House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2, titled Rhaenyra the Cruel, stunned fans with major twists and turns as the Dance of the Dragons began.
But aside from the Blacks and the Greens preparing for a great civil war, the second episode foreshadows a large-scale battle: the Fall of King’s Landing.
Before House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2 ends, Rhaenyra is seen reading a book about the history and exploitation of Queen Visenya Targaryen, the sister-wife of Aegon the Conqueror.
Sure, this may mean nothing to some, but as she flips through the pages, the scene focuses on an image where Visenya takes a castle with her dragon casting fire below.
This foreshadows the event that Rhaenyra will bring forth. Before the Dance of the Dragons concludes, she will take the King’s Landing.
George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood, on which the show is based, reveals that Rhaenyra is about to accomplish this feat with her dragon, Syrax.
How Can Rhaenyra Conquer King’s Landing?
Like Visenya, her sister Rhaenys, and her brother Aegon, who took Westeros and established a place in King’s Landing during the Conquest, Rhaenyra will conquer the city with the help of her uncle-husband, Daemon Targaryen.
Daemon will lead the charge. But compared to early Targaryens, the Blacks will have more dragon power during this quest.
They will ride in strength with Rhaenyra on Syrax, Daemon on Caraxes, Addam of Hull on Seasmoke, Ulf White on Silverwing, and Hugh Hammer on Vermithor.
And if the book has Nettles on Sheepstealer, the show will have Baela on Moondancer.
Rhaenyra to Embrace Her Warrior Side
Though Rhaenyra is a Queen and has people to fight for her, she’s about to embrace her warrior side in House of the Dragon Season 2.
Aside from foreshadowing the Fall of King’s Landing, Episode 2 also seems to tease that Rhaenyra is about to be like Visenya.
The series makes her character far more of a warrior than she was in the book.
In Fire & Blood, the battle of King’s Landing is the only time Rhaenyra joins the war with Syrax.
However, the show gives Rhaenyra a more active role in the war, allowing her to fight alongside her people, just like Visenya during Aegon’s Conquest.
To support this claim, the second season’s trailer shows Rhaenyra picking up a sword and practising her technique.
As Rhaenys Targaryen bravely faces the danger during the war, Rhaenyra is about to do the same.
So far, there are no words on when the Fall of King’s Landing will occur in the series. It can be featured at the end of Season 2 or during Season 3.
Whatever the case, this will indeed happen as it is one of the most vital scenes of the show.
New House of the Dragon Season 2 episodes are released every Sunday on HBO.
READ MORE: Bridging the Saga: How House of the Dragon Connects to Game of Thrones