House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4: Who is Alys Rivers and what are her powers?

*Warning - The following article contains spoilers from House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 and major spoilers from George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood.*

Last week, House of the Dragon fans were intrigued by the mysterious woman who stood in the ruins of Harrenhal castle and warned Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith): “You will die in this place.” In season 2, episode 4 of the HBO show, the woman is revealed to be Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin).

So far, Alys seems to be closely connected to all of the disturbing dream that have plagued Daemon’s sleep so far. In each of them, he is visited by a younger version of his wife Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock), who calls him out for his defiant attitude as she continues to fight for the throne. 

Daemon feels conflicted because, while he seems to care for Rhaenyra, part of him still believes he is the one who actually deserves the throne. In the latest instalment, Daemon meets Alys and the pair have a rather illuminating conversation. 

We discover she is a “bastard”, as her last name is Strong and not Rivers, and that she is some sort of healer. Want to know more about Alys? Keep reading but - be warned - spoilers ahead. 

What does Alys Rivers say to Daemon?

In episode 3, Alys shares a prophecy that Daemon will die at Harrenhal castle.

Meanwhile, in episode 4, she formerly introduces herself to Daemon, before revealing she knows about his dreams. 

“How are you settling in? I’ve come to know the face of tortured rest well enough. Sleep can be thin in this place,” she tells him.

“What would you know of my sleep?” Daemon replies, as Alys reveals he could be affected by the castle’s curse.

“Harrenhal’s been cursed since its first stone was laid,” she says. “Black Harren felled the grove of Weirwood trees that grew on these lands. 

“Heart trees, imbued with the spirits of those who lived long before he came. It’s said their whispers can still be heard sometimes.”

While Daemon dismisses her warning as a “midwife’s tale”, he looks less sure once she tells him the bed in which he sleeps is made from one of the trees. 

Later, Alys queries Daemon on whether he has quarrelled with Rhaenyra, pointing out: “You arrive here alone, claim the castle, and yet send no ravens. 

“Do you now plan to make your own claim? Perhaps to prove yourself to her?”

Daemon grows irritable and calls her a witch, but she persists, saying: “It’s a hard thing, I imagine, to give obeisance to one who replaced you as heir. And a woman, too.”

Alys then gives Daemon an unknown concoction to help him sleep so he can “win this place to your side” and he appears to awaken from his dream-like state moments later. 

Did that whole scene really happen? Or has Alys found a way inside Daemon’s head?

Who is Alys Rivers and what happens to her in the books?

Alys Rivers is a healer and resident of Harrenhal. She is also an important character to watch out for as the Dance of the Dragons kicks off. 

In George R. R. Martin's prequel book to the Game of Thrones story, Fire and Blood, she plays a huge part in the Civil War.

In the novels, Alys is a child nurse for the House Strong family in Harrenhal and sees visions of the future.

When Aemond Targaryen and Ser Criston Cole capture Harrenhal in the name of Aegon II, Aemond orders members of House Strong to be put to the sword after they helped Daemon.

However, he spares Alys’ life and they become lovers, which leads her to become pregnant with Aemond’s child.

When Daemon returns to Harrenhal to fight Aemond, Alys watches on as both men fall to their deaths in Gods Eye lake.

She then disappears until the civil war has ended, later taking over Harrenhal with a group of outlaws and claiming her son is the rightful air to the throne. 

House of the Dragon season 2 is set to air in the UK on Mondays at 2am BST (British Summer Time) on Sky Atlantic and NOW. The same episode will also be broadcast again on Monday at 9pm.