Daemon (Matt Smith) is still at Harrenhal in the latest episode of House of the Dragon, and the broken down castle continues to prey on his fractured psyche.
Though fans thought they had seen the last cameo for Milly Alcock, she appears again in this episode as a younger Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne. She speaks some inaudible High Valyrian in her scene, but some fans have been able to decipher her monologue and how it informs Daemon’s character arc.
What Did Rhaenyra Say to Daemon in High Valyrian During His Vision?
Though the first season of HOTD spent almost its entire runtime building up to the marriage of Daemon and Rhaenyra, Season 2 is now poking at the gaps in their relationship—particularly with Daemon and how he views his niece-wife.
It’s been hinted at that Daemon kind of resents Rhaenyra for taking his throne, and we get to see more of that fear personified in Daemon’s visions. The scene is a poignant reversal of a moment from the first season when Rhaenyra sees Daemon sitting on the Iron Throne; this time, it’s Rhaenyra on the throne, and Daemon watching her.
Though it can be easily interpreted as a surreal vision even without the subtitles, some fans have noticed that what Rhaenyra says to Daemon in High Valyrian holds fascinating insight into the man's psyche.
A dedicated fan took the time to post a translated transcript on the fan site Archive of Our Own:
It’s been said that Targaryens are closer to gods than to men...
In my eyes, you were a god. Daemon Targaryen. The Prince of the City. The Lord of Flea Bottom.
I was an innocent. You exploited me and abandoned me. You sullied my name at court. You empowered my rivals. You tried to make my ruin.
You put me on that throne. And you love me and you hate me for it.
You created me, Daemon. Yet you are now set on destroying me.
All because your brother loved me more than he did you.
This is what you always wanted, is it not?
The scene ends with Daemon cutting off Dream-Rhaenyra’s head, then being woken up by the lord of Harrenhal.
What Does Rhaenyra’s Speech Mean?
At first glance, the speech appears to reiterate Daemon's fight with Rhaenyra before he flew off to Harrenhal. However, under the surface boils an undeniable resentment that we may see erupt in future episodes.
It’s been made clear that Viserys didn't trust Daemon and, even though the latter was allowed to marry Rhaenyra, she was still the one chosen as her father's heir. After these visions, Daemon can no longer ignore how much this stings.
Daemon and Alys Rivers
It’s unclear how Deamon’s journey will end this season, but he has met an interesting character in the form of Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin). In the books, Alys is considered to be a sort of immortal witch at Harrenhal who can tell the future—and she becomes Daemon’s bedmate.
She does seem to know all about the mystical goings-on in the castle, and it’s likely that Daemon will want to keep her around to help him decipher his dreams.
With the season halfway through, fans should expect Daemon’s arc to pick up the pace; and an official meeting with Alys is definitely a huge milestone.
Catch new episodes of House of the Dragon Sundays on Max.