Thread by @rynsruins, 𝐁 𝐀 𝐋 𝐄 𝐑 𝐈 𝐎 𝐍 Made a size chart [...]

𝐁 𝐀 𝐋 𝐄 𝐑 𝐈 𝐎 𝐍

Made a size chart to show the accurate size of Balerion (or so how I imagine it) since it was impossible to show his real size without reducing the portraits of Aegon and Maegor to pixels

Balerion was the largest and oldest valyrian dragon to grace Westeros. He had scales as black as pitch, his wings and fire being the same color (sometimes shot through with red).

Born in the ancient Freehold of Valyria, Balerion was one of the five dragons that Aenar the Exile brought to Westeros after fleeing from Valyria, and the only one of those dragons to live in Aegon the Conqueror’s day and beyond

Almost a year after he was claimed by his fourth rider, Viserys I Targaryen, Balerion the Black Dread passed away in 93 AC. At over 200 years old, he was the only dragon of the Targaryen dynasty to die from old age.

It’s said in songs that it was Balerion who supplied the fire that helped forge the Iron Throne

King Harren the Black
had raised the largest and thickest
stronghold in Westeros: Harrenhal. Black Harren had little love from the Rivermen he had tormented all his reign, & so when Aegon the Dragon finally came for Harren, the Riverlords bent the knee to Aegon .

Though Aegon offered Harren fair terms in exchange for his fealty, Harren would not bend the knee, for he believed his stronghold would protect him from Aegon’s army and Balerion’s fire.

“I built [Harrenhal] in stone,” Harren told the Dragonking, “and stone does not burn.” Aegon famously replied with, “When the sun sets, your line shall end.” And so it did. As the Conqueror promised, he descended on Harrenhal with Balerion,

The Dread’s fire was so hot that it melted the great stone towers of Harrenhal into misshapen shapes. Harren and all those inside those walls died. Fun fact: Harren had literally just moved into Harrenhal lol.

Aegon the Dragon claimed Balerion years before he wed his sisters. When he was but the young lord of Dragonstone, Aegon flew on Balerion to Essos to give aid to Pentos Tyrosh against Volantis in a war between the Disputed Lands. He burned a Volantene fleet trying to invade Lys

Years after, Aegon, Visenya and Rhaenys began their conquest of Westeros. With Balerion, Aegon won many victories such, most famous being the Field of Fire

Unlike his wife and sister Queen Rhaenys, Aegon rode Balerion for battle and for faster travel. But it should be noted after he had settled in his throne, Aegon traveled on Balerion all over his new kingdom, not only to ensure loyalty but to learn more of his people

“The smallfolk needed to see their kings and queens from time to time as well, the king added, and know that they might have the chance to lay their grievances and concerns before him.”
[ this art belongs to @wheatley_doug who created the beautiful illustrations in Fire & Blood]

After Aegon the Dragon died in 37 AC, his second son, Maegor, claimed Balerion. When Maegor was was king, he spent most of his reign reducing those who rebelled against House Targaryen to ashes with Balerion’s fire

In fact, the first thing he did as king (after waking up from a 27 day long coma) was burn down the Sept of Remembrance, killing 700 Warrior Sons, as the Faith Militant had been a staunch foe to Maegor and his brother before him, King Aenys I

Unfortunately, another rebel to King Maegor was his nephew Aegon the Uncrowned, who was the rightful king by law of succession. The Young King was marching his small host to King’s Landing when he found his way blocked by those loyal to Maegor near the God’s Eye in the Riverlands

Aegon commanded his army to charge his enemies and was riding his dragon Quicksilver to lead the attack only to find Maegor and Balerion waiting for him in the skies. Quicksilver was no match for the Dread and soon she and her rider were plunging to the ground

Maegor met his end 48 AC, and Balerion got to rest for 6 years before he was claimed again by the 12 year old daughter of Rhaena Targaryen, Princess Aerea Targaryen.

Though you’d expect a dragon like Balerion to not be child friendly, Balerion was once smacked on the nose by little Prince Baelon and didn’t eat him :)

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