As a historian who has spent countless hours delving into the annals of Westeros, I must say that the dragons of this realm hold a special place in my heart and mind. Among these magnificent beasts, none have left a more indelible mark than the legendary Meraxes, the second-largest dragon to grace the skies of Westeros.
Even though season 2 of “House of the Dragon” disappointed some viewers, there is still great anticipation among fans for its return in 2026, as it continues to be one of the most eagerly awaited shows. Ever since the announcement of a prequel series to the popular HBO show “Game of Thrones”, fans have been wondering how many new dragons they would get to see. So far, “House of the Dragon” has provided plenty of exciting new dragons for viewers to enjoy after two seasons.
As a fervent fan of this captivating series, I must say that so far, I’ve been privileged to witness an impressive array of 15 dragons unfurl their majestic wings across the screen. Among them, Vhagar, the world’s largest dragon at the time, left an indelible mark. Caraxes, the Blood Wyrm, with his elongated serpentine form, was equally awe-inspiring. We even had the rare opportunity to watch Stormcloud hatch as a tiny, vulnerable creature. The battles between these magnificent beasts have been nothing short of breathtaking, particularly the epic battle at Rook’s Rest. However, despite the abundance of dragons we’ve encountered in season two, there remains a longing in the hearts of many fans for more dragons to grace our screens in future seasons.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon
10 Tessarion, The Blue Queen
Indeed, although Tessarion made a brief appearance in House of the Dragon, lasting just two seconds as she soared over the Hightower army during their preparations for the civil war called the Dance of Dragons, fans are eagerly anticipating seeing more of this dragon in season 3. This is largely due to her imposing nickname, “The Blue Queen.
Tessarion Is Ready to Crack Some Skulls
As a captivated movie-goer, I must commend Tessarion’s striking color combination of deep blue and radiant bronze. This young dragon of battle age, hailing from the Greens faction during the tumultuous Dance of Dragons, is not just a majestic beast but a significant player in this epic conflict. Ridden by the young Daeron Targaryen, Tessarion’s presence on the battlefield has been indelibly etched in the memories of those who have followed the story closely, as it played a pivotal role in several critical battles of the Dance of the Dragons.
In episode 4 of House of the Dragon titled ‘The Red Dragon and the Gold’, viewers were treated to Meleys battling Sunfyre and Vhagar, an exciting sequence that many consider one of the series’ highlights. If they enjoyed that, then anticipate a huge response from fans as Tessarion is set to engage in a three-way dragon fight involving Seasmoke and “The Bronze Fury,” otherwise known as Vermithor.
9 Stormcloud
Absolutely! You’ve recognized Stormcloud as one of the dragons we caught a glimpse of during season 2, but let me clarify, Stormcloud was still a hatchling at that time. Watching the young dragons evolve throughout the first three seasons of Game of Thrones was quite intriguing. However, it’s challenging to match the excitement when these creatures become massive and breathe fire onto their adversaries. With this in mind, viewers are eagerly awaiting more mature Stormcloud action in season 3.
Stormcloud Is Hoping for a Different Fate
It’s completely alright if you’re a fan who hasn’t read the books yet, there’s no elitism here. However, if you’re expecting Stormcloud to destroy cities, that might not happen. While Stormcloud does exhibit bravery in the Dance of the Dragons, his victories on the battlefield are limited. During the Battle of the Gullet, Stormcloud significantly contributes to the safety of Aegon the Younger for the Blacks, but this act of valor is his only one in their service.
Although the writers and producers of “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones” have a reputation for deviating from the source material, there is still a chance that they might include some thrilling moments for the character named Stormcloud.
8 The Last Dragon
As per Tyrion and Tywin Lannister’s accounts, the last dragon was as small as a house cat with a skull roughly the size of an apple. Contrarily, the scholars of Westeros claim that this final dragon was comparable in size to a large dog, adorned with green scales and shriveled wings. This scene, either a flash-forward or the climax of the series, could offer intrigue as it reveals what became of the last dragon, how the people and surviving Targaryens react to its demise, given that dragons had been powerless in Westeros for over a century when the events of ‘Game of Thrones’ unfold.
What Happened to All the Dragons?
One significant consequence of the Dance of the Dragons was not just the devastating loss of lives and powerful houses, but also the demise of the dragons themselves. Few dragons survived this conflict, eventually leading to their extinction many years later. The Targaryens made attempts to safeguard the remaining dragons, yet their preservation methods ultimately proved detrimental.
In the realm of “Game of Thrones,” dragons prosper and expand only in vast open spaces. However, the Targaryens constructed enclosures to keep them confined, even going so far as to chain them. This restraint causes the dragons to deteriorate and cease growing, resulting in weakened and deformed creatures with lives significantly shorter than their forebears.
7 Tyraxes
At present in House of the Dragon, Joffery Velaryon and his dragon Tyraxes are currently residing in the Vale. This move was orchestrated by his mother Queen Rhaenyra, with the intention of keeping them away from the impending conflicts during the Dance of the Dragons. As a young hatchling, Tyraxes resembles Stormcloud at this stage, but unlike him, Tyraxes is predicted to grow considerably larger as the war progresses.
In the books, Tyraxes increases in size steadily and eventually becomes big enough for Joffery to ride. However, his flights are primarily short trips between specific locations, devoid of any aerial battles. Yet, don’t be fooled; Tyraxes still gets his chance to show off his might.
Tyraxes Longing for a Noble Ending
In “Fire and Blood,” as the horrors of the Dance of the Dragons civil war become increasingly apparent to the citizens of King’s Landing, a self-styled prophet known as The Shepherd begins to propagate among the populace that dragons are malevolent spirits that must be eradicated. One fateful day, a chain reaction of riots sweeps through King’s Landing, and The Shepherd rallies a mob of people to assault the dragon pit and slay all the dragons confined within.
Among the dragons, there was Tyraxes, who refused to surrender peacefully to the tranquil night. Instead, he fought fiercely and unleashed a blazing firewall against any foes daring enough to approach him. This defiant stance led to an ambush, as enemies attempted to attack from behind, disorienting Tyraxes. In his confusion, he became entangled in his chains, eventually choking himself to death. It’s a rather unfortunate demise, reminiscent of meeting an untimely end while using the restroom, but given the penchant for alterations by the show’s creators, one can only hope for a more dignified portrayal. However, even if they choose not to change it, witnessing this dramatic finale, despite its tragic undertones, would undoubtedly be quite thrilling.
6 Quicksilver
In the stories, Quicksilver is depicted as a helpful, amicable dragon who played a significant role in enhancing Aenys Targeryen’s health. Born weak, Aenys and the dragon formed a strong bond, allowing Aenys to ride Quicksilver across Westeros. This charming scene could easily become a touching flashback. However, it is the events that transpired in Quicksilver’s later life that have left an indelible mark on history.
The Battle Beneath the Gods Eye
In the chronicles of Westeros, Quicksilver participated in one of the most legendary dragon duels ever recorded. This significant confrontation, preceding the aerial skirmishes during the Dance of the Dragons, was none other than Quicksilver’s fight against Balerion the Black Dread at the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye. This clash between dragons, if depicted, would undoubtedly set an electrifying tone for an episode’s opening scene. Notably, another major dragon battle unfolds in a similar region during the Dance of the Dragons.
Some fans may think it would be a waste of time to show this considering how seemingly easy it is for larger dragons like Balerion and Vhagar to win fights. But come on, it’s an aerial battle that involves the largest dragon in Westerosi history. That’s just good TV.
5 Grey Ghost
In “House of the Dragon”, we’ve discovered certain dragons become uneasy without a rider, much like Seasmoke, who seek new riders. However, unlike these social dragons, Grey Ghost is an elusive and timid dragon, preferring to keep its distance from humans whenever possible. In the books, only brief glimpses of Grey Ghost are witnessed by people and fishermen on Dragonstone. Yet, even in seclusion, Grey Ghost demonstrates its strength as a formidable combatant.
Shall We Fight to the Death Then?
In the books, Aegon Targaryen II eventually retakes Dragonstone, a place where Grey Ghost and other wild dragons made their home. Not long after this, Grey Ghost was seen battling another dragon and ultimately perished in the struggle. Many pointed fingers at a dragon named The Cannibal, given its tendency to consume smaller baby dragons, but it was actually Sunfyre who ended up slaying the timid creature.
Some viewers might find it surprising given that Sunfyre appeared to have sustained fatal wounds during the Battle of Rook’s Rest. However, in the books, Sunfyre recovers and regains enough strength for travel to Dragonstone. It is possible that the creators could alter this aspect of the story, but witnessing a fierce wild dragon confront one of the claimed dragons would undoubtedly make for an intense scene.
4 Morning
Each dragon’s color scheme stands out distinctly, yet Morning’s might be the most striking. Born with scales of pink and black horns, Morning was the largest documented dragon until Daenerys Targaryen came along with her dragons in ‘Game of Thrones’. If Morning is introduced into ‘House of the Dragon’, recent developments will spark curiosity among fans as to who will be fortunate enough to ride her.
Creative Opportunities for the Writers
It’s intriguing to observe how the writers will incorporate Morning into the series, “House of the Dragon,” as it appears that Rhaena Targaryen’s bond with Morning might evolve to include another dragon. Interestingly, Rhaena seems to be embodying a character called Nettles from the books, and she has ventured out in search of a wild dragon rumored to be Sheepstealer, which resides in the Vale.
This implies that morning presents an open field for individuals aiming to seize a dragon. Despite the unpredictability, it offers potential for authors to exercise their creativity in portraying the circumstances. Given the ambiguity about Morning’s fate following the Dance of the Dragons, this scenario leaves room for speculation and exploration.
3 The Cannibal
In the books, it’s said that The Cannibal has scales as dark as coal and eyes that seem to probe deep into your soul. This is one of the oldest and arguably the most terrifying-looking among the three wild dragons on Dragonstone. The name is fitting; this dragon was known to practice cannibalism, frequently seen consuming smaller or newly hatched dragons to satiate its hunger.
In the annals of Westeros, I have come to regard The Cannibal as an ancient dragon, possibly older even than the legendary Vhagar. Whispers abound that this fearsome beast resided on Dragonstone before the Targaryen conquest, lending credence to such claims. However, there are those who suggest that The Cannibal might belong to a different lineage than the dragons of House Targaryen. Yet, as I stand here today, the origins of this enigmatic dragon remain shrouded in mystery.
Welcome to the Wild, Wild, Westeros
In the books, it’s never stated that there is a cannibal dragon, but that didn’t deter people from attempting to find one. However, no one was ever successful or survived if they tried. Regrettably, given how the previous group of volunteers were handled by Vermithor, it seems unlikely that any character in House of the Dragon would be tasked with claiming a cannibal dragon. Nevertheless, a cannibalistic dragon could provide some intense hunting sequences.
The authors might as well depict a scenario where The Cannibal challenges Grey Ghost or another presumed dragon encroaching on his territory. There are numerous options for this alleged dragon given that it’s one of only four dragons surviving the Dance of the Dragons in the story. It’s also significant to mention that at the conclusion of the war, The Cannibal vanishes without a trace, which could serve as an engaging plot twist towards the end of the series.
2 Meraxes
Meraxes is one of the three dragons utilized during Aegon Targaryen’s conquest of Westeros. This dragon was smaller than Balerion but larger than Vhagar, and it had golden eyes and silver scales. Notably, Meraxes was the mount for Aegon’s sister-wife, Rhaenys Targaryen. The two shared a powerful bond, with historians suggesting that Rhaenys spent more time flying on Meraxes than both Aegon and his other sister-wife Visenya combined. Faced with the formidable trio of Meraxes, Vhagar, and Balerion, the lords of Westeros had little chance of resisting their invasion, ultimately submitting, except for Dorne.
The Ghost of Dragons Battles Past
In a subsequent scene, we may encounter another instance reminiscent of a flashback or dream sequence, given that Meraxes perished much earlier than the Dance of the Dragons. During the First Dornish War, Meraxes met her end at the hands of a scorpion bolt, becoming the first dragon to be slain in battle within Westeros. Regardless of whether the writers choose to depict her tragic death or merely show scenes of her ravaging fortresses, witnessing the second-largest dragon ever known in Westeros in action is likely to captivate viewers.
If they desired to portray a less devastating flashback, they might instead emphasize the powerful bond between Meraxes and Rhaenys. It’s thought that during the Conquest and King Jaehaerys’ reign, the connection between dragons and their riders was significantly stronger. Watching a colossal dragon like Meraxes act as a gentle giant in one scene and then display fierceness in another would be both endearing and awe-inspiring.
1 Balerion, the Black Dread
In Valyria, the final dragon born was named Balerion, who, even in his aged and weary state, remained the most formidable dragon of his era due to his sheer terror-inducing presence. Known as the Black Dread, he possessed scales as dark as pitch and breathed fire so scorching that it could melt stone, steel, and transform sand into glass. Balerion’s immense wingspan and stature were such that they cast shadows over entire cities, at times even obscuring the sun itself.
Undeniably, one of Balerion’s most impressive displays of power occurred during his destruction of Harrenhal, a fortress believed to be impervious to any ground assault, let alone from the air. For ages, the Black Dread has left an indelible mark in Westeros, a force that remains both feared and remembered.
The Westerosi Nuclear Bomb
If the creators of House of the Dragon choose to depict Balerion in a flashback or dream scene, they will have several memorable instances from the books to select. They might showcase the Black Dread’s devastation during the Dornish War when he almost completely destroyed all the Dornish fortresses, or they could portray the destruction of Harrenhal. Additionally, they could present the Battle Beneath the Gods Eye, the first dragon aerial combat since the Doom of Valyria, which would offer a peek into Balerion’s second rider, King Maegor Targaryen the Cruel.
It’s plausible that the story might reveal Balerion’s third rider, Princess Aeria Targaryen, and the tragic event that supposedly transpires when she supposedly goes back to Valyria following the catastrophe. However, if we had to speculate about the rider they portray in a flashback, it is likely to be King Viserys Targaryen, the last rider of Balerion. This is mainly because it would be practical to film this scene, given that Balerion was an aged and weary dragon when Viserys claimed him, and was only utilized a few times to transport him around Kings Landing before his demise.
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2024-10-21 01:02