold. She's criticized for being "allies" with Illyrio Mopatis, a slaveowner, and people theorize that Braavos will hate her for being a Valyrian with dragons. Yet she is also criticized for not resettling in the house with the red door (presumably in Braavos, no?) and instead wanting to conquer Westeros. She is "too stupid" to appreciate how "beautiful and advanced" Essos is, and too focused on idealizing Westeros, but she is also too Westerosi/white/foreign to Essos.

In other words, for ASOIAF fans, Dany does not deserve to belong to any culture. Seeking a place in Westeros means that she is entitled, selfish, privileged, and oppressive. Being a Dothraki Khaleesi means that she simultaneously romanticizes slavery and is trying to civilize brown people. Conquering Slaver's Bay is an act of imperialism from a Western tyrant seeking resources, but leaving Slaver's Bay is an act of imperialism from a Western tyrant fleeing a war they started. Staying in Qarth means that she romanticizes slavery, but not fitting in there and idealizing Westeros means she is like an American tourist in the Global South, who cannot appreciate the real value of where she is in favor of a backwater Global North (Westeros). Being Valyrian means she is inherently responsible for slavery, and thus does not belong in Braavos or Westeros, but if she lives in Qarth, the Free Cities, or conquers Slaver's Bay to abolish slavery, she is trying to make Old Valyria rise again. She ruined Meereen and will burn Volantis, but she will also burn King's Landing and maybe even Sunspear.

If I ask ASOIAF fans what culture she belongs to, or which continent she should be part of, doubtless I will get multiple answers. But those answers will end up contradicting themselves. The reality is that these are not scattered rejections––the people rejecting Dany's place in each culture will, at different times, reject all the places Dany occupies in said cultures. Someone who on one day says Dany is a backwater white person who can't appreciate the beauty of Qarth will on the next day claim that she is reviving the violence of the Targaryen dynasty upon Dorne and the North by planning to invade Westeros. Someone who will wax lyrical about how she is a white woman whose arc is built on the suffering of women of color, and thus that she is a Nazi, or white supremacist, will on another day call her a rape enabling slave profiteer for being Drogo's wife and a Khaleesi.

Perhaps this is the natural conclusion of a character who is intentionally written as stateless and homeless. A nomad, an exile, a diasporic teenage girl, who longs for various "homes" and has different ideas of "home" in her head. But what does it say about ASOIAF fans that they reject her relationship with every culture? They don't want her in Essos or Westeros. We don't know what's west of Westeros, as we never hear the outcome of Elissa Farman's voyage. Doubtless the same fears people have of Dany living and thriving in Essos or Westeros would apply to any lands west of Westeros too. So where do they want her? There is an answer to this, which only a few ASOIAF fans are honest enough to admit: that Dany should have died in childbirth, or on the journey to Braavos, or on the Dothraki Sea, as Illyrio intended. Sadly, most ASOIAF fans are not brave enough to admit that their rejection of Dany's various cultural "places" is actually just a disguise for their dissatisfaction at her existence in the narrative.

(Whether or not that dissatisfaction is merited, whether or not it is motivated by genuine, "progressive" literary reasons, is another conversation. ASOIAF fans are indeed free to be upset about her presence as a character, or to theorize that she will be a villain because of her cultural statelessness. Right now, though, this post focuses on the question of "what culture could Dany be a part of without being a threat." The answer, for most ASOIAF fans, seems to be that Dany, child of storm, was born a threat to the entire world of ice and fire).

[agentrouka-blog]

"Home," said Dany. "Naath. Butterflies and brothers. Tell me of the things that make you happy, the things that make you giggle, all your sweetest memories. Remind me that there is still good in the world."

Missandei did her best. She was still talking when Dany finally fell to sleep, to dream queer, half-formed dreams of smoke and fire."-Dany.

Oh look Dany asking Missandei for peaceful and happy stories of her and halfway go to sleep only dreaming about fire and blood.

This is even more poignant when you realize it's the last chapter before the reopening of the fighting pits.

After the feast that made Dany so bitter and grumpy, after showing Quentyn her dragons, she joins Hizdahr in their apartments, and indifferently endures having sex with him. He has high hopes for the future, for a child, for peace. Dany feels empty and cannot fall asleep.

Everything in her rebels against the compromises to which she had to agree for the sake of peace. She is as restless here, on the eve of a big event, as she was with Daario two days before her wedding the chapter before. The textual parallels are exact.

Missandei hears her crying, and Dany has her sitting on the bed (where she and Hizdahr just had sex and Hizdahr still sleeps, ahem) to tell her comforting bedtime stories.

Missandei did her best. She was still talking when Dany finally fell to sleep, to dream queer, half-formed dreams of smoke and fire. The morning came too soon. (ADWD, Daenerys VIII)

Significantly, these aren't treated as nightmares, to contrast the wholesome stories of Naath. She is not glad to wake. The morning comes too soon. The dreams, we must conclude, were good for her.

These dreams mirror, in a way, the dream she has before the massacre of Astapor, of riding on dragonback and burning her enemies at the Trident.

In the following chapter, she will reunite with Drogon, who will create a great deal of smoke and fire while carrying her away. It will be a sweet memory for her.

[bbygirl-aemond]

When Dragons Disobey Their Riders

Hi all! I wanted to comment on something that recurs in both Fire and Blood and A Song of Ice and Fire: Instances of dragons blatantly disobeying their riders, often even after multiple attempts by their riders to correct them. If you look at the context of the scenes where this occurs, I think it actually does a lot to show us the level of intelligence and agency that dragons have. Most importantly, in all of the scenes I'm about to discuss, the dragon is not disobeying their rider out of malevolent intent. They are actually trying to protect their rider, and think that their rider is making a request that would put them in danger.

Our first mention of this is with Alysanne Targaryen and her dragon Silverwing, in Fire and Blood. Alysanne is up North, by the Wall, and attempts three separate times to direct Silverwing north of the wall, but Silverwing refuses each time. Some people think Silverwing was wary of the cold, but I think this is unlikely since otherwise she would have refused to come that far north entirely. I think it's much more likely that Silverwing knew some freaky magic was going on beyond the Wall, and that it could be very dangerous for her rider.

Our second mention of this is with Area Targaryen and her dragon Balerion, in Fire and Blood. On her first ride with Balerion, Aerea disappeared for over a year, and both rider and dragon returned severely injured. Aerea's illness in particular was just straight up terrifying and very gorey, and she eventually died from it. Because of this, it's suspected that Balerion actually took Aerea to Old Valyria and that they encountered some freaky magic there. At this point in time, Aerea was trying to escape and go home, and there's a popular theory that Balerion, doing his best to obey her request, took her to the place he thought of as his home.

Our third mention of this is with Lucerys Velaryon and his dragon Arrax, in Season 1 Episode 10 of HotD. When dragon and rider are being pursued by a much bigger dragon, Lucerys is unable to calm Arrax down, and he attacks, which eventually leads to both of their deaths. Arrax is quite young, and he very obviously did this because he was feeling cornered and threatened, and felt like he had to defend himself and his rider.

Our fourth mention of this is with Aemond Targaryen and his dragon Vhagar, in the same episode, right after Arrax's attack. If you go back and look at GIFs of what this attack actually presented as, note the side the attack came from. Arrax flames Vhagar's entire head, and he does it from her left side-- the same side where her rider is blind, specifically because Arrax's rider blinded her rider. It's no wonder Vhagar retaliated; she felt that her rider had been attacked in a very vulnerable place by the same person who made her rider vulnerable and never demonstrated remorse for doing so.

Our fifth and final mention of this is with Daenerys Targaryen and her dragon Drogon, in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. For those of you who watched Game of Thrones, I'm talking about the scene in Mereen where Drogon rescues her from the assassination attempt in the fighting pits. Daenerys wants to remain in Mereen and continue to try to handle the conflict there, but Drogon ignores her commands and flies far off into the wilderness. As far as Drogon's concerned, Mereen isn't safe for Daenerys, so why should she want to stay there?

I think these instances all point to dragons being intelligent, but not enough to really understand politics--that, or they don't care. Vhagar doesn't understand or care that killing Arrax and Lucerys will cause a war; just as Drogon doesn't understand or care that Daenerys wants to remain in Mereen to rule. They prioritize their riders' wellbeing and demonstrate that they don't always think their riders know best. This makes a ton of sense especially for the older, more experienced dragons, who probably had to make more decisions during combat in order to keep their riders alive rather than just waiting for commands.