WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Fire & Blood.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3 foreshadowed Daemon Targaryen’s fate and teased a scene I have been dreaming of since the show was announced.George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodsummarizes the history of House Targaryen, including the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. Considering thatHouse of the Dragonhas already been renewed for season 3, it is safe to say the show will get to cover the war in its entirety – including the major battles that are yet to come.
House of the Dragonmay have a slower pacing compared toGame of Thrones,but the height of the war depicted on the show has not arrived yet.Rhaenyra and Alicent’s meetinginside the Red Keep highlighted how the war between the greens and the blacks started over a misunderstanding that has since been made worse by a series of mistakes and vendettas. This includes the Blood and Cheese incident, which was orchestrated by Daemon Targaryen.Rhaenyra’s husband is once again doing his own thing, this time in Harrenhal, where his ultimate fate has been teased.
Alys Rivers Telling Daemon He Will Die At Harrenhal Is Major Foreshadowing
Daemon Targaryen’s fate lies at Harrenhal, sort of.
Daemon’s visions inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3 had to do with the current state of his relationship with Rhaenyra, particularly after she found out he was behind the assassination of Aegon and Helaena’s firstborn son. Once the vision ended, Daemond saw himself back in the godswood of Harrenhal, with a heart tree in front of him. I assume the weirwood tree and the overall sinister atmosphere of the cursed castle were the cause of Daemond’s vision. However,behind the prince was Alys Rivers, who told Daemond he would die at Harrenhal.
Alys Rives is right – Daemon technically dies at Harrenhal.
InFire & Blood, Alys Rivers was originally thought to be a bastard of Lyonel Strong, who served as Hand of the King during the final years of Viserys’ reign. However, no one was really sure about Alys Rivers’ origins or age. Additionally,many believed that Alys was a witch who could see the future.House of the Dragonseason 2 incorporated this aspect of the character by having Alys tell Daemon he will die at Harrenhal, which is major foreshadowing for how the Targaryen prince finds his demise. Alys Rives is right – Daemon technically dies at Harrenhal.
How & When Will Daemon Die In House Of The Dragon?
Daemon dies during a battle against Aemond.
Daemon Targaryen dies toward theend of Dance of the Dragonsduring the Battle Above the Gods Eye. While Daemon secured Harrenhal for the blacks as depicted inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3, the greens eventually take over the castle. Hoping to take down Daemon, Aemond Targaryen marched to Harrenhal alongside Ser Criston Cole following the battle between Aegon II and Rhaenys. However, Daemon moved faster than the greens and,by the time Aemond arrived in Harrenhal, his uncle was no longer there.Aemond took over Harrenhal regardless and killed everyone but Alys Rivers.
Daemon’s body was never found after the battle.
With his relationship with Rhaenyra, who was currently sitting on the Iron Throne, at a new low, Daemon left Maidenpool and flew to Harrenhal. This was seen as a public challenge to Aemond, who was flying over and burning the riverlands. Fourteen days after Daemon returned to Harrenhal, Aemond answered his challenge.The two Targaryen princes mounted their dragons and took the fight to the sky, resulting in whatFire & Blooddescribes as a true dance. The battle between Vhagar and Caraxes was as violent as it was beautiful and ended with the deaths of Aemond and Daemon.
Why Daemon Targaryen’s Death Will Be One Of House Of The Dragon’s Best Scenes
The Battle Above the Gods Eye should be an incredible moment.
WhileI have enjoyedHouse of the Dragon’s action scenes so far, the show has yet to cover the biggest, most intense battles of the book. In the third episode of season 2, Rhaenyra pointed out that they should avoid pitting dragons against each other on the battlefield, a concern that will soon be proven valid. The dragon battles, of which “the dance of the dragons” term comes from, were the beginning of the end for House Targaryen. The clash between Daemon’s Caraxes and Aemond’s Vhagar is perhaps the best example of it.
Alys Rivers: House Of The Dragon’s Harrenhal “Witch” & Powers Explained
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3, introduces audiences to Alys Rivers. Here’s what we know about her in the show and in the book.
I cannot wait to see what the Battle Above the Gods Eye, which is arguably the culmination of the Dance of the Dragons, will look like on the HBO show. Vhagar is thelargest Targaryen dragon alive duringHouse of the Dragon, which itself makes the upcoming Aemond vs. Daemon fight exciting. Caraxes was up for the challenge, though, and the result was a clash of dragons that “burned the sky” and was a sight to see. There is also a level of tragedy in Vhagar and Caraxes’ battle, as it resulted in the death of two majestic creatures.
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.
