#it is an inheritantly Black fact

[backjustforberena]

I guess some people don't know the difference between being someone's ally and being someone's friend in westeros. It's also wild how some people "don't understand" why Rhaenys and Corlys joined the war when there's a scene where they talk about their grandkids not being safe anymore and another scene at the painted table where both grandparents look at their grandkids as they declare for Rhaenyra. But some people just think that they suddenly forgave Rhaenyra for killing Laenor and they are all besties now

I mean, from my understanding of it and seeing wider reactions, it's because people assume that Rhaenys's one line about Rhaenyra showing restraint means she's had a total change of heart. And so people believe that because we didn't see Corlys and Rhaenys actively have that discussion about Laenor and the implications of them declaring for Rhaenyra, it means that (at least) Corlys rolled over and was convinced in 5 seconds flat.

So I do understand a bit of confusion about it. We certainly weren't given much information about Rhaenys's change of heart beyond non-verbal cues that you have to interpret yourself, and we did only hear the start of Rhaenys's argument to Corlys to pledge the fleet etc so the moment of decision is taken from us as an audience.

However, even if we put that to one side, there is a lot of information we're given that suggests multiple things that go against the idea that the Velaryons are blindly following Rhaenyra and they have forgiven her for Laenor and now absolutely love her and worships the ground she walks on.

I also just inheritantly disagree with the idea that their involvement in the war has anything to do with warm feelings towards Rhaenyra. No one is propping up Aegon because they like him. The Velaryons have plenty of reasons to be on Rhaenyra's side that have nothing to do with Rhaenyra herself.

Their understanding of the law, and their love for Viserys and wish to support his wishes. Their own sense of right and wrong over the succession.

Their grandchildren, who are now all in danger so long as Aegon is King.

The fact that they have to pick a side. Rhaenys is a Targaryen and a dragon-rider. They have the Fleet. They are too big an asset to remain neutral and couldn't remain so. And House Velaryon have always supported Rhaenyra's claim before.

Rhaenys was held captive and imprisoned by the Greens. Whilst I don't believe this makes Rhaenys want to go to war with them, it does pretty much indicate that if they do, it won't be on their side. She's seen the lengths they'll go to, whereas, at the moment, Rhaenyra does seem to be keeping calm and taking caution.

The Velaryons would get a heck of a lot more influence on the Blacks. Whereas the Greens already have close ranks.

As for them being pushovers? Let's have a look at that. To me, as I understand it, to be a pushover or be a simp or whatever... that assumes that the other party (Rhaenyra) is the dominant one. Or, at the very least, the one with the most power and the most leverage, meaning that Rhaenys and Corlys, presumably, would be stuck doing whatever Rhaenyra wanted and also that they craved her approval or attention.

If you think that that is the case in the scene where Rhaenys and Corlys pledge their support... we have been watching different shows.

Rhaenys spends the entire episode openly defying Rhaenyra. She doesn't bend the knee twice. She doesn't say that her husband will declare for Rhaenrya, she doesn't commit her dragon. Instead, she watches and observes. This doesn't make Rhaenyra look good (or Daemon when he says Corlys is coming to declare and Rhaenys corrects him), and we know that she needs the muscle that Rhaenys and Corlys offer. Ergo; Rhaenys has power. Rhaenyra even gives niceties because she knows this.

They make an entrance, with their granddaughters flanking them. They get announced. They take charge of the room and they catch Rhaenyra off guard.

Corlys tests Rhaenyra. He calls her out, and isn't afraid to point out her weaknesses in front of everybody. He's not giving his loyalty blindly. He assesses her allies, the situation. He calls her "Princess", even, right at the start. Rhaenyra spends all of it looking distinctly uncomfortable. They make her wait for their pledge.

He asks after Daemon: showing that Vaemond's death is not forgotten. If Vaemond's isn't, do you think Laenor's will be? There's nothing to indicate they've forgotten Laenor.

As you've noted, Corlys looks at the grandkids before outlining his reasons to go against the Greens, before pledging loyalty. Rhaenyra knows they aren't doing it for her specifically as she says "you honour me". And Corlys looks to his wife! In no substantial way does Rhaenyra, as a person, factor into his reasons for pledging.

Even after they pledge, the behaviour from Rhaenys and Corlys does not change. They don't magically become subservient. They don't pander to Rhaenyra. Corlys still questions her. And they take control.

The way that scene is done, with the score and the shots and everything: Rhaenyra's side get a major upgrade when Corlys says he's got the Stepstones. How are they weak for that? How are they anything other than a strong ally? Rhaenys volunteers: she doesn't wait for permission or ask Rhaenyra if she'd be okay with that - she's going.

Sorry for the ramble. And the bullet points. I'm just very passionate about acknowledging what strength House Velaryon still has and the logic behind them becoming Team Black. And how they are not going into this alliance to try and suck up to Rhaenyra or in any way blind to it either.

They are in no way meek, biddable, conforming, subservient, submissive, docile or pandering. Or any other word that means that they aren't fully aware of their worth and their value to Rhaenyra.