In the stories that George R. R. Martin has created, there are always houses and families at odds with one another, usually tussling for ultimate power. The Targaryens were once the dominant family, as shown in the prequel series House of the Dragon. However, their dire circumstances and banishment at the start of Game of Thrones represent a dramatic fall from grace.
Daenerys Targaryen manages to write her own story and forges a remarkable path to the top and the Iron Throne, but it is not without setbacks and hardships. She has grown up in a cruel world, and just being a Targaryen comes with some harsh realities.
This list contains minor spoilers for House of the Dragon.
10 The Targaryens Are A Fraction Of What They Once Were
House of the Dragon shows House Targaryen at the top of the ladder. The family was once great and thrived in numbers. However, come the time of Game of Thrones, Daenerys and Viserys are presented as the last Targaryens of a dynasty.
When Viserys is killed by Khal Drogo in the show's sixth episode, it appears that Daenerys is the last remaining Targaryen. Three episodes later, Maester Aemon of the Night's Watch reveals that he is actually a Targaryen, but Daenerys never finds out. The Targaryens are a fraction of what they once were, even if some have simply not revealed their true identity.
9 They Have To Rebuild Their Armies From The Ground Up
The concept of dwindling Targaryen numbers also applies to armies. Viserys and Daenerys have to try to muster something out of nothing. Viserys seeks to acquire the Dothraki as his army, but Khal Drogo quickly warms to Daenerys, and she steals her brother's spotlight.
When Daenerys eventually arrives in Westeros, she brings the Unsullied and the Dothraki. While they make for an intimidating army, they don't represent traditional Targaryen supporters or fighters in the slightest. Daenerys has to work hard and sacrifice a great deal to acquire these numbers, as she is unable to call upon too many who are still loyal to her family.
8 Dragons Are Now Rare And Endangered
By the time of Game of Thrones, dragons are considered a part of legend. Their exploits make for great and terrifying stories but the concept of them actually existing seems alien to most. While Daenerys does eventually get her three dragon eggs and proves all the skeptics wrong, they are believed to be the only dragons still alive.
Dragons used to thrive alongside the Targaryens back in the day, as House of the Dragon shows. Through the Doom of Valyria and later the Dance of the Dragons, the dragons were killed and brought to an impending extinction.
7 Targaryens Are Still Judged For The King's Actions
As the last known Targaryen for much of Game of Thrones, Daenerys bears the brunt of all the malice and resentment that the people have for her family. Yet this all comes from the actions of her father, the 'Mad King' Aerys II.
Aerys' frightful words, "Burn them all," have been subject to multiple theories over the years, but in their immediate implications, they earned him the title of the "Mad King." His treatment of other families, including the executions of Rickard and Brandon Stark, earned the entire Targaryen family an evil reputation. Daenerys has to carry this with her while she tries to start anew.
6 They Are The Rightful Rulers But Have To Watch The Usurpers Take Over Westeros
Aerys II was killed by Jaime Lannister after his outburst, which brought the Targaryens' lengthy reign to an end. Robert Baratheon then became the king after Robert's Rebellion, which was dubbed the War of the Usurper by Targaryen loyalists.
Long before the Mad King, there were many other Targaryen rulers, which is seen in House of the Dragon. Therefore, Daenerys and Viserys have a right to feel aggrieved at how events transpired and left them out in the cold. Cersei refers to Daenerys as a "would-be usurper," but she knows that the Targaryens sat where she sits long before everything kicked off.
5 Daenerys Faces Immense Pressure In Carrying Her Family's Legacy On Her Shoulders
The responsibility of being the last Targaryen who can restore the family's legendary reputation is a lot for Daenerys to carry by herself. Jon's Targaryen reveal comes so late on in Game of Thrones that he never has to deal with that element of pressure. Instead, he carries the weight of being Lord Commander and fighting the White Walkers.
Daenerys, on the other hand, knows that she is the only one who can get the job done for her family. She certainly has her setbacks but this alarming pressure to restore the Targaryen name within Westeros serves to drive her on rather than cut her down.
4 The Targaryens Were Forced To Flee Their Home
Daenerys was conceived during Robert's Rebellion, meaning that she was not yet born when the Sack of King's Landing happened. The pregnant Queen Rhaella Targaryen and the young Prince Viserys had to flee to Dragonstone while everyone else left behind was killed.
The Targaryens were forced out of their home and as soon as they made it to another potential home, Rhaella died. This left the young children Viserys and Daenerys orphaned and alone, drifting in a void and waiting for their eventual quest for vengeance. They did receive help and hospitality as they grew up, but nothing substantial until the events of Game of Thrones started.
3 Assassination Attempts Are A Constant Threat
While Daenerys is focused on building up her power and reputation as a Khaleesi, she is unaware of her trusted advisor Jorah Mormont's betrayal. Jorah feeds information back to Westeros in the hopes of a pardon for his past crimes. One such piece of information includes Daenerys' pregnancy.
When the news reaches King's Landing, it spooks Robert Baratheon into sending assassins after them to snuff out the Targaryen name once and for all. A wine seller attempts to poison Daenerys but is quickly thwarted by Jorah, who is starting to regret his betrayal. As Daenerys grows stronger, she becomes more of a threat to Westeros, which puts a target on her back.
2 There Are Now Strong Houses In Westeros Ready To Oppose Them
The Targaryens are so focused on getting themselves back to their former glory that they remain ignorant of what they will face when they eventually return to Westeros. Since Robert's Rebellion, several houses have risen in fame, power, and general standing, making Westeros a much more dangerous place.
If not for the council of Tyrion and Varys, Daenerys would have deemed her Unsullied and Dothraki enough to take back King's Landing. She wouldn't necessarily have considered making new allies, under the assumption that there would still be many active Targaryen loyalists.
1 Some Believe They Can Capitalize On The Targaryen Desperation
While Viserys and Daenerys desperately want to reclaim the Iron Throne and restore their family's legacy, some people see an opportunity. Daenerys and Viserys' desperation attracts those who can offer something to aid the Targaryen resurgence, but for a hefty price that they think they'll receive.
Kraznys, a slave trader of Astapor, is one such person. He believes that Daenerys will give up one of her dragons for a large army of Unsullied soldiers. Daenerys indulges him, but only to quickly betray him by ordering Drogon to unleash fire, and for the Unsullied to slay all those who hold a whip.