#he’s not rhaenyra he’s not viserys but he kinda looks like them so his parental figures expect him to live up to the love of their lives

[sunnysideaeggs]

aegon never had a chance right? aegon was literally raised by hightowers in love with targaryens. he never would’ve been able to surpass viserys and rhaenyra in otto and alicent’s eyes. nothing he did could’ve changed that.

[lovl3igh]

"they made greens worse in show to push blacks agenda" "they made blacks worse in show to push green agenda" truth is they made daemon and viserys worse and greens are now arouse sympathy and rhaenyra is made more soft and all that destroys mostly female characters and is for more drama and to push whole tg vs tb thing for bigger marketing while saying that's not what we supposed to do (season 1)

and yes, greens are worse in the books, making alicent innocent in the beginning and stating murder of luke as accident was to make them look better. and yes daemon was more "grey" character in the book, while in show almost every scene who was supposed to make him look like good father, husband or just vulnarable guy was cut out or belittled, his relationships make him look like bad guy - killing rhea, admitting to not fully loving laena, abusing nyra - instead of book!daemon who is against everyone but his family (except of green side), there's show!daemon who goes against his family or ignore its' members. and yes there are things when the greens are shown worse than in the books and black better than they were written

but changing ages of characters harms team black only. and since there's many changes of those and that's of many important characters it DOES make team black look worse and makes team green victims

1. alicent instead of being adult woman going against little girl (alicent 18yo and rhaenyra only 9) is now teenager sexually abused by viserys who is even older than her in the show than in f&b. being rhaenyra's peer - and her former friend - also changes the dynamic because now people claim rhaenyra caused break up of their friendship as if she wasn't just suffering 14yo. no, alicent is no more adult woman climbing for power and acting against child, it's a teenager abondoned by her best friend after being force into relationship with much older guy

2. jace, luke and dragon twins aged up - now in book it was 10yo aemond who attacked 3yo joffrey and then fought 4yo luke and 5yo jace*. in the show 11yo (according to s2 timeline) aemond is fighting four kids in the age from 8 to 10. so he doesn't attacks children at least 2x younger than him but is jumped by almost his peers. poor aemond, right?

*before someone say "jace was 6 and luke 5" - jace was born in late 114 AC and luke in late 115, meanwhile laena died at the beggining of 120 AC, which makes them 5 and 4 years old respectively

3. we don't have actual age of twins but looking at actors' ages, jaehaerys and jaehaera were 4, maybe 5 years old, tho in s1 they looked like toddlers. now it's not a big book to show change, 6 to 4yo, but it still look kinda worse to murder boy who barely stopped being a toddler than 6yo

4. daemon fell in love with laena when she was 22 (!!!). she wasn't a teenager. she wasn't also 12yo when offered by her parents to viserys. making her younger in the show made daemon, corlys and rhaenys look worse than in f&b (the only person who looked "better" - there's no good word for that i'm afraid - in that situation was viserys, who decided to marry 15yo and not 12yo. good for you, pedo?)

5. joffrey being 6yo with baby dragon makes rhaenyra look worse and like an oathbreaker. sending baby dragons to the vale instead of dragon who can at very least carry his rider doesn't look cool even though was funny for a second, because she technically didn't break her word, she DID send a dragon, even two, but that was a loophole

6. not exactly the same but - fabien frankel and matt smith' casting. i'm not saying they don't play their characters well or anything. that's not the point. the point is that fabien was born in 1994, matt smith in 1982 and milly alcock in 2000. there's 12 years age difference between fabien and matt but between cole and daemon is supposed to be only a year. now daemon is still called a groomer and cole is not because he is played by a guy only 6 years older than milly. and there are also people who now call him a victim and not rhaenyra

so yeah, i don't really wanna see anymore how much blacks look better in the show than in the book and greens worse... because that's not true. yeah, there are things done that make tb look a bit better but the show started with making the greens victims they weren't at all in the book and a lot of that has to do with ages changing

[medusas-daughter]

Of course Rhaenyra is falling for Mysaria, that is the first person to tell her that she believes she should be Queen because of who she is. Viserys chose her to spurn Daemon and then just never got around to parenting his other sons cause he didn't like them or their mother so Rhaenyra stayed heir by default and deep down she knows that, he never even made the lords repeat their oath after the sons were born, he just played with his little lego set and assumed everything would sort itself out. The bannermen of Dragonstone kinda have to follow her no matter what they actuay believe. The Arryns are following her out of courtesy for her late mother and because Lady Arryn had to fight for her place as matriarch as well but even they are lukewarm so far. Her sons will always support her as their mother. Corlys has the same motive Rhaenys had, two granddaughters to protect. Daemon hates the Hightowers he wouldn't have bent the knee to them even if Rhaenyra wasn't the heir. Mysaria is the first person to look her in the eye and say "I want you to be queen not because of your father's choice or old oaths or familial ties I choose you because of you are because i have gotten to know you and i want you to be my queen" and who wouldn't want to be loved on purpose?

[bohemian-nights]

"Such reasons are Ryan's self-insert, Aemond"

Where did this come from? Ryan mentioned Ramsay and the Mountain in the same sentence with Aemond and hinted that Aemond will reach their level in villainy lmao. Aemond is framed as a villain in most of his scenes as adult (at least in the scenes with the Strongs). Ryan talked about his love of Aegon 2 but I don't remember him saying that about Aemond. And he seems to really love Rhaenyra and Alicent, why do people act like Aemond is his fav because he is more complicated than he is in the book so far? He killed Luke accidentally, but the showrunners literally did a similar thing with Cole and Beesbury, and Alicent crowns Aegon by a misunderstanding. Most characters were whitewashed, not just Aemond, even Daemon was whitewashed and has been made much cooler cause he is not a pedo for starters, he is obsessed with his brother, not just power-hungry like in the book, and he is shown as the most badass character in many scenes, like at the Stepstones or in the scene with Vermithor that exists just because.

😬 Respectfully I’m going to have to disagree.

Ryan says a lot of stuff, but I tend to look at actions rather than words because words are ultimately meaningless(especially in regards to this show)

I like Aemond, but in book canon, he is quite something. I straight up dislike Rhaenyra and think that everything that happened to her in the end was deserved(I will be cheering Aegon on when does her in), but even I would will admit he’s misogynistic towards her(he's the one who should be calling her a whore and not Ser Vaemond).

He’s never bullied in the books for not having a dragon(adding that in the show feels like a justification for his behavior; the strong boys keep taunting him so of course he’s going to defend himself). Obese Gollum (aka book!Viserys) literally offered to take him to Dragonstone to find a dragon egg, but he didn’t feel a dragon egg was good enough when he could have Vhagar.

He’s arrogant as hell while in the show it seems like he was a bullied kid who was trying to stick it to his bullies.

The Cole and Beesbury(let’s be honest no one cares about him) thing isn’t really a good comparison.

Originally they were going to keep Luke’s death book canon but somewhere in production, it got changed to it being an accident on Aemond’s part. I suspect that the reason why this was is because Luke is Missy Anne’s beloved son.

Having Aemond kill him in cold blood(especially when Luke is so small in comparison) makes him look outright villainous rather than settling an old debt.

So taking all of that into account if Ryan was going to make him into a psychopath he’s already failed at that and I doubt Aemond will ever reach Ramsey and Mountain levels. (Nor should he because Aemond, even book Aemond who should be in therapy, isn’t an actual psychopath like the other two).

There are some key moments where they could’ve worked in Aemond being two seconds away from a genocidal manic, but all they’ve shown is a boy who loves his mama, a victim of ostracization, bullying, and parental neglect.

I really do get your point, because in a way everyone on this show has kinda been screwed over, including Aemond, but I think that with Aemond they tried to make him into someone you would root for despite his oopses.

All I will say about the Aegon situation is that you don’t make characters you love into outright rapists when you are trying to humanize them and make them likable. They could’ve taken out the rape bits and shown him as a man boy struggling to deal with parental neglect so he’s turned to alcohol to cope. It’s not perfect, but people can empathize with that. However him being a rapist is where most people will draw the line. Ryan may not have said he loved Aemond, but he did a lot more to mellow him out than he did for Aegon.

In regards to Daemon, he definitely has not been whitewashed. If anything he has been made worse. He’s still shown to be a pedo(creeping on Rhaenyra ashen she’s 15) getting with someone he considers a child(Laena cause she’s even younger than Miss Maegor). He killed his first wife in cold blood, neglected Laena(who was his most beloved wife in the book), and choked out Missy Anne.

Let’s not forget that Nettles, the person whom he loved without an ulterior motive, who shows he cares for more than just the throne and isn’t just a heartless Valyrian supremacist, is MIA.

He’s also the voice of reason on the Black council and isn’t just trying to rush into war, but that was axed in favor of Let’s attack the Greens because they killed my walking corpse of a big brother🤪

All the good parts of Daemon have been stripped away to make him into the big bad man(so far). I won’t disagree that Daemon has been shown as a badass in the show, but he’s a badass in the books as well(ex. Six men or Sixty; The Battle Above the Gods Eye; challenging Laena’s betrothed to a duel and winning her hand, etc).

That’s literally the only thing they haven’t taken away from him.

Being a badass is great and all, but that’s not a positive trait(How many villains can you name that are badass? Darth Vadar anyone? Scar, Thanos, The Joker), especially when you combine it with all the other stuff Daemon has done.

He’s not just supposed to be a badass brute. He has a personality. Ryan Condal is severely limiting him.

[idontevenknowhowtolife]

Petty Rhaenyra

So Rhaenyras pretty pissed off at Viserys and Alicent for the whole getting married and producing a threat to her claim to the throne thing. Unfortunately she cant really take it out on them because their the King and Queen and there are lines she cant cross or else it will be used against her and to paint her as a spoilt brat unworthy of the throne. So she decides she is going to play the perfect princess in public and private but use her own knowledge of them to make them uneasy about her being so nice. Comments about how she wishes them all the best in the marriage bed, and how she has picked some petals to be strewn across their bed. They look like blood. This is in the Queen chambers. Where Aemma was cut open. Rhaenyra is smiling innocently at them, asking if they like them. This is just the beginning.

This continues on and even ramps up after Alicent announces she’s pregnant. Rhaenyra makes comments about her dead siblings, commenting on how she “only ever got to hold them for a short time”, and how she never got to see their eggs hatch and how she desperately hopes this will be different. She offers to pick out the eggs for the baby while Viserys is there, staring at Alicent and smirking the whole time as she goes on about how she hope to make a good pick so that the egg will hatch into a strong dragon. Alicent doesn’t know whether she is genuine or fucking with her. And then Aegon is born.

Rhaenyra is in the birthing room encouraging Alicent, being genuine this time because pissed as she is, she doesn’t want Alicent or the baby to die. She is the first person to hold Aegon after the birth, claiming that he would recognise her dragon blood. Alicents doesn’t get to hold him until after Viserys and Rhaenyra, and just barely gets him before Otto does. Rhaenyra presents the eggs, a gleam in her eye as she pronounces that this dragon will hopefully aid the new baby through any trouble that comes his way. And then she turns to Viserys and offers to take the baby on his first dragon ride. She claims that she never got this as neither of her parents were dragon riders at the time and everyone else was either too new to their bonded dragons or too sick. She adds how she hoped she would be able to do it with each sibling from her mother but never got to. Viserys agrees immediately and gives no room for protest. The next day she takes Aegon to the dragon pit and introduces him to Syrax before taking flight. She kinda hoped the baby would cry and be scared, proving that he was more Hightower then Targarean but Aegon loves it and she feels herself softening to him. She decides this is the perfect way to fuck with Otto and Alicent as well as spend time with her new baby brother.

Rhaenyra just starts taking him on rides with her. Viserys loves it and hopes it mean she’s on the way to forgiving him while Alicent is terrified and Otto furious. Aegon loves it and eventually the only thing that will calm him down is Rhaenyra. To Alicent, young and already struggling with motherhood, this just proves to her that she is a failure as a mother. Rhaenyra and her hesitantly make up thought for the sake of Aegon, but these actions stick with her, as well as her fear of Aegon flying.

When Sunfyre hatches, Rhaenyra immediately swoops in with Syrax and takes over training him. She insists on having him in the nursery close to Aegon as much as possible, which gives Alicent a heart attack when she comes in. Sunfyre is a menace and only calms for Aegon or Syrax.

Rhaenyra repeats this with Daeron, Aemond and Helaena. Alicent still is unsure about whether or not Rhaenyra is fucking with her and her father getting sent away makes it worse, but the fact that Rhaenyra was actually still talking to her stops her from wearing the green war dress. Then Laena and Daemon come back to court and her kids latch onto them. It’s too much for her and nearly triggers a nervous breakdown that prompts Rhaenyra to help her. There are apologies and actual communication and the Dance is averted. Somehow.  

[daylander1000]

I found it so interesting that in your fic Aemond is aware of that happens to Aemma. I mean… just imagine knowing that your father butchered his first wife in order to get a son and now that he has three of them he completely ignores their existence.

I feel like Aemond was that one kid who sits with the grown-ups and nods along, and people just gradually forget he's there because he's so quiet, but he's listening to everything and filing away all the details as he's going through a completely valid pre-teen existential crisis, trying to understand how "Heir for a Day" parties even happen and if people are going to celebrate when he and Aegon die...

One of them is bound to have questions about their half-sister's dead mother. They weren't close but they shared a roof. I fully believe it would come up at some point.

One of the few things I like about hotd is the way they've managed to show how Viserys's parenting affected his children differently.

Rhaenyra's the trusting, kinda naive but confident leader who boldly makes glaringly obvious mistakes because she has that trust that as long as her father is alive, even if she hasn't spoken to him in six years, he'll always defend her. Someone will always defend her.

Aegon's the disorganized type who tends towards sociopathy because of the inconsistency he's met with in his formative years. The standard "benevolent neglect" that breeds apathy and low self esteem. Heir to the kingdom? His father's greatest regret? Apple of his mother's eye? Burden she struggles with? It's anyone's guess on any given day. He's shown to be thoroughly confused by how intimate relationships are supposed to work. He openly declares that he feels unworthy. Desperately needs other people...

Aemond's that kid who learns to be self-reliant, independent, etc. Withdrawn and quiet but might act out without any regard for others because "Fuck other people." Believes he's never going to get what he deserves unless he takes it...

Helaena's the neurotic type who thinks the best of everyone and wants to be a part of things. Happy just to be invited with no complaints about anything ever.

Really, I feel like the writers looked at Succession and then googled "the combination of neglectful father and teen mom causes what 4 different problems in children?" Then they clicked on the first attachment theory link they found and used the slides in someone's PowerPoint presentation as a character template 🤣 but i give them some points for trying at least. A little on the nose, and none of it probably applies to a family that normalizes incest but it's good.

I mean, children are generally aware when they're unwanted, unloved, etc. They can tell these things. Even the rich kids who other people think should just "shut up and be grateful" for all the material possessions they have.

So I give the writers credit for not pretending the "Hightower 3" would grow up to be healthy, happy functional people while being born into that type of privileged but confusingly hostile environment.

They just all seem pretty aware of the situation they're in. Especially after the Driftmark episode, so I guess I just wanted to build on that.

Plus, too, Rhaena's already in-canon aware of her standing with her own father so it just sort of made sense to have Aemond also be on that same "know your enemy" page with her.

[fanficapologist]

Hellooo!! How have you been holding up? I hope you’re feeling better!!

I love reading about Aemond and Maera’s friendship! I’d like to think even though she was meant to be Helaena’s companion, her and Aemond shared the same temperament and interests that developed into a friendship and romance later on even if Aemond acted like an asshole when they crossed paths again as adults.

I like how you depicted Viserys, I think it goes to show just how much a parent’s actions leaves an impression on their child. And in the Green kids, it’s not a one-off experience but little sprinkles of neglect that came to a head in Driftmark. Even though Rhaenyra isn’t heavily featured here- the story centers around Maera and Aemond’s love story after all, but I, as a reader still feel her presence and how nobody can measure up to her and Aemma. I’m suddenly reminded of the dinner scene in HOTD, where even after years of neglect, Viserys still makes it about him and at this point; it’s sort of too late to make him accountable because it’d be like kicking an already wounded dog. This kinda hit close to home.

And while it is unfortunate Maera did not get to come with them to Driftmark, I think as a child, Aemond thought Maera thought differently of him, maybe she did but I don’t think she thought less of him. Perhaps he feels sorry for himself and lashed out because of it. That said, I would love to read more Aemond POVs especially when he does meet Maera again. Also do we get a chapter when he meets Alys? 👀

Also, I watched the HOTD on loop! I’m team Aemond but boy does Aegon look good 🤣 hope you enjoy your weekend!

Hello my dear! 🖤

I think both Maera and Aemond share a hot-headedness as well as a competitive streak. Both also value their families even if it goes against the head of their Households e.g. Aemond becomes the protector of his mother and siblings because Viserys won’t. Maera protests her younger sisters marrying because she wants to protect them from what a political marriage could bring.

If we look at chapter 4 of ODAM, Maera is horrified about what has happened to Aemond, not necessarily the loss of his eye, but the impact it had on his mind. And truthfully she wasn’t wrong, was she? Aemond was fucked from the loss of his eye, he completely changed. His view on the world was more pessimistic and suspicious, so when Maera left, Aemond in his ten year-old emotionally damaged brain jumped to the conclusion that it was because she betrayed him. This is easier to accept and protects his brain from further harm. It is easier to hate than love ❤️

Yes, we do get a first meeting with Alys chapter! It won’t be huge but it’ll provide some clarity, but it won’t be until chapter five of Aemond’s POV.

Also the new HOTD got me like

Aemond, Daemon and Aegon can wreck me 🤣🖤

[songcfmuses]

but also, less sad meta for aemma: how is her relationship with each of her siblings? and how is her relationship with rhaena and baela?

The Gist - Aemma loves her siblings. Velaryon and Targaryen alike. A really special thing about Aemma is she looks like her mother - but the siblings that share her last name don’t. 

Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey share very little features with Aemma. They’ve got brown hair, dark eyes, pug noses - and Aemma looks very Valyrian. Silver-gold hair, more inclined for blondeness, violet eyes, and a nose that... some might say was almost pug like, yet never matched.  For years she felt like the odd one out  - which is why it’s my personal head canon that she would have naturally gravitated towards Alicent’s children because they look like her. She looks like her mother, yes, but you put all these children into study together, and she feels more like she belonged with the children who looked like her. It made her wish she looked like her brothers. She was so naive she thought the fault might lie with her for a few years. 

Baela and Rhaena joined the family as sister’s - and in book canon, already future good sisters - and they are both Velaryon and Targaryen. In my mind, Aemma adores Laenor so much, and by extension adores Laena because Laenor adored her - and Baela is quite similar to Aemma herself in ways, and yet so is Rhaena. She rejoices to be given sisters, and yet cries at the idea she might be forgotten. She has the deepest respect for them.

Aegon and Viserys were born to late to soothe her feelings of being an odd one out amongst her mother’s children. And the fact they were born, looking the very image of their parents, Aemma almost comes to resent babes until she realises how it looks. 

More under cut. 

Jacaerys ‘Jace’ Velaryon. Aemma was born clutching at his heel, as if even in the womb she demanded not to be left behind. He is scarcely older than her, and sometimes Aemma wonders if there truly is an elder one or not. I specifically made Aemma younger so that she didn’t mess with the succession too much, and the result has become my interpretation of these two children who look so different from one another, not really having a bond that people expect of twins. Aemma often feels she didn’t share a womb with him. She has this great respect for her brother, and when he is king, she wants to serve him and the realm. In the show Jace questions whether he is a bastard, in my interpretation he knows how dangerous that is, and so the fact that Aemma clings to her Velaryon identity and showers it in her brothers? I think he might just be grateful for it. She is always representing House Velaryon, even knowing Jace would someday become Jacaerys Targaryen. She has made him things merging both sigils for name days, and after they left for Dragonstone he became her preferred sparring partner. Unlike the show, i think Jace, with Daemon as a step father at minimum, would’ve been a very accomplished swordsman. As Rhaenyra’s son, would’ve been competent in Valyrian. So they’d speak to each other in Valyrian, they’d spar when she cared to, and most of all, she decided she would crown him herself when their mother died. I don’t think Jace would have ever realised that Aemma felt odd for not looking like him, wouldn’t have asked. Would have just noticed her preference for the company of her aunt and uncles, and been resigned to it, if not slightly teasing. She moans and groans at him, and they bicker for the close proximity they must always be in - but Jace knows, I think, that when it came down to it, she would fight for him. He doesn’t outlive her long, and he feels her death heavy on his shoulders. 

Lucerys ‘Luke’ Velaryon. Can everyone say favourite brother? He comes a year after her and Jace (Or more show wise, i kinda like some of the show ages), and she was so fascinated with this tiny little pink think. Always trying to hold him, always being shooed off. The first time she’s able to articulate words about him she calls him ‘My babe’ instead of ‘The babe’, and Laenor made the mistake of not correcting her. Everywhere Aemma went, she dragged poor little baby Lucerys along with her, even when he complained about it. I think as he grew older he began to appreciate it. The fact that Aemma never wanted to leave him behind, always wanted him to come with her. He looks a lot like Jace, and yet Aemma is sure she sees herself in Luke’s face sometimes. Other times she feels entirely foreign from him. Sometimes Luke is quicker than her, and when he is, she is willing to share her oh so prized pudding. Everyone knows he’s her favourite brother, and that he amuses her so greatly sometimes she is unsure if she will ever be able to keep a straight face when he is a man grown. I think of all her relationships with her siblings, this is the best one. There is an innate trust that, while extending to all the siblings, Aemma drops things the quickest for Luke. There was only one time where this wasn’t the case - and that was the night Aemond lost his eye. She could not get a full story from anyone, and as she had only arrived to see the loss of the eye, she felt such great confliction. I think i established that she is a Dreamer, but not to the sort of same extent as Show Helaena. She thinks they’re just that - dreams. But she dreams of Luke and Storms, and she can’t quite make sense why it keeps happening until the news comes from Storms End. And I think we know from my other meta how that went. 

Joffrey ‘Joff’ Velaryon. This relationship deviates greatly across show and book. Book wise, he’s just three years younger than her, maybe even two and a bit - and he has all the bad luck of coming after Luke. I wouldn’t say Aemma neglected him as brother, but it was definitely noted that Aemma felt she did not have enough love to spread amongst her brothers, and as each new one was born, had even less to give. Joffrey shouldered this like a champ, for he was not the youngest, and he would always get more love than Aegon and Viserys. When Luke died, Joffrey was kept from mounting his dragon by Corlys and Rhaenys - and sent to tend to his half mad sister. It frightened him, the things she muttered in her delirium, and her letters were only sent because Joffrey had half the mind to seal them and pass them to a raven. All because she asked him to ensure they were sent. She seems to have relied on him greatly in this time, and when Aemma herself died - Joffrey seemed to take up arms once more, swearing himself the avenger of his sister, that he would bring her bones to his mother and they would place her to rest properly. Joffrey died before he could make that come true. If Aemma had lingered long enough for her assassin to hear her words, she would have eventually come to tell him “Flee before my brother Joffrey hears. He is prone to rage.” 

Baela Targaryen. Her step-sister, and future good sister and all things been well. Aemma was fond of both her step-sisters, almost as much as Rhaenyra had been fond of Laena. After Daemon wed Rhaenyra, Aemma is said to have cried, mourning her position as only daughter until Baela laughed at her dramatics, and so stunned, Aemma Velaryon pulled a great pout but her tears stopped. Baela laughed louder, and soon enough Aemma was laughing to. She came to appreciate having sisters, and she and Baela both rode their dragons together, though Aemma seemed to always want to goad her into sparring, Baela never fell for Aemma’s tricks. It annoyed Aemma GREATLY. In Aemma’s diary, she recounts hearing of a rumour that her brother wed a northern bastard - and waves it off as “That is so silly! Who would not wish to wed Baela Targaryen?” News of Aemma Velaryon’s death reached Baela’s ears, and it is said Baela said nothing for more than five minutes before asking if they were going to do anything about it, or if Baela was to do so herself. Rhaena Targaryen had to talk her sister down. After the birth of Laena Velaryon, her daughter, it is said that Baela was the first to receive Aemma’s diary - though it is unknown if she read it, passing it and the unsent letters within it on to Rhaena in Old Town. 

Rhaena Targaryen. Her other step sister. Much like when Baela laughed at Aemma’s tears, Rhaena is said to have tried to soothe her, telling her how wonderful having a sister was. In time, Aemma came to appreciate Rhaena and her sensibility, often looking to her before making some sort of impulsive decision. To say Aemma Velaryon loved her step-sister would be an understatement. Betrothed to her favourite brother, Aemma spent much time ensuring Rhaena was worthy, and Mushroom boasts that Rhaena passed every test that Aemma set for her with such flying colours that Aemma asked her mother if she could take Rhaena’s hand instead. She was naturally, denied, but the request seemed to have amused Prince Daemon. Aemma became a much graceful dancer with Rhaena around. After the dance Rhaena received Aemma’s diary and letters. What she did with them is unknown, only that a Hightower descent of hers took them to the maesters for history keeping - a fact Aemma would have hated, for Rhaena would have known that Aemma hated people reading her private thoughts. 

King Aegon Targaryen, Third of his name. She never lives to see the boy king crowned, and his council of regents were all very grateful for it as the knew Aemma Velaryon would have claimed the throne in her own name before giving it to her little brother. When he was born, all pink and silver haired, Aemma is said to have HUFFED, entirely put out that he looked like her when she was so much more grown than she had been. She admitted that she wished he had been born sooner, and perhaps if he had, Aemma may have not made such close companions of her aunt and uncles. Six years younger than her, or nearly 13 or more show verse, the dynamic shifts again. At six and ten, she had no interest in babes, let alone her younger brothers who reminded her just how out of place she had once felt amongst her own siblings. Too young to soothe her, Aegon was swiftly followed by Viserys. I don’t want it to be misconstrued - Aemma does love her brother, but she openly admits to not loving him as much as her Velaryon brothers. “He is a son who looks like his father. What need has he of my love?” Signifying a great deal of JEALOUSY from her. It is said Aegon remembers her fondly though, that he was entirely unaware of her jealousy and disposition towards him. He seems to have invented an entirely fictional idea of her. 

King Viserys Targaryen, Second of his name. Oh boy, when this brother was born, Aemma hopped on her dragon and flew three times across all of Westeros. Never would Aegon and Viserys feel alone, when they had each other, when they looked like each other, and Aemma Velaryon resented it. He was born too late. I think he was, book and show, too young for Aemma to have wanted to bond with him. She did not wish to hold him, refused to speak his name for a week after he was given it. When she finally relented to holding him, she placed him back down after a few minutes and went about on her day. Rhaenyra had hoped Aemma would be over her jealousy by then, but it was not to be. Viserys himself likely scarcely remembered her, and as Aemma laid dying, she did hold regret for how little she bonded with her two youngest brothers. 

Visenya Targaryen. A stillborn deformed dragon-fetus. Watching her mother labour, and begging to help, Aemma got to witness the sight of Visenya, and never before had the girl been so afraid to marry. So afraid to have a child knowing that was what she might produce. Though marriage pacts were discussed for her during the war, Aemma wrote Jace distinctly that he was not to give her hand away, “For I would not subject myself, nor a husband to a monster I may create such as our sister.” Visenya terrified her. 

[flowerisevil]

MAD DRAGON | Harwin Strong x OC! Targaryen

this is not proofread im sorry

summary: in which Harwin tried to get the attention of the only and only Tatria Targaryen the second born of Viserys and late Aemma Targaryen.

A/N: this is my first fanfic so sorry if it's shitty also English is not my first language so excuse my wrong grammar, I think its kinda long so sorry if it bored you😭

words: 2k+

"Father please, you told me as long as I will help you at the court you wouldn't wed me to anyone then why are you doing this?" The second born princess" yell echoed throughout the room his older sister Rhaenyra tried to stop her from fighting with their father but the princess didn't listen to her.

"I know my dear but you can't live your life always at the court, you have your duty and it is to be wed to a man," Viserys said in a calm voice, after all, he understand why her daughter is acting like this she was in pure shock.

"Was that really the reason? or perhaps I have no use in your eyes anymore because Rhaenyra is now the new heir" Viserys and Rhaenyra looked at her in disbelief.

Ever since the princesses were kids the Tatria never showed any signs of jealousy towards Rhaenyra she already knew that she will be the heir to the Iron Throne that's why she just decided to help at the court as much as she can, she helped them transfer some products from Driftmark help her father with the councils she did everything so she wouldn't lose her use in this kingdom.

"You off to marry me to some creepy old bastard king, because if Nyra became the heir I will have no use anymore!" the princess yelled again.

"Tatria, let's not argue now there will be a feast happening for your brother-" Viserys was cut off when her younger daughter slammed her hand on the table in front of him.

"No, I want to know why you're suddenly doing this to me. I've been a good daughter to you! following your orders and sick rules! I do everything you told me to do!" she swallowed hard she feel that she can't form any words anymore without shaking.

"then be a good daughter and obey me! be a good daughter like your sister and have some use!" Their father snapped, and she leave the room with tears streaming down her eyes.

After three years of being a good daughter to her, this is what she will get? she will never let herself be trapped in a loveless marriage.

The young Targaryen was walking down the halls when an arm snaked around her shoulder she turned around and saw her older sister behind her was her knight, Ser Criston Cole.

"I'm sorry about earlier Nyra, I just can't stand the idea of a forced arranged marriage" She started and looks down at the floor while they were walking, she did feel guilty about her sudden burst out she could've handled it better then maybe her father wouldn't shout at her.

"You really do care how will father see you do you?" Said Rhaenyra she feels like her sister could hear her thoughts.

"Being a Targaryen is all I have Rhaenyra I'm no future queen like you in no time I will have no use anymore so having a good image in our father's eyes is a really big thing to me" Rhaenyra looked at her as they rode their horses.

Tatria's horse runs faster than them she is a skilled rider having to travel to different places gave her the benefits of being a great horse rider but that doesn't mean she's not also a great dragon rider, at a very young age her eggs didn't get to hatched no one knows why some say maybe she isn't destined to be one even their parents thought the same but the young princess don't believe them so when she turned 6 she tried to claim one of their old dragons Icaras everyone was shocked and worried for her when she landed in front of the castle while riding the big dragon.

Rhaenyra can see her sister's potential and how special she is some might not notice but she is very smart, she's a fast learner unlike her who is a slow learner, Tatria learns new things every month studying various languages, cultures, and such. She knew their father can't stop her from whatever she is planning no man can stop her after all a mad dragon cannot be tamed.

Tatria stopped in a forest to calm herself nature always makes her calm the sound of the birds made and the smell of fresh air is enough to ease her anger.

"no use" she chuckles passionless, her small smile faded when she heard a growl she looked around and saw a huge boar preparing to attack her, she tried to ignore it thinking it wouldn't hurt her but she was wrong it chase her and she ran.

fuck! how could I forget my dagger right now?

"Shit!" she shouted when it catches her and hover on top of her she tried to pull away but it keeps on scratching her dress she was holding its mouth to keep from biting her while trying to grab something she can defend herself with.

Finally grabbing a stone she almost dropped it when the boar bites her arm and shoulder tearing that part of her dress too, she held the rock tightly and slammed it on the boar's head, it dropped beside her she keeps hitting it until it wasn't breathing anymore.

"you will make a great gift for my brother" she laughed and looked for a stick where she can put the boar after she finished her small gift she rode her horse and go to the feast.

She finally arrived at the feast she walked around blood dripping down her broken dress the bite mark on her arm and shoulder was visible but she paid no attention to it, everyone was looking at her but didn't care.

"stop that" Harwin looked at his brother who was now glaring at him.

"stop what? " he answered while peeling off the skin of the rabbits.

"stop lusting over the princess" Larys his brother said not looking at him.

"She's just very amazing, seven hells I would do anything for that woman" Harwin sounds like a little boy, Larys made a face.

"She's crazy and a pain in the ass, some knights say that even the King can't tame her, she is reckless" Larys looked at Tatria she was looking for her family.

"Look at her, she doesn't look like a princess" Larys added.

"Yeah but she's hot" Larys rolled his eyes at his brother's answer.

"Don't tell me I didn't warn you, some say she's very fond of men who will submit to her" Larys smirked and leave his brother to grab more coal.

He watched her walk with the boar in her bare hand he needs to consult a maester and see what's the problem when him, and why it turns him on with this side of her, this is not the first time he feels like this towards the young princess.

Way back before when Tatria caught some guards trying to steal some of their products he remembers her pulling her sword and pointing it at the thief's neck.

"Those products you're stealing are for the people in my kingdom so I suggest you let that go or the only thing that will come back to your families are your heads" that's the exact words you said to them, everyone working for you knows how much you hate injustice.

"Harwin the goddamn rabbits!" He's brother shouts at him.

Tatria's attention was caught when she heard a shout when she looks at it, she saw Larys Strong talking to a guy he looks familiar but she doesn't know his name.

"Tatriea! Where have you been?" Alice her best friend slash her new stepmother and immediately ran to her, They are still friends even though she married her father she understands her as also a woman fighting to survive a patriarchial society she understands her.

"I'm great do not worry I have a gift for Aegon" Tatreia smiled and show her best friend the boar. It was a genuine smile Tatreia rarely smiles only when she accomplishes something she wants.

"You could've gotten yourself killed!" Alicent was worried she already felt there was something wrong the moment Rhaenyra came without you and when she heard that you and your father fought.

Someone pulled Alicent away from Tatreia it was her sister, Rhaenyra looked so worried and when she saw the bite marks on her sister's body she instantly panicked.

"Call the maester! get help my sister is injured! " Rhaenyra yells some knights tried to hold her but Tatreia refused.

"I'm fine, I want to give this to father a peace offering," She said and walked over to her father but Otto Hightower blocked her.

"Princess I think you should stay away from the King first you caused a scene here you should go to the tent and clean yourself" He whispered at her, Tatreia's eyes shut when Otto put his hand where the bite was a squeezed it. He and Otto never really get along after what he did to Alicent her hatred towards him just got worst

"Get out of my way," she said but Otto still push her away it was a soft push no one would think that he is intentionally hurting you.

You held his hand where he place it on your shoulder and took it off you "I will leave whenever I want, I'm not going to ask again Get. Out. Of.  My. Way. " Tatreia moved forward and bumped Otto's shoulder.

She goes to his father and sends him a small smile.

"I came here to gift my baby brother, In Vale, it's lucky for babies to be gifted by wild animals and turn their fur into some apparel" Viserys looked at the boar his daughter was holding.

He knew its a peace offering not wanting to fight with her anymore he smiled at her and gave her a small nod.

"Thank you, my daughter, you can give it there to Ser Larys Strong he will take care of it" Tatreia nodded she went beside her father a give him a peck on his right cheek giving him some bloodstains.

"Now where is Larys Strong?" her smile has now faded finding the guy her father mentioned.

On the other hand.

"Come on brother! Just introduce me to her please I'm begging you" Harwin beg to his brother he knew his brother knew the princess he works for her before.

"Why me? I can't even talk to her without stuttering! I'm sure father could help you with that" Larys shrugged him off

He was about to beg again when the princess approached them, they both looked at her at the same time.

Harwin examined her, her dress has scratches like a lot you can see her arm that has a bite, and her shoulders god he can see her collarbones, her white hair that was covered with blood, and her face too.

He snapped back when the princess throw them the boar it was heavy, how did she manage to carry this?

"Father told me you will take care of that, Larys Strong right?" Her low and raspy voice and her strong valyrian accent are also visible when speaking.

"Yes, princess anyway this is my brother princess" Larys voice was trembling.  Tatreia nod acknowledging his name.

"Tatreia the maester is here, he needs to look at your bites" Harwin tries his best not to show annoyance when they're interrupted but he can't do anything about it the princess needs to be healed.

"Nothing to worry sister" Her deep chuckle sounds like music to Harwin's ear.

Tatreia wrapped her arm around her sister's shoulder, Tatreia is younger but she's quite taller than Rhaenyra.

"Brother you're drooling" Larys teased him he push him away because of annoyance he didn't even introduce him properly.

"Fuck off"

Tatreia took off her clothes the maester looked at her bleeding arm and shoulder the only people in the tent were her, Rhaenyra, and the maester.

"The bites are a bit deep princess but they will heal soon when the wound close I suggest you apply this so you wouldn't get any scars from it" The maester suggest as he gave the princess a small circular container but Tatreia only refused.

"No, I don't need it maybe a scar would look good on me," she said Rhaenyra rolled her eyes and sit beside her.

"Men wouldn't like women who have scars," Rhaenyra said.

"Well if men don't want them maybe women would" she advised and teasingly raise her eyebrows.

Tatreia was always open to Rhaenyra about her preferences as she said before "who cares if it's men or women as long as it can give you pleasure why reject? "

"Whatever you say, anyways have you seen how Harwin looks at you?" Her eyes squint to what her sister has told her? Harwin?

"Who is he?"

"Seven Hells you were just talking to her earlier! Larys' brother Harwin "Breakbones" Strong" Rhaenyra opened a bit their tent and pointed at the man she called breakbones.

"oh sorry I forgot," she said, they stayed there for a while as soon as Ser Criston came and hand Tatreia her new clothes to wear, she wear them immediately and go outside.

She walked between Alicent and her father she asked permission if can carry baby Aegon, and Alicent allowed her.

"he seems to like you, look," Alicent said, Aegon was nuzzling inside your neck.

"Rhaenyra, come here look at your brother" Viserys invited her but Rhaenyra refused instead she told their father that she was tired and will go home.

"She just needs time, father" Tatreia explained earning a small nod from her father and a smile from the queen.

She knew Rhaenyra is having a hard time accepting everything after all Alicent was their friend and marrying their father after their mother died was her last straw, Rhaenyra also knows that Aegon might get in his way of inheriting the Iron Throne.

Days passed after the feast she and Viserys never opened up about the marriage as much as possible and proceed to go back to normal.

Tonight she goes with Ser Lyris to visit the City, this will be the first time she will visit their city she did once visit it but not the whole city her father forbids her from going in the city without any guards with her even now.

"The King told me to look after you princess, wherever I go you must be there too, trust me, princess the city is more dangerous at night," Ser Lyris said to her.

"Women are never safe, Ser Lyris," Tatreia said and walked past him.

"This kid is much worse than I thought" Lyris whispered to himself though he meant it not in a bad way, not in a good way either she doesn't hate the princess why would she hate the princess who helped them when they were in so much need

They arrived at the quarters of the City Watch everyone stood up when they saw the princess, confusion filled their faces, confused about what is the princess doing there.

"The King ordered starting now all of us will help Princess Tatreia in her work you will oblige everything she said," Lyris told the guards they all bowed to her, and she took off her helmet and her white hair revealed tied in a low ponytail.

"I'm sorry to disturb your knight but there are new products from Driftmark and Runestone that will be transferred here tonight and my men cannot bear all this, so I need your help Lord Royce and his ship will drop in the port and so is Laenors" she explained everyone is listening they wouldn't want to anger the princess.

After explaining they all traveled to the port to get the derivatives while riding her horse she notice a man knocked off his horse, and she immediately went to him and helped him stand up.

"Are you alright?" She asked she take the fabric from her pocket and helped the man wipe off the blood on his nose.

She looked at him and big seductive eyes meets her she couldn't tell if the man's eyes were brown or deep blue because of the night, but he looked familiar. 

"Ser Strong right? You're Lary's brother?" the man nods he's still looking at her.

"You can ride with me I think you broke your nose, Ser we need to get you to a healer" she helped him stand up and go to her horse, Tatreia felt Harwin's arm around her abdomen she gulped and try to brush off the tingling sensation in her stomach.

"Maester, please check on him" Tatreia yells and she lay Harwin on the nearest bed.

She pulled back as the healer tries to check on him, she was just watching them check on him and when they were done the maester talked to her, he said it was nothing serious.

"Breakbones is used to this kind of accident," The maester said before leaving them. breakbones?

"How are you feeling?" Tatreia sat beside his bed.

"I'm okay now, I'm sorry for bothering you princess" he apologized, he can't even look at the princess without getting embarrassed.

The wound didn't hurt he had experience way worse but when Tatreia offered her the ride he took it as an opportunity now he's guilty because instead that the princess being in the port to talk with her partners she was stuck here with him.

"Nothing to apologize for, I'll just send a raven to Lyris that I cannot come tonight, I must stay here the maester can't look after you tonight he's child is also sick" The princess explained now he felt more guilty.

"You can go now, princess" Harwin insist.

"No I want to make sure myself that you're okay I can go there later" Harwin didn't fought with her anymore after all the Princess doesn't take no for an answer.

Tatreia just sat beside her reading the book the maester left and sometimes she would look at Harwin to check him but she would always catch him staring at her.

"you know it's rude to stare, Ser Harwin" Tatreia said without looking at him.

"So tell me do you fancy my sister?" Harwin's eyes widen.

"Princess?" Harwin asked

"I'm sorry I don't know how to start a conversation" The princess said and stood up, she already forgot what her older sister just told her earlier at the tent.

"I'm leaving now Ser Harwin, I'll go back tomorrow" She bow her head a bit and pat the knight's shoulder.

As soon as the Princess left the room Harwin released the breath he's been holding.

"God, she's truly a goddess" Harwin sighed all night Tatreia's face wouldn't leave his head and it makes him hard to sleep.

"Fuck sleep Harwin!" he said to himself.

A/N: I hope you liked it im sorry if its so long.

[iris-sistibly]

The Targ Talk (a review series): House of the Dragon episode 7

[🔥]

The very first scene when Vaemond (or whoever that was) was making a eulogy during Laena's funeral, and when he spoke of Laena's daughters and how their Velaryon blood runs through their veins, then the camera turned to Rhaenyra and her sons as if the eulogy was meant to point out the boys' questionable parentage. Daemon giggling when Vaemond (?) said that their blood "must never thin" was perhaps due to the fact that neither Jace nor Luke (or even Joffrey) has the Velaryon blood. Idk how the rest of y'all would interpret that scene but that's how I view it.

Aemond trying to defend Helaena when Aegon expressed his disgust at his betrothal with his sister, and even called her an idiot. I kinda like that about Aemond in the show, having a tad more sense of responsibility than his older brother (also it's pretty obvious that he likes Helaena).

Corlys acknowledging Lucerys as heir to Driftmark ❤️ this is why I love him (aside from him being a living legend). Even in the book, Corlys has always looked at the boys as Laenor's sons and his own grandchildren. Again, despite of Harwin being a good dad to the boys, Laenor gave them his surname and recognized them as his sons, therefore they are his.

In the previous episode, we saw how much Daemon missed home (even if he denied it), when Viserys approached him and offered him to stay in King's Landing with the girls AND a position in his court, he refused which was a wise decision because he will be surrounded by the people who are against him. Besides, Viserys has treated him like a piece of shit most of the time which explains the reason why he refused.

Daemon calling Otto a leech was funny af.

Viserys calling Alicent Aemma was funnier af.

Jace and Baela holding hands! 😭 that was so sweet, but a piece of advice from someone who has already gone through Fire & Blood: don't get your hopes up.

My heart bleeds for Princess Rhaenys as of the moment, she doesn't care about the crown or power, she only wanted the best for her children but they got tangled up in this whole political bullshit that it cost the life of their daughter. While everyone else craves for power and legacy, she just wants a peaceful life for her and her family, apparently, simple desires in life are denied when: 1. You are born a Targaryen and 2. You are married into another powerful political clan.

Daemon and Rhaenyra finally…FINALLY *addressing* their unfinished business after being away from each other for so many years. I'd have to say that Matt and Milly's sexual tension was more intense (IMO) compared to Matt and Emma's. But I'm not mad though, Daemon and Rhaenyra have matured in this timeline and that their scene was more like finishing what they have started or doing what they should have done years ago, no more longing and yearning for each other. When Rhaenyra told Daemon that she wanted him, the latter was like, "Fuck that shit, we've been apart for so long I won't let her go anymore," and he did not held back. The chemistry was there, but as opposed to Daemyra making out on episode 4 where it was oozing with lust for each other, this was more like love making (Also, see you soon Aegon III! 😂).

It's also kinda funny at how Vhagar was like, "Dude, just let me freaking enjoy my retirement in peace and leave me tf alone! Also, I'm still mourning for my dead master so go away!" when Aemond approached her. BUUUUUUT I have to say that I enjoyed watching that scene when the brat finally claimed Vhagar for his own.

Jace, Luke, Baela and Rhaena ganging up on Aemond was so fucking satisfying! Daemon and Rhaenyra did an amazing job at raising their own kids, they're kind and well-mannered but know how to fight back when needed. Ironic at how people viewed their parents as an asshole and a whore respectively, biiiiiitch! See how they brought up these beautiful children?!

But the real hero was Lucerys. Damaging Aemond's eye was indeed a huge price to pay for stealing Vhagar, beating up the girls, breaking Luke's nose and threatening to kill Jace. The boy just defended his brother and cousins (*clears throat* future betrothed)

Fun fact: When Aemond claimed Vhagar, it was Joffrey who first saw him. When the latter told his uncle to stay away from the dragon (the older prince was forbidden by his parents to go near Vhagar), Aemond shushed him and pushed him onto a pile of dragon shit. Joff then called upon Jace and Luke and the three were all at the yard when Aemond landed, the brothers armed with wooden swords. A fight ensued, to defend Jacaerys, Luke took out his dagger and slashed Aemond's eye. (Source: Fire & Blood by George RR Martin).

Intense scene between Rhaenyra and Alicent! Oh my gosh, Emma and Olivia killed it! Rhaenyra unmasking Alicent's true colors, and the latter unleashing the anger, jealousy and hatred she harbored towards the princess for years. She has bottled up emotions, and when people like her explode they can be very dangerous. Another thing about this scene is that I've noticed another contrast between two mothers. During the confrontation, you can see how Rhaenyra protected BOTH Jace and Luke while Alicent only stood up for Aemond and blamed Aegon for not being there for his brother when the brawl happened.

Daemon standing in one corner and watching the drama unfold was hilarious, but I love the way he blocked the fragile masculine dude who goes by the name Ser Criston Cole so he wouldn't get in the way/protect Rhaenyra. Aaaaaand the way Daemon, Rhaenyra and Corlys protected the kiddos (especially Luke) was such a powerful scene, while no other person was even on Alicent's side (literally). I see this as a foreshadow of what her life would be towards the end of the dance, and since we haven't gotten that far, this is what I could only say for now.

Rhaenyra is such an LGBTQIA+ ally! When Laenor said that he hated how the gods made him, Rhaenyra made sure to make her husband feel like no matter who he is or what he chose to become, she loves and accepts him for who he is and that there wasn't anything wrong with him. That being said, I had a mini heart attack when I thought she and Daemon plotted to kill Laenor so they could marry. I was sooooo ready to rant but the ending scene was by far the biggest plot twist in the show! Rhaenyra deserves a husband who would stand beside her and support her, while Laenor deserves to be free of all the burdens that comes with being heir to Driftmark and future king consort, hiding his true self, and just live happily.

Fan theory: I have this gut feeling that the reason why Laenor agreed to fake his own death wasn't only for the chance for him to live his life the way he wants to, but because Daemon and Rhaenyra was planning something ahead…and what if Corlys and Rhaenys knew about this (or at least Corlys) and that they were just acting or something?????

Fun fact: Laenor Velaryon was killed by Ser Qarl Correy himself. There were two contradicting accounts about his death: Septon Eustace wrote that Ser Qarl killed Laenor out of jealousy because the latter found a younger, male favorite. But according to Mushroom's accounts, it was Daemon who ordered Ser Qarl to kill his lover but it was never proven. (Source: Fire & Blood by George RR Martin)

DAEMON AND RHAENYRA FINALLY GOT MARRIED! That being said, it was nice to see the traditional Targaryen wedding. I couldn't recall whether Jaehaerys I and Alyssane had the same ceremony when they got married in Dragonstone but it's just a random thought (I hope they did though).

Fun fact: In less than six months since the deaths of Laenor and Laena, Daemon and Rhaenyra secretly got married in Dragonstone. The Prince was 39, the princess was 23. According to Septon Eustace, Rhaenyra knew her father would never approve of their union thus the secrecy, while Mushroom claims that the reason why the wedding was hastened was that Rhaenyra was already pregnant with Daemon's child and "do not wish to birth another bastard." (Source: Fire & Blood by George RR Martin).

[Meh]

Alicent is clearly playing favorites among her children. She and Otto are treating Aegon horribly and she's being so weirded out at Helaena that I could hear her thoughts like, "Is this really my daughter?" or "Did I really give birth to this child?" Perhaps because Aemond is more of a momma's boy in comparison to the other kids, but idk. Aegon is a brat but I kinda feel bad at the way he's being treated.

[WTF]

For a few minutes, I liked Aemond but the second he laid his hands on the girls that's when I became so furious! He pushed Rhaena and SMACKED Baela wtf is wrong with this kid? He stole the only living memory the girls have of their mother, and he has the audacity to hurt them? I'm seeing a male version of Alicent here.

Alicent defending her asshole son. Honestly, I'm not surprised.

Dearest Alicent, who the fuck do you think you are demanding for Viserys to take YOUR side? Seriously, she's just someone the king married out of duty, Rhaenyra is the king's own flesh and blood. While Aemond is also a son of Viserys, the kid literally beat his own cousins and nephews and threatened to kill one of them! While I'm writing this, I realized that she's one of those Karen moms who would literally blame everyone else except herself for failing to discipline her own child. Unbelievable.

I would also like to point out to one twitter user who said that Alicent's character is the perfect representation of those who are self-righteous, uphold moral values but are the ones who do the shittiest things, a hypocrite in short. That's how I would basically describe her as well.

Is Ser Criston for real?! He would willingly pluck out Luke's eyes because Alicent said so? I know he's sworn to protect her, but Lucerys is a CHILD. I could never agree more with that meme which said that he refused to be Rhaenyra's whore but was so willing to be Alicent's bitch.

For those of you who are asking as to why Alicent wasn't punished for treason, it's because Viserys was in denial that his family was falling apart, he is desperately trying to unite his family as one to avoid conflict and possible war. What's odd is that he has the guts to send Daemon away for asking Rhaenyra's hand in marriage but when Alicent attempted to kill her right in-front of everybody, he was like, "We'll speak no more of it." seven hells this guy!

[Special Shoutout]

This episode is by far my favorite! Really intense scenes, amazing performance from the cast (as always), but the plot twist at the end was *chef's kiss.* The ending was far from the two accounts in the book, but you know what? I'm not mad at all, this is one of the changes that I gladly accept.

[cburambles]

HOTD spoilers///

The first scene with Rhaenyra meeting suitors but carelessly offending them & not doing anything to stop a deadly fight & Daemon on Caraxes causing her to knock her head on the boat was a great way to showcase their tendencies to act without care of what others will think of them, the possible consequences & how it might bite them in the ass on the long run. It's sad in a way because we've seen that Rhaenyra has the potential to be a good ruler but she keeps shooting herself in the foot as nobody took care of properly educating her about politics.

Symbols are just symbols in the end. Just because the White Hart showed up to her to show she is the rightful heir doesn't mean she's guaranted to be a good one.

Rhaenyra's delight about being called a boy fuels my hcs of this character being possibly trans.

I laughed at Harwin Strong, he looks like a fun character & I hope that his interactions with Rhaenyra will be too in the future.

Good for Rhaenyra to take control over her sexuality but it's the way Daemon decided to pull what he did on Rhaenyra, which is similar with the way he acted without thinking about how it might affect those women, first with Mysaria & the egg & now bringing his niece in a brothel, fully knowing that she's the heir to the throne but that they still work within the confine of a patriarchal society. Like you don't get to talk about how mummers makes fun of Rhaenyra being the heir & then bring her to a brothel which will cause more harm than good to her reputation.

Daemon meeting Mysaria after & showing her resentment was a great idea, a good way to juxtapose & remind you how he currently treats women.

Daemon's erectile dysfunction acting up again when Rhaenyra doesn't act scandalized might push further that what he did was trying to get back at Viserys.

It was quite irresponsible of him of leaving her alone there, to have her get back to the Red Keep herself at the sight of all the servants & the way he talks in the throne room about marrying her as if she was now damaged good is ugh, knowing he couldn't get it up because she felt now comfortable with the idea of having sex.

I think a part of him wanted to feel like he was slowly corrupting her & that he would have fun to see her "struggle" about it first but it kinda backfired. Daemon might have misinterpreted that she might be afraid of sex itself when no, she isn't (like the Red Keep is literred with tapestry of valyrians having sex with dragons idk what you were expecting, Daemon). She wants to be in control of whom she choose to be with & she doesn't see sex as something that will defile her.

( Spoilers for Fire & Blood but it makes me wonder how they will handle Daemon/ Laena as she has a personnality close to young Rhaenyra. She might be more rule-abidding on the surface but in the end, she is more interested by dragons,ride mighty Vhagar, has Corlys & Rhaenys as parents & was described as fiery. I don't think she would be as influenced by him. I hope they won't ommit that Rhaenyra & her "more than friends" & that the blacks are basically an happy queer polycule of dragon riders & funky Harwin Strong who were raising their kids together. )

I liked the juxtaposition of Rhaenyra's scenes with Alicent's, we have two women, one who play into in the patriarchal system while the other doesn't want to & it just makes me sad for the both of them, in particular when we see trying to cling on this remnants of their friendship & fully knowing how this society will ultimetaly pit them against each other.

We also need to talk abt how while, yes it's nice to see Rhaenyra happily have sex with Criston, she also puts him at risk of being executed. Them taking hours to get rid of his armor & then the goddamn lacets boots was so funny tho & I really liked how this scene was filmed. They are doing a great job at making me feel conflicted about his character in any case.

& at least, Viserys got to finally act like a king & fire Otto's ass, recognizing all the politicals plays he has been up to. Too late tho.

Really missing the Velaryons. At least we get to see Rhaenys & Laenor flying their dragons together next week & I hope we get to see more her & Corlys's relationship with their kids, knowing this house are also major players.

[minetteskvareninova]

Minette Watched The Princess and the Queen: Assorted Thoughts

- Pretty Thing Of The Episode: Daemon’s nightcloak. It’s nice to see men dress well for once.

- This one kinda dragged in the middle, but what a finish. Still, I am not wild about the timeskip. We get no Harwin x Rhaenyra intimacy, except for some longing looks - like, the woman probably stayed with him for ten years for a reason, if only we knew what that reason is! Also, no Daemon courting Laena (like, why did she or her parents agree to this match anyway?!), no Rhaenyra with her cool in-laws and so much other things that don’t allow us to appreciate the relationships between characters we came to this show after all. I know neither of these things is super important for the plot, but damnit, I wanted to see all of that! Both me and the characters deserve to feel some happiness before everything goes tits up in season 2! Also, we never learn how Criston Cole avoided charges of murder, besides “Alicent vouched for him I guess”.

- ‘Tis the season of trash fathers, y’all. We get no Leanor with the boys, and the less about Daemon’s parenting, or the lack thereof, the better. It does make the daemyra posts about Daemon as a dad to his girls funny in retrospect. Even Viserys, who you’d think is a veteran dad, and thus would have an edge over the other at least, is too old and decrepit to properly parent his children, meaning Criston Cole of all people has to step up. Like, it’s downright hilarious to watch Criston accuse Harwin of being the true father of Rhaenyra’s children, because he cares about them, when he obviously cares just as much about the children of his BFF.

- Aegon the Trashy begins his reign early, like I know teenage boys are assholes, but this kid really tests my patience. Of course, it’s not like he’s ever going to get better. I have a lot more sympathies for Aemon Still-Both-Eyes-For-Now, actually, which is a miracle, because I hated his book counterpart’s guts. Helaena wasn’t there for a very long time, but her scene with her mum and bug collection was cure. She seems nice, which just makes my knowledge of future events all the more heartbreaking. I don’t know if Daeron will be in the show, and I don’t even know if I want him to, considering he’s just one more good person tragically dying because of the whole shebang.

- Speaking of good people dying! Larys made quite an impression this episode. I am a bit miffed that we don’t actually know what his relationship with his dad and brother was, like if Lyonel openly preferred Harwin, it would at least make him look like less of a sociopath (I mean, not NOT like a sociopath, but oh well). On the other hand, I do commend his successes in outcunting Daemon. He’s truly shaping to be the Littlefinger of the Dance, and honestly? I’m here for it.

- Laena was a bit of a typical Wet Blanked Wife while on screen (an actual term, look it up on TV Tropes), which feels a bit weird for the rider of fucking Vhagar, especially since Rhaenyra does basically the same thing in this episode (making me sideye the creators somewhat). She did at least get an absolutely epic death scene, and I love that they didn’t go with the whole Daemon’s dragon baby thing, because it fits with my own personal headcanons (basically, the kid was just stillborn and it was Otto who spread the rumors about it being somewhat draconic, because Maegor the Cruel parallels).

- Alicent is in her That Bitch era, and again, I am here for it. It is a bit unfortunate that she needs Larys to push her into outright villainy, even if it does make her more sympathetic in the short run. I guess it wouldn’t be fair considering Rhaenyra hasn’t done anything super evil yet? Like, I do want the two of them to be somewhat on the even ground morality-wise, otherwise what’s the point of their rivalry if one of them is clearly the bad guy.

- Nooo, baby, don’t wish for your terrible father to come back, you’re so sexy haha... Seriously, like there’s not enough bad dads in this family!

- Both of my girls are capable politicians by now, which makes me happy too. And Rhaenyra supporting Daemon’s Stepstones project, which he himself abandoned, because he has the attention span of a puppy on crack. Do I sense some, eh, political dalliance?