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HBO’sHouse of The Dragonis inspired by George RR Martin’s book Fire & Blood. The story explores Westeros’s history, focusing on the Targaryen dynasty two hundred years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen. It was a time when her ancestors ruled the seven Kingdoms at the height of their power, but the wars that came after eventually led to the death of the dragons and the fall from power for the Targaryens.
In 2022,when Season One of House of The Dragon aired, it quickly became a sensation, as the focus was on building up its main characters while chronicling their journey leading up to the Dance of the Dragons. With Season Two, the show creators have impressively expanded into various subplots that enrich the overarching storyline on a grander scale, such as the plot involving the mysterious character of Alys Rivers, known as the Witch Queen of Harrenhal.
Who Is Alys Rivers In House Of The Dragon?
In Season Two, Episode Three of the TV show,Prince Daemon Targaryen flies on the back of his dragon, Caraxes, to the Riverlands tosinglehandedly take over the great strongholdin the heart of Westeros, Harrenhal, for Queen Rhaenyra.During his stay at this fortress,Daemon experiences several visions and interacts with a character named Alys Rivers, played by the Scottish actress Gayle Rankin.
Interactions at various moments in the show suggest thatDaemon’s encounters with Alys Rivers are entirely fictional, leaving the possibility open that she may be a supernatural beingor a figment of Daemon’s imagination, as aside from Daemon,no one else in Harrenhal engages with her directly.
Episode Six finally reveals thatshe is, in fact, a real personand not just in Daemon’s head. During this episode, Daemon asks for Alys’shelp dealing with the Riverlords, as many of them, including the Brackens,refuse to support Queen Rhaenyra.
Alys councils Daemon that the Riverlords will never unitewithout the order of their liege Lord, Grover Tully. Later in the episode, Ser Simon informs Daemon thatGrover Tully is dead, and none of the healers, including Alys Rivers, could save him, confirming that she is truly real and mighthave had a hand in Grover Tully’s death.
Who Is Alys Rivers In The Fire And Blood Books?
In the Fire and Blood books,Alys Rivers is a fascinating characterwith a mysterious backstory.She is a witchwho becomes one of the most important players in the Dance of the Dragons.
In the historical accounts,Grand Maester Munkun and Septon Eustace shed light on her pastand her keen interest in potions and spells. They claim thatshe was a bastard of Lord Lyonel Strong, and if true, that would make her the natural half-sister to Harwin and Larys Strong.
In the books,she is called the Witch Queendue to her ability to see visions in flames, storm clouds, and water pools. After the assault on Harrenhal led by Daemon Targaryen, Prince Aemond reclaims Harrenhal and orders the death of the remaining members of House Strong.
However, he forgives Alys Rivers, andshe eventually becomes Aemond’s paramour. Aemond then leaves Harrenhal to continue the war against the Blacks, leaving Alys behind, but returns when Lady Sabitha Frey takes over the undefended fortress.
Alys then escapes the castle with Aemond, and during this time,she is pregnant with his child,so she continues to serve the Greens faithfully.
After Aemond’s death in the battle of God’s Eye, Alys continued to spend her life at Harrenhal. During the reign of Aegon III, several outlawsbegan gathering under the rule of a Witch Queen, who is revealed to be Alys Rivers, claiming thather child belongs to Aemond Targaryen and is the true heir to the Iron Throne. Her story goes on, but not much happens after this event, as nobody takes the bastard’s claim seriously.
