Emilia Clarke’s Heartfelt Words Before Game of Thrones Final Episode

However we may feel about the 8th and final season of HBO’s high fantasy drama series Game of Thrones (settle down back there you 1 million “redo season 8” petition-signers), it’s safe to assume the cast’s emotions are a mixed bag. Emilia Clarke, who has brought the character of Daenerys Stormborn to life the past 8 seasons, had some thoughts she wanted to get out.

She thanks the “dear kind magical fans” in a post on Instagram, sharing a series of photos including two cast shots (in and out of costume), as well as two closeups of Dany.

Finding the words to write this post has left me overwhelmed with how much I want to say but how small words feel in comparison to what this show and Dany have meant to me.
The mother of dragons chapter has taken up the whole of my adult life. This woman has taken up the whole of my heart. I’ve sweated in the blaze of dragon fire, shed many tears at those who left our family early, and wrung my brain dry trying to do Khaleesi and the masterful words, actions (and names) I was given, justice.
Game of Thrones has shaped me as a woman, as an actor and as a human being. I just wish my darling dad was here now to see how far we’ve flown.
But to you, dear kind magical fans, I owe you so much thanks, for your steady gaze at what we’ve made and what I’ve done with a character that was already in the hearts of many before I slipped on the platinum wig of dreams. Without you there is no us.
And now our watch has ended.
@gameofthrones @hbo #love #motherofdragonsoverandout

The final episode of Game of Thrones (season 8 episode 6) airs TONIGHT on HBO, with the highly anticipated documentary “The Last Watch” will air next Sunday, May 26th.