House of the Dragon season 2’s new trailers subtly introduce a new character, confirming the pay-off of season 1’s Vermithor dragon teases.
Daemon Targaryen with armor and the landscape of a valley behind him in House of the Dragon – season 2Image via HBO
WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood, which House of the Dragon is based on.
When House of the Dragon season 2 premieres, Rhaenyra’s party is expected to be in the possession of at least eight dragons according to George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book and the show’s teases: Syrax, Vermax, Caraxes, Tyraxes, Meleys, Moondancer, Silverwing, and Vermithor. A few dragons from the book could potentially be cut from season 2, but Vermithor isn’t one of them. In addition to seeing some shots of Vermithor in House of the Dragon season 2’s new trailers, a blink-or-you’ll-miss-it detail introduces a character heavily associated with the dragon’s story in the Targaryen Civil War – his new rider.
House Of The Dragon Season 2’s Trailer Introduces Hugh Hammer
Approximately 33 seconds into House of the Dragon season 2’s Black trailer, a side-shot of new character Hugh Hammer can be seen. Hugh is sitting around a table with Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett), Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia), and two other characters whose identities are difficult to pin down. However, what’s unmistakable about the character seated next to Baela is his silver hair, beard, and large physique, matching the descriptions of Hugh Hammer from Fire & Blood.
Why Vermithor Is So Important & What Daemon Singing To Him Sets Up
Daemon sings to the dragon Vermithor in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 10, a moment that will have several implications in the show’s future.
Among the new confirmed cast members in House of the Dragon season 2 is Kieran Bew, who will portray Hugh Hammer and seems to match the man seen in the trailer. While the character was completely absent from season 1, Hugh will play a substantial role in season 2 of the Game of Thrones prequel series, as he joins Rhaenyra’s army as the new rider of Vermithor. However, Hugh isn’t the only new dragonrider for Rhaenyra’s Black Party who will be introduced in House of the Dragon season 2, as he’ll be joined by the silver-haired Ulf White and Addam of Hull, collectively known as the “dragonseeds.”
How Hugh Hammer Can Ride Vermithor
Considering he doesn’t bear the Targaryen or Valeryon name, it’s easy to question how Hugh Hammer can ride a dragon, especially one as fearsome and grown as Vermithor. The reason Hugh can ride Vermithor is that he claims to have Targaryen ancestry, thus having the blood of the dragon running through his veins. For the same reason that Aemond Targaryen can ride Vhagar despite only having one Targaryen parent or Jacaerys Velaryon can ride Vermax with only one dragon-riding House’s blood (as Harwin Strong is his biological father), Hugh being a bastard of Targaryen or Velaryon descent allows him to bond with a dragon.
Fire & Blood explains that Hugh is the bastard son of a Dragonstone blacksmith, but doesn’t reveal which Targaryen he is descended from. Similar to House of the Dragon season 1 hinting at Aegon’s bastards around the Red Keep, Hugh is thought to descend from an unclaimed Targaryen bastard. However, simply having Targaryen or Velaryon blood doesn’t automatically mean they can ride a dragon. While Addam of Hull, who is claimed to be the bastard of Laenor Velaryon or Corlys Velaryon (depending on various Westerosi sources), was able to ride Seasmoke, his
