Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon seasons 3 and 4!Silverwing and Vermithor are two of the most important dragons in <em>House of the Dragon</em> season 3, and their stories still aren’t done. There are several dragons in House of the Dragon, with most of them belonging to Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Team Black. They need all the firepower they can get if they’re to defeat the Greens and their massive trump card: Vhagar.
That’s where Vermithor and Silverwing come in, with the former first appearing in House of the Dragon season 1’s ending, with Daemon Targaryen singing to him, and the latter appearing in season 2, episode 7, “The Red Sowing”. Rhaenyra’s plan to find dragonriders among the smallfolk of Westeros pays off, though with a bloody price. Hugh Hammer claims Vermithor and Ulf the White claims Silverwing.
With the two large dragons on their side, the Blacks regain supremacy of the skies. As powerful as Vhagar is, the combined might of the Black dragons would overcome her. The two large dragons keep Ormund Hightower’s host in check while they stay in Tumbleton, but Ulf’s betrayal results in a catastrophe for both sides, and the last we see of the dragons is Caraxes chasing Silverwing, with Vermithor not far behind.
Their stories are far from over, though, and the first part of House of the Dragon season 4 will surely deal with the consequences of the Battle of Tumbleton. Consequences that, in Fire & Blood, signal the beginning of the end of the Targaryen dynasty.
History & Previous Riders of Silverwing & Vermithor
Silverwing and Vermithor are both close to 100 years old during House of the Dragon. Vermithor was born around 34 AC, and Silverwing around 36 AC, making them two of the oldest living dragons outside of Vhagar during the Dance of Dragons. Silverwing is a she-dragon whose name comes from her appearance, as she is described as “silvery,” while Vermithor is a male dragon whose appearance and fierce nature earned him the nickname “the Bronze Fury.”
Vermithor hatched from an egg placed in the cradle of Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen, and Silverwing from one given to his sister, Alysanne. Jaehaerys became King in 48 AC, and he and his sister-wife Alysanne became the riders of Vermithor and Silverwing, respectively, that same year.
Jaehaerys’ rule was mostly a peaceful one, meaning there wasn’t too much cause for the dragons to see battle, beyond the odd skirmish. The most notable story about them during this period comes from their visit to the Wall, as recounted by Lord Cregan Stark in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1, “A Son for a Son”.
Jaehaerys and Alysanne flew their dragons to the Wall, but Vermithor and Silverwing refused to go beyond it (or couldn’t). It’s left unsaid that the reason for this likely has something to do with the White Walkers lurking in the far North. In the book, it’s only said that Silverwing refused to fly beyond the Wall, with Vermithor not present at that moment. Vermithor and Silverwing were close, and rested together often.
Queen Alysanne died in 100 AC, a year before the first scene of House of the Dragon season 1, which begins at the Great Council of 101 AC, and King Jaehaerys died three years later. No one claimed Vermithor nor Silverwing until the events of House of the Dragon season 2.
Ulf Rides Silverwing & Hugh Rides Vermithor In House Of The Dragon
The riders of the two dragons are quite unlikely: Ulf the White rides Silverwing, and Hugh Hammer rides Vermithor. Ulf was first introduced in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2, “Rhaenyra the Cruel”, where he’s shown drunkenly boasting of his Targaryen lineage, claiming to be the bastard son of Baelon Targaryen, and thus the half-brother of Viserys and Daemon.
The reactions of the other barflies suggest this is a frequent and tiresome tale. Hugh, meanwhile, debuted in the season 2 premiere as a smith working in King’s Landing. Though he always suspected his Targaryen heritage, he never thought it would amount to anything for him or his family. It isn’t until the war dries up his work and the call for dragon riders is made that he’s goaded into claiming Vermithor.
How Was Ulf Able To Claim Silverwing?
There’s no record that Ulf is actually who he claims, but it’s apparent that he is a dragonseed, a person with traces of Valyrian blood. If Ulf really were Baelon’s bastard, then he’d be the grandson of Silverwing’s previous rider, Alysanne. Even if not, Silverwing obviously sensed something within him.
In Fire & Blood, there are no details of how Ulf claimed Silverwing, but in the show, Ulf flees the Sowing after Vermithor attacks and accidentally comes across Silverwing deep within the caves. When he raises his hand in desperation at the approaching dragon, he’s surprised to see her lowering herself to him.
How Did Hugh Claim Vermithor?
During the Sowing, Hugh is one of many souls knocked to the floor of a cave and watches terrified at carnage around him. When he spots Vermithor bearing down on a lone woman, he boldly throws himself in front of her to protect her. Instead of being burned, Vermithor bows his head to Hugh. Whether that’s because of his bravery or his Targaryen lineage is unclear.
Hugh says his mother worked in a pleasure house and was an aunt to Viserys and Daemon. That could mean she was Jaehaerys’ daughter Saera who did work in a pleasure house and had bastard children according to Fire & Blood. Like with Ulf’s case, specifics about Hugh claiming Vermithor are not detailed in Fire & Blood.
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The Dragons & Riders from Team Black In Fire & Blood |
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Dragon |
Rider |
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Syrax |
Rhaenyra Targaryen |
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Caraxes |
Daemon Targaryen |
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Meleys* |
Rhaenys Targaryen |
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Vermax |
Jacaerys Velaryon |
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Arrax* |
Lucerys Velaryon |
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Moondancer |
Baela Targaryen |
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Seasmoke |
Addam of Hull |
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Silverwing |
Ulf White |
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Vermithor |
Hugh Hammer |
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Sheepstealer |
Nettles |
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Morning |
Rhaena Targaryen |
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Stormcloud |
Aegon Targaryen |
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Tyraxes |
Joffrey Velaryon |
