Dragons After the Dance of the Dragons: Survivors and Extinction

The iconic world of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series has been marked with significant events, one of which is the Dance of the Dragons (also known as the Dracarys). This intense conflict, which took place in the Targaryen family's history, saw many dragons fall. However, did all the dragons die after the Dance of the Dragons? This article delves into the fate of dragonkind in the aftermath of this historical event.

Dragons in the Dance of the Dragons

At the culmination of the Dance of the Dragons, most of the involved dragons met their end. Key figures such as Vhagar, Sunfyre, and other dragons died in battle or due to conflict-related circumstances. However, it's worth noting that not all dragons perished. Some smaller dragons, less engaged in the war, survived. This surviving contingent played a crucial role in the subsequent decline of the Targaryen powerbase, which was heavily dependent on dragons.

The Last Known Dragon: Drogon

In the aftermath of the Dance of the Dragons, the last known dragon, specifically Drogon, is featured prominently in the main series. However, he is not a direct descendant of those involved in the conflict. Despite his lineage, Drogon remained a formidable presence, influencing the events in Westeros and Essos. While other dragons from the period may have survived, their fates remain shrouded in mystery.

Daenerys Targaryen's Dragons: Past and Present

The fate of Daenerys Targaryen's dragons, hatched from petrified eggs, presents an interesting contrast. Unlike the dragons in the Dance of the Dragons, Dany's dragons—Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion—saw their own mortality. Tragically, Viserion met his end, leaving Drogon and Rhaegal as the sole survivors. These two massive dragons, with Drogon emerging as the most formidable, continued to play significant roles in the story, shaping the course of events across Westeros and Essos.

Surviving Dragons: Sheepstealer and the Cannibal

While the majority of dragons perished, there are accounts of a few surviving dragons from the Dance of the Dragons. Two notable surviving dragons are Sheepstealer and the Cannibal. Sheepstealer, also known asMouseClicked to expand the content. Vhagar's rider, Nettles, had no definitive records of death or their final destination. Speculations suggest that they ended up with one of the mountain clans of the Vale, but this remains a mystery.

Sheepstealer is more likely to have survived, given the lack of definitive records. It's possible he could have escaped to places beyond Westeros, such as Yi Ti or the Summer Isles. As for the Cannibal, his age and survival into the Dance of the Dragons indicate he was one of the oldest dragons. The last recorded sighting of the Cannibal was when he was reportedly seen carrying Colys Velaryon's body after the hero's demise.

Conclusion

While the Dance of the Dragons marked a significant turning point in the history of the Targaryen dragons, not all fell victim to the conflict. Surviving dragons like Sheepstealer and the Cannibal, even if only speculated, kept the legacy of dragonkind alive. However, as time passed, these last surviving dragons likely became a myth, their fates as unrecorded as the countless stories of Westeros itself. The world of A Song of Ice and Fire thus remains filled with questions and possibilities, inviting readers to ponder the mysteries that lie beyond the known history.

Keywords: Dragons, Dance of the Dragons, George R.R. Martin