As all hell breaks loose at the end of House of the Dragon’s latest episode, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) takes a moment to tell her son about a prophecy called “The Song of Ice and Fire.” Die-hard Game of Thrones fans are likely well acquainted with the story. It’s the name of creator George R.R. Martin’s series of novels that the popular fantasy world adapted for Thrones. On House of the Dragon, the story takes on an entirely new meaning.
For starters, much of the blame for the Targaryen succession crisis rests solely on this prophecy alone. Set nearly two hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon follows an era in which Aegon “The Conqueror” Targaryen’s descendants nearly ruin his kingdom and end the reign of dragons in Westeros. The “Song of Ice and Fire” prophecy comes from Aegon himself, detailing a winter that will end the world. Naturally, the doomsday omen is meant to tie the prequel series to the finale of Game of Thrones. But in House of the Dragon’s most pivotal moments, the prophecy appears over and over. Let’s break it all down below.
What Does King Viserys Tell Rhaenyra About the Prophecy?
According to Vanity Fair, Martin wanted to include a new scene on House of the Dragon about Aegon’s prophecy. Though there’s no mention of it in his Fire & Blood book, the creator said that it felt important to add it to the HBO series, “because some of this is going to be in the later books." As showrunner Ryan Condal echoed, “[Some fans thought] I committed A Song of Ice and Fire heresy, but I did tell them: ‘That came from George.’ ”
The scene occurs in season 1, when King Viserys (Paddy Considine) tells Rhaenyra of a dream Aegon had that has passed from monarch to monarch ever since. According to Viserys, Aegon saw “a terrible winter, gusting out of the distant north,” which brings about “absolute darkness.” Though he doesn’t know about Thrones’ White Walkers, he predicts that “whatever dwells within will destroy the world of the living.”
What Does Alicent Hear King Viserys Say When He Dies?
On his deathbed, Viserys brings up the prophecy once again. As he takes his last breath, he whispers the name of Aegon the Conqueror to Alicent (Olivia Cooke). Thinking that the king was referring to their son, Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), she works with the council to place him on the throne instead of Rhaenyra. This is where the whole succession crisis begins—and the reason the Targaryens enter a civil war. So it’s kind of silly that an old man’s ramblings kick off the entire conflict. Especially when you look at how badly Alicent misunderstood what Viserys was trying to tell her:
Viserys: Aegon...
Alicent: Our son?
Viserys: His dream. The Song of Ice and Fire. It is true. What he saw in the North. The Prince That Was Promised.
Alicent: I don’t understand, Viserys.
Viserys: The prince.
Alicent: Prince Aegon?
Viserys: To unite the realm against the cold and the dark. It is you. You are the one. You must do this. You must do this.
Alicent: I understand, my king.
There’s a lot less mystery and prophecy in Fire & Blood, which is maybe why Martin chose to expand upon his original work. Still, Alicent must have known that Rhaenyra would not stand for this. In season 2, the two discuss the event again. Rhaenyra sneaks into King’s Landing dressed as a nun, hoping to stop any more bloodshed. Though Alicent seems to realize her mistake during their conversation, she tells Rhaenyra that it’s too late to avoid war.
Rhaenyra Tells Jace About the Prophecy
As the war begins in season 2, episode 4, Rhaenyra shares the prophecy with Jace (Harry Collett). It’s an omen passed down from Targaryen to Targaryen. Jace even saw North of the Wall himself recently. While we don’t know what will come next on House of the Dragon, the prophecy is long forgotten by the time that the Lannisters come into power on Game of Thrones. Unfortunately, that’s when the prophecy finally comes true. The Walkers attack from the North, bringing death and destruction in their wake. Say what you will about how Thrones ended, but Aegon was right.
