Introduction

In the intricate tapestry of George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, the complex relationships between characters come to life. Among the many characters, the Targaryen dragons hold a special place, especially as the descendants of the legendary Last Dragon. In the story, it is widely believed that Rhaegar Targaryen and Viserys Targaryen, dreaming of the golden dragons of old, had a special bond with their mother, Rhaella, who was not their true mother. This raises the question: do dragons, when in close proximity, feel a deeper emotional connection like love or is it merely a product of their bonds with their human 'mother'?

Passing through the narrative lens of A Song of Ice and Fire and the Game of Thrones series, we explore the complexities of these ancient creatures and their uncanny capacity to still inspire awe and speculative thoughts.

The Baseline: Dragons and Their Capacity for Emotion

Dragons are central figures in the world of Westeros. They are portrayed as sapient or even sentient creatures but the true extent of their emotional capacities remains uncharted territory. The series, through the eyes of characters who have interacted with dragons, hints at a certain degree of emotional depth. For example, King Aerys II Targaryen shows a connection with Balerion, his ancestor's dragon. However, the chapter that opens up the most intriguing avenues for speculation is the relationship between the Targaryen offspring and their dragons.

Rhaegar and Viserys, as the last Targaryen children of Rhaella, have a bond with their dragons that is deeply intertwined with their feelings for their mother. Rhaella, who was a canon character, was not their biological parent, but she was their true mother in the hearts of the Targaryens. Her connection with the dragons and her children was perhaps the closest known bond of any Targaryen to their dragons, creating a layered and overlapping complexity around their relationships.

Rhaegar's and Viserys's Dragons

Rhaegar Targaryen is seen to have an affinity with his dragon, Balerion. Through his anguish over his wife's death, his obsession with Lyanna Stark, and eventually his tragic end, Balerion stood by him faithfully. This bond has a basis not only in their dragon-human father-son relationship but also as an extension of his grief and longing that his dragon could understand. In Rhaegar's case, the dragon became a surrogate for his unfulfilled human relationships.

For Viserys Targaryen, his dragon, Viserion, stands as a constant reminder of his heritage and his quest to reclaim his throne. Viserys's bond with Viserion is deeper than the mere closeness of a child and an animal but is marred by the brutal reality of the Iron Throne's cruelty and the annexing of his family. The bond, while strong, carries a profound sense of loss and desperation. Within these relationships, there may be elements of love, companionship, loyalty, and even a kind of filial piety.

The Nature of Dragon Relationships

However, the true nature of dragon relationships, one to another, remains a topic of speculation for fans and literary analysis alike. Dragons, despite their sapient capabilities, are portrayed as creatures of the elemental and unyielding. They are often described in the series as more force, storm, and volcano than any emotional being. As such, the idea of one dragon loving another or even mourning another's death is a concept that stretches the boundaries of the narrative.

For instance, in the world of Westeros, mourning is something that is specifically associated with humans. Characters like Ned Stark and Jon Snow demonstrate sorrow and grief, assertions that dragons cannot make. The fact that dragons do not exhibit mourning behavior indicates that, rather than complex emotional states, they may process events in a fundamentally different way, oriented more towards primal instincts and survival.

Conclusion: The Unknowable Realm of Dragon Emotions

The question of whether dragons love one another or any other creature, including their human 'mothers,' remains a mystery. The emotional ties presented in the works of George R.R. Martin, while rich and layered, offer only partial glimpses into the inner lives of these majestic creatures. The absence of dragons mourning their kind is a particularly telling piece of information regarding their capacity for emotional complexity.

In the grand narrative of Westeros, the figures of Rhaegar, Viserys, and the mythical dragons they interact with contribute to a multifaceted portrait of the Targaryen family's tragedy and ultimate downfall. While we may never know the true nature of those dragon connections, the beauty of A Song of Ice and Fire lies in this very unknown - a testament to the endless possibilities of imagination and storytelling.