House of The Dragon: Was The Night King From Game of Thrones A Targaryen? Explored

In the final season of Game of Thrones, the White Walkers pose problems that were once shrouded in mystery. Yet, their genesis and intentions are relatively clear-cut compared to other threats. Back in Season 6, a prophetic vision hinted at the Night King’s origins as being among the First Men from the North, possibly created by the Children of the Forest using dragon glass daggers. However, this theory remains unsubstantiated within the series itself.

In the A Song of Ice and Fire series, there isn’t a character like the Night King from Game of Thrones. Instead, a tale from Castle Black speaks of the 13th Lord Commander who had a romantic relationship with a pale woman with striking blue eyes, believed to be one of the supernatural beings called the Others, also known as the White Walkers. This character, referred to as the Night’s King, is killed off, and the Night’s Watch is then liberated from his rule.

How are the Targaryens connected to the Night King and the Long Night 

In the world created by HBO from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, there is a strong link between dragon riders and the era known as the Long Night. During the first season of House of the Dragon, King Viserys shares a prophetic dream that his ancestor, Aegon the Conqueror, had about an extreme winter that would devastate Westeros, causing widespread death. This vision, often called “the song of ice and fire,” was the reason Aegon abandoned Dragonstone and embarked on his campaign to conquer the Seven Kingdoms.

House of the Dragon explores a narrative involving Aegon the Conqueror, who foresaw the Long Night and journeyed to Westeros. Whether this was an addition to the original plot or if George R.R. Martin had intended to delve deeper into Aegon’s motives is uncertain. In season 2, Rhaenyra recounts Aegon’s dream to Jacaerys.

Speaking about Game of Thrones season 8’s Battle of Winterfell, it feels disappointing how swiftly it was resolved given its significant importance according to the Targaryens. However, from a fictional standpoint, every Targaryen king being aware of the danger lurking beyond the Wall, or at least some terrifying supernatural threat that compelled Aegon to conquer an entire continent, provides additional depth to their dynasty’s narrative. In conversation with Jace about A Song of Ice and Fire, Rhaenyra emphasizes that those who rule from the Iron Throne are not just rulers but protectors as well.

What the Targaryens’ connection to the Long Night means for the upcoming books

George R.R. Martin is currently writing multiple ASOIAF books, such as Fire & Blood and Winds of Winter. Some fans believe that elements from House of the Dragon season 1’s Aegon Targaryen retcon could potentially be woven into these upcoming books, which might alter Daenerys Targaryen’s narrative arc. The title “A Song of Ice and Fire” can be understood in several ways, but two interpretations that are particularly noteworthy are…

If Jon Snow is truly the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark as suggested in the books, he embodies both “ice” and “fire,” reflecting a balance between the two elements. Alternatively, one could argue that Jon represents the “ice,” while Daenerys symbolizes the “fire.” In the world of Game of Thrones, Daenerys’ journey might be considered the ongoing narrative of “ice and fire,” with her mission mirroring House Targaryen’s historical goal to protect Westeros from the Long Night. Interestingly, neither Viserys nor Daenerys were made aware of this story in the books, even though it could have significant implications for them.