House of the Dragon Season 3 has ended. Earlier this year, HBO Chief Casey Bloys had hinted that HOD, the second series of the A Song of Ice and Fire franchise, will conclude "with a supersized season." However, showrunner Ryan Condal has now confirmed that the upcoming final season will not be an expanded one. He said that  House of the Dragon Season 4 will consist of only eight episodes—ensuring that the final season will be a much tighter one.

As things stand, fans have fallen in love with dragons on both sides, and every time one of them falls—ravaged by another or struck down by Scorpion arrows—there is heartbreak. As per the books, the Dance of the Dragons ultimately led to the weakening of the Targaryens as several dragons perished. The casualties were, however, not only caused by the civil war, but also occurred during the Storming of the Dragonpit—a landmark incident in the history of Westeros which is yet to take place in the series!

For those who cannot control the urge to find out which dragons make it out of the Dance alive, here is a retelling of the rest of the story as per the book (Fire & Blood). Worry not: the narration is restricted to the final fate of the dragons (and sometimes their riders) alone, and all other incidents that happen in between, even those involving the dragons and their human partners, have been carefully avoided. SPOILER warnings have been provided before the fate of the dragons that are alive at the end of House of the Dragon Season 3 is revealed.

Arrax

Rider: Lucerys Velaryon

Fate: Another young dragon-human pair that perished unfortunately during the Dance. As per the books, Lucerys was no more than 14 when he went to Storm's End to meet Lord Borros Baratheon on his mother’s behalf. When the young dragon rider reached his destination on a stormy night, Vhagar and Aemond were already there. As things escalated between the two young princes, the host escorted Lucerys out safely, but made no effort to restrain Aemond even for a short while.

Arrax struggled to gain speed amidst tempestuous weather even as Vhagar gradually caught up with him. Under favourable skies, Arrax stood a realistic chance of outpacing the monster that was five times his size. However, slowed down by the strong winds, Arrax was devoured by Vhagar along with his rider above Shipbreaker Bay. Lucerys Velaryon’s body was never recovered and is believed to have been eaten whole by Aemond’s monster. Arrax's head and neck washed up beneath the cliffs below Storm's End three days later.

Meleys ("The Red Queen")

Rider: Rhaenys Targaryen

Fate: One of the first casualties of the civil war. Battle-hardened, strong, and disciplined, Meleys came to the defence of Rook’s Rest before taking on Sunfyre and a drunk Aegon II Targaryen. The young King and his dragon would have perished if not for the ambush on Meleys by Vhagar. The battle between the two giants would have been interesting—but having the element of surprise meant Vhagar was able to land mortal blows on her. Fatally hurt, Meleys crashed to her death alongside her rider.

Vermax

Rider: Jacaerys Velaryon

Fate: The young dragon was killed during the Battle of the Gullet. While taking on the Triarchy ships, Prince Jace’s decision to drop altitude was a big risk. He paid the price for flying too low with his life, as did his friend Vermax. After being struck by a crossbow bolt, Vermax was pulled down by a grapnel, became entangled in the rigging, and crashed into a burning Triarchy galley. While Vermax did not survive the crash, Jacaerys was killed in the sea by arrows fired from an enemy ship.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Sunfyre ("The Golden")

Rider: Aegon II Targaryen

Fate: Sunfyre the Golden was labelled the prettiest dragon alive during the civil war. As per the books, Ser Criston Cole and Aemond wanted to lure out the Black camp's dragons one by one so that Vhagar could eliminate them easily. The plan seemed to work pretty well as they forced Princess Rhaenys Targaryen on Meleys to join the battle at Rook's Rest. However, the King also joined the fight unannounced and it became a two-on-one aerial battle.

Meleys closed her jaws around Sunfyre's neck and burned his wing before Vhagar ultimately ended the contest. The three of them crashed, and Vhagar was the only one that flew back up unscathed. The beauty and might of Sunfyre were broken that day, but he later managed to “rise” and reunite with his equally burnt rider.

At the volcanic heights of Dragonmont, an ailing Sunfyre came across Grey Ghost, the wild dragon, which led to a brutal face-off. Although he ultimately devoured the wild dragon, the barbaric contest further depleted his strength.

Later, following the fall of Dragonstone, Aegon victoriously flew a still-injured Sunfyre to the castle. They were surprised by Baela Targaryen and Moondancer—smaller but quicker. Another mid-air duel awaited the King, and his majestic beast suffered further injuries to his malformed wing. Sunfyre counter-attacked, and the two dragons collided and crashed where his physical superiority ultimately prevailed.

The King was hopeful that Sunfyre would rise yet again. But “Aegon's glory” weakened day by day and eventually refused to eat. Sunfyre soon died from his wounds.

Moondancer

Rider: Baela Targaryen

Fate: Moondancer was small and swift. She was one of the most effective scouts for the Blacks during the Dance. 

As the story goes, having refused permission to fly out on sorties to spot Cannibal, the wild dragon, Baela was in her chambers when Dragonstone fell. However, she evaded capture and managed to reach Moondancer and take flight. When Baela saw Aegon looking to make a victorious descent on the castle on Sunfyre, she decided to meet them.

Obviously, the nimble Moondancer was a serious threat to the heavily injured Sunfyre, who was repeatedly struck in his injured wing and back. However, before she could land a mortal blow, one of Sunfyre's fire-breaths blinded her, which led to the two dragons colliding and crashing. Both the riders and dragons survived the fall, but the blinded Moondancer was devoured by the larger Sunfyre.

Stormcloud

Rider: Aegon the Younger (King Aegon III)

Fate: As per A Wiki of Ice and Fire, Stormcloud's colouring is not stated in the books.

The website said that Jacaerys Velaryon wanted his half-brothers Aegon and Viserys Targaryen in the safety of Pentos as the civil war became an all-out affair. Aegon III Targaryen decided to take Stormcloud with him, even though they had yet to take flight together. However, their Pentoshi cog came under attack by the Triarchy at the Gullet. Aegon escaped by flying away on Stormcloud — their first takeoff. 

The Prince managed to reach Dragonstone, clinging desperately to his dragon's neck. “Stormcloud had been terribly wounded as he fled; when he arrived at Dragonstone, stubs of countless arrows were embedded in his belly, and there was a scorpion bolt through his neck. Stormcloud died within the hour, hissing as the hot blood gushed black and smoking from his wounds. After Stormcloud's death, Aegon would never fly again,” A Wiki of Ice and Fire wrote. It needs to be noted that Aegon III Targaryen is also known by the names Aegon the Unlucky, Aegon the Unhappy, the Broken King, and most famously as Aegon the Dragonbane.

MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!

Vermithor ("The Bronze Fury")

Rider: Hugh Hammer

Fate: One of the biggest dragons of its time, Vermithor hatched from an egg that had been placed in the cradle of Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen. During the Dance, Vermithor bent his neck to the "Dragonseed" called Hugh Hammer. As per the books, Hugh also switched to the Green side along with Ulf the White and Silverwing. It was Vermithor, Silverwing, and Tessarion together that sacked Tumbleton.

When Prince Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar fell, Hugh Hammer declared himself king, as he was the rider of the oldest and largest living dragon. However, he was slain by his own camp during the Second Battle of Tumbleton, leaving Vermithor riderless. A half-awake Vermithor was attacked by the Black ground forces, forcing him to take flight. The Bronze Fury was in no hurry to flee, and started to char anything and everyone in Tumbleton.

This forced Addam and Seasmoke to take the giant dragon head-on. Since the attack did not take place very high above the ground, the two dragons ended up falling and were forced to fight on the ground. It became a three-way fight when Tessarion also joined in. Vermithor's wings suffered injuries before he managed to tear off Seasmoke's head. "He attempted to take flight with his prize still in his jaws, but his wings were tattered, causing him to be unable to bear the weight. After a moment, he collapsed and died," A Wiki of Ice and Fire said.

Seasmoke

Rider: Addam Velaryon

Fate: Ulf and Hugh betraying Queen Rhaenyra resulted in Addam's loyalty being questioned as well. It was decided that Addam needed to be arrested, but his father managed to warn him in the nick of time. Despite fleeing the Dragonpit, Addam was adamant about making a point and proving his loyalty to his queen. Thus, during the Second Battle of Tumbleton, the Black army was supported by Seasmoke from the skies.

Seasmoke was originally engaging a riderless Tessarion when Addam noticed Vermithor giving hell to the Black forces. To save his men, Addam had no choice but to divert his dragon towards the Bronze Fury. Seasmoke would have died faster if Tessarion had fled instead of joining the fight, but Vermithor still managed to deal with both dragons. Seasmoke and Vermithor's remains would become a tourist attraction at the rebuilt Tumbleton.

Silverwing

Rider: Ulf the White

Fate: The mate of Vermithor, Silverwing survived the Dance despite having fought for both sides! As per the books, Silverwing was reportedly kept unchained beyond the town walls of Tumbleton after the first battle. Being the boozehound that Ulf was, he slept through the second battle, meaning Tessarion and Daeron received no help from Silverwing against Addam. Following the battle, Silverwing was found near the carcasses of her mate and the young Tessarion on the ground. She was never claimed following Ulf’s passing.

"Although accustomed to men, Silverwing became wild during the reign of Aegon III Targaryen, and made her lair on a small island in Red Lake in the northwest of the Reach. When seeking a new dragon to replace the late Sunfyre, Aegon rejected Lord Borros Baratheon's suggestion of Silverwing, as he was too weak to travel across the war-torn country to Red Lake or mount a grown dragon. Silverwing continued living at Red Lake during the regency of King Aegon III Targaryen," A Wiki of Ice and Fire said.

Dreamfyre

Rider: Helaena Targaryen

Fate: The majestic Dreamfyre managed to break free from her chains during the Storming of the Dragonpit. However, she crashed into the stone dome above, causing it to collapse. Along with the mob that stormed the pit, Dreamfyre was crushed by the debris.

Tyraxes

Rider: Joffrey Velaryon

Fate: Slain inside the Dragonpit by the enraged mob during the Storming of the Dragonpit.

Shrykos

Rider: Jaehaerys Targaryen (unridden)

Fate: Slain in the Dragonpit during the riot by Hobb the Hewer.

Morghul

Rider: Bound to Jaehaera Targaryen (unridden)

Fate: Slain in the Dragonpit during the riot by the "Burning Knight."

Syrax

Rider: Rhaenyra Targaryen

Fate: Named after a goddess of Valyria, Rhaenyra was her first and only rider. Young Prince Joffrey Velaryon was concerned for the safety of his own dragon and others in the Dragonpit as the mad mob neared. Rhaenyra refused his requests to join the knights to reach his dragon, forcing him to sneak out. Joffrey made a plan to mount Syrax first and reach the other dragons before the mad crowd could. However, confused and mad, Syrax never really accepted the inexperienced young rider and shrugged him off mid-flight.

Later, attracted by the bloodshed at the Dragonpit, she flew straight in and landed amidst the rioters. Instead of breathing fire on them from safety, her choice to attack them from the ground ultimately got her killed. There are numerous and contradictory accounts about specifically how Syrax died, reports point out.

Tessarion ("The Blue Queen")

Rider: Daeron Targaryen

Fate: Prince Daeron Targaryen's she-dragon was the youngest of fighting age on the Green side. As per the books, the Hightowers would have faced a crushing defeat in their own backyard in the Battle of the Honeywine, had Tessarion and Daeron not arrived.

When the surprise night attack by Addam Velaryon and Seasmoke started the Second Battle of Tumbleton, Tessarion was never mounted and was forced to climb alone. Seasmoke and Tessarion tested each other for a while in the sky before Addam was forced to switch his focus to Vermithor. Tessarion, however, followed them—making it a fatal three-way contest. To her credit, the smallest dragon outlived its two rivals before being allotted a mercy killing by the Blacks.

“Seasmoke and Vermithor died early, but Tessarion was the last to die. On three occasions did she try to fly again, but failed every time again. By late afternoon the day after the battle, she seemed to be in pain. At the command of Lord Benjicot Blackwood, Billy Burley, Blackwood's best archer, shot three arrows into the dying dragon's eye, killing her,” A Wiki of Ice and Fire said.

Caraxes ("The Blood Wyrm")

Rider: Daemon Targaryen

Fate: The Battle Above the Gods Eye is one of the most famed chapters of the Dance of the Dragons. Vhagar and Caraxes remained key to the two rival factions as they continued to rain hell over their respective foes.

Daemon Targaryen challenged Aemond Targaryen to a duel, which was finally accepted after 13 days. Aemond and Daemon talked briefly at Harrenhal before mounting their dragons with the sun setting for the day.

Among the humans, there was no clear winner. But it was not that simple for their rides. To the credit of Caraxes, he outlived his physically superior enemy, managing to tear out Vhagar's throat. After intense aerial fighting,  Aemond was slain and the two dragons crashed into the Gods Eye—the biggest lake in all the Seven Kingdoms. While Vhagar did not survive the fall, Caraxes managed to crawl to the shore. With his belly split open and a wing-arm torn off, the majestic beast breathed its last near the walls of Harrenhal.

Vhagar ("Queen of All Dragons" / "The Hoary Old Dread")

Rider: Aemond Targaryen

Fate: Another she-dragon named after a Valyrian deity, Vhagar was way past her prime and was considerably slow in the air during the Dance. Yet, she was the single most dreaded dragon alive, and perhaps died because Daemon was a superior warrior to her rider. As Caraxes targeted her neck, enabling Daemon to make a valiant leap towards her, Vhagar’s claws tore open her opponent’s belly, which ultimately killed him.

When Vhagar's body was recovered years after the Targaryen civil war ended, Aemond's armoured bones were found intact on her saddle with Daemon's sword ‘Dark Sister’ piercing his empty eye socket. Vhagar was one hundred and eighty-one years old when she died, and her skull hung on a wall in the Red Keep's throne room until Robert Baratheon wanted it removed.

Sheepstealer

Rider: Nettles

Fate: Don't get confused by the name of the rider. In the television adaptation House of the Dragon, Nettles is merged with Rhaena Targaryen. As per the books, Sheepstealer survived the Dance. The wild dragon and Nettles remained inseparable as they flew away into the Mountains of the Moon in the Vale, where the local mountain clans worshipped her as a fire deity or "fire-witch".