Summary
Audiences have speculated on the origins of the Night King inGame of Thrones, with some wondering if he’s a Targaryen. It’s not entirely uncommon inGeorge R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice & Firebook universefor such character reveals to take place. After all, between the books and the show,there are already multiple characters in the North who were discovered to be of Targaryen origins. Jon Snow is Rhaegar Targaryen’s son in the show, Maester Aemon of the Night’s Watch is a Targaryen, and the Three-Eyed Raven is suggested to be a Targaryen bastard in the books.
Given how mysterious the White Walkers are, it’s not too big a stretch of the imagination to theorize about their potential origins. However,Game of Thronesshowed a scene in which the Night King was created, and there’s enough information thereto answer at least some questions about his life and motivations. Bran Stark’s visions unfortunately never painted the full picture of the White Walkers audiences hoped for in theGame of Thronesending, but they at least confirm the Night King isn’t a Targaryen.
Game Of Thrones: How Much Time Passes From Seasons 1-8
A whole lot has happened throughout Game of Thrones from season 1 to 8 - but how much time has actually passed since the start of season 1?
The Night King Was Not A Targaryen In Game Of Thrones (But There Was Confusion)
The Night King Is Older Than House Targaryen Or The Valyrian Freehold
Simply put, the Night King is far too old to be a Targaryen, and there’s no way he could be one. TheTargaryen family’s historydates back to the Valyrian Freehold, roughly 5,000 years before the events ofGame of Thrones, across the sea in Essos. The Night King is considerably older than that, and the show indicates his origins are in Westeros.
Much of thecuriosity for the Night King being a Targaryen came from the fact that he could walk through fireand that he survived dragonfire in season 8. But surviving fire isn’t some natural boon that comes with being a Targaryen, as proven byHouse of the Dragon. It’s a gift Daenerys seems to possess inGame of Thrones, but it’s entirely unique to her. The Night King also rides a dragon, but that’s likely just due to his necromancy powers.
What We Know About The Night King’s Origin
The Night King Was Created By The Children Of The Forest
One of the manyissues withGame of Thronesseason 8is the handling of the White Walkers, who were built up to be a fascinating, mysterious enemy. Unfortunately, their origin and motivations ended up being quite simple. Season 6 sees a vision where the Children of the Forest pierce a man’s skin with a dragon glass dagger, killing him. This was the Night King’s origin, implyinghe was one of the First Men from the North. This would mean he’s more likely to be tied to the Starks than to the Targaryens, butGame of Thronesdoes nothing to affirm that theory, either.
Game of Thrones' Night King is apparently not tied to the Night’s King fromASOIAF.
It must be noted thatthere is not a Night King in theASOIAFnovels, at least not one that matches theGame of Thronesvillain. There is a legend that comes from Castle Black about the Night’s King, the 13th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch who fell in love with a woman of pale, cold skin and blue eyes. It is heavily implied that this woman was one of the Others, who inGame of Thronesare referred to as the White Walkers. The Night’s King was killed, and the Night’s Watch was freed from his reign.
How The Targaryens Are Connected To The Night King & The Long Night
House Of The Dragon Season 1 Retconned Aegon Targaryen’s Conquest
While the Night King is not a Targaryen inGame of Thrones, HBO’s version of George R.R. Martin’sASOIAFuniverse has established a very important connection between the dragonriders and the Long Night. InHouse of the Dragonseason 1, King Viserys reveals to Rhaenyra thatAegon the Conqueror had a dreamabout a long winter that would wipe out Westeros and bring death itself to the continent.Aegon called his dream“a song of ice and fire,”which was seemingly the main reason why he decided to leave Dragonstone and conquer the Seven Kingdoms.
House of the Dragonseason 2 revisited Aegon’s dream, with Rhaenyra now telling the story to Jacaerys.
So far, Aegon coming to Westeros because he had a vision about the Long Night is a storyline exclusive to the HBO shows, particularlyHouse of the Dragon. It is unclear whether this was a retcon suggested by the show’s writers or if George R.R. Martin already had plans to reveal more about Aegon’s true intentions. Regardless,it would make sense for Aegon the Conqueror to have come to Westeros with a greater purposeother than just conquering a foreign land.House of the Dragonseason 2 revisited Aegon’s dream, with Rhaenyra now telling the story to Jacaerys.
Given how quickly resolvedGame of Thronesseason 8’s Long Night was, it can be frustrating how important this event was supposed to be from the perspective of the Targaryens. Still, from an in-universe perspective, the fact that every Targaryen king knew of the threat beyond the wall – or at least of some supernatural threat scary enough to cause Aegon to conquer an entire continent – adds another layer to their dynasty’s story. When talking to Jace about the Song of Ice and Fire,Rhaenyra says that those who sit on the Iron Throne are protectors and not just rulers.
What The Targaryens’ Connection To The Long Night Means For GRRM’s Upcoming Books
Will Daenerys Be The One To Save Westeros From The Others?
George R.R. Martin has manyASOIAFbooks in development, including but not limited to the second volume ofFire & Bloodand the long-awaitedWinds of Winter. It will be interesting to see whether either of these books will incorporate the Aegon Targaryen retcon revealed inHouse of the Dragonseason 1. If the idea that Aegon knew about the Others and the Long Night makes it into the books,Daenerys Targaryen’s entire journey will gain a new meaning. The title “A Song of Ice and Fire” can receive many interpretations, but two stand out.
Jon Snow’s true parentage has been hinted at inASOIAFbut has yet to be confirmed.
One is that, if Jon Snow is really the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark in the books, he would be as much “ice” as he is “fire.” Another interpretation is that Jon Snow represents the “ice,” whereas Daenerys is the “fire.” Lastly, if House Targaryen’s mission in Westeros was to stop the Long Night, Daenerys’ journey was indeed the “song of ice and fire” the whole time inGame of Thrones. Curiously, even if the books do incorporate the Aegon twist, it is safe to say neither Viserys nor Dany ever got to hear the story.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
