Since House of the Dragon Season 1, a recurring theory has led fans to believe that Daemon Targaryen is the Night King. Now, House of the Dragon season 2’s finale has clarified whether this could be a reality. Here’s a deep dive into the true identity of the Night King, and whether he could have been Daemon or some other Targaryen.
Is Daemon the Night King in House of the Dragon?
No, Daemon cannot be the Night King as the ruler of White Walkers is supposed to be much older.
The theory of Daemon being the Night King stems from multiple aspects and attributes that the ruler of White Walkers displayed. He was immune to fire and rode Viserion with ease, which are the commonalities he shared with Daemon. Furthermore, the outcome of Daemon and Aemond’s battle at the God’s Eye gave the theory its origin.
Potential House of the Dragon Season 3 spoilers follow, based on what happened in Fire & Blood. In the book, Daemon and Aemond battled while riding their dragons, Caraxes and Vhagar. Ultimately all of them died as Daemon jumped from Caraxes onto Aemond and Vhagar, and drove his Dark Sister sword into Aemond’s blind eye. They all fell into God’s eye lake.
Caraxes crawled out of the lake but died. Years later, the bodies of Aemond and Vhagar were also discovered. But, Daemon’s body was never to be found. Most believed that he died while some believed that he lived the rest of his days with Nettles, who seems to have been cut from House of the Dragon entirely.
But, knowing this incoming event, fans theorized that Daemon went on to become the Night King from here. That way, he would be a direct link, connecting both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. However, this theory cannot be real and the House of the Dragon Season 2 finale proves it.
Firstly, it’s known that the Night King was one of the First Men who touched down in Westeros from Essos. This was over 12,000 years before the Targaryen Conquest. So, the Targaryens weren’t even around when a child of the Forest turned this First Man into the Night King.
Secondly, when Daemon saw the vision of the Night King’s incoming attack in House of the Dragon Season 2’s finale, he was horrified. His fear didn’t indicate that he was about to become a monster himself. Rather, it implied that he was aware of the Night King’s existence and eventual arrival. So, this puts a pin on the theory of Daemon being the Night King.
Is the Night King a Targaryen?
Besides Daemon, another theory suggested that Rhaegar Targaryen, the real father of Jon Snow, or another Targaryen family member was the Night King. But again, that isn’t possible. The Night King is believed to have lived for around 10,000 years. His age predates the entire Targaryen dynasty. Thus, a Targaryen cannot be the Night King in the Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon lore.
