Anyone who thinks that only the Targaryens can ride dragons is wrong. Their illegitimate descendants and other old Valyrian families also have the potential to do so. Image source: HBO.
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Warning spoilers: This article covers plot details from the second season as well as future events not previously seen in House of the Dragon. If you don't want to be spoiled, you should stop reading here.
Things are currently heating up in House of the Dragon. After royal blood has already been shed on both sides, war between the factions surrounding Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and her rival Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) seems inevitable.
Rhaenyra tries feverishly to prevent an open conflict, knowing that a war between the Targaryens and their dragons could destroy half of Westeros.
Not all of the known dragon riders from the Dance of the Dragons have been revealed yet. Because in the novel Fire & Blood
by George RR Martin, there are a few more riders than have been shown in the series so far. We'll tell you who it is.
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House of the Dragon: The official story recap brings you up to date before season 2
Who are the candidates?
All potential dragon riders have one thing in common: that they are so-called Dragonseeds. These dragonseeds are children born from illegitimate relationships of the Targaryens and other old houses of Valyria. So not everyone can become a dragon rider just like that – This requires a certain ancestry.
To give you an overview of which dragons are currently riderless, we have a comprehensive overview about all the fire-breathing giant lizards in House of the Dragon. If you don't know any of the dragon names, you can always look them up here.
Alyn and Addam of Hull
With the brothers Alyn (Abubakar Salim) and Addam von Hull (Clinton Liberty), we have already met two confirmed dragon seeds in season 2. As we learn in the second episode, Alyn saved the life of Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), who is now in his debt.
Rumor has it that Alyn and his brother could be illegitimate sons of either Lord Corlys or his son Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan). Both of them later become dragon riders on Rhaenyra's side in the books.
The fact that Addam later forms a bond with the dragon Seasmoke is already hinted at in episode two, when the dragon circles above him in the sky.
Alyn (Abubakar Salim) and Addam von Hull (Clinton Liberty) are previously inconspicuous sailors in House of the Dragon. According to the book, however, they are destined for greater deeds. Image: HBO.
Hugo Hammer
We already met the blacksmith Hugo Hammer (Kieran Bew) in the first episode of season 2. During an audience with King Aegon, he appears to ask for help with his poor business. Because of the expensive food, he has no money to care for his sick daughter.
The books by author George RR Martin also provide little information about his ancestry. However, the novels reveal that Ulf joins the Blacks under Rhaenyra's son Jaecerys and is able to win the dragon Vermintor for himself. However, the blacksmith is currently far from that.
Blacksmith Hugo Hammer (Kieran Bew) asks King Aegon for financial support. Image: HBO.
Ulf the White
Another already known candidate is Ulf the White (Tom Bennet). He appeared briefly in the second episode and will play a larger role in season 2, episode 3. In an inn in King's Landing, Ulf claims to be a bastard of Prince Baelon the Brave – and thus a half-brother of Rhaenyra's father Viserys (Paddy Considine).
He supports his niece Rhaenyra's claim to the throne and later in the book claims the dragon Silverwing.
Ulf the White (Tom Bennet) is not related to the wizard Gandalf – but to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen. Image: HBO.