‘House Of The Dragon’ Recap: Rhaenyra Marries After Bloodshed & Criston Declares His Love

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Daemon finally returned to Vale to speak to his wife, Lady Rhea Royce, in private. It’s clear that the hatred between them is mutual, and she’s not afraid to push her estranged husband’s button. Rhea was furious with Daemon, and rightfully so.

He didn’t say a word the whole time. “What are you going to do now?” Rhea asked him. Suddenly, she realized why he was here. She was about to pull her bow, but her horse was spooked and fell on her. Rhea couldn’t move.

Daemon walked over to Rhea and stood on top of her. He left without saying a word. “I know you can’t finish. Craven! ‘ she yelled at him. That makes Damon no longer trace of himself. He picked up a rock and returned to Rhea. Well, we certainly know what happens next.

Otto warns of war if Rhaenyra becomes queen

On the way to Driftmark to propose marriage between Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon, Viserys became seriously ill. Alicent stayed and met her father before he left King’s Landing. He nervously blamed her for his shooting because she was the one who told Rhaenyra what he knew about her night with Daemon.

Alicent continued to defend Rhaenyra, telling her father that Rhaenyra had sworn that she was innocent. Otto thought that Alicent should have seen this coming. She says that he shouldn’t be adamant about letting Aegon be named heir.

Otto warns Alicent that if Rhaenyra succeeds Viserys then “war will follow.” He said that “The Kingdom will not accept her.” In order for Rhaenyra to secure her claim, Otto tells Alicent that her children will have to die. He insisted to her that this would happen sooner rather than later. Alicent has a choice: prepare Aegon to be his heir or suffer Rhaenyra’s mercy.

Viserys proposed to Rhaenyra and Laenor

The Targaryens arrive at the Driftmark. Viserys has seen better days. Corlys wasn’t there to greet Viserys when he got there. Viserys decided not to let this sour his mood.

Lord Larrys Strong managed to catch Alicent’s ear and continued to sow the seeds of doubt. He said that Rhaenyra was “unwell” and that the Grand Maester had delivered her tea. Alicent soon realizes she has been deceived by Rhaenyra.

Corlys bowed to Viserys when they finally reunited, and Rhaenys greeted her cousin as well. Corlys was the one who spread the news that Rhea Royce was dead. “A hunting incident,” Rhaenys explained, before adding that her “neck and skull” were both “crushed in the fall.” Corlys notes that “Rhea’s skills as both a rider and a hunter are well known, so this accident is the most unusual.

Lyonel Strong, the King’s New Hand, recognizes the sign that the Velaryons are falling. Rhaenys states that Daemon and Rhea have no heirs. Viserys wanted to change the subject away from his brother. He proposed marriage between Laenor and Rhaenyra.

Corlys wanted some details before accepting Viserys’ offer. Corlys wanted to know how the plan would be handled. Viserys insisted that Rhaenyra be his heir. The firstborn of Rhaenyra and Laenor, regardless of sex, will inherit the throne from her. Corlys wanted to know if the children would take Laenor’s last name. Viserys didn’t think that the Targaryen dynasty should end with Rhaenrya just because she was a woman. He decided to compromise with Corlys. Viserys will let the children be born and take the name of their father, but when the firstborn takes the throne, he will take the name Targaryen. That’s when everyone shook hands towards marriage.

Meanwhile, Laenor and Rhaenyra have a talk on the beach. Rhaenyra was well aware that she was not the one he would choose, but she wanted to make a deal. They fulfill their duty to the kingdom – an heir – and when it is done, then “each of us dine as we see fit.”

Corlys and Rhaenys discuss an impending marriage. Rhaenys speaks of Laenor’s “true nature”. Corlys believes that Laenor is “still young” and will “grow faster”. Rhaenys knew this was not going to happen. She thinks they are putting their son in danger. Corlys doesn’t see it that way. Rhaenys knew that Rhaenyra’s succession would be put to the test because the King had a son. “Dao will be released. For her, for her husband, and for their heirs,” she told her husband.

Laenor and his lover, Ser Joffrey Lonmouth, have some alone time. “This is better than we could have hoped for,” Joffrey said. “She has a limit of her own.”

Criston declares his love

On the way back to King’s Landing, Criston opened up to Rhaenyra. “If there was another path, a path to freedom, would you take it?” he asked her. Criston wants to leave his station and go away “from all this.” He wanted to show Rhaenyra the world. “We will be anonymous and free. Freedom to go where we like, to love as we please,” Criston continued. They can get married – for love, not for crowns.

The stunned Rhaenyra didn’t say anything at first and walked away. “I am the crown, Ser Criston. Or I will,” she told him. “My duty is to marry a nobleman from a great family, and Ser Laenor will make a good husband. But my marriage doesn’t have to have an end. Ser Criston, Laenor and I have an understanding. “Criston knows exactly what that means.

“So you want me to be your whore?” he asks. Rhaenyra wanted to continue what they had been through. She broke his heart, and he toppled her. He broke his oath to the Kingsguard. He thought if they got married he could restore it. He was on the verge of tears, devastated by his feelings for Rhaenyra and the way he was disloyal to the Kingsguard.

They returned to King’s Landing and Viserys fell. Criston is summoned by Alicent. She asks him about Rhaenyra and that rumor of a “moral invalidation” may have occurred. It didn’t take long for Criston to admit what he had done to Rhaenyra. “My oath has been broken. I humiliated myself. I don’t deserve to be considered,” Criston revealed. Alicent is equally angry and cruel. All Criston asked for was that he be sentenced to death and not tortured for his “crimes”.

The game of stolen glances

Velaryons come to King’s Landing for a wedding. Alicent was significantly absent from the king’s side. Rhea Royce’s cousin attended the wedding and the king offered his condolences. When Laenor took his place next to Rhaenyra at the party, Rhaenyra learned who really held Laenor’s heart.

To spice up the night, Daemon made a surprise appearance. He didn’t say a word to Viserys and sat at the end of the table. Daemon and Rhaenyra couldn’t resist exchanging flirtatious glances.

Viserys was in the middle of his speech when Alicent finally showed up… dressed in green. Viserys seemed displeased that Alicent interrupted him. Larrys tells his brother, Harwin Strong, that green is a sign of war. Viserys continued his speech, and Daemon caught Rhaenyra’s eye again.

The night is a game of stolen glances. Daemon watched Rhaenyra as she and Laenor danced, while Laena Velaryon kept an eye on Daemon. Rhaenyra looked over at Criston, who was looking at Alicent. Alicent’s eyes were on Rhaenyra. Joffrey puts two and two together about Rhaenyra and Criston.

Rhea’s cousin confronts Daemon at the party. He believes that Daemon should pay for his crimes. The man flatly accused Daemon of killing Rhea. Daemon reveals that he plans to fly to the Eyrie after the wedding to get his Runestone.

A dance with two sides of the same coin

Laena and Daemon have some flirting on the dance floor. As the dance continued, Joffrey took a moment to talk to Criston. “We are both deeply invested in this union,” says Joffrey. Joffrey tells Criston that they must “swear to each other to protect them and their secrets.” Criston was worried that someone else knew about what he had done.

Like magnets, Daemon and Rhaenyra found themselves in each other’s orbits. They speak High Valryian so no one knows what they say. “Is this what you want?” Daemon said Rhaenyra.

She replied, “I didn’t know that what I wanted was important to you.” Daemon didn’t think this marriage was for her. Daemon talks about Laenor.

Rhaenyra used Daemon’s own words against him. “I heard marriage was just a political agreement,” she said. He said his marriage had “recently disbanded.”

Rhaenyra declared, “Then take me. Is this not your goal? I’m not married yet. But the hour passed quickly. You are definitely armed. Cut across my father’s Kingsuard. Take me to Dragonstone and make me your wife.” Daemon listened attentively.

She has total control, and he is mesmerized by her. She can just as easily turn the tables on him when he can with her. He hates and loves it. Daemon grabbed her face, and it looked like they were about to kiss right in front of everyone. Viserys is watching all this go down, but he can’t see everything because of the crowd.

Criston kills Joffrey & Rhaenyra gets married

Suddenly, a war broke out. Rhaenyra was thrown to the ground. Laenor chases after Criston, who punches him. Criston is attacking Joffrey. Lyonel motioned for Harwin to push through the crowd and grab Rhaenyra. This is not a struggle for Harwin at all.

Viserys started bleeding from his nose as the fight went awry. Criston punches Joffrey in the face several times until Joffrey is unrecognizable. Criston kills Joffrey. The crowd quickly dispersed, and Laenor was left to cry over the body of his lover.

Rhaenyra and Laenor married quietly after a bloody fight. They swore their oath in tears, with Joffrey’s blood not yet dried on the ground beyond. It was clear that Rhaenyra regretted her decision. Maybe she should accept Criston’s offer.

Criston approaches the Weirwood as he prepares to take his own life. Before he did, Alicent called out his name. When the marriage was official, Viserys fell apart. Rhaenyra’s perfect plan with Laenor turns out to be extremely complicated.