The relationship between Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen is vital to the family’s history, albeit controversial on page and screen. While the book Fire & Blood suggested controversy, the House of the Dragon series certainly added fuel to the fire. The second part of the series will have to establish the dynamic of the couple who will fight for revenge and Rhaenyra’s throne, but they won’t always be on the same page.

There is a division among fans, as always in the Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon universe. Although it is the book that may have the greatest arguments for different views, what remains is the series, as it has the endorsement of George R. R. Martin himself, it brought new information not always present in the book.

Rhaenyra’s description is really not sympathetic in Fire & Blood. From vain, inconsequential to vindictive and jealous were just paragraphs that separated the changes. Dedicated mother, an envious woman of Alicent Hightower‘s appearance, also angry at little Netles, influenced by third parties and not always in command, there is a complex Rhaenyra on the pages, quite different from what we saw in the series. So far.

Daemon, on the other hand, was very faithful, Matt Smith incorporated the popular imagination like few others, with the prince’s arrogance, charm, and impetuosity translated perfectly. There is – including – more information in the series than in the book, such as his fluid sexuality, his problems in bed even with Mysaria, and his general frustration with life. Half villain, half good guy, he always had a close relationship with his niece, not always romantic but always dubious. After all, what makes Rhaenyra and Daemon our main couple in House of the Dragon?

Recently, some points from the pilot script have surfaced: Rhaenyra would have been jealous when her uncle flirted with Alicent in the tournament (even if it was just to tease Otto Hightower), and clearly, her idolization for him started early (as the book describes). How not to like him? To Viserys’ dismay, Rhaenyra had much of Daemon: impulsiveness, arrogance, and charisma. Could it be the fact that those born on the margins of – but close to – Power suffer a common evil?

Though she was made heir, the fact that she has to fight for her crown proves how much Rhaenyra knew deep down that the patriarchy would never accept a female Queen. Born even worse than Daemon in this scenario, as he had the hereditary distance of being the spare, but her? Gender put her out of the running until Viserys changed the rules. In this way, the couple understands better than others what it is like to feel fit, but not to be the holder.

Those who follow the history of British royalty (which served as the basis for Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon) know that not even in the 21st century does the syndrome of spare parts destroy families. Viserys and Daemon, in theory, could never hope to one day have the crown, were it not for their uncles to pass away without male heirs and bring them closer to the throne. Something a Daemon ached and craved because he loved his brother, but he was the last hurdle between glory and a supporting role. The current King Charles, who waited 70 years to ascend the throne (technically he was ‘fit’ from the age of three), spoke in interviews about how tragic it was to have a life of ‘waiting’ while he could only be what he was born to be when his mother passed away (or abdicated). That’s Daemon for us. He knows his brother is seen as weak, and he knows Viserys means well but his lack of pulse also made him a liability. Viserys is pro-peace and Daemon is pro-power through force. Both are wrong and right.

If the relationship between Rhaenyra and Daemon is complex, so too was the brotherly love between him and Viserys. Before the brother became effectively an heir and then King, they were close and ‘free’. As he climbed the highest step, Daemon expected to climb as well, but like Rhaenyra, he was reminded that this was not what Viserys wanted.

No wonder, therefore, that these two seem to be ‘soul mates’. If we remember that the Targaryen tradition of keeping bloodlines pure made them equally potentially destined, there is also mutual admiration and a genetic attraction fueled by family culture.

Falling in love with Daemon seemed logical and ideal for Rhaenyra, even if, for some reason, Viserys also wanted to break with that tradition. Shall we pause and celebrate how innovative Viserys was within the Targaryen Dynasty? He could easily be remembered as Viserys I the Modern. After all, Rhaenyra was supposed to marry one day and clearly Daemon was the ideal candidate on paper, it only stands to reason that by being excluded, he would have revolted against his brother.

But returning to the couple, history never clearly clarifies the reason for the mutual and declared hatred between Daemon and Otto Hightower, but all the prince’s misfortunes were fed and caused by the Hand of the King. Otto highlighted Daemon’s negative attributes, instilled insecurity in Viserys about his brother, and by inciting Rhaenyra’s declaration as heir (for him, always a temporary move) removed Daemon from direct succession. In the series, how Daemon claims to be ‘married’ to Mysaria, it seemed that Otto’s move was perfect because he could no longer be the main candidate for the princess’s consort. What’s more, Otto managed to put Rhaenyra on his resentment list, forever affecting their relationship.

When Rhaenyra admired and warmed to her uncle, she wasn’t alone. In his defiance and above all leadership, Daemon was the rock star of the Court. Everyone wanted to be with him. Confirmation that – as alluded on the book – her sexual initiation with Daemon was also important. His duplicity makes it impossible to understand the extent to which she was feeding a monster to tease her brother or helping someone she really cared about. Teaching his niece to take pleasure in sex was something modern and important, after all, she would be destined for a political marriage and certain unhappiness. In one of the most romantic moments, after having forced the scandal that needed to be hidden (Rhaenyra was seen with him in a brothel), Daemon asks Viserys for his niece’s hand. “I want Rhaenyra”, he claims asking for her “exactly as she is”. He was aware that he hadn’t taken her virginity, though he wouldn’t be offended when he found out she’d spent the night with someone else. Another loving gesture was to ignore her request to take her with him: Daemon didn’t want her to lose the Crown for him. They were genuine gestures from him, even if complex.

When they meet again years later, Rhaenyra is already the mother of three boys (with her lover, after all, her husband doesn’t want her sexually), Daemon is a widower and also a father of two, and she is at a political crossroads. She knows that with Daemon, she will have the strength she doesn’t have alone. She needs him for what he is. Interestingly, the series eliminates the doubt that they would kill to be together, which in fact amazing in the book. They don’t, actually. They do make a political, practical, and passionate pact (marriage) and this is the union it should have been from the start.

Rhaenyra’s insecurity in her first moments with the Crown, but especially her training to follow in her father’s footsteps, later revolts Daemon to the point of reacting aggressively. And it is worth remembering that although Otto does not manipulate Rhaenyra, only the prince effectively sees all the steps that the Hand is leading, and only by eliminating him can evil be controlled. Daemon can be impulsive, but he’s been in direct confrontation twice and held back both times at her request. It’s frustrating because he knows that Otto anticipates diplomatic attempts and that they help them. A bit like the impasse created by Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones for Daenerys: if the mother of dragons attacked, it would turn the whole country against her, but the more time she bought, the more she managed to turn everyone against Danny anyway. Without acting like a Dragon, Rhaenyra won neither respect nor the throne, losing her son in the process.

The second season will resume when the marriage of the two is affected by this impasse, once again planted by Otto. Daemon is frustrated by the confirmation that he was never trusted by Viserys (who never spoke of the prophecy) and sees his wife’s resolve not to strike first as slow and dangerous. And there will be Nettles, who will tear the relationship apart for good.

Rhaenyra will have a new transformation ahead, Daemon, not so much (at least in the book). He’s a man of action, the strong arm she needs to deal with the Hightowers. Does love survive? After all, as we know, in Westeros, love is the death of Duty…

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