Vermithor | Targaryen Dragon

Vermithor, known as the Bronze Fury, was a dragon, apparently male, that was ridden by the Seven Crowned King Jaehaerys I Targaryen.

Its scales and wings were bronze and beige.

History

Jaehaerys I Targaryen

According to legend, in the year 34, Princess Rhaena Targaryen placed a dragon's egg in the cradle of her newborn brother, Jaehaerys. From this egg, Vermithor is said to have emerged and immediately bonded with the child.

In the year 42, Jaehaerys' father, King Aenys I Targaryen died in Peyredragon during the War of the Faith. During his funeral, Vermithor helps Silverwing and Vif-Argent to set fire to his pyre. Soon after, Jaehaerys' uncle Maegor I Targaryen usurped the crown.

In 44, Jaehaerys, his mother, his sister and their dragons escape Maegor's surveillance and find refuge in Accalmie with Rogar Baratheon.

In the year 48, Vermithor is big enough to be ridden by Jaehaerys. Jaehaerys declared his claim to the Iron Throne against his uncle Maegor that same year.

Jaehaerys' main supporter, Lord Rogar Baratheon, seems to plan to use Vermithor and Silverwing, ridden by Jaehaerys' sister, Alysanne Targaryen.

They are joined by Rhaena Targaryen, riding her dragon, Firebird. Together, the three dragons are spotted above King's Landing nine days after the mysterious death of Maegor I Targaryen.

Magnifying Icon.png See detailed article: The rise of Jaehaerys I Targaryen.
At the wedding of Alyssa Velaryon and Rogar Baratheon, Vermithor and Silverwing make a great impression on the people of King's Landing.

That same year, Jaehaerys fled on Vermithor's back to Peyredragon, so that he could secretly marry his sister Alysanne. In the year 50, Jaehaerys came of age and returned to King's Landing. He flew over the city three times before landing, and the people cheered him. Thereafter, Vermithor is used as King Jaehaerys' mount for each of his royal travels.

Vermithor was ridden by Jaehaerys I until his death in the year 103. Without a rider, he becomes wild and sets up his lair in a smoky cave in Montdragon.

During the Dance of the Dragons

Vermithor was almost a hundred years old when he took part in the succession conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons. He is then tall and powerful: of all the dragons in Westeros, only Vhagar surpasses him in age and size. He is three times bigger than Tessarion.

He is not as agile as the younger dragons, but his breath is at its peak and he can melt stone and steel. Although he has become wild, he is used to men and tolerates their presence easily.

In the year 129, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon offers land, titles and wealth to any dragon seed that can master a dragon. Most candidates fail, burned or killed. Vermithor proves particularly dangerous and burns Lord Gormon Massey.

Hugh Marteau managed to subdue him and fought alongside the black partisans. He takes part in the Battle of Gosier, where he arrives to reinforce Prince Jacaerys Velaryon against the fleet of the Kingdom of the Three Daughters fighting for the Greens.

He also took part in the fall of King's Landing, where he landed near Fossedragon on Rhaenys Hill with Silverwing.

During the battle of Chutebourg, while the victory seems to be won by the Blacks, Ulf the White and Hugh Hammer betray them and turn their dragons against the city and its defenders.

The carnage is enormous, Chutebourg is ravaged by the fire of Vermithor and Silverwing, and thousands of Blacks are burned alive or drowned while trying to flee through the Mander River that runs through the city.

During the second battle of Chutebourg and the surprise attack of the Blacks, Hugh tries to join his dragon to participate in the battle, but he is killed by one of the Chausse-Trapes, Lord Jon Roxton.

Vermithor, unleashed, ravages the ranks of both sides indiscriminately. Addam Velaryon on Seasmoke, seeing the dragon decimate the troops on the ground, directs his mount at him, knowing full well that he and his dragon have no chance against the old bronze dragon.

The two beasts fight until they reach the ground, and Tessarion joins them there in a bloody melee. None of the three survives: Seasmoke and Addam are killed by Vermithor, who dies of his wounds shortly after, while Tessarion tries to fly away three times before being finished off by Billy Burley, an archer of Lord Benjicot Nerbosc.