Does Rhaenyra Kill Rhaena in ‘House of the Dragon’? Exploring Their Relationship

As fans delve into the tumultuous events of the Dance of the Dragons, a pressing question has emerged: does Rhaenyra betray her stepdaughter Rhaena Targaryen? With ‘House of the Dragon‘ Season 3 introducing new alliances and betrayals weekly, viewers are understandably anxious about the fates of their favorite characters.

The answer is a resounding no; Rhaenyra does not kill Rhaena. In fact, their relationship stands out as one of the more stable connections amidst a narrative rife with familial treachery. To grasp why this theory has gained traction, it’s essential to examine Rhaena’s position within the Targaryen lineage and how her role has evolved this season.

Rhaena is the younger twin daughter of Daemon Targaryen and his second wife Laena Velaryon, making her Rhaenyra’s stepdaughter following Rhaenyra and Daemon’s marriage. According to A Wiki of Ice and Fire, Rhaena was born alongside her twin sister Baela Targaryen in Pentos in 116 AC.

For a significant portion of the series, Rhaena was notably one of the few Targaryens without a dragon, which left her feeling somewhat marginalized amid the surrounding chaos. NPR highlights that Rhaenyra sent Rhaena to the Vale to ensure the safety of the Queen’s youngest children, including Joffrey and her own two sons with Daemon.

This assignment speaks volumes about the level of trust between the two women. Rather than sidelining Rhaena, Rhaenyra entrusted her with a crucial responsibility during the war—the protection of the royal children.

As Season 3 progresses, Rhaenyra and Rhaena’s paths have become increasingly intertwined. Time reported that after spending much of Season 2 caring for Rhaenyra’s younger sons and grappling with her lack of a dragon, Rhaena seized her chance to alter her destiny by claiming the wild dragon Sheepstealer.

This pivotal moment transforms her role in the narrative. Once viewed as expendable, Rhaena now stands as one of the few Targaryens with an active dragon, bringing her closer to Rhaenyra’s inner circle.

Reports from Wiki of Thrones suggest that leaked behind-the-scenes footage shows Rhaena reuniting with Rhaenyra after claiming Sheepstealer, filmed on location in Wales. This reunion, rather than indicating any confrontation, reinforces the idea that the series is steering towards collaboration between the two women, not conflict.

Additionally, Rhaena’s storyline this season reflects a fascinating narrative choice. Winter Is Coming explains that in the show, it is Rhaena Targaryen who claims Sheepstealer, whereas in George R.R. Martin’s original book, ‘Fire and Blood’, that role belonged to a different character named Nettles.

Much of the speculation surrounding Rhaenyra potentially turning on Rhaena stems from Nettles’ arc in the source material, which the show has woven into Rhaena’s narrative. Winter Is Coming detailed how the writers have effectively merged Nettles’ storyline with Rhaena’s, as Nettles has been omitted from the series entirely.

In the books, Rhaenyra’s trust in Nettles ultimately falters. Winter Is Coming pointed out that this could align with Nettles’ arc in the novel, where Rhaenyra grows to distrust her and even orders her death after the other dragonseeds abandon the Blacks.

Given the merging of these characters, it’s understandable why some fans fear that Rhaena might face a similar fate. This theory is reasonable, considering how faithfully some storylines have transitioned from page to screen, even if this particular twist has not unfolded for Rhaena.

Thus far, the show has not indicated that Rhaenyra perceives Rhaena as a threat, unlike her eventual view of Nettles in the books. If anything, the two appear to be moving towards collaboration as the war escalates and the Targaryen family loses more dragonriders.

Winter Is Coming speculated that Rhaena might take on part of Nettles’ role in a different capacity, suggesting she could volunteer to assist Daemon in hunting down Aemond and Vhagar as a means of atonement for Jace’s death, rather than becoming a target of Rhaenyra’s suspicion.

This theory aligns with the character development established for Rhaena this season. She has transitioned from a background figure concerned about her lack of a dragon to an active participant fighting for the Black faction, making a betrayal by Rhaenyra seem unlikely at this juncture.

Considering all that Rhaena has sacrificed and risked to prove herself to Rhaenyra and her family, what do you think her ultimate role will be as the Dance of the Dragons reaches its climax?