The Dance of the Dragons is barreling toward its devastating finale. With House of the Dragon Season 4 expected to hit screens in 2028, the show has just eight episodes to wrap up a war that has already claimed countless lives and dragons. The penultimate season ended with the Battle of the Gullet and the First Battle of Tumbleton, leaving fans reeling. But if the show follows George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, the final season will be even more brutal, with more dragon-on-dragon carnage and heart-wrenching losses. Here are five possible endings from the book that could shape the series' conclusion.
The Hour of the Wolf
When Lord Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor) first appeared in Season 2, book readers knew his role was far from over. In Fire & Blood, the chapter "Aftermath" details the Hour of the Wolf—a brief period when Stark takes control of King's Landing after Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) is poisoned. True to his promise to Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) and his loyalty to Rhaenyra, Cregan arrives with a northern army, declaring "The North remembers." For six days, he serves as Hand of the King to the young Aegon III, dispensing justice and restoring order. This ending would be a satisfying epilogue, reminding us that winter is always coming.
The Dowager Queen Meets the Stranger
Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) has been a central figure in the series, and her arc could end in tragedy. In the book, Alicent survives the Dance but loses all her children. Confined to the Red Keep, she succumbs to madness and grief, eventually dying of Winter Fever. Fire & Blood notes that "the Stranger came for her on a rainy night, at the hour of the wolf." Before her death, she confesses her sins, speaking of her sons and Helaena, but never of Viserys. Ending the show with Alicent's haunting demise would bring a poignant symmetry to a conflict that began with a misunderstood deathbed utterance.
Regency of Aegon III
Season 1 used time jumps to cover ground, and Season 4 could do the same. After the war, Aegon III—Daemon and Rhaenyra's son—becomes king, but he's too young to rule. A Council of Regents is appointed, including Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall). This would be a quieter, more political ending, focusing on the traumatized aftermath and the melancholy reign of "Aegon the Unhappy." It would showcase the shattered Targaryen dynasty and set the stage for future stories.
Battle Above the Gods Eye
For a grand, explosive finale, look no further than the epic confrontation between Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) above the Gods Eye lake. Both characters have been aware of their fates—Aemond through Helaena's visions, Daemon through his Harrenhal weirwood dream. Their dragon battle is one of the most iconic moments in Fire & Blood. Ending the series here would be a spectacular way to go out, keeping two fan favorites alive until the very end. It would also allow the show to address the ambiguity of Daemon's fate, a mystery that has intrigued readers for years.
The Aftermath and Legacy
Beyond these specific events, the show could also choose to explore the broader aftermath of the Dance. The dragons are nearly extinct, the Targaryen dynasty is in ruins, and the realm is left to pick up the pieces. This could include the fates of characters like Rhaena, Alyn Velaryon, and others who survive the war. The show has already taken creative liberties, so it might craft an ending that blends book elements with original storytelling. For fans eager to see how it all concludes, the possibilities are as vast as the Seven Kingdoms.
As we wait for the final season, check out our burning questions for Season 4 and revisit the most shocking deaths so far. And if you're craving more Targaryen drama, dive into palace intrigue fantasy books to fill the void.
