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[[File:Black Dragon Egg JulepeII.png|[[Drogon]]'s black dragon egg in the flames of Khal [[Drogo]]'s funeral pyre <br> - by Julepe. © FFG|thumb|450px|right]]
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A '''dragon egg''' is an egg laid by a [[dragon]], as a means of reproduction.
[[Image:Elaena.jpg|Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]], holding a dragon’s egg - by Amok ©|thumb|right|250px]]
 
A '''dragon egg''' is an egg laid by a [[dragon]] as a means of reproduction of the species .  Dragons have been known to lay eggs in a [[w:Clutch (eggs)|clutch]] of up to at least five. {{Ref|TMK}} Whether an egg has to be fertilized by a male dragon in order to be fertile is not known.  Dragons may have [[w:egg incubation|brooded]] their eggs. [[Targaryen]]s may feel heat from dragon eggs, where everyone else feels only cold.{{Ref|AGOT|23}}
 
 
 
==About==
 
:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Dragon Eggs|Images of Dragon Eggs]]''
 
Dragon eggs come in various colours.  Judging from the colour of [[Dany]]’s dragons the colour of the eggshell appears to indicate the colour of the dragon within.  
 
  
Fossilized dragon eggs are worth a fortune. Before the lighting of [[Drogo]]’s funeral pyre Ser [[Jorah]] tells Dany that one of her dragon's eggs could buy a ship to take her back to the Free Cities.  Sell all three and she could be a wealthy woman all her days. {{Ref|aGoT|72}} If any of Daenerys dragons were to lay an egg presumably it would be beyond price.  
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==Appearance and Characteristics==
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:''See also: [[:Category:Images of Dragon Eggs|Images of dragon eggs]]''
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[[‎File:Counting FavorsKatherine DingerII.png|Dany holding [[Rhaegal]]'s green dragon egg. Art by Katherine Dinger, ©FFG|thumb|400px|right]]
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Dragon eggs are large eggs with tiny scales, which shimmer like polished metal in the sunlight.{{Ref|agot|11}} Dragon eggs come in a variety of rich colors. The color of the eggshell appears to indicate the coloring of the dragon within: from the deep green egg, with burnished bronze flecks{{Ref|agot|11}} hatches [[Rhaegal]], a [[dragon]] with jade-green scales{{ref|adwd|12}}{{Ref|adwd|68}} and wings,{{Ref|acok|40}} and bronze eyes;{{Ref|adwd|68}} from the pale cream egg streaked with gold and bronze{{Ref|agot|11}}{{Ref|agot|68}} hatches the dragon [[Viserion]], who has golden eyes{{Ref|adwd|11}}{{Ref|adwd|68}} and cream-colored and golden-colored scales;{{Ref|aCoK|12}}{{Ref|aSoS|8}} from the black egg with scarlet ripples and swirls{{Ref|agot|11}} hatches the dragon [[Drogon]], whose scales{{Ref|adwd|52}} and teeth{{Ref|asos|8}}{{Ref|adwd|52}} are black, and whose horns, spinal plates, and eyes are red.{{ref|adwd|52}}
  
The [[last dragon|last Targaryen dragon]] laid a clutch of five eggs.  What happened to them is not known.  Whether there are any dragon eggs left over amongst the smoking ruins that were [[Valyria]] is not known.  On [[Dragonstone]] there is supposed to be a fabled hoard of dragon eggs.{{Ref|aDwD|72}}
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To [[Daenerys Targaryen]], the three eggs she later hatches are warm to the touch,{{Ref|agot|23}}{{Ref|agot|68}} although others do not feel the heat.{{Ref|agot|68}}
  
==Attempts to hatch dragon's eggs==
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Dragons have been known to lay eggs in a [[w:Clutch (eggs)|clutch]] of up to at least five,{{Ref|TMK}} and a dragon may lay several clutches during its lifetime.{{ref|trp}} Although the subject of [[Dragon#Reproduction|dragon mating habits]] is debatable, some [[maester]]s believe that if a dragon never laid an egg in its lifetime, it must be male.{{ref|twoiaf| The North: Winterfell}} Whether an egg has to be fertilized by a male dragon in order to hatch is not known.
After the extinction of dragons the [[Targaryen]]s made numerous attempts to hatch the dragon eggs left behind.  [[Baelor the Blessed]] had prayed over his eggs, the other [[Targaryen]]s had sought to hatch theirs with [[magic|sorcery]].  All they got for it was farce and [[Tragedy of Summerhall|tragedy]],{{Ref|aFfC|5}} death, disaster, or disgrace.{{Ref|aFfC|36}} Only [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has succeeded in hatching dragon eggs after the death of the [[last dragon]].
 
  
==Daenerys' dragon eggs==
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==Hatching of the eggs==
[[‎File:Counting FavorsKatherine DingerII.png|Dany holding a dragon egg - by Katherine Dinger . © FFG|thumb|400px|right]]
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[[File:Black Dragon Egg JulepeII.png|[[Drogon]]'s black dragon egg in the flames of Khal [[Drogo]]'s funeral pyre. Art by Julepe. ©FFG|thumb|400px|right]]
A detailed description of the three fossilized eggs [[Daenerys Targaryen]] receives from [[Illyrio Mopatis]] as a wedding gift is given in [[A Game of Thrones]].  According to Maegister [[Illyrio]] the three dragon eggs are from the [[Shadow Lands]] beyond [[Asshai]] and the eons have turned them to stone.{{Ref|aGoT|11}}  
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There were dragon hatcheries on the island of [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]] under the [[Dragonmont]] volcano, where many eggs and young hatchling dragons could be found.{{ref|trp}}{{ref|tpatq}}
{{Quote|'Dragon’s eggs, from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai,' said Magister Illyrio. 'The eons have turned them to stone, yet still they burn bright with beauty.'}}
 
Several important facts about the eggs and their origin are unknown:
 
*Where and how Illyrio acquired the three eggs
 
*Whether he has more or is able to acquire more
 
*Whether anyone had attempted to hatch them prior to [[Dany]]
 
*Whether they are from the same clutch
 
  
To Daenerys the eggs are huge and are the most beautiful things she has ever seen. They are patterned in such rich colours that at first she thinks they are crusted in jewels, and so large that it takes both of her hands to hold one.  
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Grand Maester [[Benifer]] believed that far away from [[Dragonstone]], dragon eggs might not hatch.{{Ref|fab|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} Some dragon eggs, also on Dragonstone, do not hatch, but instead turn to stone.{{Ref|fab|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
  
When Dany lifts one she expects it to be made of some fine porcelain or delicate enamel, or even blown glass but it is much heavier than that, as if it were all of solid stone. The surface of the shell is covered with tiny scales, and as she turned the egg between her fingers they shimmer like polished metal in the light of the setting sun. 
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When King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] attempted to hatch a dragon egg, according to [[Mushroom]] he sat on one of the eggs for a day and a night.{{Ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}
  
The eggs are beautiful colours. One egg is a [[Rhaegal|deep green]], with burnished bronze flecks that came and went depending on how Dany turned it. Another is [[Viserion|pale cream]] streaked with gold. The last [[Drogon|is black]], as black as midnight sea, yet alive with scarlet ripples and swirls.
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After the extinction of their dragons in {{date|153}}, the [[House Targaryen|Targaryen]]s made numerous attempts to hatch the dragon eggs left behind. King [[Aegon III Targaryen]], the Dragonsbane, sent away for nine mages from [[Essos]] at the suggestion of his [[Hand of the King|Hand]], [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]]. However, the attempt to use their [[magic]] to kindle a clutch of eggs proved both a debacle and a failure.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III}}{{ref|aSoS|54}} King [[Baelor I Targaryen]] prayed over his eggs, while other Targaryens sought to hatch theirs with sorcery,{{Ref|aFfC|5}} and still others had [[maester]]s study them.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} The [[Tragedy of Summerhall]] has been blamed on King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]'s attempt to hatch dragons.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}{{ref|asos|25}} During his reign, King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] tried to hatch dragons from the eggs that had found in the depths of [[Dragonstone]], some of which had turned to stone because of their great age, but his attempts yielded nothing.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}} Only [[Daenerys Targaryen]] has succeeded in hatching dragon eggs after the death of the [[last dragon]].{{Ref|AGOT|72}}
  
==Dragons known to have laid clutches==
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Fossilized dragon eggs are more precious than rubies.{{Ref|aCoK|12}} Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] tells [[Daenerys Targaryen]] that one of her dragon's eggs could buy a ship to take her back to the [[Free Cities]]. The sale of all three would make her a wealthy woman for the rest of her life.{{Ref|aGoT|72}}
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==Targaryen tradition==
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[[Image:Elaena.jpg|Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]], holding a dragon's egg that matches the color of her hair.<ref name="Elaena">[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1605 Three Maidens in the Tower. (June 27, 2006)]</ref> Art by Amok©|thumb|right|400px]]
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Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]] supposedly placed a dragon egg in the cradles of her younger siblings [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] shortly after their birth,{{Ref|fab|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}} Her brother, King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen]], placed an egg in the cradle of his newborn son, [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]], in {{Date|55}}.{{Ref|fab|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} During the reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], it became truly customary to place a dragon's egg in the cradle of a newborn child.{{Ref|fab|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
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It was considered a sign that the child was a true Targaryen if the egg placed within his cradle hatched.{{ref|trp}} If the egg did not hatch, or if the dragon born was weak and died quickly, it was considered a bad omen.{{ref|trp}}{{ref|tpatq}} The tradition of placing an egg in the cradle of a newborn royal continued even after the [[last dragon]] died and the eggs stopped hatching.{{ref|tmk}} These dragon eggs were cherished possessions of their owners.<ref name="Elaena"/>
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==Dragons known to have laid eggs==
 
*[[Syrax]] - laid at least two clutches.{{Ref|TPATQ}}
 
*[[Syrax]] - laid at least two clutches.{{Ref|TPATQ}}
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*[[Dreamfyre]] - laid a clutch of three eggs. {{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} By {{date|43}}, she had laid two clutches.{{Ref|tsotd}}. Later, in the [[Westerlands]] she laid another clutch of eggs. Then on [[Dragonstone]] she laid a  clutch of three eggs, which were later stolen in {{Date|54}} by [[Elissa Farman]].
 
*The [[last dragon|last Targaryen dragon]] - laid a clutch of five eggs.{{Ref|TMK}}
 
*The [[last dragon|last Targaryen dragon]] - laid a clutch of five eggs.{{Ref|TMK}}
  
==Known Dragon Eggs==
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[[Mushroom]], a court [[fool]] during the reigns of [[Viserys I Targaryen|Viserys I]], [[Aegon II Targaryen|Aegon II]], [[Rhaenyra Targaryen|Rhaenyra]] and [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]], claims in ''[[The Testimony of Mushroom]]'' that the dragon [[Vermax]] left a clutch of eggs somewhere in the crypts of [[Winterfell]] at the start of the [[Dance of the Dragons]]. However, there is no official record that Vermax ever laid a single egg, suggesting the dragon was male, and maesters feel that the wild claim of Mushroom is baseless, typical for his Testimony.{{ref|twoiaf| The North: Winterfell}}
*'''[[Viserys II Targaryen]]'s egg''' - possessed an egg during the civil war, so far undescribed– whereabouts unknown.{{Ref|TPATQ}}
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*'''[[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]]''' - possessed an egg at the start of the civil war, so far undescribed– whereabouts unknown.  She took three eggs to the [[Vale]] with her during the war.{{Ref|TPATQ}} Only [[Morning|one egg]] is known to have hatched.{{Ref|twoiaf| Argon II}}
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==Known dragon eggs==
* '''[[Aegon V Targaryen]]'s egg''' - white and green swirls {{Ref|TMK}} – whereabouts unknown  
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{| class=wikitable width=100%
* '''[[Maester Aemon|Aemon Targaryen]]'s egg''' - known to exist,{{Ref|TMK}} but so far undescribed – whereabouts unknown
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! width=15%|Eggs
* '''[[Aerion Targaryen]]'s egg''' - gold and silver, with veins of fiery colors {{Ref|TMK}} – whereabouts unknown
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! width=15%|Owners
* '''[[Ambrose Butterwell]]'s egg''' - red, with golden flecks and black whorls  – whereabouts unknown {{Ref|TMK}}
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! Notes
* '''[[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron Targaryen]]'s egg''' - known to exist,{{Ref|TMK}} but so far undescribed – whereabouts unknown
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|-
* '''[[Elaena Targaryen]]'s egg''' - silver and gold in unknown arrangement<ref>[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1605 So Spake Martin] mentions that her dragon egg showed the same colors as her hair.</ref> – whereabouts unknown
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| rowspan="1"|'''[[Mysaria]]'s egg'''
* '''[[Euron Greyjoy]]'s egg''' - Euron claimed he threw it into the sea. {{Ref|AFFC|29}}  
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| [[Mysaria]]
* {hatched} '''[[Drogon]]’s egg''' - black as the midnight sea, alive with scarlet ripples and swirls  
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| When Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] learned his concubine was pregnant, he presented her with a dragon egg, but King [[Viserys I Targaryen]] commanded him to return the egg and send Mysaria away{{ref|trp}}
* {hatched} '''[[Rhaegal]]’s egg''' - deep green, with burnished bronze flecks  
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|-
* {hatched} '''[[Viserion]]'s egg''' - colored pale cream, streaked with gold
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| rowspan="1"|'''Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]]’s three eggs'''
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|Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]]
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|A clutch of three eggs laid by [[Dreamfyre]] on [[Dragonstone]], later stolen in {{Date|54}} by [[Elissa Farman]] and sold to the [[Sealord of Braavos]].{{ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''[[Laena Velaryon (daughter of Alyn)|Laena Velaryon]]'s egg'''
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| [[Laena Velaryon (daughter of Alyn)|Laena Velaryon]]
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| Presented a [[dragon egg]] upon her birth. At [[Driftmark]] in {{date|135}}, it hatched a blind and wingless wyrm, white as a maggot.  After the monster tore a bloody chunk from young Laena's arm, Lord [[Alyn Velaryon]] hacked it to pieces.{{ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|{'''Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]]'s egg'''}
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| Prince [[Jacaerys Velaryon]]
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| Placed in his cradle at his birth by royal decree. Hatched into the dragon [[Vermax]].{{ref|trp}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|{'''Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]]'s egg'''}
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|Prince [[Lucerys Velaryon]]
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|Placed in his cradle at his birth by royal decree. Hatched into the dragon [[Arrax]].{{ref|trp}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|{'''Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]]'s egg'''} 
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|Prince [[Joffrey Velaryon]] 
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|Placed in his cradle at his birth by royal decree. Hatched into the dragon [[Tyraxes]].{{ref|trp}}{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I}}
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''King [[Viserys II Targaryen]]'s egg'''
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|[[Viserys II Targaryen]]
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|
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]]'s eggs'''  
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|Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]]
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|Rhaena's first egg hatched into a broken thing that died within hours. She possessed another egg at the start of the civil war, and took three eggs to the [[Vale]] with her during the war{{Ref|TPATQ}} From one egg, [[Morning]] hatched.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II}}
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''Prince [[Maelor Targaryen]]'s egg'''  
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|Prince [[Maelor Targaryen]]
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|Maelor's egg was pale green with swirls of silver.{{Ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''[[Last dragon]]'s five eggs'''
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|[[House Targaryen]]
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|From the [[last dragon]]'s clutch.{{Ref|TMK}}
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]]'s egg'''
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|Princess [[Elaena Targaryen]]
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|Silver and gold in unknown arrangement<ref name="Elaena"/>
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron Targaryen]]'s egg'''
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|Prince [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron Targaryen]]{{Ref|tmk}}
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|
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''Prince [[Aerion Targaryen]]'s egg'''
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|Prince [[Aerion Targaryen]]
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|Gold and silver, with veins of fiery colors{{Ref|TMK}}  
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon Targaryen]]'s egg'''  
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|Prince [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon Targaryen]]
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|
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]'s egg'''
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|King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]
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|White and green swirls{{Ref|TMK}}
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''Lord [[Ambrose Butterwell]]'s egg'''
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|Lord [[Ambrose Butterwell]]
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|Red, with golden flecks and black whorls. Taking into possession by [[Brynden Rivers]].{{Ref|TMK}}
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]'s seven eggs'''
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|King [[Aegon V Targaryen]]  
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|Used in the ceremony that caused the [[Tragedy at Summerhall]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}}
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|'''King [[Euron Greyjoy]]'s egg'''
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|King [[Euron Greyjoy]]
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|Euron claims to have had a dragon egg which he threw into the sea.{{Ref|AFFC|29}}  
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|{'''[[Drogon]]'s egg'''}
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|Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
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|Black as the midnight sea, alive with scarlet ripples and swirls{{Ref|aGoT|11}} Hatched into the dragon [[Drogon]]
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|{'''[[Rhaegal]]'s egg'''}
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|Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
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|Deep green, with burnished bronze flecks{{Ref|aGoT|11}} Hatched into the dragon [[Rhaegal]]
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|-
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| rowspan="1"|{'''[[Viserion]]'s egg'''}
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|Princess [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
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|Colored pale cream, streaked with gold{{Ref|aGoT|11}} Hatched into the dragon [[Viserion]]
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|}
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==History==
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===First century after the Conquest===
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Princess [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Aenys I)|Rhaena Targaryen]] placed a dragon egg in the cradles of her siblings [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]] and [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] after they were born. According to the stories, from those eggs hatched [[Vermithor]] and [[Silverwing]].{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragon}} Jaehaerys later placed a dragon egg in the cradle of his son [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I)|Aemon]].{{Ref|fab|Birth, Death, and Betrayel Under King Jaehaerys I}}
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By {{Date|43}}, [[Dreamfyre]] , the dragon of Rhaena Targaryen, had already produced two clutches of eggs.{{Ref|fab|The Sons of the Dragons}} During Rhaena's time at [[Fair Isle]] ({{Date|49}} - {{Date|50}}, Dreamfyre laid another clutch of eggs.
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Dreamfyre's presence on the island was making some of the residents anxious, however, and the new clutch of eggs caused a begging brother to start preaching that Fair Isle "would soon be overrun by dragons" who would eat both sheep and men, and called for a [[dragonslayer]] to kill the [[dragon]]s to stop it all. The man was arrested, but his words inspired fear wherever they were spread nonetheless.{{Ref|fab|A Surfeit of Rulers}} When Rhaena departed Fair Isle, she took the eggs with her as she toured the [[westerlands]]. After some time at [[Casterly Rock]], Lord [[Lyman Lannister]] expressed his interest in the three eggs and asked how they would hatch, and when that could be expected. Lady [[Jocasta Lannister]] suggested to Rhaena that gifting the Lannisters one or more of the three eggs would be a good way to demonstrate her gratitude. After Rhaena refused, Lord Lyman offered to buy the eggs.{{Ref|fab|A Surfeit of Rulers}} Rhaena was eventually granted [[Dragonstone]] as her own seat.{{Ref|fab|A Surfeit of Rulers}} There, the eggs hatched.{{Ref|fab|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}}
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In {{Date|54}}, Lady [[Elissa Farman]] stole three dragon eggs from [[Dragonstone]] and fled with them to [[Pentos]], from where she traveled to [[Braavos]]. At Braavos, Elissa sold them to the [[Sealord]], and used the gold to build herself a [[Sun Chaser|ship]]. The news about the theft was alarming to King Jaehaerys I; if the eggs were to hatch, there would be a [[dragonlord]] in the world that was not of [[House Targaryen]]. Rewards were offered for rumors on the location of the dragon eggs, but every whisper proved worthless.{{Ref|FAB|Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I}} By {{Date|56}}, Jaehaerys I suspected that the dragon eggs had played a part in the financing of the ship. The banker denied all.{{Ref|fab|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies}} In {{Date|57}}, the newly appointed [[Hand of the King]], Septon [[Barth]], traveled to Braavos and spoke with the Sealord about the eggs. Although the Sealord denied having purchased the eggs, and claimed that, unhatched, the eggs were nothing more than "pretty stones". Barth eventually returned to [[King's Landing]] without the eggs.{{Ref|fab|Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumps and Tragedies}}
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===Reign of Viserys I===
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During the reign of King [[Viserys I Targaryen]], there were more dragons than ever before. Several of the she-dragons regularly produced clutches of eggs. Many, but not all, of the eggs hatched. During Viserys's reign, it became truly customary to place a dragon's egg in the cradle of a newborn child.{{Ref|fab|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
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When his concubine [[Mysaria]] became pregnant in {{Date|106}}, Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] presented her with a dragon egg. King Viserys I commanded him to return the egg and return to lawful his wife, Lady [[Rhea Royce]], or else be attainted as a traitor. Mysaria was then sent back to [[Lys]], without the egg.{{Ref|fab|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}{{Ref|trp}} Princess [[Rhaenyra Targaryen]]'s three sons by [[Laenor Velaryon]] were each given a dragon egg while in the cradle by royal decree; those who believed the boys' father truly was Ser [[Harwin Strong]] whispered that the eggs would never hatch, but they all did, and all three the boys became [[dragonrider]]s. Prince [[Aemond Targaryen]] rejected the "stupid" eggs and "puny" hatchlings of Dragonstone, for the great dragon [[Vhagar]]. Dragon eggs were placed in the cradles of Prince [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Younger]], Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys]], Prince [[Jaehaerys Targaryen (son of Aegon II)|Jaehaerys]], Princess [[Jaehaera Targaryen|Jaehaera]], and Prince [[Maelor Targaryen]].{{ref|trp}} All eggs except for the ones of Viserys and Maelor hatched.
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===Dance of the Dragons===
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Prince Daemon's daughter, Lady [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena Targaryen]], had an egg as well, but the dragon that was born from the egg died within hours. Shortly before the start of the [[Dance of the Dragons]], Rhaena had been given an egg from [[Syrax]]'s most recent clutch. Rhaena slept with the egg every night, and prayed over it.{{Ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} When she left for the [[Vale]] in {{Date|129}}, sbe brought three eggs with her, and prayed nightly for them to hatch.{{Ref|tpatq}}{{Ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}} One of these eggs hatched during the war, bringing forth the dragon [[Morning]].{{Ref|Fab|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}
  
Depending on how one reads a statement in [[The Mystery Knight]], it might be possible that [[Rhae Targaryen]] and [[Daella Targaryen (daughter of Maekar I)|Daella Targaryen]] had been gifted with dragon eggs as well.
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According to [[Mushroom]], the dragon [[Vermax]] left a clutch of dragon's eggs at [[Winterfell]] when his rider [[Jacaerys Velaryon]] came to visit Lord [[Cregan Stark]]. Grand Maester [[Gyldayn]] and Maester [[Yandel]] feel that Mushroom's tale can be discounted and consider Vermax to have been a male dragon, as there is no record of the dragon ever laying another clutch of eggs.{{Ref|twoiaf|The North: Winterfell}}{{Ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son}}
  
During his reign, King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] attempted to hatch dragons from the eggs that had found in the depths of [[Dragonstone]]. Some of these eggs were so old, they had turned to stone. His attempts, however, yielded naught.{{Ref|TWOIAF| Aerys II}}
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Prince [[Viserys II Targaryen|Viserys Targaryen]] took his egg everywhere he went{{Ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens}} and brought it with him on the ''[[Gay Abandon]]''. When he was taken captive, he hid his dragon egg.{{Ref|TPATQ}}{{Ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold}}
  
==References in the books==
+
When Prince Maelor Targaryen fled [[King's Landing]] under the care of Ser [[Richard Thorne]], the two were discovered and identified at [[Bitterbridge]] when a stableboy found Maelor's egg in Ser Rickard's saddle bags. After both Prince Maelor and Ser Rickard had been killed, Lady [[House Caswell|Caswell]] sent the dragon egg to Lord [[Ormund Hightower]] at [[Longtable]], hoping soothe his wroth.{{Ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant}}
[[File:Mother of dragons by Algesiras.jpg|thumb|350px|[[Daenerys]], with her three dragon eggs - by Algesiras]]
 
[[File:Felicia Cano DrogosPyre.jpg|thumb|350px|right|[[Daenerys Targaryen]] placing her dragon eggs on [[Drogo]]'s funeral pyre - by Felicia Cano. © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 
===The Princess and the Queen===
 
The [[greens]]'s two year old Prince [[Maelor Targaryen]] possessed a dragon egg at the start of the civil war as did the [[blacks]]'s Prince [[Viserys II|Viserys]].  The [[blacks]]'s [[Rhaena Targaryen (daughter of Daemon)|Rhaena "of Pentos"]] was given an egg from [[Syrax]]'s recent clutch prior to the civil war and brought three dragon's eggs with her to the [[Vale]], where she prayed nightly for their hatching.{{Ref|TPATQ}}
 
  
When Prince [[Viserys II|Viserys]] was taken captive off of the ''[[Gay Abandon]]'', he hid his dragon egg. It is not known what happened to the egg.{{Ref|TPATQ}}
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King [[Aegon II Targaryen]] commanded the maester of [[Dragonstone]] to sent him dragon eggs at King's Landing, so he could hatch another egg. The maester sent him seven eggs, in honor of the gods.{{Ref|fab|The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II}}
  
===The Sworn Sword===
+
===Recent history===
It is revealed that the thief [[Quickfinger]] was caught with stolen dragon eggs during the [[Blackfyre Rebellion]].{{Ref|TSS}}
+
The [[last dragon|last Targaryen dragon]] laid a clutch of five eggs.{{Ref|TMK}} After the death of the last dragon, multiple Targaryen kings have attempted to hatch dragon eggs, including [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon III]],{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys III}}{{Ref|asos|54}} [[Baelor I Targaryen|Baelor I]],{{Ref|asos|54}} [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon V]],{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V}} and [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]].{{ref|twoiaf|The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II}}
 +
During the [[First Blackfyre Rebellion]], the thief [[Quickfinger]] was caught with stolen dragon eggs.{{Ref|TSS}}
  
===The Mystery Knight===
+
Prince [[Aegon V Targaryen|Aegon Targaryen]] and his brothers were all gifted dragon eggs while in the cradle. He and his brother [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] would often pretend that their eggs would be the ones to hatch.{{Ref|TMK}}
A joust is held to celebrate the wedding of Lord [[Ambrose Butterwell ]] to a Frey of the Crossing.  The victor's prize is to be a dragon egg.  Later the dragon egg goes missing. Sometime after that [[Brynden Rivers]] informs [[Dunk]] the egg was in fact taken by an agent of his who crawled up the privy shaft of the castle to take the egg from its guarded chamber, and that the egg is now safe.{{Ref|TMK}}
 
  
===A Game of Thrones===
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A [[Whitewalls tourney|tourney]] is held at [[Whitewalls]] in {{Date|212}} to celebrate the wedding of Lord [[Ambrose Butterwell]] to the [[Lady Frey (wife of Ambrose Butterwell)|daughter]] of Lord [[House Frey|Frey]]. The victor's prize is to be a dragon egg, which had been granted to [[Butterwell (Hand of the King)|Lord Butterwell's grandfather]] by King [[Aegon IV Targaryen]]. In truth, the wedding and tourney is an attempt to secretly foment the [[Second Blackfyre Rebellion]] in the name of [[Daemon II Blackfyre]], who had [[dragon dream|dreamed]] that a dragon would be born at [[Whitewalls]]. The [[tourney]] was rigged so that Daemon would win the dragon egg, but it goes missing before his last joust, and Ser [[Glendon Ball]] is framed for the theft. After the defeat of the attempted rebellion, [[Hand of the King]] [[Brynden Rivers]] informs Ser [[Duncan the Tall]] the egg was in fact taken by an agent of his who crawled up the privy shaft of the castle to take the egg from its guarded chamber, and that the egg is now safe.{{Ref|TMK}}
[[Daenerys Targaryen]] is gifted three dragon’s eggs during her wedding.{{Ref|AGOT|11}} Later she hatches the eggs on her husband’s funeral pyre in the [[Dothraki Sea]].{{Ref|AGOT|72}}
 
  
===A Storm of Swords===
+
On the island of [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]], there is supposedly a fabled hoard of dragon eggs.{{Ref|aDwD|72}}
On [[Dragonstone]] [[Melisandre]] tells Stannis only a king’s blood can wake the [[stone dragon]]. Stannis grinds his teeth and replies,  
 
{{Quote|“The dragons are done.  The Targaryens tried to bring them back half a dozen times.  And made fools of themselves, or corpses.{{Ref|aSoS|36}}}}
 
  
Later on Queen [[Selyse Florent|Selyse]] tries to persuade [[Stannis]] that he needs dragons to take the kingdom. Stannis has heard enough talk of stone dragons and reminds her,  
+
==Recent events==
{{Quote|Nine mages crossed the sea hatch [[Aegon III Targaryen|Aegon the Third's]] catche of eggs. [[Baelor the Blessed]] prayed over his for half a year.  [[Aegon IV Targaryen|Aegon the Fourth]] built dragons of wood and iron.  [[Aerion Brightflame]] drank [[wildfire]] to transform himself. The mages failed, King Baelor's prayers went unanswered, the wooden dragons burned, and Prince Aerion died screaming{{ref|aSoS|54}}}}
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===''A Game of Thrones''===
 +
[[File:Felicia Cano DrogosPyre.jpg|thumb|400px|right|[[Daenerys Targaryen]] placing her dragon eggs on [[Drogo]]'s funeral pyre. Art by Felicia Cano, © Fantasy Flight Games]]
 +
At [[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s wedding to [[Khal]] [[Drogo]], [[Magister]] [[Illyrio Mopatis]] gives her a gift of three fossilized dragon's eggs.{{Ref|AGOT|11}} After Drogo's death and the death of [[Rhaego|their son]], Daenerys places the eggs on her husband's funeral pyre: [[Drogon|the black]] beside his heart, under his arm, [[Rhaegal|the green]] beside his head, [[Viserion|the cream-and-gold]] down between his legs. After the pyre is lit, Daenerys walks into the fire, and the eggs hatch into living dragons.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}
  
===A Feast for Crows===
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===''A Feast for Crows''===
While riding in the chain winch at the [[Wall]] [[Samwell Tarly]] ponders that there were dragons at the Wall two hundred years ago.  Sam thinks about Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen|Alysanne]] who had visited [[Castle Black]] on her dragon, and [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys]], her king, who had come after her on his own. Sam wonders to himself, "could [[Silverwing]] have left an egg behind?  Or had Stannis found an egg on [[Dragonstone]]? Even if he has an egg, how can he hope to quicken it?" He recalls that [[Baelor the Blessed]] had prayed over his eggs, the other [[Targaryen]]s had sought to hatch theirs with sorcery.  All they got for it was farce and tragedy.{{Ref|aFfC|5}}
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At the [[Wall]], [[Samwell Tarly]] ponders that Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]] had visited [[Castle Black]] on her dragon, [[Silverwing]], and that King [[Jaehaerys I Targaryen|Jaehaerys I]], had come after her on his own dragon, [[Vermithor]]. Samwell wonders to himself as to whether Silverwing could have left an egg behind, or as to whether King [[Stannis Baratheon]] had found an egg on [[Dragonstone]].{{Ref|aFfC|5}}
  
Lord [[Hallyne]] of the Guild of Alchemists asks [[Cersei]] that his pyromancers be allowed to hatch any dragon’s eggs that might turn up upon [[Dragonstone]], now that the isle is safely back in royal hands. Cersei remarks that if any such eggs remain, [[Stannis]] would have sold them to pay for his rebellion. She refrains from saying that the plan is mad.  Ever since the last Targaryen dragon had died, all such attempts to hatch dragon eggs had ended in death, disaster, or disgrace.{{Ref|aFfC|36}}
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Lord [[Hallyne]], of the [[Alchemists' Guild]], asks Queen Regent [[Cersei Lannister]] that his pyromancers be allowed to hatch any dragon's eggs that might turn up upon [[Dragonstone]] during the search of the castle. Cersei remarks that if any such eggs had remained, [[Stannis Baratheon]] would have sold them to pay for his rebellion. She refrains from saying that the plan is mad, as every attempt made by the Targaryens to hatch a dragon after the death of the [[last dragon]] had ended in death, disaster, or disgrace.{{Ref|aFfC|36}}
  
[[Euron Greyjoy]] claims to have held a dragon’s egg in his hand. A [[Myr]]ish wizard swore he could hatch it if Euron gave him a year and all the gold that he required. When Euron grew bored with his excuses he slew him.  As he watched his entrails sliding through his fingers the wizard said ''“But it has not been a year”''.    When Victarion asks Euron to show him the egg he tells him that he threw it in the sea during one of his dark moods.{{Ref|aFfC|29}}
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[[Euron Greyjoy]] claims to have held a dragon's egg in his hand. A [[Myr]]ish wizard swore he could hatch it if Euron gave him a year and all the gold that he required. Euron claims that he killed the man when he grew bored with the wizard's excuses, and that had thrown the egg the sea during one of his dark moods.{{Ref|aFfC|29}}
  
===A Dance with Dragons===
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
According to [[Mace Tyrell]] his son Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] and his men searched every inch of [[Dragonstone]] but did not find any gold, gems, or any sign of the fabled hoard of dragon eggs. [[Kevan Lannister]] privately doubts Mace’s protestations.{{Ref|aDwD|72}}  
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According to Lord [[Mace Tyrell]], his son Ser [[Loras Tyrell]] and his men searched every inch of [[Dragonstone]], but did not find any sign of the fabled hoard of dragon eggs. Lord Regent [[Kevan Lannister]] privately doubts Mace's protestations.{{Ref|aDwD|72}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|"Bring my eggs." {{Ref|AGOT|72}}}} - [[Daenerys Targaryen]]’s command to her handmaidens
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[[File:Mother of dragons by Algesiras.jpg|thumb|400px|[[Daenerys Targaryen]], with her three dragon eggs. Art by Algesiras.]]
 +
{{Quote|Dragon's eggs, from the [[Shadow Lands]] beyond [[Asshai]]. The eons have turned them to stone, yet still they burn bright with beauty.{{Ref|aGoT|11}}|Magister [[Illyrio Mopatis]]}}
  
 +
{{Quote|Bring my eggs.{{Ref|AGOT|72}}|[[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s command to her handmaidens}}
  
{{Quote|If he’d known they were like to hatch, he’d would have sat on them himself. {{Ref|aCoK|40}}}} - Ser [[Jorah]] to [[Dany]], on [[Illyrio]]’s gift of dragon eggs
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{{Quote|If he'd known they were like to hatch, he'd would have sat on them himself.{{Ref|aCoK|40}}|Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] to [[Daenerys Targaryen]], on [[Illyrio Mopatis]]'s gift of dragon eggs to her}}
  
 +
{{Quote|Someday the dragons will return. My brother [[Daeron Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Daeron]]'s dreamed of it, and King [[Aerys I Targaryen|Aerys]] read it in a [[prophecy]]. Maybe it will be my egg that hatches. That would be splendid.{{Ref|TMK}}|[[Aegon V Targaryen|Egg]], to [[Dunk]]}}
  
{{Quote|"Maybe it will be my egg that hatches. That would be splendid." {{Ref|TMK}}}} - [[Egg]], to [[Dunk]]
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==References==
 +
{{References|2}}
  
==References and Notes==
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[[Category:Dragons| ]]
{{References|2}}
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[[Category:Objects]]

Revision as of 19:31, 1 June 2019

A dragon egg is an egg laid by a dragon, as a means of reproduction.

Appearance and Characteristics

See also: Images of dragon eggs
Dany holding Rhaegal's green dragon egg. Art by Katherine Dinger, ©FFG

Dragon eggs are large eggs with tiny scales, which shimmer like polished metal in the sunlight.[1] Dragon eggs come in a variety of rich colors. The color of the eggshell appears to indicate the coloring of the dragon within: from the deep green egg, with burnished bronze flecks[1] hatches Rhaegal, a dragon with jade-green scales[2][3] and wings,[4] and bronze eyes;[3] from the pale cream egg streaked with gold and bronze[1][5] hatches the dragon Viserion, who has golden eyes[6][3] and cream-colored and golden-colored scales;[7][8] from the black egg with scarlet ripples and swirls[1] hatches the dragon Drogon, whose scales[9] and teeth[8][9] are black, and whose horns, spinal plates, and eyes are red.[9]

To Daenerys Targaryen, the three eggs she later hatches are warm to the touch,[10][5] although others do not feel the heat.[5]

Dragons have been known to lay eggs in a clutch of up to at least five,[11] and a dragon may lay several clutches during its lifetime.[12] Although the subject of dragon mating habits is debatable, some maesters believe that if a dragon never laid an egg in its lifetime, it must be male.[13] Whether an egg has to be fertilized by a male dragon in order to hatch is not known.

Hatching of the eggs

Drogon's black dragon egg in the flames of Khal Drogo's funeral pyre. Art by Julepe. ©FFG

There were dragon hatcheries on the island of Dragonstone under the Dragonmont volcano, where many eggs and young hatchling dragons could be found.[12][14]

Grand Maester Benifer believed that far away from Dragonstone, dragon eggs might not hatch.[15] Some dragon eggs, also on Dragonstone, do not hatch, but instead turn to stone.[15]

When King Aegon II Targaryen attempted to hatch a dragon egg, according to Mushroom he sat on one of the eggs for a day and a night.[16]

After the extinction of their dragons in 153 AC, the Targaryens made numerous attempts to hatch the dragon eggs left behind. King Aegon III Targaryen, the Dragonsbane, sent away for nine mages from Essos at the suggestion of his Hand, Viserys. However, the attempt to use their magic to kindle a clutch of eggs proved both a debacle and a failure.[17][18] King Baelor I Targaryen prayed over his eggs, while other Targaryens sought to hatch theirs with sorcery,[19] and still others had maesters study them.[20] The Tragedy of Summerhall has been blamed on King Aegon V Targaryen's attempt to hatch dragons.[20][21] During his reign, King Aerys II Targaryen tried to hatch dragons from the eggs that had found in the depths of Dragonstone, some of which had turned to stone because of their great age, but his attempts yielded nothing.[22] Only Daenerys Targaryen has succeeded in hatching dragon eggs after the death of the last dragon.[23]

Fossilized dragon eggs are more precious than rubies.[7] Ser Jorah Mormont tells Daenerys Targaryen that one of her dragon's eggs could buy a ship to take her back to the Free Cities. The sale of all three would make her a wealthy woman for the rest of her life.[23]

Targaryen tradition

Princess Elaena Targaryen, holding a dragon's egg that matches the color of her hair.[24] Art by Amok©

Princess Rhaena Targaryen supposedly placed a dragon egg in the cradles of her younger siblings Jaehaerys and Alysanne shortly after their birth,[15][25] Her brother, King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, placed an egg in the cradle of his newborn son, Aemon, in 55 AC.[26] During the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen, it became truly customary to place a dragon's egg in the cradle of a newborn child.[27]

It was considered a sign that the child was a true Targaryen if the egg placed within his cradle hatched.[12] If the egg did not hatch, or if the dragon born was weak and died quickly, it was considered a bad omen.[12][14] The tradition of placing an egg in the cradle of a newborn royal continued even after the last dragon died and the eggs stopped hatching.[11] These dragon eggs were cherished possessions of their owners.[24]

Dragons known to have laid eggs

Mushroom, a court fool during the reigns of Viserys I, Aegon II, Rhaenyra and Aegon III, claims in The Testimony of Mushroom that the dragon Vermax left a clutch of eggs somewhere in the crypts of Winterfell at the start of the Dance of the Dragons. However, there is no official record that Vermax ever laid a single egg, suggesting the dragon was male, and maesters feel that the wild claim of Mushroom is baseless, typical for his Testimony.[13]

Known dragon eggs

Eggs Owners Notes
Mysaria's egg Mysaria When Prince Daemon Targaryen learned his concubine was pregnant, he presented her with a dragon egg, but King Viserys I Targaryen commanded him to return the egg and send Mysaria away[12]
Princess Rhaena Targaryen’s three eggs Princess Rhaena Targaryen A clutch of three eggs laid by Dreamfyre on Dragonstone, later stolen in 54 AC by Elissa Farman and sold to the Sealord of Braavos.[15]
Laena Velaryon's egg Laena Velaryon Presented a dragon egg upon her birth. At Driftmark in 135 AC, it hatched a blind and wingless wyrm, white as a maggot. After the monster tore a bloody chunk from young Laena's arm, Lord Alyn Velaryon hacked it to pieces.[29]
{Prince Jacaerys Velaryon's egg} Prince Jacaerys Velaryon Placed in his cradle at his birth by royal decree. Hatched into the dragon Vermax.[12][30]
{Prince Lucerys Velaryon's egg} Prince Lucerys Velaryon Placed in his cradle at his birth by royal decree. Hatched into the dragon Arrax.[12][30]
{Prince Joffrey Velaryon's egg} Prince Joffrey Velaryon Placed in his cradle at his birth by royal decree. Hatched into the dragon Tyraxes.[12][30]
King Viserys II Targaryen's egg Viserys II Targaryen
Lady Rhaena Targaryen's eggs Lady Rhaena Targaryen Rhaena's first egg hatched into a broken thing that died within hours. She possessed another egg at the start of the civil war, and took three eggs to the Vale with her during the war[14] From one egg, Morning hatched.[31]
Prince Maelor Targaryen's egg Prince Maelor Targaryen Maelor's egg was pale green with swirls of silver.[32]
Last dragon's five eggs House Targaryen From the last dragon's clutch.[11]
Princess Elaena Targaryen's egg Princess Elaena Targaryen Silver and gold in unknown arrangement[24]
Prince Daeron Targaryen's egg Prince Daeron Targaryen[11]
Prince Aerion Targaryen's egg Prince Aerion Targaryen Gold and silver, with veins of fiery colors[11]
Prince Aemon Targaryen's egg Prince Aemon Targaryen
King Aegon V Targaryen's egg King Aegon V Targaryen White and green swirls[11]
Lord Ambrose Butterwell's egg Lord Ambrose Butterwell Red, with golden flecks and black whorls. Taking into possession by Brynden Rivers.[11]
King Aegon V Targaryen's seven eggs King Aegon V Targaryen Used in the ceremony that caused the Tragedy at Summerhall.[20]
King Euron Greyjoy's egg King Euron Greyjoy Euron claims to have had a dragon egg which he threw into the sea.[33]
{Drogon's egg} Princess Daenerys Targaryen Black as the midnight sea, alive with scarlet ripples and swirls[1] Hatched into the dragon Drogon
{Rhaegal's egg} Princess Daenerys Targaryen Deep green, with burnished bronze flecks[1] Hatched into the dragon Rhaegal
{Viserion's egg} Princess Daenerys Targaryen Colored pale cream, streaked with gold[1] Hatched into the dragon Viserion

History

First century after the Conquest

Princess Rhaena Targaryen placed a dragon egg in the cradles of her siblings Jaehaerys and Alysanne after they were born. According to the stories, from those eggs hatched Vermithor and Silverwing.[25] Jaehaerys later placed a dragon egg in the cradle of his son Aemon.[34]

By 43 AC, Dreamfyre , the dragon of Rhaena Targaryen, had already produced two clutches of eggs.[35] During Rhaena's time at Fair Isle (49 AC - 50 AC, Dreamfyre laid another clutch of eggs. Dreamfyre's presence on the island was making some of the residents anxious, however, and the new clutch of eggs caused a begging brother to start preaching that Fair Isle "would soon be overrun by dragons" who would eat both sheep and men, and called for a dragonslayer to kill the dragons to stop it all. The man was arrested, but his words inspired fear wherever they were spread nonetheless.[36] When Rhaena departed Fair Isle, she took the eggs with her as she toured the westerlands. After some time at Casterly Rock, Lord Lyman Lannister expressed his interest in the three eggs and asked how they would hatch, and when that could be expected. Lady Jocasta Lannister suggested to Rhaena that gifting the Lannisters one or more of the three eggs would be a good way to demonstrate her gratitude. After Rhaena refused, Lord Lyman offered to buy the eggs.[36] Rhaena was eventually granted Dragonstone as her own seat.[36] There, the eggs hatched.[15]

In 54 AC, Lady Elissa Farman stole three dragon eggs from Dragonstone and fled with them to Pentos, from where she traveled to Braavos. At Braavos, Elissa sold them to the Sealord, and used the gold to build herself a ship. The news about the theft was alarming to King Jaehaerys I; if the eggs were to hatch, there would be a dragonlord in the world that was not of House Targaryen. Rewards were offered for rumors on the location of the dragon eggs, but every whisper proved worthless.[15] By 56 AC, Jaehaerys I suspected that the dragon eggs had played a part in the financing of the ship. The banker denied all.[26] In 57 AC, the newly appointed Hand of the King, Septon Barth, traveled to Braavos and spoke with the Sealord about the eggs. Although the Sealord denied having purchased the eggs, and claimed that, unhatched, the eggs were nothing more than "pretty stones". Barth eventually returned to King's Landing without the eggs.[37]

Reign of Viserys I

During the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen, there were more dragons than ever before. Several of the she-dragons regularly produced clutches of eggs. Many, but not all, of the eggs hatched. During Viserys's reign, it became truly customary to place a dragon's egg in the cradle of a newborn child.[27]

When his concubine Mysaria became pregnant in 106 AC, Prince Daemon Targaryen presented her with a dragon egg. King Viserys I commanded him to return the egg and return to lawful his wife, Lady Rhea Royce, or else be attainted as a traitor. Mysaria was then sent back to Lys, without the egg.[27][12] Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen's three sons by Laenor Velaryon were each given a dragon egg while in the cradle by royal decree; those who believed the boys' father truly was Ser Harwin Strong whispered that the eggs would never hatch, but they all did, and all three the boys became dragonriders. Prince Aemond Targaryen rejected the "stupid" eggs and "puny" hatchlings of Dragonstone, for the great dragon Vhagar. Dragon eggs were placed in the cradles of Prince Aegon the Younger, Prince Viserys, Prince Jaehaerys, Princess Jaehaera, and Prince Maelor Targaryen.[12] All eggs except for the ones of Viserys and Maelor hatched.

Dance of the Dragons

Prince Daemon's daughter, Lady Rhaena Targaryen, had an egg as well, but the dragon that was born from the egg died within hours. Shortly before the start of the Dance of the Dragons, Rhaena had been given an egg from Syrax's most recent clutch. Rhaena slept with the egg every night, and prayed over it.[38] When she left for the Vale in 129 AC, sbe brought three eggs with her, and prayed nightly for them to hatch.[14][39] One of these eggs hatched during the war, bringing forth the dragon Morning.[16]

According to Mushroom, the dragon Vermax left a clutch of dragon's eggs at Winterfell when his rider Jacaerys Velaryon came to visit Lord Cregan Stark. Grand Maester Gyldayn and Maester Yandel feel that Mushroom's tale can be discounted and consider Vermax to have been a male dragon, as there is no record of the dragon ever laying another clutch of eggs.[40][41]

Prince Viserys Targaryen took his egg everywhere he went[38] and brought it with him on the Gay Abandon. When he was taken captive, he hid his dragon egg.[14][39]

When Prince Maelor Targaryen fled King's Landing under the care of Ser Richard Thorne, the two were discovered and identified at Bitterbridge when a stableboy found Maelor's egg in Ser Rickard's saddle bags. After both Prince Maelor and Ser Rickard had been killed, Lady Caswell sent the dragon egg to Lord Ormund Hightower at Longtable, hoping soothe his wroth.[32]

King Aegon II Targaryen commanded the maester of Dragonstone to sent him dragon eggs at King's Landing, so he could hatch another egg. The maester sent him seven eggs, in honor of the gods.[16]

Recent history

The last Targaryen dragon laid a clutch of five eggs.[11] After the death of the last dragon, multiple Targaryen kings have attempted to hatch dragon eggs, including Aegon III,[42][18] Baelor I,[18] Aegon V,[43] and Aerys II.[44] During the First Blackfyre Rebellion, the thief Quickfinger was caught with stolen dragon eggs.[45]

Prince Aegon Targaryen and his brothers were all gifted dragon eggs while in the cradle. He and his brother Aemon would often pretend that their eggs would be the ones to hatch.[11]

A tourney is held at Whitewalls in 212 AC to celebrate the wedding of Lord Ambrose Butterwell to the daughter of Lord Frey. The victor's prize is to be a dragon egg, which had been granted to Lord Butterwell's grandfather by King Aegon IV Targaryen. In truth, the wedding and tourney is an attempt to secretly foment the Second Blackfyre Rebellion in the name of Daemon II Blackfyre, who had dreamed that a dragon would be born at Whitewalls. The tourney was rigged so that Daemon would win the dragon egg, but it goes missing before his last joust, and Ser Glendon Ball is framed for the theft. After the defeat of the attempted rebellion, Hand of the King Brynden Rivers informs Ser Duncan the Tall the egg was in fact taken by an agent of his who crawled up the privy shaft of the castle to take the egg from its guarded chamber, and that the egg is now safe.[11]

On the island of Dragonstone, there is supposedly a fabled hoard of dragon eggs.[46]

Recent events

A Game of Thrones

Daenerys Targaryen placing her dragon eggs on Drogo's funeral pyre. Art by Felicia Cano, © Fantasy Flight Games

At Daenerys Targaryen's wedding to Khal Drogo, Magister Illyrio Mopatis gives her a gift of three fossilized dragon's eggs.[1] After Drogo's death and the death of their son, Daenerys places the eggs on her husband's funeral pyre: the black beside his heart, under his arm, the green beside his head, the cream-and-gold down between his legs. After the pyre is lit, Daenerys walks into the fire, and the eggs hatch into living dragons.[23]

A Feast for Crows

At the Wall, Samwell Tarly ponders that Queen Alysanne Targaryen had visited Castle Black on her dragon, Silverwing, and that King Jaehaerys I, had come after her on his own dragon, Vermithor. Samwell wonders to himself as to whether Silverwing could have left an egg behind, or as to whether King Stannis Baratheon had found an egg on Dragonstone.[19]

Lord Hallyne, of the Alchemists' Guild, asks Queen Regent Cersei Lannister that his pyromancers be allowed to hatch any dragon's eggs that might turn up upon Dragonstone during the search of the castle. Cersei remarks that if any such eggs had remained, Stannis Baratheon would have sold them to pay for his rebellion. She refrains from saying that the plan is mad, as every attempt made by the Targaryens to hatch a dragon after the death of the last dragon had ended in death, disaster, or disgrace.[47]

Euron Greyjoy claims to have held a dragon's egg in his hand. A Myrish wizard swore he could hatch it if Euron gave him a year and all the gold that he required. Euron claims that he killed the man when he grew bored with the wizard's excuses, and that had thrown the egg the sea during one of his dark moods.[33]

A Dance with Dragons

According to Lord Mace Tyrell, his son Ser Loras Tyrell and his men searched every inch of Dragonstone, but did not find any sign of the fabled hoard of dragon eggs. Lord Regent Kevan Lannister privately doubts Mace's protestations.[46]

Quotes

Daenerys Targaryen, with her three dragon eggs. Art by Algesiras.

Dragon's eggs, from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai. The eons have turned them to stone, yet still they burn bright with beauty.[1]

—Magister Illyrio Mopatis

Bring my eggs.[23]

Daenerys Targaryen's command to her handmaidens

If he'd known they were like to hatch, he'd would have sat on them himself.[4]

—Ser Jorah Mormont to Daenerys Targaryen, on Illyrio Mopatis's gift of dragon eggs to her

Someday the dragons will return. My brother Daeron's dreamed of it, and King Aerys read it in a prophecy. Maybe it will be my egg that hatches. That would be splendid.[11]

Egg, to Dunk

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
  2. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 12, Reek I.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 68, The Dragontamer.
  4. 4.0 4.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 40, Daenerys III.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 68, Daenerys IX.
  6. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
  7. 7.0 7.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 12, Daenerys I.
  8. 8.0 8.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 8, Daenerys I.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 52, Daenerys IX.
  10. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 23, Daenerys III.
  11. 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 The Mystery Knight.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 12.9 The Rogue Prince.
  13. 13.0 13.1 The World of Ice & Fire, The North: Winterfell.
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 The Princess and the Queen.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Short, Sad Reign of Aegon II.
  17. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon III.
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 54, Davos V.
  19. 19.0 19.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 5, Samwell I.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
  21. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 25, Davos III.
  22. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 72, Daenerys X.
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 So Spake Martin: Three Maidens in the Tower. (June 27, 2006)
  25. 25.0 25.1 Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragon.
  26. 26.0 26.1 Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumphs and Tragedies.
  27. 27.0 27.1 27.2 Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  28. The Sons of the Dragon.
  29. Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  30. 30.0 30.1 30.2 The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Viserys I.
  31. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon II.
  32. 32.0 32.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Triumphant.
  33. 33.0 33.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 29, The Reaver.
  34. Fire & Blood, Birth, Death, and Betrayel Under King Jaehaerys I.
  35. Fire & Blood, The Sons of the Dragons.
  36. 36.0 36.1 36.2 Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
  37. Fire & Blood, Jaehaerys and Alysanne - Their Triumps and Tragedies.
  38. 38.0 38.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Blacks and the Greens.
  39. 39.0 39.1 Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - The Red Dragon and the Gold.
  40. The World of Ice & Fire, The North: Winterfell.
  41. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - A Son for a Son.
  42. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys III.
  43. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aegon V.
  44. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aerys II.
  45. The Sworn Sword.
  46. 46.0 46.1 A Dance with Dragons, Epilogue.
  47. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.