House of the Dragon made several notable changes from George R.R. Martin’s novel, Fire & Blood. Some of these changes were well-received, while others faced criticism. However, the first episode of Season 1 introduced a major change that impacts the entire Game of Thrones series.
At the end of the pilot, Viserys (played by Paddy Considine) discloses that Aegon the Conqueror had a prophetic dream about the future. In this vision, the Others rise from the dead to invade Westeros, and Aegon believes that a Targaryen must unite the Seven Kingdoms to fight this threat.
Aegon’s dream shares its name with the novel series: The Song of Ice and Fire. Although this has never been officially confirmed in the books, there are many clues suggesting that a similar revelation might appear in Martin’s upcoming novel, The Winds of Winter.
The Targaryens are the most powerful house in Westeros. They are famous for their silver hair and numerous dragons. During the time of Old Valyria, they were a minor house. However, House Targaryen was the only family to survive the Doom of Valyria.
Their survival was due to their unique ability to foresee future events. Daenys the Dreamer saw the Doom in a dream and warned her family. Her ability was passed down to some Targaryens over generations.
Aegon the Conqueror seemed to have this gift as well. His dream was passed from one king to another over time, and several important characters in the books might be aware of his vision.
Rhaegar Knew About the Prophecy
The Song of Ice and Fire novels give several hints that Rhaegar Targaryen (played by Wilf Scolding) knew about Aegon’s dream. It appears that his actions during Robert’s Rebellion were related to this prophecy.
Rhaegar was Daenerys’ (played by Emilia Clarke) older brother and was later revealed to be Jon Snow’s (played by Kit Harington) father. Evidence suggests that Rhaegar was aware of Aegon’s prophecy in A Clash of Kings. When Daenerys enters the House of the Undying, she sees visions that show the past and predict the future.
In a scene cut from Game of Thrones, Daenerys sees Oberyn’s (played by Pedro Pascal) sister, Elia Martell, giving birth to Rhaegar’s son. Rhaegar says, “He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire.” He adds, “There must be one more… The Dragon has three heads.”
Aegon’s prophecy often relates to the idea of a three-headed dragon. Rhaegar likely referred to his own children and was trying to match the original three Targaryens who conquered Westeros—Aegon and his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya.
Rhaegar had two children with Elia, named Rhaenys and Aegon, and he probably expected another daughter, whom he would name Visenya. His plans were disrupted when it was found that Elia could not survive another childbirth, leading him to seek another way to have his third child, resulting in Jon Snow’s birth.
Rhaegar Tried To Create Azor Ahai
Another part of A Storm of Swords suggests that Rhaegar was involved in Aegon’s prophecy. Barristan Selmy (played by Ian McElhinney) recalls that “Rhaegar found something in his scrolls that changed him… the boy suddenly appeared early one morning in the yard… and said, ‘I will require a sword and armor.
It seems I must be a warrior.'” This suggests that Rhaegar not only knew about Aegon’s dream but also believed it was about himself. In A Feast For Crows, Maester Aemon (played by Peter Vaughan) explains that Rhaegar initially thought he was Azor Ahai, the prophesied hero meant to lead the fight against the Others.
“He shared my belief when he was young, but later he became persuaded that it was his own son who fulfilled the prophecy, for a comet had been seen above King’s Landing on the night Aegon was conceived, and Rhaegar was certain the bleeding star had to be a comet.” Rhaegar was mistaken.
Jon Snow’s birth changed the idea that Rhaegar would father the next three Dragonriders, especially since Jon was male. The red comet appeared again when Daenerys had her three dragons.
Rhaegar’s story is tragic. He was consumed by Aegon’s dream and spent his life trying to make that dream come true, but ultimately he failed. One important question remains—how does this connect to House of the Dragon?
House of the Dragon Confirms Rhaegar’s Theory
House of the Dragon confirms the prophecy’s validity and shows that Aegon’s dream is real. Showrunner Ryan Condal mentioned that this idea came from Martin himself.
“That actually came from [Martin]… he casually mentioned the fact that Aegon the Conqueror was a dreamer who saw a vision of the White Walkers coming across the wall … We infused that into the story.” However, the mystery of the three-headed dragon remains unsolved.
The Targaryen sigil is a key reference to this theory, and another hint appears in House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 10. When visiting Vermithor, Daemon (played by Matt Smith) sings a song in High Valyrian. The translated lyrics provide crucial information about Rhaegar’s theory.
“Fire breather, winged leader. But two heads, to a third sing… As one we gather, and with three heads, we shall fly as we were destined.”
House of the Dragon suggests that the prophecy dates back to Old Valyria, and Aegon wasn’t the first to see this vision of the Others. There is strong evidence that Targaryens play a crucial role in the fight against the Others, and there must be three Dragonriders to win. Daenerys gives birth to three dragons but is missing two riders.
Fans have speculated about the identity of the other riders, with Jon Snow being a likely candidate. Despite Game of Thrones dismissing this theory when the Night King claimed Viserion, there is still evidence that Rhaegar knew about the prophecy, and House of the Dragon confirmed his theory almost twenty years after A Feast For Crows was published.
Aegon’s dream remains a secret in House of the Dragon. Only Rhaenyra (played by Emma D’Arcy), Jacaerys (played by Harry Collett), and Daemon know about it from his Weirwood visions at Harrenhal.
Whether this secret survives the Dance of Dragons is unknown. Even if it is lost, the books suggest that it will be revealed almost 200 years later, just in time for Daenerys to take the throne.
House of the Dragon introduces a significant shift in the Game of Thrones narrative by highlighting Aegon the Conqueror’s prophetic dream. This dream, revealing a future invasion by the Others, aligns with the series’ central theme of impending doom and the need for a unified Targaryen front.
The revelation about Aegon’s vision deepens the connection between the Targaryens and their legendary role in the fight against the Others. Rhaegar Targaryen’s belief in the prophecy, and his efforts to fulfill it, underscore his tragic fate.
Despite the challenges and changes made in the adaptations, the core elements of the prophecy, including the significance of a three-headed dragon, remain a vital part of the storyline. As House of the Dragon continues, it will show whether these ancient prophecies will guide the fate of Westeros and the future of the Targaryen dynasty.
Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon are available for streaming on MAX in the U.S.
