7 major deaths we're expecting in House of the Dragon season 2

All men must die. And in House of the Dragon, all dragons must also die. Game of Thrones was famous for killing off characters, and we're expecting the upcoming second season of prequel series House of the Dragon to follow suit.

As the second season premiere nears, there are some deaths we’re preparing for. We know something of what's coming because we can read ahead in the book Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin. While the show has made changes to the book, there are some events that need to happen. Character deaths push certain stories forward and underline the point the show is trying to make: that whatever side of the upcoming Targaryen civil war war you're on — whether you support Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen and her Blacks or King Aegon Targaryen and his Greens — anyone who engages in this kind of sectarian conflict ultimately loses.

These are the seven deaths I’m getting ready for. Beware HUGE SPOILERS below.

Rhaenys Targaryen at the Battle of Rook’s Rest

We know there's going to be a spectacular battle scene in the fourth episode of the new season: the Battle of Rook's Rest. A couple characters will die in this battle, including Rhaenys Targaryen.

The last we saw Rhaenys, she has managed to get her dragon, Meleys, out of the Dragpnpit. Rhaenys messed up at this point. Had she told her dragon to kill the newly crowned King Aegon, she could have stopped this war before it happened. Instead, she made her way to Dragonstone and joined forces with Rhaenyra.

In the book, Rhaenys ends up in a battle against Aegon and Aemond, all three of them on their dragons. She doesn’t survive. Neither does her mount:

Meleys at the Battle of Rook’s Rest

Yes, Rhaenys is on her dragon, Meleys, during the Battle of Rook’s Rest. Aegon and Aemond are on their dragons, Sunfyre and Vhagar. We’ve seen the damage that Vhagar can do, but not so much of Sunfyre just yet. I’m looking forward to this fight.

In the book, Meleys puts up a great fight, and she does manage to injure Sunfyre badly. However, she doesn’t win. In the end, Vhagar overpowers Meleys, and it leads to the death of the dragon as well as her rider.

Jaehaerys by Blood and Cheese

Death is especially brutal when it comes for young, innocent children. In season 2 of House of the Dragon, Daemon Targaryen will wants revenge for the death of his nephew/stepson, Lucerys, killed by Aemond Targaryen at the end of season 1. “A son for a son,” he says.

That leads to him hiring mercenaries known only as Blood and Cheese. They infiltrate the Red Keep in King’s Landing and threaten Helaena Targaryen and her children as a way to hurt King Aegon, giving her an ultimatum. She gets to choose which of her children will die. It’s a real Sophie’s Choice moment, and it leads to the murder of her son Jaehaerys. We've seen shots of a funeral procession in King's Landing on set, which suggests that this death is definitely happening in House of the Dragon season 2, and it’s hard not to feel for Helaena.

Sir Erryk and Arryk Cargyll die together

These two deserve the same spot. After all, they die at the same time by each other’s hands. It’s quite fitting for identical twins.

Erryk and Arryk Cargyll were both knights of the Kingsguard before the death of King Viserys I Targaryen. Erryk joined Team Black while his brother Arryk remained loyal to Team Green. Arryk will later pose as his brother and try to infiltrate the Black stronghold of Dragonstone under the orders of Otto Hightower. In Fire & Blood, this happens just after Jaehaerys’ murder, and Arryk's orders are to kill Rhaenyra.

Arryk comes across his brother at Dragonstone. The twins end up fighting and mortally wounding each other. It has to happen in season 2, especially with how the brothers have already been introduced in the first season.

Jacaerys Velaryon

Rhaenyra's first-born son Jace eventually dies in Fire & Blood. He meets his end during a battle called the Battle of the Gullet where he goes up against a fleet of ships sent by the Triarchy while on the back of his dragon Vermax. It's unclear if the show will get to the Battle of the Gullet in season 2, but it's possible. And if it does, we can say goodbye to Jace.

Helaena Targaryen after the murder of her son

Helaena is such a sweet and kind soul. She may be on Team Green, but that’s not necessarily by choice. She’s stuck where she is.

After witnessing her son’s murder, Helaena starts to cut herself off from the world. She descends into madness and eventually dies by suicide. This actually happens a bit later in the books, but House of the Dragon may move it up to season 2.

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