"The Queen Who Never Was" - Rhaenys and her dragon's last flight sends House of the Dragon fans into mourning

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 was released on July 7, 2024. After three episodes of meticulous exposition and atmosphere-building, the HBO show is now headed towards the fateful civil war, the Dance of the Dragons. The first of the dances has already begun, and it has claimed Rhaenys' life.

Princess Rhaenys Targaryen has been one of the most prominent characters in House of the Dragon. Whatever the situation, she has stood her ground so far, with poise and dignity. She has been one of the loudest supporters of Rhaenyra Targaryen's claim to the throne. With her gone, grave consequences await The Blacks.

Rhaenys dies at the Battle of Rook's Rest when her dragon Meleys succumbs to the injury afflicted by Aemond's huge dragon, Vhagar. Even though Meleys displays great courage, the huge size of Vhagar is a factor Meleys cannot cancel out.

Rhaenys' tragic death at the hands of Vhagar and Aemond after a heroic battle has upset many fans of House of the Dragon. They have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to express their grief over her sudden demise.

Most viewers have noted the emotional bond between Rhaenys and Meleys as they share a final glance before their deaths.

"The look of Meleys looking back at Rhaenys my heart 😭 Tragic," one netizen said.

"Man i never been more touched from an episode. lots of emotion and feeling, literal tears and tightness of my chest. the way Meleys looked back at Rhaenys. she didn’t run when she could’ve. RIP Princess Rhaenys and Meleys," another person said.

While some fans think that Rhaenys should have retreated upon spotting Vhagar and Aemond, others have praised her fortitude, since a retreat 'may have looked bad to their allies.'

"Looking at it now, retreating may have looked bad to their allies. She knew if they retreated every-time Vhagar came, Naya would look weak and the allies would question their protection. She fought, took down the king (almost killing him and severely hurting his dragon) and died a hero’s death. I lowkey had tears the whole episode and kept saying ‘NOOOOOOO FLY AWAY’ knowing she wouldn’t UGH," wrote a fan on X.

The fall of Rhaenys before Vhagar and Aemond came as no surprise to most of the fans who remarked that she put up a 'good fight.'

"Even though I knew what was next it was awesome seeing it on screen. She put a good fight," one netizen commented.

Other fans have noted that the power of Team Black is significantly reduced after Rhaenys' death. However, a common sentiment of heartbreak is shared by all the fans of the show after this episode, as fans think Rhaenys had the making of a queen, a potential that will remain 'unfulfilled.'

"A queen's potential, unfulfilled," one person said.

"She would’ve been the best ruler,"another person said.

"She will be remembered," wrote another netizen.

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House of the Dragon episode 4: Battle at Rook's Rest

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 shows the viewers the first glimpse of the Dance of the Dragons. As Aemond Targaryen and Ser Criston Cole prepare to attack Rook's Rest, the seat of House Staunton, Rhaenyra Targaryen has no choice left but to retaliate.

She has realized after her interaction with Alicent in episode 3 that a civil war is now but a matter of time. Rhaenys volunteers to ride her dragon Meleys aka the 'Red Queen' to Rook's Rest. House of the Dragon season 2 has been leading to a moment exactly like this.

Rhaenys is known as a deft dragon rider. However, she does not know that she is stepping right into the trap set by Aemond and Cole. They want Team Black to send a dragon here so they can ambush it and cause a heavy setback.

This cunning plan works out. As Rhaenys flies into Rook's Rest, Aemond is waiting secretly with his own dragon, the fierce Vhagar. However, at this point, King Aegon II enters the scene, making Aemond wait a while to see what happens. After all, House of the Dragon has made it clear that Aemond wants Aegon II gone out of the picture since that would mean his rise to the throne.

Rhaenys takes on Aegon II and his dragon Sunfyre quite easily. Just as she is about to totally demolish them, Aemond rushes into the scene and tilts the balance. Aegon II soon goes down with his dragon and even though Rhaenys here has to chance to ride away to Dragonstone safely, she decides to take on Vhagar and Aemond as well.

This decision proves fatal. As Vhagar and Meleys wage a fierce battle in the sky, the latter is momentarily able to deal some blows. But the sheer size of Vhagar is overwhelming.

Vhagar bites Meleys' neck and the latter succumbs to this injury. Rhaenys and her dragon fall down to the ground and meet their end in the Battle of Rook's Rest. House of the Dragon has never been short of twists and surprises. Of all of these, the sudden and tragic death of Princess Rhaenys leaves a particularly sorrowful mark.

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 benefits from the elaborate exposition done in the previous episodes, and this makes her death all the more a sad affair for the fans of the show. Further, the equation between Rhaenyra Targaryen and Corlys Velaryon, Rhaenys' lord-husband, might get difficult now.

Corlys has been doubtful about Rhaenyra and Daemon since season 1 and it was only because of his wife that he joined hands with them in the first place.

The viewers cannot help but wonder, "Will Corlys now blame Rhaenyra for Rhaenys' death in battle?" House of the Dragon will return with the answers on July 14, 2024, when episode 5 is released on Max.