Blood of the dragon is stirring once again. Filming for the third season of House of the Dragon is well underway, and leaked set footage already gives fans plenty to speculate about. The material not only hints at what’s coming in Westeros but also suggests how HBO may be structuring the path toward the fourth—and, by all accounts, final—season of the series.

At the same time, anticipation is building for the New York Comic Con panel, where George R.R. Martin has confirmed his presence to discuss A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. The first official trailer for that prequel will likely debut there, and perhaps even a teaser for House of the Dragon Season 3.

Among the captured footage, the most striking moment is the return of Aegon II. He appears to be addressing a crowd, trying to reaffirm himself as the true heir of Viserys. Bearing scars across his face, he invokes the Light of the Seven to bolster his legitimacy, daring anyone to challenge his claim. In the books, this confrontation with Rhaenyra is a dramatic turning point, which suggests the show might be saving it for the end of the season—or even pushing it into the fourth—to maximize its impact.

The leaks also confirm the introduction of a new character likely to become a fan favorite: Alysanne Blackwood, better known as “Black Alice.” A fierce warrior, skilled with both bow and horse, she comes across as a Westerosi Arya. Her arrival reignites the centuries-old feud between the Blackwoods and the Brackens, a conflict dating back to the Age of Heroes, adding another blood-soaked layer to the Dance of the Dragons. In the books, she eventually marries Cregan Stark after the war, but for now, she’s expected to shine on the battlefield.

Another long-awaited highlight is the expanded role of Helaena Targaryen. After two seasons where her visions played a secondary role, she is finally set to deliver a major “dragon dream” sequence, where her prophecies take center stage. In the show, Helaena is portrayed almost like a greenseer, able to glimpse the future and connect through her visions. Her dynamic with Rhaenyra becomes even more compelling, since both are deeply tied to the prophetic legacy of House Targaryen.

But the true spectacle of the season will likely be the First Battle of Tumbleton. Set photos show Daemon rallying his forces—including Cregan Stark’s Winter Wolves and the Tullys of the Riverlands—against the Greens, led by Ormund Hightower and young Daeron. The scale is massive: thousands of soldiers converge in what appears to be a multi-episode battle, stretching across episodes seven and eight. Just as in the books, Tumbleton is not merely another clash of armies but a pivotal turning point that unleashes betrayals, shocking reversals, and the long-awaited rise of the Dragonseeds.

Taken together, the footage suggests that Season 3 will balance three main pillars: the build-up to Aegon’s return, the introduction of new key players like Alysanne Blackwood, and the escalation toward the epic clash at Tumbleton. And if speculation holds true, Season 4 will be the last, preserving the final confrontation between Aegon and Rhaenyra for the ultimate chapter of the Dance.

For now, fans look to New York Comic Con, where the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms trailer seems all but guaranteed, and a House of the Dragon teaser remains the hoped-for surprise. Until then, production continues at full speed, and every glimpse from the set confirms what we already know: winter—and the war of the dragons—is far from over.