Alys Rivers, ever since her introduction in ‘House of the Dragon,’ has always been compared to the Red Woman, Melisandre, from ‘Game of Thrones‘. As the show dives deeper into Alys, though, it’s easy to see that this comparison might not be as accurate as it seems.
Alys appears to represent an entirely different magical tradition, one that predates dragons, the Faith, and even much of Westeros itself.
Alys Rivers Has A Very Different Kind Of Magic Than The Red Woman
In ‘Game of Thrones’, Melisandre’s powers were directly connected to the Lord of Light. She received her visions through fire, she practiced shadowbinding, and she saw miracles related to R’hllor. All her magic was directed towards a strong external god.
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However, Alys Rivers is much more enigmatic. ‘House of the Dragon’ has never associated her with the Lord of Light or any religion at all. Rather, her bond appears to be more profound than just magic; it is deeply rooted in Westeros itself.
There have been several scenes that have supported this theory. Viewers have spotted scenes where Alys seems to interact with animals while watching Daemon Targaryen at Harrenhal, like an owl and a goat.
The scenes do not explicitly reveal what is going on. However, they are strikingly similar to the powers of a skinchanger, a person who can enter the mind of an animal. It is a power that has been linked to the Old Gods but not to any of the fire religions.
The Truth About Alys Rivers In George R. R. Martin’s Books
If Alys is indeed a channel for Old Gods’ magic, then she could be one of the most interesting magical characters in the franchise. Her visions, cryptic knowledge, and seemingly supernatural awareness are more akin to the mystical traditions that lie beyond the Wall than anything that can be attributed to Melisandre.
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In ‘Fire & Blood,’ Alys Rivers became the lover of Aemond Targaryen after he captured Harrenhal during the war. She later claimed she was pregnant with Aemond’s child, even after he was killed at the Battle Above the Gods Eye. Following the war, she took control of Harrenhal for a time and proclaimed her son as the rightful lord.
The haunted castle has always been shrouded in mystery, and Alys’ presence adds to the eerie ambiance. However, the books never confirmed what her powers were. She doesn’t seem like a woman who calls upon fire or appeals to God. It’s as if the magic of Westeros still lives on through her.
The show has not confirmed if Alys is a skinchanger, greenseer, or something entirely different, of course. That’s what makes her so intriguing. Each time she appears, she leaves more questions than answers
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