'Rhaenyra is a bad mom bc she knowingly gave birth to bastards and she knew how much danger they'd be in!!!!'

1. She had no way of knowing those babies wouldn't pop out looking exactly like her, beforehand. And unfortunately she couldn't stop at Jace. The throne needed an heir. Driftmark needed an heir. And a spare was needed as well, given the sheer rate of Targaryen children dying untimely deaths.

2. She had to provide heirs to the throne, and to Driftmark. If she hadn't, society wouldn't have blamed Laenor, they would have blamed her- which makes her position even more unstable, bc then she 'can't fulfill a woman's duty' so why would men think her 'able' to fill a 'man's role' by ruling the kingdom? And she and Laenor tried. He was either unable (meaning infertile or impotent, or unable to get it up), or unwilling. (And they did try. We dont know what they tried but Rhaenyra is shown to be clever in the show so honestly i have no doubt she attempted what Margaery suggested with Renly.) Laenor was in on the entire thing. He was aware of every part of this. He wasn't duped, he wasn't cuckholded- it was a plan greenlit by him, bc this way he and Rhaenyra would both have their heirs and a family. This cannot in any way shape or form be compared to Cersei cuckholding Robert (fuck Robert Baratheon tho), seeing as Robert was **not** at all aware that his children weren't his, and wouldn't have been OK with that.

Either way- she chose not to maritally r*pe her husband and put him through more trauma after it was clear their attempts weren't working. Yall are always so upset for Alicent (rightfully so, bc show!alicent was maritally raped, even if it wasn't considered as such in that time), but you... WANT Rhaenyra to do that to Laenor? Hello???

[And no. Rhaenyra did NOT rape or coerce Criston Cole. The actors, writers, and directors have all stated their sex was consensual and 'an act of love.' It was Rhaenyra going to someone she felt close to and trusted after feeling abandoned and unwanted and betrayed. In that scene you literally watch, as after Cole tells Rhaenyra to stop undressing herself, she moves aside so she isn't blocking his way to the door. The director states that the moment they show Cole folding and setting down his cloak was him choosing his desire over his oaths. And Criston Cole has known Rhaenyra since she was 14. He knew damn well the sort of person she was- and she was not the person who would have harmed him for saying no. She was an intoxicated and emotionally vulnerable 19 year old- Criston was in his late 20s to early 30s. And it's explicitly stated in ep.9 that the ONLY person a Kingsguard cannot refuse is the king. In ep.7 Criston disobeys a direct order from Alicent when she wants him to mutilate Lucerys. Criston Cole was not assaulted. Stop trying to assign Aegon's sins to Rhaenyra so that you can feel better for supporting him.]

3. In the books, the rumors of their bastardry at large halted when all of Rhaenyra's boys' cradle eggs hatched. The ONLY people who continued to try and raise issue were the core green faction. But the realm at large *did not give a fuck* why? Because every actually relevant party claimed those boys. Repeatedly and without flinching. Laenor claimed and loved those boys even face to face with Alicent's bullshit. Corlys claimed and love those boys- he was proud of them, and it's been stated by the actor in the show that Luke was his favorite- that given the... events of ep.10, Corlys will be out for blood. And Viserys repeatedly insisted upon their legitimacy- because Laenor and Corlys claimed them, because he knew that by forcing Rhaenyra to marry Laenor in order to repair the damage his insults caused House Velaryon, that he had backed her into a corner.

Rhaenyras boys are remembered to history as Velaryon. Even **Green supporters** noted that they were good, capable, intelligent, and **worthy** princes. That their deaths were unfortunate *for the realm.*

Legally, those boys are legitimate. They cannot be proven illegitimate without Laenor renouncing them, and he never did. Furthermore, trying to declare children illegitimate due to their appearance is a stupid, dangerous precedent. The fact that it's people who have no ties to House Velaryon pushing these rumors and pushing for disinheritance makes it even worse, because they're meddling in the succession of a House that *is not theirs.* if that became a standard, imagine the feuds and conflicts that would erupt- lords pushing for the children of rivals to be declared illegitimate all for the sake of trying to grasp and steal land, power, and influence as a norm? The realm would tear itself apart. Not to mention the sheer danger that would place women in, in Westeros.

Furthermore, even whilst usurping her, even while calling her children bastards, the Greens also imply Laenor's homosexuality was inherited by the Velaryon princes- that they would use Rhaenyra's 'promiscuity' and Laenor's 'predilections' to turn the Red Keep into a brothel- ironic, considering that's more what Aegon would've done. So even while claiming that Rhaenyras children are bastards that shouldn't inherit, they try to state that what the boys inherit or learn from Laenor makes them unfit for the throne. They can't keep their own damn story straight- because their usurpation was never about what is moral, what is right, or the greater good. It was about greed. Power. Sexism.

It doesn't matter what those boys looked like, especially seeing as Rhaenys had dark hair in the books. What matters is that Corlys and Laenor and Viserys claimed them and declared them legitimate, and that they **never** deviated from that.

As for Vaemond, he was a second son. And he waited until Corlys and Viserys were dying and too ill to stop him to make a grasp for power. Youre not supposed to look at that and feel hes in the right. Youre supposed to look at that and see a man consumed by greed, and literally trying to bury Corlys' will and intentions before the man is even in a grave. He was NEVER Corlys' heir- he just wanted power. It wasn't about his House, or their legacy, it was about him.

(And before yall start shit about Rhaenyras boys stealing Laena's girls' inheritance... Rhaena and Baela are *TARGARYEN*. Not Velaryon. Their claim was to the throne or to any holdings in Daemon's name. NOT to Driftmark.)

Rhaenyras boys being betrothed to Rhaena and Baela tied up any issue of 'Velaryon blood.' Baela would have been queen consort of the seven kingdoms at Jace's side, and they very clearly adored one another in book and show. Rhaena would have been Lady of the Tides- which she never would have had a chance for, without Rhaenyra (and Laena) making those betrothals. She and Luke were also canonically very close- and in show she's very encouraging of him whenever he looks nervous or uncertain. They had a bond.

Rhaenyra stole nothing. She gave those girls more. And she loved them- they were the only daughters she got to have, seeing as the Greens treachery caused the early death of baby Visenya. If she hadn't loved them, she wouldn't have trusted Rhaena to look after Joffrey or give her Morning's egg from Syrax. She wouldn't have immediately invited both girls to the table when she was queen, which is something her father did not do for her until much, much later. He allowed Rhaenyra's voice to be silenced too often when she was first made heir. Rhaenyra did not repeat that hurt to her girls or her boys.

Anyways, moving on.

You lot do also remember that Rhaenyra herself has Velaryon blood, right? Jaehaerys I's mother was Alyssa Velaryon. Aegon, Rhaenys, and Visenya the Conquerors' mother was Valaena Velaryon. It's not immediate, but there *is* Velaryon blood through *all* of Rhaenyras boys.

Ultimately, Rhaenyras boys were only in danger because of the core Green faction usurping the throne. If they hadnt- no succession crisis or rebellion could have truly threatened Rhaenyras boys- because none of them would have had dragons. All of Rhaenyras children loved one another- her sons by Daemon would not have turned on her sons with Laenor (and Harwin). They were a true, loving family- possibly one of the healthiest and most close knit one House Targaryen ever boasted.

And another thing... 'her having babies with Harwin was stupid, she should have picked someone Valyrian!'

Here's the thing. Rhaenyra had to be careful as hell choosing who would father her and Laenor's heirs. She had to choose someone who was physically close, and who could be trusted. Someone who wouldn't try to publicly claim those boys in boast or jealousy. Someone who would keep their mouth shut and had no ambition of their own in regards to the throne. Do you really think Vaemond Velaryon (as I see him suggested a lot) would've kept his mouth shut? That he wouldn't have tried to use this to blackmail Rhaenyra and Laenor for more power and status? Do you think Rhaenys would have ever fought for or supported Rhaenyra if Rhaenyra had tried to have Corlys sire her children? And flying to see Daemon in Pentos and having a purely Valyrian child 9 months later would have made things look even more suspect.

Furthermore... she chose someone who cared for her deeply. Who clearly had a positive relationship with Laenor. She chose someone so she wouldn't have to traumatize herself- she took power over her body in a way almost no Westerosi woman has ever been able to. They were a family unit- Rhaenyra, Laenor, and Harwin. Those children were loved and cherished by two fathers and their mother. They were raised never doubting their mothers love, nor their father's- either father. They were raised and educated to be true, good princes of the realm.

Rhaenyra fought like hell for her children. She was an incredible mother. Yall just believe everything the Green faction says without looking at it critically, and that's unfortunate as hell.

“Ser Otto also reached out to Dorne, whose ruling prince, Qoren Martell, had once warred against Prince Daemon in the Stepstones, but Prince Qoren spurned his offer.”

- Fire & Blood, page 466

Another piece of evidence showing Otto’s political incompetence.

He arranges the usurpation of Rhaenyra Targaryen, the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, and reaches out to Dorne of all places, where there is no such thing as imposed patriarchy, and whose ruler (the Lord of Sunpear), had a daughter as heir.

Qoren Martell’s eldest child is Princess Aliandra Martell, who succeeded him as Lady of Sunspear after his death, even though Qoren also had a son, Qyle.

Hightower has plenty of nerve, I’ll give him that. I don’t know whatever made Otto think that Dorne would ever side with usurpers and oathbreakers.

If they did decide to participate in the Dance, Dorne would have been on the side of the Blacks.

Why are team green stans always the first to talk about how Nyra didn't fight in the books? In the books Alicent was a grown ass women beefing with a child. In the books Criston was with Rhaenyra since she was seven and was such a creep even Alicent pointed it out. In the books Helena is not a dreamer. In the books Aemond is always making weird ass comments about female genitalia. In the books nobody cheered at Aegons coronation and were asking for Nyra. In the books Rhaenys is Rhaenyras number one supporter. The best is "fat Rhaenyra" What about fat Helena and Aegon? Both Helena and Aegon were said to be fuckin ugly but Rhaenyra was said to be beautiful before and after she gained her weight. Anywayssss

Something I absolutely detest in the show was them having Luke give that stupid grin when the pig is placed in front of Aemond. It always came across as super out of character to me considering how timid he’s shown to be throughout the entire show (bar the time he’s being led by Aegon). Jace is constantly protecting him/watching over him, at the funeral he’s literally saying he doesn’t want to be lord of Driftmark because it means everyone else is dead, he only attacks Aemond in the fight whenever everyone else is down, he’s so conscious of his appearance when they’re going around the Redkeep grounds and seems nervous when he sees sparring Aemond against Criston and seems nervous again when he looks at Aemond during the petition + he’s literally holding Rhaenyra’s hand at one point during that. But yeah sure he’d purposefully provoke Aemond.

The best part is that the TGs claim that it was Lucerys who ordered the pig and had it placed on the table in front of Aemond...

For me this moment is also strange, because it does not entirely agree with how Luke was portrayed most of the time, because he was shown as a sensitive boy. Yes, you could somehow put it down to Daemon's upbringing, but it still doesn't really sit well with me. This is just another strange example of victimized TG and showing "look at poor Aemond :(", which is an element of strange fan fiction of the creators.

House of the Dragon S01x10: Daemon Targaryen (2/2).

And if you kick every Rhaenicent out of HOTD fandom who’s gonna call Rhaenyra a “spoiled irresponsible slut” ?

Any TG member.

emma d'arcy smiling on house of the dragon' set

i see so many people be like "hmmm is rhaenyra actually fit to rule? because if she were, she would have done this and this and that"

... were any of the men in hotd/got fit to rule, though? was viserys fit to rule? was robert baratheon? the king named rhaenyra his heir. that's all there is. that's a monarchy! she shouldn't have to be fit to rule or do anything else really. rhaenyra having to prove herself fit to rule when not a single man has ever had to do that, her being held to highest standards just to have the same thing they did is sexism plain and simple.

if rhaenyra was exactly the same person but had been born a man, nothing (s)he ever did would be an obstacle to her (his?) claim of the iron throne. and when a modern audience doesn't see that and wants her to prove herself worthy when no man has ever needed to do that, there's no excuse anymore. the world she lives in may be way more sexist than ours, but the audience watching the show is living in the 21st century. and if a woman is expected to do more than a man just because she is a woman, that's misogyny! hope that helps!

“They bullied Aemond!!!!!!”

the bullies in question:

Targaryen family portrait.

Apparently unpopular opinion.

I love that Rhaenyra was portrayed as more of a bit of a tomboy in the show. Rebellious to everything, including the social constructs expected of her. And I genuinely did love a lot of her dresses and jewelry.

However she should've had more dresses- they shouldn't have repeated as often as they did. And she had no consistency to her costumes- no personalized sense of style, except for with the 3 younger red dresses and the last 2 black dresses. They should've also done far more w her hair.

Emma is perfect as Rhaenyra. They're gorgeous in the way of Greek statues of the divine. Their bone structure is *regal.* and Milly is just absolutely lovely as well, especially in eps 3, 4, and 5, and in her riding and hunting leathers.

Plus they both genuinely care about Rhaenyra as a character- it's so obvious in every interview they've done. Rhaenyra was perfectly cast- as was Daemon, Harwin, and the Velaryon both and dragon twins (and Corlys)

I hate the show for a lot of things, but all of these reasons make me at least tolerate it.... also the dragon designs are incredible. Syrax is *spectacular.*

Let’s face it, when GRRM wrote the ending of the Dance, he put a pause on the whole Aegon and Jaehaera union, and realized that something was not right here.

Sure, it’s an “arranged marriage for peace” trope like the one from The Wars of the Roses…but kind of unnecessary (since the Blacks won), and also kind of disappointing because it sends the following message: “Usurpers and traitors should be rewarded.”

Otto and Alicent Hightower wanted their bloodline on the Iron Throne. They schemed, seduced and then started a whole war for it. Making Jaehaera queen (and have her potentially give birth to Aegon’s children) would give these two opportunists a win.

And then he thought about Aegon III, a broken child, forced in wedlock with the girl of the mad usurper who murdered his mother right in front of him.

And then, GRRM asked himself, who would deserve the honor of being Aegon III’s Queen and mother his children?

1. A girl from House Velaryon, a House who has always been on the side of the Blacks (even after Rhaenyra’s death), and fought for the true heir to the throne honorably and faithfully?

or

2. The last girl from the defeated enemy party, who had Hightower blood coursing through her veins?

The answer is pretty clear. And as such, thinking about granting Aegon III happiness, GRRM created Daenaera Velaryon, the always smiling little queen, who contributed to healing the boy’s broken heart.

This is why Daenaera Velaryon is Aegon III’s true wife and Queen in canon and why her presence in his life is essential.

If the kings word isn't law, then why is it that the Greens only usurp Rhaenyra after Viserys is dead.

Greens:

Coles existence in the shows narrative absolutely blows apart any argument that Alicent has no power time and time again and that is a hill I am willing to figuratively die on in this fanfiction of a tv show.

Yes, Alicent has no power… that's why she was able to promote a man who broke his vows, murdered an unarmed man at a royal wedding - a knight who was an honored guest of House Velaryon - and punched the future royal consort in the face. At the royal wedding. In front of everyone. After Alicent declared war on the crown. In front of everyone.

Yes, poor Alicent. She has no power as queen consort :(

House of the Dragon S01x10: Daemon Targaryen (1/2).