#but seriously the idea that Lyonel was the real target had me audibly go oh shit

[dragon-queensguard]

I'm so happy to hear that you don't think Daemon killed Harwin and Laenor either. Actually, I believe none of the listed suspect murderers killed Harwin. My theory is Otto Hightower did it, and here is why;

It wasn't just Harwin that was murdered. It was his father who died as well. Why kill him? Neither Daemon, Corlys nor King Viserys had a motive to do this. It could be Larys since he would gain control of House Strong, though there is nothing to indicate him being this hideous to slay both his old father and brother. However, someone else gains too. The Greens gain another powerful house by eliminating both Rhaenyra supporters. Also, Otto Hightower gain his position of being Hand of the King back from Lyonel's death. So, Otto had a lot to gain by getting rid of them.

If Laenor's murder had been planned, it wouldn't have been Daemon. It would have been more likely Rhaenyra. Remember though Daemon had ordered Blood and Cheese to avenge Luke's death, it was Mysaria who actually hired the men and arranged it all. She would be the one to arrange such a matter again. As Daemon's longtime lover, it's doubtful she would willing do it for Daemon to get Rhaenyra, but she would do it to gain Rhaenyra as an ally. Honestly, how many mistresses are great friends with the wives? Rhaenyra made Mysaria her unofficial Mistress of Whispers. I wonder what she did to earn the queen's trust and ear? Maybe get rid of man who wouldn't sleep with her?

Lol these are my picks for murderers. What do you think?

Wow, you know what? I was so focused on Harwin’s death at Harrenhal that I didn’t even think that his father might’ve been the main target to begin with! I’d always assumed it was Larys, simply because he was so mysterious and I could never figure out his deal, so it was entirely plausible to me that he could kill his father and older brother. Now granted if the Greens were behind it to free up the position of Hand, it would be a bit of a gamble, as Viserys would ultimately make the choice as who would replace Lyonel. But I’m sure there were plenty of Greens at court (especially Alicent) to be reminding Viserys that Otto did a good job (debatable, but book Viserys was easily swayed on a lot of things).

I would disagree on the Rhaenyra killing Laenor and using Mysaria as a middleman. Rhaenyra was never shy to express her discontent with people, and people on the sidelines were quick to note rocky relationships within the court, but by and by there’s no indication Rhaenyra disliked or resented Laenor. I think she was quite content with her relationship with him, and her other relationships with Harwin, Laena, and Daemon. Additionally, it’s noted that Laenor was by her side as she gave birth (something that wasn’t even expected of men who definitely sired the child being born), and Rhaenyra had to give the okay for Laenor to name their third child Joffrey. And Rhaenyra’s greatest defense against the claim of her children being bastards was probably the fact that Laenor fully embraced them as his, so killing him off would put her sons that she loves at a disadvantage. At worst, Rhaenyra and Laenor were polite acquaintances working together to fool the court. At best, and my personal favorite interpretation, they were very close friends, with Rhaenyra being genuinely saddened by his death. I still believe that Qarl killed Laenor in a spur of the moment fight since he did it in public where he could’ve easily been caught, but he lucked out and managed to escape. Daemon just caught the blame for it thanks to his notorious reputation and the fact that he did ultimately benefit greatly from Laenor’s death.

Mysaria is, like Larys, really hard for me to figure out. I always kind of pictured her and Daemon as being like “we’re not in love, but we’re certainly in this together.” Scheme partners with benefits, as it were. I don’t think Mysaria had to really work for Rhaenyra’s trust because Daemon had Rhaenyra’s trust, and he is certainly the one who vouched for Mysaria and introduced them. Something must have happened between Mysaria and Daemon after they took King’s Landing, since I think her aim was to hurt Daemon by telling Rhaenyra that Nettles needed to be killed.