WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for Fire & Blood, the book on which House of the Dragon is based!
House of the Dragon season 2 will introduce House Stark’s role in the Dance of the Dragons, which sets up one of the greatest characters in the family’s lineage. Unlike in Game of Thrones, House Stark is far removed from center of focus in House of the Dragon, with the Targaryens primarily only trekking north when politics and war demand it. This will be the case in House of the Dragon season 2 when Jacaerys Velaryon flies to Winterfell to treat with Lord Cregan Stark, who will play an integral role in the Targaryen civil war’s final moments and aftermath.
While Game of Thrones introduced legendary members of House Stark such as Ned, Arya, Robb, Sansa, Benjen, and Jon Snow, very few of their ancestors will be seen in House of the Dragon. However, Cregan Stark’s depiction is certain to solidify him as one of the family’s greatest members in HBO’s Game of Thrones universe, with his story bringing a different perspective to the Winterfell leaders’ legacy. Still, one of the most exciting aspects of Cregan’s introduction in House of the Dragon season 2 has little to do with the Stark ancestor himself. Cregan’s story sets up the impending arrival of his future wife, who is among the most legendary characters in House Stark’s history.
Cregan Stark’s House Of The Dragon Story Sets Up Black Aly’s Role
Cregan Stark’s yet-to-be-cast role in House of the Dragon season 2 will soon lead to the introduction of Lady Alysanne Blackwood, better known as “Black Aly.” A warrior known for her fearlessness and skill in battle, Black Aly fights for Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen while still a teenager in the Dance of the Dragons. As the elder aunt to Lord Benjicot Blackwood, Aly has considerable leadership over the Blacks’ armies in the Riverlands and becomes integral to defeating Lord Borros Baratheon in the civil war’s final days. Since Black Aly doesn’t become an important figure in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Book until after Rhaenyra has already taken King’s Landing, she may not be introduced until House of the Dragon season 3.
Cregan and Black Aly’s stories are primarily separate throughout Fire & Blood, with the two fierce warriors coming together after the deaths of both Queen Rhaenyra and King Aegon II Targaryen. As the Blacks take back King’s Landing, Cregan Stark briefly becomes Hand of the King to Rhaenyra’s young son Aegon III Targaryen, imparting justice on both sides of the war for their crimes against their leaders. While at the Red Keep, Cregan becomes infatuated with Black Aly and is impressed by her victories. Soon after, in exchange for sparing Lord Corlys Velaryon’s life, Black Aly agrees to marry Cregan Stark and returns to Winterfell with him, after which time the couple has four Stark daughters.
Alysanne Blackwood Is House Of The Dragon’s Closest Arya Stark Replacement
Game of Thrones had no shortage of woman warriors both during and after The War of the Five Kings, with House of the Dragon showcasing the fierce fighters that came before them during the Targaryen civil war. Alysanne Blackwood’s skill on the battlefield and quick wit make her House of the Dragon’s closest parallel to Game of Thrones’ Arya Stark, with there being no surprise that they’re both part of the same family tree. Like Arya, Alysanne stands up for her beliefs against men who may hold higher titles than herself, becoming integral to maintaining the balance and structure of the realm amid chaos.
Alysanne is still remarkably different from Arya Stark, however, as Black Aly isn’t preoccupied with vengeance, but rather is focused on maintaining balance and prosperity for the realm-at-large and her people in the Riverlands. After the Dance of the Dragons, Black Aly leads an expedition to have the Northmen help rebuild the Riverlands, culminating in hundreds of marriages and a revival in the worship of the Old Gods in the South. Long before Catelyn Tully married Ned Stark in Game of Thrones, Black Aly’s marriage to Cregan Stark in House of the Dragon created a major influence on the future relationship between the Riverlords and Northmen.
