WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 8, and Fire & Blood, the book on which the show is based.
Summary
Helaena’s visions inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 8 were unlike anything the prequel series orGame of Throneshad ever done, suggesting her dragon dream abilities are stronger than anyone could’ve imagined.House of the Dragonseason 2’s finaleset up a lot of things, including upcoming battles and the future of King’s Landing. In addition to a couple of teases and hints of what is to come,“The Queen Who Ever Wars” directly acknowledged future eventsin theGame of Thronesuniverse through the visions of Daemon and Helaena Targaryen.
Daemon spent most ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 in Harrenhal trying to unite the Rivermen under Rhaenyra’s banner, during which he had a lot of nightmares and visions.Daemon Targaryen’s visions in the finalewere particularly intense, namely because they now revealed glimpses of the future. Daenerys Targaryen,the Three-Eyed Raven, and the Long Night were some things Daemon got a glimpse of. The most surprising aspect of Daemon’s visions, however, was the appearance of Helaena. It seemed likeHelaena was interacting with Daemon’s dream, almost as if they were sharing the same vision.
Who Is Dreamfyre? Helaena Targaryen’s Dragon’s History, Power & HOTD Future Explained
House of the Dragon season 2’s finale mentions Dreamfyre. Here’s what we know about Helaena Targaryen’s dragon, before and during the Dance.
Did Helaena Knowingly Enter Daemon’s Vision In House Of The Dragon?
Helaena Interacted With Daemon In His Vision
Daemon seeing other people in his visions and interacting with them was nothing new. Some of the most important – and disturbing – moments ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 involved Daemon Targaryen dreaming about members of his family. This included a younger version of Rhaenyra, a version of Aemond with Daemon’s face, Viserys, and even Daemon’s mother. It would have made sense for Daemon to see Helana in his visions too, especially because he was directly involved in the murder of her infant child. That said,Helaena appeared to be more than just a figment of Daemon’s mind.
House of the Dragonseason 1, episode 1 heavily implied that Aegon the Conqueror was a dragon dreamer, as he had a dream about the Long Night and seemingly decided to conquer Westeros so that he could protect it.
Helaena interacted with Daemon and seemed to be actively involved in the visions he was having. She warned him he was just a small part of a much bigger story, which played a role in Daemon’s ultimate decision of pleading his loyalty to Rhaenyra.It may be that Daemon and Helaena had a simultaneous vision, which has never been exactly brought up in the books but would work in the well-established context of dragon dreams. Helaena, who is a known dragon dreamer and can often feel and predict things, may also have entered Daemon’s visions.
What Helaena’s Message To Daemon In His Vision Means
Helaena Warned Daemon About His Role In The Story
Helaena told Daemon that, while he has a role to play in all this, the real“story”goes beyond him. Helaena was referring to the future of not only House Targaryen and Westeros but the world of the living as a whole. She was talking about the greatest battle there is in theGame of Thronesuniverse – the one against death itself in the form of the White Walkers and the Long Night.House of the Dragonseason 2’s finale doubled down on the show’s Aegon the Conqueror twist, this time having Daemon learn about the threat beyond the wall.
While it seems like Daemon is not aware of how he will die, he now understands his role in the story is to support Rhaenyra.
Daemon always believed he was meant for great things, which is why he was so insulted by the fact that Viserys did not name him as heir. Before his introspective journey in Harrenhal, Daemon still believed he should be king, meaning Rhaenyra’s suspicions about his loyalty were more than justified. However, Helaena’s message to Daemon, as well as the rest of his visions, made him realize that there is a war coming that is much bigger than him.Daemon is Daenerys Targaryen’s sixth great-grandfather, meaning he is an important part of the chessboard.
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Daenerys' sixth-great grandfather
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Daemon’s youngest and last surviving son
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Maekar’s son
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Daenerys Targaryen
Aerys II’s daughter
House of the Dragonreferencing futureGame of Thronesevents is risky, especially because bothDaemon and Helaena have interpreted their visions very accurately. When talking to the prince regent,Helaena warned Aemondhe was going to die above the God’s Eye. This is a reference to the battle between Aemond and Daemon above the God’s Eye, during which both characters die. While it seems like Daemon is not aware of how he will die, he now understands his role in the story is to support Rhaenyra.
How Powerful Is Helaena In House Of The Dragon?
Helaena’s Vague Dreams Are Becoming True Predictions
Fire & Bloodand the first season ofHouse of the Dragonestablished Helaena as a vague dreamer – someone who would feel and predict things without even realizing it.House of the Dragons season 1’s premiere revisited Helaenea’s abilities when she mentioned her concerns about the rats, which was a foreshadowing of the Blood & Cheese tragedy. However, the season 2 finale suggestsHelaena’s powers are growing, and that she is learning how to understand and make sense of her visions. Compared to the vague reference to rats in episode 1, Helaena properly discussing future events was a major twist.
It’s difficult to predict how much more powerful Helaena can be becausethe extent of the Targaryen’s dragon dream abilities is unknown.It is not even clear whether dragon visions are indeed inherently tied to the blood of the dragon shared by the descendants of Old Valyria’s dragonriders, or if this is simply how the Targaryens interpreted the foresight abilities shown by some of their kind. Regardless, Helaena’s scenes in “The Queen Who Ever Was” leave the door open for the show to expand her abilities and give her character a bigger role to play compared toFire & Blood.
Helaena Targaryen Is Becoming More Like Bran Stark
Helaena Is Becoming House Of The Dragon’s Version Of Bran
Helaena is becoming similar toGame of Thrones’ Bran Stark in terms of their function in their respective shows. Like Bran,Helaena does not participate in any battlesbut is still an important character in the overall story. Even though she never left King’s Landing during the show and is often inside the Red Keep, Helaena has become an active player in the war. Bran would also disconnect himself from the present to look into the future, a trait that would define the character after his encounter with the Three-Eyed Raven Brynden Rivers.
Despite these narrative similarities, we don’t know if Helaena Targaryen has greensight. It is also unclear whether dragon dreams and green dreams are connected, although they most likely are. Although there is magic inGeorge R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice and Fireuniverse, the rules of it all are very mysterious and often come from unreliable narrators. For example, there has yet to be a definitive answer as to whether non-Valyrians can bond with dragons. Regardless, Helaena’s prophetic visions are becoming increasingly more accurate and will likely continue to be important inHouse of the Dragon.
House of the Dragon
Cast
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.
