How Daemon Targaryen Became the Holder of Dark Sister

Daemon Targaryen, a key figure in the intricate history of the Targaryen family, came to wield one of the most iconic swords in Westerosi lore: Dark Sister. This article explores the lineage and the process by which Daemon obtained this formidable weapon, providing a detailed account that will help you understand the Targaryen family dynamics during the post-Conquest era.

The Sword of Visenya

Dark Sister, originally wielded by Visenya Targaryen, played a pivotal role during Aegon I Targaryen's conquest of Westeros. Visenya, one of Aegon's sisters, was a renowned warrior and an essential asset in the conquest, using Dark Sister to vanquish many of Aegon’s enemies.

From Visenya to Maegor

Upon Visenya's passing, the sword was passed to her son, Maegor Targaryen, who became the second Targaryen king. However, Maegor chose to wield Blackfyre, Aegon I’s sword, over the more traditional Dark Sister. Despite this, Dark Sister remained at Dragonstone, hanging on the wall, as an artifact of historical significance.

The Disappearance and Transfer of Ownership

The story of Dark Sister's subsequent transfer is complex and fraught with intrigue. Alyssa Velaryon, the widow of Maegor, is believed to have stolen the sword from Dragonstone when she left. She passed it on to her son, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, in recognition of his valiant efforts in the campaigns against Maegor, who sought to claim the throne.

Jaehaerys I, as a younger son, did not formally receive the sword, but he had it in his possession due to his mother's actions. When Jaehaerys I became king, he passed on the tradition, giving the sword to his own son, Baelon. Baelon, being the second son, was meant to wield the sword Dark Sister, not the primary weapon, Blackfyre.

From Baelon to Daemon

Baelon's passing posed a unique challenge for the Targaryen lineage as the presumed heir, Viserys I Targaryen, would have been the one to wield Blackfyre, while the younger son, Daemon, would have inherited Dark Sister. However, when Baelon inherited the sword, the situation changed.

Jaehaerys I, recognizing Daemon’s prowess in combat, decided to pass on the sword to the rogue prince. It is unclear whether this happened when Daemon was knighted at 16 or if it occurred later in his life. The passage of the sword to Daemon was not a matter of lineage but a recognition of his exceptional abilities in battle.

Sword Legacy and Final Holder

Daemon Targaryen, a figure of considerable intrigue and power, then held Dark Sister until his untimely death. His acquisition of the sword was no accident but a deliberate decision by his grandfather, Jaehaerys I, to acknowledge his exceptional skills as a warrior. In the subsequent generations, the sword's next known carrier was Aemon the Dragonknight, who, by his actions, fit the merit-based requirement over the traditional younger son rule.

The sword eventually disappeared with Aemon, a bastard younger son who was the last recorded holder of the blade before its loss, symbolizing the end of an era for the Targaryen family’s most cherished weapons.

Dark Sister and Daemon’s acquisition of it stand as a testament to the complex history of the Targaryen dynasty and the intricate power struggles that shaped Westeros in the post-Conquest era.