WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
While Daemon’s story at Harrenhal inHouse of the Dragonseason 2 was met with divisive responses, it works as a great setup for Aemond’s experiences in season 3. After getting into an argument with Rhaenyra, fleeing to Harrenhal, and ignoring her while amassing an army in the Riverlands, Daemon spends the entirety of season 2 at the cursed castle while being confronted with his personal demons and cryptic visions. In addition toDaemon’s telling visions at Harrenhal, he forms a bond withAlys Rivers, the castle’s “witch queen” and healer, who bonds with another Targaryen in season 3.
Daemon’s frequent visions of Rhaenyra, Viserys, and others from his past ultimately compel him to abandon his ambition for the Iron Throne.Through Alys Rivers’ influence, Daemon obtains a greater understanding and view of the world and his role in the larger “story.”This leadsDaemon to fully commit himself to Rhaenyra’s causeand prepare to embark on battles against Team Green, which swiftly ushers in Aemond’s arrival at Harrenhal. While Alys and Daemon’s story was a divisive change to George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook, it may benefit Aemond’s upcoming journey with Alys at Harrenhal in season 3.
How House Of The Dragon Changed Daemon’s Story With Alys Rivers
Alys & Daemon’s Visions Subplot Wasn’t In The Book
While Daemon stayed at Harrenhal and formed an army of Rivermen inFire & Blood, thebook didn’t mention a strong dynamic with Alys Rivers or visionsexperienced at the castle.Fire & Bloodcertainly didn’t include thatDaemon envisioned Daenerys Targaryen and the White Walkersafter Alys brought him to the weirwood tree. The majority of hisHouse of the Dragonseason 2 story is brand-new for the TV show, as Martin’s book provided a relatively loose outline where he goes to Harrenhal and grows an army – the details in between were left up to the series’ creative team.
It wouldn’t be until Aemond Targaryen took over control of the castle in the book that Alys' story in the Dance of the Dragons truly began.
Fire & Blooddid note that Alys Rivers was around at Harrenhal while Daemon was there, but it seemed as if they hardly interacted. Rather, it wouldn’t be until Aemond Targaryen took over control of the castle in the book that Alys' story in the Dance of the Dragons truly began.InHouse of the Dragon, however, Alys Rivers and her magic play an integral role in Daemon Targaryen’s narrative, his decision to wholeheartedly back Rhaenyra, and understand the importance of saving both his family and humanity against the future threat of the Night King and White Walkers.
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Given how influential Alys Rivers is in Daemon’s story compared to the book, it seems several new layers to her dynamic with Aemond will be introduced inHouse of the Dragon. As ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s ending,Aemond is still intending to fly to Harrenhal to face his uncle and take the Riverlands from him. However, Daemon will already be gone when Aemond arrives inHouse of the Dragonseason 3, setting up the younger Targaryen’s mysterious arc with Alys Rivers.
What Happens With Aemond & Alys Rivers In Fire & Blood
Aemond & Alys Grow Even Closer Than She Was With Daemon
Aemond’s story takes a turn when he leaves King’s Landing with Vhagar for Harrenhal, as it leaves the capital largely undefended. While Aemond is in the Riverlands,Rhaenyra officially takes King’s Landing, with Daemon helping her ascend the Iron Throne. After this point,Aemond remains in the Riverlands, primarily at Harrenhal, where he forms a relationship with Alys Rivers.
Aemond orders the deaths of the members of House Strong at the castle, such as fan-favorite character Ser Simon Strong, but spares Alys’ life. Aemond then supposedly begins a sexual relationship with Alys at Harrenhal, and she’s noted to have a significant influence over his actions while saving certain people from his wrath. Later on,Alys Rivers becomes pregnant and claims Aemond is the father. According toFire & Blood, a pregnant Alys then flies with Aemond on Vhagar to the Gods Eye, where her visions told her Daemon would be waiting with Caraxes.
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Aemond Targaryen should meet a deeply poetic, epic, and brutal death during House of the Dragon’s civil war, the Dance of the Dragons.
This meeting culminates in the deaths of Aemond, Vhagar, Daemon, and Caraxes, with their fates having already been foretold separately by Alys and Helaena. After Daemon and Aemond’s deaths in the Gods Eye, Alys returns to Harrenhal in a higher position of power and claims to be Aemond’s widow.Alys also supposedly has Aemond’s son, who she claims is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. However, sinceFire & Blood’s timeline ends before revealing what happens to Alys and her son, the truth of this claim is still unknown.
Daemon’s Changes Mean Aemond’s Story With Alys Rivers Should Also Change
Aemond Will Likely Experience Visions & Magical Manipulation At Harrenhal
Fire & Bloodrevealed that Aemond was already aware of and believed in Alys’ visions, so Daemon’s story gives more context to their credibility. However, the nature of Daemon’s visionssuggests that Alys will also influence Aemond to have similar dreamswhile at the castle. Similar to Daemon, Aemond’s visions will likely compel him to abandon his pursuit of the crown, instead accepting his fate in his duel against Daemon at the Gods Eye. Furthermore, this could mean that Aemond also becomes aware of the future of Daenerys Targaryen, the White Walkers, and the importance of Rhaenyra ascending the Iron Throne.
With the nature of his “son” still being unclear in Fire & Blood, it’s possible that House of the Dragon will change Aemond’s story to include a direct blood connection to Bloodraven.
One of the most curious details in Daemon’s visions fromHouse of the Dragon’s season 2 finale was the confirmation thatBrynden “Bloodraven” Rivers is the Three-Eyed Raventhat preceded Bran Stark inGame of Thrones. There were alreadytheories that Alys Rivers’ interactions with the Targaryen men would be connected to an attempt to conceive Brynden Rivers, a Targaryen bastard from the Riverlands. Now, with the nature of his “son” still being unclear inFire & Blood, it’s possible thatHouse of the Dragonwill change Aemond’s story to include a direct blood connection to Bloodraven.
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It’sunlikely thatHouse of the Dragonseason 3will simply repeat Daemon’s story with Aemond, given how divisive the subplot was in season 2. Rather, the show may benefit from diving deeper into simply hearing about Aemond’s visions and focusing more on his relationship with Alys and the greater purpose connected to his death. It was believed inFire & Bloodthat Alys Rivers gave both Aemond and Criston Cole potions while manipulating them with spells, soHouse of the Dragonalready has a compelling basis for building on her magical influence on the war and House Targaryen’s future.
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.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones is a multimedia franchise created by George R.R. Martin. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire is the basis for the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones, which lasted for eight seasons. After the incredibly divisive final season of Game of Thrones, the series was followed up by the prequel series House of the Dragon, which also received critical acclaim.
