#rheanyra x alicent

[lunamond]

I want to preface this with the disclaimer that I really like Rheanyra. This is not meant as a way to bash her character or minimise the way she, as a woman in Westeros, has been harmed and discriminated against.

However, I have a lot of trouble with how Rheanyra, especially in relation to Alicent, has been discussed in the fandom, for that purpose I will analyse young Rheanyra and focus on her personal flaws (sth that I consider essential to good characterisation).

There is a big trend for audiences to latch onto a favourite character and perceive the entire story through that lens. Everything that benefits this singular character is good everything that inconveniences them is bad. (This is of course is not an issue exclusive to hotd)

As side note: I don’t think this is necessary a problematic way to engage with media, as long as you're capable of recognising that other people will engage differently nor prescribe moral value to real life people based on who they chose to root for.

However, once you start analysing the show critically this method starts becoming very flawed. Alicent as a character especially suffers a lot in these interpretations.

(This does also go in the other direction as well, with people twisting the story in way to bash Rheanyra in favour of Alicent)

It is baffling to me at times, looking at the distorted way some people engage with young Alicent and Rheanyra, and this weird need to portray Alicent as villanous or scheming from the very beginning.

(While I personally love Alicent as character young and grown-up, I'm aware that she, especially as an adult, doesn’t appeal to everybody, which is why I focus for this on young Alicent)

So, let's actually look at the first 3 Episodes and analyse Alicent and Rheanyra's relationship.

Episode 1: Alicent and Rheanyra are totally in love best friends. Rheanyra is the more impulsive one who doesn't always like the duties that come with her status as princess, while Alicent is the more anxious one who cares a lot about her and Rheanyra's responsibilities.

This is ultimately the last time Alicent and Rheanyra were on good terms, without anything standing between them. So both their perception of each other will always be coloured by this prior relationship and the intimate understanding they had of each other when they were still 14 years old.

Episode 2: Alicent has been ordered to keep her inappropriate meetings with the king a secret, Rheanyra is starting to feel the pressure of being the heir. At the end, the betrothal is announced, which ultimately leads to the break up of their prior relationship.

Episode 3: Their relationship has been in shambles for almost 3 years at this point. (Aegon's 2nd name day + 9 months pregnancy + whatever length of time passed between Ep2, the wedding and the start of the pregnancy)

Alicent repeatedly makes overtures to Rheanyra in an attempt to repair their relationship, which Rheanyra continuously shots down (sth that presumably has happened multiple times over the last years).

It also bears mention that even in moments when Rheanyra is not present Alicent still defends Rheanyra's claim to the throne. She does this both in private, as well as publicly.

This is one of those situations that perfectly demonstrate Rheanyra's character flaws.

While this is a very difficult situation to navigate from Rheanyra's position, her former girlfriend, who has now become her stepmother has given birth to a son who puts her own position into question.

She also is slowly growing up and becoming increasingly aware of the reality of what the expected role of a young noble women means in her society.

This is a lot of stress for a teenage girl to deal with, and you know what, I get it.

As a teenager, I personally have been quite unpleasant to be around in much less stressful situations.

However, as far as her treatment of Alicent goes, this is where a lot of my sympathy ends, because no matter what your personal opinion on adult Alicent and her actions might be, THIS Alicent has done none of these.

Alicent is a childbride, who has been martially raped, and put through teenage pregnancy (twice at this point!).

By cutting her off for this, Rheanyra is essentially punishing the victim of her father’s crime.

It is pretty clear that she redirects the hurt and betrayal she feels onto Alicent, because ultimately in the context that both of them grew up Alicent is the easier party to blame.

Rheanyra is definitely not on great terms with Viserys either, however she is still willing to engage with him.

So, yes, Rheanyra is isolated and feels lonely. She tells Viserys that:

"Nobody is here for me"

But she is actually wrong.

Alicent is there for her.

Alicent repeatedly tries to connect with her. She supports Rheanyra, she does so when they are with lady Redwyne, she pushes back against Otto's attempts to push Aegon as heir, she talks with Viserys ensuring that Rheanyra will have the free choice for her future consort.

It is especially ironic, when this last act becomes part of the reason Rheanyra and Viserys reconcile at the end of the episode, while Alicent remains estranged.

It is also quite interesting, how Rheanyra refers to Aegon as Alicent Hightower's son, essentially distancing herself from both of them. Further illustrating the way in which she is completely unwilling to engage with either of them.

Despite this little bit of agency afforded to Rheanyra, she is still expected to take a husband and bear children. This is of course, especially traumatic for her considering her mother's fate.

However, every single girl born to a noble family in Westeros lives under these same unfair conditions, including Alicent.

Rheanyra and Alicent actually do have quite a lot of parallels, both being young girls who feel alone and isolated at court, both their mothers dead and both having complicated relationships with their fathers.

And while it is not enough to free her from these restraints this misogynistic society placed on her, Rheanyra occupies a very privileged position.

She is royalty, a literal princess who has the distinct advantage of being named heir to the throne and future ruler of the the 7 kingdoms.

(Viserys did do a pisspoor job of actually preparing and supporting her for this role, though)

The most glaring embodiment of Rheanyra's privilege however is Syrax.

She has a literal flying weapon of mass destruction at her beck and call.

A privilege no other non-Targaryen noble women has. (Except for Laena)

So, yes, Rheanyra is still subject to misogyny, but Syrax provides her with a certain level of security no one else can claim, because if it is ever necessary she will always be able to relie on a show of force via dragon (which we see demonstrated in ep2).

All of this reveals the inherent tragedy that is at the core of the narrative.

Alicent and Rheanyra are both condemned to the same fate. They both are forced into marriage/s and the role of motherhood, they are robbed of their girlhood, lost their mothers and were subject to their father's whims, and ultimately in history both will be relegated to the role of mother and wife to much more important men.

Rheanyra struggled and fought against unequal traditions to hold the highest position of power anybody (men or woman) could hold, but still she falls victim to the patriarchy.

Alicent who does her duty, plays by the system and rises to the highest position acceptable for a woman to hold, being the mother to a male heir, will still ultimately be torn down by the patriarchy.

This is the only fate any woman can expect in the patriachical system that exists in Westeros, no matter how pious or rebellious she was.

But the most tragic part in all of this is the fact that, despite their shared plight Rheanyra and Alicent's relationship had to be sacrificed for the sake of this senseless struggle instead of allowing them the comfort of each other.

[malotte00]

Gently

[winnysplayground]

NOW WHICH ONE OF YALL LEAKED THE HOTD SEASON FINALE

[desmond-the-queer-dragon]

The Queer Version of Across the Stars. Another story of doomed lovers.

[wlwfanfictionss]

I dont think yall understand, I would fight the seven kingdoms, swim across the narrow sea, kill the night king with my bare hands, just to look into her doe eyes

[prettydeeryess]

are you a sad guilty dog or a confused silly cat??

[legend-of-bloodmoon]

Girls, arm in arm like this, go to a bright future. And not this is all.

When I first started watching this, I didn't think that they would become the main enemies😭

[ml080504]

i am both of them at the same time, okay?

[chaoticstateofaffairs]

The one thing about Alicent, only she can go after Rhaenyra and vice versa. So far anyone that has ever called one of them something in front of the other has received nasty looks that have said “stfu before I kick your ass”.

(Scheduled post)

[ornii]

“My Sweet Rheanerya…”

Rhaenyra X Male Twin! reader

“All Hail the Twins of the Hightower!”

Born to the house of Hightower much was expected of you and your dear sister Alicent. Keeping up appearances was a challenge for one such as yourself, Alicent however took it in stride. They say that twins are one soul, but simply two bodies, that couldn’t be further from the truth. While Alicent was temperate, calm, rational you were the complete opposite as some would say, Wrathful, Prideful and A bit arrogant, you made for an excellent knight, and a chip on your shoulder to prove your worth. Thankfully an opportunity had arisen in time, Kevan the Barbarian, a brigand who’s made camp with his men off a road to Kings landing, smart woodsmen and decent terrain fighters.

You Knelt down in your clad armor, dawning the Hightower sigil. Removing your gloves you point at the dirt diagram you made with your soldiers, twenty loyal men to the Hightowers. “The camps been surrounded in oil, but a small point near the fronts been untouched, we light the circle and pincer them in, leave the Captian alive of course, if the men show resistance, the Kings ransom has ordered them dead..” You stood up and a soldier handed you a helmet.

You and the men approached the forest and walked in, the pitch darkness was dimly lit by the encroaching moonlight, until distant flames dance in the air, torches. Kneeling down you and soldiers crept close and began to smell the oil. You raised your hand and clenched your fist, making the signal. Using sticks and thick oil soaked cloth wrapped around, they smacked flint against stone and lit up the torches, landing them on the ends of the oil, the flames burst and began to swirl around the camp. Soldiers stood up in shock as you stepped out of the encroaching darkness into the burning light. You eyed the leader, who was stuffing his face of the bread he had robbed and killed for. Your soldiers approach to bolster your position.

“Surrender, and be shown mercy..” you yelled, booming your choice under the raging flames, and of course the brigands didn’t yield and attacked. You motion for the soldiers and they charged in, it was a slaughter, the brigands were proud men, but awful against top notch armor and weapons. You calmly watched men die, blood splatter and limbs fall. You stepped to Kevan who growls like a hurt animal. His men all dead, him surrounded.

“Sword, Shield.” You commanded, putting your helmet on and a pair of soldiers deliver your sword and shield, gripping the hilt you raised your sword from the sheath and gripped the reigns of the shield. You duel with the brigand. Ducking the swings of his hefty axe you roll though with a cut to the inner thigh. He crumbled for a moment before roaring back up to fight, it’s obvious that this isn’t going to be easy. You took a defensive stance as he swung, using the shield to absorb most of the blow, but the attack was much stronger than you expected. The shock sent the shield into your face, hitting you square in the nose, and forcing you in the ground, blood leaks from your nose and you look up to the axe ready to kill.

You took his pride into account and picked the shield back up, deflecting each heavy blow until he was confident you couldn’t fight back, before the last swing you gripped your sword, he swung and you rolled quickly, the force jams the axe into the ground and you recoiled with the hilt of the blade straight to his jaw, and a shield base straight to his face, knocking him out cold. You stood up, panting. “Tie him. Prepare him for kings landing.” You shook off the hits and walked off, the flames dancing in your wake.

Upon your horse you entered the main courtyard of The Red Keep with your soldiers, you proudly made way for Kevan, who was bound and gagged on the back of your horse. Your head jerked up to the stairs, and an approaching Alicent, you gave a wholesome bow. “Sister! Father isn’t going to grace his loyal sword with his presence?” You asked, a bit hostile, but not towards your dear sister. Alicent put on a face and pouted slightly. “Dear Brother.. I presume this is, Kevan?” She asked, you unseated yourself from your steed and walked to face Kevan.

“Yes, this is the man who would dare utter such heinous words about the princess. I believe Kevan you said she was a.. I believe you said “White haired cunt, correct?” You asked, before Kevan could grumble up something you elbowed him straight in the nose, “Make you pleas to the king, not me. I however, won’t be so merciful. Take him.” You ordered the soldiers and they dragged him off your horse and to the dungeons. You walked up the flight of stairs to walk with your sister.

“Father truly did not wish to see my work” you asked, Alicent kept her eyes forward, “you mean the work he didn’t approve of and that you did regardless? No, so he sent me in his stead, a show of.. acceptance I suppose.” She said, not particularly buying her father’s excuse.

“Or a way of establishing us as capable as the Targaryens.” you suggest, and walk with your sister though the keep to your bed chambers. “Speaking of Targaryen.. how is Lady Rhaenyra?” You asked, hesitation and, curiosity in your voice. Alicent had a slightly Cheshire grin. “She’s studying.. alone, you shouldn’t pester her.”

“I do not “pester” the princess.” You retort.

“What would you call it then? I doubt she enjoys your constant company.” Alicent replied in jest, you faked shock. “My dead sister, how hurtful.” You then laughed, but a serious tone began to overtake.

“I do worry of the princess. Of her station.. I hear of King Viserys’ attempts to.. produce an heir.” You put it gently. Alicent bit her lip slightly. “She is the rightful heir, firstborn of the King, you’d do well to remember that.”Alicent replied with a stern tone. You two entered your bedchamber and you placed your helmet on your desk. “I mean no disrespect to her, you know that..” you sat in your chair, and Alicent walked up behind you, grabbing the buckles under your armor, the relief of pressure as your armor was finally taken off allowed you to sigh heavily with relief.

“Thank you..” you uttered, relaxing. Alicent spots more blood on your armor and a look of worry went on her face. “Tell me… how- did you capture this brigand?” She asked and took off you gauntlets and let them slip on the ground, “Simple, I.. baited him into almost killing me.” What you said wasn’t technically a lie, just a badly simplistic version of what transpired.

“Really?” She replied, the dried blood on your armor said otherwise. Before she could ask, you cut her off. “Alicent.. I want to know your honest opinion.” You started, you watched your sister walk to face you, silently waiting for your question, and you took a major gamble.

“Do you.. do you think I could marry Rhaenerya?” Your question sounded absurd to most simple nobles and common men, but you, perhaps it was the case. Alicent felt the honesty in your choice, “You wish to be king?” She asked, and to be honest it never occurred to you, your shock caught her off guard by her question, “Oh.. I would be, wouldn’t I?” You said, Alicent sat across from you.

“You first thought of marrying her not for the throne, but because you truly do love her, I.. don’t wish to be a bearer of bad fortune brother but… the princess has, obligations.. she’d most likely marry to a high lord to establish an alliance… and, Hightower isn’t enough of a profitable obligation to consider..” Alicent had attempted to be as kind as possible about it, but the rejection was all the same. All of what she was; was true, Alicent reached out to try and offer you comfort but you quickly smiled.

“A conquest for another knight then, many suitors still await me.” You stood up grinning and began to undo your played leggings.

“All things considered I had thought it was just a fools errand.” You said, still putting on a strong face, Alicent could see it was a fair enough mask to hide the hurt. Alicent knew pestering you would only set in motion more walls for the twins to be separated by, so she simply let it alone.

“The Kings Tourney begins in the morrow. Alicent said, not able to look at you as you drop your armor. “I doubt father would let me join, although Gwayne might take a stab at it.” You suggest, and then sit back down, “I assume you and Rhaenerya shall be watching? I intent to as well, if father allowed…” you trailed off and smiled, “regardless I’ll be there—“

Before you and mutter another phrase, knocks echo at the door and a soldier opens it, he side steps and allows someone inside, Rhaenerya. Her eyes trail the room and lay upon you, both you and your sister bow.

“Your grace.” You both spoke, Rhaenerya smiled and approached, “You can stop being so formal.” She watched you turn your head back up.

“Right… I hear that there will be a tourney for your brother I believe?” You started, Rhaenerya kept calm but a slight shift in her footing said more than expected. “That is what I hear, I presume you’ll be attending it?”

“With you there? Of course.” You said instinctively, realizing you blurted that out, to attempt to apologize. “I.. I’m sorry—“

“Stop apologizing, no need to, Alicent I’m ready to continue my lesson, and (Y/n), I appreciate you defending the honor of your princess. Although I saw no real harm in letting a Brigand wag his tongue.”

“I just couldn’t let them speak ill of you..” you mumbled, you were confident, cocky and powerful but when it came to Rhaenerya, it all meant nothing.

“Honorable indeed… you spent a week searching for them, it’s.. good to have you back.” Rhaenerya departed with your sister after those words. You considered what Alicent said, the painful truth, but at the same time, to let this chance slip by.. regardless if you succeed or not

You will confess your love to her, you will win her heart…

[yourdyingstars]

Would you look at me crazy if I said Alicent fucking Criston knowing he had sex with Rhaenyra is a way for her to think of it as a way of her having sex with Rhaenyra—

[lunamond]

In honour of the new trailer, here are my two faves 🥰

(I know the trailer came out a while ago)

The greyscale version and the initial sketch:

[malotte00]

Rhaenicent🌷

[winnysplayground]

absolutely screaming

[green-watcher]

Rhaenyra and Alicent preparing for Alicent's wedding, complete with a moment in which Rhaenyra helps Alicent dress.

[wlwfanfictionss]

Alicent's theme music playing when Rhaenyra opened the letter. House of the Dragon, more like House of the Lesbians who wont admit they are in love