Episode 6 of House of the Dragon, titled “The Princess and the Queen,” marked a significant turning point, showcasing a decade-long time jump and, more importantly, claiming the lives of several key characters, setting the stage for the brewing Targaryen civil war. Among the fallen was Lady Laena Velaryon, wife of Prince Daemon Targaryen, a pivotal loss impacting both Daemon’s personal trajectory and the Velaryon claim to the Iron Throne.
The Deaths of Episode 6: A Closer Look
The episode centers around the shifting power dynamics and the maturing of Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent’s children. However, it’s Laena Velaryon’s tragic demise that leaves the most indelible mark, not solely for its emotional impact, but also for its profound implications on the political landscape.
Laena Velaryon’s Death: A Dragonrider’s Choice
Laena’s death stands apart due to its agency. While giving birth to her third child, a difficult and prolonged labor proved fatal. Knowing the agonizing end awaiting her, Laena chose to command her dragon, Vhagar, to incinerate her. This act of dragonrider defiance underscores her strength and her profound connection to her dragon, reflecting a deep understanding of both her own mortality and the bond she shared with Vhagar. While a maester might have prolonged her suffering, Laena opted for a swift, albeit fiery, end. This choice solidifies her character as a powerful woman who refuses to be a passive victim of fate.
The Significance of Laena’s Death
Laena’s death is not just a personal tragedy; it carries significant weight for several reasons:
- Loss of a Dragonrider: Laena was a skilled dragonrider, and Vhagar is the largest and oldest dragon in Westeros. Her loss weakens the Velaryon’s dragon-riding capabilities, indirectly impacting their overall power.
- Impact on Daemon Targaryen: Daemon, known for his impulsiveness and unpredictable nature, is deeply affected by Laena’s passing. This loss likely fuels his existing resentment towards the Hightowers and further hardens his resolve in the upcoming Dance of the Dragons. The true depths of his feelings for Laena remain shrouded, adding to the complexity of his character.
- Velaryon Succession: Laena’s death complicates the Velaryon succession, though less directly than the potential question marks surrounding the parentage of Rhaenyra’s children. While her daughters, Baela and Rhaena, are still dragonriders (or soon to be), the absence of a male heir further fuels the existing tension surrounding the legitimacy and future of House Velaryon.
Beyond Laena, there are no major named character deaths in Episode 6. However, the birth scene, highlighting the strain between Rhaenyra and Alicent, emphasizes the metaphorical death of their childhood friendship. This breakdown represents a far more sinister harbinger of the brutal war to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was Laena Velaryon’s cause of death in the book, Fire & Blood?
In George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, Laena’s death is similar but slightly different. In the book, after a difficult labor, she falls ill with a fever, and ultimately dies a few days later. The show portrays her actively choosing her death by dragonfire, adding a layer of agency not explicitly present in the source material.
2. Why did Laena choose to die by dragonfire?
The show provides a compelling rationale for Laena’s choice. Facing a prolonged and agonizing death from complications during childbirth, she chooses to meet her end swiftly and on her own terms. It’s an act of defiance and a testament to her bond with Vhagar, allowing her to die as a dragonrider rather than succumb slowly to illness.
3. How does Laena’s death affect Daemon Targaryen?
While Daemon’s grief may not be overtly displayed, Laena’s death undoubtedly has a profound impact on him. It likely deepens his cynicism and distrust of the Hightowers, further fueling his support for Rhaenyra and her claim to the Iron Throne. Losing Laena removes one of the few stabilizing forces in his life.
4. Does Laena’s death impact the succession of Driftmark?
Indirectly, yes. With Laena gone, the Velaryon line is even more dependent on Corlys’s (presumed) grandsons through Rhaenyra (Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey). The ongoing suspicions regarding their paternity could destabilize the Velaryon claim to Driftmark if Rhaenyra were to lose the looming civil war.
5. Who is Vhagar, the dragon Laena rode?
Vhagar is one of the oldest and largest dragons in Westeros, second only to Vermithor in size during this period. She was previously ridden by Queen Visenya Targaryen, one of Aegon the Conqueror’s sisters and wives. Her bond with Laena demonstrated the strong connection between Velaryons and dragon-riding. Losing Vhagar creates a significant power imbalance in the Dance of the Dragons.
6. What other significant events happened in Episode 6?
Beyond Laena’s death, the episode introduces the older versions of Rhaenyra and Alicent’s children. It showcases the growing animosity between the two queens, the increasing challenges to Rhaenyra’s sons’ legitimacy, and the scheming of Alicent’s father, Otto Hightower. This sets the stage for the escalating conflict.
7. How does Episode 6 differ from the book, Fire & Blood?
Aside from Laena’s specific cause of death, the show dramatizes and expands upon events described in Fire & Blood. The book is presented as a historical account from various perspectives, while the show takes a more narrative approach, focusing on the emotions and motivations of the characters. The show also condenses the timeline.
8. Will we see Laena Velaryon again in flashbacks?
While not confirmed, flashbacks are a common storytelling device. Given Laena’s significance to Daemon’s character development and the Velaryon storyline, it’s possible we may see her in future flashbacks, offering further insight into her relationship with Daemon and her role in the larger narrative.
9. What are the implications of the time jump in Episode 6?
The time jump allows the show to accelerate the plot, showcasing the maturation of the central characters and the deepening rifts between them. It also allows the introduction of new characters and the development of existing relationships, setting the stage for the Dance of the Dragons.
10. How does Laena’s death compare to other character deaths in House of the Dragon so far?
Laena’s death is unique due to her agency in choosing her own end. While other characters have died violently or unexpectedly, Laena’s decision to die by dragonfire underscores her strength and independence. Her death is both tragic and empowering, setting it apart from other demises in the series.
11. What are the Velaryon’s dragons besides Vhagar?
While Vhagar was Laena’s dragon, her daughters, Baela and Rhaena, eventually claimed dragons of their own. Baela rides Moondancer, a swift and graceful dragon, while Rhaena later rides Morning. This demonstrates the continued strength of the Velaryon’s connection to dragon-riding.
12. How will Laena’s daughters, Baela and Rhaena, be affected by her death?
The loss of their mother will undoubtedly impact Baela and Rhaena. They will likely become pawns in the political game, their dragon-riding skills making them valuable assets to either side in the upcoming civil war. Their grief and ambition could drive them to make significant choices that will shape the future of House Velaryon and the Seven Kingdoms. The absence of a strong female role model like Laena could also influence their development, potentially leading them down different paths than they might have otherwise taken. The coming conflict will test their resilience and force them to navigate treacherous waters of power and loyalty.