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Rhaenys Velaryon and her dragon Meleys met their tragic end in the fourth episode of season 2 of the House of the Dragon. The death of the Queen Who Never Was is one of the saddest moments in the world of the show, as it was incredibly intense and unpredictable.
It was a cruel moment for those who have been into both the book by George R.R. Martin and the show House of the Dragon. The event could be seen as more tragic as it emphasizes the suffering she would have undergone before her last breath, which was taken away by Vhagar, her daughter Laena's former dragon.
While the death was devastating, this aspect added to the poignancy and showed how complex and savage the Targaryen internal battle could become.
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How did Rhaenys die in House of the Dragon?
The Dance of the Dragons was a civil war in Westeros between two branches of House Targaryen, which began in 129 AC and lasted several years. The struggle was mainly about the Iron Throne, as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Aegon II Targaryen fought each other for it.
Since Rhaenys supported Rhaenyra's claim, she participated in the Battle at Rook’s Rest with her dragon Meleys, The Red Queen. This fight, shown in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4, occurred near Rook’s Rest, a fortress located within Crownlands.
She was attacked by two dragons during this battle, the first one was Vhagar, commanded by Prince Aemond Targaryen, with Aegon II riding Sunfyre. The latter fought with Meleys and Vhagar crashed against Rhaenys' dragon, burning them. Rhaenys and her dragon fell to the ground.
This was incredibly tragic, as it underscored all the suffering Rhaenys underwent before Vhagar, her daughter Laena's former dragon, took her life. This only adds to the poignancy of the death, as it shows how cruel the Targaryen infighting could be.
What is the significance of Vhagar in this context?
The dragon who killed Rhaenys, Vhagar, has a long history in House Targaryen. Visenya Targaryen first rode him during Aegon's Conquest, and he was later Rhaenys' daughter, Laena Velaryon's, mount. The bond between Laena and Vhagar was strong and served as proof of the deep ties between dragons and their riders.
After Laena died, Aemond Targaryen claimed Vhagar, whom he rode against Rhaenys on the battlefield. Rhaenys ultimately lost her life to the dragon that her daughter previously rode.
How does this tragic irony impact the story of House of the Dragon?
Rhaenys' death highlights once again just how brutal and personal the Targaryen civil war was. The tragic irony was that her daughter's dragon, Vhagar, had been turned against Rhaenys.
It showcases the changing alliances and unpredictable futures of those in conflict. It also showed viewers how the war doesn't just cause political devastation, it also affects people on a personal level as it severely impacts families and relationships.
Rhaenys Velaryon's death in House of the Dragon shows fans how the family was interconnected with their dragons. It brings out the different twists and turns in this story. The connections between the dragons and their riders are explored with how the dragons are used to show the consequences of betrayal, whether assumed or real.
