WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
A subtle Alys Rivers and Daemon Targaryen interaction inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5 teases a long-standing Aemond Targaryen mystery left by George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook. While it’s still difficult to pin down her true supernatural abilities and origins,House of the Dragon’s Alys Rivers(Gayle Rankin) is certainlyamong the most mysterious and powerful characters introduced in season 2. So far, Alys’ role has primarily consisted of influencingDaemon’s visions at Harrenhaland contributing to his psychological torture at the cursed castle.
While Daemon interacts with Alys Rivers the most inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, her biggest story is tied to a different member ofHouse Targaryen’s family tree. Alys already knows much more about the Targaryens than would be expected of a mysterious Harrenhal woman, and her potential ability to see the future adds irony to Daemon’s caution about his family. InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5,Daemon warns that Alys should “pray [she] never meets [Aemond],”as he would “cut [her] down.” However, as Daemon will eventually discover, Aemond and Alys do end up meeting.
Daemon Teases Alys & Aemond’s Future Relationship In House Of The Dragon
Alys & Aemond Will Meet Soon In House Of The Dragon
Daemon ironically tells Alys she should hope that she never meets his nephew Aemond Targaryen, but he just so happens to be the most important character in herHouse of the Dragonstory. AfterDaemon leaves Harrenhal and Rhaenyra takes King’s Landing, Aemond Targaryen takes the Rogue Prince’s place at the castle in the Riverlands.When Aemond arrives at Harrenhal, he executes Simon Strong and his family, but spares Alys and begins an affair with herat the castle.
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Though Daemon also believed that Aemond would attack and likely kill Alys if they were to meet, this is far from how their relationship is described inFire & Blood. Rather, Alys is actually influential in convincing Aemond to have mercy on certain members of Team Green while he holds Harrenhal. It’s clear that Alys and Aemond have a unique relationship that’s more romantic in nature than her connection to Daemon, which leads to some claims in George R.R. Martin’s book thatcould very well change what’s known about House Targaryen’s lineage after the Dance of the Dragons.
When they begin a relationship in Fire & Blood, Alys is described as being around 40 years old while Aemond is approximately 20 years old.
When Aemond and Vhagar leave Harrenhal to burn the Riverlands, Alys remains at the castle and claims to be pregnant with his child. Aemond even brings a pregnant Alys with him to face Daemon at the Battle Above the Gods Eye, which ends with thedeaths of Aemond Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen, Vhagar, and Caraxes. After witnessing the two Targaryen princes’ deaths,Alys becomes the ruling “Witch Queen” at Harrenhal, further claiming that she married Aemond prior to his demise and bore his trueborn son. However, I’m still waiting for an answer to the truth about these claims afterFire & Blood.
I’m Still Confused About The Truth Of Alys & Aemond’s Son After Fire & Blood
Alys & Aemond’s Son Would Have A Strong Claim To The Iron Throne
Martin’sFire & Bloodbook was published in 2018, and I’m still not certain that the truth about whether Alys’ son is actually Aemond’s child will be answered beforeHouse of the Dragonends.Alys and Aemond’s alleged son is a huge mystery inFire & Blood, who could have played a huge role in complicating the succession of the Iron Throne after King Aegon II Targaryen’s death. The Dance concludes after Aegon is poisoned by his own men, with Rhaenyra’s son Aegon the Younger inheriting the throne as the only known living male Targaryen heir.
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However, if Alys’ son really is Aemond’s and they married before his death, then he would have a strong claim to the Iron Throne. Considering Aegon hadn’t intended forRhaenyra Targaryen’s childrento be in his line of succession, I’m skeptical about why Team Green doesn’t name Aemond’s “trueborn” Targaryen son the heir.Fire & Bloodalso reveals thatAlys claims her son is the rightful king of Westeros and not Aegon III Targaryen, with messengers at Harrenhal supposedly seeing a dragon at Harrenhal.
With a Targaryen father and a “Witch Queen” mother, Aemond’s son would likely possess a great source of magic and power that could make him a bigger threat to King Aegon III Targaryen.
If true, thenI’m curious about whyFire & Bloodlargely and inconclusively ignores Aemond’s son just two years after the war ends. Additionally, with a Targaryen father and a “Witch Queen” mother, Aemond’s son would likely possess a great source of magic and power that could make him a bigger threat to King Aegon III Targaryen. After the upcoming storyline of the “dragonseeds,“House of the Dragon’s characterswould know to not underestimate the claims and power of a Targaryen bastard – especially one that could potentially be trueborn.
Rhaenyra & Daemon’s son
Daemon’s daughter
Aegon & Helaena’s daughter
Fire & Blood Doesn’t Reveal What Happens To Alys' Son After The Dance
Fire & Blood Ends Before Revealing The Fate Of Alys' Son
George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook ends when King Aegon III Targaryen’s regency is over, just five years after theDance of the Dragons concludes. Consequently, the ultimate fate of Aemond and Alys’ son isn’t revealed in the book, and it likely won’t be addressed inHouse of the Dragon’s timeline. However,I’m certain that he’s still alive at this point; otherwise,Fire & Bloodwould have mentioned his death. What becomes of Aemond’s supposed son and his rumored dragon is still a mystery, but I’m hopingMartin’s upcomingFire & Blood Volume 2bookwill finally solve it.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
House of the Dragon
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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.
