WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for the Fire & Blood book and House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8!Rhaenyra’s sixth pregnancy in House of the Dragon It is one of the most devastating and tragic moments yet to occur. House of the Dragon The dangers associated with childbirth and pregnancy in Westeros is often stressed, with Aemma Arryn (the main character) already suffering from such complications. Although Rhaenyra’s mother’s death initially made her fear the notion of bearing heirs, adult Rhaenyra Targaryen now has five sons in House of the Dragon – three healthy boys with Laenor Velaryon (fathered by Harwin Strong) and two silver-haired boys with her husband Daemon Targaryen. Her next child whom she’s now pregnant with, however, will be a different story.
In House of the Dragon Episode 8. Rhaenyra is pregnant with Visenya Targaryen. Despite Rhaenyra and Daemon’s excitement over having another child, their daughter will tragically never take a breath of air. Upon hearing the news of King Viserys’ death and Aegon seizing the Iron Throne and being crowned King, Rhaenyra goes into dangerously premature labor. Visenya, George R.R., and many days of labor were exhausting and painful. Martin’s Fire & Blood Book indicating that the baby was born with dragon-like birth defects. Rhaenyra will survive Visenya’s birth in House of the Dragon, but her daughter’s death will have significant impacts on the black Queen. Rhaenyra, who had five sons, was desperate to have a daughter. She hoped that it would bring back the close relationship she shared with her mother as a child.
How Visenya’s Death Changes Rhaenyra’s Character
Rhaenyra perhaps would have been more diplomatic in handling the greens’ usurpation of the throne had Visenya lived, but her wrath becomes more intense after blaming Alicent, Aegon, and the traitors on the green council for her daughter’s death. In Fire & BloodRhaenyra, responding to the tragedy, says that Visenya was her only child, and the greens had killed her. Alicent, Aegon, and others will be responsible for Visenya’s death and the theft from the crown. While Rhaenyra has always been headstrong and commanding, she has never been cruel or as impulsive as Daemon, but Visenya’s death changes this. Once House of the Dragon’s civil war begins, Rhaenyra will now also be driven by vengeance.
What Happens To Rhaenyra & Daemon’s Other Children
Rhaenyra will have little time to grieve Visenya’s death before the Stranger comes for her child Lucerys Velaryon. House of the Dragon. Lucerys is killed by Aemond “One-Eye” Targaryen at Storm’s End before the war’s battles begin. Aemond attacks Lucerys while both are sent to recruit Baratheons to each side, with both Luke’s dragon and Luke both dying in the process. Luke’s death is followed by the tragic passing of Rhaenyra’s eldest son Jacaerys Velaryon, who dies at sea during the bloody Battle of the Gullet. Rhaenyra’s third bastard son Joffrey Velaryon then dies shortly before the end of House of the Dragon’s war. When rioting in King’s Landing begins after Rhaenyra takes the Iron Throne, young Joffrey tries combating the chaos by flying on Rhaenyra’s dragon Syrax, who shakes the Prince off of her back and sends him falling to his death.
Four of Daemon and Rhaenyra’s children will survive House of the Dragon. Daemon’s daughters Baela and Rhaena Targaryen both live through the Dance of the Dragons, with Baela being integral in wounding and incapacitating King Aegon II Targaryen before his death. Rhaena survived because she was sent to Vale for protection and where she hatched her dragon Morning. Daemon and Rhaenyra’s trueborn sons Aegon and Viserys Targaryen will also be alive in House of the Dragon’s ending. Following the death of Rhaenyra’s brother Aegon II Targaryen, her son Aegon III Targaryen will ascend the Iron Throne as King. After Aegon the Younger’s coronation, Viserys returns to Westeros after being presumed dead in the war. Viserys will also eventually become King after the deaths of Aegon’s sons.
Watch new episodes House of the Dragon Sundays at 10:00 p.m. on HBO/HBO Max
