+

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.

Close
HomeQuizzoneWhatsappShare Flash Reads
 

'House of the Dragon' fans are wondering what happened to Nettles, a dragonrider in the book. Here's her story in 'Fire and Blood.'

Jul 29, 2024, 09:30 IST
Insider
Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen in "House of the Dragon."Theo Whitman/HBO
  • Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) recruits new dragonriders in "House of the Dragon" season two.
  • The series has replaced a character called Nettles with Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell).
Advertisement

Rhaenyra Targaryen's (Emma D'Arcy) focus in "House of the Dragon" season two is finding new dragonriders. Her plan comes to fruition in episode seven when she recruits Targaryen bastards from King's Landing to join her war against the Greens.

However, the show has so far omitted Nettles, a lowborn woman who joins Rhaenyra after taming a dragon in "Fire and Blood," the book the HBO series is based on.

Fans on social media are surprised that Nettles has seemingly been left behind, given how faithful the show has been to the book by giving dragons to Hugh Hammer, Ulf the White, and Addam of Hull.

In episode seven, Hugh (Kieran Bew) and Ulf (Tom Bennett) are among the bastards in Dragonstone who try their luck at taming the huge dragon, Vermithor, in the caves beneath the castle.

Predictably, it all ends in chaos until Hugh bonds with Vermithor and Ulf connects with Silverwing.

Advertisement

In the previous episode, Addam (Clinton Liberty) was surprised when Seasmoke sought him out on a beach, and they bonded in a forest.

But in the book, another dragon joins Rhaenyra's new army, Sheepstealer. Nettles tames the dragon by — you guessed it — feeding him sheep.

But while Hugh and Ulf have popped up in several season two episodes, Nettles is nowhere to be seen.

'House of the Dragon' seemingly gives Nettles' story to Rhaena Targaryen

Phoebe Campbell as Rhaena Targaryen in "House of the Dragon."Theo Whiteman/HBO

It appears that the writers have given Nettles' story to Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell). In episode seven, she goes searching for Sheepstealer after finding burned carcasses in the Vale.

It makes sense for the series to move a pre-existing character into a bigger position rather than adding yet another person to the roster.

Advertisement

Plus, it also develops Rhaena's story in an interesting way. She was sent away to the Vale to protect Rhaenyra's youngest son, Aegon III (Jake and Rory Heard), from the war — and she was pretty unhappy about it.

Because Nettles hasn't appeared, it seems likely Rhaena will take Sheepstealer for herself by the time "House of the Dragon" Season two is over.

Nettles was in a relationship with Daemon Targaryen in 'Fire and Blood'

Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen in "House of the Dragon."Theo Whitman / HBO

It's unclear whether Nettles had Targaryen heritage in the book, but it's suggested that she managed to befriend Sheepstealer by feeding him.

Regardless, she was loyal to Rhaenyra during the war, even when Hugh and Ulf betrayed the Blacks and started fighting for the Greens.

Shortly after taking King's Landing for Rhaenyra, Daemon Targaryen and Nettles began sleeping together and fell in love. Word eventually got back to Rhaenyra about the relationship, and she declared Nettles as a traitor to the crown.

Advertisement

Nettles fled to the Vale and hid out in the mountains with Sheepstealer for the rest of her life, but it's not known when she died.

It seems highly unlikely that the Nettles' relationship will be folded into "House of the Dragon" because Rhaena is Daemon's daughter. Although there areseveral incestuous relationships in the franchise, a father-daughter couple could be a step too far.

"House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on Max.

You are subscribed to notifications!
Looks like you've blocked notifications!
Next Article