The Dragons of Ice and Fire’s Growth Inconsistencies

In George R.R. Martin’s world of Ice and Fire, dragons are among the most fascinating creatures. While their presence in both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon takes these high fantasy dramas to another level, there seems to be an inconsistency with their growth and maturation in both series.

In Game of Thrones, Daenerys dragons hatched dramatically at Khal Drago’s funeral at the end of season one. By the time she reaches Westeros at the end of season 6, six years have passed, but by then, Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion are fully grown adult dragons.

In contrast, we see a slower growth course in House of the Dragon. Arrax, Lucerys, Princess Rhaenyra’s son, is approximately 14 years old when he dies. As with Targaryen tradition, Lucerys receives Arrax as a dragon egg, and shortly after his birth, the egg hatches. Considering the in-world timeline, it would make Arrax approximately the same age as Lucerys when they were both killed by Vhagar. Yet while being significantly older than Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion, Arrax was less than half their size.

If this is an inconsistency, which one is the natural growth rate of dragons? Or do dragons, like many creatures, mature at different rates?

In House of the Dragon, it’s established that the longer dragons live, the bigger they get, as in the case of Vhagar. Vhagar’s first rider was Queen Visenya Targaryen, one of the three Targaryen conquerors who, alongside her brother-husband Aegon and their sister Rhaenys, unified Westeros. By the time of House of the Dragon, Vhagar was approximately 180 years old, making it the largest and oldest dragon at the time.

Arrax and Daenarys dragons widely varying growth rates seem like an inconsistency. But if Arrax’s growth rate is compared with other dragons that hatched during House of the Dragon, his growth rate would be normal.

Daenerys’ dragons, on the other hand, given their size, seem to have experienced an accelerated growth rate. Still, how did her dragons get so big so fast?

Their rapid development must be attributed to different factors, including:

One important factor that was touched on in episode 10 of season 2 of Game of Thrones is the reintroduction of magic into the world with the birth of the dragons. This magical resurgence could have accelerated their growth. Conversely, the era of the House of the Dragon might have different magical influences. The fluctuating levels of magic could play a role in the dragon’s slow development.

Another factor is care: Daenerys raises her dragons herself, with great love, to the point where she sees them as her children, and they in turn see her as their mother. Daenerys dragons are also able to roam more freely. Whereas the dragons in Westeros are generally kept in the keeps.

At the end of the day, it’s more likely that it simply comes down to the environment, which might contribute to their swift maturation.

The environment in which Arrax and the dragons that hatched and grew during House of the Dragon lived is different from that of Daenerys’ dragons.

Dragons are native to Essos. Daenerys dragons grew up in Essos, where the Targaryens are from, which, in contrast to Westeros, is warmer, making it an ideal environment for dragons. So it’s reasonable to assume that Daenerys dragons swift growth rate in their natural habitat is actually normal and not that of the dragons in House of the Dragon.