Daeron Targaryen’s dragon is among the several beasts involved in the Targaryen civil war covered in HBO’s House of the Dragon. Those not familiar with the source material may have been surprised when Alicent mentioned a fourth child who had never appeared on the show. In addition to Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond, the list of Alicent Hightower children includes Daeron Targaryen. Unlike the other three, Daeron was sent to Oldtown instead of being raised at the court. Still, Daeron claimed a dragon just like his siblings and played a very important role in the Dance of the Dragons.
Following a brief mention at the beginning of the season, Daeron Targaryen was properly acknowledged in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6. Alicent is happy that at least one of her kids got to be raised away from all the pain and suffering that comes with the crown, yet Daeron is eventually brought into the war too. Although Rhaenyra spent the initial part of the war having only a couple of fighting-size dragons ready for battle, she would later find dragonriders for all of the remaining Team Black dragons. Team Green would need more than just Vhagar.
How Old Is Tessarion In House Of The Dragon?
Tessarion Is The Youngest Of Team Green’s Fighting-Size Dragons
Tessarion is a female dragon that hatched in 120 AC according to Fire & Blood. She was on fighting size around a decade later, but it is unclear when exactly she bonded with Daeron Targaryen. Regardless, Fire & Blood notes that Daeron was already a dragonrider by 129 AC at 15 years old.House of the Dragon’s timeline works a bit differently from the one in the book, but it can be assumed that Tessarion is a relatively young dragon in the show as well. To put things in perspective, Aemon’s Vhagar hatched in 52 years before the Conquest.
Helaena Targaryen’s dragon, Dreamfyre, is also much older than Tessarion, having hatched in 32 AC per Fire & Blood. Interestingly, while Aegon’s Sunfyre is described as a young dragon in the book, he is older than Tessarion. Sunfyre’s exact birth year is unclear, but it can be assumed that he was born shortly before Tessarion given that Daeron’s beast is also commonly described as a young dragon. Whereas Vhagar is quite slow due to her massive size and age, Tessarion is a very agile dragon. Known as the “Blue Queen,” her flames were blue in the book.
How Powerful & Big Is Tessarion Compared To HOTD’s Other Dragons?
Tessarion Was One Of The Smallest Dragons Involved In The Dance
Tessarion is around 1/3 the size of Vermithor, the largest dragon in Rhaenyra Targaryen’s army. Considering that Vermithor is around 2/3 the size of Vhagar, Daeron’s dragon is very small compared to Team Green’s most powerful beast. Tessarion may not be as imponent and massive as Vhagar or Vermithor, but her speed comes in handy during battles. One of Tessarion’s most important moments in the Dance of the Dragons happened when she was riderless, which is a testament to her powers and skills. From the Reach to Tumbleton, Tessarion was instrumental in the war for the Greens.
With Sunfyre hurt, Aegon missing, and both Aemond and Vhagar dead, Daeron and his dragon were expected to be the new face of Team Green.
Tessarion does not rank too high in the list of most powerful dragons in House of the Dragon compared to the likes of Vhagar, Vermithor, and Meleys. Still, at a time when the Greens were arguably losing the war following the fall of King’s Landing and the death of Aemond Targaryen, Tessarion was very important. With Sunfyre hurt, Aegon missing, and both Aemond and Vhagar dead, Daeron and his dragon were expected to be the new face of Team Green. However, things escalated quickly once Daeron was killed and Tessarion became riderless.
Which Battles Tessarion Fights In With Daeron In House Of The Dragon
Darion & Tessarion Participated In Three Major Battles
The first major fight in the Dance of the Dragons to include Daeron and Tessarion was Battle on the Honeywine, which was teased in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7. Lord Ormund Hightower was struggling against the Greens’ enemies, with the Hightower army being saved at the last minute with the arrival of Daeron. It is unclear whether this battle will be featured in House of the Dragon season 2 considering how much the HBO show needs to tackle, but Daeron will be a major player on the show regardless.
Daeron and his dragon were also important after the fall of King’s Landing, which was now ruled by Rhaenyra Targaryen. Although Rhaenyra sat on the Iron Throne, the war was far from over. Tessarion continued to follow the Hightower host, making it difficult for Rhaenyra’s supporters to fight against it. With the war still escalating outside of the walls of King’s Landing, keeping the capital safe and with enough provisions became more difficult than ever. Daeron would also take part in the First Battle of Tumbleton, during which two of Rhaenyra’s dragonseed betrayed her.
Daeron was the commander of Team Greem at Tumbleton. In theory, the odds were not in the Greens’ favor since both Hugh Hammer’s Vermith and Ulf White’s Silverwinge were also around. Lord Ormund Hightower was killed, and it seemed like Rhaenyra’s side was going to win. However, Hugh and Ulf betrayed their queen and joined Team Green as supporters of Aegon I. With Hugh Hammer and Ulf White switching sides, the Greens secured the victory at Tumbleton. Daeron and the rest of the army remained in Tumbleton instead of marching to the capital.
What Happens Tessarion & When Does She Die?
Tessarion Dies Shortly After Her Rider
Despite the victory at Tumbleton, the Green army would still face a lot of problems. After news of Aemond Targaryen’s death arrived, Hugh Hammer made a claim to the throne. While his lineage is not very clear in Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon all but confirms Hugh Hammer is the son of Saera Targaryen. As a grandson of Jaehaerys, Hugh would naturally believe he had a claim to the throne. Additionally, he had a prophetic vision in which a hammer brought down a dragon. Hugh even made a crow for himself, which Daeron saw as an insult.
Daeron died during the Second Battle of Tumbleton, but it is unclear how or by whom. Following the death of her rider, Tessarion flew up to the sky and ferociously battled Addam Velaryon’s Seasmoke. This clash was described as a “dance of dragons,” with some even comparing it to a mating dance. Vermithor, who was also riderless after Hugh was assassinated, joined the battle too. Seasmoke and Vermithor died on the spot, whereas Tessarion was left deeply injured and later mercifully killed by a Blackwood archer. This should happen toward the end of House of the Dragon.