Sunfyre

Sunfyre, known as the Golden, was a dragon of House Targaryen and the mount of King Aegon II Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons. Hatched on Dragonstone during the later years of the reign of Jaehaerys I Targaryen, Sunfyre was widely regarded as one of the most beautiful dragons ever seen, distinguished by gleaming golden scales and pale pink wing membranes that shone in sunlight. His appearance, combined with his strong bond to Aegon II, made him a prominent symbol of the Green faction during the civil war.

At the outset of the Dance of the Dragons, Sunfyre was a mature and capable war dragon, though not among the largest of his time. He took part in several major engagements, most notably the Battle of Rook’s Rest in 129 AC. During this battle, Sunfyre, ridden by Aegon II, engaged Meleys, the dragon of Rhaenys Targaryen, alongside Vhagar ridden by Aemond Targaryen. Sunfyre sustained severe injuries during the fight, including extensive wounds to his neck and body, and was left crippled despite surviving the encounter. Meleys was killed, but Sunfyre’s condition was permanently weakened.

Following the Battle of Rook’s Rest, Sunfyre was unable to fly effectively for a significant period and was presumed lost by some. Despite his injuries, he survived and eventually made his way back to Dragonstone, where he remained hidden while recovering. During this time, he displayed a high degree of resilience, continuing to live and hunt despite his damaged wings and weakened state.

In 130 AC, Sunfyre encountered and killed the wild dragon Grey Ghost on Dragonstone, feeding upon the smaller dragon to sustain himself during his recovery. Later that same year, during the fall of Dragonstone, Sunfyre fought Moondancer, the dragon of Baela Targaryen. Although still wounded, Sunfyre’s greater size allowed him to overpower and kill the younger dragon after a violent struggle. However, Moondancer inflicted further injuries during the fight, reopening Sunfyre’s wounds and worsening his already fragile condition.

The cumulative damage from these encounters proved fatal. Sunfyre succumbed to his injuries later in 130 AC on Dragonstone, dying from the wounds sustained during his battles in the Dance of the Dragons. His death marked the end of one of the most resilient dragons of the war, a creature that survived multiple engagements despite severe and compounding injuries.

Sunfyre is remembered as both one of the most beautiful dragons in Targaryen history and one of the most enduring. His ability to survive catastrophic injuries and continue fighting distinguishes him from many other dragons of the Dance. At the same time, his eventual death underscores the cumulative toll of dragon warfare and the gradual destruction of dragonkind during the conflict.