House of the Dragon Dragons: Silverwing & Vermithor Expanded
In the universe of House of the Dragon, dragons are potent weapons and symbols of ancient lineage, not only magnificent animals. Although the biggest dragon in Westeros, Vhagar attracts a lot of attention, there are other dragons worth looking at. We're delving deeply into the background and relevance of two of the most crucial dragons in the Dance of the Dragons today: Vermithor and Silverwing.
Dragon History: Vermithor; Silverwing &
Born in early Targaryen dynasty, Silverwing and Vermithor hatched about 34 AC (After Conquest). Alysanne Targaryen, a sister of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, received Silverwing, a silvery she-dragon. Born from an egg put in Jaehaerys' cradle, Vermithor, sometimes known as "The Bronze Fury," was fiery. By the time the Dance of the Dragons started, they were almost certainly 100 years old.
Relatively peace for Westeros was ushered in when Jaehaerys and Alysanne bonded with their dragons and started riding 48 AC. Often regarded as emblems of royal authority, the dragons were flown to the Wall to discourage the White Walkers throughout their rule. Reflecting their strong connection to ancient magic and the world's hidden dangers, Silverwing and Vermithor reportedly sensed the presence of the White Walkers beyond the Wall and refused to fly further north.
Alysanne sadly passed in 100 AC, and three years later Jaehaerys left their dragon riderless. Living on Dragonstone, Silverwing and Vermithor waited for their next use for three decades. The Dance of the Dragons offered the ideal chance for these powerful beings to return to Earth.
Who rides Silverwing and Vermithor in house of the Dragon?
The old guard of dragonriders was either dead or on opposing sides, thus the Dance of the Dragons brought the demand for fresh dragonriders. This led to the hunt for dragonseeds—those with Valyrian blood—who might perhaps form bonds with the riderless dragons. Declared to be the bastard son of Baelon Targaryen, Ulf the White was half-brother of Viserys and Daemon. Claiming Silverwing as his own, Originating from King's Landing, blacksmith Hugh Hammer bonded with Vermithor.
Although both Ulf and Hugh were dragonseeds, their claims to Valyrian ancestry were not without dispute. Many others indeed sought to connect with these dragons, including Lord G Mormon Massey, killed by Vermithor. Mushroom, the court fool, even tried to bond with Silverwing but burned too. Notwithstanding the difficulties, Ulf and Hugh proved themselves deserving of the dragons, so transforming into indispensable allies for Rhaenyra during the Dance of the Dragons.
Team Black Dragon Riders in Fire & Blood
Examining all the dragon riders who battled for Rhaenyra Targaryen's "Team Black" helps us to better grasp the power relations of the Dance of the Dragons.
Dragon
Rider
Syxa
Rhaenyra Targaryen
Caraxes
Meneys
Rhaens Targaryen
Vermin
Jacerys Velaryon
Arzag
Lucerys Velaryon
Moondance
Bala Targaryen
Seasmote
Hull Addam
Silver Wing
Uld White
Verificator
Hugh Hammer <
Shepherdstealer
Nettles
Breakfast
Rhaena Targaryen
Storm Cloud
Aegon Targaryen
Tykes
Joffreyvelaryon
Dragon Power explained: Silverwing & Vermithor against Vhagar
Lead by Aegon II Targaryen, the Dance of the Dragons set Team Black's dragon riders against Team Green's dragon riders. Team Black had a lot of dragons, but Team Green had Vhagar—the biggest and oldest dragon in Westeros— flown by Aemond Targaryen. Vhagar was a strong opponent with size, experience, and pure strength.
Against Vhagar's hegemony, Silverwing and Vermithor presented a sliver of hope. Though docile relative to Vermithor, Silverwing was a big and strong dragon. Vermithor was second only in size but had great strength, much more than Silverwing. Although both dragons were immensely strong, they lacked the experience Vhagar had accrued over her long lifetime.
Silverwing and Vermithor might have been able to destroy Vhagar in a two-on-one fight. Though Vermithor and Vhagar had a one-on-one fight close call, Vhagar's experience finally gave her the edge. Silverwing and Vermithor, despite their constraints, were integral part of Team Black's plans. Powerful weapons, they gave the Dance of the Dragons much-needed firepower.
The Fate of Vermithor in House of the Dragon and Silverwing
A period of bloodshed and devastation, the Dance of the Dragons was In the ensuing battles, Silverwing and Vermithor proved quite helpful. Their first significant action was supporting Team Black in defeating the naval force of the Triarchy at the Battle of the Gullet. This win confirmed their status as strong allies. Their allegiances changed later in the war, sadly. Driven by ambition and avarice, both Ulf and Hugh betrayed Rhaenyra and joined the Greens at the First Battle of Tumbleton, so causing a terrible loss for Team Black.
At the Second Battle of Tumbleton Vermithor finally perished. But Silverwing endured the Dance of the Dragons and carried on into the later Targaryen rule. Her future in House of the Dragon is yet unknown, but the show will probably follow the road George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood sets.
Silverwing and Vermithor's narrative is one of strength, allegiance, and the terrible results of war. Once emblems of peace and royal authority, these dragons became central participants in a terrible conflict, underscoring the terrible nature of ambition and the erratic character of power. Their narrative reminds us of the long legacy dragons leave on the path of history and their ongoing presence in Westeros.
