Does Sheepstealer die in House of the Dragon? Here's why we'll likely see Rhaena's dragon again

Sheepstealer took a major L in House of the Dragon season 3, episode 7. After bonding with Rhaena, messing up big time at the Battle of the Gullet, and not staying hidden enough after, Sheepstealer was cornered by three dragons—Caraxes, Syrax, and Seasmoke. 

After Daemon found Rhaena and Sheepstealer and tried to help, Rhaenyra and Addam of Hull quickly found the pair. A quick, gut-wrenching dragon fight ensued while Rhaena was captured. 

As Addam and Rhaenyra fled with Rhaena as their captive, Daemon was ordered to stay behind, and he ordered his dragon, Caraxes, to kill Sheepstealer. It’s vicious, and Sheepstealer does his best, but eventually, Caraxes wins. Daemon’s dragon nearly kills Sheepstealer. Then, it backs off, and Sheepstealer limps off, unable to fly but alive.

So, what’s next for my favorite dragon? Does he survive the upcoming events of the Dance of the Dragons in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood? Will we see him again? 

Well, it’s quite complicated, but this probably won’t be the last time we see Sheepstealer in House of the Dragon, though this part of the story is quite different in Fire & Blood. 

House of the Dragon gave Nettles and Sheepstealer’s story to Rhaena

In Fire & Blood, Rhaena is not Sheepstealer’s rider. That’s Nettles, and she was one of the dragonseeds, just like Ulf the White, Hugh Hammer, and Addam of Hull. 

She was about the same age as Rhaena is in House of the Dragon. In the book, it’s revealed that Nettles grew close to Daemon, and Daemon loved her in some form or fashion. 

Nettles and Sheepstealer were also a big part of the Blacks’ victory in the Battle of the Gullet. And no, Sheepstealer isn’t actually the reason Jacaerys died. 

We don’t know a lot about Nettles compared to some of the other characters, but it’s very interesting that they changed this story, cut the character, and are working in Rhaena in this way.

Does Sheepstealer die in Fire & Blood?

Sheepstealer’s death is not formally acknowledged in Fire & Blood. The dragon will die at some point in this story, but it’s unclear if that’s going to happen in House of the Dragon. 

In the book, Daemon and Nettles go looking for Vhagar and Aemond after a bunch of things happen at Tumbleton. That’s when Rhaenyra decides it’s time for Nettles to be killed. There’s a lot of drama that goes into it. Mysaria is involved, too, and it’s all about how Rhaenyra can no longer trust Daemon. 

Daemon gets tipped off that the plan is for Nettles to be killed, but he’s not going to play like that. He has other ideas, but he and Nettles go their separate ways, we’ll say. We don’t want all the spoilers right out in the open. 

Nettles and Sheepstealer leave Daemon and go into hiding. Much, much later, they’re involved in a minor skirmish of sorts, and then they disappear. No one really knows what happens with Sheepstealer and Nettles in Fire & Blood. 

So, will Sheepstealer be back in House of the Dragon? His return looks quite promising 

If Sheepstealer was going to die, Daemon and Caraxes had every chance to do just that, but they didn’t. That makes me think there’s a chance we’re going to get some variation of Nettles’ story with Rhaena, Daemon, and Sheepstealer. 

Rhaena was taken back to the Red Keep where Rhaenyra is holding her captive. The list of captive relatives is starting to add up for Rhaenyra. Now, Daemon is in the dragon house, and Rhaenyra is furious that he lied to protect Rhaena. It’s all very dramatic, but it’s understandable because Daemon keeps making big mistakes. 

It seems like Ryan Condal and the writers are setting up this Daemon, Rhaena, and Rhaenyra situation to be a very big deal. I would guess that Rhaenyra will try to have Rhaena killed, but instead, Daemon will flee with Rhaena and take her back to Sheepstealer before he heads off to fight Vhagar and Aemond. That’s my read on where we are headed. 

Then, Rhaena will be forced into hiding, which opens up the possibility of seeing her down the line as the story comes to a close. 

While I don’t love leaving Nettles out of this story, this story has definitely become one of the most interesting stories to watch throughout the season. We know Rhaenyra has Ormund Hightower to deal with this season, but it’s how Rhaenyra is managing those close to her and those she has real personal history with. We can see Rhaenyra closing herself off and becoming the ruler she didn’t want to be. How Rhaenyra treats Rhaena will tell the audience everything about how far she’s willing to go to keep power. She’s already tried to kill Sheepstealer multiple times, but will she kill Rhaena for her role in Jace’s death? 

All in all, I would be very surprised if that’s the last we see of that glorious underbite in House of the Dragon. It might not be in season 3, but before the end, I do expect to see my guy Sheepstealer at least one more time.

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