Warning: Major spoilers ahead for the season two premiere of “House of the Dragon” and the book “Fire and Blood.”
“House of the Dragon” is already keeping us on our toes in season two — and the premiere briefly introduced an important figure from George R.R. Martin’s book.
In the season two premiere, Aegon II Targaryen hears petitions from common folk. Unused to making difficult decisions as ruler, he’s generous in granting their wishes — that is, until his Hand Otto Hightower steps in to remind him that his dragons need to eat the sheep he just granted back to a shepherd.
One of these petitioners, however, is more important than the others: Hugh the blacksmith (Kieran Bew), who asks Aegon for an advance on the smiths’ payment for weapons.
If you couldn’t tell by the lingering, close-up shot of Hugh’s face during his introduction, here’s your PSA: You should remember his face. Assuming he’s the same Hugh from “Fire and Blood,” the book on which “House of the Dragon” is based, we’ll see much more of him down the line.
In ‘Fire and Blood,’ Hugh is a dragonrider
During the Dance of the Dragons, as recounted in “Fire and Blood,” Rhaenyra’s son Jacaerys decides to recruit potential dragonriders from the breadth of Targaryen bastards. He puts out a call for recruits, promising rewards like knighthood, lands, and glory to those who are able to successfully mount a dragon.
Not everyone was able to do so. According to “Fire and Blood,” Grand Maester Munkun (one historical source) recounted that 16 men died during the trials, while tens of them were injured. Hugh, a “blacksmith’s bastard” with incredible physical strength, mounted the dragon Vermithor. Others also succeeded, mounting the dragons Silverwing, Seasmoke, and Sheepstealer.
Vermithor — we know him, right?
That you do. “House of the Dragons” viewers encountered Vermithor in season one. The previous mount of King Jaehaerys, Viserys’ predecessor, and was riderless after his death.
Daemon Targaryen very briefly encounters Vermithor in the season one finale when he seeks him out underneath Dragonstone. Singing a song in High Valyrian, Daemon doesn’t seem to get very far with Vermithor — but he doesn’t get burnt to a crisp, which is still a net win.
Vermithor isn’t the biggest dragon that we’ve seen in “House of the Dragon” — that honor goes to Aemond’s big, beautiful girl Vhagar — but he’s still pretty big.
Now, if you want potential major spoilers for the show…
What happens to Hugh in the books?
The fictional history of Westeros recounts how Hugh fought in the war as a dragonrider. In one battle, Rhaenyra’s forces clashed with a naval fleet from the Triarchy, with whom Otto Hightower had engineered an alliance. During the battle, Hugh and Vermithor fought alongside the dragons Silverwing, Sheepstealer, Seasmoke, their riders, Jacaerys, and his dragon Vermax.
However, Hugh and Ulf White, Silverwing’s rider, defected later in the war, though their motivations were disputed in the historical record. Later in the war, he made a play for the throne himself, but was killed during a battle.
“House of the Dragon” season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on Max.
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