The season two finale ofHouse of the Dragonleft viewers with more questions than answers, like what exactly Daemon saw in his visions or how Helaena was there as well. One of the characters we see in the visions is Brynden Rivers, and though he wasn’t named, you could clearly see he was a Targaryen and was curiously embedded into a tree just like the Three-Eyed Raven.

Though it was never confirmed before, these visions finally give us some closure on lore-related questions aboutGame of Thronesas well. But who exactly is Brynden Rivers, and why is everything supposedly being built up to him?

Who Is Brynden Rivers?

Brynden Rivers is knownby the name Bloodraven, and he is a key figure in the history of Westeros. He wasone of the many illegitimate children of King Aegon IV Targaryen, but unlike his bastard siblings,he was raised in the royal court. This gave him an education andunderstanding of politics that few could matchand made himone of the great bastardsof Aegon IV.

Brynden was a skilled warrior with aremarkablearchery aim, qualities that served him wellduring the Blackfyre Rebellions. He led the charge against the rebels, earning a reputationas a ruthless Targaryen loyalist. He later served as theHand of the King, advising multiple rulers for a time.

Years after the Blackfyre rebellions, a great council was calledto decide on a new kingafter the death of Maekar I Targaryen, and after promising Lord Aenys Blackfyresafe conduct through Kingslandingto join the great council,he wentback on his word and beheaded him.

AfterKing Aegon Vascended to the throne, heordered Bloodraven to join the Night’s Watchfor breaking his promise. He eventually rose to become Lord Commander and on one of his trips beyond the wall, in the frozen wilderness,he never came back. We get the answer why in Game of Thrones.

Is Brynden Rivers The Three-Eyed Raven In House Of The Dragon?

In the books and in Game of Thrones, on one of his journeys beyond the wall,Brynden embeds himself into a weirdwood treeand becomes theThree-Eyed Raven. As the Three-Eyed Raven, Bryndenbecame a powerful greenseer, able to see through the eyes of weirwood trees and witness events across time. He played acrucial role in guiding Bran Stark, helping him understand his destiny,eventually passing on the powers to him.

I have my own ghosts, Bran. A brother that I loved, a brother that I hated, a woman I desired. Through the trees, I see them still, but no word of mine has ever reached them. The past remains the past. We can learn from it, but we cannot change it.

Though his physical body was withered and frail,the Three-Eyed Raven’s mind was a weapon. He lived for centuries, patiently waiting for the one who could take up his mantle and continue hisfight against the Night King. He knew that the fate of Westeros depended on Bran Stark, on his ability to use his powersto protect the realm from the long night.

In the end, the Three-Eyed Raven sacrificed himself so that Brancould escape the Night King’s grasp. Though he lived for centuries, Brynden Rivers witnessed most of history before dying, making himone of the most powerful characters in lore.

It was great to see a sneak peek of him inDaemon’s visions thanks to the cursed fortress of Harrenhal, and there’s more to come in the future withthe Dunk and Egg TV show in the works.