Who is Vhagar? House of the Dragon's biggest dragon explained

Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 2 — (Image credit: HBO)

The mighty Vhagar is easily the most fearsome dragon in House of the Dragon – not only is she the biggest and oldest dragon currently alive in Westeros, she's also responsible for one of the most high profile character deaths so far (RIP Lucerys).

She was introduced in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 6, back when Laena Velaryon was her rider. Since then, Vhagar's story has only expanded.

This fire-breather has a particularly epic history, too, as detailed in the works of George R.R. Martin. Now, before we go any further, the following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, so beware our Vhagar explainer if you're not up to date. But, if you're ready to learn more, head to the below for the lowdown on this terrifying creature.

Who is Vhagar in House of the Dragon?

Vhagar was hatched on Dragonstone in what's known as the Century of Blood, which spans the hundred years or so before Aegon the Conqueror and his two sisters took Westeros. The dragon was claimed by one of those sisters: Visenya Targaryen, Aegon's older sister – and, later, his wife, along with their other sister Rhaenys (that's the Targaryens, for you). Aegon flew Balerion and Rhaenys rode Meraxes: Vhagar is the only one of the three dragons still alive.

Visenya flew Vhagar throughout Aegon's Conquest, including in one huge battle that killed four thousand people when all three Targaryen dragons took to the skies. Vhagar even helped make a peaceful surrender with House Arryn possible: when Visenya arrived at the Vale atop her dragon, the young King Ronnel was captivated by Vhagar and asked Dowager Queen Sharra Arryn, his mother, if he could ride the great creature. Sharra surrendered to Visenya, and Ronnel got his dragon ride.

Aegon, Visenya, and Rhaenys later went to war with Dorne – the only kingdom not captured in the Conquest. Rhaenys and Meraxes were killed in the conflict, and in retaliation, Aegon and Visenya unleashed hell on Dorne in a period known as The Dragon's Wroth. Ominous.

When Aegon the Conqueror died, Vhagar lit his funeral pyre. Later, Visenya's son Maegor the Cruel would claim the crown, and the re-appearance of Vhagar and Balerion, now Maegor's dragon, spurred riots in King's Landing. Visenya ended up burning a lot of Houses during Maegor's reign, riding Vhagar all the while. Maegor and his mother very nearly burned the Hightowers' Oldtown to the ground, too, but the destruction was narrowly avoided.

After Visenya died, Prince Baelon – King Viserys' father – claimed Vhagar as his dragon, and after his death, Laena became Vhagar's next rider. Viserys and Laena even talk about Vhagar in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2, many years before Laena would claim the dragon as her own. In that scene, Viserys says Vhagar is probably on the coast of the Narrow Sea. According to Laena, sometimes, Vhagar's sad song can be heard by the workers of Spicetown. It's enough to break your heart.

In House of the Dragon season 1, episode 6, Laena tragically chooses to die during a difficult childbirth, ordering Vhagar to breathe fire over her. Vhagar hesitates, but Laena's desperation is clear, so the great dragon does as asked. It's a heart-breaking moment.

Soon after, though, Vhagar is claimed again by another rider. In House of the Dragon season 1, episode 7, Aemond Targaryen tries his luck at riding Vhagar – and she accepts him as her new rider, much to the consternation of the Velaryon kids. The ensuing fight leads to Lucerys Velaryon blinding Aemond in one eye.

That particular moment comes back to haunt Lucerys in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 10. By now, the greens have declared Aegon king, and the blacks are trying to rally their own supporters. Lucerys is dispatched to Storm's End, where he comes across Vhagar and Aemond, who are also there to try and gain support for the greens. Talk about awkward...

Aemond ends up chasing Lucerys and his tiny dragon Arrax through the skies on Vhagar, and it all goes terribly wrong when both dragons stop listening to their riders. Vhagar goes rogue and takes a bite out of Arrax, killing the dragon and Lucerys in one chomp of her huge jaws. Oops.

By House of the Dragon season 2, Vhagar is protecting King's Landing, and Aemond is still her rider. But in season 2, episode 4, Vhagar goes to war against Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys above Rook's Rest. A surprise appearance from Aegon and Sunfyre almost derails the plan, but a blast of dragon fire from Vhagar sends both king and dragon plummeting to the ground, grievously injured. Vhagar then grabs Meleys's neck in her mighty jaws and kills the red dragon, in turn killing Rhaenys when her mount drop from the air. Vhagar's killing spree continues, then...

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