‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 trailer breakdown: Dragons, Rook’s Rest, and more

House of the Dragon Season 2’s official trailer is here, and there are so, so many moments to freak out about.

Like the dueling trailers before it, this new House of the Dragon trailer draws the battle lines between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and her half-brother Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), each vying for the Iron Throne. It also delivers a whopping helping of dragon action, Targaryen family drama, and foreshadowing for fans of George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood. From devastating battles to our return to the North, here are the 7 most exciting moments from the House of the Dragon Season 2 trailer.

“We’re going to King’s Landing.”

Is he going to take a seat?
Credit: Screenshot: HBO

The trailer opens with Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) striding into the throne room in the Red Keep and staring down the Iron Throne. Could this be the aftermath of some great battle? A dream sequence? Or just some day when the Red Keep security was particularly lax? Either way, as he tells Rhaenys (Eve Greatest) later in the trailer, he certainly plans on going to King’s Landing. In other words, Team Black is taking the fight to Team Green. Let’s kick the Dance of the Dragons up a notch!

Rhaenyra has a sword!

Queen behavior.
Credit: Screenshot: HBO

Much of the trailer sees Rhaenyra pondering her decision to go to war and wondering whether she has the support of those around her, but this moment of sword wielding is purely decisive badassery. Hopefully we’ll get to see her put the sword to use in battle, maybe even from dragonback? Speaking of…

Expect even more dragons in House of the Dragon Season 2 — and more dragon battles.

Aegon and Sunfyre mean business.
Credit: Screenshot: HBO

The trailer for House of the Dragon is overflowing with dragons, including Rhaenyra and her dragon Syrax, and Aegon on his dragon Sunfyre, seen above, looking as if they’re up to no good.

Daemon’s dynamic dragon duo.
Credit: Screenshot: HBO

Daemon and his dragon Caraxes make an appearance as well, landing on a massive stone structure in the middle of a rainstorm. At the end of Season 1, Daemon did suggest taking the castle of Harrenhal in the Riverlands — perhaps this is him making good on his promise, in the most threatening way possible.

Baela and Moondancer on the warpath.
Credit: Screenshot: HBO

Daemon’s daughter Baela (Bethany Antonia) takes to the skies on her dragon Moondancer in the trailer as well. From the looks of it, she’s chasing down Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) during a large battle. Whatever he did, I’m sure he deserves being dragon prey.

Rhaenys and Meleys always know how to make an entrance.
Credit: Screenshot: HBO

Remember when Rhaenys crashed Aegon’s coronation with her dragon Meleys? Looks like we’re getting more of these two queens in Season 2.

If you’re ever this close to Vhagar, it’s simply too late for you.
Credit: Screenshot: HBO

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a House of the Dragon dragon party without Vhagar, Aemond’s (Ewan Mitchell) ancient dragon. Here’s hoping she commits less child murder this season — although I’m sure quite a bit of adult murder is on the table based on how much fire she’s spewing here.

House of the Dragon Season 2 takes us back to Winterfell — and the Wall.

“Night gathers, and now my watch begins.”
Credit: Screenshot: HBO

Rhaenyra’s eldest son, Jacaerys (Harry Collett), headed north at the end of Season 1 to secure allies, so you know what that means: It’s Stark time!

This season, Jacaerys will meet up with Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor), the current Lord of Winterfell. Judging by the trailer, the two will go even further north, ending up at the Wall where dear old Jon Snow spent most of his days. It feels just like coming home (and also getting frostbite).

The Battle of Rook’s Rest is coming.

My guess? We’re looking at Rook’s Rest.
Credit: Screenshot: HBO

The trailer for House of the Dragon Season 2 is full of promises of big battles, from armies mobilizing to dragons wheeling around in the sky. One image that keeps popping up in these snapshots is the castle above, which we also see Rhaenys and Meleys flying toward. The importance of this location makes me think this is Rook’s Rest, the seat of House Staunton and the site of a major battle in Fire & Blood. No spoilers, but book readers know: This is a big one.

Riots in King’s Landing threaten Alicent and Helaena’s lives.

Alicent Hightower needs to hightail it out of here.
Credit: Screenshot: HBO

All the way back in Season 2 of Game of Thrones, riots in King’s Landing broke up a procession including figures like Joffrey Baratheon, Cersei Lannister, and Sansa Stark. It looks like something similar will happen on Season 2 of House of the Dragon, with Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and her daughter, Helaena (Phia Saban), getting targeted by a wrathful mob. What led them to the streets of King’s Landing, and, more importantly, what angered their subjects to the point of riots?

Underhand dealings promise bloody, cheesy terror.

Blood? Cheese? Is that you?
Credit: Screenshot: HBO

At one point in the trailer, spymaster Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) tells someone that there is “more than one way to fight a war.” Next, we see shots of shady figures making their way through a building by torchlight. These, coupled with Mysaria’s words and a quick flash of coins exchanging hands, hint at one of the darkest moments of Fire & Blood: the arrival of two characters known simply as Blood and Cheese. Let’s just say that this is Team Black’s revenge for Lucerys’ (Elliot Grihault) death, and it is understandably brutal.

House of the Dragon Season 2 premieres June 16 on HBO and Max.