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Daenerys Targaryen

2014-01-03T02:59:59Z

Joachim: She doesn't use that title.

{{See homonyms | Daenerys Targaryen (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox character
| Character_name= [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|left]]'''Daenerys Targaryen''' [[File:House_Targaryen_crest.PNG|50px|right]]
| image =[[File:Daenerys targareyen by teiiku.jpg|250px|Dany in the flames, birth of her [[dragon]]s, Art by TeiIku©]]
| image_caption = Dany in the flames, birth of her dragons, Art by TeiIku©©
| Played_by = Emilia Clarke
| image_caption =
| Alias = Dany Daenerys Stormborn The Unburnt Mother of Dragons Mother Mysha The Silver Queen Silver Lady Child of Three {{Ref|aCoK|48}} {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Daughter of Death {{Ref|aCoK|48}} {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Slayer of Lies{{Ref|aCoK|48}} {{Ref|aCoK|63}} Bride of Fire{{Ref|aCoK|48}}{{Ref|aCoK|63}} The Dragon Queen{{Ref|aDwD|25}}
| Title = Queen of the [[Andals]] and the [[Rhoynar]] and the [[First Men]] ''[[Khaleesi]]'' of the [[Dothraki Sea|Great Grass Sea]] Breaker of Shackles/Chains Queen of [[Meereen]] Princess of [[Dragonstone]]
| Allegiance = [[House Targaryen]]
| Race =
| Culture = [[Valyria]]
| Spouse = [[Khal Drogo]] 1st [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] 2nd
| Place_of_Birth= [[Dragonstone]]
| Date_of_Birth = {{Date|284}}
| Place_of_Death=
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = [[A Game of Thrones]] (POV) [[A Clash of Kings]] (POV) [[A Storm of Swords]] (POV) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (POV)
| Played_by = [[w:Emilia Clarke|Emilia Clarke]]
| TV_series = [[Game of Thrones - Season 1|Season 1]]{{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 2|Season 2]] {{!}} [[Game of Thrones - Season 3|Season 3]]
}}

'''Daenerys Targaryen''', known as '''Daenerys Stormborn''' or '''Dany''', is the last confirmed member of the ancient [[House Targaryen|Targaryen Dynasty]] and one of the major [[POV Character|POV characters]] in the book series. In the [[Game of Thrones|TV series]], Daenerys is played by Emilia Clarke.<ref name=hbo/>

==Appearance==
:''See also'' [[:Category:Images of Daenerys Targaryen|this collection of images]].
Daenerys is a young woman in her early teens. She is short of stature and very beautiful, with the silver-blonde hair and [[purple eyes]] for which [[House Targaryen]] has always been known. {{Ref|aGoT|3}} Dany is said to bear a certain physical resemblance to [[Naerys Targaryen]]. <ref>Naerys Targaryen. (March 9, 2006) [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1463/ So Spake Martin]</ref> By [[A Dance with Dragons]] rumours of Daenerys's striking beauty are spreading far and wide.

==Character==
In her youth, Dany was a meek, timid girl with little confidence or self-esteem. She knew no life other than one of exile, dependent and in constant fear of her brother [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]]. He was the only family she knew, but was often a cruel guardian, prone to mood swings and fits of violence.

Her marriage to [[Khal Drogo]] was a turning point for her; adapting to life in a Dothraki ''[[khalasar]]'' was difficult, but it allowed her to begin to achieve independence from her abusive brother, and she emerged from the experience as a strong, confident, courageous woman. Nevertheless, she has not forgotten what it was like to be a victimized child, and her experiences have left her with a compassion that is unusual in a would-be conqueror. She is determined to bring justice through her reign, and has made ending [[slavery]] a particular priority. Despite her strong moral compass, however, she is capable of dealing ruthlessly with her enemies.

It was often said that the Targaryen kings tended to be either [[Targaryen madness|madmen]] or brilliant rulers, and Daenerys seems to have inherited a natural gift for leadership as her birthright. Her followers generally regard her with great respect and love, and she is often compared to her deceased brother [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]], a similarly charismatic leader who was known for his skill, determination, scholarly mind and strong sense of justice. Her primary weakness as a ruler is her youth and relative inexperience; however, she has a keen intellect and learns quickly from her mistakes.

Although she has matured enough to recognize that [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] was weak, cowardly and cruel, his abiding obsession with regaining the crown he felt was his birthright has instilled in Daenerys a similar belief that reclaiming the [[Seven Kingdoms]] is both her right and her duty as the last of the Targaryens, and it remains the paramount goal of her life. Nevertheless, [[Westeros]] is a foreign land that she has never seen with her own eyes, and she sometimes longs wistfully for the house with a red door in [[Braavos]] that has come to symbolize her lost childhood.

==History==
[[File:Edriss_young_Dany&Viserys.jpg‎‎‎|young Dany and her brother - by Jacqui Davis ©|thumb|250px|left]]
[[File:Viserys Daenerys Targaryen hbo.jpg|thumb|250px|Daenerys and her brother [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]] complicated relationship]]
Daenerys is the only daughter and youngest child of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]] and his sister-wife, Queen [[Rhaella Targaryen|Rhaella]]. She was named after the first [[Daenerys, daughter of Aegon IV|Daenerys]] in her family and was most like named by her mother. <ref>[http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1202/ So Spake Martin] February 28, 2002, Numerous Questions.</ref>
Daenerys was conceived during the last month of [[Robert's Rebellion|the rebellion]] that would ultimately end her family's reign over the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. Shortly thereafter, her mother was sent with the young prince Viserys to the family ancestral seat of [[Dragonstone]] to escape the coming [[Sack of King's Landing]]. Daenerys was born while a great storm raged above Dragonstone, sinking what remained of the Targaryen fleet, for this reason she is sometimes known as "Daenerys Stormborn." Her mother died in labor.

By this time, the war was already lost. [[Robert Baratheon]] had claimed the throne and Aerys had already been killed along with the rest of the royal family, leaving Daenerys and her older brother Viserys as the only known living Targaryen heirs. The garrison at Dragonstone decided to surrender and turn them over to the rebels in exchange for their lives, but before they could act on this plan, Ser [[Willem Darry]] and several other loyal retainers rescued the children and smuggled them into exile, sailing to the [[Braavos|Free City of Braavos]], where they lived for years in a house with a [[red door]]. Ser Willem was old and sickly, but Dany remembers that he always treated her kindly. After his death, the servants drove the young Targaryens from the house. Dany wept as they were forced out.{{Ref|aGoT|3}}

The Targaryen loyalists who raised the two children considered Viserys the rightful ruler of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] despite the family's defeat and exile, as did Viserys himself. He regarded it as his duty to revenge himself on the usurpers who murdered his family and reclaim the birthright that had been stolen from him when he was only a child. In the years that followed Ser Willem's death, Viserys wandered the nine [[Free Cities]] with his sister, trying to raise support to retake the [[Iron Throne]], which earned him the mocking title of "The Beggar King."

As a result of this long humiliation, Viserys grew bitter and obsessed with his long-denied birthright. Dany was the only convenient target for his frustration, and over time he even came to blame her for their mother's death. He took pride in his lack of control of his own temper, regarding it as proof that he was a true heir to the Targaryen kings; he regularly warned Dany not to "wake the dragon" by angering him. He often spoke to her of the importance of preserving the purity of their royal bloodline through the ancient [[Valyria|Valyrian]] practice of dynastic incest, so Dany grew up believing she would one day wed her brother. She was bright enough to realize that most of Viserys' plans for retaking the Seven Kingdoms were unrealistic, and as she had no memory of [[Westeros]] herself, his dream meant little to her; instead she longed to return to the house with the red door, which in her mind became a symbol for the childhood she had lost. With no family other than the abusive Viserys and no expectation of ever escaping his control, Dany grew into a fearful and docile young woman.

Viserys and Daenerys eventually found the help they sought in the [[Pentos|Free City of Pentos]], in the form of a rich and powerful [[magister]], [[Illyrio Mopatis]], who invited them to stay in his mansion and offered his help in reclaiming [[Iron Throne|their throne]].{{Ref|aGoT|3}}

==Recent Events==
[[File:Daenerys and handmaidens.png|250px|thumb|left|Daenerys and her handmaidens Doreah and Irri ([[Game of Thrones|Tv]])]]

===''A Game of Thrones''===
[[File:Moon of my life by celestialfrost.jpg|thumb|250px|Moon of my life, Daenerys and her [[Drogo|husband]], Art by Celestialfrost©]]
[[File:GOT_tvseries_Daenerys.png|250px|thumb|Daenerys and [[Jorah Mormont]] defender and companion]]
[[File:Dany dragon.jpg|thumb|250px|Dany [[Dragons]] growing strong]]

While Daenerys and [[Viserys Targaryen|her brother]] stay at the mansion of [[Illyrio Mopatis]] in [[Pentos]], Illyrio arranges a marriage between Dany and the powerful [[Dothraki]] warlord [[Khal]] [[Drogo]]. In return, Drogo is to provide Viserys with ten thousand warriors for his campaign to retake the [[Iron Throne]]. Dany's opinion is not consulted, and she realizes this marriage is little different from being sold into [[slavery]]. She tells her brother she does not wish to marry Khal Drogo, but Viserys only threatens that she will “wake the dragon” if she fails to please the ''khal''. Despairing, Dany sees no choice but to do her best to avoid her brother's wrath, as she always had.{{Ref|aGoT|3}}

At the wedding, the exiled [[Westeros]]i [[knight]] Ser [[Jorah Mormont]] pledges his sword to the Targaryen cause. Dany receives three petrified dragon eggs from Illyrio, three handmaidens ([[Irri]], [[Jhiqui]] and [[Doreah]]) from her brother, and [[The Silver|a magnificent silver filly]] from Drogo. She is frightened by the seemingly barbaric Dothraki culture and particularly terrified of her bridegroom, a powerfully-built man who shares no common language with her. After the ceremony she weeps in terror, waiting for him to rape her, but Drogo proves to be a surprisingly considerate lover. He establishes that he understands the word “no” and begins touching her gently and gradually, only having intercourse with her after she expresses her consent and initiates it.{{Ref|aGoT|11}}

Life in the ''[[khalasar]]'' is difficult at first; Dany is lonely and unaccustomed to spending her days on horseback. Nevertheless, she is determined to embrace her new life. Gradually her body strengthens and she begins to enjoy the sense of freedom that came with the nomadic lifestyle. The first real turning point comes when Viserys flies into one of his rages at her and Dany, for the first time in her life, fights back, shoving him away – and finds herself backed up by [[Jhogo]], who whips Viserys and asks the ''[[khaleesi]]'' how he ought to be punished. Dany begns to realize that Viserys is ultimately a pathetic bully, and that she herself might not be as worthless as her brother has always claimed. From this day forward, she begins to assert herself more and more.{{Ref|aGoT|23}} She loses her fear of both the Dothraki and her brother, becoming a strong and confident woman who little resembles the timid girl who had left Pentos. Her growing courage pleases Drogo, and they developed a loving relationship.

Drogo takes Daenerys east to [[Vaes Dothrak]] and presents her to the ''[[dosh khaleen]]''. By the time they arrive, Daenerys, now fourteen, is pregnant with Drogo's child.{{Ref|aGoT|23}} She takes part in the [[stallion heart]] ceremony, and the ''dosh khaleen'' foretell that her son will be "the [[Stallion Who Mounts the World]]," a long-prophesied leader destined to unite the Dothraki into a single ''khalasar'' and conquer the world. Dany announces that the child will be named [[Rhaego]] in honor of her deceased brother [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]]. Viserys grows increasingly impatient for the aid he had been promised, and the situation comes to a head when he breaks Dothraki law by drawing a blade in the sacred city, threatening both Daenerys and her unborn child. Drogo announces that Viserys will have the golden crown he deserves and dumps a pot of molten gold over his head, killing him and making Daenerys the last Targaryen. Dany watches impassively.{{Ref|aGoT|46}}

With Viserys' death, Drogo loses interest in the notion of invading Westeros, despite Dany's attempts to persuade him. This changes, however, when Ser Jorah prevents an assassin from poisoning Daenerys and discovers that [[Robert Baratheon]] has placed a price on her head. Enraged, Drogo vows before his ''khalasar'' to avenge this insult by conquering Westeros to seat his son on the [[Iron Throne]] that his mother's ancestors had once held.{{Ref|aGoT|54}} The ''khalasar'' continues east, pillaging foreign lands with the intent of selling slaves for ships to make the crossing to Westeros. During one such raid of a [[Lhazareen]] town, Daenerys grows disturbed by the treatment of the defeated and finally gives orders to stop every rape she sees, claiming the victims as her personal slaves and taking them under her protection. The Dothraki are angered by the ''khaleesi'' denying them their traditional right to rape captives, but Daenerys holds her ground, prompting Jorah to comment that she reminds him of Rhaegar. Khal Drogo, delighted by his wife's boldness, supports her decision.<ref>[[A Game of Thrones]], [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 61|Chapter 61]], Daenerys</ref>

Drogo is injured in the raid. A Lhazareen priestess, [[Mirri Maz Duur]], offers to treat him, and although Drogo's [[Bloodrider|bloodriders]] reviled the woman as a ''[[maegi]]'', Dany feels that she could trust her, as Mirri was one of the women she had rescued.<ref>[[A Game of Thrones]], [[A Game of Thrones-Chapter 61|Chapter 61]], Daenerys</ref> However, Drogo does not follow the priestess' advice, and the wound festers, making him too weak to ride. Jorah explained to Dany that her position as ''khaleesi'' is entirely dependent on Drogo, and without him, both she and her unborn son are likely to be killed. Desperate, she begs Mirri Maz Duur to save her husband, ignoring the possible consequences of [[Magic|blood magic]]. During the rite, Dany enters into labor and Ser Jorah carries her into Drogo's tent, where Mirri Maz Duur is in the process of summoning dark spirits.{{Ref|aGoT|64}} When Dany awoke days later, she learns that Rhaego was stillborn, while Drogo lives only as a catatonic husk. Mirri Maz Duur reveals that this was the true price of the blood magic, and that she felt no gratitude toward Dany, who had "rescued" her only after she had been raped multiple times and seen her community destroyed.

Dany euthanizes Drogo and is abandoned by most of the ''khalasar'', which breaks into rival war-bands.{{Ref|aGoT|68}} Jorah urges her to flee with him into the east, while the men of Dany's ''khas'' offer to escort her to Vaes Dothrak to take her place as a former ''khaleesi'' among the ''dosh khaleen''. Dany, however, decides to finally take control of her destiny. She orders Mirri Maz Duur bound to Drogo's funeral pyre and places the three dragon eggs around his corpse, then announces to Drogo's remaining followers that she is freeing those who were enslaved, and will lead them all to glory if they chose to follow her. She offers to [[Aggo]], [[Jhogo]] and [[Rakharo]] the traditional gifts of a ''khal'' to his bloodriders; each refuse, saying that to serve as bloodrider to a woman would shame them, but Daenerys ignores their objections. Ser Jorah accepts her offer, and she names him the first of her [[Kingsguard|Queensguard]].

Daenerys then walks unflinchingly into the flames. The resulting magic restores life to the eggs, from which three [[dragon|dragons]] hatched, the first known for centuries. Daenerys emerges from the fire unharmed. Drogo's former ''khalasar'', now hers more surely than they had ever been Drogo's, kneels in awe. Aggo, Jhogo and Rakharo willingly swear themselves as her bloodriders, and Daenerys becomes the first female Dothraki war-leader, a ''[[khaleesi]]'' in her own right.{{Ref|aGoT|72}}

===''A Clash of Kings''===
[[File:Hallmarccus Dany lion pelt.jpg|''If I look back I am lost''. © Hallmarccus|thumb|250px|right]]
[[File:Mathia Arkoniel Dany.jpg‎‎|Daenerys © Mathia Arkoniel|thumb|250px|right]]
Daenerys names the three dragons [[Viserion]], [[Rhaegal]] and [[Drogon]], after her two deceased brothers and her late husband, respectively.

She and the remains of Drogo's ''khalasar'' are stranded in a desolate area known as the [[Red Waste]]. They dare not turn toward the [[Dothraki Sea]], the cities of [[Slaver's Bay]], or even [[Lhazar]], for the group would have made easy prey for any Dothraki ''khalasar'' they encountered. Dany chooses instead to follow a red comet that had appeared in the sky following the hatching of her dragons; although the Dothraki view the comet as a foreboding omen, Dany believes that it heralds her own rise to power. The comet leads them to an ancient, abandoned city, which Dany names [[Vaes Tolorro]]. There they recover from the ravages of the desert while Dany sends scouts in all directions.

One scout returns with three emissaries, all prominent citizens from the great city of [[Qarth]]: the merchant [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]], the warlock [[Pyat Pree]], and the mysterious masked Asshai'i [[Quaithe]]. Dany and her people accompany the Qartheen back to their city, where they stay as honored guests in the palatial home of Xaro. There Dany learns of King [[Robert Baratheon]]'s death and the civil war in the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. She attempts to seek out Qartheen allies who would provide her with aid in conquering [[Westeros]], but it swiftly becomes clear that the merchants of Qarth are only interested in obtaining her dragons.{{Ref|aCoK|12}}{{Ref|aCoK|27}}

Daenerys turns to Pyat Pree and the famous warlocks of Qarth. Against the judgment of her friends and counselors, she agrees to visit the [[House of the Undying]], seeking a vision of the warlocks' masters, the [[Undying Ones]].{{Ref|aCoK|40}} Although Jorah and her bloodriders beg to accompany her, she insists on entering alone. After receiving instructions from Pyat Pree, Dany drinks [[shade of the evening]] and entered the building. Inside, Dany beholds a number of strange visions, most apparently signifying past, present and future events in [[Westeros]]. Upon finally reaching the chamber of the Undying, Dany hears whispers hailing her as "Mother of Dragons" and prophesying that she will light three fires, ride three mounts, and face three betrayals. The Undying show Dany several more visions and then attack her, but with Drogon's help she destroys the House of the Undying.{{Ref|aCoK|48}}

Afterward, the people of Qarth turn against Daenerys; the warlocks are rumored to conspire against her life, while Xaro requests that Dany and her people leave his mansion. With nowhere else to turn, she finally considers the suggestions of the third emissary, Quaithe, who tells her that she must go further east to conquer the west.{{Ref|aCoK|48}} Dany visits the docks with Jorah to seek passage out of Qarth. There she notices two strangers following her. Thus distracted, she is off her guard when a [[Sorrowful Men|Sorrowful Man]] attempts to poison her with a [[manticore]], but one of the strangers intercedes and knocks the manticore aside just in time. The two men introduce themselves as [[Strong Belwas]], a eunuch and former pit fighter, and [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]], an older [[Westeros]]i man serving as Belwas' squire. They claim to be agents sent by [[Illyrio Mopatis|Magister Illyrio]] with three ships to escort Daenerys and her party back to [[Pentos]]. Dany accepts the pair into her service and claim the three ships and their cargo for her own, renaming them ''[[Vhagar (ship)|Vhagar]]'', ''[[Meraxes (ship)|Meraxes]]'' and ''[[Balerion (ship)|Balerion]]'' after the three dragons that brought her ancestor [[Aegon the Conqueror]] and his sister-wives to Westeros. Dany and her companions thus set sail for Pentos.{{Ref|aCoK|63}}

===''A Storm of Swords''===
[[File:ReneAigner_Queen riding_to_war.jpg ‎| Queen Daenerys Targaryen leading her army astride [[her silver]] - by © Rene Aigner|thumb|350px|right]]
Several days into the trip, Ser [[Jorah]] manages to convince Daenerys to go to [[Astapor]], one of the great [[slave]] cities of [[Slaver's Bay]], to purchase [[Unsullied]] so she can return to [[Illyrio]] with an army at her back. He also kisses her and professes his love for her.{{Ref|aSoS|8}} Lonely since Drogo's death, Daenerys briefly takes her maid [[Irri]] as a lover.{{Ref|aSoS|23}} Once in [[Astapor]], Daenerys begins to have doubts about using [[slave]]s, still she agrees to purchases an army of every [[Unsullied]] in the ciry in exchange for her Dragon [[Drogon]]. She is given a slave [[Missandei]] as a gift from the [[Good Masters]]. Dany accepts, but she then frees [[Missandei]]. Dany tells Missandei that she can leave Dany's service whenever she wishes, but Missandei remains close and loyal to Dany.

After taking control of the [[Unsullied]], Dany betrays the Masters by breaking the deal, reclaims [[Drogon]] and commands him to use his fires against the [[Astapor]]i leaders. She then uses the Unsullied to [[Sack of Astapor|conquer the city]]. After the fighting, she proclaims all Astapori slaves free, including her Unsullied, giving her the name ''Breaker of Shackles'', or ''Breaker of Chains''. The [[Unsullied]] and many new [[Freedmen]] choose to follow her in her future battles. After forming a council to rule Astapor, she sets out for the next great slave city [[Yunkai]].{{Ref|aSoS|27}}

[[Yunkai]] hires two sellsword companies, the [[Stormcrows]] and the [[Second Sons]], in addition to conscripting a force of some four thousand slave soldiers. Daenerys parleys with the captains of the companies, hoping to convince them to switch sides. Her arguments convince one of the Stormcrows' commanders, [[Daario Naharis]], to assassinate his colleagues and pledge the company to Daenerys. To the Second Sons, Daenerys offers a great store of wine as tribute then [[Battle of Yunkai|attacks]] them in the night while they are drunk and sleeping. With the Stormcrows' betrayal and the Second Sons' drunkenness, Yunkai's [[slave]] army is unable to withstand Daenerys's Unsullied. The entire Yunkish army is slain, captured, or put to flight, and Yunkai surrenders a few days later.{{Ref|aSoS|42}}

Daenerys next made for [[Meereen]], the last of the great slave cities. Near Meereen, Daenerys is nearly killed by the [[Mero|Titan's Bastard]], the former captain of the Second Sons. [[Barristan Selmy|Arstan Whitebeard]] slays the Bastard, and finally reveals his true identity as [[Barristan Selmy]], a famous knight of her father's [[Kingsguard]] who had served the Usurper [[Robert Baratheon]] after the end of the Rebellion. He claims to have seen the error of his ways and to seeking her out as the true heir to the [[Seven Kingdoms]]. Selmy also reveals that [[Jorah Mormont]], still Daenerys's trusted right arm, has been sending reports on her actions to the spymaster in [[King's Landing]], [[Varys|Lord Varys]], hoping for a pardon from [[Robert Baratheon|King Robert]]. Daenerys feels betrayed by each of them, though both fervently wish to atone for their actions.{{Ref|aSoS|57}} During her [[Siege of Meereen]], she sends them on a covert suicide mission through the sewers, half hoping that they will die in the attempt. The mission succeeds and wins the city with minimal blood. Barristan humbly submits to his Queen's judgment and is forgiven. [[Jorah]] stubbornly continues to insist that he had done nothing wrong, and Daenerys is forced to banish him from her service, despite her desire to pardon him.

Having captured [[Meereen]], Dany turns her eyes toward [[Westeros]]. Through talks with Barristan about her homeland and its history, however, she learns that there is much she does not know about ruling. Upon hearing that Astapor and Yunkai cannot maintain the peace she had hoped to bring, she resolves to bring order to [[Slaver's Bay]] before leaving it behind. By this time, she is close on seventeen years.{{Ref|aSoS|71}}

===''A Feast for Crows''===
[[File:Daenerys_by_quickreaver.jpg|Daenerys by quickreaver,©Fantasy Flight Games|thumb|right|250px]]
Tales told by sailors reach [[Westeros]], dragons in [[Asshai]], dragons in [[Qarth]], dragons in [[Meereen]], [[Dothraki]] dragons, dragons freeing [[slave]]s … each telling differs from the last, but only in details. All speak of [[dragons]], and a beautiful young queen. {{Ref|aFfC|Prologue}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
[[Image:Daenerys.jpg|thumb|250px|Daenerys Targaryen with Dragons, by [http://en.amokanet.ru/gallery/martin/targaryens_1237.html Amoka©]]]
Dany struggles as ruler of [[Meereen]], mainly due to the constant threats surrounding her. A portion of [[Meereen]]'s former slaving families who call themselves the [[Sons of the Harpy]] fight a shadow war with her followers, attacking lone freedmen or [[Unsullied]] in the black of night and drawing a harpy nearby with the man's blood.{{Ref|aDwD|2}} The sons have also scrawled graffiti on the walls of Meereen in blood promising a death to the families of any who serve the Dragon Queen.

In Meereen, men traditionally wear their oiled black and red hair in varying shapes in homage to [[Ghis|Ghiscari]] culture. The Meereenese who now serve Dany shave their heads, symbolizing the abandonment of old Meereen to serve the new. These men are known as [[Shavepates]], and are led by [[Skahaz mo Kandaq]], known as ''the Shavepate''. Another of her Meereenese councilors is the seneschal, [[Reznak mo Reznak]].

Three fighting companies were also formed by Daenerys, their members comprised from her freeman. The company names are [[Mother's Men]]; The Company of the [[Free Brothers]]; and the [[Stalwart Shields]]. They have been receiving their training in arms from [[Grey Worm]].

Daenery's dragons have grown wilder, hunting sheep and livestock. Eventually a petitioner comes to her, presenting the bones of his six-year-old girl daughter "[[Hazzea]]", claiming the "[[Drogon|winged shadow]]" had killed her.{{Ref|aDwD|2}} Prompted by this, Dany has her [[Unsullied]] capture the dragons using nets and chains and lock them below ground to prevent any more such killings. In a [[dragon pit (Great Pyramid)|closed fighting pit]], [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] are captured (though several Unsullied lose their lives in the process), but [[Drogon]] escapes and disappears. During this time, she has a vision of [[Quaithe]] that offers her prophetic advice, most specifically warning her not to trust the perfumed seneschal.{{Ref|aDwD|11}}

Daenerys has grave enemies outside [[Meereen]] as well as in. Since she ended the [[slave]] trade in [[Slaver's Bay]], several of the [[Free Cities]] that rely upon the slave trade of the slave cities to fuel their economy have promised help to the [[Yunkai]] to bring her down. Yunkai has hired sellsword legions such as the [[Long Lances]], the [[Company of the Cat]] and the [[Windblown]]. Legions have also arrived from [[New Ghis]].

The Yunkai host first takes [[Astapor]] from [[Cleon|Cleon the Butcher King]], its most recent ruler, and puts thousands of its inhabitants to the sword or sends them again into slavery.{{Ref|aDwD|25}} An escaped rider who managed to flee in the confusion of the siege brings word of this to Dany in Meereen. Unfortunately word is not the only thing he brings, as he is infected with the [[bloody flux]].{{Ref|aDwD|30}} Several other [[Astapor]]i citizens flee to Meereen, bringing the disease with them.

The merchant emissary [[Xaro Xhoan Daxos]] arrives from [[Qarth]] bearing a gift of 13 ships in exchange for Dany's abandon of [[Slaver's Bay]] and departure for [[Westeros]]. Dany wishes to go, but the thirteen ships are not enough to take her entire army of Unsullied, [[Dothraki]], sellswords and freedmen. The Shavepates beg her not to go. If she does, they who served her and their families will die by the Sons of the Harpy. She refuses Xaro, which prompts [[Qarth]] to join the Yunkai against her.{{Ref|aDwD|16}}

Deaths of freedmen and Unsullied continue to grow nightly, and several former freed slave women are raped by the Sons of the Harpy before having their throats slit open. Daenerys takes the children of several Meereenese families of dubious loyalty as [[Cupbearers of Daenerys Targaryen|Cupbearers]] in name, but hostages in truth in hopes that would stop the killing. The killings only continue though and Daenerys refuses to harm the child hostages.

In despair and loneliness, Dany takes [[Daario Naharis]] as a lover. A plan is put to her by the [[Graces|Meereenese priestess]], the [[Green Grace]] [[Galazza Galare]], suggesting that Dany should wed the Meereenese noble [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] to bring peace. After a time Dany agrees, on the condition that [[Hizdahr]] can promise her 90 days of peace. Hizdahr agrees.{{Ref|aDwD|23}} [[Ben Plumm|Brown Ben Plumm]], captain of the [[Second Sons]], learns that Dany can no longer control her dragons, and takes his company over to the Yunkai.
[[File: Drogon in Daznak's Pit.jpg|Daenerys and Drogon in [[Daznak's Pit]] - by Marc Simonetti ©|thumb|350px]]

At this point, [[Quentyn Martell]] of [[Dorne]] arrives to make a marriage claim, but is rejected because Dany has already promised to wed Hizdahr. After [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] succeeds at keeping his promise of peace, Dany weds him.{{Ref|aDwD|43}} Under his direction, Dany, much to her disgust, suggests peace terms with [[Yunkai]]. She promises if they leave [[Meereen]] and do not enslave any of the former slaves she freed, she will not disrupt the slave trade of [[Slaver's Bay]] any further. The Yunkai agree.{{Ref|aDwD|50}}

To mark the occasion, the [[fighting pits]] are reopened and several gladiators (who freely agreed to compete) battle in the arena of [[Daznak's Pit]]. During the event [[Strong Belwas]] consumes [[poisoned locusts]] that were most likely meant for Daenerys and her black dragon [[Drogon]] appears, drawn to the screams of the crowd and the smell of death. He kills a boar in the arena, but is then attacked by the animal handler [[Harghaz]]. Dany, seeing her "child" in pain, runs out in the arena to him as she sees other pit fighters going to kill the dragon. Dany manages to mount the dragon and ride him out of the arena.{{Ref|aDwD|52}} Many in Meereen suspect that she is dead.{{Ref|aDwD|55}} She is alive with [[Drogon]], however, thousands of leagues away. She and her dragon are eventually discovered by the ''khalasar'' of [[Jhaqo|Khal Jhaqo]].{{Ref|aDwD|71}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote|''I am the blood of the dragon.'' {{Ref|aGoT|11}}}}

{{Quote|''If I look back I am lost.'' {{Ref|aGoT|72}}}}

{{Quote|''A dragon is no slave.''{{Ref|aSoS|27}}}}

{{Quote|Is it so far from madness to wisdom? {{Ref|aGoT|72}}}}
— Daenerys to [[Mirri Maz Duur]]

{{Quote|No, no, my [[Jorah Mormont|good knight]], do not fear for me. The fire is mine. I am Daenerys Stormborn, daughter of dragons, bride of dragons, mother of dragons, don't you see? Don't you SEE? {{Ref|aGoT|72}}}}
— Daenerys' thoughts while [[Drogo]]'s pyre rages

{{Quote|Do you know what it is like to be sold, [[Barristan Selmy|squire]]? I do. [[Viserys Targaryen|My brother]] sold me to [[Khal Drogo]] for the promise of a golden crown. Well, Drogo crowned him in gold, though not as he had wished, and I. . .my sun-and-stars made a queen of me, but if he had been a different man, it might have been much otherwise. Do you think I have forgotten how it felt to be afraid?{{Ref|aSoS|23}}}}
— Daenerys to [[Arstan Whitebeard]]

{{Quote|“A queen must listen to all. The highborn and the low, the strong and the weak, the noble and the venal. One voice may speak you false, but in many there is always truth to be found.” {{Ref|asos|8|p 92}}}} — Daenerys, quoting what she had read in a book

{{Quote|'''Prendahl na Ghezn:''' Woman, you bray like an ass, and make no more sense.
'''Daenerys:''' Woman? Is that meant to insult me? I would return the slap, if I took you for a man.{{Ref|aSoS|42}}}}
— Daenerys to [[Prendahl na Ghezn]]

==Quotes about Daenerys==
[[File:Mario Teodosio dracarys.jpg|art by Mario Teodosio © |thumb|right|350px]]

{{Quote|'''Ser Jorah:''' You are your brother's sister, in truth.

'''Daenerys:''' [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]]?

'''Ser Jorah:''' No. [[Rhaegar Targaryen|Rhaegar]]. {{Ref|aGoT|62}}}}
– [[Jorah Mormont]] to Daenerys

{{Quote|The frightened child who sheltered in [[Illyrio's manse|my manse]] died on the [[Dothraki Sea]], and was reborn in blood and fire. This dragon queen who wears her name is a true [[Targaryen]]. {{Ref|ADWD|5}}}} – [[Illyrio Mopatis]]

{{Quote|The Blood of [[Aegon I|Aegon the Dragon]] flows in her veins{{Ref|aDwD|5}}}} – [[Illyrio Mopatis]]

{{Quote|If Daenerys is no more than a sweet young girl, the [[Iron Throne]] will cut her into sweet young pieces. {{Ref|aDwD|5}}}} – Tyrion Lannister

{{Quote|Daenerys Targaryen is no maid, however. She is the widow of a [[Khal Drogo|Dothraki khal]], a mother of dragons and a sacker of cities, [[Aegon the Conqueror]] with teats. . .{{Ref|aDwD|22}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|I know that she spent her childhood in exile, impoverished, living on dreams and schemes, running from one city to the next, always fearful, never safe, friendless but for a brother who was by all accounts [[Targaryen madness|half-mad]]...a brother who sold her maidenhood to the [[Dothraki]] for the promise of an army. I know that somewhere upon the grass, her [[dragon]]s hatched, and so did she. I know she is proud. How not? What else was left her but pride? I know she is strong. How not? The Dothraki despise weakness. If Daenerys had been weak, she would have perished with [[Viserys Targaryen|Viserys]]. I know she is fierce. [[Astapor]], [[Yunkai]] and [[Meereen]] are proof enough of that. She has survived assassins and conspiracies and [[House of the Undying|fell sorceries]], grieved for a brother and a [[Drogo|husband]] and [[Rhaego|a son]], trod the cities of the slavers to dust beneath her dainty sandalled feet {{Ref|aDwD|22}}}} – [[Tyrion Lannister]]

{{Quote|The fairest woman in the world if [[Euron Greyjoy|my brother]] could be believed. Her hair is silver-gold, her eyes are amethysts.}} – [[Victarion Greyjoy]], on the rumored beauty of Daenerys Targaryen

==Family==
{{Targaryen_tree_now}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|3|refs=
<ref name=hbo>[http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/index.html#/game-of-thrones/cast-and-crew.html/eNrjcmbOYC5kzlfPz0lxzEvMqSzJTA5ITE-1S8xN1SzLTEnNh4k65+eVpFaUsEknlpbkF+QkVtqWFJWmcjIysgEhAGCyFzg= HBO Cast and crew page]</ref>
}}
{{EnWP|Daenerys Targaryen|small=yes}}

{{Template:POV Characters}}
{{Template:Kings of Westeros}}

[[Category:POV characters|Targaryen, Daenerys]]
[[Category:Noblewomen|Targaryen, Daenerys]]
[[Category:Monarchs|Targaryen, Daenerys]]
[[Category: Dragonriders]]
[[Category:House Targaryen]]

[[es:Daenerys Targaryen]]
[[fa:دنریس تارگرین]]
[[fr:Daenerys Targaryen]]
[[pt:Daenerys Targaryen]]
[[ru:Дейенерис I Таргариен]]
[[zh:丹妮莉丝·坦格利安]]

Jon Connington

2013-11-06T05:40:44Z

Joachim: /* History */

{{Character
| Character_name = [[File:House_Connington.png|50px|left]] '''Jon Connington''' [[File:Golden Company pike.png|11px|right]]
| image = [[File:Jon Connington TheMico.jpg|250px]]
| image_caption = ‎Jon Connington - by TheMico
| Alias = Griff
| Title = Lord of Griffin's Roost{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}} [[Hand of the King|Hand of the True King]]<ref>[http://georgerrmartin.com/if-sample.html The Winds of Winter, Arianne sample chapter]</ref>
| Allegiance = [[House Connington]] [[Golden Company]] [[House Targaryen]] ([[Aegon Targaryen|King Aegon VI]])
| Race =
| Culture = [[Westeros]]
| Spouse =
| Place_of_Birth =
| Date_of_Birth =
| Place_of_Death =
| Date_of_Death =
| Books = [[A Storm of Swords]] (Mentioned) [[A Feast for Crows]] (Mentioned) [[A Dance with Dragons]] (POV)
}}

'''Jon Connington''' was Lord of [[Griffin's Roost]], the head of [[House Connington]], and for a time [[Hand of the King]] to [[Aerys II Targaryen]]. Jon was one of the few close friends of [[Rhaegar Targaryen]].{{ref|aSoS|8}} He had no brothers.{{ref|aFfC|27}} After failing to defeat [[Robert Baratheon]] during the [[Robert's Rebellion|War of the Usurper]], he fled in exile to [[Essos]]{{ref|AFFC|27}} and took the name '''Griff'''.{{ref|ADWD|18}} He is believed to have drunk himself to death in exile.{{ref|AFFC|27}}

==Appearance==
Jon is clean shaven with leathery skin and crow's feet at the corners of his eyes. His greying red hair is dyed blue when under the alias of "''Griff''".{{Ref|aDwD|5}}
==Character==
In his youth Jon was described as proud, bold, energetic, reckless, and thirsty for glory and was ever a capable warrior and commander. His years spent in exile have made him more cautious, more seasoned, and, according to [[Kevan Lannister]], more dangerous.{{Ref|aDwD|Epilogue}}

It is implied that Connington was in love with Rhaegar, as he refers to Rhaegar as his "''silver prince''" when he reminisces about him. Connington's love for Rhaegar is supported by his disdain for Rhaegar's wife, [[Elia Martell|Elia of Dorne]]. He thinks of Elia as not having been worthy of Rhaegar, as she was frail and sickly from the start and left even weaker by childbirth. Jon's love for Rhaegar may also have been confirmed by semi-canon sources. <ref> http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/5457/ So Spake Martin, July 14, 2011, Union Square Signing</ref> It is also said that while [[Griffin's Roost]] is sworn to [[Storm's End]], Jon chafed at serving under a lord like [[Robert Baratheon]], whose liking for [[wine]] and [[whore]]s was well known even then. <ref>[http://georgerrmartin.com/if-sample.html ''The Winds of Winter'', Arianne sample chapter]</ref>

==History==
Jon Connington is the only surviving son of [[Armond Connington]], Lord of Griffin's Roost, and his wife. He served as a squire in [[King's Landing]] along with Prince [[Rhaegar Targaryen]]. He was the most headstrong amongst the gaggle of young [[lord]]lings who would gather around Prince Rhaegar competing for his royal favour. He danced with [[Ashara Dayne]] at the [[Tourney at Harrenhal]]{{ref|aSoS|24}} and was unhorsed at a tourney held at [[Storm's End]] by Ser [[Barristan Selmy]].{{ref|aSoS|67}}

Due to his connections with the royal family, and because he was a noted warrior, Jon was chosen by King [[Aerys II Targaryen|Aerys II]] as [[Hand of the King]] after the dismissal of [[Owen Merryweather]]. Aerys wanted someone young and vigorous to match the [[Robert's Rebellion|rebelling]] [[Robert Baratheon]]. When word of the king’s choice reached [[Tywin Lannister]] he declared that the Handship had come to soon for Connington as he was too young, too bold and too eager for glory. Because the traditional lords of the Stormlands, [[House Baratheon]], were in rebellion to the crown, Jon Connington was possibly titled Lord of [[Storm's End]],{{ref|ADWD|Appendix}} although that castle was still held by [[Stannis Baratheon]] during the rebellion.

After the [[Battle of Ashford]], Connington took over the pursuit of Robert from the [[House Tyrell|Tyrell]] army. In the [[Riverlands]], near the town of [[Stoney Sept]], he caught up with Robert, who was hiding in the town. Jon's soldiers began a house-to-house search after failing to find him, but they did not locate Robert before his allies arrived at Stoney Sept to oust Connington and his forces. At this point the [[Battle of the Bells]] began. The rebel army under the joint command of Lords [[Eddard Stark]], [[Jon Arryn]] and [[Hoster Tully]] immediately began attacking the royal army. Jon Connington fought back fiercely, personally killing Jon Arryn's nephew and heir, [[Denys Arryn]], and wounding Lord Tully. Robert nearly killed Jon on the steps of the sept, but he managed to escape and was able to retreat in good order.{{ref|aSoS|29}} Jon's retreat was quite a feat considering the fierce, urban fighting would make it hard to hold the army together.

When reflecting on his search for Robert, he says that [[Tywin Lannister]] himself could have done no better. [[Myles Toyne]] tells him that Lord Tywin would not have bothered with the search, but would've burned the town and everyone in it. Not wanting to be branded a murderer, Jon chose a more honourable course of action, wanting the glory of slaying Robert for himself.{{ref|aDwD|61}}

King Aerys II held Jon responsible for this defeat and exiled him, stripping him of his lands, wealth and titles. Griffin's Roost was rewarded to Jon's cousin, [[Ronald Connington]], while most of House Connington's lands were distributed to more fervent supporters of Robert Baratheon.{{ref|AFFC|27}} Once on the Iron Throne Robert was not willing to recall Lord Jon from exile, since he had been among Prince Rhaegar's closest friends. <ref>[The Citadel. “Knights and Lords” March 02, 2002 [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Month/2002/03/ So Spake Martin]</ref>

==Exile==
Once exiled Jon Connington joined the [[Golden Company]] and served with them for five years. He rose in the ranks to a place of honor at the right hand of [[Myles Toyne]], the captain-general. Years later Jon thinks to himself that he might have been a successor to Myles if his exile had gone otherwise. He thinks had he stayed it might well have been him the Golden Company turned to for command after Myles died, instead of [[Harry Strickland]].

It was said that Jon was kicked out of the Golden Company after being caught stealing from the company's war chests. It was also claimed that Jon died, that he drank himself to death in [[Lys]] a year later. The shame of the lie still sticks in Jon's craw, but he recalls that [[Varys]] insisted the lie was necessary, tittering in his mincing voice,
{{Quote|We want no songs about the gallant exile, those who die heroic deaths are long remembered, thieves and drunks and cravens soon forgotten.{{ref|ADWD|24}}}}

Exactly when Jon became aware of Rhaegar’s son [[Aegon Targaryen]]'s survival is not mentioned. He went along with Varys's scheme for Prince Aegon's sake but he never liked it. The rumors of his disgrace and death reached Westeros and successfully convinced everyone involved in the game of thrones that he was dead and gone, enabling him to focus on raising and protecting "Young Griff" in the guise of his father, "Griff". Jon recalls that Varys was adamant about the need for secrecy.

Jon recalls the plans that Varys and [[Illyrio Mopatis]] made with [[Myles Toyne]] were known to them alone. The rest of the Golden Company had been left ignorant, as what they did not know they could not let slip.

==Recent Events==
[[File:Marc FishmanGriff.jpg|Jon Connington - © Marc Fishman |thumb|200px|right]]

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
The story of Jon stealing from the [[Golden Company]] and then drinking himself to death was a fabrication created by [[Varys]], in order to hide Jon's true purpose. After some investigation, [[Tyrion Lannister]] learns that Connington changed his name to Griff and adopted Rhaegar's son [[Aegon Targaryen|Aegon]], whom many also believed to be dead, with the intention of eventually conquering [[Westeros]] and placing the boy on the [[Iron Throne]]. They plan to join their strength to [[Daenerys Targaryen]] in [[Volantis]].{{ref|aDwD|18}}

Jon is infected with [[greyscale]] during the journey on to Volantis when rescuing Tyrion from drowning in the [[Rhoyne]], but keeps it a secret.

When Jon reveals to the high commanders of the [[Golden Company]] that the young man with him is actually Prince Aegon Targaryen the men greet his announcement with silence. Connington realizes they know, as [[Harry Strickland]] had told them already.

Upon learning that Daenerys Targaryen remains in [[Slaver's Bay]], the Golden Company, under Aegon's direction, decide to invade Westeros instead because the time is ripe.{{ref|aDwD|24}} Jon, Aegon and the Golden Company [[Landing of the Golden Company|land in the Stormlands]] and take several castles, including the Connington ancestral keep, [[Griffin's Roost]]. They next plan to take [[Storm's End]], where Aegon will raise the standard of [[House Targaryen]] above the battlements.{{ref|aDwD|61}}

Jon is plagued by guilt over the [[Battle of the Bells]] and hears the tolling of the bells every time he closes his eyes. He knows that with greyscale death is coming for him, but hopes to live just a few more years to end the [[Robert Baratheon|usurper's]] line and restore [[Aegon Targaryen|Aegon VI]] to the Iron Throne. Jon Connington believes if he can achieve this it will finally stop the tolling of the bells and he can die content in his home of Griffin's Roost.

==Quotes by Connington==
{{Quote|I rose too high, loved too hard, dared too much. I tried to grasp a star, overreached, and fell.{{ref|ADWD|61}}}}

{{Quote|I failed the [[Rhaegar Targaryen|father]], but I will not fail the [[Aegon Targaryen|son]]. {{ref|aDwD|61}}}}

{{Quote|Let me live long enough to see the boy sit on the [[Iron Throne]], and [[Varys]] will pay for that slight and so much more. Then we'll see who's soon forgotten. {{ref|ADWD|24}}}}

{{Quote|I understand hate well enough. {{ref|ADWD|8}}}}
- Jon Connington to [[Tyrion]]

==Quotes about Jon Connington==
{{Quote|He’s dead," "He died in the Disputed Lands. Of drink, I’ve heard it said. <ref>[http://georgerrmartin.com/if-sample.html ''The Winds of Winter'', Arianne sample chapter]</ref>}} - Ser [[Daemon Sand]]

{{Quote|He has supped on hate himself, this one. It has warmed him in the night for years. {{ref|ADWD|8}}}} - [[Tyrion]]

{{Quote|What victories has he ever won that we should fear him? He could have ended [[Robert's Rebellion]] at Stoney Sept. He failed. Just as the [[Golden Company]] has always failed. Some may rush to join them, aye. The realm is well rid of such fools. {{ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}}}
- [[Mace Tyrell]]

{{Quote|If this is indeed Jon Connington, he will be a different man. Older, harder, more seasoned . . . more dangerous.{{ref|ADWD|Epilogue}}}}
- [[Kevan Lannister]] thoughts

==Family==
{{Connington tree}}

==References and Notes==
{{references|2}}

{{POV Characters}}
{{Template:Hands of the King}}
[[Category:Nobles|Connington, Jon]]
[[Category:Mercenaries|Connington, Jon]]
[[Category:Knights|Connington, Jon]]
[[Category:Characters from the Stormlands|Connington, Jon]]
[[Category:Hand of the King|Connington, Jon]]
[[Category:House Connington]]
[[Category:POV characters|Connington, Jon]]
[[Category:Golden Company]]
[[es:Jon Connington]]
[[fr:Jon Connington]]
[[ru:Джон Коннингтон]]
[[zh:琼恩·克林顿]]