Daeron Targaryen’s High Valyrian Fluency Addressed By House Of The Dragon S3 Star
WARNING! This article contains minor SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 3, episode 6!
Viserys' children have a wide range of High Valyrian fluency in House of the Dragon, with Daeron Targaryen being an even more curious case given his upbringing in Oldtown.
Since the start of the series, House of the Dragon has put an important emphasis on the fluency and use of the High Valyrian language as a crucial part of maintaining Targaryen culture and customs in Westeros. Rhaenyra and Daemon often share scenes spoken entirely in High Valyrian each season, with Aemond also showcasing his deep knowledge of the language and revealing Aegon's lack of fluency in High Valyrian in an effort to prove himself more worthy than his older brother in season 2. On the other hand, Helaena has never spoken High Valyrian on-screen, making Daeron's potential familiarity with the language more intriguing.
While Daeron spoke a High Valyrian command to his dragon Tessarion after being properly introduced in season 3, episode 4, House of the Dragon has yet to reveal whether he speaks the language beyond more simple commands. In an interview with ScreenRant's Jordan Williams, Daeron Targaryen actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth addressed Daeron's potential fluency after not having many opportunities to use High Valyrian in season 3. Though unsure of the extent of his knowledge, Ainsworth stated that Daeron would want to "go to any means necessary" to communicate with Tessarion as his closest friend:
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth: "It's a good question. Because I only have limited dialogue with Tessarion this season, it's not something that we've really explored. But I imagine because of how deep that connection is to Tessarion, there's a real love there and they've really experienced... She's kind of been his only friend through this time all the way through. And so I think he'd go through any means necessary to be able to talk and communicate and to be there.
But also, yeah, how much has he been able to do so? He certainly knows the basics. I have the line "Lykiri" in one of the scenes. But whether I'm fluent or not, I don't know. Maybe self-taught, but certainly not taught by Ormund."
Learning High Valyrian is an important part of young Targaryen family members' education and continuation of the House's long-standing traditions to maintain themselves as the most powerful surviving family of Old Valyria. When Rhaena and Baela were children, Daemon was seen teaching his daughters High Valyrian in Pentos, with Game of Thrones' Daenerys Targaryen even having learned the language during her upbringing in Essos centuries later.
On the other hand, Daeron's upbringing and education in Oldtown put a significant focus on the history of House Hightower and the traditions of his mother's family instead. Ormund Hightower formed Daeron into a Hightower in all but name, with the most Targaryen aspect of Viserys' son that he's been able to maintain being his bond with his dragon. As such, Ainsworth confirms that if Daeron learned any High Valyrian in addition to basic commands, it wasn't sanctioned by Ormund.
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01
King Viserys I names his heir early in the series, defying tradition that would favor his firstborn son. Who does he name as his successor?
✓ Correct! Viserys named his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne after the death of his first wife, Aemma, and their infant son. He forced the lords of the realm to swear oaths of fealty to her — oaths many would later break.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Rhaenyra Targaryen. Viserys defied Westerosi precedent by naming his daughter over his brother Daemon. Even after fathering sons with Alicent Hightower, Viserys never changed his decree.
02
Alicent Hightower’s faction is known as “the Greens.” Who is her father, the cunning Hand of the King who orchestrates much of their political strategy?
✓ Correct! Otto Hightower served as Hand of the King and was the mastermind behind the Green faction. He strategically positioned his daughter Alicent to marry Viserys, and spent decades maneuvering to place Alicent’s son Aegon on the throne.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Otto Hightower. He served as Hand to both Jaehaerys I and Viserys I, and engineered the marriage between Alicent and the King. Corlys Velaryon sided with the Blacks, and Lyonel Strong served as Hand before Otto’s return.
03
Daemon Targaryen rides a fierce, battle-scarred dragon known for its Blood Wyrm nickname. What is the name of his fearsome mount?
✓ Correct! Caraxes, known as “the Blood Wyrm,” is Daemon’s dragon — a lean, red, battle-scarred beast. While Vhagar is the largest and oldest dragon alive, Caraxes is the most experienced in combat and fiercely loyal to Daemon.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Caraxes. Syrax is Rhaenyra’s dragon, Vhagar is the oldest dragon (ridden by Aemond), and Meleys “the Red Queen” is Rhaenys’s mount. Caraxes the Blood Wyrm is Daemon’s partner in the skies.
04
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is known by a nickname reflecting the fact she was passed over for the throne in favor of Viserys. What is she called?
✓ Correct! Rhaenys was dubbed “The Queen Who Never Was” after the Great Council of 101 AC chose Viserys over her, despite her strong claim. Married to Corlys Velaryon, she became one of the most formidable figures in the Dance, riding Meleys the Red Queen.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is The Queen Who Never Was. “The Realm’s Delight” is actually young Rhaenyra’s nickname. Rhaenys earned her title when the lords of the realm chose Viserys over her at the Great Council, setting the precedent that later fueled the Dance.
05
Vhagar is the largest living dragon during the Dance. Which Targaryen prince claims her — dramatically shifting the balance of power to the Greens?
✓ Correct! Aemond Targaryen claimed Vhagar at Driftmark after the funeral of Laena Velaryon — Vhagar’s previous rider. This bold act gave the Greens their most devastating weapon and sparked the confrontation that cost Aemond his eye.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Aemond Targaryen. Aegon II rides Sunfyre, Jacaerys rides Vermax, and Daeron rides Tessarion. Aemond’s daring claim of Vhagar at Driftmark was a pivotal moment that made him the Greens’ most dangerous warrior.
06
Viserys shares a secret Targaryen prophecy with Rhaenyra about a threat from the North and a promised prince. What is this prophecy called?
✓ Correct! Aegon the Conqueror had a prophetic dream he called “A Song of Ice and Fire” — a vision of a terrible winter coming from the North that would destroy the world of the living. This secret was passed from king to heir, and Viserys shared it with Rhaenyra on the night he named her heir.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is A Song of Ice and Fire. Aegon the Conqueror’s dream foretold a great threat from the North requiring a Targaryen on the Iron Throne to unite the realm. Viserys revealed this to Rhaenyra, connecting House of the Dragon directly to the events of Game of Thrones.
07
Corlys Velaryon is one of the richest and most powerful men in Westeros, famous for his legendary voyages. What is his well-known title?
✓ Correct! Corlys Velaryon earned the name “The Sea Snake” through his legendary nine voyages across the known world aboard his ship. He amassed a fortune that made House Velaryon wealthier than even the Lannisters, and his naval power proved crucial in the Dance.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is The Sea Snake. While Corlys did serve on the Small Council, his legendary title comes from his nine great voyages. “Lord of the Tides” is the formal title of the head of House Velaryon, but “The Sea Snake” is his personal epithet.
08
The Season 1 finale ends with a devastating loss for Rhaenyra when one of her sons is killed in a dragonback confrontation. Which son does she lose, and who kills him?
✓ Correct! Lucerys Velaryon, riding his young dragon Arrax, was pursued and killed by Aemond on the colossal Vhagar above Shipbreaker Bay near Storm’s End. The show portrays this as partly accidental — Vhagar acted on her own — but the result ignited the Dance of the Dragons into open war.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Lucerys, killed by Aemond and Vhagar. Luke was sent as an envoy to Storm’s End but was confronted by Aemond. The massive Vhagar devoured young Arrax and his rider above Shipbreaker Bay — the act that turned a succession dispute into a full-scale civil war.
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Ainsworth explains that Daeron has had very limited dialogue with Tessarion in House of the Dragon season 3, however, and nobody other than the dragonkeepers around him would have fluency in the ancient language. If Daeron returns for the already-renewed House of the Dragon season 4, then there could be further opportunities to showcase his character speaking to Tessarion, or perhaps another Targaryen character, in High Valyrian.
House of the Dragon season 3, episode 6 also includes the nickname "Daeron the Daring" for the young prince, which was given to him after riding Tessarion into battle in George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood book. While the source of that nickname isn't clear in House of the Dragon due to the series skipping over the Battle of the Honeywine, it may indicate more scenes with Tessarion, and therefore uses of High Valyrian, in the future to live up to the moniker.
New episodes of House of the Dragon season 3 release on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.