The world of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” is a tapestry woven with intricate relationships, political intrigue, and a rich history that spans generations. Among the most fascinating characters are Aemon Targaryen and Daenerys Targaryen, both figures of wisdom and strength who, despite never meeting, share a bloodline that binds them together. Understanding their connection requires delving into the complex Targaryen family tree, a journey that reveals a web of kings, queens, heroes, and madmen.
The Targaryen Dynasty: A Legacy of Dragons and Destiny
The Targaryens, originally from Valyria, were a dragonlord family who escaped the Doom and established themselves on Dragonstone, an island fortress in the Narrow Sea. From there, Aegon the Conqueror, along with his sisters Visenya and Rhaenys, launched their invasion of Westeros, uniting six of the Seven Kingdoms under their rule. The Targaryen dynasty reigned for nearly 300 years, marked by periods of prosperity, internal conflicts, and the ever-present mystique of their dragon heritage.
Their history is riddled with complex marriage customs, often involving siblings, to maintain the purity of their bloodline. This practice, while intended to strengthen their claim to the Iron Throne and preserve their connection to dragons, also led to instances of madness and instability within the family.
Understanding the Targaryen Family Tree
Navigating the Targaryen family tree can be a daunting task, given the numerous individuals with similar names and the intermarriages that occurred over centuries. Key figures like Aegon the Conqueror, Jaehaerys I (the Old King), and Aegon V (Egg) all play crucial roles in shaping the lineage that connects Aemon and Daenerys.
To understand their relationship, we must trace their ancestry back through several generations of Targaryen kings and their offspring. Key to this is understanding the significance of certain marriages and the succession of the Iron Throne.
Aemon Targaryen: The Maester of the Night’s Watch
Maester Aemon, a character revered for his wisdom, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the Night’s Watch, was much more than just an old man in black. Born Aemon Targaryen, he was the third son of King Maekar I Targaryen and his wife Dyanna Dayne. This makes him the great-uncle of Daenerys Targaryen.
Aemon was a prince of the blood, possessing a strong claim to the Iron Throne. However, he chose to renounce his claim and take the vows of the Citadel, becoming a maester. His decision to join the Night’s Watch further solidified his commitment to a life of service, far removed from the political machinations of King’s Landing.
His wisdom and counsel were highly valued at Castle Black, and he served as a mentor to Jon Snow, recognizing the young man’s potential and guiding him through difficult times.
A Prince Who Chose Service
Aemon’s choice to forgo his royal lineage is significant. He understood the burdens and dangers associated with the Iron Throne and believed he could better serve the realm by dedicating his life to knowledge and service. This selflessness is a defining characteristic of his personality.
His decision to join the Night’s Watch was influenced by the Great Council of 233 AC, which bypassed him in the line of succession in favor of his younger brother Aegon V (Egg). He recognized that his presence in King’s Landing would only create tension and potential conflict.
Aemon’s Connection to Aegon V (Egg)
Aemon’s younger brother, Aegon V, known as “Egg” during his squire days with Ser Duncan the Tall, became king after the Great Council. Aegon V was the father of Jaehaerys II, who was in turn the father of Aerys II, the Mad King. This lineage is critical in establishing the link between Aemon and Daenerys.
Aegon V attempted to enact reforms that would benefit the common people, but his efforts were met with resistance from the nobility. He died tragically in the Tragedy at Summerhall, a devastating fire that also claimed the lives of his eldest son, Duncan, and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Duncan the Tall.
Daenerys Targaryen: The Dragon Queen
Daenerys Targaryen, the last surviving child of King Aerys II Targaryen (the Mad King) and Queen Rhaella, is one of the most pivotal figures in “A Song of Ice and Fire.” She is known as the Dragon Queen, Mother of Dragons, and Breaker of Chains. She is Aemon Targaryen’s great-great-niece.
Born during a fierce storm on Dragonstone, Daenerys spent her early years in exile, constantly fleeing from those who sought to end the Targaryen line. Her journey from a timid young woman to a powerful leader is a central theme of the story.
Daenerys’s rise to power began when she was forced into marriage with Khal Drogo, a powerful Dothraki warlord. However, she eventually embraced her destiny, hatching three dragon eggs and leading the Dothraki horde across the Narrow Sea.
The Lineage of the Mad King
Daenerys’s father, Aerys II, earned the moniker “the Mad King” due to his increasingly erratic and paranoid behavior. His reign was marked by cruelty, tyranny, and a growing disconnect from reality. This ultimately led to Robert’s Rebellion, which saw the Targaryen dynasty overthrown.
Aerys’s madness is often attributed to the Targaryen tendency towards mental instability, exacerbated by generations of incestuous marriages. His actions played a significant role in shaping Daenerys’s character and her determination to break the wheel of oppression.
Daenerys’s Quest for the Iron Throne
Driven by a belief in her birthright and a desire to create a better world, Daenerys set her sights on reclaiming the Iron Throne. She gathered armies, freed slaves, and forged alliances, all while navigating the treacherous political landscape of Westeros.
Her journey is a complex one, marked by both triumphs and tragedies. While she strives for justice and equality, she also grapples with the potential for tyranny and the burden of her family’s legacy.
Connecting the Dots: How Aemon and Daenerys are Related
The relationship between Aemon and Daenerys can be established by tracing their lineage through the Targaryen family tree. Aemon Targaryen was the son of King Maekar I, and Daenerys Targaryen was the granddaughter of King Jaehaerys II. Maekar I was the great-grandfather of Daenerys.
The Targaryen family tree is as follows:
- Aemon Targaryen, son of King Maekar I
- King Maekar I, father of Aemon, grandfather of Aegon V
- King Aegon V (Egg), grandson of Maekar I and father of Jaehaerys II
- King Jaehaerys II, son of Aegon V, father of Aerys II
- King Aerys II (The Mad King), son of Jaehaerys II, father of Daenerys
- Daenerys Targaryen, daughter of Aerys II
Therefore, Aemon was Daenerys’ great-great-uncle.
The Significance of Their Shared Blood
While Aemon and Daenerys never met, their shared Targaryen blood connects them in a profound way. They both possess the potential for greatness, as well as the potential for madness that has plagued their family for generations.
Their stories highlight the duality of the Targaryen legacy: the capacity for both inspiring leadership and destructive tyranny. Aemon’s wisdom and selflessness stand in stark contrast to Aerys’s madness, while Daenerys grapples with the temptation to embrace the fire and blood that defines her family history.
Parallel Paths: Wisdom and Power
Both Aemon and Daenerys faced difficult choices throughout their lives. Aemon chose to renounce his claim to the Iron Throne in favor of service, while Daenerys chose to embrace her destiny as a queen.
Their paths, though different, reflect a shared desire to make a difference in the world. Aemon sought to protect the realm from the dangers beyond the Wall, while Daenerys sought to liberate the oppressed and establish a just society.
Both characters embody different aspects of the Targaryen spirit. Aemon represents the wisdom and self-sacrifice, while Daenerys represents the strength and ambition. Together, they offer a glimpse into the complex and multifaceted nature of the Targaryen dynasty.
The Weight of the Targaryen Legacy
Aemon and Daenerys both carried the weight of the Targaryen legacy on their shoulders. The history of their family, filled with both glory and madness, shaped their identities and influenced their choices.
They were both acutely aware of the potential for darkness within themselves, and they both struggled to overcome the shadows of their past. Aemon’s unwavering commitment to duty and Daenerys’s determination to break the wheel of oppression are testaments to their resilience and their desire to create a better future.
Their stories serve as a reminder that even the most powerful families are not immune to the consequences of their actions. The Targaryen legacy is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power, the corrupting influence of madness, and the importance of choosing wisdom over ambition.
What was the relationship between Maester Aemon and Daenerys Targaryen?
Maester Aemon of the Night’s Watch was Daenerys Targaryen’s great-great-uncle. He was the son of King Maekar I Targaryen and Dyanna Dayne, making him the grandson of King Daeron II Targaryen, Daenerys’s great-great-grandfather. This kinship meant that while they never directly interacted within the main storyline, they shared a common ancestor and therefore a blood connection, stemming from the Targaryen dynasty.
Despite the vast geographical distance and their different life paths, Aemon felt a deep connection to Daenerys upon learning of her existence and her dragons. He recognized the Targaryen blood within her and worried for her safety and the burden she carried as the “last dragon.” He often spoke of her with concern and admiration, lamenting the fact that he could not be there to guide her.
How did Maester Aemon learn about Daenerys and her dragons?
News from across the Narrow Sea travels slowly, but eventually, Maester Aemon received reports of Daenerys Targaryen’s emergence in Essos through various channels, including traders, travelers, and ravens sent from different locations. The initial reports likely highlighted her gaining influence and the hatching of dragons, events that were too significant to ignore.
The Citadel, being a center of learning and communication, would have disseminated information about Daenerys’s activities. As Maester Aemon was one of the most senior and respected members of the Night’s Watch and a Targaryen himself, he would have had access to these reports and understood their profound implications for the future of Westeros and the Targaryen dynasty.
Did Maester Aemon ever offer direct guidance to Daenerys?
Unfortunately, Maester Aemon never directly communicated with Daenerys Targaryen. Their paths never crossed physically, and direct communication through ravens or other means wasn’t feasible given the vast distance and the volatile political climate. He could only offer his observations and opinions to those around him at the Night’s Watch.
However, Aemon’s wisdom indirectly influenced events. He advised Jon Snow, unaware of Jon’s true parentage, about the burdens of leadership and the importance of choosing duty over love. This advice, born from his own experience of renouncing the Iron Throne for the Night’s Watch, arguably helped shape Jon’s decisions, who later became a key figure in Daenerys’s life.
What was Maester Aemon’s opinion of Daenerys and her claim to the Iron Throne?
Maester Aemon recognized the inherent right of Daenerys Targaryen to the Iron Throne, given her lineage and the Targaryen dynasty’s history in Westeros. He believed that as the last known Targaryen, she had a legitimate claim to rule, although he also understood the complexities and potential dangers involved in such a claim.
More importantly, Aemon was concerned with Daenerys’s character and whether she possessed the necessary qualities to be a just and effective ruler. He worried about the potential for her dragons to be used destructively and hoped that she would show mercy and wisdom in her actions. His concern stemmed not just from her lineage but from the potential consequences of her actions on the realm.
Why did Maester Aemon choose the Night’s Watch over the Iron Throne?
Aemon Targaryen was offered the Iron Throne when his brother, Aegon V Targaryen, ascended to the throne after the unexpected death of their older brother. However, Aemon chose to renounce his claim and join the Night’s Watch instead. He recognized that his presence in King’s Landing would create potential conflicts and instability, as he would always be seen as a potential rival to his brother.
His decision was driven by a sense of duty and a desire to serve the realm in a way that wouldn’t threaten its stability. He believed that by taking the black and joining the Night’s Watch, he could remove himself from the game of thrones and dedicate his life to a noble cause, protecting the realm from the dangers beyond the Wall.
How did Maester Aemon’s Targaryen heritage affect his role in the Night’s Watch?
Maester Aemon’s Targaryen heritage, while generally kept quiet, subtly influenced his role and the respect he commanded within the Night’s Watch. His intelligence, wisdom, and noble bearing, all arguably traits associated with the Targaryens, contributed to his position as a trusted advisor and mentor to many brothers of the Watch.
Even though he had taken the vows of the Night’s Watch, his lineage was not entirely forgotten, especially among those who knew his true identity. While he never explicitly leveraged his heritage, it added an unspoken weight to his words and decisions, making him a figure of authority and someone whose advice was highly valued, particularly during times of crisis and uncertainty.
What parallels can be drawn between Maester Aemon’s life and Daenerys’s life?
Several parallels exist between the lives of Maester Aemon and Daenerys Targaryen, both embodying elements of sacrifice and duty. Aemon renounced his claim to the Iron Throne to serve the Night’s Watch, while Daenerys faced numerous difficult choices in her quest to reclaim her birthright, often sacrificing personal happiness for what she believed was the greater good of her people.
Both also experienced exile and isolation. Aemon was exiled to the Wall, separated from his family and the comforts of court, while Daenerys spent her formative years in Essos, far from her homeland, constantly on the run and struggling to survive. Both ultimately assumed roles of leadership, facing the burdens and responsibilities that came with their Targaryen blood.