#Baela: he hasn't killed anyone in a while

[bittersweetsadboi]

So I've not watched a single episode of House of the Dragon, but I had dream that confused me and had me giggling uncontrollably. Rhaesaria never leaves my mind apparently.

I shall tell it in story form. Enjoy.

(Rhaenyra is busy looking for Dragon Riders via bastards like in the show but Vermithor does not claim any of them.)

With every group or person brought forward Vermithor rejects them. It's gotten to the point where he doesn't even kill them anymore.

He just huffs and lurks back into the shadows or turns his attention to the balcony where the Queen, Mysaria, Jace and any Guards or councilman stand watching in growing exasperation at his stubbornness.

Rhaenyra is gently banging her head against her desk trying to figure out what to do as their options dwindle with every trial.

"I had known Dragons to be specific in their choice of rider but not like this." Mysaria says softly as she slides a folded article of clothing under the Queens head, effectively ending her self abuse, though the head of white hair remains bowed on it.

"I do not understand, we have tried every drop of dragon seed, low and high born alike." Comes the Queens muffled reply.

"He does not even find them worthy enough to burn or eat. Instead he turns to us as if offended." Jace grumbles from his seat in front of the desk.

This has become a familiar scene. The three of them in the library or council room or the Queen' study, plotting and scheming. Though as of late it's more Mother and Son grumbling while the Mistress of Whispers paces silently, mind working overtime.

"There are still a small number of bastards that await their chance at being chosen, there is still hope." Mysaria says, stopping beside Jace as the Queen lifts her head.

"Have your Whispers gotten back to you about the others?" Jace asks, looking up at Mysaria with eyes so much like his mother. Curious. And intense.

"They have. A smaller group is traveling from further east." Mysaria answers.

"It is less likely that any of them will be claimed than those here on Dragon Stone." Rhaenyra states, staring blankly at the desk.

"Less likely, sure, but not impossible." Jace states, making his mother look up at him.

He gives her a gentle smile, one she can't help but return.

"Your confidence in this has remained steady in all this." She says, proud.

Jace nods his head in acknowledgement, glancing up at Mysaria who also smiles down at him, a small one, almost unnoticeable.

"Yes well, it's best not to lose faith now. We must remain hopeful, even if the odds are against us. You will claim back your throne, Mother. No matter how long it takes. I trust in you and our cause." He says, sitting straighter, chest puffed and voice strong.

Rhaenyra almost cries at his declaration, looking to Mysaria, who's eyes shine with the same devotion in her son's words.

Despite all this though, in the next few days and serval tries later, Vermithor also remains steadfast in his stubbornness. Still refusing to claim any riders. Even Silverwing had claimed someone at this point.

With the guards escorting the last of the group of bastards out the dragon pit, Rhaenyra marches herself down to where Vermithor waits. Jace and Mysaria looking at each other, shrugging.

The Queen gets right up in front of the Bronze Fury, almost puffing out smoke herself as she squares up at him, eyes a flame in frustration.

"I have brought every bastard and high born of dragon blood out from under every rock and still you refuse. What is it that you look for then? Is no one good enough?" She all but yells in frustration at him, not at all fearful, knowing that he won't harm her.

Instead he puffs out smoke at her, making her throw her hands up. He growls softly, shifting his big head slightly.

She turns to him, ready to vent some more when she sees his attention somewhere else. Following his line of sight, she turns to see Jace and Mysaria now joined on the balcony by Beala, serval nobleman and their guards.

Frowning, not really understanding his seeming fascination, she shakes her head and turns her heel. Clearly she has other things to do.

The next day a nobleman tries to claim Vermithor, and is unsurprisingly unsuccessful. Again, the Queen makes her frustration known. Again he ignores her and watches the balcony.

On the third try of this endless cycle Rhaenyra is close to tears, almost begging Vermithor to claim someone, anyone at this point. Still, he refuses and watches the balcony.

She stares at him, eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"What is it that you want?" She asks, almost a whisper.

Vermithor turns to her, looking her in her eyes, before turning back to stare at the balcony.

Rhaenyra turns as well. This time it's only Mysaria and Baela, who are watching with concern. The Queen frowns, looking back at the bronze giant. Then back at the balcony. Confused, feeling like she's missing something. She never gets the chance to figure it out as she's called for a meeting.

Day turns to night and the Queen is unable to sleep. Pacing her chambers. After about half a candle mark of this she takes to stalking the halls, before finding herself in the dragon pit once again.

Vermithor seems to have expected her, as he waits where she left him. She doesn't speak. She just looks at him, hoping he could just tell her what it would take to get him to cooperate.

He moves in closer and she puts her hand on his head, feeling his warmth, taking comfort in it.

"I am sorry." She says softly. He rumbles in acknowledgement.

They stay like that for a while before something seems to catch his attention. He lifts his head and, once again, watches the balcony.

Rhaenyra turns her own and her eyes find a lone figure resting against the balcony wall, watching them. Glancing between the figure and the Dragon, the Queen finally figures it out.

The next day Rhaenyra bursts into the library where Jace and Mysaria are bent over serval parchments.

They look up and frown at the Queen's sudden entrance and the clear excitement on her face, lavender eyes shining with a new found hope.

"Mother?"

"Your Grace?"

Rhaenyra strides up to them, Blood humming.

"I know who is to claim Vermithor." She says before grabbing them both by the hand and dragging them through the castle halls to the dragon pit.

Jace and Mysaria share looks of confusion and shock, unable to even speak as their Queen leads them.

Once reaching the pit, Rhaenyra pushes open the large doors and there, The Bronze Fury waits, seemingly also sharing in the Queens excitement.

Jace and Mysaria look around confused, not seeing anyone else around. They thought at least this person the Queen claims to be Vermithor's potential rider would be here as well.

Rhaenyra slides up to them, more specifically her Mistress of Whispers, gently taking her hand in her own, her other cupping a soft cheek and looking her in her chocolate brown eyes.

"Do you trust me?" She asks, voice softer than it's ever been.

Mysaria blinks in shock, mostly surprised by the Queen's open display of affection. Usually it's reserved for when they're alone.

"Of course." She answers, just as soft.

Rhaenyra smiles brightly and starts to slowly lead the dark haired woman towards the Dragon.

Jace breaks out his daze, still reeling from seeing his mother's fondness for her Lady clear for all of Westros to see. Not that he didn't know already. She only ever smiles like this when in her presence.

He steps forward and halts them in their advance, grabbing firmly on their interlocked hands.

"Have you lost your mind!" He says, glaring at his mother who looks at him in shock. A look mirrored by Mysaria.

"Jace-"

"I understand we are desperate but to just sacrifice anyone!" He says, enraged and forcefully breaks their hold on each other, stepping forward so Mysaria is behind him.

Rhaenyra stares wide eyed at her son's protective stance as he regards her. His eyes filled with confusion and something akin to betrayal.

"Jace I-"

"Just because he has not set anyone aflame in as many weeks does not mean he won't suddenly start again with one who is not of Dragon blood." Jace says cutting her off.

Rhaenyra stares as he looks her dead in her eyes, voice stronger than she's heard in a while.

"If you truly must attempt this trail, fine. But I beg of you Mother, choose anyone else. Not her." He's voice breaks slightly at the end, stepping back so he is closer to Mysaria, as if to emphasize his point.

This seems to break Rhaenyra out of her shock as her face softens. She smiles at her brave boy.

For some time now she has seen how Jace has gravitated towards her secret love. First it was small talk in the halls, then it was joining them in the library after council meetings.

Much like she had, he has started seeking Mysaria's council and even comfort when his mind won't let him rest.

Many times she has seen him, and even Baela, talking softly with Mysaria in the library.

Seeing the gentle smile the on Lady's face as she watched the young couple bicker. Giving them ideas for what to do to strengthen their relationship, and even the future wedding they wish to have.

More often than not, Jace and Baela would seek Mysaria's company, much like they would with her.

Rhaenyra looks behind her darling boy at her beloved. Apparently she was the only one who noticed all this if the absolute bewilderment on Mysaria's face is any indication.

Before anything else can be said, a deep rumble comes from behind her. She turns to look at Vermithor, who shifts impatiently, huffing as his eyes bore down at them.

Turning back to her son, who has not moved an inch from his place, she steps forward and cups his face.

"Believe me, my darling boy, I would not even think of doing this if I was not absolutely certain no harm would come to her." She tells him honestly.

He looks at her with tears in his eyes, not convinced.

"It's madness. She's not of Dragon blood. How do you know he will not hurt her or worse?" He asks, more like the young baby boy who used to sit in her lap when he was upset, rather than the brave man he has come to be.

Glancing behind him, Rhaenyra catches Mysaria's gaze, who's eyes ask the same question.

"Because he has already chosen her." She says completely serious, completely sure.

Mysaria's eyes widen, glancing between Vermithor and the Queen. The Dragon, almost as if to prove her point, bows his head slightly, eyes never leaving Mysaria.

"That's why he never claimed anyone else. He already has a rider. One he watched from a distance, waiting for her to claim him as well." Rhaenyra continues, looking back at her son.

Jace's mind runs through every trial and every interaction his witnessed and finally understands what his mother means.

Every time Vermithor has watched the balcony, there was only one common denominator in every pair or group of people that stood and watched back.

Mysaria.

He turns his head back, to look at her, as if seeing her for the first time. She looks at him, not entirely sure what to make of his expression.

Vermithor, tired of being ignored, huffs in annoyance. They turn to him and he tilts his head, trying to see around the Mother and Son who keep blocking his line of sight on his apparent chosen rider.

Rhaenyra turns back to them. Looking at Jace now.

"Do you trust me?" She asks.

Jace swallows a lump in his throat as he looks between his mother, the dragon, and the Mistress of Whispers.

He gives his answer by reaching back and taking Mysaria's hand. Then taking his mother's. Then he joins their hands and steps back, eyes still shining with tears.

Breathing a sigh of relief and gratitude, Rhaenyra looks to Mysaria, who remains silent as she nods her consent.

The Queen slowly leads Mysaria to Vermithor who eagerly waits. Once they're close enough, he moves his giant head closer until he's but an arms length away.

Not even waiting for any command or anything, he rests his head on the platform before them, eyes gazing deep into Mysaria's, seemingly ignoring Rhaenyra altogether.

She's almost offended but she gets it.

Mysaria stands frozen as she gazes down at this hulking beast. She has seen him burn and eat people with no mercy and yet here he is, like a puppy waiting for head pets from his favorite person.

Glancing at her Queen, who gives her and encouraging smile, she steels her nerves and slowly steps forward.

Lifting a hand, she rests it on his head and a sudden calm enters her bloodstream. Her body vibrating with the deep rumble of contentment she feels pass along the dragon.

Emboldened, she moves closer, resting her other hand on him, running them along his warm scales as he huffs softly, enjoying the attention.

Rhaenyra smiles brightly, happy and in awe as the two embrace the bond. Syrax's own cry of triumph heard in the distance.

Jace let's out a breathless laugh as he stares in absolute shock, a tear falling from his eye, running his hands through his curls, bewildered.

He looks around, still processing until his eyes land on the balcony where Baela stands frozen, eyes wide and jaw hanging. He chuckles and turns to make his way to her, excitement and new hope humming in his veins.

Once there, she turns to him, filled with questions. He answers as much as he can as they watch the trio in the pit.

Rhaenyra and Mysaria talking softly, arms around each other as they shower Vermithor in affection.

Baela let's out an all out belly laugh that has Jace raising an eyebrow at her. She just smiles smugly, eyes on pit.

"Father will die once he finds out."

[arabellasleopardcoat]

My thoughts after tonight's episode. SPOILERS AHEAD.

I intend to take notes through each episode to save me the pain of looking up the scripts or rewatching while I write. Also good to make sure the characters are charactering. Here goes the first episode (16/06!! Belated bday gift)

No comment on Cregan Stark. Very honorable, original Starks but amped up by ten. Awful wig.

Alicole!!! Oh god, oh god!! That man on his knees!! Implied to happen before. Nasty bussiness, but Criston's hair looks nice.

Rhaenyra's grief. Perfect. Emma D'Arcy deserves their Emmy for this episode alone

Parallels between Rhaenyra and Rhaenys. Nicely done. Grieve the same.

Corlys missing Luke :((( Also Alyn!!! Who seems to be older.

Aegon trying and failing to rule is pretty endearing. His smugness is funny, too. Tom Glynn Carrey knows his thing. I saw him in Dunkerke before and I wouldnz't think it is the same actor at all. He and Aemond compliment each other a lot, both move in very distinctive ways.

"He only wishes to please" Damn right Otto

Daemon and rage. My favorite combo. The scene with Mysaria? The hesitation? Then wanting to send her to the cells? Ser Erryk calling him out on his bias? Excellent. Same for Rhaenys. Overall, Daemon seems unable to see or understand anyone that doesn't react as he does. Everyone must grieve as he. Lovely insight. Also him ready to follow his Queen's orders for revenge? Delicious.

Jace with Rhaenyra!!! Luke's funeral, Baela and Rhaena stealing the show with just a second of screentime. My crush on Harry Collet got worse after seeing him with Joffrey.

Alicent lighting candles. Meh. The episode makes it harder to empathize with the Greens which is either bad writing or the writers have an agenda. She got on my nerves in this episode a bit, which us strange because I loved her last season.

Mysaria being dignified even in rags, very regal and I love that she is set on being her own woman. Good for her.

Daemon in the city bribing Goldcloaks, which were always his, in his little murder cape. Ugh. Blood and Cheese but he orders them to find Aemond and off screen kill the kids?? Yup, writers love him. Confirmed, they have an agenda.

Aemond plotting with Cole, both absolutely bloodthirsty. Both very dumb here, I think. Funny that Aemond and Alicent assess each other in the same way, both are "Angry" The cadence which they deliver the lines is even similar. His mother's son. Even in their choice of company. Cole.

Otto versus Aemond, interesting. I like the tone of voice of Otto's actor (Rhys, I think?) Very well spoken, and calm. I feared he was going to turn into a Tywin and I am glad he hasn't. I found Tywin terrifying. Otto may be, but he is less rude about it.

Aegon getting shitfaced on the Iron Throne, in a not so ergonomic position, yet without being cut.

Blood and Cheese. Fun. They are trying to murder each other, poor dog!!! I underestimated them, they are terrifying. Poor Helaena, always drawing the short stick. She told Aegon and he saw them pass, while getting drunk. At least they didn't taunt her so much. The sounds were sickening on their own, thank god it was off screen. Cole in the bed with Alicent!!!! When poor Helaena comes for help!!! ENOUGH. ENOUGH. THIS IS MURDER. It can't end there.

Final line: I came prepared for GOT'S levels of violence, I am glad it wasn't like that. I was ready to skip those, but it was nice that it wasn't necessary. Most of the things that made me uncomfortable in GOT (And why I never finished it) were the sexual violence scenes. Poor Dany.

Final final line: I leave with a new crush on Harry Collet, Matt Smith and Fabien Castel.

[strangedreamings]

HOTD S2E4 (spoilers abound)

Halfway point of S2. No turning back now, folks.

God, I love the tapestry sequence. Threads of fate soaked in blood.

Daemon's dreaming, again? I'd say it's nice to see Young Rhaenyra again but her presence means our boy is losing it. Mental illness gallops in this family, so I shouldn't be surprised. I love that the crown is too big on her, it's a great detail.

Oookay, Daemon cutting her head off is NOT what I expected but yeah, just another sign of him losing the coin toss. Her disembodied head chastising him is ... an interesting touch.

Why are his hands bloody if he was only dreaming?

It's sad that instead of the four Muppet Tullys, we just hear of one and see another. Somebody with this show has no sense of humor and it ain't GRRM. C'mon, give me Grover, Elmo, Kermit, and Oscar, not just Oscar. Let the fans have some fun in an episode that is going to be nothing but pain.

Daemon, your sense of humor is not endearing you to anyone at all.

I just checked, GRRM hasn't said exactly how the Muppet Tullys are related to Catelyn Stark and her siblings, but that's not surprising -- there are huge gaps in most of the Great Houses' family trees.

Dismissing Oscar like that definitely isn't going to make him want to fight for you, Daemon. Of course, Daemon wouldn't know diplomacy if it bit him on the ass. Who in the fuck thought this trip to Harrenhal would be a good idea? Oh yeah, it was him. :P

I get a little giddy when House Blackwood is mentioned. What can I say, my favorite ASOIAF character is Brynden "Bloodraven" Rivers, the bastard son of a Blackwood mother and a Targaryen father, and the great-grandson of Daemon and Rhaenyra.

Ooo, does Rhaenys suspect that Alyn is her husband's bastard? (She's right, of course.) But touching his face like that, very creepy.

She does know! Corlys' past has come back to haunt their marriage.

"draw us back from the abyss." Too bad it won't happen. But at least Rhaenys knows the war is going to be very bad for everyone. She's not blinded by glory, duty, or anything else.

The dragon statuette Alicent's holding looks like it was carved out of Styrofoam, like it doesn't weigh a thing. Yeah, it doesn't sound like stone when it falls and breaks either. Where did the budget for this show go?

An abortifacient? And Alicent's pretending it's NOT for her? I'm sure the Grand Maester saw right through that. At least this is sparing Westeros from an Alicent-Criston baby. Can you imagine the utter nightmare such a kid would be?

Your doubts are nice to see but they're far too late, Alicent.

This Team Black Small Council is full of old men with no brains whatsoever. They do have plenty of misogyny, though. *eyeroll* Feed them all to your dragon, Baela.

I don't remember what Ser Alfred's surname is so I can't look him up but I really fucking hate him. I'm glad Corlys was able to shut him up (temporarily). I want a woman (any woman) to best him then kill him, is that too much to ask?

So, for two episodes running, we've seen the immediate aftermath of battles but not the battles themselves. It's a cost-saving measure by HBO, I'm sure, but they can't keep this up narratively -- it'll get boring after a while. I had to look up this one, it's the sack of Duskendale.

"Whore of Dragonstone," huh? Well, Criston, you're the Whore of King's Landing. :P

His white cloak is filthy. No honor in that man whatsoever and his cloak absolutely shows that.

Gwayne's face is bloody. I'm surprised he actually fought. He seems to be the type to hang back and let other people do the fighting for him.

"You are not fit for the white cloak." Tell him! He never was.

"Yours will come in kind." Too bad the Butcher's Ball (probably) isn't until next season, I can't wait to see it.

Ooo, Criston is avoiding Harrenhal! He's showing brains for fucking once. (It won't last.)

Green Small Council and they're talking about Rook's Rest. The ticking of the clock is getting louder and louder. Also, Aemond really does like to pout pensively, doesn't he? I'd hate him for it but fuck, he's too pretty (fucking nuts but yes, too pretty).

Things are getting tense between the brothers and the rest of the council is uncomfortably caught in the middle. Squirm, fellas. You deserve it. Oh, and where's Alicent? Knowing this show, she's probably hemorrhaging somewhere from the abortifacient.

Is this the first time we've seen any of Alicent's kids speak High Valyrian? But it looks like Aemond is fluent and Aegon II is decidedly not. Now I want fanfics of Aemond being firstborn and Aegon being the youngest, just to see if he would've been a better king. Looks like Aegon II realizes his baby brother does have strengths of his own.

No hemorrhaging but it looks like Alicent is making her own medieval heating pad. Larys isn't stupid, Alicent. It's in his nature to notice EVERYTHING, including the bottle you left out in the open. Aemond really didn't get his brains from his mother, did he?

"covered himself in glory" There's a phrase I never thought I'd hear in this franchise.

Larys knows about Alicole, lovely.

Back to Harrenhal. Daemon is following Aemond but I can only assume he's dreaming again, there's no way Aemond got there that quickly. Plus, we haven't seen Aemond's face yet. Besides, this is way too soon for the Battle Above The Gods Eye. I knew it -- "Aemond" has Daemon's face. Yeah, Freud would've had a field day with this dream.

Alys again. My apologies to the actress but I really fucking hate her voice. Nails on a chalkboard. (It's not her accent, that's fine, it's her voice itself.)

Daemon, a woman you suspect of being a witch gives you something to drink and you fucking do it? You have no self-preservation instincts left, do you?

Ser Willem's cute but I'm pretty sure the show's writers made him up -- Benjicot Blackwood didn't have a regent and I can't find any mention of his father having a younger brother. Well, at least he'll be nice to watch while he lasts (which I'm sure won't be long).

Hi, Laena! Back from the dead to haunt Daemon's conscience, I see.

As much as I like the Blackwoods, they really need to let their feud with the Brackens die out. (They won't, of course.)

"I removed them, I didn't burn them." For some reason, I really like the way TGC delivered that line. Whatever you're doing after HOTD, Tom, I intend to see it.

Aegon, you're merely a figurehead now. Unfortunately for you (but fortunately for the realm), you don't have the brains to be anything more.

Wow, Alicent really doesn't think highly of him, does she? I don't know if that's for the best but it makes me feel sorry for Aegon, just a little. If his parents actually gave a damn about him while he was growing up, he wouldn't have turned out the way he did.

Is that Rook's Rest? Title cards would've helped so much. If a castle wasn't in GoT, I can't be expected to recognize it, okay?

"They will not expect it because it is fucking madness." I hate Gwayne but he's right and I can't help liking that line.

"Are you afraid, Ser?"

"Worse. I'm rational."

Yep, I like that line too. Why is Gwayne getting all the good lines? It's making me like him a little and I don't want to.

Jace, your attitude is unhelpful. Show a little more respect to your mother and monarch, especially around other people. I'm not for corporal punishment normally but if I were Rhaenyra, I'd slap you.

Ugh, Rhaenyra's little trip has cost her what little respect she had from her small council.

Jace is a little too eager to use the nukes, isn't he? Kid, you'll never be a good king if you're this trigger happy. Rhaenyra wants to go, Jace wants to go. She undermines him in front of everyone. Good! Serves him right.

Rhaenys offers to go. Yeah, we knew this was coming.

Sorry but Jace is a brat. He's not ready to rule. He's not even ready to be the heir. He's too much of a hothead.

Ugh, the ASOIAF talk. Making this prophecy part of House Targaryen's legacy was a dumb idea.

Sunfyre nudging Aegon in the shoulder like he's a horse is just too cute. This'll be the last cute moment of the series, I'm sure.

Vhagar looks like she just wants to take a nap. Too bad Aemond didn't let her.

Aemond commands Vhagar in Valyrian, Aegon commands Sunfyre in English (sorry, Common Tongue). That says a lot about both of them.

Cole didn't want Aegon on the battlefield but he's not losing a chance to spin this to their advantage. Soldiers always fight harder when their leader is fighting with them.

Meleys vs Sunfyre. Poor Sunfyre is getting torn apart. (What can I say, the animals are innocent in this war.) He's bleeding out.

Vhagar really shouldn't be able to fly with that many holes in her wings.

Oh shit, is Aemond TRYING to kill his brother or is Aegon just in the way?

Poor Sunfyre's screeching sounds a lot like a bird (or a pterodactyl).

Rhaenys, you could've retreated and lived to fight another day.

Fuck this family, the Targaryen stubborn streak will get them all killed.

A seatbelt?! Do you really think that's going to save you against another fucking DRAGON?!

Holy fuck, the size difference between Meleys and Vhagar is ridiculous.

Cole got knocked off his horse while he was trying to get to Aegon. Too bad it didn't kill him.

I could've done without that jump scare, Ryan. :P

Not exactly how Rhaenys died in the book but honestly, I think I like this version better. She looked resigned to her fate as she was falling.

I think Cole might have a punctured lung. Or maybe that was just the sound of him trying to breathe on a battlefield full of smoke. I'm pretty sure he's got a concussion, but then he doesn't have much of a brain to injure. :P

Cole, you're on foot and you passed a horse just standing there. If you're not up for riding, at least bring the damn horse with you.

Aemond looking like he's about to do some more kinslaying, lovely.

A dying Sunfyre and an unmoving Aegon, lovely.

Aemond really has the devil's own luck. Too bad it runs out (next season).

Hey, writers, you spared Ser Harrold Westerling from his book fate, when are you actually going to use him again?

[brotherslayer]

I hate how they made Rhaenyra Targaryen like this cool girlboss who's against the patriarchal society and trying to reclaim what was meant to be hers but let's be real here she herself isn't anyone good considering how she was willing to fuck her own uncle when she was a minor in the show that it,that I know of

Also I heard that the show is really different than the book, considering how Daemon's character is very out of book context

Then the fucking romanticization of these two's relationship even though it's so clear as day that they're in it for the power and the throne

I found Alicent more convincing though

If Rhaenyra is such a feminist queen why didn't she change the succession laws? why did she not try to make the lives of woman better? why did she try to insist her bastard sons inherit Driftmark, denying the heir’s eldest child Baela of her birthright, just like how Jaehaerys denied Rhaenys’ claim to the throne even though she was the eldest child of the heir? Rhaenyra is the opposite of a feminist, she runs crying to her daddy and husband/uncle to kill men for her whenever things don't go her way. Rhaenyra tried to weaponize the crazy hysterical women trope against her childhood friend when she was rightfully angry that Rhaenyra's son cut out her youngest child's eyes. And then Rhaenyra demanded the victim to be tortured too for speaking the truth. She's so awful. How can anyone think she'd make a good queen? She hasn't done anything noteworthy except her fuck ups. Alicent was the one who had to rule the country and nurse Rhaenyra's father while the crown princess was having fun. Oh yeah and she complains about an arranged marriage but then she tried to trap child Helaena in a marriage to one of her sons to clean up her own shit, because she knew Alicent's children have the bigger claim to the throne. Rhaenyra's version of feminism is "no woman deserves rights except for me".

I can't really blame her for fucking her uncle though because she was groomed by him since she was (I believe 8 in the book?) and 15 in the show.

I haven't read the book but from what I've heard Daemon's characterization doesn't sound ooc at all. Book Daemon was fucking underage (possibly even prepubescent) girls in the brothels, cheating on his wife and grooming his niece. If the narrative in Fire and Blood is sympathic towards him it's only because the Blacks won the Dance of Dragons and the book was written by fake historians years later after the dance who didn't have access to all the information. (+ he was GRRM's blorbo) Daemyras are just upset that Rhaenyra wasn't the only exception to his violence. They didn't cry mischaracterization when he killed his wife Rhea Royce (only mentioned that it wasn't possible location wise in the books as he was somewhere else) but when he chokes his current wife Rhaenyra him being a domestic abuser is suddenly out of the character? Agreed, I think his "love" for Rhaenyra is partly lust and partly the desire for power (the throne).

[worthyheir]

∗ o5﹕ sender  comforts  receiver  in  the  aftermath  of  a  nightmare / @bigmamarhaenyra sent a MEME

It has been difficult, finding sleep since the war began. While it had not been as much of an issue on his journey to the Vale, or his time in the North, once the news had come that his brother had been murdered, he had found rest impossible to come by. He did not need to know the details of how his brother had been killed, but he could guess them well enough, and they would haunt his nights for as long as he lived, he was certain of it.

This night, just a week after his own return to Dragonstone, was no different than the previous few, plagued by nightmares of his brother's murder, of what might befall of them if they could not be victorious. And what being victorious might call them all to do. He had only slept a couple of hours, before the nightmare had pulled him from the shaky sleep he had fallen into. Jacaerys was fairly certain he would be sleeping through meals, if he could not manage to rest through the night, soon enough.

It was easier, to be distracted. Books that lay unread, pages opened and turned with a reckless abandon, sitting at his mother's desk, the night still black outside the windows, only a few candles lit to keep him awake, his eyes unfocused on the pages of the book he has before him - he couldn't tell anyone what it's about, he hasn't read a word. In the back of his mind, he knows he ought to confide in someone, his mother, or Baela perhaps, about these nightmares, his inability to sleep more than an hour or two at a time, how much he missed Luke. But how can he bring up Luke to his mother?

The thought of his little brother brings the dream back to the forefront of his mind, tears falling unbidden from tired eyes. It takes him a minute to realize he isn't alone, and maybe he made a sound, a choking sob escaping his throat as he dwells too long on thoughts of his fallen brother, which is what caused the arms to wrap around his shoulders from behind him, his mother's arms, recognizable even in his grief. His hands reach to grab at her arms, not wanting to face her yet - he has already given into his grief before her, when he had returned from the North. "I miss Luke." He says without thinking, releasing a shaky breath. "I'm sorry."

[navree]

Have you seen the theories that jace will support b&c theirs not point putting actual stock in fandom theories but it'd be a intresting way to give him a actual personality also out of all of rhaenyra's kids he's the most intresting choice to make into a asshole

I haven't seen it but to be entirely honest I'd be surprised if they do that. There has been a lot of effort put into trying to make Jace seem like this good, honorable, just king to be, a proto-Robb, a "oh isn't it so tragic that he never got to sit the Iron Throne" figure. It doesn't work because the writing is bad and doesn't work, but there's clearly an attempt. He's a protective older brother (allegedly), he's a defender of innocents to the point where even cousins he's never met before go to him for help (you know, so he can start a fight against someone who did nothing wrong and escalate it into violence and then be surprised when he and his dumbass little brother nearly killed someone due to their stupidity, at least Baela and Rhaena are allowed to be irrational due to grief, what's this moron's excuse for his actions on Driftmark?), he's studious and dutiful as seen in the way he's trying to learn High Valyrian (and still hasn't gotten it despite being a full adult by the standards of his time, those Strong genes gave him his hair but certainly not a brain), he's an honorable and kind person because he danced with Helaena that one time (as part of a pissing match with another dude and shows no care or concern for her and NO dumbass fans I'm sorry but Jace marrying Helaena wouldn't have solved anything she still would have ended up in danger and probably still suffered just as badly, just a bit later in life), he's a good leader because he came up with the idea to have the dragonriders fly to deliver Rhaenyra's terms to the realm (so am I allowed to say that he killed Lucerys? cuz I can say it if I'm feeling mean enough), he doesn't cheat on Baela with Sara Snow or even Cregan, he's all upsetti-spaghetti that his boring ass cardboard cut out of a brother got made a meal out of (can't imagine why considering that we saw one (1) single solitary scene together that wasn't even about them but about re-introducing Aemond and also Luke was such a nothing character that I remain impressed anyone feels anything about his absence). So him being on board with Blood and Cheese doesn't really fit into the characterization they've tried to give him and the version of him they're trying to impart on the audience.

What I'd honestly expect would potentially be the opposite. Rhaenyra, after some initial horror, likely trying to justify Blood and Cheese to herself, saying it's the cost of war, the Greens brought it on themselves, Daemon and Mysaria went rogue, the assassins clearly went off the rails so it's not really on her anyway, and Jace being the one firmly against it. Jace, who actually does know Alicent's kids better because they're of an age, Jace who remembers growing up with Helaena, Jace who used to hang out with and like Aegon, who looked to him for reassurance and guidance almost the way one might an older brother. And Jace is absolutely disgusted with what happened, and given that we saw some Looks he gave Daemon season 1, pushing very hard for Daemon to be brought to task for what he's wrought, only for Rhaenyra to say no (either due to legitimately not considering it a big enough deal or not wanting to turn her strongest military asset against her). And therein comes any rift, Jace doing his "honorable heir" thing and being appalled that nobody is seeing this for the crime that it is, and also completely unjustifiable considering how it has nothing to do with what happened to Luke anyway and coming into conflict over Rhaenyra essentially endorsing this and becoming complicit in her silence. I had an anon theorize about this a while back (like, November 2022 while back), but that could also create the opportunity for a wider rift with Rhaenyra in general, with Jace feeling like Rhaenyra's created a lot of problems that have had material consequences for him, like the loss of his boring ass brother, and trying to take her to task for it and this creating conflict (with an extra helping of Pain if they never resolve it before he gets punctured like a porcupine).

Now, do I think any of this is gonna happen the way I've lined out? Honestly no, after last week I do not trust these writers for shit and I do not believe that anything that comes out of this show is going to be good. There's a reason why it's Superman Summer for me and I'm gearing up to watch MAWS today rather than 2x02 (tho I will be on the lookout for grieving Aegon clips, I'm down for that). But I think my interpretation is a bit more likely than Jace being on board with Blood and Cheese.