We have already established that Helaena Targaryen is a dragon dreamer. She often utters cryptically phrased prophecies of events that will occur in the future. In House of the Dragon episode 8 too she makes a prediction. “Beware the beast beneath the boards.” At first glance, it seems like the beast here refers to a dragon. Additionally, beneath the boards also has some interesting connotations. Also, beware of spoilers!
Princess Helaena could be referring to Vhagar and Aemond killing Lucerys and Arrax
The beast beneath the boards could be about a dragon, specifically Vhagar. Princess Helaena has made a prophecy surrounding Aemond’s eye before. Once again she spoke those words just as Aemond sat down. This could be a prediction of Aemond and Vhagar killing Lucerys and Arrax. The three Strong boys toast was an iconic Aemond moment right before he killed Lucerys in Fire and Blood. He has already given that toast in House of the Dragon episode 8 and thus foreshadowed the death of Lucerys.
Blood and Cheese using the Red Keep’s secret passages
Helaena’s prophecy could be about Blood and Cheese. They were two assassins who were hired by Prince Daemon to kill one of Aegon and Helaena’s children. This was done in retaliation to the murder of Lucerys at the hands of Aemond. Blood and Cheese were merciless assassins and could be referred to as beasts. But the more interesting part is that they used the secret passages within the Red Keep to reach Helaena and her children. This explains why “beneath the boards”. Cheese was a ratcatcher who was well acquainted with the tunnels and passages under the Red Keep.
Larys Strong the Lord Confessor and the rat theory
We have theorized that Larys Strong is a greenseer. Some have even claimed that he is a skinchanger who can use the rats in the Red Keep to acquire information from all over. After all, he does have a way of knowing all that’s happening even within closed doors. Another explanation is that as Lord Confessor he often works in the dungeons of the Red Keep which are beneath the boards. And Lord Larys Strong is no less than a monster himself. Additionally, it is not just the blacks who need to beware of him. Even the greens need to be wary as Larys Strong has no loyalties at all.
Mysaria and her network of spies
While the beast part does not really fit this theory, the beneath the boards idea tracks. Mysaria works from the shadows, hidden and yet listening to everything. We have already talked about how Mysaria could bring down Aegon and the greens with the help of Talya’s information. This could be what Princess Helaena is referring to in her prophecy. We have barely seen anything of Mysaria and she is yet to reach her true potential and power.
Helaena could be talking about Aegon’s dragon Sunfyre killing Princess Rhaenyra
As mentioned before, the beast beneath the boards could be referring to a dragon. There is another dragon that the blacks need to beware of. And that is Sunfyre. Princess Helaena could be predicting Rhaenyra’s death at the hands of Aegon II and his dragon Sunfyre. Aegon feeds Princess Rhaenyra to his dragon while he forces her son to watch her die. Helaena seems to have a cordial relationship with her half-sister Princess Rhaenyra and a friendly relationship with her nephews especially Jacaerys. This means that her dragon dreams do not have to be purely about her siblings or the greens. However, this would not be much of a prophecy as Game of Thrones has already spoiled this bit. Moreover, this prophecy wont be fulfilled till the end of the next season so its unlikely they would hint at it this soon.
