What did Rhaenyra tell Daemon in High Valyrian in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4? Translation revealed

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 titled A Dance of Dragons premiered on July 7, 2024, on Max, and it opened with Daemon Targaryen experiencing another hallucination. In episode 3, he saw a hallucination with a young Rhaenyra sewing back Jaehaerys' head back on, and this week's outing again saw him hallucinate her; only, this time, it took place with the Iron Throne in the background.

The opening of House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 saw Rhaenyra speak to Daemon in High Valyrian and confront him about his loyalty towards her. However, the first few words Rhaenyra spoke weren't audible, with the subtitles also not translating them, which left a few fans to wonder what she said.

However, that part of the episode was eventually translated by Archive of Our Own, and we got to understand what Rhaenyra told Daemon. As per the translation, here's what the vision of young Rhaenyra said in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4:

“It’s been said that Targaryens are closer to gods than men… In my eyes, you were a god. Daemon Targaryen. The Prince of the City. The Lord of Flea Bottom. I was an innocent. You exploited me and abandoned me. You sullied my name at court.

"You empowered my rivals. You tried to make my ruin. You put me on that throne. And you love me and you hate me for it. You created me, Daemon. Yet you are now set on destroying me. All because your brother loved me more than he did you. This is what you always wanted, is it not?”

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What did Rhaenyra's speech to Daemon in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 mean?

With Daemon experiencing visions and hallucinations in Harrenhal in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4, it's clear that the prince is facing regrets about his past actions.

Given that Rhaenyra wasn't on board with the killing of Jaehaerys and disagreed with Daemon's actions, she already feels like he's trying to sabotage her, and even Daemon feels like he doesn't have her respect anymore. With a young Rhaenyra now appearing to him in his visions, it could mean that he's facing guilt for what he has done.

The speech heavily implies that Daemon is in the war for himself and no one else. It has been clear that Daemon doesn't respect Rhaenyra's authority that much, and House of the Dragon season 2 also makes it clear that he's perhaps using her to get to the throne.

However, with her not having the same kind of respect she used to have for him, Daemon is clearly losing himself and destroying Rhaenyra in the process as well.

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Why does Daemon keep seeing young Rhaenyra?

It was explained by the director of House of the Dragon season 2 episode 3, Geeta Vasant Patel. In an interview with Mashable, she explained that Daemon kept seeing visions of her as that's the version of her who respected him, while her older Rhaenyra doesn't.

"He just got rejected by older Rhaenyra, who he feels he doesn't know any more. The Rhaenyra he really knows is the young Rhaenyra, who he fell in love with and who worshiped him.

"So when he goes into that room and young Rhaenyra looks at him with judgment and with critique, that is a sword through his trust. That's where his fear lies, that the one person he's let down his guard with actually doesn't believe in him and thinks he's a monster," explained Patel.

With Milly Alcock returning to play young Rhaenyra, it will certainly be interesting to see whether Daemon will continue to hallucinate her.

It certainly means a lot for Daemon's character, and showcases that perhaps he's actually regretting some of his decisions and is losing himself in the process as well.

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You can check out a new episode of House of the Dragon season 2 when it premieres on July 14, 2024.