A Historical Recount of House Dragaryen From the years 136 AC to 300 AC

Myths and Legends 3: Daemon Blackfyre

Tale of the Two Kingdoms - Story III: Daemon Blackfyre, The Last King of Dragonstone

Daemon Blackfyre's life was marked by rebellion, ambition, and a destiny entwined with the ancient fortress of Dragonstone. He was not only a descendant of Daeron Dragaryan, the first King of Pentos, but also one of the last dragon riders. His rise, fall, and eventual disappearance have been the subject of much speculation, and his legacy remains intertwined with his mysterious lineage, his passionate pursuit of power, and the ultimate destruction of Dragonstone.

The Early Life and Lineage of Daemon Blackfyre

Born in 266 AC, Daemon Blackfyre was raised as a bastard descendant of Daeron Dragaryan, who had once ruled the Kingdom of Blackfyre. Daemon grew up on tales of his ancestor's defiance, which may have stoked his own rebellious spirit. This connection to Daeron explains Daemon's later choice of surname, "Blackfyre"—a name once linked to power and ambition.

It's speculated that Daemon's mother was a minor noblewoman who died young, leaving him to be raised by caretakers under tenuous protection by the Dragaryans. Growing up outside the traditional lines of inheritance but possessing a potent lineage, Daemon bore a complicated relationship with House Dragaryan. He had no legitimate claim to Dragonstone, yet his ancestry and talents with dragons granted him undeniable influence.

The War for Dragonstone (270 AC - 298 AC)

The War for Dragonstone was a protracted, bloody conflict that led to the collapse of House Dragaryan's rule over Dragonstone. This civil war was initially ignited by internal conflicts and longstanding tensions within the Dragaryan family and neighboring factions. The Iron Throne played no role, as Westeros was embroiled in its own struggles, allowing Daemon's rise to unfold without interference from King's Landing.

The Opening Strikes (270 AC - 274 AC)

In 270 AC, with Vaegon Dragaryan as the ruler of Dragonstone, factions began maneuvering for power. Discontented lords, internal factions, and rivals saw Vaegon as a weakened king due to his inability to control dissidents within the Dragaryan family and his poor diplomatic skills. He faced multiple skirmishes as insurgents sought to claim the weakened kingdom of Dragonstone.

Daemon Blackfyre's involvement in the war began indirectly; at first, he served as a mercenary for various houses, gaining a reputation for his skill in combat and tactical brilliance. But Daemon harbored his own ambitions, and his resentment towards the Dragaryan line soon turned into a desire to claim Dragonstone.

Vaegon's Fall and Jaehaerys's Short-Lived Reign (278 AC - 285 AC)

In 278 AC, Vaegon Dragaryan was killed under suspicious circumstances, possibly poisoned or assassinated by a faction desiring his removal. His son Jaehaerys Dragaryan took the throne, but his reign was troubled by internal strife and lack of control. Although Jaehaerys had some support, he faced numerous challenges in consolidating power over Dragonstone, with the conflict escalating as Daemon grew bolder in his ambitions.

In 285 AC, Daemon Blackfyre made his move by assassinating Jaehaerys Dragaryan. Daemon's assassination of Jaehaerys removed a major obstacle in his quest for power, but it was a desperate gamble, as he was still a bastard with limited support.

The Turning Point - Battle of Blackfyre Bay (285 AC)

Following Jaehaerys's death, the Battle of Blackfyre Bay became a defining clash in the war. In 285 AC, Daemon seized a dragon, an event that changed the balance of power. Mounted on his dragon, Daemon Blackfyre led an army of loyalists and exiled soldiers against the last remaining Dragaryan forces in Blackfyre Bay. Daemon's dragon inflicted significant damage, burning ships and battlements, and Daemon himself fought with a fury that turned the tide in his favor.

Daemon's dragon alone was enough to break the Dragaryan defenses, and the battle marked a critical moment in the war, showcasing Daemon as a powerful contender for control of Dragonstone.

Consolidating Power and the Siege of Dragonstone (286 AC - 298 AC)

After the victory at Blackfyre Bay, Daemon asserted control over key fortifications and installed himself as the de facto ruler of Dragonstone. However, his control was not absolute. Loyalists of the Dragaryan line regrouped and fortified Dragonstone's inner hold, initiating a prolonged siege. For years, Daemon fought to subdue the Dragaryan loyalists, cementing his power over the remaining factions who resisted his rule.

In 298 AC, after years of bitter conflict, Daemon managed to infiltrate Dragonstone's inner keep, claiming it as his own. But rather than maintaining it as the Dragaryan stronghold it had been, he systematically dismantled the fortifications, bringing the legacy of the Dragaryans on Dragonstone to an end. With Dragonstone stripped of its symbolic significance, Daemon established himself as the last king of a fractured and abandoned kingdom.

Legacy and Theories Surrounding Daemon Blackfyre

Daemon's dismantling of Dragonstone ended the kingdom but began his own tragic legend. Prophecies spoke of a Blackfyre reborn to burn the old kingdom, and many saw Daemon as the fulfillment of this foretelling. According to one version, a "bastard king with a dragon" would tear down the house that once ruled the skies, ushering in an age of scattered kingdoms. Whether he fulfilled the prophecy or sought to forge his own path, Daemon's actions forever altered the Dragaryan line.

Family, Heirs, and Mysterious Disappearance

Though Daemon's story is laced with conflict and destruction, he left behind a legacy through his children, each bearing both his ambition and his complex legacy:

Daemon "the Younger" Blackfyre - The eldest,who is still in search of his father

Maegelle Blackfyre - Daemon's only daughter, rumored to have visions of the future. She was said to have foreseen Daemon's demise and the scattering of his heirs.

Baelor Blackfyre - The youngest son, a fierce warrior, who vanished while pursuing his father's dream.

Daemon's wife, Lady Rhaella Celtigar, was a noblewoman from Crackclaw Point who married Daemon during his siege of Dragonstone. Her family's loyalty to the Blackfyres provided Daemon with valuable support, and she became a formidable ally. Rhaella remained at Dragonstone until its fall and took refuge on Crackclaw Point afterward with her children.

In 299 AC, Daemon mysteriously disappeared, mirroring the fate of Dorian Silverwing. Some claim he perished in a final act of defiance against his enemies, while others believe he was betrayed by his closest allies. His disappearance left a power vacuum, and Dragonstone fell into ruin, abandoned and desolate, becoming a symbol of both his legacy and the end of the Dragaryan rule.

The Legacy of Daemon Blackfyre

Daemon Blackfyre's life and disappearance left a profound impact. As the last king of Dragonstone, he fulfilled prophecies, shattered kingdoms, and forged a myth that continues to haunt Westeros. His legacy remains contested, with his children scattered, carrying forward his ambition and bloodline in secret. The end of Dragonstone marked both the final chapter of the Dragaryan rule and the beginning of a new era, where legends like Daemon Blackfyre and Dorian Silverwing live on, shaping the stories that guide Westeros' future.