The Dance of Dragons has begun in “The Black Queen”, the season one finale! Rhaenys arrives with news of the death of Viserys and the crowning of Aegon II. Rhaenyra is made queen with crown brought by Ser Arryk. Daemon prepares for war. Rhaenyra, in the House of the Dragon tradition, has a difficult birth, which sadly doesn’t go the same way as her mother, Queen Aemma. The Hand tries to bring terms and we see Queen Rhaenyra is not ready to bring the Seven Kingdoms into war! Spoilers ahead! We see Lord Corlys Velaryon, long since missing, since “Driftmark”, episode seven. He was wounded in battle, but his fever broke in the last part. Corlys wakes to see his wife, Princess Rhaenys asleep at his side, he jokes, but she says he abandoned her. He has heard of the new king, Rhaenys tells him about the death of his brother, Vaemond and he struggles to sit up. She tells him of Vaemond’s ambition to take over Driftmark and his death at Daemon’s sword.
The black skull of Balerion, House of the Dragon: The Targaryen Dynasty exhibit, Natural History Museum Los Angeles, author’s photo.
Corlys says he failed and wants to declare loyalty to no one, Rhaenys says that the boys will not be safe when Aegon II is king. She informs her husband that Rhaenyra is patient and not ready to throw everyone into war. Rhaenyra is at the table with the Black Council when Corlys and Rhaenys arrive with their daughters. He is using a cane, shades of King Viserys?, his daughters stand next to Jace and Luke. Um, he calls her princess, update, she’s queen. Corlys eyes the pieces on the Painted Table and says they are not enough to win the war. Rhaenyra says they hope to have Arryn, Baratheon and Stark on their side. He notes the oaths that were broken and she reminds him that he swore an oath to her. Lord Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake, declares to everyone that the Greens are traitors and allies House Velaryon with its fleet. He then ends with her title as queen! Rhaenyra’s promise to keep the Seven Kingdoms united and will not make the first attack. This surprises Lord Corlys. The Sea Snake says that while he almost died at the Stepstones, he has garrisoned it, and will blockade all shipping! A very important ally!
He says that they can seal off all trade to King’s Landing! Rhaenys says she will patrol the Gullet at Blackwater Bay. Cut off, Lord Bartimos Celtigar (Nicholas Jones) says they can assault the Red Keep! Rhaenyra says they will need the swords of their potential allies. Ravens are about to be sent, but Jace says they can use dragons to bring the messages, faster and will show the Houses the power of House Targaryen! Lord Corys agrees. Queen Rhaenyra sends Prince Jace north to the Eyrie, for Lady Jeyne Arryn, and then Winterfell with Lord Cregan Stark, the son of Lord Rickon Stark. Prince Luke is sent south to speak with Lord Borros Baratheon. Later, the queen talks with her sons, holds the messages and says they leave as messengers not warriors. She has them swear oaths to the Seven not to do any fighting. Rhaenyra says to Jace that he might have his age in common with Lord Stark. She reassures Luke that he has Arryn blood through Rhaenys. Three dragons leave Dragonstone. In the dark , Daemon sings a song in High Valyrian, and sets down his torch. The rumbling of a dragon is heard. A dragon suddenly ignites the chamber with fire!
A dragonsaddle, House of the Dragon: The Targaryen Dynasty exhibit, Natural History Museum Los Angeles, photo by the author.
The dragon with jagged teeth eyes Daemon as he continues the song. Through stormy skies, Luke maneuvers Arrax around the castle whipped by the sea. Several knights stand guard at the gate and then Luke sees Vhagar roar. Luke knows what is waiting for him, but wants to fulfill his mother’s order. He introduces himself and his message. Knights escort him into the castle and bring him to throne of Lord Baratheon (Roger Evans). To the side is Aemond Targaryen. Luke says that he has brought a message from the queen. Borros tells him that the king had earlier brought a message. Luke hands the message to a knight. Borros takes it and asks for the maester. The maester reads the message and whispers about it to Lord Baratheon. He brushes aside the oath made by his father. No honor in this man. Borros says Aemond will marry one of his daughters and then asks which of his other three daughters will he marry. Luke says he is already betrothed and this of course upsets Borros. At first his head is lowered and then he says he will bring Borros answer to the queen. Aemond calls Luke, Lord Strong, and Luke repeats his promise that he will not fight. He lifts his eyepatch and says he wants Luke’s eye.
Aemond throws Luke a dagger, but he refuses. He moves forward and draws his sword, Luke does the same, but Borros says he does not want a fight in his hall. Oh, a great ally in Aemond?, rethink that Lord Baratheon. He says that Luke is an envoy and has his guards escort him to his dragon. It is heavy rain, but Luke makes it to Arrax and turns. He tries to calm Arrax, I recognize “Lykiri”, and takes him into a lightning wracked storm. I couldn’t see him entering the storm. Luke turns to hear a dragon growl and then Arrax is under the shadow of Vhagar! He looks up, nothing, and then Vhagar flies past him as Aemond laughs. The chase begins, Luke tells Arrax to turn, I hear no commands from Aemond. Arrax slips into a canyon, too narrow for Vhagar who soars above them, and Aemond loses them! Arrax from the side breathes fire at Vhagar and Aemond has to fight for control of the raging dragon! He considers it a game until things get out of control, a pettiness from his upbringing. The dragon makes it to the clear sky, but Vhagar chomps on the smaller dragon. First blood of this civil war! The Black Council is silent as Daemon goes to Queen Rhaenyra. She turns, now the Black Queen, ready for war! The challenge is how to deal with Vhagar, two of three dragons, Daemon and Rhaenys can outfly the young and untempered Aemond.
Five Dragon Saddles out of Five!
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