Unveiling the Enigma of Young Griff: A Targaryen Pretender in the Shadow of House of the Dragon | The Targaryen Supremacy

Unveiling the Enigma of Young Griff: A Targaryen Pretender in the Shadow of House of the Dragon

 

 

As the realm eagerly awaits the premiere of House of the Dragon, the upcoming Targaryen saga promises to illuminate the grand tapestry of Westerosi history. Yet, amidst the whispers of dragonfire and royal intrigue, another figure lurks in the shadows – Young Griff, a mysterious pretender who claims descent from House Targaryen. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the enigma of Young Griff, unraveling the threads of his lineage and his potential role in the ever-expanding lore of the Targaryen dynasty.

Young Griff is the nephew of Varys and the son of Serra.

Serra is descended from Saera Targaryen, the daughter of Jaehaerys I and queen Alysanne, by a great distance. Saera Targaryen relocated to Lys and took a job at a pillow house after leaving King's Landing. Saera was content in Lys and claimed to have established her own kingdom there, but she never pursued her claim to the Iron Throne. Three bastard boys, fathered by various men, were born to Saera. One of her boys bore a striking resemblance to King Jaehaerys, his grandfather. They all three made claims to the Iron Throne, but they were turned down.

Years later, history is kind of repeating itself, but with greater complexity.

Initially, Rhaegar orders Varys to conceal Prince Aegon in case Tywin or Robert attempt to assassinate the young man. Instead, he leaves Elia and Ashara's infant alone. The entire narrative is told from Jon's point of view in the novels; he exchanges Mance's child for Gilly, just as his father exchanged Aegon for Ashara's child. Aegon is brought into Illyrio's home after being smuggled across the small sea.  

Serra gives birth to a boy when Aegon is around two years old. His youth is reminiscent of Rhaegar or Aegon, as his Valyrian genes have taken a heavy toll on him. Now that they have their own "Aegon," Illyrio and Varys possess the infant clothing that Aegon wore as evidence that Rhaegar's kid survived the sack of King's Landing. A few years later, Jon Connington receives a message from Serra and Young Griff informing him that the latter is Prince Aegon. Officially, Jon drank himself to death and Serra perished of the grey plague.

Aegon is raised in Illyrio's home while Young Griff is raised by Serra and Jon. They send him to Braavos when he becomes thirteen. The House of Black and White requires its acolytes to be thirteen years old. Despite being younger, Arya is the only exception, as we discover from her chapters. The youngster is informed by Varys that he must work for the House of Black and White since a king ought to be modest. Aegon meets Ashara Dayne in the temple. Like Serra, Ashara lost her child at the sack of King's Landing after initially betraying Rhaegar in Harrenhal. Currently, she serves as a priestess.

Like Arya, Aegon is unable to shed his identity. He visits King's Landing at the age of sixteen or seventeen to meet Varys and Illyrio, announcing to them that he is prepared to retrieve his dragon eggs and take back the crown. However, Young Griff is now Illyrio's rival for the throne since he gave Daenerys the eggs already. Varys then imprisons Aegon in the dark chambers. This time, he banishes him to the Wall, warning him that he will forfeit his claim to the Iron Throne should he take the oath.

Young Griff has been deceived his entire life and is unaware that he is a fraud. It's probable that Illyrio simply took the boy's mother to Pentos in order to pursue his claim to the Iron Throne through a kid. The Prince of Pentos shut his doors to Illyrio after he married Serra, but Illyrio insisted that Serra was worth it. If she gave birth to the child who could inherit the kingdom, then she was, of course. Additionally, Young Griff might have a sibling. A sixteen-year-old Lyseni girl who might be mistaken for Serra's daughter lives at Illyrio's home.It's spooky yet fitting that Illyrio lends her to his visitors to warm their mattresses. Even though Tyrion is not a saint, he saw that Illyrio's behaviors had an unsettlingly vulgar quality.

When he was younger, Illyrio resembled a classic Targ: a tall, thin man with silvery blonde hair. He was extremely attractive and skilled with a sword. Even though Illyrio is a Blackfire, that's how he persuaded the Golden Company to back his "Aegon." But ultimately, Young Griff's ancient Valyria DNA will take over. Viserion will leave Daenerys for Young Griff if he departs from her.

His fall was foreshadowed in A Dance of Dragons:

He ( Qavo ) moved his catapult again, closed his hand around Tyrion's alabaster dragon, removed it from the board.

The rest was slaughter - A Dance with Dragons

 The witch only speaks in riddles, and her words always have two meanings. Thus,

The Ember is actually Rhaegar, dubbed "the last dragon," who commanded the army with red dragon banners.

Since lemons grow in Dorne and Lys, the Lemon refers to Young Griff, a Lyseni.

and prince Aegon (Jaqen), the legitimate ruler of the kingdom that will be reduced to ashes, is represented by His Grace the Lord of Corpses.

Three colors—red (dragon), white (Lys), and black (Stranger)—appear in all prophecies, including the Valonqar, and they hint at the Targaryen retaliation against the Lannisters, as Jaime's dream of Rhaegar describes.

From this vantage point, it could seem as though Rhaegar, Young Griff, and Aegon are the three heads of the dragon. However, I think the prophecy itself is a little more nuanced and has more to do with Arya and Aegon "bringing the balance to the force" than it does with the Azor Ahai prophecy specifically referring to the battle of King's Landing.

In summary, Young Griff is a young Lyseni kid who is unintentionally assuming the name of Aegon VI, the son of Rhaegar. He is a distant descendant of King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne.

 

“The Ember and the Lemon come to honor me again, and His Grace the Lord of Corpses.” - A Storm of Swords

 

The Origin of Young Griff: Born amidst whispers and speculation, Young Griff's true identity remains shrouded in mystery. Some claim him to be Aegon Targaryen, the long-lost son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell, thought to have perished during the Sack of King's Landing. Others dismiss him as an imposter, a mere pawn in a game of thrones played by ambitious schemers.

House of the Dragon: Against the backdrop of House of the Dragon, Young Griff's presence takes on added significance, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the complexities of Targaryen succession and the lingering shadows of the past. As the series delves into the tumultuous events of Targaryen history, the question of Young Griff's legitimacy looms large, casting a pall over the already fragile stability of the realm.

A Claim to the Iron Throne: If Young Griff's claims are to be believed, he represents a direct challenge to the established order of House Targaryen succession. With House of the Dragon poised to explore the dynamics of power and ambition within the Targaryen dynasty, Young Griff's claim adds a new layer of intrigue to an already volatile landscape.

Dragonlord Blood: Central to Young Griff's claim is his purported lineage, tracing his ancestry back to the dragonlords of Old Valyria. If he is indeed a Targaryen by blood, Young Griff embodies the legacy of House Targaryen – fire and blood, power and ambition – making him a potent symbol of resistance against the forces that seek to extinguish his family's flame.

The Dance of Deception: Yet, amidst the fervor of his supporters and the skepticism of his detractors, Young Griff's true motives remain veiled in uncertainty. Is he truly driven by a desire to reclaim his birthright, or is he merely a pawn in a larger game orchestrated by unseen hands? As House of the Dragon unfolds, the answers to these questions may hold the key to Young Griff's fate.

A New Dragonrider: In a world where dragons are the ultimate symbols of power, Young Griff's claim to the Iron Throne carries with it the potential to reshape the destiny of House Targaryen and the Seven Kingdoms. If he is able to command the loyalty of the dragons, Young Griff could emerge as a formidable contender in the struggle for the Iron Throne, ushering in a new era of Targaryen rule.

The Legacy of the Past: As House of the Dragon delves into the turbulent events of Targaryen history, the specter of Young Griff serves as a reminder of the lingering shadows of the past. Whether he is a true scion of House Targaryen or a cunning pretender, Young Griff embodies the enduring legacy of a dynasty that refuses to be forgotten.

Conclusion: As House of the Dragon prepares to take flight, the enigma of Young Griff stands as a testament to the enduring power of House Targaryen and the timeless allure of its legacy. Whether he is a savior or a schemer, a hero or a villain, Young Griff's presence ensures that the flames of Targaryen ambition will continue to burn bright in the hearts of those who dare to dream of dragons and destiny.