Who Is Alys Rivers In 'House Of The Dragon'? Her Ties To Daemon & Aemond, Explained

So far, House of the Dragon (2022) Season 3 has been an action-packed spectacle. Tensions are high. The stakes are higher, and the Targaryen drama dominates the screen. However, Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) has also returned and remains just as mysterious as she did in Season 2, while Daemon (Matt Smith) wandered the halls of Harrenhal in a blurry, hallucinogenic state. 

In House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 2, she appears before both Daemon and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell); her allegiance to the Greens or Blacks is just as questionable as she is. In Episode 1, she also briefly appears to Ulf (Tom Bennett), and he quickly surmises that she is a witch. 

So, just who is Alys Rivers in House of the Dragon? Let's delve into George R. R. Martin's source material, Fire & Blood, and how that compares to the show. 

Alys Rivers Is A Mysterious Figure In 'Fire & Blood'

The following contains spoilers for George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood.

Alys Rivers is as mysterious as her origins. In-universe, many suspect she is the bastard child of Lord Lyonel Strong, which would explain why she's spent her time hanging around Harrenhal and perhaps also why she takes it so harshly when Daemon tells her that Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) will never grant her Harrenhal, either. However, even this is steeped in legend. Ask the court jester Mushroom, and he'll tell you that Alys couldn't be the daughter of Lyonel Strong because she's actually much, much older than she appears. According to him, Alys bathes in the blood of maidens and uses dark magic to maintain her youthful appearance. 

Possible? Perhaps. In House of the Dragon, Alys self-identifies as a witch, and in both the book and show, she has visions of the future. Many believe her to be a powerful enchantress who uses ancient magic extending to the Old Gods. The true scope of her magical abilities isn't clear, but House of the Dragon also seems to imply that she is a warg, someone able to enter an animal's psyche and see through their eyes. (Bran did this in Game of Thrones.)  

There are also her more concrete abilities, like potion-making and herbal medicine, to consider. However, just how much of this is "natural" versus "magical" is up for debate, which is why Alys continues to be such a compelling character to explore. 

Daemon & Alys Rivers Cross Paths At Harrenhal

A good chunk of House of the Dragon Season 2 follows Daemon's time at Harrenhal. For many, it felt like an elongated time-suck, but it ultimately resulted in Daemon accepting his destiny and returning loyal to Rhaenyra's cause. Alys plays a major role in this, from feeding him futuristic visions to interpreting his dream-like hallucinations. While Alys' intentions or reasons for helping Daemon aren't entirely clear, they don't seem malicious, either. 

However, things seem to take a turn when Alys requests Harrenhal, and Daemon tells her Rhaenerya won't do it. So far, it's the last we've seen of Alys and Daemon on-screen, partially because her most important role involves her relationship with Aemond. 

Alys Plays An Important Role In The Dance Of The Dragons With Aemond

In House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 2, Aemond kills Ser Simon Strong but is stabbed in the process. After he falls to the ground, Alys appears (as she's prone to do), and he pleads for her help. 

For those unfamiliar with Fire & Blood, this is clearly setting up Alys and Aemond's complicated relationship. After killing everyone in Harrenhal but Alys, Aemond and Alys begin a romantic relationship—perhaps one influenced by Alys' magic. The relationship reportedly results in her pregnancy. However, the real role Alys plays in Aemond's arc is guiding his military actions with her prophetic visions. 

I'll spare you the details about how that all plays out because House of the Dragon will surely follow a similar storyline. It will also be interesting to see how much of the mysterious witch the series fleshes out. Alys is an intelligent woman who manages to ensnare both Targaryen men—Aemond and Daemon—to her advantage at different times. Ultimately, in Fire & Blood, she gets what she wants, which, as House of the Dragon has already foreshadowed, is Harrenhal.