House of the Dragon: What Do Daemon’s Visions of Rhaenyra & Aemond Mean?

In House of the Dragon Season 2, Daemon Targaryen has been troubled by harrowing visions and dreams since his arrival at Harrenhal. In episode 3, he has a vision of a younger Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) sewing the decapitated head of Jaehaerys back on his body. Daemon’s visions and dreams become even more extensive in episode 4. Understandably, viewers have lots of questions about the meaning of these visions.

Here is what his visions and dreams probably mean in House of the Dragon Season 2.

What do Daemon’s visions mean in House of the Dragon Season 2?

Daemon Targaryen sees himself as Aemond in Episode 4, decapitates the younger Rhaenyra, wakes up with blood on his hand, and sees his late wife Laena as a serving girl in Harrenhal.

Is Alys Rivers causing Daemon’s visions in House of the Dragon Season 2?

Alys can be the reason behind Daemon’s visions and dreams in House of the Dragon Season 2. Both in the show and George R. R. Martin’s book, Alys is a woman with magical powers, though the extent of these powers varies depending on the source. The book theorizes that Daemon was the only person to be “immune” to Alys’ powers, as not much was heard about this purported witch when Daemon controlled Harrenhal. If Daemon’s visions and dreams are indeed caused by Alys, the series has once more diverted from how things are in the book.

Even if Alys is not responsible for the visions, she seems to be aware of them. She also gives a particular drink to Daemon claiming that it will help him sleep. Instead, he blanks out for a considerable period of time and sees Laena during a meeting with the acting head of House Blackwood, Willem, a character the audience met in season 1.

Why does Daemon kill Rhaenyra in his vision in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4?

Daemon’s dream about killing a younger Rhaenyra is likely connected to his vision about her in the previous episode. The relationship between Daemon and Rhaenya has become increasingly strained. This is something Alys also speaks about during her interaction with Daemon in episode 4. While Rhaenyra desperately tried to avoid the civil war, Jaehaerys’ death in the hands of the people Deamon sent has effectively made her efforts inconsequential. This episode indicates that Daemon is tormented by his actions and the result they might bear in the future.

In the dream, Daemon approaches Rhaenyra, who is sitting on the Iron Throne. She comes down while speaking Valyrian and tells Daemon that he created her before accusing him of being set to destroy her. When she claims that he is doing all this because Viserys loved her more than Daemon, the latter becomes deeply agitated and decapitates her.

During their interaction, Alys also comments on Daemon’s feelings on being replaced as Viserys’ heir. It’s possible that Daemon has this particular dream partly because he thinks he sabotaged Rhaenyra’s efforts for peace due to his envy.

Why Daemon sees himself as Aemond in House of the Dragon Season 2?

Later in the episode, Daemon spots a man who distinctively looks like Aemond from the back and follows him through the corridors and stairs of Harrenhal. But when the man turns, a stunned Daemon realizes that it’s him, wearing the same eyepatch and clothing as Aemond. The apparition soon vanishes, and Daemon finds himself in what appears to be Alys’ laboratory.

Daemon and Aemond are connected in more ways than one, especially in their inevitable deaths, as the book readers will know. It’s likely a foreshadowing that Daemon sees an apparition of himself as Aemond, leading him to Alys, the very woman who witnessed their deaths in the book.

What does the blood on Daemon’s hand mean in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4?

The episode doesn’t offer an explicit explanation of why Daemon sees blood on his hand when he wakes up from his dream about killing Rhaenyra. A moment later, the blood is gone, indicating that it was part of Daemon’s dream. The blood likely underscores Daemon’s inner turmoil about his actions and their catastrophic and likely results. After he cuts off Rhaenyra’s head in the dream, she asks him if this isn’t something he has always wanted. He is afraid that he has played an active role in Rhaenyra’s prospective death, and his subconsciousness seems to blame it on his desire for his brother’s love, acceptance, and perhaps even crown.

Is Daemon having dragon dreams in House of the Dragon Season 2?

Both in the books and shows, certain members of House Targaryen possess the prophetic ability called dragon dreams. In House of the Dragon, Helaena seems to have that ability. Given the vivid visions and dreams that Daemon is experiencing since his arrival on Harrenhal, it’s possible that they are dragon dreams, warning him about what is to come.

However, it’s more likely that these visions and dreams have a different source. Magic, both in the books and shows, has multiple origin points. As discussed above, Alys might be the cause of Daemon’s visions. Alternatively, his presence in Harrenhal, a monstrous and ruined castle destroyed by Aegon the Conqueror, can also be responsible for it. A fourth possibility is something Alys mentions. Before Black Harren built the castle, he chopped down a grove of weirwood trees, supposedly evoking a curse. Although Daemon dismisses the notion, this curse can be the reason for his dreams and visions.