What is the new wild dragon from episode 2x06: the big change in 'House of the Dragon' in Rhaena's storyline

If you haven't seen episode 2x06 of House of The Dragon, keep reading at your own risk because this text contains spoilers from the series. 

There are only two weeks left until this second season ends and the Dance of the Dragons plot continues to move forward steadily; not in a hurry, but without pause. The faction that has made the most progress this week, although Rhaenyra may not be aware of it yet, has been the Blacks, who have not only successfully implemented the strategy of stirring up the masses that Misarya has set in motion (and we're not referring to his intimate scene with the queen), but have also started to expand their army of dragons. 

After the failed attempt by Steffen Darklyn to claim Bruma at Montedragón, a moment that not only clarified the risks that the rider candidates face but also revealed a bit more of the Targaryen culture with that 'claiming ritual' (in which we heard the Valyrian song that Daemon sang at the end of the previous season in front of Vermithor), news arrived at Dragonstone that the former dragon of Laenor had chosen his rider at Driftmark.

His new rider is Addam, whom Bruma had already been flying over since episode two. This confirms for viewers what has been suggested for several episodes, also mentioned by Rhaenys in the fourth: that he and his brother Alyn are children of Corlys Velaryon, a blood tie that Bruma also seems to have felt. 

This will restore hope to Rhaenyra and Jace in their plan to find riders, because with Addam it is demonstrated that it is not a requirement to be noble, as initially thought, but that bastard children are also worthy.

'La casa del dragón' 2x06

A new dragon

Meanwhile, in the Vale there has been the most unexpected development because it diverges significantly from what is written in Fire and Blood.

Upon encountering a wide swath of scorched land, Rhaena has discovered a secret kept by Jeyne Arryn: that in the Vale there is a wild dragon that has started to approach her home shortly after the war began, probably in search of food.

Wild dragons

Although the Targaryens control most of the dragons, at times, a dragon egg hatches and is not claimed by a rider due to the lack of Targaryens or the nature of the dragon. These dragons grow wild and untamed. Like any dragon, they are dangerous, but especially now, considering the series has emphasized the scarcity of food.

During the Dance of the Dragons, there were three dragons of this kind, which people referred to with the descriptive names of Sheepstealer, Grey Ghost, and Cannibal. The first name is self-explanatory, the second dragon is described as more timid than wild, and the last was named so because it eats dragon eggs and attacks other dragons if they are not careful. 

In all cases, these dragons that have never had a bond with a rider are more predators than pets and are not accustomed to people, making it almost impossible to claim them.

'La casa del dragón' 2x06

The Vale dragon

Although the episode does not name it, fans of George R.R. Martin's novel can imagine that it is Sheepstealer based on the description given by the Maiden of the Vale and the charred remains of animals found by Rhaena. 

Described as a brown mud dragon, it is assumed to be old, having been born when King Jaehaerys was young, making it a large beast. Despite its habits, it is considered non-aggressive unless provoked.

Rhaena in 'La casa del dragón' 2x06

Changes from the book

This specific storyline does not exist in Fire and Blood, nor does the presence of this dragon in the Vale or its connection with Rhaena, so in the absence of official confirmation in the next episode, linking them in the same scene doesn't seem like a coincidence.

Exactly in this episode, Rhaenyra mentioned that Rhaena had already tried to claim a dragon in the past without success. But even though she has not managed to ride any, she has survived her attempts, which is an achievement in itself.

Rhaena eventually gets a dragon in the book, but she does it through a hatching egg, so it would be years before she could ride it. And Sheepstealer ends up being ridden by another rider, so by involving Daemon and Laena's daughter in this plot, the series avoids having to introduce a new character that should have already appeared at this point in the story. 

Although narratively this change simplifies things and seems to give Rhaena a more active role in the Dance of the Dragons, fans of the novel will likely miss the original Sheepstealer rider from Fire and Blood.

Who is Ortigas

While other 'dragon seeds' have already been appearing during this season, like Ulf the White in King's Landing or Addam in Driftmark, many fans had already noticed the absence of this character.

Despite Rhaena being a beloved character by fans, many readers will struggle to accept that Ortigas has been entirely removed because unlike the dragon seeds, he is an orphan with no established Targaryen connection as a bastard.

Of unknown origin, Ortigas is a regular person in the story who gains the dragon's trust by bringing him sheep, showing that it is not necessary to be royalty or have Valyrian blood to be a dragon rider. 

*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence