Even in a story filled with dragons, one legendary beast continues to stand above the rest. Long before the events of ‘House of the Dragon‘, Balerion the Black Dread ruled the skies of Westeros and became the most feared dragon in Targaryen history. His size, power, and role in major events made him a symbol of the dynasty’s strength.
That is why many fans eventually wonder what happened to him. If Balerion was the greatest dragon the Targaryens ever had, why isn’t he part of the events of ‘House of the Dragon‘? The answer lies in the dragon’s final years, a mysterious journey, and the events that led to the end of one of the most iconic creatures in the world of Westeros.
The Myth And Might Of The Black Dread
‘House of the Dragon‘ is set about 200 years before ‘Game of Thrones‘, during a time when House Targaryen had complete control of the Seven Kingdoms. Dragons were the reason no one could challenge them. Even so, the show makes it clear that something has already been lost. That missing piece is Balerion.
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By the time King Viserys I sits on the Iron Throne, Balerion is already dead. Still, no other dragon is talked about in the same way. None of the dragons in the show is as big, as feared, or as important as he once was. Whenever characters compare dragons or talk about the past, Balerion is the name that sets the bar.
Balerion’s Fate Revealed In ‘House of the Dragon’
Balerion was one of the dragons House Targaryen brought with them when they fled Valyria before the Doom and settled on Dragonstone. Out of all those dragons, he was the most powerful from the very beginning.
Most famously, Aegon the Conqueror rode Balerion during his campaign to unite the Seven Kingdoms. At the same time, his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys rode Vhagar and Meraxes. However, it was Balerion who left the deepest mark.
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After Aegon’s death, Balerion’s story took a darker turn. King Maegor I used him during his brutal reign, though Maegor became known more for his cruelty than his skill as a dragonrider.
Later, Princess Aerea Targaryen bonded with Balerion, but her story ended tragically after she disappeared with him to the East and returned years later, gravely ill, dying shortly afterward. By the time ‘House of the Dragon‘ begins with the Great Council of 101 AC, Balerion wasn’t there.
He died in 94 AC, near the end of King Jaehaerys I’s long and largely peaceful reign. Prince Viserys, who later became king, was Balerion’s final rider, though the dragon was already extremely old by then. Not long after Viserys last rode him, Balerion died.
Despite his violent past and legendary reputation, there was no dramatic final battle. Instead, the Black Dread simply died of old age. At more than 200 years old, he had lived an exceptionally long life, even by dragon standards. He was the last dragon who saw Old Valyria before its destruction. And, when he passed, the Targaryens lost their final living link to that ancient world.
Even with no active role in Season 3 of ‘House of the Dragon‘, Balerion’s presence was prominent. In this season, his primary significance during this timeline is symbolic, serving as a massive, intimidating relic of House Targaryen’s absolute power. All we get to see is that his colossal skull is housed in the Red Keep’s cellars and serves as a backdrop for both political scheming and displays of power.
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