The Dance of the Dragons derives its name from the beasts (dragons) that were particularly hard-hit and perished in the battles, one after another. Alternatively, it also refers to battles and macro conflicts between members of House Targaryen, who were centuries into the practice of using dragons as symbols in their representation or simply calling themselves dragons. Fought between the opposing camps in the name of Queen Rhaenyra and her younger half-brother, Aegon II Targaryen, the Dance of the Dragons quickly catapulted from a family conflict into a realm-wide war.
As far as HBO’s televised adaptation of House of the Dragons is concerned, the Blacks’ strongholds around King’s Landing, such as Stokeworth, Rosby, Duskendale, and Rook’s Rest, quickly collapsed. The central region of Westeros – the Riverlands are next, with Tullys, Brackens, Blackwoods, Freys, and Strongs at the center of military and diplomatic attention. With so much being done and said about the challenges to Rhaenyra’s succession, it’s imperative to shine a light on what House of the Dragon says about the Dance of the Dragons.
WARNING! Spoilers ahead!
6“There Is No War So Hateful To The Gods As A War Between Kin…”
Season 2, Episode 3: “The Burning Mill”
Rhaenys Targaryen
“There Is No War So Hateful To The Gods As A War Between Kin, And No War So Bloody As A War Between Dragons.”
The wisest person in Rhaenyra’s war council and the one who shaped her, Rhaenys, pointed out the irony of the situation early on in House of the Dragon. Though she secured her husband’s support for the Blacks, she also helped Rhaenyra see that they were galvanizing against their kin at King’s Landing.
Aegon, Helaena, Aemond, and Daeron were Rhaenys’ blood, as was Rhaenyra. She made a good point when she urged Rhaenyra to see Alicent Hightower at King’s Landing to sue for peace because she knew the dragon war would push them to the edge of the precipice.
5“Is There No Honor Left In This World, Cole?”
Season 2, Episode 4: “The Red Dragon and the Gold”
Gunthor Darklyn
“Is There No Honor Left In This World, Cole? Sacking Your Queen’s Own Castles And Putting Her People To The Sword? Kingmaker!”
Criston Cole marches out of King’s Landing and starts felling the smaller strongholds in the Crownlands and adding their levies to his army. House Darklyn of Duskendale is also sacked by Cole’s men and their lord – Gunthor, is put to the sword. Cole personally beheads Gunthor, whose son, Steffon, was the first Lord Commander of Rhaenyra’s Queensguard.
A fierce supporter of Rhaenyra, Gunthor spits on the ground to convey disdain for Cole’s actions. He says there’s no honor in trying to win the war by sacking the Queen’s castles and killing her supporters. Gunthor tells Cole that he is undeserving of the white cloak because Kingsguard and Lord Commanders have no vested interests.
4“Rhaenyra’s Supporters Will Believe What They Wish. And So Will Aegon’s…”
Season 2, Episode 4: “The Red Dragon and the Gold”
Alicent Hightower
“Rhaenyra’s Supporters Will Believe What They Wish. And So Will Aegon’s. The War Will Be Fought, Many Will Die And The Victor Will Eventually Ascend The Throne. The Significance Of Viserys’ Intentions Died With Him.”
Alicent Hightower has accepted that the war between dragons has rendered the dead king Viserys’ intentions irrelevant. The king upheld Rhaenyra’s claim, and deliriously reiterated it to Alicent in his final moments, thinking she was his daughter. Alicent took it to mean that Viserys named their son, Aegon as his successor, and acted according.
Alicent is no longer the woman who supports her son simply because her husband intended it that way. She sees that the realm is polarized between Rhaenyra and Aegon’s claims and Viserys’ wishes matter the least.
3“But To Unite The Realm, I Had To Send The Dragons To War…”
Season 2, Episode 4: “The Red Dragon and the Gold”
Rhaenyra Targaryen
“But To Unite The Realm, I Had To Send The Dragons To War.”
After being crowned queen, Rhaenyra sought her allies and sent her emissaries to different kingdoms. She did not act even when the Greens usurped her throne.
Rhaenyra acted only after when Daemon delivered the news of Lucerys Velaryon’s death. Even then, she snuck into King’s Landing to see Alicent and sue for peace. Alicent declined and Rhaenyra realized she needed more dragons to respond to Aemond’s Vhagar. War remains the only means to achieve lasting peace, and Rhaenyra has given the stage to dragons.
2“We Want Meat! Meat!”
The Smallfolk Chant
Season 2, Episode 5: “Regent”
The Smallfolk of King’s Landing are growing weary because the Sea Snake blockaded the Gullet. The city has run out of food and people are experiencing hunger. They are unable to move out because the Prince Regent, Aemond Targaryen, has ordered the gates in and out of King’s Landing to be blockaded.
House of the Dragon provides a perspective on the struggles of the Smallfolk. With nowhere to go and no food to eat, they will rise en masse against the Greens in favor of Rhaenyra.
1“Shall I Fight For My Birthright? Or Shall I Wait Here Until We Are All Destroyed?”
Season 2, Episode 5: “Regent”
Rhaenyra Targaryen
Rhaenyra’s councilors urge her not to act, and her heir sees her as the tie that binds them. They want to protect her from harm because the war is being fought in her name. Rhaenyra doesn’t agree with her council, and she wants to do something before it’s too late.
She is losing allies one after another. Cole has felled numerous strongholds in the vicinity of the capital and executed people who steadfastly upheld the Queen’s claim. After Princess Rhaenys’ death, Rhaenyra convinces her son, Jace, why she herself must make a move.
