Warning! This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5 foreshadowed non-Targaryen dragon riders, begging the question of which characters fit this description during the Dance of Dragons. Given the name of theTargaryen civil war engulfingHouse of the Dragon, the reptilian creatures are vitally important to helping both sides potentially come out on top. For much ofHouse of the Dragonseason 1 and the beginning of season 2, dragons were treated akin to nuclear weapons, with both sides realizing that should thebiggest dragons inHouse of the Dragonbe set loose, all will suffer.
This was evident inHouse of the Dragonseason 2 episode 4’s ending, with the Battle at Rook’s Rest showcasing the first major battle of the series. Not only did this conflict result in the death of Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon Meleys, but the injury of King Aegon II and Sunfyre, as well as the deaths of countless foot soldiers beneath the chaos. As Ser Criston Cole aptly summarized, the people have given war to the dragons, a war that will only continue to rage inHouse of the Dragon’s coming episodes.
Episode 8
August 4
With the dragons now fully engulfed in the conflict between the Greens and the Blacks, the latter team began searching for ways to bolster their own ranks. With Aemond riding Vhagar, more firepower from dragonback is a necessity for Rhaenyra Targaryen and her allies.House of the Dragonseason 2 episode 5’s endingsaw Rhaenyra and Jacaerys formulate a plan to instill non-Targaryens - though those who possess Targaryen blood - on the backs of unclaimed dragons like Vermithor and Silverwing. With this plan in mind, the question of which non-Targaryens eventually ride dragons is more prevalent than ever.
Silverwing & Vermithor Explained: Who Rides Them In House Of The Dragon, History & How They Compare To Vhagar
Silverwing and Vermithor are two of the biggest dragons in the Dance of the Dragons, and have an important role in House of the Dragon’s story.
4Hugh Hammer
Played By Kieran Bew In House Of The Dragon Season 2
One of the non-Targaryen dragon riders that will fight in the Dance of Dragons has already been introduced toHouse of the Dragon: Hugh Hammer. Hugh was introduced early inHouse of the Dragonseason 2 as a blacksmith of King’s Landing, committed to making weapons for the Greens. Hugh was shown raising the point to Aegon II that he and other blacksmiths need to be paid in advance to keep weapons and armor flowing for the war to come.
House of the Dragon’s Hugh Hammerhas since been humanized much more, with the show detailing his family life with his wife and sick daughter. BeforeHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5, many may have been wondering why Hugh was receiving so much screen time. The reason for this stems from Jacaerys and Rhaenyra’s plan, asHugh Hammer possesses the blood of the dragon. Although unclear how he is connected to the Westerosi House, Hugh’s father claimed to be of Targaryen descent.
Hugh mounts Vermithor, the second-largest dragon in Westeros behind only Vhagar, and begins fighting for the Blacks during the Dance of Dragons…
InFire and Blood, the book on whichHouse of the Dragonis based, Hugh answers the call of Rhaenyra and Jacaerys and attempts to tame a dragon. Eventually, Hugh mounts Vermithor, the second-largest dragon in Westeros behind only Vhagar, and begins fighting for the Blacks during the Dance of Dragons.House of the Dragon’s future episodes will likely depict him doing so due to the mistreatment of the common folk of King’s Landing and his desperation to save his daughter.
3Ulf White
Played By Tom Bennett In House Of The Dragon Season 2
Another dragonseed inHouse of the Dragonseason 2 is Ulf White. This character was introduced early inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, first viewing the ratcatchers hanging from the walls of the Red Keep, and then claiming his Targaryen heritage to peers in a tavern. Ulf White claims to be the bastard son of Baelor the Brave, thus the grandson of King Jaehaerys I and half-brother of Viserys I and Daemon. Interestingly,Ulf aligns with the Blacks inHouse of the Dragon, viewing Rhaenyra and Jacaerys as the rightful line of succession to the Iron Throne.
This explains his future as a non-Targaryen dragon rider. Like Hugh Hammer, Ulf White answers the call for dragonseeds, attempting to tame a dragon of his own. During the Dance of Dragons, Ulf manages to ride Silverwing, another of Westeros' powerful dragons that was once ridden by the wife of Jaehaerys I, queen Alysanne. Alongside Hugh and two other dragonseeds, Ulf White plays an important role in the Targaryen civil war.
Ulf In House Of the Dragon: Targaryen Parentage, Dragon & Future Explained
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 introduces the character of Ulf, who claims to be of Targaryen descent linked to King Jaehaerys I.
2Addam of Hull
Played By Clinton Liberty In House Of The Dragon Season 2
Thus far, three dragonseeds have been actively set up inHouse of the Dragonseason 2. Ulf White and Hugh Hammer are two of these characters, with the other being Addam of Hull. Addam was introduced as the younger brother ofHouse of the Dragon’s Alyn of Hull, the man who pulled Corlys Velaryon from the sea in season 1. While Alyn has arguably been the bigger character in the HBO adaptation so far, the future of the Dance of Dragons will see Addam’s storyline become much more exciting.
In the books, Addam is older than Alyn, a plot point that has seemingly been changed for House of the Dragon.
InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 2, Addam was shown fishing for crabs on Driftmark. As he does so, he hears the roar of a dragon and witnessesHouse of the Dragon’s Seasmokeflying overhead. Seasmoke was part of season 1 of the show; the dragon of Laenor Velaryon, Seasmoke became riderless after Laenor departed for Essos alongside his paramour. The scene in whichAddam sees Seasmoke inHouse of the Dragonsets up the former becoming a dragonseed after claiming the latterand pledging his support to Rhaenyra.
Unlike Hugh Hammer and Ulf White, Addam of Hull is not a Targaryen bastard. Instead, Addam possesses the blood of House Velaryon. The latest appearance of Addam’s brother confirmed that the two are sons of Corlys Velaryon, as Rhaenys Targaryen pushed her husband to legitimize his offspring. Given that House Velaryon has the blood of old Valyria, they can become dragonriders, explaining how Addam is eventually able to tame Seasmoke. Now that Jace has pitched his dragonseed idea to Rhaenyra, Addam will likely become a bigger character inHouse of the Dragonseason 2.
Alyn & Addam Of Hull In House Of The Dragon Season 2 & Future Explained
House of the Dragon season 2’s Alyn and Addam have incredibly important roles in the escalating Targaryen Civil War and the future of House Velaryon.
1Nettles
Has Not Yet Appeared In House Of The Dragon Season 2
The final dragonseed who is introduced inFire and Bloodis named Nettles. Nettles, like Addam and Alyn, was described as a bastard with Valyrian blood who grew up on Driftmark. Unlike Addam and Alyn, though, Nettle’s parentage is not confirmed or even hinted at in Martin’s books. One of theunclaimed dragons inHouse of the Dragonthat is yet to be mentioned goes by the name of Sheepstealer, aptly titled for his tendency to steal sheep as he roams Dragonstone searching for food.
Sheepstealer becomes accustomed to her presence and lets Nettles mount him, solidifying her as a descendant of House Targaryen or Velaryon…
InFire and Blood, Nettles comes to tame Sheepstealer by presenting him with a sheep every morning. Eventually, Sheepstealer becomes accustomed to her presence and lets Nettles mount him, solidifying her as a descendant of House Targaryen or Velaryon who begins fighting for the Blacks in the Dance of Dragons. Nettles is the only person known to ride Sheepstealer, with the wild dragon having no other masters besides the dragonseed.
Given that the show has actively teased Ulf White, Hugh Hammer, and Addam of Hull as dragonriders,it is looking increasingly unlikely that Nettles will be included inHouse of the Dragon.Naturally, Nettles could be introduced later inHouse of the Dragon’s complex timeline, given that the HBO production has shown a willingness to change the order of events fromFire and Bloodif needed. However, one would think that Nettles would have been teased alongside Addam, Ulf, and Hugh were she to be included as a dragonseed fighting for the Blacks in the future.
It is said that Daemon cheats on Rhaenyra with Nettles in Fire and Blood, with the latter’s absence in House of the Dragon potentially removing this plot point also.
Similarly, Sheepstealer has not been mentioned inHouse of the Dragoneither. Vermithor and Silverwing, the dragons of Hugh and Ulf respectively, were both mentioned by Jace inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5, while Seasmoke has been seen by Addam, Mysaria, and Rhaenyra. Just as Nettles' absence hints at her being removed from the show, the same can be said for Sheepstealer. Although this could change,House of the Dragonmay be leaving out one of the few non-Targaryen dragonriders who fights in the Dance of Dragons.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
