Original air date: October 23, 2022
On Dragonstone, Princess Rhaenys announces King Viserys’s death and Prince Aegon’s usurpation. The news shocks Princess Rhaenyra into a premature stillbirth. Prince Daemon, believing Viserys was murdered, urges war. Ser Erryk brings the late king’s crown and Rhaenyra is declared queen; all but Rhaenys swear allegiance. Ser Otto arrives to present Aegon’s terms for Rhaenyra’s concession; she prevents Daemon from killing Otto and delays answering. Privately, Daemon is angered by Rhaenyra’s desire to negotiate peace, dismissing the dream about the promised prince. Rhaenys persuades a still-recovering Lord Corlys to pledge House Velaryon’s allegiance to Rhaenyra’s “Black” faction; he proposes using his navy to blockade King’s Landing’s shipping lanes and Daemon plans to recruit more dragonriders; he awakens Vermithor, a dragon nearly as large as Vhagar. Rhaenyra sends Princes Jacaerys and Lucerys as envoys to secure Houses Arryn, Stark and Baratheon as allies. At Storm’s End, Lucerys encounters Prince Aemond, who is newly betrothed to Lord Borros Baratheon’s daughter; Borros refuses to support Rhaenyra. Aemond demands Lucerys’ eye as retribution; Lucerys refuses. He leaves on his dragon Arrax, then is pursued by Aemond on Vhagar. The fractious dragons resist their riders’ commands and Arrax burns Vhagar. Incensed, Vhagar kills Lucerys and Arrax, stunning Aemond. Daemon informs Rhaenyra of Lucerys’ death; she mourns and is enraged.
* * *
(epic theme playing)
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
(light music playing)
(wind blowing)
♪ ♪
Princess Rhaenyra: There you are.
The Sea Snake is going to die, isn’t he?
Luke…
I can’t be Lord of the Tides.
Grand sire was the greatest sailor who ever lived.
I get green sick before the ship even leaves the harbor.
I’ll just ruin everything.
I don’t want Driftmark.
It should’ve passed on to Ser Vaemond.
We don’t choose our destiny, Luke. It chooses us.
Grand sire let you choose whether you’d be his heir.
You told us so.
And do you want to know the truth of it?
I was frightened.
I was… four-and-ten.
Same as you are now.
I wasn’t ready to be Queen of the Seven Kingdoms.
But… it was my duty.
And, in time, I came to understand I had to earn my inheritance.
I’m not like you.
In what way, sweet boy?
I’m not so…
perfect.
(kisses)
I am anything but.
(footsteps approach)
My father looked after me and helped to prepare me for my duties.
Your mother will do the same for you.
Lorent Marbrand: Good morrow, Princess.
Good morrow, Ser Lorent.
Princess Rhaenys has just arrived on dragon back.
She urgently requests an audience with you and Prince Daemon.
(door opens)
The Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.
Thank you, Ser Lorent.
Princess Rhaenys…
might we hope for news of Lord Corlys’s recovery?
Viserys is dead.
♪ ♪
I grieve this loss with you, Rhaenyra.
My cousin, your father… possessed a kind heart.
There is more.
Aegon has been crowned as his successor.
(whimpers)
They crowned him?
How did Viserys die?
I could not say.
How long ago?
A day past, perhaps two.
I was made a prisoner in my quarters while the Queen made her preparations.
Viserys has been slain.
Alicent demanded you declare for Aegon.
She did.
I refused her.
And yet you are alive.
The High Septon crowned Aegon in the Dragon pit.
I witnessed it myself just before I fled on Meleys.
They crowned him before the masses.
Princess Rhaenys: So that the masses would see him as their rightful king.
That whore of a Queen murdered my brother and stole his throne.
And you could have burned them all for it.
A war is like to be fought over this treachery, to be sure.
Mm.
But that war is not mine to begin.
I only rushed this warning to you out of loyalty to my husband and to my house.
The Greens are coming for you, Rhaenyra.
And for your children.
You should leave Dragons tone at once.
(tense music playing)
(whimpers, gasps)
The babe is coming.
(breathing heavily)
(Rhaenyra groaning)
Her term is far from complete.
This should not be happening.
It is fucking happening.
Older Midwife: Keep your head about you, Princess. Come.
Elinda: We’ve done this five times before.
Keep your spirit, and the sixth will be no different.
Get off, get off, get off, get off!
Ow, ow, ow. (gasps)
I want patrols along the island’s perimeter, looking for any small ships that might set ashore.
If the Greens attack now, it will be by stealth…
(Rhaenyra groaning)
…not directly.
We don’t have enough men to surround the island, but we can make ourselves appear stronger than they are.
(Rhaenyra screaming)
Conscript the Dragon keepers. They’re capable fighters.
Waste no time.
It will be done, my Prince.
(Rhaenyra screaming)
(grunting)
(swords clanging)
What was that?
(grunts) I’m sorry.
You might go easier on him, my Prince, so he can learn what you’re trying to teach.
Rhaenys: Your lady mother needs to see you!
Both of you.
(gasps)
Prince Jacaerys: Mother?
(Rhaenyra groaning)
Rhaenyra: Fuck.
Maester Gerardys: Princess.
♪ ♪
Your grand sire, King Viserys, has passed.
V-Viserys?
The Greens have repudiated the succession and claimed the Iron Throne.
Aegon has been crowned king.
What is to be done about it?
Nothing yet.
And where is Daemon?
Rhaenyra: I don’t know.
Gone to madness.
Gone to plot his war.
Jacaerys: Leave Daemon with me.
Rhaenyra: Jace.
Jacaerys.
Whatever claim remains to me, you are now its heir.
Naught is to be done but by my command.
(groaning)
Bartimos Celtigar: A raven flew in this morning.
The Sea Snake’s fever has broken, and he has left Even fall.
Where is he sailing?
That much is unclear, my Prince.
We’ll send ravens to our nearest allies: Lords Darklyn, Massey… and Bar Emmon.
Rhaenyra: (shouts) Daemon!
Do you want to speak to the maester, my Prince?
I’ll fly to the River lands myself and affirm Lord Tully’s support.
You will do no such thing.
My mother has decreed no action be taken while she’s abed.
It’s good you’re here, young Prince.
You’re needed to patrol the skies on Vermax.
Did you hear what I said?
(Rhaenyra screaming)
The ravens, Lord Bartimos.
I shall see it done.
Summon Ser Steffon.
Our Kings guard are needed on the Dragonmont.
Come with me. I’ll show you the true meaning of loyalty.
You swore an oath as knights of the Kings guard.
As do all who wear the white cloak, my Prince.
To whom?
I swore first to King Jaehaerys, my Prince.
And then to His Grace, King Viserys, when he succeeded him.
Do you acknowledge the true line of succession?
Yes.
Yes, my Prince.
♪ ♪
Do you recall… who King Viserys named as his heir before his death?
Princess Rhaenyra.
Hm.
I’m grateful for your long service to the crown.
So I’m presenting you with a choice.
(Caraxes screeches)
(roars)
♪ ♪
Swear anew your oath to Rhaenyra as your queen… to Prince Jacaerys as the heir to the Iron Throne.
(groaning, breathing heavily)
(roars)
Prince Daemon: Or… if you support the usurper, speak it now… and you will have a clean and honorable death.
But if you choose treachery, if you swear fealty now only to later turn your cloaks… know that you will die… screaming.
(screams)
(roars)
(grunting)
Princess, let us help you.
(groans) No.
(growls)
(screams) Get out!
Elinda: Princess, please.
Get out.
You should not do this alone, Princess.
Let us help you.
(cries)
(gasps)
(screams)
(screaming)
(breathing heavily)
(gasps)
(cries)
(breathing heavily)
(somber music playing)
♪ ♪
(waves crashing)
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
(flames crackling)
Erryk Cargyll: I mean no harm, brothers.
(light strings playing)
I swear to ward the Queen… with all my strength… and give my blood for hers.
I shall take no wife… hold no lands… father no children.
I shall guard her secrets… obey her commands… ride at her side, and defend her name and honor.
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
My Queen.
(regal music playing)
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
Daemon: Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men.
Lady of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.
Your Grace.
Wine, my Queen.
Thank you, Rhaena.
Come.
What is our standing?
Daemon: We have 30 knights, a hundred crossbowmen, and 300 men-at-arms.
Dragons tone is relatively easy to defend, but as an instrument of conquest, our army leaves a lot to be desired.
We have sent word to my loyal men in the City Watch.
I’ll have some support there, but I cannot speak to the numbers.
We already have declarations from Celtigar and St aunt on, Massey, Darklyn, Bar Emmon.
My lady mother was an Arryn.
The Vale will not turn cloak against their own kin.
River run was always a close friend to your father, Your Grace.
With Prince Daemon’s acquiescence, I’ve already sent ravens to Lord Grover.
Lord Grover is fickle and easily swayed.
He will need to be convinced of the strength of our position and that we will support him should it come to war.
I’m going to treat with him myself.
Steffon Darklyn: What of Storm’s End and Winter fell?
Bartimos: There has never lived a Stark who forgot an oath.
And with House Stark, the North will follow.
Lord Borros Baratheon will need to be reminded of his father’s promises.
What news from Driftmark?
Lord Corlys sails for Dragons tone.
To declare for his Queen.
The Velaryon fleet is in my husband’s yoke.
He decides where they sail.
Rhaenyra: We shall pray for both you and your husband’s support.
Just as we prayed nightly for the Sea Snake’s return to good health.
There’s no port on the Narrow Sea would dare to make an enemy of the Velaryon fleet.
And our enemies?
We have no friends among the Lannisters.
Tyland has served the Hand too long to turn against him.
And Otto High tower needs the Lannister fleet.
Without the Lannisters, we are not like to find any allies west of the Golden Tooth.
Daemon: No.
The River lands are essential, Your Grace.
Pray forgive my bluntness, Your Grace, but talk of men is moot.
Your cause owns a power that has not been seen in this world since the days of Old Valyria.
Dragons.
The Greens have dragons as well.
Daemon: They have three adults, by my count.
We have Syrax, Caraxes, and Meleys.
Your sons have Vermax, Arrax, and Tyraxes.
Baela has Moondancer.
Daemon, none of our dragons have been to war.
There are also unclaimed dragons.
Sea smoke still resides on Driftmark.
Vermithor and Silver wing dwell on the Dragonmont, still riderless.
Then there are the three wild dragons, all of whom nest here.
Rhaenyra: And who is to ride them?
Daemon: Dragons tone has 13 to their 4.
I also have a score of eggs incubating in the Dragonmont.
Now… we need a place to gather, a toehold large enough to house a sizable host.
Here, at Harrenhal. We cut off the west, surround King’s Landing with the dragons.
And we could have every Green head mounted on spikes before the fucking moon turns.
Your Grace… a ship has been sighted offshore: a lone galleon, flying a banner of a three-headed green dragon.
Alert the watchtowers. Sight the skies.
(tense music playing)
♪ ♪
I come at the behest of the Dowager Queen Alicent, mother of King Aegon, Second of His Name, Lord and Protector of the Seven Kingdoms.
I’ve been directed to deliver her message only to Princess Rhaenyra.
Where is the Princess?
(Syrax screeches)
(roars)
(screeches)
(roaring)
(bellows)
(roars)
Princess Rhaenyra.
I’m Queen Rhaenyra now.
And you all are traitors to the realm.
King Aegon Targaryen, Second of His Name… in his wisdom and desire for peace, is offering terms.
Acknowledge Aegon as king and swear obeisance before the Iron Throne.
In exchange, His Grace will confirm your possession of Dragons tone.
It will pass to your true born son, Jacaerys, upon your death.
Lucerys will be confirmed as the legitimate heir to Driftmark and all the lands and holdings of House Velaryon.
Your sons by Prince Daemon will also be given places of high honor at court: Aegon the Younger as the King’s squire, Viserys as his cupbearer.
Finally, the King, in his good grace, will pardon any knight or lord who conspired against his ascent.
I would rather feed my sons to the dragons than have them carry shields and cups for your drunken, usurper cunt of a king.
Aegon Targaryen sits the Iron Throne.
He wears the Conqueror’s crown, wields the Conqueror’s sword, has the Conqueror’s name.
He was anointed by a septon of the Faith before the eyes of thousands.
Every symbol of legitimacy belongs to him.
And then there is Stark, Tully, Baratheon.
Houses that have also received, and are at present, considering generous terms from their king.
Stark, Tully, and Baratheon all swore to me when King Viserys named me his heir.
Stale oaths will not put you on the Iron Throne, Princess.
The succession changed the day your father sired a son.
I only regret that you and he were the last to see the truth of it.
You are no more Hand than Aegon is king.
Fucking traitor.
Grand Maester.
What the fuck is this?
(solemn music playing)
Otto High tower: Queen Alicent has not forgotten the love you once had for each other.
No blood need be spilled, so the realm can carry on in peace.
Queen Alicent eagerly awaits your answer.
She can have her answer now, stuffed in her father’s mouth along with his withered cock.
Let’s end this mummer’s farce.
Ser Erryk, bring me Lord High tower so I may take the pleasure myself.
(Syrax roars)
No.
♪ ♪
King’s Landing will have my answer on the morrow.
(roars)
Daemon: It’s no easy thing for a man to be a dragons layer.
But dragons can kill dragons. And have.
The simple truth is this: we have more dragons than Aegon.
Viserys spoke often of the Valyrian histories.
I know them well.
When dragons flew to war… everything burned.
I do not wish to rule over a kingdom of ash and bone.
Are you considering the High towers’ terms, Your Grace?
As Queen, what is my true duty to the realm, Lord Bartimos?
Ensuring peace and unity?
Or that I sit the Iron Throne, no matter the cost?
That’s your father talking.
My father’s dead.
And he chose me as his successor… to defend the realm, not cast it headlong into war.
Well, the enemy have declared war.
What are you gonna do about it?
Clear the room.
Does the promise of war excite you?
You cannot bend the knee to the High towers.
They stole your birthright.
If you could take the Iron Throne without putting Otto Hightower’s head on a spike, would you?
Are you not angry?
I should declare war because I’m angry?
No.
Because it’s your duty as Queen to crush rebellion.
You know my oath reaches beyond our personal ambitions.
A Song of Ice and Fire.
What?
The coming war against the darkness in the North, The Conqueror’s Dream.
Viserys shared it with me when he named me heir.
(struggles to breathe)
My brother… was a slave to his omens and portents.
Anything to make his feckless reign appear to have purpose.
Dreams didn’t make us kings.
Dragons did.
(tense music playing)
(breathing heavily)
He never told you…
(panting)
Did he?
♪ ♪
I’ve had men whipped for falling asleep on their watch.
You are no man.
You abandoned me… when I most needed you.
Both our children stolen from us.
I needed you.
Baela and Rhaena needed you, and you abandoned us for more adventure at sea.
As has always been your way.
Corlys Velaryon: I had no other place to turn.
I lost everything.
We lost, Corlys.
We.
I understand we have a new king.
The Stranger casts a long shadow over this family.
Your brother is also dead.
(gasps, groans)
In his haste to bury you and claim your seat, he stood before the King and denounced Laenor’s sons as illegitimate.
(sighs)
Daemon took his head for it.
(scoffs)
Heedless ambition has always been a Velaryon weakness.
You were right, Rhaenys.
I reached too far. And for nothing.
Our pursuit of the Iron Throne… is at an end.
We shall declare for no one.
We will retire to High Tide to be content… with our grandchildren and…
Jace, Luke, and Joff are claimants to the throne.
Those boys’ll not be safe so long as Aegon is king.
Rhaenyra was complicit in our son’s death.
That girl destroys everything she touches.
That “girl”… is holding the realm together at present.
Every man standing ’round the Painted Table urges her to plunge the realm into war.
Rhaenyra’s the only one who’s demonstrated restraint.
Bartimos: The purpose of war is to fill graveyards, my dear Lord St aunt on.
The trick is to put more of their men in the ground than your own.
Easy words for a lord who commands from the safety of his castle.
Doesn’t make it any less true.
Erryk: The Lord of the Tides!
Lord Corlys Velaryon… and his wife, the Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.
My lords.
Rhaenyra: Lord Corlys.
It brings much relief to see you hale and healthy again.
I’m very sorry about your father, Princess.
He was a good man.
Where is Daemon?
There were other concerns which demanded the Prince’s attention.
Mm.
Your declared allies?
Yes.
Too few to win a war for the throne.
Well, we would also hope to have the support of Houses Arryn, Baratheon, and Stark.
Corlys: Hope… is the fool’s ally.
Both Arryn and Baratheon share blood with my house.
But all of them swore oaths to me.
As did House High tower… if I remember.
As did you, Lord Corlys.
Your father’s realm… was one of justice and honor.
Our houses are bound by common blood and common cause.
This High tower treason cannot stand.
You have the full support of our fleet and house.
Your Grace.
♪ ♪
You honor me, Lord Corlys.
Princess Rhaenys.
But, as I said to my bannermen, I made a promise to my father to hold the realm strong and united.
If war’s first stroke is to fall, it will not be by my hand.
You do not mean to act?
Taking caution does not mean standing fast.
I wish to know who my allies are before I send them to war.
♪ ♪
The consequence of my… near-demise in the Step stones… is that we now control them.
I took care to fully garrison the territory this time.
A total blockade of the shipping lanes will be in place in days, if not already.
The Triarchy have been routed.
The Narrow Sea is ours.
If we… further seal the Gullet, we can cut off all seaborne travel and trade to King’s Landing.
I shall take Meleys and patrol the Gullet myself.
Bartimos: When we drain the Narrow Sea, we can surround King’s Landing, lay siege to the Red Keep, and force the Greens’ surrender.
If we are to have enough swords to surround King’s Landing, we must first secure the support of Winter fell, the Eyrie, and Storm’s End.
I’ll prepare the ravens, Your Grace.
Jacaerys: We should bear those messages.
Dragons can fly faster than ravens and they’re more convincing.
Send us.
The Prince is right, Your Grace.
(tense music playing)
Very well.
Prince Jacaerys will fly north.
First to the Eyrie to see my mother’s cousin, the Lady Jeyne Arryn, and then to Winter fell to treat with Lord Cregan Stark for the support of the North.
Prince Lucerys will fly south to Storm’s End and treat with Lord Borros Baratheon.
We must remind these lords of the oaths they swore.
And… the cost of breaking them.
♪ ♪
It’s been said that as Targaryens, we are closer to gods than to men.
And the Iron Throne puts us a touch closer, perhaps.
But, if we are to serve the Seven Kingdoms… we must answer to their gods.
If you take this errand, you go as messengers… not as warriors.
You must take no part in any fighting.
Swear it to me now
under the eyes of the Seven.
I swear it.
I swear it.
Thank you.
Cregan Stark is… close to your age than is mine.
I would hope, that as men, you can find some common interest.
Yes, Your Grace.
Storm’s End is a short flight from here.
You have Baratheon blood from your grandmother, Rhaenys.
And…
Lord Borros is an eternally proud man.
He will be honored to host a prince of the realm… and his dragon.
I expect you will receive a very warm welcome.
Yes, Mother. Y-Your Grace.
(spirited music playing)
Go to it then.
(Vermax roars)
♪ ♪
(roars)
(Daemon sings in Old Valyrian)
(rumbling)
(singing continues)
(roaring)
(singing continues)
(Vermithor grumbles)
(grumbles)
(thundering)
(roars)
(Arrax grumbles)
(Vhagar roaring)
I am Prince Lucerys Velaryon.
I bring a message to Lord Borros from the Queen.
(tense music playing)
Baratheon Knight: Prince Lucerys Velaryon.
(thundering)
Son of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.
(thunder continues)
Lord Borros…
I brought you a message from my mother… the Queen.
Yet earlier this day, I received an envoy from the King.
Which is it?
King or Queen?
The House of the Dragon does not seem to know who rules it.
(laughs)
What’s your mother’s message?
(sighs)
Where’s the bloody maester?
(wind whistling)
“Remind” me of my father’s oath.
King Aegon at least came with an offer: my swords and banners for a marriage pact.
If I do as your mother bids… which one of my daughters will you wed… boy?
My lord… I am not free to marry.
I’m already betrothed.
So you come with empty hands.
Go home, pup.
And tell your mother that the Lord of Storm’s End is not some dog that she can whistle up at need to set against her foes.
I shall take your answer to the Queen, my lord.
Prince Aemond: Wait… my Lord Strong.
Did you really think that you could just fly about the realm trying to steal my brother’s throne at no cost?
I will not fight you.
I came as a messenger, not a warrior.
A fight would be little challenge.
No.
I want you to put out your eye.
As payment for mine.
One will serve.
I would not blind you.
Mm, plan to make a gift of it to my mother.
No.
Then you are craven as well as a traitor.
Not here.
Give me your eye or I will take it, bastard!
Not in my hall!
The boy came as an envoy.
I’ll not have bloodshed beneath my roof.
Take Prince Lucerys back to his dragon.
(thundering)
Now.
♪ ♪
(Arrax roars)
(thundering)
(grunts)
(speaking High Valyrian)
(thundering)
(roars)
(distant growling)
(roars)
(thundering)
(Aemond laughs)
(Vhagar roars)
(intense music playing)
(grunts)
(roars)
(Aemond speaking High Valyrian)
(roars)
♪ ♪
(Lucerys speaking High Valyrian)
(grunts)
(grunts)
(laughing)
(roars)
Ugh!
(roars)
(roars)
♪ ♪
(thundering)
(laughs)
(Aemond speaking High Valyrian)
(Lucerys speaking High Valyrian)
(roars)
No, no, no, no, no! No, Vhagar! No!
(shouting command)
Serve me, Vhagar! No! (speaks High Valyrian)
(screeches)
(breathing heavily)
Aemond: Vhagar! No! No…
(roars)
(tense music playing)
(solemn music playing)
♪ ♪
(vengeful music playing)
♪ ♪
