Why Rhaenyra Targaryen Might Become Queen in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3

• Rhaenyra Targaryen has been gunning for the throne in “House of the Dragon” after her half-brother usurped her.
• At the end of season two, she hatches a plan that could finally put her on top.
• Here’s how she becomes queen in “Fire and Blood,” the book the show is based on.

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for “House of the Dragon” season two finale and the book “Fire and Blood.”

Rhaenyra Targaryen and her biggest rival, Alicent Hightower, form a pact to take over the kingdom in the “House of the Dragon” season two finale. They may succeed if the series follows the George R. R. Martin novel on which the show is based.

Rhaenyra, played by Emma D’Arcy, was the initial heir to the throne following her father King Viserys I’s death in season one. However, Alicent, portrayed by Olivia Cooke, believed she heard the king change his mind about the succession. This led her to support her son Aegon, played by Tom Glynn-Carney, to be the next king instead of Rhaenyra.

Throughout season two, Rhaenyra devises several strategies to reclaim her throne without resorting to bloodshed. When these efforts prove futile, she prepares for an all-out war as the season two finale approaches.

Alicent then arrives with a proposal: she offers to help Rhaenyra take over King’s Landing in exchange for the safety of herself and her daughter Helaena, played by Phia Saban. Alicent wishes to leave the kingdom with her daughter and even invites Rhaenyra to join them, but Rhaenyra declines.

Alicent agrees to let Rhaenyra execute her eldest son, Aegon, but there is no clear plan yet for Aemond, played by Ewan Mitchell, and his massive dragon, Vhagar.

The series concludes this storyline with a cliffhanger, leaving fans eager for the next season. If you can’t wait, here’s how the events unfold in George R. R. Martin’s “Fire and Blood.”

According to the book, Aemond, Vhagar, and Criston Cole leave King’s Landing with a large army to confront Daemon, Rhaenyra’s husband, in the Riverlands and reclaim the fortress of Harrenhal. However, instead of facing them, Daemon leaves Harrenhal with his dragon, Caraxes. He and Rhaenyra take control of King’s Landing with their dragons, their team of dragonriders, and a fleet led by Corlys Velaryon.

All messengers are intercepted before they can send for help, and Alicent’s brother, Ser Gwayne Hightower, is killed amidst the chaos.

Alicent eventually surrenders the capital, but Aegon II, his daughter Princess Jaehaera, and his son Prince Maelor flee with Larys Strong.

When Rhaenyra finally sits on the Iron Throne, it cuts her hand, which is seen as an omen that she would not hold the throne for long. Ser Otto Hightower and Lord Jasper Wylde are executed, Ser Tyland Lannister is tortured, and Alicent and Helaena are imprisoned.

Meanwhile, Aemond and Criston Cole conquer Harrenhal easily but separate when they hear of Rhaenyra’s plot. Aemond burns the Riverlands, hoping Rhaenyra’s dragons will come for him while Criston Cole goes south with his armies to join other forces against Rhaenyra.

“House of the Dragon” appears to be diverging from this part of the story, with Alicent betraying the Greens by offering King’s Landing to Rhaenyra. The question remains whether Rhaenyra will keep her word and let Alicent go free or capture her.

Otto Hightower and Tyland Lannister are not near King’s Landing, which may save them from their grim fates. Similarly, Aegon and Larys appear to have left Jaehaera behind when they fled the capital in the season two finale.

The fall of King’s Landing seems unlikely to play out exactly as it does in the book.

After this key shift in the war, Rhaenyra rules for less than a year, but her reign is fraught with challenges.

Aegon and Aemond continue to oppose her rule and remain at large. Daeron, Alicent’s third brother, and Lord Ormund Hightower lead an army and a dragon from the south, slowly advancing toward King’s Landing.

Rhaenyra also struggles financially to support King’s Landing as most of the kingdom’s gold had been sent away.

Even worse, two of Rhaenyra’s dragonriders, Hugh Hammer and Ulf White, betray her, switching sides and taking their dragons, Vermithor and Silverwing, with them. Rhaenyra then doubts the loyalty of her remaining riders, Nettles and Addam, and calls for their arrest, but both escape.

Corlys Velaryon is arrested for helping Addam escape, and much of his fleet deserts.

The final straw comes when Helaena dies by suicide, sparking rumors of murder and inciting a riot demanding justice.

Some men exploit the chaos, with bastards claiming rights to rule and others attacking the dragon pit to kill the dragons. Rhaenyra’s son, Joffrey, tries to save the dragons but falls and dies. Rhaenyra and her remaining son, Aegon the Younger, flee the castle.

Rhaenyra never rules again and is eventually murdered by her half-brother Aegon using his dragon Sunfyre. With most key players dead, only a few battles follow her death.

The direction “House of the Dragon” will take remains to be seen. Fans will have to wait until the next season premieres.

Source: Business Insider