From the wife of Khal to a queen in her own right, the evolution of Daenerys Targaryen ahead of 'Game of Thrones' season 8

"Bend the knee."

April 9, 2019, 4:12 AM

She swears she'll take what's hers "with fire and blood" and as bold as she is, Daenerys Targaryen has arguably come a long way since season one of "Game of Thrones."

From an arranged marriage to Khal Drogo to leading an army of fierce warriors, the Mother of Dragons is a force to be reckoned with and fans are anxious to see what her final moments will be as the HBO series comes to a close.

Here are some of Daeny's biggest moments.

The wife of a Khal

Emilia Clarke and Jason Momoa appear in season one of HBO's, "Game of Thrones."
HBO

When Daenerys weds Khal Drogo it's clear she isn't thrilled about the marriage. But she later learns Drogo's language of Dothraki and the two develop a bond. Daenerys eventually becomes pregnant and eats the heart of a stallion before the Dothraki, earning their appreciation.

Drogo receives an infection from a wound he received from a fight. Daenerys then begs a witch to save him using blood magic.

After Daenerys gave birth to a stillborn child, the witch tells her the baby had to die in order to save Drogo, who is now in a vegetative state. Daenerys was furious with the witch after learning she used the magic to take revenge on Drogo. Daenerys ends up smothering Drogo with a pillow when he couldn't wake from his coma-like state. Daenerys later kills the witch for her part in Drogo's death.

The Mother of Dragons

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in a scene from season five of "Game of Thrones."

At her and Drogo's wedding, Daenerys receives three dragon eggs as a gift. After Drogo dies she put the eggs around his body, lights a fire and walks directly into it.

Daenerys then emerged from the fire unharmed and with three newly hatched dragons. Some Dothraki then bowed down to her as their queen.

The visit to Qarth

Emilia Clarke appears in season one of HBO's, "Game of Thrones."
HBO

After falling on hard times, Daenerys and her Dothraki go to Qarth and are welcomed by Xaro Xhoan Daxos. Daenerys is introduced to a sorcerer named Pyat Pree who kills her men and captures her dragons. Daenerys goes to the House of the Undying to save her dragons but she is taken prisoner by Pree. She is chained up only until her dragons rain fire onto Pree and burn him alive. She then finds Xaro in bed with her handmaiden and locks them both in a vault for betraying her.

Daenerys takes Xaro's valuables and is able to purchase a ship.

Taking control of the Unsullied

Emilia Clarke appears in season four of HBO's, "Game of Thrones."
HBO

In season three Daenerys wants to take over the army of Unsullied but must purchase them in return for one of her dragons. She also demands that the translator, Missandei, be included in the deal.

Emilia Clarke appears in season three of HBO's, "Game of Thrones."
HBO

As she makes the exchange with Kraznys, Daenerys commands the Unsullied to kill all slave masters and free every slaves. Her dragon then burns Kraznys alive. In season six, she would have her dragons burn the slave master’s ships.

Ruling the Dothraki

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in the sixth season of the HBO show, "Game of Thrones".
HBO

Daenerys and her most trusted advisers attend a game in the fighting pit in season five. Jorah Mormont, whom she banished, saves Daenerys' life as she's about to be murdered. Moments later, Daenerys climbs on her dragon and flies off.

After they land, Daenerys goes looking for food but is captured by the Dothraki. She reveals to their leader that she was the widow of Khal Drogo and was told that she had to go and live with the other widowed Khaleesi.

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in the sixth season of the HBO show, "Game of Thrones".
HBO

Daenerys tells the Khals that they are not fit to lead the Dothraki and that she will be their leader instead. She then sets the building on fire and steps out in front of the Dothraki. The group bows to her once again as their queen.

Daenerys makes unlikely alliances

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in the eighth and final season of the HBO show, "Game of Thrones".
HBO

Shortly after escaping King's Landing, Varys and Tyrion pledged allegiance to Daenerys and Tyrion is even named Hand of the Queen. Yara and Theon Greyjoy, Ellaria Sand and her daughters, and Olenna Tyrell also developed an alliance with Daenerys. In season seven, Melisandre also pledges loyalty to Daenerys.

A relationship with Jon Snow

Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Kit Harington as Jon Snow appear in season 7, episode 5 of Game of Thrones, Aug. 13, 2017.
Helen Sloan/HBO

Daenerys orders Tyrion to send a raven to Jon Snow asking him to bend the knee to her at Dragonstone.

Jon arrives to Dragonstone and refuses to bend the knee, but Daenerys allows him mine dragonglass, which is needed to kill White Walkers.

Daenerys later flies north with her dragons rescue Jon and his men. Daenerys’s dragon Viserion was killed, leaving Jon to face the White Walkers. Jon survives and swears loyalty to Daenerys before meeting with Cersei to let her know that the army of the dead, aka the true enemy, could be killed with fire or dragonglass.

Emilia Clarke is Daenerys Targaryen on HBO's, "Game of Thrones."
HBO

Daenerys and Jon sail back to Winterfell and the two consummate their budding romantic relationship--leaving "GOT" fans with the most burning question at the close of season 7: Will Jon learn that Daenerys is in fact his aunt, giving him the right to take the Iron Throne over the Mother of Dragons?

ABC News' Brittany Berkowitz contributed to this report.