This post has been updated to reflect the events ofGame of Thronesseries finale.
Its been eight years sinceGeorge R.R.
But Martin hasnt exactly been idle in that time.
Courtesy of HBO
Here are some insights we can glean from the book.Warning: Spoilers for the ending ofGame of Thrones.
Its a question that has probably confused viewers ofGame of Thrones eighth season.
Put simply, not all dragons are equally powerful and therefore, not all of them are equally vulnerable.
Courtesy of HBO
Her rider, Aegons beloved sister-wife Rhaenys, died with her.
Meraxes did not die at once, but came crashing to earth in mortal agony.
When it comes to reactions to a dragons death, doesnt that fiery rage sound… a little familiar?
HBO
Even so, the Dornish never again brought down a dragon.
No one, in fact, ever managed to kill Balerion.
The great black beast died of old age almost 100 years after Aegons Conquest… or did he?
HBO
The season finale gave us even more reasons to see similarities between Balerion and Drogon.
InThe Iron Throne,it was Drogon who unmade it with his own fire.
After he burns the throne, Drogon takes Daenerys body and flies off.
Helen Sloan/HBO
That sequence is one of the most arresting in the book, and therefore best left unspoiled.
We should have been asking,Where did Balerion take Aerea?
Only one answer makes sense.
Helen Sloan/HBO
The last dragon has gone home.
Even dragon-riding Targaryen royals have found it hard to escape this system.
But even the Good Queen could only push things so far.
Maisie Williams as Arya Stark in ‘Game of Thrones’.Helen Sloan/HBO
Jon himself thinks its fine as long as he doesnt want the Iron Throne, but Daenerys knows differently.
Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of innocents died in the resulting carnage.
Tumbleton, that prosperous market town, was reduced to ash and embers.
Thousands burned, and as many died by drowning as they tried to swim the river.
Some would later say they were the fortunate ones, for no mercy was shown the survivors.
Lord Footlys men threw down their swords and yielded, only to be bound and beheaded.
Such townswomen as survived the fires were raped repeatedly, even girls as young as eight and ten.
Its hard to read and its hard to watch, and it should be.
Dragons will drive you crazy
Dragons are awesome.
On that point, surely, we all agree.
The answer: pretty maddening!
Many died in the attempt, but some prevailed.
Martin writes that Ulf desired no less a seat than Highgarden, while Hugh began to dream of crowns.
Who can command your allegiance when you ride a dragon?
As the Dance progressed, dragons continued ravage Westeros, and eventually the people of Kings Landing had enough.
If you would make it yours, first must you destroy them.
If you would cleanse yourself of sin first must you bathe in dragons blood.
For only blood can quench the fires of hell.
Sure enough, the Shepherds mob stormed the Dragonpit and killed all four dragons that lived there.
Dragons: Theyll make you crazy!
For that last part, he paid dearly.
But then, he had never been Master of Whisperers.
Once condemned, he stood friendless; not a voice was raised in his defense.
Stark lopped off his head with the greatsword Ice the next day.
Larys died by Ice, and Varys died by fire.
And who was the first man chosen as Aegon IIIs Hand of the King?
Why, a Lannister, of course.
No doubt Arya is dreaming of similar things in the season finale as she leaves Westeros behind.
If it does, were never told for sure whether Elissa/Alys made it or not.
Thats not even the only important part Alys Westhill played in the history of Westeros.
