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Spoilers for: House Of The Dragon, Game Of Thrones, and George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood.
As the House Of The Dragon's premiere lurks right around the corner, fans of the world created by George R. R. Martin remain conflicted regarding its quality, especially after the intense response to the Game Of Thrones's final season.
The prequel will be set around 200 years before, with audiences landing right in the middle of the Targaryen rule in Westeros, and it will count Matt Smith and Emma D'Arcy among its cast members. Despite the emergence of fresh faces, one thing that is much anticipated is the return of the famous dragons. Their eggs came with the Targaryens from Valyria to hatch on Dragonstone, powerful beings capable of driving plot lines by themselves.
Content Warning: This article contains references to violence, death, and murder. Viewers' discretion is advised.
Caraxes
Known as the "Blood Wyrm" due to his bright red scales, Caraxes was one of the oldest and biggest dragons during the Dance of the Dragons.
He was first ridden by the Prince of Dragonstone Aemon Targaryan, the heir apparent to King Jaerys I. However, his strength in battle was not enough to prevent Aemon from being shot with a crossbow bolt in the throat, causing his death in 92 AC. Later, Daemon Targaryan, the Rogue Prince, claimed him. Hopefully, viewers will see this formidable creature fighting right by the princes' side until Vhagar perpetrates his gruesome death.
Syrax
Syrax was Rhaenyra Targaryen's dragon, the firstborn to King Viserys I. Many fans consider her one of the best Targaryen characters, and the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.
The yellow-scaled dragon was massive, and her name is inspired by a Valyrian goddess. She will be a force to be reckoned with since she had spent years chained and without hunting. And perhaps the TV show will shed some light on how her death occurred, given Archmaester Gyldayn was uncertain about it while writing Fire & Blood.
Silverwing
As legend has it, in 36 AC Rhaena Targaryen Targaryen placed a dragon's egg in her sister Alysanne's cradle. From that egg, Silverwing was born.
After almost half a century as Alysanne's mount, she died, and Silverwing returned to Dragonstone. During the civil war, those loyal to the Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen decided that their side of the conflict needed more dragons, so they sent men to try to claim those who lived there. In the end, Ulf the White became Silverwing's second rider. She was described as a friendly and trustful dragon, which will certainly provide an interesting contrast to her more blood-driven counterparts.
Tessarion
The "Blue Queen" was the mount of the youngest son of King Viserys I Targaryen, Prince Daeron Targaryen.
She was one of the youngest dragons and a stealthy one, whose flames were cobalt blue. With Daeron killed during the Second Battle of Tumbleton, Tessarion proved his bravery when he kept fighting against Vermithor and Seasmoke. In the heat of the combat, the "Blue Queen" was mortally injured. Her death will probably be one of the saddest moments in House Of The Dragon, with the archer Billy Burley shooting three arrows into the Tessarion's eye, to end her suffering.
Meleys
Called the "Red Queen", Meleys was ridden by Princess Alyssa and by Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.
Described as having scarlet scales and pink membranes on her wings, she was faster than other dragons like Caraxes and Vhagar. Her colorful and determined personality will be a great addition to the show because, as any fan of Fire & Blood will remember, her story is filled with twists and turns that help further other characters' growth.
Sunfyre
Sunfyre the Golden was ridden by Aegon II Targaryen. Gyldayn describes him as the most beautiful dragon ever to be seen.
He is set to appear on the screen, having been King Aegon II's mount and thus fundamental in the war for the throne. He was in fact responsible for devouring Rhaenyra but died not long after from previous wounds. In his honor, Aegon created the three-headed dragon to his arms that would eventually become the House Targaryan's sigil.
Vhagar
Green-eyed and bronze-skinned, Vhagar was one of the oldest and biggest creatures involved in the Dance of the Dragons.
Born in 52 BC at Dragonstone, her name comes from one of the gods worshiped by the people of Old Valyria. This Freehold empire had been completely destroyed by a volcano in 102 BC in what has become known in lore as the Doom Of Valyria, an important detail that fans will need to bear in mind as they watch HBO's prequel.
Morning
Morning was born during the Dance of the Dragons. She was pale pink, with a black crest and horns.
She was mounted by Lady Rhaena, Prince Daemon Targaryen and Lady Laena Velaryon's daughter. She became one of the most powerful legendary creatures in the Game of Thrones world, not only because she hatched from one of Syrax's eggs, but also because she was one of the four dragons who survived the war. The show's timeline will, of course, allow audiences to behold her birth and development.
Moondancer
One of the youngest dragons who will appear on the new show, Moondancer was pale green and had pearl wing bones, horns, and crest.
She is ridden by one of the best Targaryen characters, Baela, who will be portrayed on the screen by Bethany Antonia and Shani Smethurst. Moondancer. Both the dragon and his rider led one of the most epic Fire & Blood scenes which will become one of the show's iconic moments, the fall of Dragonstone. When Aegon II arrives on the island, Moondancer and then fourteen-year-old Baela refused to run away, and face the King and his dragon, Sunfyre, managing to fatally injure the latter. Unfortunately, Moondancer did not survive the confrontation.
Sheepstealer
This vivacious creature was named by the small folk of Dragonstone after his favorite hunting activity.
Mentioned as "mud brown", Sheepstealer was still living in the wild at the beginning of the civil war. Funny enough, he never harmed a shepherd. The only person who managed to tame and ride him was a bastard girl called Nettles, who bought his thrust by providing him with fresh sheep every morning. Suffices it to say, book fans are eagerly waiting to see this fifty-year-old dragon's heart be conquered through his stomach.