House of the Dragon season 2: What happened to Rhaenys and Meleys in the Battle of Rook's Rest? Explained

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 was released on July 7, 2024, on HBO Max. As anticipated, the political scheming escalated in this episode as Team Green and Team Black finally ready themselves for war. This comes after Rhaenyra Targaryen realized from her interaction with Alicent in the last episode that war was inevitable and peace was not an option.

The synopsis of the episode on IMDb reads:

"As Rhaenyra makes sure there is no other way to end this conflict but war, dragons flew, and the dance begun."

In the climactic episode of House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, aka the "Queen Who Never Was," faces off against Aegon II and then Aemond while atop the dragon Meleys, aka the "Red Queen." By the end of the episode, both Meleys and Rhaenys meet their end, as the dragon falls from the sky after sustaining a massive injury inflicted by Vhagar, Aemond's fierce dragon.

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Are Rhaenys and Meleys dead in House of the Dragon season 2?

Yes, they are dead in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4. Before delving into how that comes about, it is important to note how all the setting up and exposition of the season so far culminate in this action-filled episode featuring people, and dragons, in battle.

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 shows Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) in the enigmatic Harrenhal, where he continues to see strange visions in his dreams. His interactions with Alys Rivers, a mysterious sorceress-like figure, make him confront his various conscious and subconscious desires. Viewers are left pondering, 'Does a part of Daemon want Rhaenyra dead?'

Things have not gone well for Aegon II as a king in House of the Dragon season 2 so far. Not only can he not keep his whimsical and whining temperament in check, but he also has no ability to control his council as a ruler should. He is furious that Aemond and Ser Criston Cole are plotting about the war behind his back, feeling it is needless to keep him updated.

Aegon II wants to raid Harrenhal immediately since Daemon is without an army there. However, Aemond and Cole have already prepared to sack Rook's Rest, the seat of House Staunton. Rook's Rest is strategically located as Dragonstone's entry point to the mainland. Aegon II's struggle as an impotent king continues in House of the Dragon season 2.

Rhaenyra, returning to Dragonstone after her secret visit to Alicent, agrees to go to war. She does not let her son go to war, eventually, it is Rhaenys who offers to go. As she arrives at Rook's Rest atop her dragon Meleys, Aemond is hiding in a nearby forest with his dragon Vhagar.

Meanwhile, frustrated with the fact that nobody takes him seriously, Aegon II becomes drunk and decides to go to Rook's Rest in search of glory, against his mother's wish. As he approaches the warzone riding Sunfyre, Aemond retreats and lets things take their course since Aegon II's death in battle would mean his own rise to the throne. This fraternal animosity has been a constant motif in House of the Dragon season 2.

Meleys starts dealing heavy blows to Sunfyre and causes the latter to crash down. Aemond then emerges, riding Vhagar. Interestingly, Rhaenys could have turned back and flown away to Dragonstone, but she decides to take on Vhagar and its rider, Aemond.

The inevitable happens. Even though Meleys puts up a brave fight for a while, the sheer size of Vhagar is overpowering. Meleys falls down to the ground with Rhaenys after Vhagar bites off the former's neck and causes some serious injury. Rhaenys, the "Queen Who Never Was," falls to her death.

Afterward, an unconscious Aegon II is found in the forest by Aemond. It is unclear what Aemond was trying to do before Cole arrived at the spot. Aemond's sword was drawn. Was he trying to put it back in its sheath or was he going to drive it through his brother's heart, an act that would make him king?

In the 2018 George R. R. Martin book Fire & Blood, Aegon II survives this episode but is bedridden for a long time, during which Aemond takes up the role of the protector of the realm. It remains to be seen how the plot will progress in House of the Dragon season 2. The next episode will be released on July 14, 2024.