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What happened to Alys Rivers in House of the Dragon? Who is Alys Rivers in House of the Dragon?

In House of the Dragon, Alys Rivers is a central character known for her mystical abilities and complex relationships with the Targaryens.

by T Santhosh

Updated Jul 08, 2024

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What happened to Alys Rivers in House of the Dragon? Who is Alys Rivers in House of the Dragon?

What happened to Alys Rivers in House of the Dragon?

In House of the Dragon, Alys Rivers is a mysterious character introduced in the ruins of Harrenhal Castle. She is warning Daemon Targaryen that he will die at Harrenhal. As the episodes progress, viewers learn more about Alys. She frequently appears in Daemon's dreams, embodying his inner fears and uncertainties.

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Alys reveals that her real surname is Strong, not Rivers, indicating her illegitimate roots. She possesses healing abilities and has visions of the future, making her a significant and main character in the series. Alys becomes central to Daemon's storyline as she gets into his psyche, challenging his loyalty and ambitions.

In one intense scene, she speaks to Daemon about the curse of Harrenhal, mentioning the whispers of ancient spirits and the cursed bed he sleeps in. She questions his motives and relationship with his wife, Rhaenyra Targaryen, hinting at his internal struggle for power and recognition. As the series unfolds, Alys's background is further explored. In the books by George R.R. Martin, Alys is a healer and servant at Harrenhal who later becomes romantically involved with Aemond Targaryen.

Their relationship resulted in her pregnancy. When Daemon returns to Harrenhal to confront Aemond, Alys witnesses their tragic fall into Gods Eye lake. After this event, she disappears for a while but later resurfaces, taking control of Harrenhal with a group of outlaws once the civil war, known as the Dance of the Dragons, ends.

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Who is Alys Rivers in House of the Dragon?

Alys Rivers is a new character introduced in House of the Dragon season 2. She is a healer working at Harrenhal, an old and spooky castle. Alys is connected to House Strong, a family that used to rule Harrenhal. Her last name, Rivers, shows that she is a bastards born in the Riverlands.

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Alys Rivers is known for her great knowledge and mysterious presence. She is not just an ordinary healer; she has a deep understanding of many things, which makes her seem almost magical. In the show, she also appears in the strange visions that Prince Daemon Targaryen has while he is at Harrenhal, adding to her mysterious and unsettling character.

Scottish actress Gayle Rankin plays Alys Rivers in the series. Gayle is famous for her roles in the Netflix show "GLOW" and the HBO drama "Perry Mason." She has also been in movies like "The Greatest Showman" and "Blow the Man Down." Her performance as Alys Rivers brings a lot of depth to the character, making her an interesting and important part of the show.

In the book "Fire & Blood" by George R.R. Martin, Alys Rivers plays a significant role. She becomes close to Aemond Targaryen and is said to be pregnant with his child. After a big fight where Aemond and Daemon Targaryen fall into a lake, Alys takes control of Harrenhal with a group of outlaws. This shows her strength and cleverness, hinting that her character will be very important as the story continues in House of the Dragon.

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Alys Rivers' Prophecy and Daemon's Dreams

Alys Rivers' prophecy and Daemon's dreams play a significant role in House of the Dragon season 2, adding mystery and tension to the story. Alys Rivers, a healer at Harrenhal, is a new character who quickly becomes an unsettling presence in the series. In episode 3, Alys shares a prophecy with Daemon Targaryen. She tells him that he will die at Harrenhal Castle.

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This prophecy is dark and makes Daemon uneasy. The idea that his fate is tied to this cursed place haunts him and adds tension to his stay at Harrenhal. In episode 4, Alys introduces herself to Daemon and shows that she knows about his troubled dreams. She approaches him and says, "How are you settling in? I’ve come to know the face of tortured rest well enough. Sleep can be thin in this place."

Daemon is surprised and asks, "What would you know of my sleep?" Alys explains that Harrenhal is cursed, and this curse could be affecting his sleep. She says, "Harrenhal’s been cursed since its first stone was laid. Black Harren felled the grove of Weirwood trees that grew on these lands. Heart trees, imbued with the spirits of those who lived long before he came. It’s said their whispers can still be heard sometimes."

Daemon initially dismisses her warning as a "midwife’s tale," but becomes uneasy when Alys reveals that his bed is made from one of the cursed trees. This revelation makes Daemon think twice about the stories he had heard about Harrenhal's curse.

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Daemon gets irritated and calls her a witch, but Alys continues to provoke him, suggesting it must be hard for him to accept that Rhaenyra, a woman, replaced him as the heir. Daemon seems to wake up from a dream-like state shortly after, making him question whether the entire encounter was real or if Alys had somehow entered his mind.

House of the Dragon Cast

Actor Role
Paddy Considine King Viserys I Targaryen
Matt Smith Prince Daemon Targaryen
Emma D'Arcy Princess / Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen
Milly Alcock Young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
Rhys Ifans Ser Otto Hightower
Steve Toussaint Lord Corlys Velaryon
Eve Best Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (seasons 1–2)
Sonoya Mizuno Mysaria
Fabien Frankel Ser Criston Cole
Olivia Cooke Queen / Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower
Emily Carey Young Lady / Queen Alicent Hightower (season 1)
Graham McTavish Ser Harrold Westerling
Matthew Needham Lord Larys Strong
Jefferson Hall Lord Jason Lannister / Ser Tyland Lannister
Harry Collett Prince Jacaerys "Jace" Velaryon
Leo Hart Young Jacaerys Velaryon
Tom Glynn-Carney Prince / King Aegon II Targaryen
Ty Tennant Young Prince Aegon Targaryen
Ewan Mitchell Prince Aemond Targaryen
Leo Ashton Young Prince Aemond Targaryen
Bethany Antonia Lady Baela Targaryen
Shani Smethurst Young Baela Targaryen
Phoebe Campbell Lady Rhaena Targaryen
Eva Ossei-Gerning Young Rhaena Targaryen
Phia Saban Princess / Queen Helaena Targaryen
Evie Allen Young Princess Helaena Targaryen
Kurt Egyiawan Grand Maester Orwyle (season 2; recurring season 1)
Kieran Bew Hugh Hammer (season 2)
Abubakar Salim Alyn of Hull (season 2)
Tom Taylor Lord Cregan Stark (season 2)
Clinton Liberty Addam of Hull (season 2)
Tom Bennett Ulf White (season 2)
Ellora Torchia Kat (season 2)
Freddie Fox Ser Gwayne Hightower (season 2)
Will Willoughby Young Gwayne Hightower (uncredited season 1)
Gayle Rankin Alys Rivers (season 2)
Simon Russell Beale Ser Simon Strong (season 2)

House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4

In episode 4 of House of the Dragon season 2, the tension between the greens and blacks continues to escalate as the civil war draws nearer. Daemon is abruptly awakened by Lord Strong, who informs him of the enemy's movements. The castles of Rosby and Stokeworth have pledged their loyalty to King Aegon II, and now Criston Cole's army might be heading towards Harrenhal.

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Daemon considers seeking support from House Tully, but their teenage leader, Oscar, is hesitant to take action while his grandfather is on his deathbed. In King's Landing, Queen Alicent Hightower grapples with her doubts about King Visery's true wishes regarding his successor. After her unsettling conversation with Rhaenyra, Alicent starts to question if Viserys truly wanted Aegon to succeed him.

On Dragonstone, the council is concerned about Rhaenyra's absence. She had gone to King's Landing to speak with Alicent, hoping for a peaceful resolution. However, upon her return, she realizes that war is inevitable. Rhaenyra's son, Jacerys, offers to join the battle, but Rhaenyra, wary after losing Luke, declines. Instead, Rhaenys volunteers to take Meleys, their largest dragon, to show their strength.

The episode builds up to a dramatic battle at Rook's Rest. Cole's army attempts to gain the loyalty of Lord Staunton's forces, but Aegon decides to join the battle, riding his dragon Sunfyre. In a surprising twist, Aemond and Vhagar appear, leading to a fierce aerial confrontation.

Aegon and Sunfyre are attacked, resulting in Aegon's fall. Rhaenys and Meleys initially seem to escape but are ultimately defeated by Vhagar. The episode ends on a tense note as Criston Cole searches for Aegon on the battlefield, finding him badly injured but alive.



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