In a land far far away, and a time long long ago, there lived a young prince. He was the last of a proud and noble family; both his elder brothers had perished on quests to rescue the most beautiful princess in the world, locked up in a crystal tower guarded by a fearsome dragon. His eldest brother had been the greatest warrior in the land, but he never rode back from single combat with the dread creature. As the second brother rode to avenge him he charged with a hundred fierce knights, yet all was naught before the deluge of flame.
The young prince decided that his brothers should not die in vain. He was ready to face the dragon. Although his mother pleaded with him not to go, that he was her only son left, he stood resolute. Only a few knights went with him as he rode to that crystal tower, other attendants trailing behind reluctantly.
After some riding, they reached a vast plain over which the tower loomed. Above it flew a mighty dragon, scales black as night, eyes red as blood. It was large enough to cover small towns in its shadow. His attendants trembled in their boots.
But instead of pulling out a sword, the prince pulled out a horn and blew it loud enough to wake the dead. The dragon stared downwards. Was this challenger foolish enough to fight it bare-handed? Alone? It would make him regret. Steadily it flew down towards him.
Yet as it got near, it paused. The prince's attendants had laid out pigs and cows on the ground, all without hair and cooked to a crispy perfection. The smell was heavenly. The dragon landed before the small party and their offerings.
"You do realize we dragons are immune to poison, don't you," the dragon smirked.
"Of course, Mighty One," the prince smiled. "These animals have been cooked with spices by the best chefs in my kingdom. Please enjoy".
The dragon chomped down. It was truly a feast fit for a dragon. It tore through the tender flesh with teeth as sharp as daggers. When it had finished, it let out a mighty burp.
"That was pretty good. Thanks. Now let's fight and get it over with". The dragon said, thinking it would finish it quickly and mercifully in thanks for the food.
"Wait. If you kill me, you aren't going to get any more of this food." That made the dragon pause. The lunch it had just taken was much much better than any of the tough, stringy knights it had eaten before. Indeed that was all the food it got, and fewer and fewer of them came nowadays.
"You suggest we not fight?" This was somewhat out of the norm.
"How about you follow me back to my kingdom? Help me burn some enemies occasionally and I will make sure you dine like this forever. My servants will help you clean your scales too"
The dragon considered the offer for a moment. It sounded much better than guarding a silly tower and killing knights once in awhile.
"But I am bound by a magical contract to guard this tower."
"What does the contract state?" The prince asked.
"I must not harm the princess, and I must kill anyone who attempts to rescue her." The dragon replied.
"We can get around that easy. Let me in the tower."
"That would be against the terms"
"I'll go in and kill the princess. That way you can let me in because I'm not trying to rescue her. After she's dead you are free from the silly contract and can follow me back home."
The dragon scratched its head, then looked at the prince.
"Deal."
Thus House Targaryen was born.
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