For fans who followed Daenerys Targaryen's journey to reclaim the Iron Throne, one question often emerges: what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones character who captivated audiences with his charm and combat skills? This skilled sellsword and romantic interest had a notable absence in the final seasons that left many viewers wondering about his ultimate fate.
Daario Naharis: Introduction to the Character
Before addressing what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones conclusion, let's recall who this character was and his significance to the story.
From Book to Screen Adaptation
Daario in George R.R. Martin's books is described as flamboyant with:
- Blue dyed hair and beard
- Gold tooth
- Extravagant clothing
- A distinctive three-pronged beard
HBO's adaptation took a more grounded approach, first casting Ed Skrein and later Michiel Huisman in the role.
Daario's Background and Skills
As the commander of the Second Sons, Daario demonstrated:
- Exceptional fighting abilities
- Strategic military thinking
- Political shrewdness
- Unwavering loyalty to Daenerys
Daario's Relationship with Daenerys Targaryen
A significant part of understanding what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones storyline involves examining his relationship with the Mother of Dragons.
The Development of Romance
Their relationship evolved through several phases:
- Initial attraction when Daario killed his fellow captains to join Daenerys
- Growing professional respect as he served her military campaigns
- Physical relationship that began in Season 4
- Emotional attachment that complicated Daenerys' political objectives
The Power Dynamics
bigwritehook character analysts note their relationship contained interesting power elements:
- Daario freely chose to serve Daenerys (unlike many others)
- He maintained his identity while supporting her goals
- Their relationship represented Daenerys' personal desires versus her political necessities
- He encouraged her more ruthless tendencies
The Last Appearance: Season 6 Developments
To answer what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones final fate, we must examine his last significant appearance.
The Conquest of Meereen
In Season 6, Daario:
- Helped liberate the enslaved people of Meereen
- Served as a military commander in Daenerys' growing army
- Eliminated enemies of Daenerys throughout Essos
- Expressed his desire to follow her to Westeros
The Painful Farewell Scene
Episode 10 of Season 6 ("The Winds of Winter") contains the pivotal moment explaining what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones departure:
- Daenerys informs him he must remain in Meereen
- She explains she may need to make marriage alliances in Westeros
- Daario is visibly heartbroken but accepts her decision
- He is appointed to lead the provisional government in Meereen
Why Daenerys Left Daario Behind
Understanding what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones character requires examining Daenerys' pragmatic decision.
Political Necessity vs. Personal Desire
Daenerys made this difficult choice because:
- Potential marriage alliances were crucial for her Westeros campaign
- Bringing a lover would undermine potential political marriages
- She needed someone trusted to maintain peace in Meereen
- Tyrion advised that personal attachments would be a liability
The Queen's Growth as a Leader
This decision represented significant character development:
- Choosing duty over personal happiness
- Recognizing the political realities of conquest
- Demonstrating her ability to make difficult leadership decisions
- Beginning her transition from liberator to conqueror
Daario's Responsibilities in Meereen
After being left behind, what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones character was that he received significant responsibilities.
The Bay of Dragons Administration
Daenerys charged Daario with:
- Maintaining peace in the newly renamed Bay of Dragons
- Overseeing the transition to self-governance
- Protecting the freed slaves from returning masters
- Representing Daenerys' interests in Essos
| Responsibility | Challenge | Daario's Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Former masters seeking revenge | Military leadership experience |
| Governance | No established democratic system | Familiarity with local politics |
| Economic Transition | Former slave-based economy | Practical knowledge of the region |
| Diplomatic Relations | Neighboring slave cities | Experience as a negotiator |
Theories About Daario After Season 6
Since we never see him again, fans have speculated about what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones character after Daenerys left.
Maintaining Control in Meereen
The most straightforward theory suggests:
- Daario continued ruling Meereen as instructed
- He maintained the peace between former masters and freed slaves
- He potentially established trade relationships with Westeros
- He remained loyal to Daenerys' memory after her death
Potential Rebellion Scenarios
Some fans theorize more dramatic possibilities:
- Daario may have lost control of Meereen once Daenerys left
- The fragile peace potentially collapsed without dragon support
- He could have faced assassination attempts from former masters
- The Second Sons might have returned to mercenary work
Why the Show Never Returned to Daario's Story
The showrunners' decisions explain what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones absence from later seasons.
Narrative Focus on Westeros
The final seasons concentrated almost exclusively on:
- The battle against the White Walkers
- Cersei's fight to maintain power
- Jon Snow's parentage revelations
- Daenerys' campaign for the Iron Throne
Production Constraints and Character Limits
Practical considerations also played a role:
- Limited episode count in final seasons
- Large cast of characters needing resolution
- Budget priorities focused on battle sequences
- Simplification of plot threads for conclusion
How Daario Might Have Reacted to Daenerys' Fate
Though never shown, fans often wonder about what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones character when he learned of Daenerys' death.
Possible Emotional Responses
Given his character development, Daario likely:
- Experienced profound grief over her death
- Questioned his decision to stay behind
- Potentially sought revenge against those responsible
- Struggled with the meaning of his continued rule in Meereen
Political Implications for Meereen
Daenerys' death would have significant consequences:
- Questioning the legitimacy of his continued leadership
- Potential power vacuum without the "breaker of chains"
- Uncertainty about allegiance to the new Westerosi government
- Possible return of traditional power structures
Daario's Legacy in Game of Thrones
Despite his absence from the conclusion, what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones character still contributed significantly to the series.
Thematic Significance
Daario represented important themes:
- The contrast between love and duty
- The challenges of maintaining conquered territories
- The personal sacrifices required for political power
- The different leadership approaches between Essos and Westeros
Character Impact on Daenerys
His relationship with Daenerys:
- Showed her capacity for personal affection
- Highlighted her growing pragmatism
- Demonstrated her commitment to her larger goals
- Foreshadowed her ability to leave behind what she loved
Conclusion: The Untold Ending of Daario Naharis
When considering what happened to Daario Naharis Game of Thrones conclusion, we're left with an intentionally open-ended story. This narrative choice reflects the reality of political conquest – not every story thread reaches a neat conclusion, and many loyal supporters are left behind in service to larger ambitions.
Daario Naharis remains one of the few characters who maintained both his loyalty and his life throughout the series. While viewers never learned his ultimate fate, his character served important narrative purposes in Daenerys' journey. His absence in the final seasons emphasizes the increasing isolation Daenerys experienced as she approached her goal – having left behind not just Daario, but pieces of her former compassionate self.
For fans seeking closure, perhaps there's some comfort in imagining Daario continuing Daenerys' work in the Bay of Dragons, preserving some legacy of the queen he loved even after her tragic end.