Throughout season 2 of House of the Dragon, Daemon Targaryen experienced multiple visions at Harrenhal. However, the most significant one was saved for last. Encouraged by Alys Rivers, Daemon touches the weirwood tree, which interestingly has George R.R. Martin’s face on it. This vision reveals the future of House Targaryen in Game of Thrones.
The story features multiple significant characters and unexpected twists, ultimately resulting in Daemon submitting to Rhaenyra by bending the knee.
Brynden Rivers, also known as Bloodraven, is the Three-Eyed Raven
In Daemon’s vision, a man resembling a Targaryen with a birthmark on his cheek is followed by a raven. This strongly suggests that the Three-Eyed Raven on Game of Thrones is Brynden Rivers, also known as Bloodraven. Brynden, who is the illegitimate son of King Aegon IV Targaryen, was born approximately 45 years after the events of House of the Dragon season 2. His nickname, Bloodraven, comes from the red wine-colored birthmark on his cheek, which is said to resemble a raven and ultimately reveals his true identity in the vision.
Brynden played a crucial role in Targaryen’s history as a legitimized bastard. He fought in multiple rebellions and served as Hand to two different Targaryen rulers, Aerys I and Maekar I. Eventually, he was sent to the Wall and rose to the position of Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch. Despite disappearing beyond the Wall, his true identity is revealed to Bran Stark when he meets the Three-Eyed Crow (renamed Raven in the show). This is confirmed when he tells Meera Reed his name, or former name, was Brynden.
Similarly, Game of Thrones does not delve into the identity of the Three-Eyed Raven, making it unclear if the version portrayed is Bloodraven. However, Daemon’s vision provides clarification that this is indeed the case, and the raven itself effectively confirms it.
It is yet to be revealed how Brynden transforms into the Three-Eyed Raven. The character is featured in the Dunk & Egg tales which will be adapted for the upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, providing the potential for his transformation to be explored in the future.
The Connection Between White Walkers and Aegon’s Dream
Daemon’s focus abruptly shifts to the army of the undead, commanded by a White Walker that bears a striking resemblance to what one might receive if they ordered the Night King off of Wish. It is unclear if this is indeed the Night King; although he does not resemble him, the way he is leading the army implies that it is him.
Regardless, it serves as a definite hint of the events that will unfold in Westeros and serves as a recollection of Aegon the Conqueror’s prediction in the Song of Ice and Fire.
Daemon is convinced that the prophecy was accurate and the danger from the North is real, which also serves as a reminder for fans of what comes after House of the Dragon on Game of Thrones. Despite the conflicts over the Iron Throne, it is crucial for Westeros to eventually unite. What is intriguing is the fact that the White Walkers share similarities with the Targaryens, particularly in their hair. While the Night King was not a Targaryen, his hair is reminiscent of the dragon house, suggesting a deliberate connection between the two.
What is the reasoning behind this decision? As this is Daemon’s plan, it could suggest that not supporting Rhaenyra would result in the downfall of the kingdom. Alternatively, it may serve as a reminder of the flaws within House Targaryen and how their actions and internal conflicts have contributed to their downfall. Motivated by a prophecy for a united realm, they have ultimately caused its destruction, leading to the collapse of the Targaryen dynasty and the failure of Aegon’s dream due to their own actions.
The Meaning Of Daenerys Targaryen In Daemon’s Vision
In a shocking twist in the finale, Daemon’s vision uncovers Daenerys Targaryen. This parallels the ending of Game of Thrones season 1, in which she emerges from Khal Drogo’s funeral pyre with three newly born dragons. Dany is depicted from the back, seated on the ground, presumably to conceal the fact that Emilia Clarke is not portraying the character.
The origin of Daenerys’ dragon eggs was previously unveiled by House of the Dragon, as Rhaenyra transported them to the Vale along with Rhaena. In Daemon’s vision, he witnesses the arrival of these dragon eggs, which Rhaenyra had declared as the future of House Targaryen. Now, Daemon is witnessing this future come to fruition.
Based on the sequence of events, with the White Walker preceding and a red comet preceding it (symbolizing the Prince That Was Promised in the book), it can be inferred that Daenerys is the Prince That Was Promised.
The proposal is that Dany will ultimately save Westeros. This is open to debate as Arya was the one who killed the Night King, and Dany had yet to claim the Iron Throne at that point. However, she undoubtedly plays a crucial role in uniting the realm and defeating the army of the dead, a feat that would not have been achievable without her.
Daemon’s Death and Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne
Daemon’s visions abruptly return to the realm of House of the Dragon, focusing on his dragon, Caraxes, and then himself lying lifeless in a body of water. This serves as a foreshadowing of Daemon’s ultimate fate, as both he and his dragon meet their end in a fierce battle over the lake at Harrenhal.
Nevertheless, Daemon’s perception of Rhaenyra plays a crucial role in shaping his fate and the overall plot. It serves as the connecting thread: Rhaenyra’s rise to the Iron Throne is necessary in order to vanquish the White Walkers and restore dragons to their rightful place in the world, and he is tasked with aiding her. This is partly due to the fact that House Targaryen traces its origins back to Rhaenyra and Daemon’s lineage, which originated from their second son, Viserys.
Bending the knee, he delivers the phrase, “Winter is coming”in High Valyrian.
Exploring the Depths of Helaena
In Daemon’s vision, Helaena appears and informs him that everything is predetermined and he has a role to play. This is significant as it coincides with her later statement that the future is unalterable. It suggests that she is cognizant of the events that have unfolded and accepts that both Daemon and Aemond are destined to meet their demise.
It is particularly noteworthy how Helaena is depicted in Daemon’s vision. Despite not being someone he has a strong personal bond with, her appearance in the same manner as Rhaenyra or King Viserys does not seem logical.
At the same time, she is wearing the exact same outfit when she is seen gazing into the distance as if having a premonition before revealing to Aemond that he will meet his demise at the God’s Eye (more details on that to come).
It can be inferred that Helaena either intentionally entered Daemon’s vision or, more probably, was simultaneously experiencing a similar vision. While Alys revealed Daemon’s destiny, Helaena also glimpsed the future, whether through a divine vision, a dragon dream, or a heightened ability such as greensight.
Helaena’s Prophecies About Aemond & Aegon
Helaena has been making vague prophecies for a while now, but as season 2 progresses, they have become more and more precise. In the first episode, her fears of the rats hinted at the events of Blood and.
Previously, Helaena used her powers in a less straightforward manner, causing the death of Prince Jaehaerys through her manipulation of cheese. However, now she appears to be more direct and literal, reminiscent of Bran Stark in seasons 7 and 8. It remains uncertain if Helaena is also developing similar abilities, which would be a shocking revelation.
Consequently, she issues a chilling warning to Aemond:
“You will have perished, having been consumed by the God’s Eye, and you were never sighted again.”
Exploring the Meaning Behind the God’s Eye
Harrenhal lies on the northern shore of the God’s Eye, a lake situated in the Riverlands. As Helaena cautions in House of the Dragon, the passing of both Daemon and Aemond has an impact on the God’s Eye. As the Dance of the Dragons progresses, they will engage in The Battle Above the God’s Eye while mounted on their horses. The epic clash culminates with Daemon driving his Valyrian steel sword, Dark Sister, into Aemond’s now empty eye socket. Tragically, all four warriors perish and their bodies fall into the lake. Years later, Aemond’s remains are eventually discovered.
It is worth noting once more that Helaena uses the past tense when she tells Aemond that he “were”sucked up. This further demonstrates her first-hand experience with these events and how her perception of the present and future is becoming intertwined, as she spends more time envisioning the latter. This also clarifies why she refers to the story when speaking to Daemon: she is aware of the events that have taken place, but they have not yet come to pass.
What is Aegon’s Wooden Throne?
Helaena’s prediction to Aemond is that Aegon will return to rule Westeros from a wooden throne. This prediction proves to be true, as Aegon does come to King’s Landing after Rhaenyra’s passing at the House of the Dragon. However, Aegon’s injuries from the battle at Dragonstone prevent him from ascending the steps to the Iron Throne, forcing him to govern from a litter placed at the base. This is likely the same wooden throne that Helaena had mentioned.
About House Of The Dragon
House of the Dragon is the upcoming prequel series to the popular HBO show Game of Thrones, which is based on the book Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin.
Taking place three hundred years prior to the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon will depict the Targaryen family’s reign over Westeros before the extinction of dragons. The story will revolve around the Dance of the Dragons, a civil war between Aegon II and Rhaenyra, siblings who vied for the throne following the passing of their father, Viserys I.
Paddy Considine plays Viserys I Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy portrays Rhaenyra Targaryen, and Olivia Cooke takes on the role of Alicent Hightower in the show directed by Ryan Condall and Miguel Sapochnik. Matt Smith stars as Daemon Targaryen, while Tom Glynn-Craney plays Aegon II Targaryen. The cast also includes Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole, and Graham McTavish.
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