‘House of the Dragon’ keeps teasing a blacksmith named Hugh — here’s why he’ll likely be an important character

Vermithor isn’t the biggest dragon that we’ve seen in “House of the Dragon” — that honor goes to Aemond’s big, beautiful girl Vhagar — but he’s still pretty big.

Now, if you want potential major spoilers for the show…

What happens to Hugh in the books?

The fictional history of Westeros recounts how Hugh fought in the war as a dragonrider. In one battle, Rhaenyra’s forces clashed with a naval fleet from the Triarchy, with whom Otto Hightower had engineered an alliance. During the battle, Hugh and Vermithor fought alongside the dragons Silverwing, Sheepstealer, Seasmoke, their riders, Jacaerys, and his dragon Vermax.

However, Hugh and Ulf White, Silverwing’s rider, defected later in the war during the battle of Tumbleton, though their motivations were disputed in the historical record. Their betrayal caused the city to fall into the hands of Ormund Hightower’s forces, accompanied by Prince Daeron Targaryen, as well as Hugh and Ulf themselves.

Hugh eventually demanded to sit on the Iron Throne himself, leading the lords under Daeron’s command to conspire to kill him. However, Addam Velaryon, bonded to Laenor Velaryon’s former dragon Seasmoke, attacked the town. During the subsequent second battle of Tumbleton, Hugh was killed.

“House of the Dragon” season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on Max.