Summary
House of the Dragonseems to be going all out with its dragons in Season Two, with new claims being made left and right. Big dragons like Vermithor, Silverwing and Seasmoke are finally being claimed after being riderless for years. These dragons are fighting for Rhaenyra and the Blacks and though they are bastards atop these beasts, they have Targaryen blood.
The TV show seems to be going all out, and it’ll be interesting to see how they portray its future battles now that there are more dragons in the mix. But these big names aren’t the only ones that are going to answer the call of action.Another large dragon has been spotted in the Vale of Arryn by Rhaena Targaryenand this one is a bit more wild and mysterious.
Spoilers ahead for Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.
What Dragon Is In The Vale In House Of The Dragon?
In the sixth episode of House of the Dragon Season Two,the presence of a wild dragon in the Vale is hinted atwhen Rhaena Targaryen and her companions discover burnt sheep carcasses and scorched land.
While the show doesn’t explicitly name the dragon,fans of George R.R. Martin’s book, Fire & Bloodbelieve it to be Sheepstealer.Sheepstealer is a large, brown dragonknown for his preference for sheep as prey.
He washatched during the reign of King Jaehaerys I Targaryenand resided in Dragonmont but often ventured out in search of food.
In the books, Sheepstealer eventually becomes involved in the Dance of the Dragons,fighting on the side of Rhaenyra Targaryenand the Blacks, but the appearance of Sheepstealer in the Vale could havesignificant implications for Rhaena’s storyline.
It’s possible that she might eventually bond with and ride the dragon, giving her a crucial role in upcoming battles, andcutting out the character of Nettles entirely.
The show has yet to confirm the identity of the wild dragon in the Vale,as it’s possible that it could also be the Cannibal, but the hints strongly point towards Sheepstealer.
As the season progresses, you can expect to learn more about the dragon’s role in the unfolding events andwho will ultimately become his rider.
Nettles And Sheepstealer
In the books,a similar set of events occur up till the call for the dragonseeds, where the show completelycuts out Nettles’ characterwith no mention of her so far. During the war,Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra Targaryen’s son, calls for dragonseeds toclaim the unridden dragons on Dragonstoneto add to the Black’s army.
Nettles, along with several others, answers the call. Unlike the other dragonseeds,Nettles takes a different approach with Sheepstealer.
She observes that the dragon has aparticular fondness for sheepand begins bringing himfreshly slaughtered sheep at dawn. This patient and gentle approach eventually earns her Sheepstealer’s trust, and is tamed for the first time.
Sheepstealer was the first ever wild dragon to have been tamed by a human.
Nettles and Sheepstealer then becomeone of the most powerful duosin the Dance of the Dragons. They participate in several battles,including the Battle of the Gullet, where they play a crucial role in defeating the enemy fleet.Nettles proves to be a skilled dragonrider, earning the respect of Daemon Targaryen himself.
Nettles' Fate
Eventually,after Rhaenyra becomes paranoidbecause of the betrayal she endures,she brands Nettles as an enemy, which forces Nettles to flee with Sheepstealer, and it was the last anyone ever saw of her.
Their fate remains unknown, but it is speculated that afterDaemon’s battle with Aemond at the Battle above the Gods Eye, Daemon and Nettles spend their daysaway from the seven kingdoms.
