House of the Dragon season 2 has finally mentioned a missing character from the books: Daeron Targaryen explained

Alicent and Gwayne in House of the Dragon — (Image credit: HBO)

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2 finally name dropped Daeron Targaryen, who, in George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood, is a major character.

Until this point, Daeron had been missing from the show, but it looks like he'll be a key player moving forward.

Below, we dive into the missing Targaryen brother and what his story is in the source material. It should go without saying, but the following will delve into major House of the Dragon spoilers. We'll also be looking into spoilers for Fire and Blood, too, so turn back now if you don't want to know what might happen next!

Who is Daeron Targaryen?

House of the Dragon — (Image credit: HBO)

Daeron Targaryen is the third son of Alicent Hightower and Viserys Targaryen, which makes him the younger brother of Aegon, Aemond, and Helaena (and he's Rhaenyra's younger half-brother). He hasn't even been mentioned in the show before House of the Dragon season 2, which led to some fans thinking he'd been cut. Martin, though, reassured fans that Daeron still existed.

"Alicent gave Viserys four children, three sons and a daughter," Martin shared. "Their youngest son Daeron is down in Oldtown, we just did not have the time to work him in this season."

In House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6, Alicent and her brother Gwayne have a conversation about Daeron. Gwayne reveals that Daeron is kind, which is a great relief to Alicent. Her other sons can't be described as such, after all...

In the trailer for episode 7, Daeron is mentioned again, taking to the skies with his dragon to accompany the Hightower army.

What is Daeron Targaryen's story in the book? Spoilers

House of the Dragon season 2 — (Image credit: Sky/HBO)

When the Dance of the Dragons kicks off, Daeron is in Oldtown as a squire for Lord Ormund Hightower, as he seems to be in the show. The Targaryen prince joins Ormund in a skirmish called the Battle of the Honeywine and turns the tide of the fight with his dragon Tessarion. For this, Ormund knights him and names him Daeron the Daring.

Now, here is where the major book spoilers come in. In the course of the war, Rhaenyra takes King's Landing and reigns as queen. Aegon is missing and Aemond is eventually killed, which leaves Daeron first in line for the throne. Hugh Hammer, however, declares himself king instead, and you can read more about that in our explainer on him through the link.

Daeron himself is later killed during a battle that also involves Addam of Hull, another major character introduced in season 2, episode 2. Fire and Blood gives conflicting accounts on how Daeron might have died, and, since his body is never conclusively identified, people are able to claim to be him during the reign of Rhaenyra's son Aegon III. One of Fire and Blood's fictional sources, though, says they're all definitely pretenders.

House of the Dragon continues weekly on Sky and NOW in the UK and HBO in the US. For even more on the show, check out our deep dives on:

Who is Daeron Targaryen?

What is Daeron Targaryen's story in the book? *Spoilers*

What is Daeron Targaryen's story in the book? Spoilers