The HBO show A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has introduced viewers to the strange power of Targaryen prophecies. In the show’s fourth episode, titled “Seven,” Prince Daeron Targaryen shares a terrifying vision he had about Ser Duncan the Tall. This dream hints at a major death coming in the trial by combat. The dream is not about a literal dragon but points to a tragic event that will change Westeros.
Daeron, played by Henry Ashton, is a troubled prince known as “Daeron the Drunken.” He drinks heavily to escape the prophetic dreams that haunt him. His latest vision about Dunk is a key example of the “dragon dreams” that certain Targaryens experience. These dreams have shaped the history of their house, from saving their family from doom to sparking a conquest. Daeron’s specific warning to Dunk sets the stage for a pivotal moment in the story.
Daeron Targaryen’s Ominous Prophecy to Dunk
In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 4, Daeron finds a moment alone with Ser Duncan the Tall to explain the vision that has frightened him since their first meeting at an inn. He tells Dunk that his dreams are not ordinary and that they always come true.
Daeron describes the dream in detail:
“I have seen you, ser. And a fire. And a dead dragon. A great beast with wings so large they could cover this meadow. It had fallen on top of you, but you were alive, and the dragon was dead.”
When Dunk asks if he killed the dragon, Daeron admits he does not know. The description is vivid and alarming. A key point is that there are no living dragons in Westeros at this time in the story. The last dragon died over fifty years earlier. Therefore, the “dragon” in the dream is understood to be a metaphorical one, representing a member of House Targaryen, whose sigil is a dragon.
Daeron is deeply scared of Dunk because of this vision. This fear is part of why he initially lied to his father, Prince Maekar, claiming Dunk was a “robber knight” who had kidnapped his younger brother Aegon (“Egg”). Daeron’s apology and his promise to fake an injury during the upcoming Trial of Seven are his attempts to make things right and perhaps avoid the fate he saw.
What Are Dragon Dreams in Game of Thrones Lore?
Daeron’s vision is not a unique occurrence. It is a “dragon dream,” a special type of prophetic dream experienced by some individuals with Valyrian or Targaryen blood. These dreams have played a crucial role in the history of Westeros, often appearing as cryptic warnings that are easy to misinterpret.
Some of the most famous dragon dreamers and their visions include:
- Daenys the Dreamer: As a young girl, she dreamed of the Doom of Valyria twelve years before it happened. Her father heeded her warning and moved the entire Targaryen family, their dragons, and their wealth to Dragonstone. This single dream saved House Targaryen from complete annihilation.
- Aegon the Conqueror: It is said Aegon I had a dragon dream he called “A Song of Ice and Fire.” He foresaw a great winter and an apocalyptic threat from the north. This prophecy is said to be a key reason he conquered and united the Seven Kingdoms—to build a realm strong enough to face the coming darkness.
- Helaena Targaryen: In House of the Dragon, Queen Helaena is plagued by prophetic mumbles. She famously said “he’ll have to close an eye,” foreshadowing her brother Aemond losing an eye. She also warned of “the beast beneath the boards,” which preceded the dragon Meleys bursting through the floor of the Dragonpit.
- Daenerys Targaryen: In Game of Thrones, Daenerys tells Jorah Mormont that she had a dream telling her to carry her dragon eggs into a great fire, which later guided her actions in hatching them.
As Maester Aemon Targaryen later reflects, “My brothers dreamed of dragons too, and their dreams killed them, every one.” This statement underscores the dangerous, double-edged nature of this family gift. The dreams reveal the future but often lead to tragedy for the dreamer or those around them.
The True Meaning: Which Dragon Dies in the Trial of Seven?
For viewers who do not wish to know potential future events for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it is recommended to skip this section. The following details are based on George R.R. Martin’s original novella, The Hedge Knight, which the first season of the show adapts.
The Trial of Seven is a brutal event. During the combat, Prince Baelor “Breakspear” Targaryen fights valiantly on Dunk’s side against his own family members—his brothers Aerion and Daeron, and his father Maekar. In the chaos of the fight, Maekar strikes Baelor in the back of the head with his mace.
Baelor does not die immediately on the field. After the trial ends, a wounded Dunk sees Baelor approach him. The prince removes his helmet, revealing a catastrophic head injury. He then collapses, falling onto Dunk, and dies in the hedge knight’s arms.
This is the fulfillment of Daeron’s prophecy.
- The Dead Dragon: The “dead dragon” is Prince Baelor Targaryen. He is a figurative dragon, the heir to the Iron Throne and a widely respected leader known as “the heart of chivalry”.
- Fallen on Top of You: This is a literal event. Baelor staggers and falls directly onto Ser Duncan after the trial.
- Wings Covering the Meadow: This symbolizes Baelor’s immense influence and greatness. His potential and the shadow of his lost future were vast enough to cover the entire field.
Dunk initially believes the dream was wrong because the villainous Prince Aerion survives. He only realizes the truth when he witnesses Baelor’s death. Baelor’s death is a massive blow to the realm, as he was considered a future great king. His death alters the line of succession and has long-lasting consequences for the stability of the Seven Kingdoms.
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Who Is Prince Daeron Targaryen?
To understand the dream, it helps to know the dreamer. Daeron Targaryen is the eldest son of Prince Maekar Targaryen and the older brother of Aerion, Aegon (“Egg”), and Aemon. He is a complex figure, different from his severe father and his cruel brother Aerion.
He is defined by two traits:
- A Reluctant Warrior: Daeron has no interest in fighting, jousting, or the typical pursuits of a Targaryen prince. His father forced him to enter the lists at the Ashford Tourney, which is why he was traveling there when he first met Dunk.
- A Tormented Prophet: Daeron is a true dragon dreamer. The burden of his prophetic visions fills him with fear and dread. He turns to alcohol to try to sleep without dreaming, earning him the nickname “Daeron the Drunken.” His drinking is a form of self-medication against the horrors he foresees.
His role in the story is pivotal. His initial lie about Dunk kidnapping Egg adds to the charges against the hedge knight. However, his guilt and his fear of his own prophecy lead him to confess and try to help Dunk by promising to not fight seriously in the trial. Historically, Daeron briefly becomes heir to the Iron Throne when his father, Maekar, becomes king, but he dies of a pox before he can ever rule.
How the Show Connects to the Wider Game of Thrones World
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is actively using dragon dreams to connect its story to the broader franchise. This episode reinforces that the magical trait of prophecy runs deep in the Targaryen bloodline, seen nearly 200 years earlier in House of the Dragon and over a century later in Game of Thrones.
The show is also setting up a pattern for future stories. The third Dunk & Egg novella, The Mystery Knight, features another character who has a prophetic vision about Dunk’s future. By introducing Daeron’s dreams now, the show is laying the groundwork for this recurring theme of fate and foresight in the adventures of Dunk and Egg.
New episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are released on Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.
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