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The mystery dragon shown in House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 6 was probably anticipated by viewers. Rhaena Targaryen discovers a wild dragon living in the Vale of Arryn. This formidable dragon has been burning sheep for food in the area.
The dragon is Sheepstealer, one of George R.R. Martin's mythical "wild" dragons from Fire & Blood. His tale is rich in history, intrigue, and woes at every turn.
He is known to be elusive and for his love of sheep, hence the name. While the dragons were so bonded to the Targaryens from birth, Sheepstealer was one of the three wild dragons, that roamed free and chose his rider. This no doubt made him infamously difficult to tame, but at the same time, it fed into the mystique and fear that lay around him.
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The characteristics peculiar to Sheepstealer and the challenge this posed to any rider have been well documented in the history of Targaryen dragons.
Sheepstealer's bond with Nettles
The most famous rider of Sheepstealer was a young girl named Nettles—who managed to tame him with a method of her own. She was said to have tamed him by bringing him a freshly killed sheep every morning until he got used to her.
This method is a brilliant example of the ingenuity and fearlessness required to bond with such a fiercely independent creature. Nettles and Sheepstealer played a large part in the Dance of the Dragons, the great Targaryen civil war that's central to House of the Dragon.
Their relationship went far beyond being simply rider and dragon, for an unusual mutual respect and understanding defined their relationship—the opposite of how so many others gained dominion over their dragons, through brute force.
Sheepstealer and Nettles were crucial allies for the Blacks in the Dance of the Dragons, as they supported Rhaenyra Targaryen. Their combative prowess and the dragon's steadfastness gave them effective leverage in several key battles.
Their alliance also created a host of powerful foes and thrust them into a more dangerous and intrigue-filled journey. It was the Dance of the Dragons that truly attested to the power of this beast and the strategic placement of the dragons in the Targaryen civil war.
The significance of Sheepstealer's appearance in House of the Dragon
The inclusion of Sheepstealer in House of the Dragon is a gap filler between rich book lore from George R.R. Martin's works and visual storytelling. In the case of House Targaryen, it is a greater bit of Easter egg material; his character helps to elongate the narrative and manifest the different intricacies that surround the dragon lore in the show
Sheepstealer being a part of the show gives an air of authenticity and enrichment to the Dance of the Dragons narrative for readers of the books and viewers of the series alike. Sheepstealer represents the untamed and inconceivable nature of the dragons, totally opposed to all Targaryen-bred and Targaryen-controlled dragons.
This wild nature was there to underline the dangers and difficulties of the Targaryen's dependence on dragons for power. The story of Sheepstealer further reminds one of the dragons' instincts and power, commanding respect regardless of their allegiance.
Sheepstealer's character and fate in Fire & Blood
In George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, Sheepstealer becomes known as one of the most independent and wildest dragons. He is said to be muddy brown in color, slender in build, and only violent towards humans if provoked.
His bond with Nettles is one of those rare examples where it is the dragon that chose its rider, not being claimed by force. This, in many ways, speaks to the intelligence of the dragon and possible real connections between dragons and humans.
Of course, after all of the tumultuous events of the Dance of the Dragons, Nettles and Sheepstealer just vanished into history, providing so much fodder for speculations on their eventual fate.
Some think they spent the rest of their days in the Mountains of the Moon, far away from the troubles that seemed to follow them everywhere. This mysterious ending only enhances the appeal and legend of Sheepstealer's story.
The addition of Sheepstealer to the already existing dragon count in House of the Dragon season 2, keeps momentum and excitement for fans of the series and George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood.
Whether one is a longtime follower of the Targaryens' saga or a newcomer to the realm brought to life by Westeros, the story of Sheepstealer is one that fairly sings with interest.
House of the Dragon is currently streaming on HBO.
