Is Daenerys the Prince That Was Promised? Daemon’s Vision Explained

Emma BowmanAugust 5, 2024

Is Daenerys the Prince That Was Promised? Daemon's Vision Explained

House of the Dragon Season 2 has come to an end, and one scene in the finale has fans thinking they have the answer to the age-old prophecy about the Prince Who Was Promised: Daenerys Targaryen.

Much of House of the Dragon Season 2 took place within the ruined walls of Harrenhal, where Daemon lived out his worst nightmares and most suspicious dreams.

In Episode 8, the Season 2 finale, Daemon had one final vision that may have changed everything we know about Game of Thrones, Daenerys Targaryen, and the prophecy of the Prince Who Was Promised.

Here’s a breakdown of Daemon’s vision, along with details on what it means for Daenerys.

What did Daemon see in his vision?

In Episode 8, Daemon had a hallucination while visiting the Weirwood tree in Harrenhal and saw a series of images including a bloody battlefield, the three-eyed raven, Daenerys Targaryen and Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne.

These played out as a series of nonsensical mental images. Daemon saw himself walking through a bloody battlefield, stepping into a pool of blood and falling into a body of water. He also saw Rhaenyra sitting on the Iron Throne, wearing a crown.

Furthermore, he also saw images previously found in Game of Thrones. These included the White Walkers advancing through the forest, as well as Daenerys Targaryen after surviving the burning hut in Game of Thrones Season 1, where her dragon egg hatched.

It’s worth noting that we don’t see Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys, as she’s only seen from behind – although it’s very clear who he’s looking at.

Daemon then awakens after seeing his vision. This seems to spark a change of heart and an understanding of the prophecy, and how the Dance of Dragons will play a part in it. When Rhaenyra later arrives at Harrenhal, he once again swears his loyalty to her.

He tells her that a long winter is coming and will bring death and destruction to Westeros. He also says: “The realm’s only hope is a leader who can unite it, and my brother has chosen you.”

Does this mean Daenerys is the Prince Who Was Promised?

With Daemon’s visions helping him understand the prophecy, and Daenerys playing a large role in it, it has long been assumed that she is the Prince Who Was Promised.

But ultimately, the prophecy remains controversial. It is possible that Daenerys is the Prince Who Was Promised, as her story in Game of Thrones has certainly pointed to her as a savior figure.

However, there will probably never be full confirmation either way, as the prophecy is not set in stone. There has been much confusion over who the “prince” in question actually is over the years.

At one point, it was believed that Jon Snow was the Prince Who Was Promised, due to the fact that he was a Targaryen to begin with. However, the word “prince” in High Valyrian is actually gender neutral, so “prince” could also mean “princess.”

The biggest evidence that she is the reincarnation of the prophecy might be that, in Daemon’s vision, everything leads to her. It was she and her dragons who helped defeat the Night King in Game of Thrones. The Dance of the Dragons will eventually pave the way for Daenerys.

However, the prince is more of a warrior of darkness than a conqueror.

While Daemon sees Rhaenyra on the throne (and accepts her as his chosen ruler), it’s clear that the Targaryen story doesn’t end there, nor does it end in peace.

On the fan side, House of the Dragon viewers are divided on what this vision means for the prophecy. Some have suggested that Daenerys is actually the symbol of “fire” in the Song of Ice and Fire.

“I personally see her as the ‘fire’ as opposed to the ‘ice’ of the White Walkers, that’s all. Or maybe Dany is Azor Ahai, but AA and TPTWP aren’t necessarily one and the same,” one Reddit commenter said.

“The most plausible answer: Daemon sees events from the future from the return of the White Walkers to the rebirth of the dragons. He mistakenly believes he’s seeing a glimpse of the Prince That Was Promised in Dany. “Didn’t know that the vision actually showed the threat of ice (white walkers) and fire (Dany),” wrote another.

A third added: “The most important thing about that scene is that the dragons are reborn. If anything, it signifies that someone in their lineage will give birth to dragons to fight the White Walkers.”

Until George RR Martin confirms (if he does) who the Prince That Was Promised is, this entire prophecy can only be taken with a grain of salt.

For more, check out our full breakdown of the House of the Dragon season 2 ending. You can also find out what’s going on with House of the Dragon season 3 and see all the dragons that have appeared on the show.

Read More: