Who Wins the War of the Dragons?
The War of the Dragons is a pivotal event in the world of Game of Thrones, a fictional series created by George R. R. Martin. The war is a brutal and devastating conflict that takes place between the two main dragon riders, Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow, with Dragonfire and dragon steel as their main weapons. In this article, we will examine the key factors that lead to the outcome of the war and determine who emerges victorious.
The Context
Before diving into the details of the war, it’s essential to understand the context in which it takes place. Daenerys Targaryen, also known as Daenerys Stormborn, has returned to Westeros with her army of Unsullied and Dothraki warriors and her three dracarys – Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion. Her ultimate goal is to reclaim the Iron Throne, which she believes is rightfully hers as the trueborn heir of King Aerys II Targaryen, the Mad King.
Jon Snow, on the other hand, has broken his oath of celibacy and become the King in the North, ruling the Seven Kingdoms alongside Sansa Stark. However, as he learns more about Daenerys’ true identity as his aunt and his connection to the Targaryen family, he becomes increasingly conflicted about his loyalty to her.
The War Begins
The war begins when Daenerys, frustrated by Jon’s hesitation to bend the knee, burns the Dothraki horselords who refuse to attack King’s Landing, an act that Jon and the rest of the North condemn. This event sparks the Great War, with both sides gathering their forces to fight for control of Westeros.
The Armies
Let’s examine the armies of both Daenerys and Jon Snow:
| Daenerys’ Army | Jon Snow’s Army |
|---|---|
| Unsullied warriors | King’s Landing loyalists |
| Dothraki horse-archers | Night’s Watch |
| Lannister troops | Riverlands forces |
| Targaryen loyalists | Vale forces |
As can be seen, Daenerys has a larger and more diverse army, with a significant advantage in cavalry and infantry. However, Jon Snow’s army is more cohesive and motivated, with a strong sense of loyalty to their leader.
The Battle
The war is fought primarily through a series of brutal and bloody battles, including:
- The Battle of King’s Landing: Daenerys uses fire and blood to scorch the city, burning much of it to the ground. Jon Snow and his forces fight bravely, but are vastly outnumbered.
- The Battle of Winterfell: Jon Snow and his allies face off against the Night King, a powerful and seemingly unbeatable foe. Daenerys arrives with her dragons, but Viserion’s death at the hands of the Night King leaves her with only two dragons.
- The Battle of King’s Landing (again): Jon Snow, determined to stop Daenerys from further destruction, remembers his oath to the living and decides to face her. He rides his horse, Beric, into the throne room and strikes down Daenerys, killing her.
Who Wins the War?
Based on the events outlined above, it’s clear that Jon Snow and his allies emerge victorious. Daenerys, although a formidable force, ultimately falls to her own dragons and her own conflicting motivations. Jon Snow’s loyalty to the living and his commitment to protecting the people of King’s Landing ultimately prove more powerful than Daenerys’ ambition.
Aftermath
In the aftermath of the war, the surviving characters are left to pick up the pieces. Arya Stark sails across the sea to explore new lands and Sansa Stark becomes the Queen in the North, ruling the North independently of King’s Landing. Bran Stark is chosen as the King of the Seven Kingdoms, with Tyrion Lannister serving as his Hand.
The war of the dragons serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of conflict and the importance of remembering our oaths to the living.
