Would Viserys Targaryen’s Scheme Against Dragon Eggs Evolve the Dragon Prophecy?
Viserys Targaryen's attempt to steal Daenerys Targaryen's dragon eggs appears as one of the many wild schemes in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. However, the scenario where Viserys manages to steal the dragon eggs without Jorah Mormont's discovery and uses the proceeds to buy his own army and leave Vaes Dothrak is far-fetched and entirely dependent on numerous contradictory plot points. Let's delve into why this scenario wouldn't happen.
Why Did Khal Drogo Marry Daenerys?
The marriage of Khal Drogo and Daenerys is a pivotal moment in the narrative, though its exact reason is often left open to interpretation. While Khal Drogo initially marries Daenerys due to her frailty, the underlying symbolism and the prophecy play a crucial role. According to A Space of Ice and Fire, it is strongly hinted that Drogo was told that through Daenerys, he would help produce the 'Stallion That Mounts the World,' which is nothing but Daenerys herself.
According to the prophecy, the Stallion That Mounts the World is to help Drogo fulfill his destiny of being the conqueror. This prophecy is centered on the hatching of Daenerys’s dragon eggs. The eggs symbolize not just future power but the activation of the prophecy.
The Role of Dragon Eggs in the Prophesy
The prophecy is intricately linked with the hatching of the dragon eggs. Without the hatching, the prophecy loses its significance. As Kelsey L. Hayes explains in her answer, if Daenerys never hatches her dragon eggs, there is no prophecy for Drogo to fulfill. In this scenario, Drogo would not have married Daenerys for the prophecy alone, and thus, the marriage and the subsequent wedding gift of the dragon eggs wouldn't occur.
Paradox in the Proposed Scheme
The proposed scenario of Viserys stealing the dragon eggs introduces a paradox. Even if Khal Drogo had married Daenerys solely for his own reasons and not for the prophesized role, the stealing of the eggs and selling them for an army would have catastrophic consequences for the narrative.
Firstly, the act of stealing the dragon eggs would disrupt the very prophecy that was supposed to bring Drogo’s world to an apex. Without the dragon eggs, Drogo’s journey to becoming the Stallion That Mounts the World would be halted, rendering the key elements of the story null and void.
Secondly, even if Viserys successfully sold the dragon eggs and bought an army, he would likely face immediate betrayal and defeat in Westeros. Without Jorah Mormont’s support, Daenerys would be left alone with the Dothraki. The Dothraki culture values blood loyalty, and Daenerys’s betrayal would ensure that she and her dragons would be hunted down and killed.
Even if Daenerys managed to escape to a safer location, she would still lack the resources and support needed to succeed. Her leadership and survival would heavily rely on Jorah’s assistance, which could lead to further exploitation. The Dothraki would be unlikely to support her without the backing of their Khal, and Daenerys would struggle to rebuild her strength and claim her rightful place.
Conclusion
The scenario of Viserys Targaryen stealing the dragon eggs and buying an army is a testament to the intricate layers of the narrative in A Song of Ice and Fire. The prophecies and the interconnected nature of the characters’ fates make it impossible for such a scheme to succeed without introducing significant and unresolvable paradoxes.
The prophecy of the Stallion That Mounts the World is not just a passive element but an active force that shapes the actions and destinies of the characters. Disrupting this prophecy would lead to a story that fails to capture the essence of the series and leaves many plot points unresolved.