Baelon

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Baelon Targaryen (贝尔隆)
Alias(es)	Prince of Dragonstone; Hand of the King; “the Brave”; Prince of Spring 4
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	House Targaryen; the Iron Throne
Occupation/Role	Prince of Dragonstone, Hand of the King, dragonrider, military commander
First Appearance	2

Background / History

Baelon is King Jaehaerys I and Queen Alysanne’s eldest son, Prince of Dragonstone, and heir to the realm. He has three sons—Viserys, Daemon Targaryen, and eventually Daemon Blackfyre, whom he accepts as his “youngest son.” 28

His elder brother, Prince Aemon, was killed by Myrish assassins. Baelon’s grief and vengeance over Aemon’s death remain defining wounds, and Daemon Blackfyre’s apparent descent from Aemon forces him to confront that loss repeatedly. 5 10 28

Baelon’s wife Alyssa died thirteen years before the events of the story. He remains wholly devoted to her memory, refusing his parents’ attempts to arrange a second marriage. 28

By the time Daemon Blackfyre reaches Dragonstone, Baelon suffers recurring coughing fits and pain beneath his ribs, yet continues to lead in war and state affairs. 2 5 11

Appearance

Baelon is a tall, straight-backed man in his prime, with the controlled bearing expected of the Prince of Dragonstone. Though visibly worn by responsibility and recurring pain, he retains a commanding and martial presence. 4

• Immaculate silver hair and deep violet eyes. 4
• Neatly trimmed short whiskers. 4
• Often wears dark-purple velvet embroidered with a gold three-headed dragon. 4
• Carries a subtle but persistent weariness and gloom, especially when his old injury flares. 4 5

Personality

Baelon is disciplined, decisive, and deeply conscious of duty. Even while in pain, he maintains the authority of both the Hand of the King and the heir to the Iron Throne. He can be severe when faced with threats to his family or the realm, but his decisions are not needlessly cruel. 4 5 10

He is initially wary of Daemon Blackfyre’s origins and the danger his existence could pose to the succession. However, Baelon ultimately gives weight to Glutton’s choice of rider and to the boy’s conduct in battle, gradually replacing suspicion with paternal affection and approval. 10 11 28

Baelon is intensely loyal to his family. His love for Alyssa remains undiminished, his memories of Aemon shape his treatment of Daemon Blackfyre, and he continues to defend even the reckless Daemon Targaryen despite disciplining him harshly. 28 29

Abilities & Skills

Dragonriding

Baelon is the rider of Vhagar, one of the largest and oldest living dragons. He remains an effective dragonrider despite his worsening physical condition. 11

• Leads Vhagar alongside Caraxes and Glutton in the destruction of the Kingdom of the Three Daughters’ fleet. 11
• Participates in the dragon assault against the Stone Crows in the Mountains of the Moon. 24
• Coordinates naturally with Daemon Blackfyre and Glutton in aerial combat. 28
• Previously used Vhagar in the Dornish naval war of 83 AC. 11

Military Command

Baelon is a veteran commander who treats dragons as instruments of war rather than ceremonial symbols.

• Directs the three-dragon attack on the Triarchy fleet in the Stepstones. 11
• Joins Jaehaerys’s punitive expedition against the Stone Crows despite concerns over his health. 22 24
• Recognizes Daemon Blackfyre’s controlled, strategic riding style and compares it favorably to Aemon’s. 11
• Orders reliable dragonkeepers and knights to secure Dragonstone and the Dragonpit against unauthorized dragon access. 34

Political Judgment

Baelon balances the dangers posed by Daemon Blackfyre’s unknown past against the political and practical reality that Glutton has chosen him.

• Rejects Corlys Velaryon’s demand to remove Daemon Blackfyre immediately from Dragonstone. 10
• Gives him the identity of Daemon Waters, records him as Prince Aemon’s surviving child, and places him under Daemon Targaryen’s watch. 10
• Defers the question of formal legitimization to King Jaehaerys. 10
• Recognizes the political sensitivity of dragonseeds and supports stricter security around dragons. 34

Equipment / Mounts

• Vhagar — Baelon’s ancient blue-green dragon and principal mount in battle. 11 24
• Personal guard — Elite guards in black cloaks embroidered with red dragons protect his quarters on Dragonstone. 4

Relationships

• Jaehaerys I Targaryen — Father and king. Baelon serves as Jaehaerys’s Hand and heir, while also receiving his father’s trust in major military and family matters. 4 22 28
• Queen Alysanne Targaryen — Mother. She urges him to remarry after Alyssa’s death, but ultimately accepts his refusal. 28
• Alyssa Targaryen — Late wife. Baelon considers his heart buried with her and refuses to seek another marriage. 28
• Prince Aemon Targaryen — Late elder brother. Aemon’s death in Myr and Daemon Blackfyre’s presumed connection to him remain central to Baelon’s grief and decisions. 5 10 28
• Rhaenys Targaryen — Niece. She challenges Baelon to recognize Daemon Blackfyre as Aemon’s blood, creating an initially tense but ultimately productive conflict. 4 5 10
• Corlys Velaryon — Nephew by marriage and political counterpart. Corlys seeks Daemon Blackfyre’s removal over succession concerns; Baelon overrules him. 6 10
• Viserys Targaryen — Eldest son. Baelon counts Viserys among his exceptional sons and relies on him as part of the royal family’s future. 28
• Daemon Targaryen — Son and rider of Caraxes. Baelon approves his bond with Caraxes, trains and disciplines him, and remains concerned for him despite his recklessness. 9 29
• Daemon Blackfyre Targaryen — Initially treated as the possible bastard son of Aemon; later accepted by Baelon as both family and his “youngest son.” 10 12 28
• Princess Gael Targaryen — Younger sister. Baelon is shocked and distressed when she flies after Daemon Blackfyre on Dreamfyre. 34

Story Role / Major Arcs

Dragonstone and Daemon Blackfyre’s Arrival

Rhaenys brings Daemon Blackfyre before Baelon after Meleys accepts the mysterious boy. Baelon scrutinizes the youth’s silver hair, violet eyes, ancient Valyrian speech, and black three-headed dragon mark, but initially refuses to reach a simple conclusion about his identity. 4 5

After Glutton responds violently to Daemon Blackfyre’s presence, Baelon permits Corlys to have the boy confined near the Dragonpit. When Glutton later accepts Daemon as rider, Baelon reverses course and allows him to remain at Dragonstone as Daemon Waters. 6 8 10

Stepstones Campaign

Baelon leads Vhagar, Caraxes, and Glutton against the Kingdom of the Three Daughters’ fleet. The operation annihilates most of the enemy force, and Baelon witnesses Daemon Blackfyre’s ability as a dragonrider firsthand. 11

Following the victory, Baelon increases Daemon Blackfyre’s share of the spoils and refers to him as “Aemon’s son,” signaling his growing acceptance. 12

King’s Landing and Legitimization

Baelon brings Daemon Blackfyre to King’s Landing to have his status decided by Jaehaerys. At the tournament celebrating Rhaenyra’s birth, Daemon Blackfyre defeats Daemon Targaryen and is legitimized by the king. 12 18

Vale Massacre and Retaliation

When news arrives that the Stone Crows slaughtered Aemma Arryn’s family, Baelon’s grief turns to fury. He is also disturbed that Daemon Blackfyre seemingly knew of the tragedy beforehand, subjecting the boy to renewed suspicion. 21 22

Baelon rides Vhagar with Jaehaerys, Daemon Targaryen, and Daemon Blackfyre to destroy the Stone Crows’ camp with dragonfire. 24

Acceptance of Daemon Blackfyre

While rejecting pressure to remarry, Baelon formally includes Daemon Blackfyre among his sons. He sees Aemon’s shadow in the boy’s conduct and recalls fighting alongside him during the Vale campaign. 28

Dragon Security Crisis

After Daemon Blackfyre departs King’s Landing on Glutton and Gael follows him on Dreamfyre, Baelon supports Jaehaerys’s order to strengthen security at the Dragonpit and Dragonstone. He nevertheless insists that Daemon Blackfyre is loyal family rather than a threat. 34

Notable Quotes

“Let him stay. Give him a name, give him an identity. Since the dragon has chosen him, let us take it as... a test Aemon left for us.” 10

“The dragon chose you.” 11

“For the rest of my days, I only wish to watch over my sons, watch over little Rhaenyra, and see your great-grandchildren mount dragons of their own.” 28