House of the Dragon theory: Helaena Targaryen’s hidden prophecy about Alicent in episode 4

*Warning - The following article contains spoilers from House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4.*

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 left viewers reeling as fan-favourite Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) falls to her death, while Aegon Targaryen’s (Tom Glynn-Carney) fate remains unknown. While many people are left wondering what will happen following the epic cliffhanger, it is also worth noting that certain events from the show’s latest instalment may once again have been foreseen by resident seer Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban).

In the fourth chapter of the popular HBO series’ second season, we see Aegon brutally betrayed by his brother Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell). At Rook’s Rest, the battle between House Black and House Green quickly escalates when several royals show up on their dragons unexpectedly, which causes the men fighting below to panic.

Both sides attempt to enter the battle with the element of surprise, with Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) agreeing to send her aunt Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) in order to quickly put an end to the fight.

Meanwhile, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and Aemond also have a similar plan, with the latter hiding in the trees with his gigantic dragon Vhagar.

However, what no one expects is for inexperienced King Aegon to join the fray. In a tragic twist, Rhaenys and Aegon’s dragons become tangled during the fight and - rather than swooping in to help his brother - Aemond rains fire down on the pair, causing Aegon to suffer a terrible fall on his loyal dragon Sunfyre.

While Rhaenys is able to get away, she decides to bravely return on her dragon Meleys and fight Aemond on his much larger dragon, which eventually leads to her death.

At the end of the episode, a horrified Ser Criston falls to his knees in the woods where he finds a barely breathing dragon curled around Aegon's still body, as he is seemingly convinced that his King has died on his watch.

While many will be left ruminating over the dramatic scenes that unfold in the latter part of the episode, it is worth noting what really caused them.

It seems Aegon’s reckless decision is sparked by a conversion with his mother Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), whose harsh words leave him feeling like an inadequate ruler.

Alicent’s cold message to her eldest son to “do nothing” - which may be the last words she ever says to him - appear to have spurred on the rest of the episode’s events.

This also means that her daughter Helaena has potentially lost her husband and brother just days after she saw her son Prince Jaehaerys brutally murdered in front of her eyes.

Bearing in mind that the Game of Thrones spin-off show, based on George R.R. Martin’s prequel book Fire & Blood, loves to foreshadow future events… Could Helaena have predicted all of this?

What does Helaena say to her mother Alicent in episode 3?

In the third episode of season 2, we hear Helaena tell Alicent: “I forgive you.”

She tells her mother this during a discussion about her young son Prince Jaehaerys’ death.

Presumably, we are supposed to think she means she forgives Alicent for having intimate relations with Ser Criston Cole at a time when he should have been protecting the castle. However, there could also be more to it.

Perhaps Helaena was actually forgiving her mother for future events in episode 4, as Alicent’s dismissive attitude to her eldest son and Helaena’s husband is ultimately what led him to act rashly.

Ahead of episode 4, fans had a similar idea that Helaena could be sharing another prophecy, with one Reddit user speculating: “It’s probably another prophecy. Alicent will do something that will result maybe in her death and she forgives her in advance.” (sic)

One more agreed: “Considering how Helaena is characterized and how emphasized was that sentence I wouldn't be surprised she was talking about something hasn't happened yet.” (sic)

While another argued back: “I thought she was forgiving her mother for sleeping with criston, when he was mean't to be guarding them, because of them getting busy he wasn't there to save her son.” (sic)

Another person quipped: “I do wonder what she is forgiving Alicent for? For being an unexpressive parent? For making her marry Aegon? Like there are so many things Alicent fucked up, it's important to clarify.” (sic)

While another fan noticed a moment of foreshadowing for Alicent in episode 4 itself, sharing: “I loved when Alicent dropped the dragon figurine and its wing broke off. I immediately knew what was coming as a result.”

House of the Dragon season 2 lands in the UK on Mondays at 2am BST (British Summer Time) on Sky Atlantic and NOW, with a repeat airing later on at 9pm.