House of Dragons gives a little hint of who can tame the dragons with the Targaryen family
Since ancient times, the Targaryens have ruled the skies of Westeros with their mighty dragons, forming an unbreakable bond that allowed them to rule and dominate much of the continent. However, the Valyrian lineage is not the only one that holds the secret to taming these mythical beasts. As the plot of Dragon House unfolds, the magical bond between Targaryen and dragons may not be the same, opening the door to previously unimagined possibilities.
Rhaenyra and the desperate search for new drivers
Intriguingly, as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Jacaerys Velaryon tirelessly search across Westeros for the lost descendants of the Targaryen line, they suggest the series may be unnecessarily limiting their options. Some hints indicate that Valyrian blood is not the only attraction of dragons. If the so-called “blacks” want more knights, they may find more candidates than they think, even among their own vassals.
Dragons originated in the eastern lands of Ashai and were allies of the Targaryens since before the Valyrian disaster. Blood magic seems to be the key to why only certain individuals can form this strong bond. However, the stories in Fire and Blood suggest that others, lacking Valyrian traits, achieved this success through alternative methods such as nettles, who regularly offered meat to bond with the dragon Sheepstealer.
“Descendants of the Dragon”
In a civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryens are finally willing to let their unknown children, known as the “Dragonspawns,” claim the dragons. This political move is risky but necessary for Rhaenyra, who needs to increase her arsenal to face the threat of the “Greens” and Aegon’s followers. Inviting these potential power sources could drastically change the balance of power in Westeros.
In the end, Rhaenyra’s attempt to bring the Dragonborn into the fray could prove to be a double-edged sword. Giving them power gives them the opportunity to change the traditional power dynamics of the continent, a move that could change the relationship between the Targans and their subjects forever. With the fate of the dragons and their riders hanging in the balance, the second season promises to delve deeper into the ramifications of these new developments.
Other possible drivers
Introducing characters like Nettles in the Fire and Blood will greatly expand the diversity of Dragon Riders. While Nettles has no obvious Valyrian traits, he is able to tame the Lamb Stealer by offering him food and spending time with him, suggesting that courage and cunning can be useful as a bloodline. Furthermore, so-called “dragonborns,” children of unacknowledged Targaryen connections, are more likely to be dragons than many others in Westeros with direct and visible ties to the ruling house.
This more inclusive approach could lead to a new dynamic in future seasons of the series, where characters from different backgrounds fight to tame and ride dragons. The ability to bond with a dragon depends less on purity of blood and more on the emotional and psychological connection between man and beast, which opens the door to many more candidates for this powerful role. This proliferation of dragon riders not only adds dramatic tension but also enriches the narrative, showing that power and magic are accessible to many individuals, challenging the established norms of the world of Westeros.