Once upon a time, House Targaryen—the most powerful house in Westeros by far—had not one, but two Valyrian steel blades. By the time of Robert’s Rebellion, the ailing dynasty had lost both, and as of Dance With Dragons, neither has resurfaced. But the tale of the Valyrian steel swords of House Targaryen can give us inklings to the future, to Winds of Winter—because it’s quite likely that at least one of the swords, and probably both, will soon reappear.

Where Are The Targaryen Valyrian Steel Swords, Blackfyre And Dark Sister?

It makes sense that the Targaryens had twice the number of Valyrian steel swords as any other house in Westeros; after all, they came from Valyria and brought the swords with them directly. Aegon the Conqueror and his two sisters used the two swords during the Conquest, and for more than a century and a half both Blackfyre and Dark Sister were closely associated with the House. Alas, that all changed.

Blackfyre

Blackfyre’s history is easy to trace, for the sword bears an important place in the history of the Seven Kingdoms. The Targaryen bastard sword was traditionally borne by the head of the House, an honor and signifier in its own right. And that’s what led to trouble, for Aegon IV the Unworthy gave Blackfyre not to his heir but to his bastard son Daemon Waters, perhaps because he believed his true heir may have been a bastard himself. Conferring the great sword on his bastard son conferred him a certain amount of legitimacy as well, and Aegon IV fully legitimized him on his deathbed. Daemon took the surname Blackfyre and shortly thereafter kicked off the first Blackfyre Rebellion. He died, but his half-brother Aegor Rivers “Bittersteel” took the sword from the field and fled with it to Essos, where he founded the Golden Company.

That’s the last we’ve heard of the sword Blackfyre. It hasn’t been mentioned in subsequent Blackfyre Rebellions, so it stands to reason that the blade still stands with the Golden Company. You will recall that the great mercenary company is, in the books, now sworn to a certain Aegon VI Targaryen, alias Young Griff. Will he get the ancient sword of his supposed forefathers? Maybe: In an early preview chapter from Dance With Dragons, Illyrio Mopatis hints at having many gifts for young Aegon—including a sword. The chapter was edited and changed heavily before publication, and the reference isn’t in the final text. But it may hint at events to come. And Blackfyre would give Aegon the aegis of legitimacy… and a formidable tool against Daenerys Targaryen.

Dark Sister

Dark Sister’s tale is shorter but in the end more ambiguous. Dark Sister was a smaller sword, built to be a woman’s blade, and it didn’t carry the great connotations that Blackfyre did. It was originally wielded by Visenya Targaryen, Aegon’s sister and was held by Aemon the Dragonknight before eventually passing

into the hands of another one of the Targaryen Great Bastards—Brynden Rivers, better known as Bloodraven. He too was a bastard son of Aegon IV, so he may have gotten Dark Sister from his father. Regardless, we have no idea what happened to the sword after him.

Bloodraven has a long and complicated history; he presumably had the sword at least until he was thrown into the dungeons of King’s Landing. After that, he joined the Night’s Watch, but it’s unknown whether he took the sword with him. And beyond that, we don’t know whether he took Dark Sister with him when he left the Watch to become the three-eyed crow. If not, it’s anyone’s guess—it could still be with the Watch, or lost somewhere in King’s Landing. But if Bloodraven never gave up Dark Sister, the ancient Targaryen blade is still there beyond the wall—Bran could be just feet from it. Maybe he’ll bring it back with him—or Meera could, especially if the rumors about her are true.

There’s only one way to find out. Hurry up, George!