WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
The official reveal of Aegon the Younger’s dragon Stormcloud means that a huge moment from the book is almost guaranteed to be cut inHouse of the Dragonseason 3. While only a few of the dragons were actually seen in season 1,House Targaryen’s many dragonsare finally being showcased as the war begins inHouse of the Dragonseason 2. This includes unclaimed dragons, those who have been bonded with their riders for years, and mere hatchlings alike, with the latter description applying to the dragon of Queen Rhaenyra’s young son Aegon.
After seeing the dragon escorted in a cage earlier in the season,House of the Dragonfinally gives a full glimpse of Stormcloud in season 2, episode 6. The little dragon is seen sitting in a room playing with Aegon and Viserys while Rhaena watches over them, shortly after the latter discovers that a largewild dragon is living in the Vale. If following the events outlined in George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook, then there should be a massive scene between Aegon and Stormcloud happening soon in the war. However, based on the appearance of Stormcloud in season 2, accomplishing this in that timeframe seems almost impossible.
Aegon The Younger & Stormcloud’s Story That Should Be In HOTD Season 3 Explained
Aegon & Stormcloud Have A Tragic Flight In The Book
One of the most chaotic and stressful battles inFire & Bloodis the Battle of the Gullet, which cultimates in several tragedies for Team Black and Queen Rhaenyra’s family. AsHouse of the Dragonhas already teased,Rhaenyra arranges for her youngest sons Aegon and Viserys to be transported to Pentosin order to keep them safe during the war.Rhaenyra Targaryen’s childrenlater board a ship called theGay Abandonto sail for Pentos, which is mentioned by Lady Jeyne Arryn inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 6.
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However, Aegon and Viserys’ ship is intercepted by the Triarchy fleet, who make an alliance with Team Green to breakHouse Velaryon’s blockade in the Gullet.Fire & Bloodreveals that the young princes’ ship is escorted by seven Velaryon warships, with these ships and the Gay Abandon all being taken captive or sunk in the escalating battle. When the Triarchy boards the Pentoshi cog,Aegon flies on Stormcloud for the very first time to escape the chaosand bring the news of the conflict back to Dragonstone.
Silverwing
Ulf White
Since Viserys only has a dragon egg, he’s unable to flee the situation with Aegon, whose dragon Stormcloud is too small to carry more than one small rider. Consequently, Viserys is taken captive by a Tyroshi captain, with his fate being left a mystery throughout the remainder of the Dance of the Dragons.While Aegon and Stormcloud make it back to Dragonstone, the dragon dies of his woundsfrom arrows and scorpion bolts shortly after landing. Though he loses Stormcloud, Aegon is able to inform Jacaerys of the conflict, who sets out on Vermax for the Battle of the Gullet.
Viserys' dragon egg never hatches in Fire & Blood, and is eventually sent back to Dragonstone a few years after the war ends.
Stormcloud Is Way Too Small To Be Flown By Aegon The Younger
Stormcloud Couldn’t Carry Aegon On A Flight Across The Gullet
As if the small cage he was previously placed in wasn’t enough of an indication of his size, the first real shot of Stormcloud inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 6 reveals just how tiny the dragon actually is.Stormcloud appears to have just recently hatched from his egg, confirming he’s much too small to be able to fly with a rider on his back. While the Battle of the Gullet likely won’t happen until early inHouse of the Dragonseason 3, it’s unlikely that Stormcloud will be able to grow large enough to carry Aegon so soon.
Not only is Stormcloud way too small to take a rider, but Aegon is also much too young to ride and command Stormcloud at this point in the war.In the book, Aegon is already approximately 10 years old when he mounts Stormcloudto escape theGay Abandon, yet Rhaenyra’s son appears to be no older than five years of age inHouse of the Dragonseason 2. While Stormcloud is growing, it’s still hard to believe that Aegon could properly master him with High Valyrian commands by the time the Battle of the Gullet happens in the show.
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Can House Of The Dragon Fix Or Replace Aegon & Stormcloud’s Moment?
Stormcloud Can’t Grow That Quickly Without Breaking Logic
Stormcloud would have to grow at a nearly impossible rate beforeHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s finalein order to be the size required to have Aegon fly on him. It’s unlikely that the show would make such a massive jump in logic to accomplish that, which suggests Aegon and Stormcloud’s ride over the Gullet won’t happen in season 3. Since being a dragonrider for one single flight becomes an important part of Aegon the Younger’s future story, it’spossible thatHouse of the Dragonwill delay their flight to occur during a different event in the war.
IfHouse of the Dragongives Joffrey and Tyraxes the flight over the Gullet instead, then the series would have to come up with a convincing explanation for why Aegon also returns to Dragonstone but Viserys does not.
Given their age and size differences, it’s possible thatHouse of the Dragoncould give Aegon and Stormcloud’s moment at the Gullet to Joffrey and Tyraxes. The series hasn’t given a great look at Tyraxes quite yet, so he could end up being large enough to make the flight over the Gullet to Dragonstone in season 3. IfHouse of the Dragongives Joffrey and Tyraxes the flight over the Gullet instead, then the series would have to come up with a convincing explanation for why Aegon also returns to Dragonstone but Viserys does not.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
