House of the Dragon the second season has already seen more its fair share of intense character deaths. But sometimes, the threat of death is worse than an actual end. In a series like House of the Dragon, there are times when the characters can literally see their fate before them but cannot escape their endings. We have already experienced it a few terrible visions that have come true. In House of the Dragon in season two, episode three, fans were treated to a chilling prophecy of death for one of the series' main characters. But who gets this whisper of doom, and what exactly does it mean? Here's a spoiler-lite version of what we can expect.
House of the Dragon Season 2 foreshadows the death of Daemon Targaryen
After Daemon's rash and miscalculated efforts to kill Aemond Targaryen end in the death of Prince Jaehaerys, he and Rhaenyra exchange heated words. Hot on the heels of their fight, Daemon flies to Harrenhal on a recruiting mission for the Black cause. While he comes on Rhaenyra's behalf, of course, Dameon's ambitions and bids for his own power are still in play.
While there, Daemon falls into a strange dream that sees the return of young Rhaenyra and features the dead prince Jaehaerys. By Daemon Targaryen House of the Dragon The dream can be seen as a manifestation of his guilt over the unnecessary death his behavior caused, but it also feels deeply prophetic. When he wakes up, he finds himself by Harrenhal's tree. It's a scene from a gothic horror. Whenever there is an astraba tree and its carved faces around, game of thrones fans know that supernatural experiences are just around the corner. Trees, after all, are sacred to those who follow the old gods and always bring a sense of the strange.
Of course, it doesn't help that it's a mysterious new one House of the Dragon The character appears from the rain, looks Daemon Targaryen straight in the eye and announces his death.
Who said to Daemon, “You will die in this place?” – Meet Alys Rivers
But who exactly gives Daemon this prophecy of death? House of the Dragon? Why, it's Alys Rivers who ominously told Daemon, “You will die in this place.” This sentiment naturally begs the follow-up Who is Alys Rivers? Third episode of House of the Dragon the second season gives him an ominous introduction and not much else. But Alys Rivers is a complicated character with an important role to play. We barely get to know Alys in this episode, so we don't want to spoil too much, but here's what we can share.
Alys Rivers' last name tells us she is a bastard born in the Riverlands. And broadly speaking, Alys Rivers could be considered a witch. She is a healer with, as we see, prophetic abilities. Rivers actress Gayle Rankin shared a little more on the notation of Alys. “Turned on House of the Dragon, we have dragons, obviously, but she's the first entry point into this world of magic… I'm always fascinated and drawn to female characters who are swept up in society and culture. I really tried personally to make it my own and ground it in reality, because you can stereotype someone who's a healer or a wizard or a witch or any of the above.”
Rankin adds, “This person can tell the future, basically… She's someone who has all this power, who's been alive for potentially 400 years. How do we make her a person with a beating heart and desires and desires? Rankin hints at that in addition to telling Daemon Targaryen about his death, Alys Rivers will force him to look at his past and all his demons. “She's going to have a lot of power for the men in this story, especially Daemon, who I think is one very interesting slow burn… What is interesting is, what does Alys want from Daemon and vice versa?… What are they learning about? another? There's clearly a match here.” Let's hope Daemon learns something more than just that he's slated to die. But we'll have to wait and see to find out.
Daemon Targaryen will die for good The dragon's house?
Now, the big question. Just because Aly Rivers told Daemon that she's going to die, that death is set in stone House of the Dragon? House of the Dragon is of course based on George RR Martin's game of thrones book, Fire and Blood. And so those interested in a possible immediate answer can read Daemon's fate in the story right now. Having said that, Fire and Blood it is a story, a story based on sources that were not present at the time. The fates of other characters, like Laenor Velaryon'shave changed from their previously canonical status.
That said, Alys Rivers and Daemon Targaryen were standing by a forest tree when Alys intoned Daemon intoned his prophecies of his death. It is so believed that some can look through the eyes of a forest to see the past and the future and that one cannot lie in the presence of the tree. Of course, prophecies are funny things. Even death can have many meanings in a prophetic language.
While we now have to worry about Daemon Targaryen's death in House of the Dragon, the truth is that no character is ever safe. A prophecy of doom certainly doesn't help, but it doesn't mean it's going to end immediately either. And, you never know, the Daemon might meet a normal death in “this place”… sure he might.
