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
A convincing fan theory about Alys Rivers has officially been debunked inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 6, but it opens the door for more questions about the curious character in Daemon Targaryen’s Harrenhal story.House of the Dragonseason 2’s new characterAlys Rivers is a great mystery, with George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook narrators similarly being unable to pin down her exact nature as rumors of her magic at Harrenhal grew. Whether she’s a witch, greenseer, or another type of magical being remains questionable, butone thing Alys Rivers certainly is not is a ghost, as previously theorized.
Alys clearly has powers withinHouse of the Dragonseason 2, as she influencesDaemon Targaryen’s visions at Harrenhal, understands details about his family that she shouldn’t know, and has shown precognition. With the character also randomly disappearing at Harrenhal, being rumored to barely age in the book, and seeing all that Daemon does at the castle, there was a growingtheory that Alys Rivers is actually a ghostinHouse of the Dragon. ThoughHarrenhal is known for its cursed reputation and rumors of ghosts that haunt its halls, the show officially confirms that Alys isn’t one of them.
House Of The Dragon Confirms Alys Rivers Is Real (& Not A Ghost)
Alys Rivers' Existence Is Confirmed By Simon Strong
Neither a ghost nor a figment of Daemon’s imagination,House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 6 confirms that Alys Rivers is real in the show. After only seeing Alys directly interact with Daemon for over half of the season,her existence is finally acknowledged by Ser Simon Strong. After Daemon and Alys discuss strategy with the Riverlords outside the castle, Simon informs Daemon that Lord Grover Tully’s health was failing so rapidly that their healer Alys Rivers was sent to Riverrun to help him. Of course, Simon tells Daemon that Alys was unsuccessful andLord Grover Tully has died.
Though it’s now confirmed that Alys Rivers is real, what exactly her magical powers are inHouse of the Dragonstill needs to be answered. For instance, the show has hinted at Alys having been around at Harrenhal for many more years than her appearance would suggest. It’s unclear whether Simon Strong is completely aware of Alys’ exact nature, but there’s much more to her than simply being the “healer” at Harrenhal.
House Of The Dragon’s Alys Teases An Aemond Targaryen Mystery I’ve Been Confused About For 6 Years
A scene between Alys Rivers and Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 sets up an Aemond book detail that I’m still unsure about.
House Of The Dragon Adds More Fuel To The Theory Alys Rivers Is A Greenseer
Alys Seems To Possess Several Qualities & Abilities Of A Greenseer
Alys being real also adds more credence to the speculation that she’s a greenseer, similar toJojen Reed having greensight inGame of Thrones. Alys Rivers’ precognition, interactions with dreams, powerful links to nature, various references to weirwood trees, and supernatural knowledge of events she shouldn’t be aware of all lend support to the idea that she has greensight. Greenseers are beings with powerful magic linked to the First Men, and each appearance that Alys has inHouse of the Dragonseems to further place her in this category.
InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3,Alys foresaw Daemon’s death at Harrenhal, which could be a side effect of her greensight through a prophetic green dream. Alys subsequently tells Daemon about the powerful psychological effects of weirwood trees, with his bed being made from a weirwood tree. Additionally,Alys’ powers are seemingly strongest when she’s around Harrenhal’s godswood. Martin’sA Song of Ice and Firenovels also feature a sequence in which Bran Stark is given weirwood paste by the last greenseer to open his mind, which could be thepotion Alys is giving to Daemon.
When Daemon initially met Alys, she told him she was actually a “barn owl cursed to live in human form,” giving a huge hint to her being a skinchanger.
According to thetheory, Alys Rivers is both a greenseer and a skinchanger/warginHouse of the Dragon. However, unlike Bran Stark warging into Summer, Alys seemingly skinchanges into her barn owl. When Daemon initially met Alys, she told him she was actually a “barn owl cursed to live in human form,” giving a huge hint to her being a skinchanger. Pairing this with Alys Rivers standing under the weirwood tree, calling the barn own to her arm, and discussing the “living memory” with Daemon inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 6, it’s difficult not to believe she’s a skinchanging greenseer.
Not all greenseers are wargs/skinchangers in Game of Thrones' universe, with wargs technically being skinchangers who enter minds of dogs and wolves. The books suggest that the greatest greenseers can change their skin into any animal, see through the eyes of weirwood trees, and understand the world’s greater truths through nature.
House Of The Dragon Creates Even More Theories About Alys Rivers
Could Alys Be Connected To More Events In House Of The Dragon?
With each answer that may be given about Alys Rivers, another question arises. Two lines from members of House Strong inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 6 have led to theories about some cruel actions on behalf of Alys. While less of a theory than an implication, it’ssuggested that Alys Rivers kills Lord Grover Tully when she goes to Riverrun, as she and Daemon had just been discussing him being a hindrance earlier in that episode. It’s unlikely that this will ever be officially confirmed, but Daemon’s reaction indicates he believes Alys killedOscar Tully’s grandfather.
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Anothertheory created inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 6 claims that Alys Rivers caused Larys Strong’s clubfoot. When speaking to Aegon at his bedside, Larys explains that when he was born, his father believed that his clubfoot was the product of sorcery. Since the book implies that Alys is much older than she looks, it’s possible she was the member of the Strong household who Lyonel accused of “casting malign spells.” With Alys seemingly being a Strong bastard who has remained at Harrenhal, her origins will continue to be a great source of speculation inHouse of the Dragon.
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.
