This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones.
The words, “Song of Ice and Fire” were etched into fantasy history more than a decade ago. They comprise the overarching name for George R.R. Martin’s sprawling and epic fantasy book series, which despite being published in 1996 exploded into mainstream popularity with a hit TV show adaptation in 2011.
While many are used to calling it Game of Thrones, the series has always been A Song of Ice and Fire.
If you’re familiar with the core story, you know that those words represent the ultimate Game of Thrones conflict between the “ice” of the White Walkers and the “fire” of man (more specifically, Targaryens and their dragons).
The newer HBO series, House of the Dragon, however, has turned the “Song” into a more literal, tangible part of the story. So, at this stage, nearing the end of HotD’s second season: What exactly is the “Song of Ice and Fire?” Here we explain the meaning behind this “prophecy”…
The Song Before ‘House of the Dragon’
As mentioned, the Song of Ice and Fire was first the title for the whole of George R.R. Martin’s series, including five novels (and hopefully seven). Beyond this, though, the “Song” is rarely mentioned in the books, nor in Game of Thrones.
The one exception is in the book series when Daenerys Targaryen has a vision in the House of the Undying, showing her deceased brother Rhaegar with a newborn baby, whom he names Aegon. Asked if there will be a song for the baby, Rhaegar replies, “He has a song. He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire.”
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This line appears to be little more than poetry, but in retrospect, and with House of the Dragon, it is possible that the line was always more than it seemed to be.
Because what we learn in HotD is that there is a literal “Song” (or at least a sort of legend or prophecy) passed down between Targaryen rulers.
King Viserys I’s Story
Early in the first season of HotD, King Viserys I unconventionally names his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir. And along with this designation, out of a sense of duty, he passes along a family story concerning their ancestor, Aegon I Targaryen, who famously conquered Westeros.
What Viserys reveals, though, is that the conquest was not just a matter of strength or ambition, but one of necessity. Aegon, who only lived because another Targaryen (Daenys) foresaw the Doom of Valyria, saw his own vision of the end of the world.
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This vision — of darkness blowing out of the North in a deadly winter to end the world of men — clearly coincides with the rise of the White Walkers in Game of Thrones. Aegon believed that unless a Targaryen sat the Iron Throne and united the realm against this threat, the world of men would fall.
Viserys explains that this story — which Aegon I himself called the “Song of Ice and Fire” — has been passed down between Targaryen rulers.
Alicent’s Misunderstanding
Later in the first season of HotD, when he is approaching death and not in his right mind, Viserys relays the Song, in bits and pieces, to his wife, Alicent Hightower. He says that he believes Aegon and that “the Prince” must unite the realm against the cold.
He urgently conveys that a Targaryen Prince (“the Prince that was Promised”) must take the throne. We, of course, know that Viserys is referring to Aegon I’s prophecy. He also assumes that he is speaking to Rhaenyra, rather than Alicent.
Unaware of the Song and confused by Viserys’ babblings, what Alicent hears is that Viserys believes that her son Aegon, a literal prince, must sit the Iron Throne. It is the defining moment of the Targaryen civil war to come, because it fuels Alicent’s genuine belief that Viserys, in the end, preferred Aegon II to Rhaenyra as his heir.
Rhaenyra’s Realization
Until a few episodes into HotD’s second season, we weren’t sure whether Alicent misunderstood Viserys or chose to misinterpret him. In a dramatic twist, though, we learn the truth when Rhaenyra sneaks into King’s Landing to speak with Alicent.
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Alicent uses language Rhaenyra recognizes from the prophecy her father shared with her. She realizes what has happened, and as she explains it to Alicent, it becomes clear that the latter did in fact misunderstand Viserys.
In what is one of the best scenes in House of the Dragon, they both realize that a few confusing words led them to the cusp of an unnecessary conflict that wouldn’t have existed if not for the misunderstanding. But the war is already in motion.
How the Song Changes ‘House of the Dragon’
We already knew the Targaryen family were ancient and powerful, viewed at times in Westerosi history as the equivalents of gods. We didn’t know, that they were prophesized to protect the realm of men from the White Walkers.
This ties HotD directly to the Game of Thrones story we’ve already seen and/or read. It’s a fascinating storytelling decision, considering it’s not based on the text of Fire and Blood, upon which the events of HotD are based.
Beyond storytelling impact, though, the “Song” also starts the war. Were it not for the Song, Viserys would not have confused Alicent, and Rhaenyra’s succession would not have been up for debate.
How the Song Changes ‘Game of Thrones’
When we were reading Martin’s novels (so far) or watching Game of Thrones, we didn’t know about the Song as a Targaryen prophecy.
But now, the literal Song of Ice and Fire raises so many questions and theories about the GoT series. Was the prophecy lost somewhere along the way? Did Prince Viserys relay it to Daenerys off-screen? Seems unlikely.
If the prophecy didn’t reach Daenerys (as most will agree it hadn’t), is it possible Dany was a “Dreamer,” like her descendants, and “sensed” that she had to rule Westeros? If not, was the whole conflict preordained? Did it matter if a Targaryen knew the Song, or was one bound to unite the realm either way?
These are questions we can’t definitively answer. What’s clear, though, is that The Song of Ice and Fire has added fascinating new dimensions to GoT and HotD fiction.
Time may tell what weight the Song carries as Targaryen history continues to unfold before us. Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments below!
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