Say Hello To the Game of Thrones Franchise’s Newest Dragon Dreamer

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The new book, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is exploring the history of House Targaryen, focusing on a time period with different rulers. Daeron II currently sits on the Iron Throne, and his chosen heir is Prince Baelor, often called Baelor Breakspear. Daeron’s second son, Maekar, has four sons, and one of them is known for being a heavy drinker with a unique characteristic.

The Targaryens are known for their unusual traditions, like marrying siblings, and their distinctive appearance – silver-platinum hair and vibrant blue or purple eyes. Though many people in Westeros dislike these customs, the Targaryens have actually done a lot for the realm. They also carry a heavy responsibility to protect it, and some members possess the strange ability to see glimpses of the future. Interestingly, this gift appears in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms through Daeron, the brother of the character Egg.

Some Targaryens Are Prone to Dragon Dreams

The Targaryen family possesses remarkable, and sometimes troubling, powers. Daenys the Dreamer is a prime example – she had a vision of Valyria’s destruction twelve years before it happened and warned her father, Lord Aenar Targaryen. Acting on her dream, Aenar moved his entire family, their possessions, and their five dragons to the island of Dragonstone, saving them from the Doom that destroyed Valyria.

Okay, so “House of the Dragon” reveals that Aegon the Conqueror didn’t just want to take Westeros, he believed he was destined to. He had this incredibly vivid dream – he called it ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ – about a terrifying, endless winter coming from the North, bringing with it total darkness and death. He genuinely thought the only way to save everyone was to unite all the kingdoms under a single, strong ruler – a Targaryen on the Iron Throne. He believed only they could stand against this coming darkness. He was so convinced, in fact, he had the details of this dream etched onto his Valyrian steel dagger.

From my blood come the Prince That Was Promised, and his shall be the Song of Ice and Fire.

Both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon feature Targaryen women with prophetic dreams. Daenerys Targaryen has a vision in the House of Undying, and her ancestor, Helaena, speaks puzzling prophecies like “he’ll have to close an eye” and “there’s a beast beneath the boards.” These prophecies later come true: Aemond Targaryen loses an eye before riding the dragon Vhagar, and a dragon emerges from under the floor during the coronation of Aegon II, causing chaos.

Daeron Targaryen is the Latest in a Long Line of Targaryen Prophets

In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, we meet another character who experiences dragon dreams – a troubled and unsettling man haunted by his visions. Episode 1, “The Hedge Knight,” reveals that Daeron Targaryen, the eldest son of Maekar Targaryen, had a dream about Dunk and was able to identify him when they met at an inn while traveling to Ashford.

I dreamed of you. [Pulls out his knife] Stay the f*** away from me. You hear?

When he heard this, Dunk questioned, “My Lord?” as Daeron left the inn. The location, about a day’s ride from Ashford, immediately establishes Daeron as the famously drunken Targaryen. True to the stories, he’s been drinking to escape the haunting visions of dragons that plague him. Daeron leaves his seat and isn’t seen again until episode 4 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, titled “Seven,” where he reveals his dreams have actually come true.

Later, Princes Baelor and Maekar talk about their missing brother, Daeron. Lord Ashford believes Daeron is simply late. It’s revealed that Maekar had ordered Daeron to compete at Ashford, but Daeron had previously fled from a competition. Maekar is very upset with his oldest son and expects he won’t return until after the tournament is over.

We learn more about Daeron in the third episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, “The Squire.” He and Egg left Summerhall a week before the tournament at Ashford, but didn’t make it. Instead of competing, Daeron went into hiding with Egg, his squire and younger brother, and even shaved Egg’s head to disguise his Targaryen appearance. In the fourth episode, “Seven,” his father found him, and Daeron claimed Egg had been kidnapped.

Daeron misled Maekar about Duncan, exaggerating his story to make him sound like a dangerous outlaw who had run off with Aegon (Egg). However, Daeron quickly realized his mistake and apologized to Duncan for the lie. He also confessed to experiencing prophetic dreams about dragons and assured Duncan that during the Trial of Seven – a challenge demanded by his brother Aerion – he would simply stand his ground and wouldn’t actively fight to win.

Daeron wasn’t well-regarded during his life. Raymun Fossoway called him a heavy drinker, suggesting it was his defining characteristic. After Maekar became king, Daeron was made Prince of Dragonstone, but he wasn’t a skilled knight. He also suffered from unsettling visions that ultimately overwhelmed him and led to his death.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is available to stream on HBO Max.

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2026-02-08 00:35