Silverwing and Vermithor, which dragons are free to ride in ‘House of the Dragon’?

The Battle of Rook’s Rest has wreaked havoc on the two sides vying for victory in the War of the Seven Kingdoms. Episode 5 of ‘House of the Dragon’ saw the demise of at least one dragon. Meleys, Princess Rhaenys’ reptile, has perished in the jaws of Vhagar, while Sunfyre, the dragon ridden by King Aegon II Targaryen, appears to have suffered a similar fate, though it is not yet entirely clear if he has died or not. Meanwhile, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen weighs her options and comes to a clear conclusion: she needs more dragons.

The two dragons who can join Rhaenyra Targaryen’s cause

In a conversation with her son Jacaerys, he comes up with a possible solution. There are still several riderless dragons in Dragonstone. Silverwing is the female that rode Queen Alysanne Targaryen. After her death, the dragon settled in Rocadragon and laid her eggs, waiting to be claimed by a new rider. Vermithor was the animal of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, Viserys’ father. Nicknamed the Bronze Fury, he is second only in age to the monstrous Vhagar. Like the latter, his size gives him extraordinary strength, though he is not as fast as the younger dragons.

The dragons are associated with the Targaryen family, a symbolic power that is actually an illusion, so the dynasty is aware that it must preserve it at all costs. In the episode, Rhaenyra mentions that there is a shortage of riders to ride the beasts, but Jacaerys finds a solution: there may not be enough Targaryens, but there are members of the House who have lost their family name and are qualified to become dragon riders. In the coming episodes, Rhaenyra’s heir will search for possible candidates.

The second season of ‘House of the Dragon’ is already in its final stretch: only three episodes remain to conclude the season, although it has already been renewed for a third season.