Every alliance now carries the risk of betrayal.
KING’S LANDING, Westeros | June 2026
House of the Dragon returns for its third season with the Targaryen civil war fully underway and nearly every major faction preparing for conflict. The second season ended with armies moving across the continent, fleets approaching confrontation and dragon riders positioning themselves for battles by land, sea and air. Rhaenyra Targaryen and Aegon II continue to claim the Iron Throne, but both camps are becoming increasingly unstable from within. The new season begins at the point where political rivalry is transforming into organized destruction.
Rhaenyra remains the leader of the Black faction after being named heir by her father, King Viserys. Her husband and uncle, Daemon Targaryen, briefly struggled with his own ambition before reaffirming his loyalty to her. Lord Corlys Velaryon, known as the Sea Snake, continues to provide naval strength despite losing his wife, Rhaenys, during the war. His fleet is now supported by his illegitimate son Alyn of Hull, who has become an important figure in the maritime campaign.
The Blacks hold a significant advantage in the skies. Rhaenyra rides Syrax, Daemon commands Caraxes and her son Jacaerys remains bonded with Vermax. Baela Targaryen also brings Moondancer into the conflict, giving the faction several experienced dragon riders. Their strength increased further after three men of uncertain status successfully claimed dragons previously without riders.
Ulf the White now rides Silverwing, while Hugh Hammer has bonded with Vermithor, one of the largest dragons still alive. Addam of Hull, Alyn’s brother, has become the rider of Seasmoke. These new dragonseeds give Rhaenyra greater numerical power, but their loyalty remains untested. None has the established political identity or family discipline of the traditional Targaryen riders.
The Green faction remains officially aligned behind Aegon II, although his authority has been severely weakened. His rise to the throne resulted from ambition, political manipulation and Alicent Hightower’s misunderstanding of Viserys’ final words. She believed her dying husband wanted their son Aegon to inherit the kingdom, when he was actually referring to Aegon the Conqueror and an older prophecy. By the end of the second season, Alicent understood that the foundation of her son’s claim had been built partly on an error.
Aegon’s reign has been marked by personal tragedy and military disaster. His brother Aemond accidentally killed Rhaenyra’s son Lucerys and his dragon Arrax, turning the succession dispute into an irreversible blood feud. Daemon responded by hiring assassins to kill Aemond, but they instead murdered Aegon’s young son Jaehaerys. The cycle of retaliation eliminated any remaining possibility of a peaceful reconciliation between the rival branches of the family.
Aemond later attacked Aegon during the battle that killed Rhaenys. The assault left the king badly burned and physically broken, while his dragon Sunfyre was believed to be dying. With Aegon incapacitated, Aemond gained greater authority and positioned himself as the dominant military figure within the Green faction. His bond with Vhagar gives him control of the most powerful dragon currently participating in the war.
Despite that advantage, the Greens face a dangerous imbalance in dragon power. Aemond’s sister Helaena refuses to ride Dreamfyre, while their younger brother Daeron has not yet appeared on screen. Daeron and his dragon Tessarion remain away from the capital with the Hightower forces. If Aemond leaves King’s Landing with Vhagar, the city could become vulnerable to a coordinated attack by Rhaenyra’s larger group of riders.
The Greens retain considerable strength through conventional armies. House Hightower is assembling a major force, while Ser Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower march north toward the Riverlands. Their objective is to confront Daemon, who has taken control of Harrenhal and gathered an army around the strategically important castle. Lord Jason Lannister is also preparing to support the campaign from the west.
A second threat is approaching by sea. Tyland Lannister, serving as the Greens’ master of ships, negotiated an alliance with the Triarchy across the Narrow Sea. Admiral Sharako Lohar is leading the foreign fleet toward the Velaryon navy. This confrontation could challenge Corlys’ control of the waters and disrupt Rhaenyra’s ability to move troops and supplies.
The most consequential secret at the start of the season is the agreement between Alicent and Rhaenyra. Isolated from the Green Council and ignored by both Aegon and Aemond, Alicent secretly traveled to Dragonstone. She offered to arrange the peaceful surrender of King’s Landing if Rhaenyra guaranteed protection for Alicent and Helaena. The proposal also required Aemond and Vhagar to be sent away, leaving the capital exposed.
Alicent understands that Rhaenyra would likely execute Aegon to eliminate the rival claim permanently. Her willingness to accept that outcome shows how completely her position has changed. Yet the agreement may already be impossible to fulfill because Lord Larys Strong has secretly removed Aegon from the city. His likely destination is Essos, where he can remain alive and continue threatening Rhaenyra’s legitimacy.
The pact between the two women also fails to account for the broader war. The Triarchy is moving against the Velaryon fleet, the Hightower armies are approaching Harrenhal and multiple dragon riders may reject any negotiated settlement. Rhaenyra’s supporters could view Alicent’s offer as a trap, while the Greens may consider it an unforgivable betrayal. Neither faction is unified enough to guarantee obedience.
Several independent figures could reshape the conflict. Larys appears loyal only to his own survival and influence. Alys Rivers, the mysterious woman at Harrenhal, has developed an uncertain relationship with Daemon and may possess abilities that extend beyond political manipulation. Rhaena Targaryen is searching for the wild dragon Sheepstealer, a bond that could alter the balance of power again.
The third season therefore begins with every major advantage carrying its own weakness. Rhaenyra has more dragons but cannot be certain of every rider. Aemond controls Vhagar but risks leaving the capital undefended. Alicent has offered peace, yet Aegon’s disappearance may make her plan meaningless.
The Dance of the Dragons is no longer approaching because it has already begun. What remains uncertain is which betrayal, battle or dragon attack will make the war impossible to contain. House of the Dragon returns with Westeros divided between rulers who possess enormous power but increasingly little control over those acting in their names.
When blood becomes policy, no throne remains secure. / Cuando la sangre se vuelve política, ningún trono permanece seguro.