Prince Lucerys Velaryon was killed by Aemond Targaryen and his formidable dragon Vhagar.
This tragic event, occurring above Storm's End, marked a devastating turning point in the brewing conflict between the Targaryen Black and Green factions, pushing Westeros closer to the full-scale civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
The Fateful Encounter at Storm's End
The death of Prince Lucerys Velaryon was not an intentional act of murder from Aemond's perspective, but rather a catastrophic accident during a tense aerial confrontation. Lucerys, riding his younger dragon Arrax, was on a diplomatic mission to secure the allegiance of House Baratheon for his mother, Queen Rhaenyra. He was met at Storm's End by Aemond Targaryen, who also sought the Baratheons' support for King Aegon II.
The encounter quickly escalated into a dangerous chase in the stormy skies. While Aemond intended to intimidate Lucerys and perhaps exact some measure of revenge for a past injury, his dragon, Vhagar, a colossal beast many times the size of Arrax and the oldest and largest living dragon, acted independently. In the chaos of the storm, Vhagar attacked Arrax, overpowering him and ultimately killing both Prince Lucerys and his dragon.
Key Players and Their Dragons
The confrontation involved two key figures and their dragons, representing the opposing sides of the Targaryen succession crisis:
| Character | Faction | Dragon | Dragon Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Lucerys Velaryon | Blacks | Arrax | Young, smaller, fast, but inexperienced. |
| Prince Aemond Targaryen | Greens | Vhagar | Ancient, colossal, battle-hardened, powerful. |
The Aftermath and Escalation of War
Lucerys's death was a profound blow to Queen Rhaenyra and her supporters. It transformed the political maneuvering and cold war between the two factions into an open and brutal conflict. This incident created a "point of no return," solidifying the animosity and making a full-scale war inevitable. The loss of a prince and his dragon served as the catalyst for the bloody Dance of the Dragons, forever changing the landscape of Westeros.
- Catalyst for War: Lucerys's death ignited the Dance of the Dragons.
- Tragic Accident: While Aemond was present, Vhagar's independent action led to the killing.
- Irreparable Damage: The loss severed any remaining hope for a peaceful resolution.
