The first episode of the third season of House of the Dragon came with a lot of surprises. The Battle of the Gullet would surely be the biggest of them all. When showrunner Ryan Condal hyped the sequence like nothing ever seen before on television, he was not kidding. It indeed delivered, and so did the other twists, like Lord Larys’ cunning move, saving himself and Aegon by selling him out, and the weird kiss shared between Alicent and Aemond - the mother-son duo.

However, in another twist, the show brought the Green Men back just for a moment, after their first appearance in the season 2 finale.

Those unfamiliar with this part of Westeros' lore ought to find out more about the Green Men on the internet.

In the mythology of House of the Dragon, a group of ancient guardians known as the Green Men is entrusted with guarding the Isle of Faces, which is located in the heart of the God's Eye, the largest lake in the Seven Kingdoms. Their roots can be found in the time when the First Men and the Children of the Forest fought each other. However, the war ended in a peace treaty that gave the First Men control over Westeros' open regions while letting the Children keep the deep forests.

The Isle of Faces got its name because faces were carved into its trees to commemorate the agreement. The Green Men never make a physical appearance in Game of Thrones, despite being a significant aspect of Westerosi mythology.

The Green Men are thought to have green skin and horns, but some accounts suggest they wear green clothing and antler headdresses. Their appearance in the series suggests their ongoing role in Westeros' hidden history during the Targaryen era. They have only been seen once, during Daemon's stay at Harrenhal in season 2, and are associated with mystical events and visions of the future.

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But when do they appear in season 3, episode 1? And most importantly, what is their connection to Alys Rivers?

On the orders of Dragon Queen, Rhaenyra, the three dragonseeds, Hugh Hammer, Ulf the White, and Addam of Hull, are stationed close to Harrenhal to ambush Aemond when he comes riding Vhagar. God's Eye is where they set up their camp. The dragonseeds are restless after being away from the action for a few days and not knowing what to do next. The fact that Alys Rivers interrupts their siege with a big man who seems to have antlers and a haunted goat does not help either. 

Although we only have a brief glimpse of the big man, he surely appears to be a Green Man according to descriptions. Also, it feels a bit strange that Alys is always around whenever they make an appearance in the show, almost as if they are related in some way. But that is not the case, according to the original lore. So, what could be the reason behind this? It shall remain a mystery for now and can only be solved when further information comes through future episodes.

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How do you think the Green Men fit into the Targaryen civil war? Share your thoughts in the comments.