Blacks Are Losing Big, We Need Daemon to Step Up! Here’s How He Will Do It

The latest episode of ‘House of the Dragon’ has officially started the bloodshed known as Dance of the Dragons. Following the death of Lucerys Velaryon, Blacks lost one more high-profile member of their cohort, Princess Rhaenys, who bravely died going up against both Sunfyre and Vhagar, with no hope of winning that duel.

With Greens collecting their forces and striking deep into the Crown Lands, it’s safe to say that Blacks have found themselves in a bad position, primarily due to Rhaenyra trying to postpone the bloodshed as soon as long as possible.

King Consort Daemon Targaryen went to Harrenhal, but so far has captured nothing but a broken and desolate fort that drains his resources and willpower (quite literally) he seems to be suffering from a mental breakdown. This is bad news considering that Daemon is Blacks’ greatest ally and the most notable warrior among them. Fans who have not read ‘Fire and Blood’ are wondering whether Daemon will “snap out of it,” this is why we decided to explain that if hopefully, the show adapts the books faithfully, Daemon still has a role to play in turning the tides of war. However, Rhaenyra will suffer more losses before she starts winning. Those losses will be devastating. Let’s see how everything will play out!

Keep in mind that the following article contains spoilers both for the ‘House of the Dragon’ show and the ‘Fire and Blood’ book upon which the show is based.

Rhaenyra will suffer more devastating losses before luck starts turning

Following the battle at Rook’s Rest, several big events will bolster Rhaenyra’s and Daemon’s resolve to strike big and strike hard. First was the Battle of the Gullet during which Rhaenyra will lose two of her sons to the Triarchy, and Lord Corlys Velaryon will lose all of his treasures. Prince Aegon and Prince Viserys were sent on Gay Abadon to be delivered to safekeeping far from the chaos of war.

The Gay Abadon was ambushed by ninety ships and had no hope of escaping. Prince Aegon escaped on his dragon, Stormcloud, which was mortally wounded but managed to deliver him to Dragonstone. Prince Viserys, only having a dragon egg, was captured by Admiral Sharako Lohar of Lys.

When he reached Dragonstone, Prince Jacaerys flew on his dragon Vermax to confront the Lysene galleys, followed by four dragonseeds. During the battle, Vermax flew too low and crashed into the sea, resulting in Jacaerys’s death.

At the same time squadron from the Triarchy sacked Spicetown, killing many and setting High Tide, Lord Corlys Velaryon’s seat, on fire, destroying a third of his ships. This event only fueled his resolve to eventually turn against Rhaenyra.

The second big event that brought losses to Rhaenyra was the death of Lord Walys Mooton who fought hard to retake his ancestral Rook’s Rest, and died doing so. He was killed by Sunfyre, and the dragon, despite being heavily injured managed to escape and return to her rider.

Daemon decides to abandon the Harrenhal

In the meantime, the Blacks did win several smaller battles, but the event that truly turned everything in the Blacks’ favor and brought Rhaenyra her rightful crown was the Fall of King’s Landing.

Aemond wisely recognized Daemon at Harrenhal as the biggest threat and started marching to the fort with Cole with a host of 4000 men and Vhagar. Since the situation in Riverland was chaotic at best with two Tully Lords keeping opposing loyalties in this war, Daemon was wise enough to recognize that Harrenhal would be the next target of Greens’ rage.

Daemon abandoned Harrenhal and avoided Aemond’s path on Vhagar not to be spotted. When Cole and Aemond reached Harrenhal they found the castle abandoned and were convinced that Daemon fled and abandoned the castle for nothing.

At the same time, Greens suffered massive losses after Lord Jason Lannister was killed at the Battle at the Red Fork. Greens did secure victory but Lannister host was without a proper leader and was soon wiped out during Fishfeed.

King’s Landing fell

With Criston Cole, Aemond Targaryen, and Vhagar properly distracted, Daemon on Caraxes joined Rhaenyra on Syrax above the capital, while Corlys’ ships sailed into Blackwater Bay. Grand Maester Orwyle attempted to send ravens for help but was arrested before any messages could be sent.

Messengers were detained at the city gates, and the seven gate captains were killed or arrested by gold cloaks still loyal to Daemon, their former commander. The city gates were then opened for the men arriving with the Velaryon fleet, leading to King’s Landing falling in less than a day.

Daemon will later prove to be Rhaenyra’s most valuable and most damaging ally

Daemon played one of the most important roles in the fall of King’s Landing, merely by drawing Cole and Aemond on Vhagar away from the capital. But his most notable battle is still yet to come the Battle Above the Gods Eye, during which both he and Aemond will lose their lives.

But, despite striking a severe loss for the Greens, he also only contributed to Rhaenyra’s worsening mental condition as he allegedly started cheating on her with Dragonseed Nettles, whose death Rhaenyra ordered and further alienated her husband and King Consort, further shaking already fragile loyalties.

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