WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
- Helaena’s direct prophecy to Aemond Targaryen foretells his death in House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale.
- Helaena’s special ability as a dragon dreamer allows her to foresee future events and warn others of their fate.
- Aemond’s inevitable death in the Battle Above the Gods Eye is confirmed by Helaena’s clear and terrifying vision.
After showing her dragon dreaming ability since she was a child, Helaena Targaryen reveals her most direct prophecy yet as she warns Aemond about his death in House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale. Often regarded by her brother-husband Aegon as “strange,” House of the Dragon season 2, episode 8 clarifies more about Helaena’s special abilities as a dragon dreamer, which allow her to foresee future events. In addition to appearing in Daemon’s Three-Eyed Raven and Night King vision at the weirwood tree, Helaena Targaryen informs Aemond that he can’t change his future or death that she has already seen.
When Aemond attempts to force Helaena to fly her dragon, Dreamfyre, into battle with him, she tells him that she won’t, elaborating that doing so will not change the path already set for them. Distinct from her typically cryptic prophecies, Helaena explains to Aemond what she has already seen in her visions: Aegon will be King again and sit on a wooden throne, while Aemond will die and be “swallowed up in the Gods Eye,” never to be seen again. Aemond is clearly shaken by Helaena’s warning, yet there’s no stopping this exact death that is coming to him.
The God’s Eye Explained: Helaena Targaryen Reveals Aemond’s Death
Aemond Targaryen Dies In The Battle Above The Gods Eye In The Dance
According to George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, Helaena Targaryen correctly predicts Aemond Targaryen’s death. The book reveals that Aemond heads to Harrenhal, as he intends to in House of the Dragon, and eventually meets his uncle Daemon Targaryen there. Fulfilling the duel that both had long been waiting for, Aemond and Daemon fight on Vhagar and Caraxes above the Gods Eye outside Harrenhal. The battle culminates in the deaths of Aemond, Daemon, Vhagar, and Caraxes, as dragon and rider are sent crashing into the waters of the Gods Eye below.
Aemond Targaryen’s body is found with Daemon Targaryen’s sword, Dark Sister, still thrust through his eyesocket, as Daemon plunged the sword into is nephew as they all crashed toward the Gods Eye.
Interestingly, Daemon and Aemond have now both been informed of their deaths at Harrenhal by women possessing the gifts of prophetic visions. Alys Rivers told Daemon he would die at Harrenhal on the first night he arrived there, with Helaena now telling Aemond his journey there will end in his death. The confirmations of their deaths at the Battle Above the Gods Eye differ, however, as Fire & Blood reveals that Caraxes dies on the shore, Aemond’s corpse is found still strapped to Vhagar in the water years later, and Daemon’s body is never found.
Related
House Of The Dragon Officially Sets Up The Two Season 3 Moments I’m Most Excited For
House of the Dragon season 2 has subtly teased two massive moments in the Dance of Dragons, and I cannot wait to see them play out in season 3.
Helaena’s Aemond Prophecy Is Her Most Direct Vision Yet
There’s No Need To Try To Decipher Helaena’s Cryptic Words This Time
Helaena’s visions are typically very cryptic. For instance, Helaena foreshadowing Aemond losing his eye as a child happens after she looks down at an insect saying “he’ll have to lose an eye.” Helaena also warns of the “beast beneath the boards” toward season 1’s ending, foreseeing Rhaenys and Meleys breaking through the floor of the Dragonpit at Aegon’s coronation. More recently, Helaena mentions being afraid of the “rats” shortly before Blood and Cheese arrive to kill Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen.
Perhaps Helaena now has a tighter grasp on controlling and interpreting her visions, which makes her future more terrifying in House of the Dragon.
In House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale, Helaena is very direct with her vision about Aemond’s death. Rather than some cryptic details about seeing Aemond sinking in water or suggesting that he shouldn’t go to Harrenhal, Helaena flat-out tells him that he will die in the Gods Eye and his body will disappear after sinking into the waters. Perhaps Helaena now has a tighter grasp on controlling and interpreting her visions, which makes her future more terrifying in House of the Dragon.