"House of the Dragon" season two is heating up. Episode 7 could change everything. George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood" series is the blueprint. However, this episode could veer away. The mysterious dragon called Sheepstealer is in the limelight. So too is Rhaena Targaryen. Their bonding could shake things up.
Spoiler warning: This article contains key elements of Season 2 of "House of the Dragon"
A Twist in the Tale
Nettles, not Rhaena, is Sheepstealer's partner in the books. Nettles is missing in the TV version, though. Perhaps this suggests a story shake-up. Maybe the show's Rhaena will take up more space as her book version fades. Purists might get rattled. Still, it proves the independence of HBO's version and Martin's original. HBO's liberty with the story isn't new. They've made other tweaks before.
The Dragon According to the Books
George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood" dives deep into a world of dragons. Sheepstealer, a stand-alone creature, was a dragon like no other. This dragon was dark brown, wild, and loved to fly free. It mostly kept to itself. People living near Dragonmont named it Sheepstealer thanks to its appetite for sheep. Unlike other dragons, it had no dragonlord. Then comes the tale of Nettles, a simple girl who made friends with Sheepstealer.
Her story shakes up what we think we know about dragon riders. Nettles shows us a human-dragon bond can be about more than just who you are or where you come from. Nettles didn't win over Sheepstealer with magic. She just fed it sheep daily. This routine gesture got her close to Sheepstealer, a feat nobles failed at. The bond between Nettles and Sheepstealer proves dragons are wild, erratic beings. They're not pets. They echo storms or the sea, uncontrollable forces of nature.
Rhaena Targaryen: A Character Reimagined
"House of the Dragon" has an exciting change in store for Rhaena Targaryen. Now, her story is straying from the familiar tales told in George R.R. Martin's much-loved "Fire & Blood." In the books, Rhaena rides a dragon. She is tied by fate to Morning, a dragon with light pink scales that prove her Targaryen blood.
Rhaena is part of the long line of dragon riders, both a badge of honor and a target in the heated game of Targaryen politics. Yet, the TV version of Rhaena's journey hasn't been fixed. In the Morning, as per the book, the dragon that should be hatching from an egg is still unhatched in the show.
She could become Sheepstealer's rider. This change doesn't only challenge the existing stories, but it also breathes more life into Rhaena's character. Other, more important characters of the Targaryen Civil War often overshadow her in the books. If the show's creators position her as Sheepstealer's rider, Rhaena could move into the forefront. She might even end up playing a crucial role in the episodes of the Dance of the Dragons.
The Implications of Change
Merging Rhaena and Nettles' stories is dramatic. It could make the narrative richer, particularly by giving Rhaena more weight in the Targaryen civil war. It also signals the series' readiness to transform beyond the book. It provides a refreshing view of the dragon-filled skies of Westeros.
Fans are buzzing for "House of the Dragon" season 2, episode 7. Especially the outcome for Sheepstealer and Rhaena. Will people love or hate the twist? We'll find out. But one thing's clear: HBO's dragons keep impressing and amazing fans, igniting their passion across the globe.