Daenerys was born as Roberts Rebellion was coming to an end. She was born on Dragonstone amidst a great storm that caused the destruction of a good number of ships in the royal fleet. (Hence how she got the name “Stormborn”) Her mother, the queen and sister-wife of the Mad King, died in childbirth. Both these events are significant. First it foreshadows the massive destructive effect she will have upon the world as will be revealed in later chapters/books represented by the storm. Martin also has this as a theme or at the least a common history of mothers dying in childbirth for a few characters.
Is this mere coincidence? Unlikely considering how Martin like to write, certainly it was somewhat common for complications leading to death occurring in childbirth in such times but keeping in mind this is a fantasy tale it’s unlikely that Martin just looked up some historical data and randomly applied it to characters..
In addition the words for House Targaryen are “Fire and Blood”
While the death of her mother provides the blood aspect the storm provides the fire as it’s likely the destruction of the fleet wasn't without lightning strikes.
By this time the war was all but over and won. Robert Baratheon had claimed the Iron Throne and the only known living heir to the Mad Kings Throne is her brother Viserys Targaryen. Some of the men at Dragonstone, seeing the war ended had planned on selling the two to the new King Robert. But before that could happen they were spirited away across the Narrow Sea to the city of Braavos by Sir Willem Darry.
There they lived for several years, in a house with a red door and a lemon tree viewable from her window in her room. This seems to be the only place that she really knew as a stable home.
Unfortunately after Ser Willem dies of a sickness her and her brother are robbed by the servants and left to make their own way.
There is even a bit of a list as to where the two of them have gone in their travels. The timeline seems to be as follows:
Dragonstone - Where Daenerys is born amidst a storm that destroys the remains of the Targaryen fleet.
Free City of Bravos - Where they live under the care of Ser Willem Darry for about 8 years.
Myr - Unknown amount of time.
Tyrosh - Unknown amount of time
Qohor - Unknown amount of time
Volantis - Unknown amount of time
Lys - Unknown amount of time.
Pentos - Currently staying with Magister Illyrio Mopatis
What we do know from this chapter is that her brother Viserys kept them moving from place to place as he was paranoid that King Robert had sent assassins after them.
Viserys is an interesting character and like his sister also introduces some history as well as a repeated theme throughout the series.
First there are notions that Viserys isn’t exactly stable/sane. In this chapter alone we learn that he kept himself and his sister moving from place to place out of fear of assassins. Second he’s constantly wielding fear in order to make Dany do his bidding. Often he says “You don’t want to wake the dragon do you?” and that tends to cause Daenerys to obey whatever it is he wishes to as she has grown up to be subservient to him.
Antoher theme is the results of incestous relationships. As pointed out both are the products of a union between brother and sister. This is again repeated down the line in later chapters among royals/nobles with the result being mental instability in one or more of the offspring.
But for me and the most interesting aspect of this chapter and proof of Viserys being delusional is that he does truly believe that the houses in Westeros will rise up and support him upon his return to claim his rightful place upon the Iron Throne. He specifically names House Tyrell, House Darry, House Greyjoy and the entire Kingdom of Dorne.
If the patronizing way Magister Illyrio doesn’t convince you that Viserys is delusional this map should.
Dorne and the capital of Sunspear is located in the Southernmost part of Westeros. Lys, Tyrosh and Myr are all easily reachable via ship. Now the Iron Islands are on the other side of Westeros, but they are well known as being excellent sailors.
Now if so many houses with access to the sea support the return of the Targaryens why the hell would they allow them to end up going broke and earning the future king of Westeros the name “The Beggar King” in the meantime? But alas we learned in this chapter that Viserys had to sell off his mothers crown for he and his sister to get by.
It seems EXTREMELY unlikely that Dorne wouldn’t have at least sent a care package or at the least provided some securities for the future king. After all Dorne really lost out as a result of Robert's Rebellion. Princess Elia and wife of Crowned Prince Rhaegar was killed after being rapted by the Mountain that Rides Gregor Clegane, who also in service to House Lannister killed her two children. Immediately after the war Robert Baratheon weds Cersei Lannister the daughter of Tywin who more than likely ordered Clegane to kill off the royals. If any house in all of Westeros has good reason to support the return of House Targaryen it’s House Martell of Dorne.
Now perhaps Magister Illyrio is being used as a proxy for one of the houses that does support Viserys claim to the Iron Throne. Lets take a look at what we know of him from this chapter.
Essentially Illyrio is a rich merchant who trades in spices, gemstones, dragon bones and other things. According to Viserys Illyrio is helping the wayward Targaryens out for money. Lets keep in mind this is Viserys talking who frankly has issues with reality. So I think it’s pretty safe to assume that the guy with jeweled rings on every finger who is wealthy enough to afford a large manse, and provide Daenerys with everything needed to make her an attractive bride to Khal Drogo is in this for something more than just profits.
But if not money than what? Power, titles, lands, marriage to a noblewoman from Westeros? At this point we just don’t know, but it’s safe to assume that Illyrio isn’t doing this out of the kindness of his heart.
We do know that Illyrio has brokered the deal to see Daenerys wed to the Dothraki warlord khal Drogo. In return Drogo will provide Viserys the men he needs to return to Westeros and take back the Seven Kingdoms.
Perhaps Illyrio also talked Drogo into not sacking Pentos again. We know Drogo has a lavish manse in the city as it was given to him as an offering. Illyrio even says
“It’s not that we fear these barbarians The Lord of Light would hold our city walls against a million Dothraki, or so the red priests promise… yet why take the chance when their friendship comes so cheap?’
Considering Drogo commands roughly 40,000 raiders it might be a safe assumption of the latter.
However this may be a hidden clue as to what is truly motivating Illyrio. Perhaps Illyrio is a follower of the Lord of Light as he made two references in this chapter to him. Once in discussing options in dealing with Drogo and his horde and another as a sort of blessing upon seeing Daenerys readied for her to meet her future husband.
Illyrio certainly has lived a good life and has prospered greatly. If he believes the the Lord of Light has somehow influenced his life then his motivations may be spiritually motivated as opposed to motivated by wealth.
Lets keep in mind that Westeros has two main religions. The Old Gods who the Starks worship and the Seven that is the dominant religion of Westeros. The worship of R’hllor the Lord of Light is not widely done.
Now here we get a bit of prophecy and again find another recurring theme. R’hllor is the god of fire, light and life while his foe in the religion is the “Great Other” the god if Ice and Death. According to the texts this struggle will only end when the hero Azor Ahai returns wielding the flaming sword Lightbringer and “raises Dragons from stone”.
OK the entire series is “A tale of Ice and Fire” so this seems like it could be part of the prophecy coming to pass. If Illyrio believes this to be true and if he knows that the Lands Beyond the Wall in the North of Westeros are always winterlands then he may truly believe bringing a Targaryen back to Westeros to rule could be the key to fulfilling the prophecy.
The phrase “raises Dragons from stone” could refer to the Targaryen lineage who have a three headed dragon as it’s house sigil and the traditional family home was the island of Dragonstone.
So if Illyrio is trying to fulfill the prophecy then this would be his motivation beyond just money and really would make a lot more sense.
This chapter ends with Daenerys, Illyrio and Viserys going to the manse of Drogo where she is presented to him, just after she notices Ser Jorah Mormont who is in attendance at this party as well.
But I will leave Jorah and other speculations for my next post.
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