In the episode 2 of House of the Dragon Season 2, viewers were left stunned by the unexpected death of Rhaenys Targaryen. Aemond and Ser Criston Cole's plan to kill her was foiled by Aegon's sudden appearance, adding a twist to the storyline. The turn of events kept audiences on the edge of their seats as they watched the dramatic conclusion unfold.

Rhaenys Targaryen Death Explained

Rhaenys has the chance to survive


In the midst of the fierce battle, Rhaenys and her dragon, Melys, fought bravely against Aegon and Sunfyre. Despite managing to land some hits, they were outnumbered when Aemond and Vhagar joined the conflict. Aemond's ruthless command led to King Aegon and his dragon falling from the sky, while Rhaenys narrowly escaped with injuries. The dragons clashed in a deadly dance of fire and fury, leaving destruction in their wake.

Rhaenys despite having a chance to escape bravely decides to face Aemond and Vhagar once again. She is aware of the risks involved, but still chooses to confront the larger dragon. The battle goes in Rhaenys' favor for a while, until she is unexpectedly caught off guard and meets her end.


With the loss of Rhaenys, Rhaenyra's council suffers a blow as one of her key supporters is no longer by her side. The division between Rhaenyra and Corlys Velaryon deepens as Rhaenys was the one who initially brought House Velaryon over to the Blacks. Corlys' skepticism towards Rhaenyra and Daemon intensifies, causing further strain on their already fragile relationship.

Rhaenys Targaryen death in the books


In the novels, Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys are tragically killed in an ambush by Aemond and Aegon during the Battle of Rook's Rest. However, Rhaenys' body is never recovered, leaving her actual fate uncertain. This leaves room for speculation on whether the TV adaptation will follow the same storyline or introduce a twist to keep viewers guessing. In the aftermath, Aemond seizes temporary control of Westeros while Aegon recovers from his own injuries.