“House of the Dragon” stands out as a unique adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s book, Fire & Blood, largely due to the book’s nature. Martin wrote Fire & Blood as a historical account of the Targaryen dynasty, intentionally making it unreliable.
The HBO series has taken the opportunity to expand and change key parts of the narrative. These changes include making Alicent Hightower (played by Olivia Cooke) and Rhaenyra Targaryen (played by Emma D’Arcy) childhood friends of the same age, which was not part of the book.
Another key change is Laenor Velaryon (played by John Macmillan) faking his death, and Aemond Targaryen (played by Ewan Mitchell) not killing his brother during the Battle of Rook’s Rest. Despite these creative shifts, the series has largely kept the core of the Targaryen story intact.
However, one major omission continues to stand out: the character of Maelor Targaryen, the youngest child of Aegon II (played by Tom Glynn-Carney) and Helaena Targaryen (played by Phia Saban).
Leaving out Maelor has already changed how the tragic Blood and Cheese event unfolds, but it hasn’t had a drastic impact on the story so far. As the show moves towards Season 3, Maelor’s absence may begin to cause more significant challenges.
The window to naturally bring him into the series is shrinking, especially since the Season 2 finale reveals that Aegon can no longer father children due to his injuries. One possible, albeit controversial, solution might be for Aemond to take on the role of Maelor’s father. But is this scenario even feasible?
Who Is Maelor Targaryen, Helaena’s Third Child?
In Fire & Blood, Maelor is introduced as the third child of Aegon II and Helaena, and he is two years old when the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons begins. He is four years younger than his twin siblings, Jaehaerys and Jaehaera.
Sadly, Maelor’s first major appearance is during the Blood and Cheese event, a horrific moment in Targaryen history. In the book, hired assassins Blood (played by Sam C. Wilson) and Cheese (played by Mark Stobbart) force Helaena into an impossible decision: she must choose which of her sons will die.
Distraught, Helaena picks Maelor, but instead, Blood and Cheese kill Jaehaerys while taunting Maelor, saying, “You hear that, little boy? Your mama wants you dead.”
After Jaehaerys’ death, Maelor automatically becomes Aegon’s heir. Aegon and Larys Strong (played by Matthew Needham) eventually flee King’s Landing, and Larys helps arrange Maelor’s escape as well.
While on the run, Maelor and his sworn protector, Ser Rickard Thorne (played by Vincent Regan), are captured and killed in Bitterbridge, a town controlled by Rhaenyra’s forces.
This brutal murder enrages Daeron Targaryen, Alicent’s youngest son with Viserys (played by Paddy Considine). In retaliation, Daeron burns Bitterbridge to the ground using his dragon, Tessarion.
As the series heads into its third season, Maelor’s character would have been important for two major reasons: first, Daeron and Tessarion joining the war, and second, Aegon and Larys’s escape from King’s Landing.
Daeron’s attack on Bitterbridge would also serve as a significant moment in establishing his character, especially since the show has barely hinted at him, with only a brief shot of Tessarion in the Season 2 finale. Without Maelor, the writers may choose to replace his death with Jaehaera’s, but this could complicate the story even further.
If Maelor is to be introduced, and Helaena isn’t already pregnant with Aegon’s last child, one big question remains: who could be the father?
Could Aemond Be Maelor’s Father in Season 3?
This question connects back to fan theories from Season 1. Many viewers noticed a special bond between Helaena and Aemond and speculated that the two might have a romantic relationship. Some even believed that Aemond could be the real father of Helaena’s twins.
This theory gained enough attention that actors Ewan Mitchell and Phia Saban addressed it in interviews. Saban said that a relationship between the siblings “isn’t completely out of the question,” and both actors agreed that Aemond and Helaena are closer than the other Targaryen siblings.
With Aemond now fully embracing his role as prince regent, fans are wondering if he could be the solution to the Maelor dilemma.
However, given the events of Season 2, where tensions between Helaena and Aemond have clearly escalated, the idea of a romantic affair seems less likely.
Their relationship has taken a sharp turn after the dramatic balcony scene in the finale. Helaena, who has grown more confident in her prophetic visions, now possesses a quiet strength that Aemond’s rage and uncertainty can’t challenge.
At this point, the only thing Aemond could do to assert control would be to threaten her life, which leaves little room for a romantic relationship to develop. Still, it’s worth noting that Targaryen family dynamics are often unconventional, so a sudden twist can’t be ruled out entirely.
There is another, darker possibility: Aemond could force himself on Helaena in a moment of anger, desperation, or a twisted attempt to secure his claim to the throne. While this would be a deeply disturbing turn of events, it’s not one the audience is likely to support.
Aemond’s character has certainly shown signs of increasing volatility, but so far, the series has avoided depicting him as a sexual predator.
That role has been reserved for Aegon, who is a known rapist, and the two brothers are portrayed as being very different. Still, as Aemond continues to embrace his darker side, there’s always a chance that things could take a more extreme turn, even if it seems unlikely.
What Role Could Alys Rivers Play in Aemond and Helaena’s Stories?
Alys Rivers (played by Gayle Rankin) adds another layer of intrigue to the potential storyline. In Fire & Blood, Aemond seizes Harrenhal from the opposing faction and meets Alys there. The two quickly become involved in an intense romantic relationship.
After Aemond dies at the Gods Eye, Alys claims to be pregnant with his child and declares their child the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. She even forms a small army to support her claim, using her powers as the “witch queen of Harrenhal” to strengthen her position.
Unless Alys decides to manipulate Aemond for her own survival, it’s unlikely that she would willingly enter a relationship with him. Her character is strong and independent, and she is portrayed as someone who would rather use clever tactics to gain power than rely on a man.
She might even poison Aemond or manipulate him into madness rather than become a victim. The book doesn’t provide a clear explanation of Alys’s motivations, leaving the writers plenty of room to shape her character as they see fit.
In this sense, “House of the Dragon” may combine different elements of the story for convenience. The show has already blended characters and events, like how they merged the character of Rhaena Targaryen (played by Phoebe Campbell) with Nettles, a dragon rider who tames Sheepstealer in the book.
One possibility is that Helaena could take on Alys’s role as Aemond’s significant other in the show. If Helaena were to have Aemond’s child instead of Aegon’s, it would add an extra layer of drama, especially since Helaena’s visions might already hint at her child’s tragic future.
The decision to exclude Maelor from “House of the Dragon” has already had an impact on the show’s narrative, but it opens up new possibilities for character development and storylines.
Whether through Aemond’s involvement or the introduction of Alys Rivers, the third season of “House of the Dragon” will need to address these changes in a way that satisfies both the show’s complex plot and its fans’ expectations.
