Aegon's Miraculous, Ominous Return
The biggest shot of momentum for the Greens comes from the reveal that both King Aegon II and his dragon, Sunfyre, are alive. After being presumed dead or close to it, their return is a massive psychological victory. The preview shows a glimpse of Aegon,
battered but resolute, reunited with his golden beast. This isn't just a military asset reappearing; it's a miracle for their cause, a king who has touched death and come back. This will undoubtedly rally supporters who saw his cause as lost. However, the preview also hints at his fragility. He appears more like a haunted survivor than a triumphant king, suggesting that while his return provides a much-needed morale boost, his leadership capacity remains a significant question mark for the Greens' long-term strategy.
Aemond, Unchained and Unhinged
While Aegon’s return is a boon, Aemond’s trajectory is a far more complex and dangerous source of momentum. The preview confirms he survives his mother Alicent's poisoning attempt at Harrenhal, likely with the help of the mysterious Alys Rivers. Free from the political constraints of King's Landing and now having survived a direct attempt on his life by his own mother, Aemond is positioned as a true wildcard. Glimpses of him at Harrenhal suggest he is building his own power base, no longer content to be his brother's sword. His survival gives the Greens their most fearsome dragon and warrior back, but his unpredictable nature and thirst for personal glory could easily fracture their cause from within. He represents raw power, but it's a power that seems increasingly loyal only to itself.
Alicent's Desperation and Daeron's Doubts
If her sons represent chaotic forward motion, the preview frames the Hightower influence as one of internal conflict. Having failed to kill Aemond, Alicent is shown fleeing Harrenhal, a queen mother reduced to a fugitive from her own monstrous creation. Her power has completely eroded, her actions driven by fear rather than strategy. Meanwhile, the preview gives us a look at the Greens' army preparing for the massive Battle of Tumbleton, but all is not well. We see the youngest son, Daeron Targaryen, expressing concern that his commander, Ormund Hightower, is hiding his true strategy. This suggests a lack of trust and cohesion within the Greens' primary military force on the eve of their most important battle. This internal division, from the queen dowager down to the battlefield commanders, presents a critical weakness.
The Ace Up Their Sleeve: Betrayal
Perhaps the most significant source of momentum for Team Green comes not from their own strength, but from their enemy's weakness. The finale preview heavily implies that the Greens' secret plot to turn some of Rhaenyra's dragonriders will pay off. Lord Ormund Hightower is shown scheming, and book readers know this likely refers to his successful effort to bribe the dragonseeds Ulf the White and Hugh Hammer to switch sides during the Battle of Tumbleton. While the preview doesn't show the turn itself, the focus on Ormund's secret plans and the known dissatisfaction of the dragonseeds strongly suggests this betrayal is imminent. If it succeeds, it would not only add two dragons to the Greens' side but also deliver a devastating tactical and psychological blow to Rhaenyra's forces, potentially snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
