In House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 8, Phoebe Campbell’s character Rhaena decides to leave Vale Castle for a significant reason.
At the start of the season, Rhaenyra sends Rhaena to Vale Castle with Joffrey, Viserys, and Aegon to keep them safe as tensions rise and war looms. Once they arrive, Lady Jayne Arryn of Vale Castle becomes frustrated with Rhaenyra. She is upset that Rhaenyra didn’t send any fully-grown dragons to bolster the castle’s defenses.
Rhaena notices something suspicious soon after. She finds scorch marks nearby, which hints that another dragon might be around. When she confronts Lady Jayne Arryn, she learns about a wild dragon called Sheepstealer. Lady Jayne reveals that while Sheepstealer is indeed in the vicinity, it’s not a practical ally because no one can ride it.
This discovery raises concerns for Rhaena, prompting her to question the safety and effectiveness of their current situation. The realization that they lack proper dragon protection and the growing tension likely contribute to her decision to leave Vale Castle.
Why Did Rhaena Leave Vale Castle in House of the Dragon season 2’s finale?
Warning: The following article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 8.
In this episode, as Joffrey, Viserys, and Aegon prepare to leave Vale Castle for the safety of the Prince of Pentos, Rhaena decides to go off on her own. She ventures into the wilds of the Vale of Arryn, driven by a growing obsession with locating the elusive wild dragon, Sheepstealer. Although her exact intentions are unclear, it’s plausible she hopes to tame Sheepstealer as she still lacks a dragon of her own.
Rhaena’s journey proves challenging as she faces difficulties with a lack of water, only to fortuitously discover a river. Her persistence pays off when she finally finds Sheepstealer, who is busy feeding on sheep. The episode leaves viewers in suspense, as it cuts off right when Rhaena and Sheepstealer lock eyes, each waiting for the other to make a move.
In the Fire & Blood book by George R.R. Martin, Rhaena and Sheepstealer do not interact. Instead, the dragon is claimed by a character named Nettles, who has not yet appeared in the series. In the book, Rhaena ends up with a dragon named Morning, which is pink-scaled.
Given the show’s tendency to diverge from the source material, it seems likely that Rhaena will tame Sheepstealer by the time Season 3 arrives. This anticipated development fits with the series’ pattern of adjusting storylines from the books. The encounter between Rhaena and Sheepstealer likely signifies a major turning point, and it’s unlikely that Rhaena will meet a tragic end here.
With Rhaena’s newfound dragon, she’ll soon be thrust into significant battles, including the Battle of the Gullet and the Fall of King’s Landing.
House of the Dragon is currently streaming on Max.
