Miniature of Princess Rhaenyra
The latest episode of House of the Dragon, “King of the Narrow Sea”, explores how shifting public opinion and political events have threatened to upend the fate of the Targaryen dynasty. The king had arranged meetings with potential husbands for his daughter, and he was confident in their compatibility. Although she understood that Viserys would disapprove of her choice, Princess Rhaenyra dismissed everyone.
Her motives were clear, just like Queen Nymeria, she wanted to be free and able to make her own choices in life, especially when it came to choosing her husband.
Rhaenyra is afraid of suffering the same fate.
We see Rhaenyra running her fingers through the Valyrian steel necklace her Uncle Daemon gave her in the pilot episode, she does so as the long line of suitors stand before her. And we soon have the idea that his Father’s orders collide with the intention of his heart.
Rhaenyra doesn’t want to marry and share the same fate as she knows Westeros doesn’t care about a wife and they are just an instrument to produce heirs. Rhaenyra is terrified of her fate, especially after seeing the fate that befell her mother. She knows that her father has agreed to remove her late brother from her mother’s womb, and she is terrified that she will share the same fate.
I wouldn’t blame her!!
Rhaenyra’s boredom with her potential marriage suitors!
As the show progresses, we see Boreman Baratheon who had secured his seat on the small council accompanying Rhaenyra as she chooses her future husband. The Boratherons and the Targaryens share a close relationship in this timeline as Boreman also happens to be the cousin of the “queen that never was.”
Judging by the worn state of the castle and the sound of the storm outside, we realized the event was taking place at Storm’s End. We see members of House Hightower and House Tully lining up with potential prospects.
The Viserys’ first choice was Lord Dandarrion, who is an old lord taking a drink break!! We also find out that there is a connection between Cristen Cole and the old Dandarrion, as Cole’s father worked as a steward for House Dandarrion. Dandarrion also mentions a visit from Queen Alisene who was the wife of the late King Jiharis the First. Alisene was Rhaenyra’s great-grandmother, so Lord Dandarrion is far too old to be her man.
You thought an old lord asking for the princess’s hand was extreme, wait until you see that. We also see a child hailing from House Blackwood and mentioning that his house played an important role in pushing Aegon to conquer the Seven Kingdoms. Blackwood House played an important role in the conquest of Aegon, particularly in the destruction of Harren Hall. While this is happening, the child is interrupted by a suitor from Baratheon claiming that his house played a much bigger role in the victory.
Rhaenyra has finally had enough of this drama and left for King’s Landing and we see the kid slicing the guts out of follower Baratheon! Rhaenyra rejected all applicants and left with Criston Cole.
