While Daemon’s story at Harrenhal in House of the Dragon season 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 to Daemon’s telling visions at Harrenhal, he forms a bond with Alys 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 leads Daemon to fully commit himself to Rhaenyra’s cause and 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’s Fire & Blood book, 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 in Fire & Blood, the book didn’t mention a strong dynamic with Alys Rivers or visions experienced at the castle. Fire & Blood certainly didn’t include that Daemon envisioned Daenerys Targaryen and the White Walkers after Alys brought him to the weirwood tree. The majority of his House of the Dragon season 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 & Blood did 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. In House 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.
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 in House of the Dragon. As of House of the Dragon season 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 in House of the Dragon season 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 to Fire & 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.
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, since Fire & 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 & Blood revealed 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 visions suggests that Alys will also influence Aemond to have similar dreams while 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 from House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale was the confirmation that Brynden “Bloodraven” Rivers is the Three-Eyed Raven that preceded Bran Stark in Game of Thrones. There were already theories 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 in Fire & Blood, it’s possible that House of the Dragon will change Aemond’s story to include a direct blood connection to Bloodraven.
It’s unlikely that House of the Dragon season 3 will simply repeat Daemon’s story withAemond, 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 in Fire & Blood that Alys Rivers gave both Aemond and Criston Cole potions while manipulating them with spells, so House of the Dragon already has a compelling basis for building on her magical influence on the war and House Targaryen’s future.