Game of Thrones: Chapter 11: Daenerys AKA Her Big Fat Dothraki Wedding

This chapter opens up with the wedding of Khal Drogo and Daenerys taking place just outside the city of Pentos. Drogo has called his entire khalasar to attend and the gathering is in total over 40,000 people.

Illyrio notes that it’s a considerable threat to the city, should Drogo decide to attack, and that the magisters have doubled the city guard. We also learn that Ser Jorah Mormont, an exiled knight from Westeros, has also sworn his sword to Viserys and been with the Targaryens since.

Viserys is impatient and seems to not understand the situation he has entered into with Drogo. Viserys sees it as a trade while Drogo sees Daenerys as a gift being given to him. Viserys on the other hand sees this as a deal where is sister is payment for a service. Namely going to Westeros and winning him the Iron Throne.

So on the surface it seems pretty straightforward. All Viserys has to do is wait for the wedding to be over, then Drogo is gonna march across the plains, to present his wife to the dosh khaleen at Vaes Dothrak, wait for omens to favor war (whatever they may be) then Drogo will somehow convince his followers  who HATE the oceans and salt waters to cross the Narrow Sea to Westeros and finally be able to go to war against King Robert and eventually win the Iron Throne.

So from Pentos by the Narrow Sea all the way to Vaes Dothrak (Just under the 1st "S" in Essos) Or about the same distance from the southern most point of Westeros to the Wall.

Wait that seems pretty one sided..

I mean Drogo does have a huge army and could literally take anyone he wanted. In exchange he literally intends to give Viserys a kingdom, no make that seven kingdoms. He could even just take Daenerys if he so saw fit and need not feel like he should give Viserys anything.

So we have to ask ourselves what is so special about Daenerys? Well she is in line for a claim to the Iron Throne should Viserys dies this has no interest to Drogo. After all he has never been defeated and could easily just kill the Beggar King and thus his new bride would be the rightful Queen of Westeros. Also neither he nor any of the Dothraki seem interested in going over the water. Furthermore the Dothraki don’t have any interest in living in castles. Daenerys isn’t arriving with a great dowery, and Drogo can just go and take whatever he wants with his bloodriders, and just as likely cities will pay him tribute not to attack and raid them.

So Drogo doesn’t need her for money, land, titles, or anything material. So why would he bother to marry her? The answer is her blood. The two surviving Targaryens are essentially the last of the line of dragon riders from Valyra. The Valyrians were noted wielders of magic and also managed to tame dragons. Thanks to the family tradition of inbreeding both Daenerys and Viserys are of that pure bloodline.  

OK so she may be the last of the Old Valyrian bloodline. Anything more to it? Actually yes. Drogo is trying to fulfill the Dothraki prophecy regarding the Stallion that Mounts the World. Essentially he’s wagering that he can make this happen by producing an offspring with her.

It’s why later in the chapter when it’s time to consumate the marriage he takes the time to win her over. He needs her to be the vessel for the Stallion that Mounts the World.

Presenting his bride to the dosh khaleen at Vaes Dothrak is to ensure it was all worth it and that he hasn’t been scammed. After all finding someone with pure bloodlines has to be increasingly difficult.

So we got Viserys who gets an army. Drogo who gets to fulfill prophecy and a child destined to conquer the world. But there is one other player in this deal..

Illyrio..

Those who have read Dance with Dragons will know about young Griff. So if he has a person he wishes to back for the Iron Throne why bother with Daenerys and Viserys?

Remember he is a follower of R’hllor, and trying to fulfill his own prophecy. If you forgot from the first blog on Daenerys chapter let me quickly remind you:  

“Azor Ahai returns wielding the flaming sword Lightbringer”

and

“raises Dragons from stone”

And what does Illyrio give Daenerys as a wedding gift?

“Dragon’s eggs, from the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai” said Magister Illyrio. “The eons have tuned them to stone, yet still they burn bright with beauty.”

Now young Griff does go to Dragonstone upon his return to Westeros, Daenerys also was born on Dragonstone during a storm and Viserys, well would be the third dragon, and looking at the Targaryen sigil the dragon has three heads.

But if the prophecy literally means bringing forth dragons from stone then the dragon eggs are the most likely things the prophecy refers to.

Essentially Illyrio is not only hedging his bets but covering all the bases as well. After all if you back more than one person who has claim on the throne you have a better chance of ending up on the winning side.

Illyrio may actually have a good understanding on how prophecies work and is actively trying to cover his bases when it comes to possible interpretations. In addition he more than likely knows Drogos intentions when it comes to Dany and the Stallion that Mounts the World. As a merchant, Illyrio would have done a lot of traveling and meeting with other merchants from other lands. Getting an idea on the cultural norms and religious ideals are all big steps in becoming a successful merchant, and Illyrio is a VERY successful merchant.

He demonstrates his knowledge of this when advising Dany of the Dothraki customs regarding her wedding. He may have even lied to Viserys in regards to how long he would have to wait, and played off the Beggar Kings arrogance and sense of self importance when telling him he has to wait for Drogo to see “favorable omens”. Perhaps Illyrio is aware of the Stallion that Mounts the World and could suspect it’s the Dothraki variant of the legend of Azor Ahai.

The only other real noteable item is that Dothraki custom decrees the wife of the Khal has to have a horse equal to the Khals. In this Drogo provided the best mare they had for her, which she was delighted with. This suggests that Drogo sees he as an equal or at the least of equal importance to him.

The final topic I wish to bring up for this chapter is Daenerys dream.

She dreams she is being struck repeatedly by her brother Viserys who keeps yelling “You woke the dragon.” She feels her thighs slick with blood, and hears a ripping sound and the crackling of a great fire. Her brother is gone and she seems to be in the middle of an inferno and a great dragon turns it’s head to look upon her. She then wakes up.

This not only foreshadows the hatching of the eggs in the fire but also the imagery of blood on her thighs suggests a birth of some sort. Azor Ahai is associated with fire, and if Lightbringer isn’t literally a flaming sword but a metaphor for dragonflame then this could be a strong hint at things to come.

The last point I’d like to make in this is the contrast that Viserys and Daenerys both use their heritage/lineage in regards to being the blood of the dragon. Viserys seems to use it as justification for his behavior, and as a status symbol,  while Daenerys seems to use it as a source of inner strength and courage.

Game of Thrones Chapter 3: Daenerys

This chapter is the first point of view of Daenerys Targaryen who is presently across the Narrow Sea in Pentos. This chapter also introduces us to a number of additional characters and a recurring theme in the series. But lets start with the POV character Daenerys Targaryen (AKA Dany, or Daenerys Stormborn)

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.