HBO’s House of the Dragons (HOTD) had a hugely successful run in its first season. The prequel of another highly acclaimed series – Game of Thrones (GOT), has received immense love and appreciation from its fans. The fandom was delighted to return to George R. R. Martin’s world of Westeros. The show is about to make another triumphant return with its Season 2, which is expected to debut in 2024. The wait is long, but expectations are vital. Meanwhile, let us try to predict what could happen in the second season of HOTD.
Warning: Spoilers for HOTD season 1
Blacks vs Greens
With each passing episode of HOTD season 1, it was becoming clear that the story is slowly advancing towards the first Targaryen civil war – Dance of the Dragons. A war that led to many huge implications – the decimation of many great houses, the death of almost all of the dragons, depowering of the House Targryen and its bloodline. HOTD had started with two besties – Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower – while the former was the daughter of the King, the latter was the daughter of the Hand of the King. King Viserys I Targaryen, ruled the seven kingdoms from the Iron Throne of King’s Landing. However, with the death of the queen leaving behind only a daughter, the question of the King’s succession began.
What followed was bloodshed, scheming, betrayals, and deaths. Allies became enemies, enemies became friends. One thing led to another and the ever-strong House Targaryen, proud of their ‘pure’ bloodline, broke into two factions. Greens – those supporting King’s eldest son from second wife, Aegon II’s claim, and Blacks – those supporting King’s only daughter from first wife, Rhaenyra’s claim. With the death of King Viserys, as was seen in the last episode, Greens decide to secretly coronate Aegon II, making Rhaenyra furious. Both sides begin making allies, sending ravens to the various lords of houses across the kingdoms to swear for their fealty. Some used brute force and others were reminded of their oaths. The season finally commenced with the tragic death of Prince Lucerys Velaryon, the second-born of Rhaneyra, at the hands of Prince Aemond above Storm’s End.
Rhaenyra’s Backlash
In the last shot of the first season’s finale, Rhaneyra seemed furious on learning of this son’s death. A look of determination and hate was evident on her face. Daemon, the husband of Rhaneyra, was always urging her to make some bold decisions as he knew a war was evident. Ever since they heard the news of King’s death and Aegon’s coronation Daemon knew that such betrayal should not go unpunished for long. However, Rhenyra wanted to first gather her allies and increase her military power before going into an all-out war. As a result of this, she sent Prince Lucerys to Storm’s End and Prince Jahaerys to Eyrie and Winterfell, to try to persuade their Lords to join their cause in the war. But, Prince Lucerys was killed by Aemond while returning from the Storm’s End.
This surely shall not go well with Rhaenyra. As she remembers the time when Alicent asked Criston Cole to take out an eye from one of her sons. She wanted so because in a brutal kid’s brawl Prince Lucerys accidentally stabbed one of the eyes of Prince Aemond. Alicent wanted “an eye for an eye.” Rhaneyra remembers this. Now that one of her sons is dead, she won’t stay idle for long. She surely will plan another massive blow on the Greens, and it shall not be ‘good news’ for Alicent as well. Because now Rhaneyra would too be demanding ‘a son for a son’. At what level will she stoop to, remains to be seen.
Dragon-power
“Dreams did not made us Kings. Dragons Did.” – Daemon Targaryen (HOTD S1E10)
A brutal, bloody war is on the horizon. The Greens know it. The Blacks know it. As was seen in the last two episodes, both sides are prepping for it. They are hunting for allies across the kingdoms. However, they know that one of the key things that will play a major role in winning this war is – Dragons. The Blacks currently have the larger number with six: Syrax (bonded to Rhaenyra), Caraxes (Daemon), Vermax (Jacaerys), Arrax (Lucerys), Meleys (Rhaenys), Moondancer (Baela), and Seasmoke (now wild after Laenor “died”). Along with that, they have three wild dragons and Vermithor and Silverwing (both riderless) at Dragonmont on Dragonstone. On the other hand, the Greens have three adult dragons – Sunfyre (Aegon), Vhagar (Aemond), and Dreamfyre (Halaena). But Vhaghar is twice the size of the Blacks’ biggest dragon, Caraxes, and is currently the largest living dragon. It is no less than a living and breathing nuclear bomb. They’re also based in King’s Landing with access to the Dragonpit and whatever wild dragons live inside, so the sides seem pretty evenly matched.
As was shown in the last episode, Daemon is searching for more Targaryen bastards across the kingdoms who could ride Vermithor and Silverwing, aiding their dragon count. Once they go full-out war with each other, it shall nothing be less than brutal bloodshed, a war that shall shape the history and fate of Westeros for forever.
