WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon's season 1 finale and George R.R. Martin's book, Fire & Blood!Daemon Targaryen teases his next big story in House of the Dragon season 2 when mentioning the significance of Harrenhal. Much more than in Game of Thrones, Harrenhal has already played a significant role in House of the Dragon. Not only is it the hold of House Strong and the location where Harwin and Lyonel were murdered, but its geography will play a key role in the political strategy of House of the Dragon’s Targaryen civil war. Daemon Targaryen says as much in House of the Dragon’s season 1 finale, where he mentions that Harrenhal is the ideal gathering location for the Black army’s host.
However, the Blacks don’t hold Harrenhal yet in House of the Dragon, as the “cursed” castle is under the control of House Strong. While Ser Harwin Strong was the real father of Rhaenyra’s sons Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon, Harrenhal is now in the possession of Harwin’s murderous brother Lord Larys Strong, who is a powerful member of Alicent's Green party. As such, Daemon’s major storyline in House of the Dragon season 2 is set up to follow his assault on Harrenhal, capture of the castle, and campaign to band together the Riverlands against the Greens in support of Queen Rhaenyra’s cause.
Why Harrenhal Will Be So Important To Daemon & Others In HOTD's Future
Harrenhal is one of the strongest castles in the Seven Kingdoms, and its position in the Riverlands allows the Black party to cut off the West and possess a significant stronghold in the region. After Daemon captures the castle, he uses Harrenhal as the home base for his armies in the Riverlands, with the location allowing the Rogue Prince to lead various attacks in the area. While Aemond accidentally killing Lucerys technically began the bloodshed of the Dance of the Dragons, it’s Daemon’s assault on Harrenhal that truly kicks off the war’s army-led hostilities.
The Greens understand the strength that holding Harrenhal allows Queen Rhaenyra’s army, with House of the Dragon's future seeing Aemond Targaryen and Criston Cole lead a host to attack Daemon and regain the castle. However, Daemon learns of Aemond and Criston’s journey and decides to abandon Harrenhal for King’s Landing, where he and Rhaenyra successfully take the capital. Since Aemond is already at Harrenhal, he remains at the fortified castle and begins an affair with Harrenhal’s "witch queen" Alys Rivers while the Greens set up their next courses of action. As House of the Dragon’s civil war comes to an end, Harrenhal will become even more significant as the location where Aemond and Daemon have their fatal duel.
Harrenhal Sets Up The Ultimate House Of The Dragon Battle
House of the Dragon will feature plenty of captivating dragon battles, but none will be as grand and anticipated as the Battle Above the Gods Eye. Aemond and Daemon’s battle is a long time coming in House of the Dragon, as the two are essentially each other’s foil for the Blacks and Greens. However, the two managed to evade one another throughout the majority of the war until Daemon announced his departure for Harrenhal to face his one-eyed nephew. When Aemond and Daemon meet above the lake at Harrenhal, both the Targaryen men and their dragons fight to the death.
George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book explains that the duel takes place at sunset above the lake, with Daemon on Caraxes and Aemond on Vhagar as the dragons attack one another. As the Targaryen warriors begin falling toward the lake as their dragons kill each other, Daemon jumps onto Vhagar at the last minute to plunge Dark Sister into Aemond’s blind eye. According to the book, Daemon, Aemond, Caraxes, and Vhagar all perish in the epic dragon battle, but House of the Dragon is certain to introduce another twist considering Daemon’s body was never found.