How ‘House of the Dragon’ has set up Daemon Targaryen’s fate

The Rogue Prince, Daemon Targaryen, in the HBO Max series House of the Dragon, is a character that fans of the show and the A Song of Ice and Fire books by George R. R. Martin have grown to love.

Though he is not an outright hero or villain, nor the archetypal knight who arrives to save the damsel in distress, Daemon Targaryen is a complex figure, typical of George R. R. Martin’s characters. His motives are not always clear, leaving readers of the books and viewers of the show uncertain whether to love or hate him. Is he an antagonist or a self-serving egoist?

The ambiguity of his character adds to the intrigue, and the creators leave much open to interpretation.

The recent season of House of the Dragon has added more layers to Daemon’s character, diverging somewhat from his portrayal in the Fire & Blood novel, while still reflecting Martin’s creation.

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Initially presented as an antagonist, Daemon’s character development in season 2 suggests a shift in his trajectory. Even George R. R. Martin has admitted he does not know what ultimately happens to Daemon Targaryen.

Spoilers Ahead

It’s common knowledge that Daemon Targaryen’s storyline ends after an epic battle, heavily foreshadowed throughout season 2 of House of the Dragon by characters such as Alys Rivers and Helaena Targaryen. According to a popular theory, Daemon is expected to meet his end at Harrenhal in a battle with his nephew, Aemond Targaryen.

However, there are indications that the show might be setting up a different arc for Daemon, subtly hinted at in the season 2 finale. In one of the visions shown by Alys Rivers, the rogue prince is seen drowning in a river, but the vision does not reveal what happens afterward.

In the books, Daemon’s body is never recovered after the battle at the God’s Eye, unlike Aemond’s. This ambiguity leaves open the possibility that Daemon may have survived. If he did survive, the question remains: what happened to him after the battle?

There is reason to believe that Daemon survived his encounter with Aemond. The show’s narrative has been building toward a different resolution for him right under our noses since season 1.

Recall that Daemon left Westeros for Pentos with his wife, Laena Velaryon, and was initially reluctant to return, only coming back after Laena’s death and Rhaenyra’s plea. This reluctance suggests a weariness with the politics of Westeros and a desire for a simpler life.

Again, in same season, Daemon helped fake Laenor Velaryon; Rhaenyra’s husband’s death, which quote on quote, already spells something.

In season 2, Alys Rivers questions Daemon, hinting that he may eventually tire of fighting and seek respite from the burdens associated with the Iron Throne. Daemon’s response to Rivers suggests a growing disillusionment with the Targaryen civil war. He already understands that the stakes are far greater than either side’s ambitions, and after eliminating the threats posed by Aemond and Vhagar, he might seek the anonymity of a simpler life, much like the one he enjoyed in Pentos.

It is also possible that Daemon plays a crucial role in spreading the prophecy of Aegon’s dream and the future war against the White Walkers, as seen in Game of Thrones. This potential development adds an intriguing dimension to his character’s arc and leaves open the question of his ultimate fate in the series.