It wasn’t a bloody ending to Season 2 of ‘House of the Dragon’ like it was at the end of Season 1, when Rhaenyra’s second son Prince Luceris was murdered by Aemond Targaryen. It was more like setting things in motion for the big things that were to happen in Season 3.

Episode 7 of ‘House of the Dragon’ ended with a scene of Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen, in which the situation had changed drastically. The widowed queen extended a hand to Rhaenyra, acknowledging him as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. You would say ‘It’s too late, Alicent’, and Rhaenyra said the same. Wearing the cloak of ‘freedom’, Alicent stuck to her request. She asked Rhaenyra to come to King’s Landing and claim the throne, without any opposition. But, does this mean there will be no war? Why did Alicent try to stop the war now, when she knew very well that it could not be taken back? Does Alicent really have no intention of causing any harm to Rhaenyra?

A poetic ending

Fans must first understand the relevance of this scene, which is beautifully structured between two strong women of the realm during that time. Ending Season 2 with a scene like this also once again cements the fact that the story, and ‘House of the Dragon’ was always about Alicent and Rhaenyra, who they were and who they have become. It’s almost like a poetic end to the season, of course, parallel to the previous scene of the season when Rhaenyra goes to the Red Keep to meet Alicent, and pleads with her to find a way to stop the war and minimize the bloodshed.

Rhaenyra’s power knows no limits right now as she has the maximum number of dragons and dragon riders with her. If we consider Rhaenyra’s foreshadowing scene with the wild dragon, Sheepstealer, even more powers will be added, which has not been claimed yet. The promised queen is ready to strike first, although she knows that her journey from here to the Iron Throne, will lead to a lot of bloodshed and loss of herself. The journey, the sacrifices, the bloodshed, and what is going to happen at the end of it all – this is something that even Alicent can see already now.

Understanding Alicent Hightower

She was never a foolish queen. Even when she wasn’t queen, just Rhaenyra’s best friend, hanging out in the castle, enjoying books, poetry and her freedom, she could always identify power and understand its value. Of course, she was jealous of Rhaenyra because she was the promised queen of the Seven Kingdoms, but not in any cruel way. However, time changed the course for both of them. And now, while Rhaenyra has freedom, Alicent feels bound by the power of the same politics she desired in the beginning. However, the feelings haven’t completely gone away.

Alicent finally begs Rhaenyra to spare her and her daughter Helena, who has played no active role in plotting or participating in the war. While Rhaenyra laughs at the idea, deep inside, she also knows that Alicent comes from a sincere heart, where she is willing to accept the fate of her sons – Aemond and Aegon – who Rhaenyra will have to kill to take over the Iron Throne. Now for the green lady, it took time, a lot of time, and we don’t even know if it means anything now, but she has finally come to the realization. It is clear to her that Aemond is too arrogant and corrupt to make a U-turn now. Having Vhagar, the biggest dragon in the universe, has only increased his malicious intentions and increased his power to destroy everything in the war. Alicent also doesn’t find the current king, Aegon, fit to rule any further. He is gravely injured, and can barely sit on the throne, let alone rule the Seven Kingdoms.

The trading of emotions is happening right now

The only sensible and safe thing is Helena and her other son, about whom we haven’t been told much yet. If Alicent has to sacrifice her two sons to save what’s left of her, she will take that risk. She is seen taking the risk in the last scene. But, what about Rhaenyra? Has she restored her trust in Alicent?

Now, this is a question that will be answered in Season 3. However, knowing that things certainly never happen the way they were promised and discussed in ‘House of the Dragon,’ it would be a rookie mistake to think that the end will be as simple as Alicent described in her promise to Rhaenyra. Her promise depends on two things: the death of the false king Aegon, and the defeat of Prince Aemond in battle. And how will that happen?

Of course, Alicent doesn’t know this yet, and she will pay a huge price for being unaware of this, but Aegon has already fled King’s Landing, as shown at the end of episode 7. After a careful and quite ‘whispered’ conversation with Laris Strong, Aegon decides it is best for him to go into hiding for now, and return after the war, when Aemond and Rhaenyra have settled their business, and there is peace in the kingdom. As he was told by Laris, he will be considered ‘Aegon, the peacemaker’, and in the false king’s own words, ‘Aegon, the joy of the kingdom’.

But, when have things ever gone according to plan?

If Aegon is still alive and she takes the throne, Rhaenyra will not be able to avenge her ‘son for son’. So what will happen to Alicent then?

The final ending of Season 2 also showed Otto Hightower living in what looked like a cage or prison. Now, this is strange. He was exiled from court, and stripped of his duties as ‘Hand of the King’ by his own grandson, King Aegon, when he chose Ser Criston Cole for the position. But, he was never supposed to be imprisoned. Season 3 will see Otto Hightower return to the story, but not without revealing what exactly happened to him, and who possessed him so badly.

According to George R.R. Martin’s Book of Ice and Fire, Rhaenyra becomes queen, and sits on the Iron Throne, but not without going through many battles. The biggest of them is the Battle of Gullet, where Lord Corlys and his ships led by his illegitimate son, Alyn of Hal, fight against the Triarchy’s warships led by Admiral Lohar and Tyland Lannister.

More battles, more losses

Another battle that will probably, and hopefully, be seen in Season 3 is the battle between Daemon and Aemond over the Eye of God. Daemon has already had a glimpse of the same in his vision, in the Godswood of Harrenhal, where he sees his dragon, Cyrax, and himself drowning in the water. In fact, Helena, who is interestingly established as someone who can clearly see the future in her visions, warns Aemond against the same battle. She tells him that he has been “swallowed up by the Eye of God” and “will never be found again”.

Season 3 will definitely have more on-field action than war room scenes. It will also see many of our main characters say their final farewells, this may or may not include Aemond and Daemon. There is still a lot to understand and more answers will be found in Season 3. This is the beginning of the ‘Dance of Dragons’ and it will be bloody, dirty and rhythmic.