How does vhagar die in the books

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Vhagar dies during the Dance of the Dragons civil war in 129 AC. She is killed in the Battle Above the Gods Eye when her rider Aemond Targaryen fights Daemon Targaryen on Caraxes. Both dragons and riders perish in the battle, with Vhagar falling into the Gods Eye lake.

Key Facts

Vhagar dies in 129 AC during the Dance of the Dragons
She is killed in the Battle Above the Gods Eye
Her rider at death is Aemond Targaryen
She fights against Daemon Targaryen on Caraxes
Both dragons and riders die in the battle

Overview

Vhagar was one of the three original dragons brought to Westeros by Aegon the Conqueror during the War of Conquest in 2 BC, alongside Balerion and Meraxes. She was named after one of the gods of Old Valyria and was ridden by Visenya Targaryen during Aegon's conquest. Vhagar lived for approximately 181 years, making her one of the oldest and largest dragons in Westerosi history. During her long life, she participated in numerous battles and was ridden by several Targaryen riders, including Baelon Targaryen and Laena Velaryon before her final rider Aemond Targaryen. By the time of the Dance of the Dragons (129-131 AC), Vhagar had grown to enormous size, with a wingspan that could darken towns when she flew overhead.

How It Works

Vhagar's death occurs during the climactic Battle Above the Gods Eye in 129 AC. The battle begins when Prince Aemond Targaryen, riding Vhagar, confronts his uncle Prince Daemon Targaryen, who rides the dragon Caraxes. The two dragons engage in aerial combat high above the Gods Eye lake. During the fierce battle, Daemon leaps from Caraxes onto Vhagar's back and drives his sword Dark Sister through Aemond's remaining eye, killing him. With her rider dead, Vhagar continues to fight Caraxes. The two dragons become entangled and fall from the sky, crashing into the Gods Eye lake. Both dragons perish in the fall and subsequent drowning, though Caraxes manages to crawl to shore before dying.

Why It Matters

Vhagar's death represents a significant turning point in the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war that nearly destroyed House Targaryen and their dragons. As one of the largest and most experienced war dragons, her loss severely weakened the Greens faction led by Aegon II. The battle also marked the death of two key Targaryen princes - Aemond and Daemon - further depleting the family's leadership. Vhagar's demise contributed to the eventual decline of dragons in Westeros, as the Dance resulted in the deaths of most dragons. Her death scene has become one of the most iconic moments in George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, symbolizing the destructive nature of the Targaryen civil war.