We have already established that Helaena Targaryen is a dragon dreamer. She often speaks cryptic prophecies about events that will happen in the future. In House of the Dragon episode 8 too, she makes a prediction. “Beware of the beast under the boards.” At first glance, it seems that the beast here refers to a dragon. Moreover, under the boards also has interesting connotations. Also watch out for spoilers!
Princess Helaena could refer to Vhagar and Aemond killing Lucerys and Arrax
Helaena’s prophecy could refer to Aemond and Vhagar killing Lucerys and Arrax
The beast under the boards could relate to a dragon, specifically Vhagar. Princess Helaena once made a prophecy regarding Aemond’s eye. Once again, she spoke those words just as Aemond sat down. This could be a prediction of Aemond and Vhagar killing Lucerys and Arrax. The three Strong boys’ toast was an iconic Aemond moment right before he killed Lucerys in Fire and Blood. He already made this toast in episode 8 of House of the Dragon and thus foreshadowed the death of Lucerys.
Blood and Cheese using the Red Keep secret passages
Blood and Cheese kills one of Princess Helaena Targaryen’s children
Helaena’s prophecy could be about Blood and Cheese. They were two assassins hired by Prince Daemon to kill one of the The children of Aegon and Helaena. This was done in retaliation for Lucerys’ murder at the hands of Aemond. Blood and Cheese were ruthless assassins and could be called beasts. But the most interesting part is that they used the secret passages of the Red Keep to reach Helaena and her children. This explains why “under the boards”. Cheese was a ratcatcher who was familiar with the tunnels and passageways under the Red Keep.
Larys Strong the Lord Confessor and the Rat Theory
Larys Strong the Lord Confessor and the Rat Theory in House of the Dragon
We hypothesized that Larys Strong is a clairvoyant. Some even claim that he is a skin changer who can use the red keep rats to acquire information from everywhere. After all, he has a way of knowing everything that’s going on even behind closed doors. Another explanation is that as Lord Confessor, he often works in the dungeons of the Red Keep which are under the boards. And Lord Larys Strong is nothing less than a monster himself. Plus, it’s not just black people who need to be wary of him. Even the Greens need to beware as Larys Strong has no loyalties.
Mysaria and her network of spies
Mysaria could bring down Aegon and the Greens with her network of spies
Although the silly part doesn’t quite fit this theory, the idea under the boards does follow. Mysaria works in the shadows, hidden and yet listening to everything. We have already talked about how Mysaria could bring down Aegon and greens with the help of information from Talya. This could be what Princess Helaena is referring to in her prophecy. We have barely seen Mysaria and she has yet to reach her true potential and power.
Helaena could be talking about Aegon Sunfyre’s dragon slaying Princess Rhaenyra
Helaena could refer to Sunfyre killing and eating Princess Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon
As mentioned earlier, the beast under the boards could refer to a dragon. There is another dragon that black should beware of. And that’s Sunfyre. Princess Helaena could predict Rhaenyra’s death at the hands of Aegon II and his dragon Sunfyre. Aegon feeds Princess Rhaenyra to her dragon while he forces his son to watch her die. Helaena seems to have a cordial relationship with her half-sister Princess Rhaenyra and a friendly relationship with her nephews, especially Jacaerys. This means that his dragon dreams don’t have to be just about his siblings or the greens. However, that wouldn’t really be a prophecy because Game of Thrones has already spoiled this track. Also, this prophecy won’t come true until the end of the next season, so it’s unlikely they’ll hint at it any time soon.
