Rhaenyrs Targaryen Death: What Happens To Her In House Of The Dragon?

At the beginning of the season, King Viserys Targaryen (John Bradley) had only one legitimate child, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Milly Alcock, Emma D’Arcy).

The Lords of Westeros swear an oath of honour when King Viserys names Rhaenrya as his heir. The title of “Princess of Dragonstone” has been bestowed upon Rhaenyra. She replaces her uncle, Prince Daemon, in the line of succession, despite their close relationship. Dragonrider Rhaenys rides the mighty Syrax.

Rhaenys Targaryen Early life

On the seventh day of the seventh moon in the year 74 AC, Rhaenys entered the world. With her father Aemon being the Prince of Dragonstone and her being his firstborn child, many people saw her as the heir apparent to the Iron Throne. Alysanne Targaryen, the queen’s grandmother, referred to her granddaughter as “our queen to be” when she first met her.

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In 87 AC, Rhaenys claimed the dragon Meleys and became a dragonrider. The year was 89 a.c. when Rhaenys travelled with King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. To meet up with Jaehaerys, she took Meleys to Highgarden; the two of them then visited each of the four Shield Islands.

While on Greenshield, she told King Aethelred of her plans to wed Lord Corlys Velaryon, a match for which she had gotten her grandfather’s approval. In the year 90 AC, at the tender age of sixteen, Rhaenys wed Corlys. She insisted on riding on Meleys’ back to the wedding.  Rhaenys found out she was pregnant with her first child in early 92 AC.

What Happens To Rhaenys Targaryen During The Episode?

While the rest of the show was taken up with plotting and king-making, Rhaenys was stuck in her room. Upon Alicent’s arrival, she immediately realizes that the monarch is no longer alive. Meleys’ dragon would give Rhaenys Targaryen too much power, and it may lead the country to war, Rhaenys is warned after Alicent’s failed attempts to convince him to the side of the Greens.

However, Elliott Tittensor’s Ser Erryk breaks into her room and offers to help her escape the city. Lord Caswell (Paul Hickey), who had been attempting to flee King’s Landing to alert Rhaenyra of what was happening, is hanging in the plaza as a warning to any Black supporters who had managed to escape the keep.

The longer Rhaenys remained in the Red Keep, the more likely it is that she would have perished there. She insists on staying with her dragon even after Erryk tells her to board a ship and depart King’s Landing. Fortunately, the two groups are kept apart while the City Watch herds the populace toward the Dragon Pits, where the vast majority will be able to view the coronation.

What Happens In The Dragon Pits?

As Rhaenys was being herded into the Dragon Pits, she witnessed Criston Cole crown Aegon and get a blessing from a septon. While the crowd may have been misled by Otto’s allegation that Viserys named Aegon as his heir on his deathbed, they eventually cheered for Aegon as he was crowned.

What Happens In The Dragon Pits?
What Happens In The Dragon Pits?

Meleys unexpectedly emerges from the ground, killing the ones celebrating above and setting off a panic. The tinier citizens desperately try to escape, but the City Watch is blocking their path. In the middle of the mayhem, Rhaenys appears on top of Meleys, fully armoured, and locks eyes with the Greens.

Meleys might have easily murdered Aegon and his family when her face was only a few inches away from his skull. Instead, she roars in their faces and Rhaenys flies away from the Dragon Pit, perhaps in the direction of Rhaenyra and Daemon.

A key takeaway from the exchange between Rhaenys and Alicent is that despite Alicent’s authority in the court, Rhaenys does not consider her to be in charge.  Alicent, on the other hand, is seen by her as someone who supports the men in her life, even if she believes she would make a superior monarch.

The last-ditch effort to convince Rhaenys to change sides by emphasizing her status as a near-queen fail, and it becomes evident that the Queen Who Never Was has already made up her mind. Rhaenyra will have a formidable ally in Meleys, one capable of taking on the Greens. House of the Dragon’s season one finale will air on HBO and HBO Max this coming Sunday.

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