Warning: This article contains major SPOILERS for Fire & Blood.

Daemon’s visions in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 offer a closer look into the character’s mind and foreshadow major events from the book that are yet to come. As the younger brother of Viserys Targaryen, Daemon believed he should have been the next in the line of succession in case the king never had a male heir. Despite his resentfulness toward Viserys’ decision to appoint Rhaenyra as his successor, Daemon married his niece and supported her claim to the Iron Throne. Still, there is tension between Daemon and Rhaenyra, as explored in “The Burning Mill.”

Daemon Targaryen is perhaps the biggest wild card among the House of the Dragon characters, which Rhaenyra was reminded of after the assassination of Aegon II’s heir. After a heated argument with Rhaenyra over the Blood and Cheese incident during which his loyalty was questioned, Daemon flew to Harrenhal to guarantee the blacks’ influence over the riverlands and bring more swords to their cause. House of the Dragon’s latest episode highlighted the scariness of Harrenhal, especially with Daemon’s visions.

What Causes Daemon Targaryen’s Visions At Harrenhal

Daemon was around Alys Rivers and a weirwood tree.

Daemon Targaryen was out for a night walk at Harrenhal when he had a vision of a young Rhaenyra, played by House of the Dragon season 1 actor Milly Alcock. During the vision, which was rather disturbing, Rhaenyra is taking care of the body of Jaehaerys Targaryen, King Aegon II’s heir killed by Blood and Cheese at the beginning of the season. Rhaenyra questions Daemon about the fact he is always coming and going, after which the Targaryen prince wakes up from his vision and sees himself back in the godswood of Harrenhal.

A few things can explain Daemon Targaryen’s visions at the Harrenhal. Firstly, Harrenhal is said to be cursed and, regardless of whether there is an actual curse affecting those who inhabit it, the castle is sinister and surely invites nightmares and visions. Secondly, Daemon was around Alys Rivers, who, according to Fire & Blood, was believed to be a witch by many. Lastly, Daemon was close to a heart tree, a symbol of the Old Gods in Westeros. Weirwood trees are associated with visions in the Game of Thrones universe, as seen with Bran’s powers in the original show.

What Daemon Seeing Milly Alcock’s Rhaenyra Means

Daemon’s influence over Rhaenyra has changed over the years.

Daemon and Rhaenyra’s relationship is not in a good place at the beginning of House of the Dragon season 2, particularly after the Targaryen queen finds out that her husband is to blame for the death of Aegon’s child. Although Rhaenyra wanted revenge for what happened to Luke, she would have never approved of what was done to Jaehaerys. While Daemon did not actually order for the child to be killed, he acted without consulting his queen. This made Rhaenyra question his loyalty and whether he truly respected her as queen.

Daemon is tormented, and instead of thinking about Rhaenyra as a queen, he prefers to remember her as the rebellious child who looked up to him all those years ago. In a way, Daemon seeing young Rhaenyra reminds him of when he could control her – a more idealized version of the woman who is now his wife and queen. House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 reignites an old debate of whether Daemon ever truly accepted Rhaenyra as his brother’s successor, a decision he originally took up as an insult considering Viserys had no male heirs.

Why Alys Rivers Tells Daemon He Will Die At Harrenhal

Daemon’s fate is tied to Harrenhal in House of the Dragon.

Daemon Targaryen dies in Harrenhal as foreseen by Alys Rivers, sort of. Rhaenyra’s husband technically dies in the sky above the castle during the battle at Gods Eye against Aemond Targaryen. Aemon and Ser Criston Cole first marched to Harrenhal hoping to take down Daemon, whom they believe was the symbol of Rhaenyra’s strength and should be dealt with first. While Daemon was no longer there by the time Aemond arrived, the greens took over the castle. Aemond killed most at Harrenhal but sparred Alys Rivers, who would later claim she was pregnant with the prince’s child.

At the end of the Dance of the Dragons, Daemon flew back to Harrenhal on Caraxes and challenged Aemond to a battle that would become known as The Battle Above The Gods Eye. A true “dance of the dragons,” the battle above the Gods Eye was one of epic proportions. It ended with the death of all involved, including Caraxes, Vhagar, Aemond, and Daemon (whose body was never found). The battle between Daemon and Aemond is arguably the climax of the Targaryen civil war and should make for a fantastic episode in House of the Dragon.