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[[File:the_dragon_prince.jpg|In his youth, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] thought he might be the prince that was promised - by Silvenger ©|thumb|300px|right]]
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[[File:Marco Caradonna The Prince That Was Promised.JPG|thumb|450px|right|The Prince That Was Promised - by Marco Caradonna © FFG]]  
The '''prince that was promised''' is a prophesied leader or saviour. The prince may be part of an ancient prophecy, a prophecy that foretells the coming of a hero to deliver the world from darkness. A "[[red Comet|bleeding star]]" is supposed to herald the coming of the prince. The prince is said to have "a song" - [[the song of ice and fire]].
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'''The prince that was promised''' is a prophesied leader or savior. The prince may be part of an ancient prophecy which foretells the coming of a hero to deliver the world [[Long night that never ends|from darkness]]. A "[[red comet|bleeding star]]" is supposed to herald the coming of the prince.{{ref|AFFC|35}} The prince is said to have "a song", [[the song of ice and fire]].{{ref|ACOK|48}}
==About==
 
At the moment it is not known exactly where the prophecy originates, information on the prince that was promised is rather scant.  Based on the fact that [[Maester Aemon]] mentions ''“a thousand years”'' {{Ref|aFfC|35}} to [[Samwell Tarly]] it should be safe to say the prince that was promised prophecy is at least a thousand years old.  According to [[Melisandre]] the prince that was promised coming was prophesied five thousand years ago. {{Ref|aSoS|54|p 711}} She does not mention who made the prophecy. 
 
  
It appears as if the [[Targaryen]] family had been awaiting the arrival of the prince so the prophecy may come from Old [[Valyria]] - but that is conjecture. There is not as much clear information on the prince as, for example, [[Azor Ahai]].
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==History==
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[[File:the_dragon_prince.jpg|thumb|300px|right|In his youth, Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] thought he might be the prince that was promised - by Silvenger ©]]
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:{{Main|the prince that was promised/Theories}}
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It is not known from where the prophecy originates, as information on the prince that was promised is scant. According to [[Melisandre]], a [[red priest]]ess of [[R'hllor]], the prince was prophesied five thousand years ago.{{Ref|aSoS|63}} She has mentioned the prince that was promised{{Ref|aSoS|54}} and [[Azor Ahai]] interchangeably but tends to use the name Azor Ahai far more often. Melisandre states that "When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt."{{ref|ASOS|25}}
  
Thus far there has been no mention of the prince wielding a sword - unlike the [[last hero]] and [[Azor Ahai]]. However at one point Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] believed that he might be the prince that was promised.  According to a tale told of [[Rhaegar]] one day he found something in his scrolls that changed him and he decided to become a [[knight]]. He said to Ser [[Willem Darry]], the master-at-arms, 
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Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] mentions a bleeding star, along with smoke and salt, as being part of the heralding of the prince that was promised coming,{{ref|AFFC|35}} but he does not mention Azor Ahai. Archmaester [[Marwyn]] recalls that according to the prophecy, the prince would be "Born amidst salt and smoke, beneath a bleeding star."{{ref|AFFC|45}} When he was younger Aemon thought that Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] was the prince who was promised, since the smoke would be from the fire at [[tragedy at Summerhall|Summerhall]] and salt from the tears of those who cried there.{{ref|AFFC|35}}  
{{quote|I will require a sword and armor. It seems I must be a warrior.}}
 
Therefore, the prince may be a warrior who wields a sword.
 
  
The prince that was promised is first mentioned in the [[House of the Undying]] when [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sees a vision of her brother [[Rhaegar Targaryen]] who names his son [[Aegon]], and says,
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Young Rhaegar agreed with Aemon that he might be the prince that was promised. According to [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]], one day Rhaegar found something in his scrolls that changed him and he decided to become a [[knight]], telling Ser [[Willem Darry]], "I will require a sword and armor. It seems I must be a warrior."{{ref|ASOS|8}}
{{quote|“[[Young Griff|He]] is the prince that was promised, and his is [[the song of ice and fire]].{{Ref|aCoK|48}}}}
 
[[Rhaegar]] looks up as he says those words and his eyes met [[Dany]]’s and it seems to her as if he sees her standing there. {{Ref|aCoK|48}}
 
  
[[Melisandre]], a worshipper of [[R'hllor]] has stated that,  
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Rhaegar later believed that his infant son, [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]], was the promised prince, since a comet was seen above [[King's Landing]] when the boy was born.{{ref|AFFC|35}} Rhaegar was killed by Lord [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert Baratheon]] in the [[Battle of the Trident]],{{ref|AGOT|4}} however, and Aegon was killed by Ser [[Gregor Clegane]] in the [[Sack of King's Landing]].{{ref|ASOS|66}}
{{quote|“When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, [[Azor Ahai]] shall be born again amidst smoke and salt.}}
 
  
Much later in [[Braavos]], when talking of the prince to [[Samwell Tarly]] [[Maester Aemon]] mentions smoke and salt as being part of the heralding of the prince that was promised coming.  Obviously the mention of smoke and salt immediately brings to mind [[Melisandre]]’s above mentioned statement. However it is important to keep in mind what [[Tyrion Lannister]] has stated about prophecy,
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When he was a boy, the future King [[Aegon V Targaryen]] recalled that King [[Aerys I Targaryen|Aerys I]] once read about the return of [[dragon]]s in a prophecy.{{Ref|TMK}} Maester Aemon believes that "the dragon must have three heads,"{{ref|AFFC|35}} although it is unknown if that is connected with the prince that was promised.
  
{{quote|“[[Dreams and prophecies|Prophecy]] is like a half-trained mule. It looks as though it might be useful, but the moment you trust in it, it kicks you in the head." {{ref|ADwD|40|page 534}}}}
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==Recent Events==
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===''A Clash of Kings''===
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[[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s eldest brother, the late Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]], appears in one of her visions in the [[House of the Undying]] in [[Qarth]]. She sees him talking to his wife, [[Elia Martell]], discussing what he shall name his son ([[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|Aegon]]) and his destiny. He states, "He is the prince that was promised, and his is [[the song of ice and fire]]."{{Ref|aCoK|48}}
  
Therefore, readers have to be careful of being kicked in the head by smoke and salt also being mentioned in relation to the prince that was promised. [[Azor Ahai]] and the prince that was promised may be two distinct prophecies, or they may be one in the same in a prophecy that has the potential to turn out to be about two separate people.  It is easy get rather confused.  Indeed the prince may not even be male; the prince may have been referred to as male erroneously for centuries.  Before his death [[Maester Aemon]] came to firmly believe that the prince is not a prince but a princess.
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When at the [[port of Qarth]] with Ser [[Jorah Mormont]], Daenerys mentions her brother said that the babe was the prince that was promised. Jorah observes that if Aegon was this prince that was promised, the promise was broken along with his skull when the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]] dashed his head against a wall during the [[Sack of King's Landing]]. Daenerys seems to accept this notion and asks about the song of ice and fire, but Jorah has never heard it.{{Ref|aCoK|63}}
  
[[Maester Aemon]] also says to Samwell that the dragon must have three heads. He wakes up weeping, wailing:
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===''A Storm of Swords''===
{{Quote|The dragon must have three heads…but I am too old to be one of them.  I should be with [[Dany|her]], showing her the way, but my body has betrayed me. {{Ref|aFfC|35}}}}
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On [[Dragonstone (island)|Dragonstone]] [[Melisandre]] explains that [[Stannis Baratheon]] is the prince that was promised,{{ref|ASOS|36}} and that the [[red comet]] is his herald.{{ref|ASOS|63}}
It may be that the three-headed dragon is a part of the prince that was promised prophecy, and there are two other people whom the prince will need to have by his side, to show him the way.
 
  
==Signs of the coming of the prince that was promised==
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At the [[Wall]] Melisandre commands the [[Night's Watch]] to light nightfires to protect against the dark and she speaks of the [[war for the dawn]]. When Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] asks about the prince that was promised, Melisandre states that Stannis is [[Azor Ahai]].{{Ref|aSoS|78}}
[[File:MKomarck DaenerysTheUnburnt.jpg‎‎|{{Quote| ''“[[Daenerys]] is the one, born amidst salt and smoke.  The [[dragons]] prove it”''- [[Maester Aemon]] - by Michael Komarck ©|thumb|300px|right]]
 
*The birth of a male child - a prince. (erroneous according to [[Maester Aemon]]) {{Ref|aFfC|35}} 
 
*The prince is of the blood of the dragon. {{Ref|aFfC|35}}
 
*Born amidst smoke. {{Ref|aFfC|35}} {{Ref|AFFC|45}}
 
*Born amidst salt. {{Ref|aFfC|35}} {{Ref|AFFC|45}}
 
*A bleeding star in the skies. {{Ref|aFfC|35}} (also mentioned is being born beneath a bleeding star {{Ref|AFFC|45}})
 
*The return of dragons? (when he was a boy [[Aegon V]] recalled that [[Aerys I Targaryen|King Aerys]] read about the return of dragons in a prophecy.) {{Ref|TMK|''Warriors 1'', ISBN 978-0-7653-6026-7, page 282 of 251-394}}
 
*The [[dark eye]] falls upon the prince?
 
  
==The prince that was promised theories==
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===''A Feast for Crows''===
{{Main|the prince that was promised/Theories}}
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[[File:MKomarck DaenerysTheUnburnt.jpg|thumb|300px|right‎‎|Daenerys the Unburnt by Michael Komarck ©]]
==Recent Events==
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In [[Braavos]], [[Samwell Tarly]] tells Aemon of the rumors about Daenerys and her dragons. The maester becomes convinced that Daenerys is the prophesied leader. Remembering Septon [[Barth]]'s conclusion that dragons are of no mixed gender, Aemon determines there was an error in the prophecy's translation. He tells Sam that the hero is not a prince but a princess, Daenerys.{{ref|AFFC|35}}
===A Clash of Kings===
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Daenerys Targaryen's elder brother Prince [[Rhaegar]] appears in one of her visions in the [[House of the Undying]] in [[Qarth]]. She sees him talking to his wife [[Elia Martell|Elia]] discussing what he shall name his son (Aegon) and his destiny. He states,  
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Aemon intends to find Daenerys, but he dies en route to [[Oldtown]], however.{{ref|AFFC|35}} Archmaester [[Marwyn]] announces his intention to travel to her at [[Slaver's Bay]] instead.{{ref|AFFC|45}}
{{Quote|"He is the prince that was promised, and his is [[the song of ice and fire]].{{Ref|aCoK|48}}}}  
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He looks up when he says those words and his eyes meet Dany’s, though whether he is speaking to her or the woman in the bed she cannot say.  
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===''A Dance with Dragons''===
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In [[Meereen]] Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] talks to Daenerys about her mother, [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]], and father, King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]]. He mentions that her grandsire, King [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|Jaehaerys II]], commanded that they be wed after a [[Ghost of High Heart|woods witch]] had foretold that the prince who was promised would be born of their line. When Daenerys asks about the woods witch, Barristan mentions [[Tragedy at Summerhall|Summerhall]] and is then asked to leave by his weary queen.{{Ref|ADWD|23}}
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On the Wall a doubting [[Jon Snow]] reminds Melisandre that she has spoken of "a promised prince, born of smoke and salt", and that it seems to him that she makes nothing but mistakes.{{ref|ADWD|69}}
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When [[Benerro]] preaches in [[Volantis]] that the [[dark eye]] has fallen upon Daenerys, [[Tyrion Lannister]] recalls an ancient prophecy of a hero who will save the world from darkness.{{ref|ADWD|27}}
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==Quotes==
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{{quote|'''Davos''': A hill in a forest ... [[fight at the Fist|shapes in the snow]] ... I don't ...<br>
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'''Melisandre''': It means that the battle is begun. The sand is running through the glass more quickly now, and man's hour on earth is almost done. We must act boldly, or all hope is lost. [[Westeros]] must unite beneath her [[Stannis Baratheon|one true king]], the prince that was promised, Lord of [[Dragonstone]] and chosen of [[R'hllor]].{{ref|ASOS|36}}}} - [[Davos Seaworth]] and [[Melisandre]]
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{{Quote|[[Melisandre|She]] talks of prophecies ... a hero reborn in the sea, living [[dragon]]s hatched from dead stone ... she speaks of '''signs''' and swears they point to me. I never asked for this, no more than I asked to be [[King of Westeros|king]]. Yet dare I disregard her?{{Ref|ASOS|54}}}}
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- [[Stannis Baratheon]], to [[Davos Seaworth]]
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 +
 
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{{quote|You are he who must stand against [[Great Other|the Other]]. The one whose coming was prophesied five thousand years ago. The [[red comet]] was your herald. You are the prince that was promised, and if you fail [[known World|the world]] fails with you.{{ref|ASOS|63}}}} - [[Melisandre]], to [[Stannis Baratheon]]
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 +
 
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{{quote|'''Melisandre''': Swords alone cannot hold this darkness back. Only the light of the Lord can do that. Make no mistake, good sers and valiant brothers, the war we've come to fight is no petty squabble over lands and honors. Ours is a war for life itself, and should we fail [[known world|the world]] dies with us.<br>
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'''Aemon''': It is the [[war for the dawn]] you speak of, my lady. But where is the prince that was promised?<br>
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'''Melisandre''': He stands before you, though you do not have the eyes to see. [[Stannis Baratheon]] is [[Azor Ahai]] come again, the warrior of fire. In him the prophecies are fulfilled. The [[red comet]] blazed across the sky to herald his coming, and he bears [[Lightbringer]], the red sword of heroes.{{ref|ASOS|78}}}} - [[Melisandre]] and [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]]
  
Later, when down at the [[port of Qarth]] with Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] she discusses the vision with him.  She mentions her brother said that the babe was the prince that was promised.  Jorah observes that if he was this prince that was promised, the promise was broken along with his skull when the Lannisters dashed his head against a wall. Dany seems to accept this notion and goes on to ask what is [[the song of ice and fire]] but Jorah has never heard it. {{Ref|aCoK|63}}
 
  
===A Storm of Swords===
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{{Quote|What fools we were, who thought ourselves so wise! The error crept in from the translation. [[Dragon]]s are neither male nor female, [[Barth]] saw the truth of that, but now one and now the other, as changeable as flame. [[High Valyrian|The language]] misled us all for a thousand years. [[Daenerys Targaryen|Daenerys]] is the one, born amidst salt and smoke. The dragons prove it.{{ref|AFFC|35}}}}
On [[Dragonstone]] Melisandre tells [[Stannis Baratheon]] that he is ''"he who must stand against [[Great Other|the Other]]"''. She tells him that the one whose coming was prophesied 5,00 years ago, the red comet was his herald and that he is the prince that was promised. {{Ref|aSoS|54|p 711}}
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- [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]], to [[Samwell Tarly]]
  
At the [[Wall]] [[Melisandre]] commands the [[Night's Watch]] to light nightfires, and says that swords cannot hold back the darkness, that theirs is a war for life itself.
 
[[Maester Aemon]] replies: {{Quote|It is the war for the dawn you speak of, my lady. But where is the prince that was promised?}}
 
Melisandre tells him that the prince is [[Stannis Baratheon]], [[Azor Ahai]] come again, who fulfilled the prophecies. {{Ref|aSoS|78}}
 
  
===A Feast for Crows===
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{{Quote|Maester [[Aemon Targaryen (son of Maekar I)|Aemon]] believed that [[Daenerys Targaryen]] was the fulfillment of a prophecy … her, not [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]], nor Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], nor [[Aegon Targaryen (son of Rhaegar)|the princeling]] whose head was dashed against the wall.{{Ref|AFFC|45}}}} - [[Samwell Tarly]], to [[Marwyn]]
[[File:Marco Caradonna The Prince That Was Promised.JPG|"''No one ever looked for a girl..It was a prince that was promised, not a princess.''" - [[Maester Aemon]].  © FFG|thumb|350px|right]]
 
In [[Braavos]], after [[Samwell Tarly]] tells [[Maester Aemon]] of the rumors about Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons, Aemon becomes convinced that Daenerys is the prophesied leader. {{Ref|aFfC|35}} [[Maester Aemon]] states to Sam, 
 
{{Quote|[[Daenerys]] is the one, born amidst salt and smoke.  The [[dragons]] prove it.}}
 
===A Dance with Dragons===
 
In [[Meereen]] Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] talks to Dany about her mother and father.  He mentions that her [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|grandsire]] commanded that they be wed after a [[Ghost of High Heart|woods witch]] had foretold that the prince who was promised would be born of their line. {{Ref|ADWD|23}} Dany is astonished by the fact that her [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|grandsire]] listened to a woods witch and asks Ser Barristan about her, when Barristan mentions [[Summerhall]] she sighs and tells him to leave.  Dany never asks him about the prince who was promised or makes mention of her vision in the [[House of the Undying]] to Ser Barristan.
 
  
On the [[Wall]] there is a hint that [[Azor Ahai]] and the prince that was promised may be one in the same when a doubting [[Jon Snow]] reminds Melisandre that she has spoken of "''a promised prince, born of smoke and salt''", up until this point in time Melisande has only ever mentioned the name Azor Ahai, she has never used the title the ''prince that was promised'' until Jon mentions it.
 
  
==Quotes==
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{{Quote|Born amidst salt and smoke, beneath a bleeding star. I know the [[Dreams and prophecies|prophecy]]. Not that I would trust it.{{Ref|AFFC|45}}}} [[Marwyn]], to [[Samwell Tarly]]
{{Quote| “[[Maester Aemon]] believed that [[Daenerys Targaryen]] was the fulfillment of a prophecy …..her, not [[Stannis]], nor Prince [[Rhaegar]], nor [[Young Griff|the princeling whose head was dashed against the wall]]. {{Ref|AFFC|45}}}} - [[Samwell Tarly]], to [[Marwyn]]
 
  
  
{{Quote|“Born amidst salt and smoke, beneath a bleeding star.  I know the [[Dreams and prophecies|prophecy]].” [he spits a gob of red phlegm onto the floor] “Not that I would trust it.{{Ref|AFFC|45}}}} [[Marwyn]], to [[Samwell Tarly]]
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{{quote|[[Dreams and prophecies|Prophecy]] is like a half-trained mule. It looks as though it might be useful, but the moment you trust in it, it kicks you in the head.{{ref|ADwD|40}}}} - [[Tyrion Lannister]], to [[Jorah Mormont]]
  
 
==References and Notes==
 
==References and Notes==
{{References}}
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{{References|2}}
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[[Category:Prophecy]]
 
[[Category:Prophecy]]
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[[es:Príncipe que Fue Prometido]]
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[[fr:Prince qui fut promis]]

Revision as of 21:29, 30 August 2017

The Prince That Was Promised - by Marco Caradonna © FFG

The prince that was promised is a prophesied leader or savior. The prince may be part of an ancient prophecy which foretells the coming of a hero to deliver the world from darkness. A "bleeding star" is supposed to herald the coming of the prince.[1] The prince is said to have "a song", the song of ice and fire.[2]

History

In his youth, Prince Rhaegar Targaryen thought he might be the prince that was promised - by Silvenger ©

It is not known from where the prophecy originates, as information on the prince that was promised is scant. According to Melisandre, a red priestess of R'hllor, the prince was prophesied five thousand years ago.[3] She has mentioned the prince that was promised[4] and Azor Ahai interchangeably but tends to use the name Azor Ahai far more often. Melisandre states that "When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt."[5]

Maester Aemon mentions a bleeding star, along with smoke and salt, as being part of the heralding of the prince that was promised coming,[1] but he does not mention Azor Ahai. Archmaester Marwyn recalls that according to the prophecy, the prince would be "Born amidst salt and smoke, beneath a bleeding star."[6] When he was younger Aemon thought that Prince Rhaegar Targaryen was the prince who was promised, since the smoke would be from the fire at Summerhall and salt from the tears of those who cried there.[1]

Young Rhaegar agreed with Aemon that he might be the prince that was promised. According to Arstan Whitebeard, one day Rhaegar found something in his scrolls that changed him and he decided to become a knight, telling Ser Willem Darry, "I will require a sword and armor. It seems I must be a warrior."[7]

Rhaegar later believed that his infant son, Aegon, was the promised prince, since a comet was seen above King's Landing when the boy was born.[1] Rhaegar was killed by Lord Robert Baratheon in the Battle of the Trident,[8] however, and Aegon was killed by Ser Gregor Clegane in the Sack of King's Landing.[9]

When he was a boy, the future King Aegon V Targaryen recalled that King Aerys I once read about the return of dragons in a prophecy.[10] Maester Aemon believes that "the dragon must have three heads,"[1] although it is unknown if that is connected with the prince that was promised.

Recent Events

A Clash of Kings

Daenerys Targaryen's eldest brother, the late Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, appears in one of her visions in the House of the Undying in Qarth. She sees him talking to his wife, Elia Martell, discussing what he shall name his son (Aegon) and his destiny. He states, "He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire."[2]

When at the port of Qarth with Ser Jorah Mormont, Daenerys mentions her brother said that the babe was the prince that was promised. Jorah observes that if Aegon was this prince that was promised, the promise was broken along with his skull when the Lannisters dashed his head against a wall during the Sack of King's Landing. Daenerys seems to accept this notion and asks about the song of ice and fire, but Jorah has never heard it.[11]

A Storm of Swords

On Dragonstone Melisandre explains that Stannis Baratheon is the prince that was promised,[12] and that the red comet is his herald.[3]

At the Wall Melisandre commands the Night's Watch to light nightfires to protect against the dark and she speaks of the war for the dawn. When Maester Aemon asks about the prince that was promised, Melisandre states that Stannis is Azor Ahai.[13]

A Feast for Crows

Daenerys the Unburnt by Michael Komarck ©

In Braavos, Samwell Tarly tells Aemon of the rumors about Daenerys and her dragons. The maester becomes convinced that Daenerys is the prophesied leader. Remembering Septon Barth's conclusion that dragons are of no mixed gender, Aemon determines there was an error in the prophecy's translation. He tells Sam that the hero is not a prince but a princess, Daenerys.[1]

Aemon intends to find Daenerys, but he dies en route to Oldtown, however.[1] Archmaester Marwyn announces his intention to travel to her at Slaver's Bay instead.[6]

A Dance with Dragons

In Meereen Ser Barristan Selmy talks to Daenerys about her mother, Rhaella, and father, King Aerys II. He mentions that her grandsire, King Jaehaerys II, commanded that they be wed after a woods witch had foretold that the prince who was promised would be born of their line. When Daenerys asks about the woods witch, Barristan mentions Summerhall and is then asked to leave by his weary queen.[14]

On the Wall a doubting Jon Snow reminds Melisandre that she has spoken of "a promised prince, born of smoke and salt", and that it seems to him that she makes nothing but mistakes.[15]

When Benerro preaches in Volantis that the dark eye has fallen upon Daenerys, Tyrion Lannister recalls an ancient prophecy of a hero who will save the world from darkness.[16]

Quotes

Davos: A hill in a forest ... shapes in the snow ... I don't ...
Melisandre: It means that the battle is begun. The sand is running through the glass more quickly now, and man's hour on earth is almost done. We must act boldly, or all hope is lost. Westeros must unite beneath her one true king, the prince that was promised, Lord of Dragonstone and chosen of R'hllor.[12]

- Davos Seaworth and Melisandre


She talks of prophecies ... a hero reborn in the sea, living dragons hatched from dead stone ... she speaks of signs and swears they point to me. I never asked for this, no more than I asked to be king. Yet dare I disregard her?[4]

- Stannis Baratheon, to Davos Seaworth


You are he who must stand against the Other. The one whose coming was prophesied five thousand years ago. The red comet was your herald. You are the prince that was promised, and if you fail the world fails with you.[3]

- Melisandre, to Stannis Baratheon


Melisandre: Swords alone cannot hold this darkness back. Only the light of the Lord can do that. Make no mistake, good sers and valiant brothers, the war we've come to fight is no petty squabble over lands and honors. Ours is a war for life itself, and should we fail the world dies with us.

Aemon: It is the war for the dawn you speak of, my lady. But where is the prince that was promised?

Melisandre: He stands before you, though you do not have the eyes to see. Stannis Baratheon is Azor Ahai come again, the warrior of fire. In him the prophecies are fulfilled. The red comet blazed across the sky to herald his coming, and he bears Lightbringer, the red sword of heroes.[13]

- Melisandre and Aemon


What fools we were, who thought ourselves so wise! The error crept in from the translation. Dragons are neither male nor female, Barth saw the truth of that, but now one and now the other, as changeable as flame. The language misled us all for a thousand years. Daenerys is the one, born amidst salt and smoke. The dragons prove it.[1]

- Aemon, to Samwell Tarly


Maester Aemon believed that Daenerys Targaryen was the fulfillment of a prophecy … her, not Stannis, nor Prince Rhaegar, nor the princeling whose head was dashed against the wall.[6]

- Samwell Tarly, to Marwyn


Born amidst salt and smoke, beneath a bleeding star. I know the prophecy. Not that I would trust it.[6]

Marwyn, to Samwell Tarly


Prophecy is like a half-trained mule. It looks as though it might be useful, but the moment you trust in it, it kicks you in the head.[17]

- Tyrion Lannister, to Jorah Mormont

References and Notes