The Tragedy of Aerea Targaryen: The Fire Wyrms and Balerion's Wrath

[@draw4kicks]

I think the fact Targaryen’s sometimes give birth to stillborn children with wings/ scales basically confirms they’re some sort of human/ dragon chimera. “Blood of the dragon” is probably more literal then even they realise.

[@RedWinter21]

Yep, they're mutants. The whole dark rumours in Asshai of combining slave women and beasts etc allude to that.

[@Kate-fj3me]

@@RedWinter21where did you hear the slave thing? That’s new to me

[@ulvetid.01]

I'd be disappointed if that were the case. It would be even more plagiarism from Michael Moorcock. Literally the basis for Elric and his people.

[@DarkLordFromTheSecondAge]

​@@RedWinter21Did they also do that in Asshai? I thought it was only in the Valyrian penal colonies in the Basilisk isles

[@GullibleTarget]

​@@ulvetid.01GRR Martin gets inspiration from other writers

[@rivergewehr4817]

Opening KZbin to see a new IDG video is always a win

[@alw87642]

One time I was giving my son a bottle in his room…. My husband heard me listening to IDG on the monitor and screamed out “YOU F**KING NERD” because it was the video about the history of all the dragons in ASOIAF. It was hilarious

[@BlueSunYoutube]

@@alw87642 Hahahaha, I love it ❤ I get called a nerd all the time too for this from my gf, but its what I like and constantly great videos.

[@cherylbaxter8986]

​@@alw87642is he not a fan of ASOIAF I luv listening to them with my headphones on

[@whittenaw]

Especially if it's about the got universe

[@kevinbernhardt3909]

Yeah it's such a dopamine hit for me

[@davinhunt7558]

The image of Aereas death in the book and the mystery of the human appendaged worms crawling in her skin in roasting her alive from the inside never quite left my mind.

[@josephbulkin9222]

"Snakes with hands... worms with faces... I will not give them names, they were horrors."

[@Matt-xc6sp]

If I had to pick a favorite story, plot line, or detail from the whole series, this would probably be it.

[@PiscatorLager]

I want 1990s Peter Jackson to make a short film about this.

[@cherylbaxter8986]

​@@PiscatorLagerhe did a great job with the LOTRS movie's maybe he'd be better than HBO

[@robbie42944]

This is one of my favorite mysteries!

[@migarsormrapophis2755]

Always sounded like super-cancer to me.

[@yggdrasil2]

I love the idea that fire wyrms have to incubate their eggs inside of humans. I mean it's horrifying, but I love it.

[@rodrigobueno8652]

Yeah, thre is a theory that dragons are chimera of fire wyrms,wyers and maybe something more, an anothar that valeryians are chimeras too

[@yggdrasil2]

@@rodrigobueno8652 There is that odd song Daemon sings in episode 1.10 that's made people wonder if the missing third ingredient to dragons are people.

[@rodrigobueno8652]

@@yggdrasil2 true

[@meabhmurphy9090]

They probably don't have to, there aren't enough humans in Valyria. I imagine it's a case of them preferring a different host. This would explain why humans die, we're not the intended host in a similar way to how some of the deadliest diseases to us are ones adapted for other creatures

[@kitkat6959]

This is one of those things that's best left as a mystery, like the deep things Gandalf talks about in LotR

[@Jasel71]

Those first explorers back to Valeria probably would've died from gas in the air, lack of oxygen, radiation, or a mix of all of them. This is such an amazing job by G.R.R.M. here. You wrote this little short story inside of an existing story and people have just gone nuts about it. Everyone has htheir own opinions and ideas and they all think they're right. Besides even if he answered all the questions regarding this story and all the ins and outs, some people would still find exception and to poke holes in it. What's great about this stuff is it's all a choose your own fantasy type story. Start with what he wrote then close your eyes and just imagine what you think happened. As simple or grand as you like. Best part is,... we're all wrong,... and right!!!

[@tedmosby5808]

I also heard the theory that these same parasites lived on in balerion, making him weaker and not able to recover from his wounds. Being hotter from the inside and a lot more heat resistant than a Targaryen, these worms had a much better environment in the dragons body. And then naturally as any parasite, they died with the host

[@fjalar4856]

I agree, this is highly plausible, logic. I'm surprised that Robert didn't said it but at the same time believe he did it on purpose so we discuss it hear instead.

[@fourth-dimensionalbeing9737]

lol I've met some balerion fans who couldn't stand their favorite died from a wound by other creature. They insisted he died of old age, I mean yes that too but he also got a scar that didn't really heal that definitely worsen his condition as he aged.

[@BrainyBlonde21]

⁠​⁠yeah, I definitely assumed it was a combination. Like, yes he was old and not going to live forever but a wound like that could certainly speed things up. Like a healthy senior dog or human that falls and breaks a leg. The broken bone isn’t necessarily what kills them but odds are it will shorten their lifespan due to pain and the struggle to heal at an advanced age.

[@RandyDanger]

I bet she climbed on Balerion, and communicated that she wanted to "go home." Well, Balerion did go home.

[@marceloz923]

probably didn't also know where home was navigationaly

[@theunconventionalenglishman]

Having just re-read Fire and Blood, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’ve made a video on this 😊

[@fatfrumos1163]

Best narator. My sleep is forever grateful!

[@HelciusCabral]

this whole "slaves/experiments" being forgotten after a catastrophe and having lasting consequences reminds me a lot of the Harangan slave races from GRRM's old scifi stories, so interesting

[@AJ-dt3pz]

Most fans speculate that Dany secretly wanted Drogon to take her away from Merreen. She keeps trying to convince herself that what she's doing, staying there, is what she should be doing. Drogon sensed the truth: it was time for her to leave.

[@tsioulak]

Or Dragon finally heard all of us yelling for Deanerys to leave Mereen.

[@PositiveOnly-dm3rx]

Along those same lines, aerya wanted adventure. And she got it. More than she bargained for.

[@PositiveOnly-dm3rx]

​@tsioulak hahaha, soooo funny.... such a great joke.... I'm not being sarcastic at all. Really. I'm not. Nope. No way. You definately should have written that. Such a valuable addition to op's comment. 😐

[@MooseCastle]

​@@PositiveOnly-dm3rxBit of an ironic name for someone leaving such cunty, passive aggressive comments. Don't you think?

[@hxcnoel]

I think this little vignette was a powerful reminder that the world is mysterious. The maesters like to pretend that they have everything figured out, but similar to scientists in our world, they don't actually know much in the grand scheme of things. I think of how the oceans are mostly unsearched, and how there are probably billions of strains of bacteria that scientists don't know about. There are strange things lurking in dark corners, and in a fantasy world and IRL, it's fun and necessary to be reminded of that.

[@Ray_D_Tutto]

Absolutely. I like that not everthing is explained. George writes the magic system the way medieval people saw the world.

[@avonbarksdale2506]

Hearing about this story is what made me buy all the other books like World of Ice and Fire. There are so many crazy stories and unexplored lands in Planetos and this story is so incredibly bizarre, i want to know more

[@enlighten92]

Septon Barth's account of Aerea is one of the best written sections in the book

[@CaptainClark23]

The idea that dragons themselves were a blood magic induced genetic splicing of wyverns and fire worms is one worth investigating. George even asserted this year in a July blog post that much of Septon Barth’s Unnatural History, the in-universe book in which the above hypothesis is featured, is largely factual. If this entry in the book was accurate, it could potentially explain any number of the following and more: -The increased potency of the fire produced by dragon breath. -After a time, each generation of dragons becoming smaller (theorised by some due to their captivity, but could arguably be considered to be a blood magic half life.) -The supposed bond between Targaryen lineage and the dragons themselves. -The reason Targaryen families maintained concentrated genetics through incest.

[@tsioulak]

The whole "dragons were getting smaller" might be a westerosi misconception, up to the dance all of the dragons had regular sizes for their age, it's just that a lot of the younger dragons were just that, younger.

[@mr.snulch]

This was by far my favorite part of fire and blood. While I have no doubt that they went to Valyria, I think the scarier thought is that they were gone for an entire year. How did they pass the days and survive all that time? Were they just living off the land, or was Aerea taken by some sorcerer and experimented on in some way until she finally escaped with Balerion? What were they doing in a smoking wasteland for an entire year? If it was so dangerous, why would they not leave sooner?

[@marceloz923]

is Valeria more survival than we know, a whole yr away, did Balerion only return because Aerea was in trouble?

[@Magmafrost13]

I'm gonna put a very different theory out there: Balerion injured himself, trying to remove the same parasites that infected Aerea. The heat generated by the parasites killed a person, but it wouldn't kill a dragon. At least.... not quickly. I would also suggest that Balerion didn't in fact die of old age, he died of a parasite infection

[@Lindsaymtg]

Loved this video!!! This plot in fire and blood was the most fascinating part and it was my favorite!! Thanks for discussing it ✨🔥

[@aimingforstars1125]

I think this is my favourite telling of this story. One of the most interesting tidbits of asoiaf, quite the debated mystery.

[@AJDraws]

I think all these horror stories of giant drakes, ice spiders, fire wyrms and ice dragons, and locations such as Ashai, Sothoreos, K'dath and the Five Forts are all inklings buildling up to horrors we might see in the Long Nigh. I don't think the Long Night is just this time where only the Nights King and white walkers are marching down. It's more likely a massive cataclysm of magic and monsters, which may be why magic returned upon Dany using blood magic and magic users are growing in power. It's the rising tide before the flood. Like the Conjunction of the Spheres from The Witcher. Perhaps whatever causes The Long Night has a cycle and when it starts waking up, magic comes with it.

[@Miss_Distress]

This is always such a fascinating story. Love these mysterious snippets of history we get, it’s probably my favourite aspect of the series.

[@anton2192]

Little Princess Aerea's and Big Dragon Balerion's travels could make for a fun stories. Since they were missing for more than a year, they could have gone to all sorts of places and had misadventures before traveling to Valyria for a nightmarish and horrible end.

[@madheadlesschicken2066]

Thank you Robert, blissful sleep awaits me

[@jeffcordova9633]

Lord Robert it is always good to have a new video from you & especially when it’s from the Long Reign Of the Old King

[@SportyMabamba]

This video was perfectly timed to catch me this evening. It also combines my fave Lore Channel with one of the most intriguing tidbits from ASOIAF. Instant watch ❤

[@lucyfaire1980]

I don't think that 'something' entered Aerea's blood. It was always there. It's in every Targaryen's blood. That is why they sometimes give birth to "dragon babies". But when entering Valyria and its uncontrolled magics(the Magisters held that magic in check, until the Doom) the blood "mutated" even more. It is highly hinted in the books that Targaryen/Valyrian people are literally the blood of the dragon.

[@SpectreOfChar]

Jumps on biggest dragons back* "HOME!" 😮

[@LemonFlump]

I personally subscribe to the idea that Balerion didn't in fact die from natural causes/old age, he may have been infected with the same type of worms that infested Aerea. They naturally parasitize dragons but had gotten into her as well somehow.

[@irontuzi3453]

Which casts doubt on the idea that the large open would was a recent development. Perhaps Balerion acquired the wound much earlier in the trip, and it wouldn't heal properly, because something inside the wound wouldn't let it do so.

[@chrysippus4321]

The valyrians dug too deep and too greedily in their quest for precious metals. They woke a nameless horror that had long slumbered in the darkness. I imaginatively call it “Valyria’s Bane”

[@carlosrobles4091]

my favorite mystery in the asoif :))) thank you for revisting this!! I pray the answer to this is answered in one of the new hbo series that are coming up. Or hopefully even better it is revealed in the book per a flashback or maybe the story will bring us back to old valyria.

[@alexcoleman2735]

I agree: it started like a horror novel and it’ll mostly end like one-saved by spring

[@pr0xZen]

Interesting thought: What if the 9ft wound is not from something _attacking_ Balerion *externally,* but a similar/ related parasite _bursting *out from within*...?_ - Or in part or wholly self inflicted; Balerion tearing at their own flesh because of such a horrible, agonizing "thing" inside themselves.

[@BeteBlanc]

I won't pretend to have a solid theory for why. However, have you ever considered what it could mean to the story if Aurion's army didn't actually go to Valyria? What if he lied? What if the bones in the Red Waste were his dragon's and one of those cities was where his army was actually destroyed?

[@classreductionist]

Theory: Dragons themselves are Chimaeras created by the ancient Valerians and humans are part of them.

[@WarrenEBB]

feel like it's implied Balerion went home and ran afoul of something like a Balrog in the depths. The way worms laying eggs inside is mentioned in Sothoryos, and worms mentioned again in Valeryia's hot depths- and that the evil worms ultimately died went exposed to cold - maybe implies that they first went to sothoryos, she got infected with worm eggs, and he instinctively took her home to use the fire to keep the worms in check - but then something messed him up, so they fled and he took her back to westeros. Also guessing we never heard what the maesters did with the dead worms. ? Which is a silence that is also interesting in a way. Wonder if it might add up that the maester's campaign to destroy all dragons started after this event...

[@TanisMercer]

Your post (and @indeepgeek 's video) just got me thinking about how season cycles work in temperate climates as a way to keep certain pest populations in check... example, some insects, lets say the pine borer, lay eggs in the bark of trees and hatch in their larval state and consume the living parts of the tree leading to damage and the eventual death of the tree. Due to changing climate conditions winters are now no longer as cold or as cold for as long and as such, less and less of the larva are being destroyed leading the a surge in the borer population and the affliction and death of large swaths of pine trees. What if its something like that? The winters of Westeros/Essos (which may be why Sothoryos is full of deadly things) are becoming less and less as long and harsh allowing for pestilence of warm bodied things to thrive... I always thought the idea of a large cyclical season spanning years was very interesting. it's just an idea tho, nothing concrete.

[@LetsTalkHerps]

Would make a good movie

[@ismailjankara6330]

I would also like to think that at some point in Valyria, Balerion encountered Aurion's dragon as well as Fireworyms.

[@SonRagnar]

This is my favorite mystery of the F&B universe 😅

[@jcwoodman5285]

Dany REALLY will want a dragon saddle!

[@katelynlawrence9034]

So happy you covered this story. Thank you 😊

[@brianrunyon266]

One of my favorite segments of Fire and Blood, and, I to subscribe to the theory that the dragon had the same parasites inside him as well. It also brings to mind the scene in Alien where they're at dinner, and a character has one creature burst out of him.

[@Jimmydreadful]

Great topic, looking foward to this one.

[@freckles0829]

This is the perfect topic!! 🔥👑🩸

[@tomhindle2962]

I love this sort of thing, thank you. Any chance of a video exploring what might have happened long ago at Hardhome? From what little I've read/heard already, it seems as if there could be some really interesting hidden lore there.

[@steveberry4583]

Thank you, Robert!

[@aspirantartist5366]

Thanks for covering this far too fascinating topic.

[@Pedun42]

Your closing remarks this time was even more exceptional than usual, Robert

[@victorzarenin9286]

Every time I see one of these videos, it reminds me more and more how much it sucks that we will never, ever, ever get to see the end of this series. If only GRRM had half the humility of Robert Jordan (and, frankly, respect for his fans).

[@GreyWasteTim]

George went full Lovecraft with that story. He should do that more often. Especially if it turns out Euron is telling the truth about going to Old Valyria.

[@itaya8]

I'll never forget the feeling of reading through this for the first time.

[@chojinnppp]

Great topic.

[@michcio3]

since I heard this story for the first time It's no doubt most horrifying and mysterious thing I've ever heard. My imagination and theoretical possibilities goes to highest level on this one!

[@shadow6024]

Just reread this section of F&B. Perfect timing

[@dww6]

I love the Idea that amon is being controlled by vhagar in a codependent relationship with the physic connection between the two being what drives him and gives vhagar the opportunity to gain power.

[@forwardtranslator6083]

One year away? She must have eaten some firewyrm eggs in some makeshift nearby Balerion, which I’d imagine is the Targaryen’s former castle in Valyria. That, and water, and she was done. Balerion’s injuries are more interesting. Perhaps it wasn’t some fantastical creature capable of hurting it, but perhaps survivors who knew all about dragons, probably knew bigger dragons that Balerion from their time living in old Valyria

[@Jackdaw_monedula]

Amazing story to talk about! I always think about it! BTW, I believe the queen who visited her was Alysanne, not Alicent. Thanks!

[@juliveg]

More than anything else, I’d love to see balerion one day in his cgi majesty.

[@nl-oc9ew]

I think that foremost this was GrRM indulging innhis predilection for horror. I love exploring elements of a universe like this.

[@Dezzerray]

I like discussing this particular topic as there is a very interesting theory related to it. The theory states that Balerion was forever changed after this event occurred, changed in the sense that he was FULL of those same parasitic worms that were in Aerea. It makes sense as he had open wounds for them crawl in him with AND he was the only dragon that we saw die "naturally". Parasites never wanna kill their host as their bodies are their homes, but the way Big B was old and weak in his "old age" makes it seem that the worms had just eaten him from the inside and were done with him at that point in time.

[@Kidd-In-Charge]

I was really hoping you would dig into the death of Balerion. My favorite controversial theory is that he too was infected by the fire worms in Valyria, and since he has boiling hot dragon blood and is extremely large he was able to live with the parasites for decades, becoming more sluggish and ragged by the year. The idea that Balerion died of an infection is important because it opens the idea that his age at death isn’t the “natural life expectancy” of dragons. Cannibal and Sheepstealer could still be alive and well if we allow that Balerion had a cause of death that wasn’t old age.

[@xx_toasterreturns_xx1166]

I'm not an expert or anything on this, but is it possible that Rhaena had dragon dreams about the fate of her loved ones, contributing to her mental decline and fueling her possessive behavior?

[@AndrewK23777]

Great vid as always Robert / IDG. Completely agree with the points made in this vid. For me it also by far makes the most sense Balerion took Aerea off to Valyria ; even more so as GRRM has recently made it explicitly clear dragons do not randomly fly off to places. So Balerion having been born in Valyria and basically out of sight for that whole time ; Valyria makes the most sense. Sothoryos has some big epic creatures and parasitic worms but just wouldn't see the motivation or reason to go there ; especially from Balerion who was clearly the one in charge. So in Valyria to me it always pointed to a firewyrm as to what injured Balerion and infected Aerea. Firewyrms seemingly kept to the fiery depths of Valyria in the Fourteen Flames , so not only beneath and shielded from the Doom ; such an event wouldn't have likely affected them anyway. And with dragons out of the way firewyrms would have grown massive and unchecked with their biggest predatory competition gone. There's also some interesting word play about the sizes of young firewyrms and the worms in Aerea ; its said young firewyrms are no bigger than a child's arm and according to Barth one of the worms coming out of Aerea is said to be the size of a man's arm. Also said to be "creatures of heat and fire" , that lines of up with firewyrms as well. To me firewyrms definitely make the most sense. A creature that would have been unchecked (after the Doom) and large enough to injure Balerion and the parasitic worm (likely due to Valyrian experimentation) aspect infecting Aerea. Ntm the Aerea account and word play all line up to firewyrms as well. Certainly an event showcasing GRRM's inclusion of horror in this universe ; which as the vid suggests we will likely see more and bigger examples of which in the remaining ASoIaF series.

[@mcstotti8691]

A whole year is a whole lot of time. Know that i think of this for like the fift time a possibility could be a mix. A child survived the journey for a year. Might it be a mix. Of old valyria and sothoryos? Probably plenty of parasites in sothoryos that could explain Aereas plight. But balerions cut doesnt need to be from a biological threat. We have plenty volcanos in old valyria that could spit out sharp rocks at a speed that could even hurt an old dragon like balerion. A sharp heavy rock thrown out by a volcano can have more force within it than a man made scorpion ballista could ever wish.

[@aegorbittersteel2154]

The scariest magical little parasites

[@user-bj4ev1tx3c]

Looks like I've found my mother's KZbin account 😂😢

[@aegorbittersteel2154]

@@user-bj4ev1tx3c she sounds pretty cool😄

[@sharonbeautyforgooddotnet]

The Tolkien parallels were striking.

[@SamButler22]

I know it's been established since World, but I still find it hard to believe the Doom was only about 100 years before the conquest. In my mind it was always comparable to the fall of Rome to the Norman conquest, or even more since everything is bigger in ASOIAF

[@TheDarkElder]

Another good riddle GRRM left for us to ponder on.

[@Artemis-jr3pz]

I can picture a very old, confused Balerion flying off to his childhood home, only to realize it's nothing like he remembered

[@flintcake]

Do hardhome's fire destruction next

[@Glimbofan]

@michaeltalksaboutstuff has a very interesting video about this as well. Great work IDG!!

[@may-sunproductions6583]

What happened to the video about the Dornish letter to Aegon? I miss that one. Anyway, great video as always Robert. Thank you!

[@robertsmiley2207]

Those fire 🔥 worms are highly misunderstood creatures 😎🐉⚔️

[@christopheroleary1452]

This story makes me think the doom of Valyria was like the black goo outbreak that killed the engineers in Prometheus. A bioweapon that got out of control and destroyed their civilisation.

[@CicadasEverywhere]

You should do a collaboration with Glidus and Alt Shift X. Would love to hear on one of their livestream, letting loose a little bit. They go into deep theories like you, in a different manner of course. Would be an amazing video if it happens.

[@hardwing]

Amazing analysis! Could easily be have been created to trick us, too. What is the proof that it all happened in Valeria? Or at one place? Valerian might have been hurt at two different places, by two different creatures, with the princess having been infected at even another place ... But yes, all signs point at Valeria.

[@chukwudisimere8463]

@indeepgeek please do a video on Ancalagon the black

[@shabarithelink]

I'm on the theory that they went to Sothoyros as well

[@jlworrad]

If we want to know more we’re pretty much at the mercy of Euron Greyjoy in WOW and whatever he happens to mention about his visit there

[@elizawayne]

I’ve always thought it was quite clear that balerion and the girl formed the bond and even though she couldn’t control him fully, they had the mental link so he followed her wish of going HOME (the reason she got him on the first place, going back to kings landing where she was happy) but went to his idea of home, not hers.

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

This is my favourite reminder that GRRM is also an amazing horror writer. Edit: Dammit, John just close with that thought! Great minds think alike?

[@RedWinter21]

Targs or dragonlords are somewhat mutants, the whole blood magic with regards to taming/creating dragons. The somewhat typical giving birth to lizard babies. The whole dark rumours in Asshai of combining slave women and beasts etc allude to that.

[@RīcoDan90]

Still here. Still watching IDG channel

[@apacalypsagon3758]

Well George's previous work involves a lot things that are wormy. Literal or figuratively. I'd day this is dipping back into an old well of ideas from his old horror stories.

[@marting1984]

I've always wondered where they got/kept the ice. Is it just me?

[@highlandoutsider]

Ice houses were a pretty common thing up until the advent of home refrigerators, they'd have ice brought down from the North or possibly Ibben, plus with a bit of clever architecture/engineering its possible to make ice from condensation in desert environments, which is kinda wild

[@marting1984]

@@highlandoutsider that is amazing. I'm going to look this up. Thanks!

[@jonaski08]

Balerion: "Bruh fck this shit. I'm out!"

[@austinhollandTV]

LETS GO

[@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886]

No unfinished Fantasy series has ever created so much fan content as ASOIAF.

[@JayBigDadyCy]

This was one of my favorite parts in the book. Felt like i just wanted to dice gead first into the mystery of wtf happened with her and what they saw etc... GRRM creates this stiff from time to time. I almost wish he'd write a novella covering this story specifically.

[@ternura727]

oh hell yeah.

[@mriboxingandart]

Got aka Lotr the Martin cut 😂

[@CallMeKes]

What's going on? You already did this!

[@pathutchison7688]

Fun fact: the eggs Alyssa Farman stole are almost certainly the ones given to Daenerys as a wedding gift.

[@sanjaygray2413]

How did they get ice?

[@inquisitorgarza312]

There are monsters that asoiaf world has and there is no doubt that there are creatures out in Old Valyria that can and will kill Dragons, and they probably became something far more horrific when the Fourteen Flames exploded.

[@irontuzi3453]

10:38 Survived? Could they have caused the doom? They, or something greater?

[@jmbrissett5545]

I think the worms are already there in Valerians and is part of the magic that makes dragon riders and makes their hair white and eyes purple. It's also why they need to intermarry. The kind of incest the practice should produce severe birth defects, yet Targarens are unusually healthy.

[@neyragrat]

I disagree with the assessment that Balerion is the one who took Aerea to Valyria, and the general notion that Targaryens/Dragonlords don't really have control of their dragons. They do, or else we'd have heard of a lot more accidents during their history or during Valyrian history There's no other Targaryen who did lost control of their dragon, since Aegon the Conqueror down to Rhaena of Pentos (the rider of Morning) Very young Targaryens could also claim very large dragons successfully. Aemond claimed Vhagar at 10 and used her quite effectively in the war, killing 3 dragons: Meleys, Arrax and Caraxes, and at that time, Vhagar was said to be nearing the size of Balerion. And remember, during that claiming, he was assaulted by Lucerys, Joffrey and Jacaerys, and Vhagar screamed in pain as his eye was carved out. this is very important. Vhagar only screamed, he did not burn jace, luke and joff, he only screamed. That meant that Aemond already had enough of a bond with Vhagar for her to scream as she felt his pain, moments after being claimed, but did not become so angry as to burn the ones who caused her rider's pain in rage. This is a remarkable amount of control. As stated, Aerea was an adventurous girl, who wanted to see the wonders of the world, even more so after Elissa Farman, the person she looked up to, left for said adventures. Aerea begged for Elissa to take her but Elissa refused. Aerea's mother was Rhaena, who had been bonded with Dreamfyre since she was 9, and had been a dragonrider for 19 years. The same Rhaena Targaryen who invented the custom of placing dragon eggs in the cradles of Targaryen children, beginning with Jaehaerys. If there's someone who knew dragonlore intimately at the time, it was Rhaena. And she deemed it safe enough for Aerea to hang out with the dragons. In the books, they are described to be her only friends. Would it be far fetched for her to claim the largest living creature in the world and go on her own daring adventures, to see the world? I think not. Remember there were sightings of burned countryside all over Essos for those two years. In these adventures, Aerea, a previously discontented young girl who chafed under the authority of her mother, is now feeling untouchable. There's no one there to tell her what to do, no one can defy her with Balerion on her side. She's having adventures of a lifetime. Why not go on a daring adventure to explore Valyrian ruins? She's naive, and perceiving no danger to herself due to her having the Black Dread by her side. So she commands Balerion to go into Valyria, they fight, Aerea gets infected by worms, and at the first sign that she's not feeling well, she climbs on Balerion and commands him to return to the Red Keep. This is also quite important. The Red Keep, not Dragonstone, where the mother she resents is, and where Baler ion's other nest is. If it was Balerion in control this whole time, chances are, they would have never left Valyria in the first place. We are told that dragons are creatures who run towards danger instead of away from it. Balerion would have given himself the mission to hunt down all those wyrm creatures and kill them all. A dragon's first instinct is to attack, never to flee. Secondly, if Aerea got enough control for a moment and commanded Balerion to get out of there, Balerion would have gone to Dragonstone, the new nest he had made for himself over the past 166 years, not King's Landing, the new city Aegon the Conqueror spent a small chunk of his time in. Third thing, you have to remember that it was Septon Barth who wrote the hypothesis that Balerion took Aerea to Valyria. This was a Septon Barth who had not begun his research into dragons. He had not yet published his accounts in Unnatural HIstory, making him very much a novice in to dragon lore. It's only after this event that he begins his research; in fact, this event is what motivates him to begin his research into dragon biology. And, he wrote this account in his personal journals before that, and Fire and Blood tells us explicitly that Septon Barth never returned to this account of Aerea ever again; meaning that after he became an expert in dragon lore, he never came back to this journal to amend his accounts based on what he'd learned. This means that his word should be taken with a huge grain of salt, since he was a novice on matters with dragons. So yeah, that's my theory. Dragonlords having control over dragons is very much a fact, and Aerea is a daring adventurer who goes where non should have gone, not a scared little girl with no agency.

[@8Hshan]

What happened with the old ASOIAF videos, and will they ever come back in some form? I'm specifically interested in the one about the Dornish letter to Aegon the Conqueror.