Summary
House of the Dragon, the prequel series to the well-regarded HBO seriesGame of Thrones, is now in its second season. The story delves deeper intothe Targaryen dynasty, which was in its later stages by the time the events ofGame of Thronesrolled around.
Most of the dragons had died off before the events of the firstA Song of Ice and Fireseries, so there isn’t too much fiery lizard action. However, this changed in the prequel series, as dragons were much more common around Westeros. Pretty much every main character in the series is a Dragonrider, which leads to plenty of opportunities for dragons to shake things up, especially during the war for the crown.
Sets Up Daemon & Rhaenyra’s Marriage & Prompted Aemond To Snatch Vhagar
In what was a shocking moment in the series, Laena Velaryon, the second wife of Daemon Targaryen, was having complications with the birth of their first son. The maester informed Daemon that he could only save one or the other; his child and heir or his beloved wife, a predicament that his brother King Viserys had to face many years prior.
However, Lady Laena took it upon herself to not have the decision be made, and she would rather go out in a traditional dragonrider’s death. She commanded her dragon,the ancient Vhagar, to kill her with her fire. Much to the shock of Daemon and the audience also. This act was very important as it prompted Prince Aemond to claim Vhagar as his own, which would go on to have several repercussions down the line.
Vhagar Killing Lucerys & Arrax Started The War For The Crown
Born on the back of a rivalry that went back to when Prince Aemond and Prince Lucerys were children, a fight when the former lost an eye to the latter. Queen Rhaenyra sent her son, Luke, to gain support for her claim to the throne, only to be followed by Aemond on his dragon, Vhagar.
Aemond’s dragon was much larger than Luke’s dragon, Arrax, and the young Prince did not stand a chance, as Vhagar devoured both dragon and rider whole. The death of her son was the final straw for Rhaenyra, who had no choice but to call for an all-out war against her family.
3Moondancer And Baela Chase Criston Cole
Led To The Truth Of Aegon’s Claim To The Throne
Ser Criston Cole and his forces planned to take Harrenhal. While Baela andher dragon, Moondancer, are out on patrol, she spots them in an intense scene where Cole and his men narrowly avoid the wrath of the dragon, escaping under the shelter of a forest.
If they were seconds closer, then they would have met the fire of Moondancer. Reporting back to her Queen, Rhaenrya’s councilors argue that the dragons must be used in war, but she is set on a peaceful outcome. Instead, Rhaenyra chooses to sneak into King’s Landing in an attempt to make peace with Alicent Hightower. There, Alicent discovers that her son’s claim to the throne was erroneously confused with the story of Aegon the Conqueror.
Led To The Death Of Rhaenys & The Injury Of The King
Aemond once again proved his ruthlessness with his dragon Vhagar. At the battle at Rook’s Rest,Ser Criston Cole and his forceswere advancing. Rhaenys and her dragon, Meleys, aid the defenders with dragonfire. But King Aegon did not want to sit this battle out and flew on his dragon Sunfyre to aid Ser Criston.
The two dragons were evenly matched until Aemond and Vhagar arrived, who struck both dragons with fire. Aemond seizes the opportunity to kill his brother, who he didn’t see fit to rule. Vhagar killed both Meleys and Rhaenys and badly injured both Aegon and his dragon. This act allowed Aemond to become king regent while his brother recovers, all while his treachery goes undetected.
5New Riders For The Blacks
Rhaenyra And Her Army Are Strengthened With Three More Dragons, Outnumbering Her Enemy
Toward the end of Season 2, Rhaenyra realizes that she needs more riders for her unclaimed dragons. Against the will of some of her family, she sends out a call to request anyone with Targaryen bloodto journey to Dragonstoneand attempt to bond with one of the beasts.
Despite the deaths of many, the attempt is successful, and two dragons are claimed, along with Seasmoke, who was previously claimed by Addam Velaryon. Her retinue is now stronger by three, a fact that is not lost upon Aemond by the end of the episode.
