The latest episode of House of the Dragon just dropped a huge blow to Targaryen Team Black as they’ve lost their most experienced dragon rider, Rhaenys Velaryon (Eve Best) after she unexpectedly decided to sacrifice herself.
Though the mission was supposed to have either Jake or Rhaenyra flying out to Rook’s Rest, it was Rhaenys who volunteered to take on Criston Cole’s army—not knowing that there would be two dragons there waiting to ambush her.
Some would argue that Rhaenys didn’t deserve to die, but looking back, it was probably the most logical decision to have her fly out on Meleys––and it had a major impact on the battle's outcome.
Why Did Rhaenys Sacrifice Herself in House of the Dragon?
From a strategic standpoint, Rhaenys was the only dragonrider who could make the attack. Obviously Rhaenyra was too big of a figure to be able to endanger herself in a battle, and Jaecerys couldn’t go as he was the one next in line to inherit the crown should something happen to his mother.
Talking to Vulture, Best explained the logic behind Rhaenys's decision to sacrifice herself: “Rhaenys knows full well that it’s very likely to be a suicide mission, a kamikaze mission, and that’s why she proposed herself to do it. Somebody described her to me as Rhaenyra’s Lancelot — she’s their best fighter, and she knows that she’s the one that has to go in.”
Best also shares that Rhaenys volunteering herself was a way for her to show Rhaenyra one last time what it means to be a good leader.
“It was like suddenly that became Rhaenys’s final piece of wisdom to Rhaenyra," Best added. "This is how you are a good ruler. This is what you do. You don’t go in yourself. You send in your top people. This is leadership.
"This is what Rhaenys has been doing, to the best of her ability, all the way through the season — teaching Rhaenyra in spite of all her personal feelings about Rhaenyra.”
What Does Losing Rhaenys Mean for Rhaenyra’s Small Council?
Besides the loss of an experienced dragon rider, Rhaenys' sacrifice means Rhaenyra is now without one of her staunchest advocates. While the men on her council were eager to start the war, Rhaenys was the only one who seemed to understand Rhaenyra best in that she didn’t want bloodshed. She was even the one to explain to Daemon that Rhaenyra was grieving for her son the moment they got news that Lucerys was killed.
With Rhaenys lost, fans should expect Rhaenyra to face the council herself; and things aren’t looking good since last they convened. For one, Jaecerys and the rest are angry at her for having gone missing, and the men thought that she was weak for trying to reason with Alicent.
Besides Rhaenys, the only other ally we can expect to show support for Rhaenyra is Corlys Velaryon a.k.a. The Sea Snake. After spending most of the season tending to his boats, he now makes his way to Dragonstone to offer his help to Rhaenyra. He may not have the same kind of empathy that Rhaenys may have, but they were very likeminded, and he’s still a battle-hardened leader.
Catch new episodes of House of the Dragon Sunday nights on Max.