House of the Dragon star Olivia Cooke has opened up about what Alicent Hightower was doing in the woods after her removal from the Small Council. During House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7, the Queen goes into the Kingswood with a single guard, seemingly to get away from the developments of the war. For the most part, she wanders around the forest on her own, including sleeping in a tent with her guard and wading into a lake. She also briefly indicates that she may not return to King’s Landing depending on her mindset.

Speaking with TIME, Cooke clarified Alicent’s decision to go into the woods in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7, explaining how she needs to make future plans without Aemond interfering. In particular, she’s thinking about the safety of herself and Helaena, not sure how she can progress forward from her current station. Check out what Cooke had to say below:

Alicent needs to get out of King’s Landing to figure out the longevity of her house, family, and herself. The longevity of her life and her daughter’s [Helaena] life, and how sustainable it is at this point. She needs to be able to plot without Aemond looming, and without being used as a chess piece. She’s gone off to try and make all of these humongous decisions that will impact the regency, possibly, forever.

Alicent saying, “I’m not yet certain I do” [when asked when she intends on returning to the city] is actually her saying “I don’t know what will be in my future after the course of what I’m about to do.” I always came at the narrative as a point of Alicent’s liberation. She’s not useful to Aemond or Aegon anymore, so she can sort of move within the shadows because she’s not being monitored 24/7.

How Will Alicent’s Plans Impact House Of The Dragon Season 2’s Finale?

Alicent could try to escape the war she helped start.

Now that she’s been stripped of her power on the Small Council, Alicent needs to weigh her options carefully to guarantee a safe future for herself, as well as Helaena. However, House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7 ended with Ulf riding Silverwing above King’s Landing, indicative of how many dragon riders the Blacks now have at their disposal. This demonstrates how dangerous the war is about to become, as the strength of Rhaenyra’s armies pose a threat regardless of what her former friend decides to do next.

Since Alicent decided not to stop the war after learning Viserys had been talking about Aegon the Conqueror before he died, it makes her indirectly responsible for deaths like Rhaenys’ during the war. Since she no longer trusts Aemond to follow her best interests, it appears she has no direct place in the war anymore where her safety can be assured. While the House of the Dragon season 2 finale trailer revealed she will return to King’s Landing, it’s unclear what her next steps are as the conflict grows more dangerous.

While she could try to find safety by going to Rhaenyra, the bad blood between them makes it seemingly impossible for them to ever trust one another again. She could also try going to her father, Otto Hightower, for help, or any number of other House of the Dragon characters whom she trusts. But, with her future uncertain and the war only continuing to become more heated, she might simply have to make the best of her situation and hope Aemond’s leadership can bring the Greens to victory.

House of the Dragon season 2 has one episode left.