Here’s why Drogon destroyed the Iron Throne in the dramatic finale scene — and where he may have gone next

• Warning: Major spoilers ahead for the series finale of HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” “The Iron Throne.”
• On the last episode of “Game of Thrones,” Drogon melted down the Iron Throne.
• Dragons are highly intelligent creatures, and Drogon likely understood the corrupting power of the throne.
• Drogon may have taken Daenerys to Valyria, though a popular theory about her being resurrected in Volantis has cropped up. We’re not buying it.
• Visit INSIDER’s homepage for more stories.

“Game of Thrones” came to its dramatic conclusion with the series finale, “The Iron Throne,” on Sunday night. The titled referred to the iconic seat of power in Westeros around which many of the show’s narratives revolved. But partway through the finale, Daenerys Targaryen was killed, and her last living dragon, Drogon, melted the Iron Throne in his rage and grief before flying away with his mother’s body.

The Iron Throne is no more. Later in the episode, Bran Stark was elected King of the Six Kingdoms, though we never saw his throne.

Some fans were left wondering why Drogon destroyed the throne but left Jon Snow unharmed, while more still are curious about where he’s headed.

Read more: 31 unanswered questions the ‘Game of Thrones’ series finale left fans to ponder

Dragons are highly intelligent creatures, and Drogon likely understood the corruptive power of the throne

"Game of Thrones" didn't often highlight how smart Daenerys' dragons were, but there was enough evidence from past scenes and from George R.R. Martin's books to help show the audience that they had personalities of their own.

"Dragons are intelligent," Tyrion said on the sixth season. "More intelligent than men, according to some maesters. They have affection for their friends and fury for their enemies."

They had obviously learned pieces of language, like the "dracarys" fire command Daenerys used throughout the series. But they were also emotionally linked to their mother.

On the fifth and sixth season, Drogon left Meereen and was seen roaming the skies above Valyria when Tyrion and Jorah sailed through the Doom. Drogon returned to rescue Daenerys from the dragonpit of Meereen when she was surrounded by enemies and on the brink of death.

Daenerys and Drogon were separated at the start of the sixth season, but once again they were reunited after she seemingly felt his presence nearby and went to find him.

By season seven, Daenerys and her dragons were inseparable as they arrived in Westeros and began trying to claim the Iron Throne. Again, "Game of Thrones" did very little to show us that Daenerys' dragons could understand precisely what was happening around them, but it's very likely they knew why their mother was in Westeros.

The "Game of Thrones" finale made an effort to transcribe Drogon's personality before his big throne-room moment.

First, he soared over the city and roared in accompaniment to Daenerys' speech before the Dothraki and the Unsullied.

Then Jon Snow came upon him resting outside the Red Keep, keeping guard.

Drogon recognized Jon and allowed him to pass. The dragon had trusted Jon since the former King in the North first touched him, on the seventh season.

But then Jon killed Daenerys, believing it was the best way for Westeros to find peace once again. Daenerys had been morally corrupted by her power and her goal of the Iron Throne. She killed thousands of innocents in King's Landing when she didn't need to, all in the name of "breaking the wheel."

Drogon knew the moment Daenerys died. He flew up to the throne room and saw her body. At first, it seemed as if he would kill Jon for what he did, but then Drogon turned his fury upon the throne.

Read more: How Dany's death was an imperfect fulfillment of the show's biggest prophecy

Memes have been circulating about Drogon's ability to understand that it was the corruptive force of the Iron Throne that truly killed his mother. But as silly as it might seem on paper, this really does appear to be what happened.

https://twitter.com/dubble_g/status/1130406206881689601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/isabelxguan/status/1130320702198956032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Drogon likely understood Jon Snow's intentions, even if the result was tragic.

Dragonfire helped create the Iron Throne, and it was fitting for dragonfire to destroy it

The Iron Throne was built by Aegon the Conqueror, the first Targaryen ruler of Westeros, whose massive dragon, Balerion the Black Dread, helped him and his sisters overtake the country. Aegon used the swords of his enemies to construct the throne, and Balerion's dragonfire provided the heat for its forging.

Read more: The series finale addressed how the Iron Throne on 'Game of Thrones' doesn't look the way it's described in Martin's books

Drogon, named for Daenerys' late husband, Khal Drogo, is the last dragon alive in the world. His destroying the Iron Throne, created by his and Daenerys' ancestors, was a fitting way to close the loop on the Targaryen legacy in Westeros.

Drogon may have taken Daenerys to Valyria, though a popular theory about her being resurrected has cropped up

After melting down the Iron Throne, Drogon picked up Daenerys' body in one clawed foot and flew off into the snowy skies.

Later on the episode, King Bran asks his small council whether there's been any word of the last dragon.

Sam starts to say Drogon was "last spotted flying east, towards -" when Bronn cuts him off.

But it sounds to us as if Sam starts to say "Volantis."