House of the Dragon Just Set up a Future Betrayal

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  • Why Do the Dragonseeds Betray Rhaenyra?
  • A Shocking But Inevitable Betrayal in House of the Dragon

As a long-time fan of George R.R. Martin’s epic saga, I find myself constantly amazed by the intricate web of power, ambition, and betrayal that he weaves so masterfully. The latest developments in House of the Dragon, based on Fire & Blood, Volume 1, are no exception.

Advance Warning: Potential spoilers for House of the Dragon ahead

Essentially, Rhaenyra’s critical move was to involve Targaryen bastard sons, or “dragonseeds,” as dragon riders for her army, following Mysaria’s suggestion. She immediately chose Ulf the White and Hugh Hammer for this role. Although it may not seem significant at present, this plot twist lays the groundwork for a significant event during the Dance of the Dragons, which might end up being one of the war’s most surprising twists.

Do the Dragonseeds Change the War’s Direction in House of the Dragon?

At first, when Rhaenyra gathers dragonseed trainees and supporters from various Targaryen branches to ride dragons, it appears incredibly shrewd, given Aegon II’s followers significantly outnumber them among the dragons. Officially, Ulf and Hugh Hammer claim the dragons Silverwing and Vermithor respectively. Although their combat abilities remain unproven, considering these beasts are two of the most potent ones, it seems likely that Rhaenyra will gain an advantage in the upcoming battles.

According to George R.R. Martin’s book “Fire and Blood,” it appears that things are going well for her. It’s likely that the Season 2 finale will showcase the Battle of the Gullet, a conflict that was foreshadowed earlier this year when Corlys Velaryon’s fleet blockaded King’s Landing, disrupting their supplies. In the sixth episode of the season titled “Smallfolk,” Aemond Targaryen and the recently reinstated Otto Hightower are seen seeking help from the Triarchy, an alliance of free cities in Essos, to counter Velaryon’s fleet.

In “Fire and Blood,” another pivotal moment unfolds in an ongoing civil war that appears to be chock-full of such events. The forces led by Jacaerys and Lord Velayron sail into a brutal sea battle, one of the bloodiest ever recorded in Westeros, which becomes a significant turning point for Team Black. Allies such as Ulf, Hugh Hammer, and Addam (the bastard son of Lord Corlys Velaryon) lend crucial support to Rhaenyra, helping her achieve a decisive victory. Nevertheless, this triumph does not come without its price; Jacaerys and his dragon Vermax both lose their lives during the battle.

Nevertheless, a victory won at great cost, known as a pyrrhic victory, was achieved by Team Black in the civil war, since Aemond’s troops were unable to breach the blockade. This triumph sets the stage for Rhaenyra to capture King’s Landing, hinting that an end to the conflict may be near. However, even with the crucial assistance of the dragonseeds in changing the course of events, Rhaenyra encounters disagreements with Ulf and Hugh.

Why Do the Dragonseeds Betray Rhaenyra?

As Rhaenyra started gathering dragonseed supporters for her cause, she offered knighthood and land to those who managed to tame dragons. However, following the Battle of the Gullet, while Hugh Hammer and Ulf were swiftly knighted, many other promises made in connection with their victories had conditions or simply went unfulfilled. In recognition of their battlefield triumphs, Daemon proposed that Rhaenyra consider providing them substantial rewards to bolster their newfound influence and legitimacy.

Initially, Daemon suggests marrying Ulf to Lord Stokesworth’s daughter, which would secure him a place in the Crownlands, offer him Casterly Rock (the Lannister family’s castle), but Rhaenyra rejects this proposition. Later, Daemon offers Storm’s End (controlled by the influential House Baratheon) instead, sensing that their motive is more about personal gain than serving the greater good. However, Rhaenyra had already given them a small piece of land on Driftmark, yet they still felt disrespected due to her unfulfilled promises.

Concurrently, capturing King’s Landing initially appeared to be a significant triumph for Team Black. However, it soon became evident that the war was far from over. Lord Ormund Hightower, representing Team Green, was leading an offensive to reclaim King’s Landing. His army advanced swiftly, putting Rhaenyra in a position where she had to shift her focus to Tumbleton, a significant market town and her final substantial defense. She dispatched Ulf, Hugh, and their dragons to protect the outpost during this conflict, but unfortunately, Lord Ormund was killed. However, the dragonseeds, who served under Rhaenyra, treacherously turned against her forces, using their dragons to burn Tumbleton down and ultimately switched their allegiance to Team Green. As a result, Ulf and Hugh gained notoriety as the “Two Betrayers”.

The consequences are substantial, as Rhaenyra becomes progressively suspicious that other dragon-descendants might betray her too. Greed overtakes both Ulf and Hugh, leading to their eventual ruin; while Green’s Prince Daeron offers Ulf the position of Lord of Bitterbridge, it fails to satisfy him. In his quest for power, Ulf seeks control over Highgarden (the Tyrell family seat) and even attempts to seize the Iron Throne itself. After Hugh – another contender for the throne – perishes in a second battle at Tumbleton, Daeron recognizes that Ulf poses too much of a threat and orchestrates his fatal poisoning.

A Shocking But Inevitable Betrayal in House of the Dragon

In Fire and Blood, the setback suffered by Team Black carries a heavy weight, yet it seems predestined. A Song of Ice and Fire, whether in its written or televised form, delves into the essence of power – the lengths those who possess it will go to keep it, the sacrifices required to maintain it, and the worthiness of those who hold it. This theme is subtly demonstrated here as Rhaenyra’s misuse of her power in disrespecting two trusted advisors contrasts with Hugh and Ulf’s relentless pursuit of power, which ultimately leads to their demise.

Anticipating the intriguing development this week in House of the Dragon, which seems to be a significant step towards the Targaryens’ demise, the show cleverly establishes the dragonseeds’ recruitment based on character and theme. We eagerly look forward to witnessing the outcome whenever it unfolds. Don’t forget to catch House of the Dragon Season 2 streaming on Max.

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2024-08-04 04:32