WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
Though Rhaenyra warns Daemon never to leave her again afterHouse of the Dragonseason 2, his recent stint at Harrenhal isn’t the last time they’ll be separated. Daemon and Rhaenyra have had a tumultuous relationship since the time he seduced her as a teenager, which was followed by Daemon advising against Rhaenyra’s marriage to Laenor and leaving for Pentos, Rhaenyra and Daemon sleeping together at Laena’s funeral, and the niece/uncle eventually marrying and having two sons. However, their marriage’s biggest test arrives whenDaemon leaves Rhaenyra and ignores her while considering usurpation at Harrenhal.
After Daemon struggles to accept Rhaenyra’s authority as the rightful Queen, he flees to Harrenhal and amasses an army in the Riverlands – potentially for his claim instead. However,Daemon’s visions of Daenerys Targaryen, the Night King, his own death, and Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne compel him to abandon his personal ambitions and fully dedicate himself to her cause. When Rhaenyra and Daemon reunite inHouse of the Dragon’s season 2 finale,she warns him in High Valyrian, “Leave me again at your peril.”While he jokingly agrees that he cannot after already trying, this isn’t entirely accurate.
Daemon Technically Does Leave Rhaenyra Again In The Dance Of The Dragons
Daemon Returns To The Riverlands Without Rhaenyra In House Of The Dragon’s Future
As George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook reveals, Daemon does, in fact, leave Rhaenyra again during the Targaryen civil war. While Daemon will join on Caraxes whenRhaenyra takes King’s Landing, their reunion while she sits on the Iron Throne will be very short-lived.Once Rhaenyra officially claims her birthright, Daemon sets back out on Caraxes to the Riverlands, where he intends to seek out Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar and eliminate them as a threat to Rhaenyra’s rule.
Just as Rhaenyra couldn’t trust Daemon when he was at Harrenhal inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, his journey back to the Riverlands strains their relationship further.
In the book, Daemon brings Nettles and Sheepstealer with him to find Aemond, though it’s unclear whether this will happen givenHouse of the Dragonhas seemingly cut Nettlesand replaced her story with Rhaena’s. However, his time with Nettles in the Riverlands is important in contributing to the couple’s marital issues, asRhaenyra becomes very paranoid about Daemon and Nettles’ relationship and a potential betrayalby them. Just as Rhaenyra couldn’t trust Daemon when he was at Harrenhal inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, his journey back to the Riverlands strains their relationship further.
Daemon will likely return to the Riverlands to search for Aemond early inHouse of the Dragonseason 3, which means breaking his promise to Rhaenyra about leaving her shortly after making it.
Daemon & Rhaenyra Can’t Have A Happy Ending In House Of The Dragon
Both Daemon & Rhaenyra Die While Separated In House Of The Dragon
Regardless of whether Daemon actually has an affair or considers betraying her when he leaves Rhaenyra for the Riverlands again, the couple is tragically doomed inHouse of the Dragon. When Rhaenyra eventually becomes suspicious of all the “dragonseeds” afterHugh and Ulf betray herfor Aegon, Daemon brings his focus to the duel he has long awaited with Aemond. WhenDaemon and Aemond finally do face one another, they both die dueling in the Battle Above the Gods Eyeoutside Harrenhal.
Why Daemon Changes His Mind About Rhaenyra In House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 8
Finally, Prince Daemon Targaryen officially changes his mind about Rhaenyra’s purpose on the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale.
InHouse of the Dragon’s season 2 finale, Daemon’s visions at the weirwood tree include seeing himself drown in the Gods Eye, which is the samedeath Helaena warns about for Aemond. While there are rumors inFire & Bloodthat Daemon may have survived, as his body is never found in the Gods Eye, this doesn’t mean that he’s able to escape and reunite with Rhaenyra. Shortly after Daemon’s death, she flees King’s Landing for Dragonstone, where Aegon kills Rhaenyra Targaryen by having her burned and devoured by Sunfyre –confirming an inevitably tragic ending for the couple.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
