Warning: The following article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 7. It also includes potential spoilers for future installments of the series.
When House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 7 wraps up, one of the show’s last unclaimed dragons, Silverwing, finally has someone perched on her back. So, who rides Silverwing in House of the Dragon Season 2?
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Silverwing’s Dragon Rider in House of the Dragon, Explained
Ulf White is Silverwing’s new dragon rider in House of the Dragon Season 2. He stumbles upon the silver-scaled beastie late in Episode 7, in the lair she shares with her mate, Vermithor, on Dragonstone. Ulf’s understandably terrified when Silverwing advances on him, not least of all because he’s not entirely sure how real his dragonseed heritage is. Fortunately for the self-proclaimed half-brother of King Viserys I and Prince Daemon Targaryen, Valyrian blood apparently runs in his veins after all. Indeed, Silverwing bonds with Ulf, accepting him as her new rider.
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What happens next is pure Ulf: he takes Silverwing for a joyride over King’s Landing. As you’d expect, this doesn’t go down well with the Green Targaryen camp based in the city. Troops manning the Red Keep’s battlements take aim at Ulf and Silverwing with their oversized Scorpion crossbows. They don’t get any shots away, however, and dragon and rider end their excursion unscathed. The next time we see Ulf and Silverwing in Season 2, Episode 7, they’re alongside Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen’s other dragonseed recruits and their respective dragons.
Does Ulf Ride Silverwing in the Book, Too?
Yep, Ulf also claims Silverwing in House of the Dragon‘s source text, Fire & Blood. His stint as Silverwing’s rider doesn’t last long, however. All told, they’re only bonded for about a year (if not less). That said, Ulf and Silverwing have plenty of memorable exploits during their short time together. Notably, they fight in the legendary Battle of the Gullet, one of Westeros’ all-time gnarliest naval engagements.
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Ulf and Silverwing also take part in the First Battle of Tumbleton, during which Ulf and fellow dragonseed Hugh Hammer infamously switch sides. Ulf’s betrayal ultimately gets him killed, after which Silverwing roams riderless around Westeros. No one ever bonds with her again, and she’s one of the few dragons to survive House of the Dragon‘s civil war.
House of the Dragon Season 2 is currently airing on HBO and Max, with new episodes dropping Sundays.
The above article was updated on 7/29/2024 by the original author to add information about Silverwing’s rider.
Published: Jul 29, 2024 07:13 am