Spoiler alert: This article spoils parts of HBO's House of the Dragon and George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood.The first season of House of the Dragon is over, but that doesn't mean fans can't learn more about the Targaryens while waiting for the next one. George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood, the book on which the series is based, offers viewers the chance to learn more about the dragons while also distracting them until the next season is ready.

While the show has remained mostly faithful to the book, there are some things that House of the Dragon left out. In fact, some major features differ. There are many quotations attributed to Alicent Hightower that don't appear on the show and that offer more context for her actions.

"Who Protects The Princess From Ser Criston?"

Alicent Hightower, "Heirs Of The Dragon"

While Alicent has aligned herself with Ser Criston Cole, even she is hesitant about the knight. Between his brutal behaviors, his disregard for his oath, and his fury at Rhaenyra, Criston Cole can be summed up as an extremely dangerous threat to the princess.

While Alicent said this about protecting Rhaenyra from Criston's gaze, it still gives some additional context. After all, it showed that she recognized the dangers of Ser Criston from the start, which is why it is so fascinating that she eventually aligned herself with him.

"...Nor Will They Spare My Children."

Alicent Hightower, "The Dying Of The Dragons"

Alicent was always afraid to put her children at risk. Though she was willing to compel Aegon to usurp the throne from his half-sister, she was well aware that Rhaenyra's contingent would want to see both Aegon and Aemond safely in their graves.

Even despite powerful characters aligning with Aegon II, there was always the risk that Rhaneyra could win. Unfortunately, Alicent knew that her sons would not be spared the executioner if she did. It was the reason she fought, and it was why she tried to convince her children to as well, even if she couldn't stand Aegon.

"The Boy Is The Father To The Man, And Bastards Are Monstrous By Nature.”

Alicent Hightower, "The Dying Of The Dragons"

Alicent was not particularly a fan of Rhaenyra's first three children. Naming them bastards, she decided that they were monsters from birth and incapable of respectful behavior. After all, bastards in Westeros supposedly have bad blood, and Jace, Luke, and Joffrey were all visibly bastards.

Thus, when Luke took Aemond's eye, Alicent decided that it was just a consequence of being a bastard. He may have been a boy, but he was a monster from birth, and he would eventually be a man. There was no need to spare a boy, who would become a monstrous man. Ironically, her trueborn son became the monster instead.

"Mother Have Mercy On Us All."

Alicent Hightower, "The Dying Of The Dragons"

After discovering that Vhagar and Aemond murdered Luke, Alicent had no words but to pray for the Mother to save them. It showed that she recognized immediately just how dangerous the situation had become, and Rhaenyra would not bother to spare any of them.

It was a quote that betrayed that Alicent is one of the smartest characters in House of the Dragon. After all, she recognized the danger immediately, even while those around her were still processing. While she had no love for Luke, she was wise enough to see what Rhaenyra would do, and it terrified her.

"Let Us Together Summon A Great Council."

Alicent Hightower, "The Dying Of The Dragons"

Alicent was a brilliant politician, but that didn't mean that every one of her political gambits were successful. After all, when Rhaenyra returned to King's Landing, putting Alicent's life in danger, Alicent still had her wits about her. In fact, she even proposed a Great Council.

King Jaehaerys I, one of the most powerful Targaryens in History, had called a Great Council to choose between Viserys and Rhaenys previously, so it was a smart political play. Just as they chose Viserys over a woman, the lords would choose Aegon over Rhaenyra. Of course, it was ridiculous to propose when Rhaenyra held the city, but it was still smart.

"The City Is Yours, Princess, But You Will Not Hold It Long."

Alicent Hightower, "The Dying Of The Dragons"

As much as Alicent was at a disadvantage against the warrior queen Rhaenyra, she was never afraid of the Targaryen queen. Instead, she warned Rhaenyra to her face that she wouldn't be able to keep the city, even while insulting Rhaenyra by referring to her as "Princess", rather than "Queen".

Alicent truly is an incredibly brave character who isn't going to bow down to anyone. Even with her death staring her down, she held her head high and proved that she wasn't afraid. With her children on the line, she would never back down from unsettling her captor.

"The Rats Play When The Cat Is Gone.”

Alicent Hightower, "The Dying Of The Dragons"

With the Greens having fled the city, Alicent and her daughter were alone in the custody of Rhaenyra Targaryen, who could now reign cruelly over the city of King's Landing. Of course, she misunderstood Rhaenyra's intentions, as Rhaenyra did intend to rule well.

Yet this quote showed that Alicent Hightower never lost her inner fire. She always expected her sons, the cats, to return and torment Rhaenyra and Daemon. Far from cowed in fear, she was as strong as she was brave, and she stood proudly against Rhaneyra's might.

"How Many More Must Die To Slake Your Thirst For Vengeance?”

Alicent Hightower, "The Dying Of The Dragons"

Alicent started a war by convincing her son to usurp the throne of his own sister, causing some of the most brutal battles in Targaryen history. Her other son then went on to murder Rhaenyra's. The fact that she had the gall to insult Rhaenyra for seeking vengeance was genuinely impressive, and it showed how fierce Alicent really is.

Yet Alicent was also correct. After all, Rhaenyra did manage to kill thousands, and more would die in the field of battle after this quote. As much as it pained Rhaenyra to lose her son and the throne, it wasn't worth all that death. Alicent, who also had her losses, knew that as well as anyone.

“All They Have Sowed, Now Shall They Reap."

Alicent Hightower, "The Dying Of The Dragons"

Yet, as much as Alicent yearned for the war to end, she also had her taste for vengeance. After all, she was as willing as anyone to see the Blacks reap what they sowed in King's Landing and in the field against both of her sons. It was hypocritical, but also honest.

Alicent may not have wielded a sword or ridden a dragon, but she was just as strong as those who did. She wasn't going to back down for anything, especially after the Greens managed to claw back power from their vengeful Black rivals.

"He Used To Say I Had A Lovely Voice.”

Alicent Hightower, "The Sons Of The Dragon"

In the books, Alicent was once incredibly close with the Old King, Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Rather than just making her way to power through Viserys, she spent a considerable amount of time at Jaehaerys' side, singing to him until the day that he died.

It is a mark of Alicent's affection for the Old King that she still remembered all those years later, and it also betrayed the pain that she felt at his loss. Rather than yearning for Viserys, she yearned for a man who treated her well and complimented her. It was a line that made her genuinely tragic, even in those last moments.

Next: 10 Most Powerful Hands Of The King In Westerosi History